Beneath The Bad.

Chapter 6. A Chance encounter.

Kia and Reed were talking in the corner of the room. “Let's eat out tonight, its been a while we treat ourselves” Kia urged Reed. “Yeah its been long, lets do it ”. Reed agreed.

In the evening, they all gathered themselves, like 15 of them, they grouped themselves and drove in the stolen cars they've acquired.

To Alex's Greatest surprise, the restaurant they came to was none other but Jasper's parents restaurant. “Why is the universe playing games on me, why here of all places, sigh”. They all entered inside being all lousy and noisy, those that recognised them got frightened and left in a hurry, while some stayed back.

David, the most annoying member of the gang, the gang calls him blabber mouth, enters the restaurant and starts shouting, “Someone come take our order!!, you have waiting customers here!!" He walks to the counter, there was a young girl there, she was in charge of the cash. “ohhh you so fine baby girl, how about you come with me, I can give you a little treat, if you know what I mean”, he laughed ridiculously. This made her really really uncomfortable. She went inside and asked Jasper to please take over from her.

Coming out with a bright orange bow tie with yellow polka dots, paired with suspenders and a pair of high-waisted pants, Jasper approached their table. “Good evening and welcome, what would you like to order" he looked up and immediately, he recognised Alex. Alex changed alot unlike Jasper who looked exactly the samie. He always loved wearing a bow tie with suspenders.

On the other hand, Alex looked like a million bucks. Wearing a sleek black leather jacket with silver hardware, paired with a crisp white graphic tee and distressed denim jeans. His feet were clad in gleaming black and sliver Air Force 1s, and a tiny silver chain glinted around his neck. A black and silver Rolex watch, and a pair of sleek back shades.

The gang bursted into laughter as soon as Jasper approached their table. "Woah!!, you look like a reject from a bad 80s music video!” One of them said, chuckling. "oh let me adjust your tie for you", David said as he stood and arranged his tie for him. The gang erupted into laughter again.

Jasper looked at Alex in a way which expressed “help me out here, I'm being bullied". Alex actually felt pity for him, but remembering how he was turned down in his most desperate moment made him realise that he doesn't need his sympathy.

Just as Jasper thought all the bulling was over, and that Alex will stand up for him, Alex made everything worse. “hey guys, how about we call him Mr. Nerdy pants or Bow tie boy” He said with a death stare in his eyes. They all laughed so hard that they began to cough.

Jasper couldn't believe how Alex had changed so much. This broke his heart.

They kept on mocking Jasper's outfit, but eventually, they started to calm down and moved to other topics.

Few minutes later, Alex went out. Jasper noticed and followed him.

“Hey man, what's going on?” Jasper asked stepping out into the backyard where Alex was huddled in the corner, puffing on a cigarette. Alex looked at him and didn't say anything, he just continued smoking.

“You've changed so much, its been like five years since I saw you. Wow dude, you won't even talk to me huh, sigh, I get your upset and frustrated and angry but this isn't the right path, I know you Alex."

The sound of those words “I know you" made Alex blood boil. In a fit of rage, he threw the cigarette to the floor, smeared it, and walked angrily to Jasper. Face to face, straight in the eyes.

“You don't know me one bit Jasper, because if you did, you wouldn't have turned your back on me when I desperately needed you, like do you know how hard it was? Do you have any idea how alone and scared I was? Of course you don't!!! You were at your house, cuddling up in your warm bed with your parents beside you. I thought you were a friend Jasper, but turns you're just a self-righteous hypocrite.

“And what do you think of yourself huh?, What are you trying to prove by walking around with those riff raffs?

“Those ‘riff raff’ Like you call them, are my family, so I'd advise you to watch your mouth.

Shortly after, the whole gang came out. “Is there a problem?” Kia asked walking towards them. “I don't know, Is there?” Alex returned the question back to Jasper, without breaking the eye contact.

“N-no there isn't any problem" he replied in a shaky tone.

“That's good, let's go kid”. Kia said as they all left.

Jasper couldn't believe it and just stood there till he entered inside.