Then: February 3rd

When Wyatt, his sister, and her friends walked into the diner, the other three had already gotten them a table big enough for seven. Wyatt somehow ended up sitting between Jamie and Taylor. Not that it mattered, Wyatt didn't talk much anyway.

The waiter took their order, and the group eased into conversation. As usual, Lauren was the center of the party. Wyatt rolled his eyes, but he smiled at all her jokes anyway.

As the night went on, Taylor kept trying to start conversations with him. Wyatt politely replied at first, but her questions were getting increasingly personal. Finally, when she paused to take a bite out of her salad, which was a weird thing to get at a greasy diner, Wyatt turned to Jamie, who had been quiet the whole night.

Unlike the rest of them, Jamie hadn't ordered a meal. He had gotten curly fries and a milkshake. Wyatt had seen Justin push his own fries towards Jamie as well. Wyatt looked Jamie over, and decided he probably should eat the extra fries.

As he watched, Wyatt realized Jamie dipped his fries into his milkshake before eating them.

“Is that good?” Wyatt asked.

Jamie glanced over at him, but he didn't look offended. He offered Wyatt his newly dipped fry, “want to try?”

Wyatt took the fry, popping it into his mouth with only slight hesitation. He grimaced at the sweet and salty flavor.

Jamie smirked, “yeah I didn't like them at first either. Now I can't get a shake without fries.”

“Who got you hooked on them?”

Jamie's smile faded, “my friend Amber. She… went to a different school.”

“Is this the same Amber that killed herself?” Taylor interrupted. Wyatt turned to stare at her, as did the rest of their table.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“Taylor!” Tiffany hissed.

“She didn't kill herself.” Jamie said calmly.

“Right. And then you had a mental breakdown about it. Claiming that something in the hospital had killed her.”

“Don't talk to him like that!” Justin spat from the other side of the table.

“I don't think he should be out here at all. He should probably be in the hospital, still having hallucinations, Jamie?” Taylor said, glaring at Jamie.

“Taylor, shut up.” Lauren said fiercely.

Jamie didn't say anything to defend himself. His face was stony as he stood, but he threw down a ten and walked to the door, ignoring everyone at the table.

Justin did the same thing, following after his friend. Unlike Jamie though he glared at Taylor on his way out.

“What is wrong with you, Taylor?” Tiffany said from across the table, collecting the jackets Justin and Jamie had left behind.

“I was just looking out for Wyatt.”

“What?” Wyatt asked, confused.

“Who knows what someone like that could do. And you're popular Wyatt, you shouldn't have to talk to people below you.”

“Below me?” Wyatt was even more confused, “what the hell are you talking about?”

Taylor sighed, looking annoyed, “you should be talking to people like me, Wyatt, not like him. I was just trying to spare you social awkwardness when he thought you were his friend for being nice to him.”

“I would rather be his friend than yours.” Wyatt said through clenched teeth.

At this point, the waiter had come by to count out the money. Obviously he was worried he would be short if they all threw down money and left. Wyatt paid for his, as well as the rest of Justin and Jamies.

Luckily Lisa and Lauren were still asking Taylor what was wrong with her, distracting her enough for him and Tiffany to slip out of the building. They found Justin and Jamie not far from the door. Jamie was leaning against the wall, his head down. Justin was squeezing his shoulder.

“Are you okay?” Wyatt asked.

“Fine.” Jamie answered, but his voice was scratchy. No one commented on it.

“I'll drive you home,” Tiffany said, handing over their jackets.

“No.” Wyatt said quickly, he didn't want to spend another minute with that bitch. “I'll take him and Lauren. You take Taylor.”

Tiffany didn't look happy about it, but she agreed.

“I'm going with Jamie,” Justin told Tiffany, leaning forward to give her a hug, “will you be okay without me?”

“It's fine, she is my cousin after all. You get Jamie home safe.”

Wyatt led the two to his car. They were all quiet as they waited for Lauren.

“I'm sorry for what she said. I think she was just jealous I wasn't talking to her.” Wyatt said into the silence.

“You didn't make her say anything,” Jamie mumbled, looking out the car window. Justin reached over to squeeze his shoulder again. Jamie seemed to find comfort in that. Wyatt wished he could do more.

When Lauren, Taylor and Lisa finally came out of the diner, Tiffany was there to intercept before Taylor could make it to Wyatt's car. Lauren got in quickly, and Wyatt started to drive away as fast as he could.