Jimmy's Perspective-

"YES!!" Lizzie said, jumping up, "Won again!"
She threw an L in her brother and boyfriend's faces, "L, imagine losing."

"Oh, shut up!" Jimmy said, frustrated at getting 3rd place, "I beat you last race."

"Yeah, yeah, but that was last race." Lizzie said, waving an impatient hand.

Joel shrugged, "I've been 2nd this entire time, but 2nd's good."

Jimmy laughed as he watched his sister pop off for winning at Mario Kart.

Just then, his phone started ringing.

He was confused as he saw it was from Mumbo.

"Mumbo? Everything alright?" He asked, answering the phone.

"Er- I mean, things could be better." Mumbo said.

"Why? What's wrong?"

"It's Birdie."

"What's wrong with Grian?" Jimmy asked, making Joel and Lizzie shut up and look at Jimmy, concerned.

"Well..." Mumbo sighed, "Remember back in 6th grade when he asked us to leave him alone?"

"Is he doing it again?"

"Yeah...he says he wants to protect us."

"But that just made it worse!" Jimmy said, making Lizzie look even more worried.

"What's he saying?" She whispered but Jimmy shook his head.

'Not now' he mouthed.

"I know that," Mumbo said, "I told him not to do it but he broke down crying. He said it's all been his fault and he already got in a huge argument with Scar. I can't really do anything since I'm going to a different school, so can you talk to him?"

"Now?"

"Probably not now, but definitely tomorrow."

"What are we gonna do about Scar?"

"I- I'm not sure. I think maybe you should just continue to speak with Birdie, but not all of you. He's in a really tough spot and we've been friends with him the longest."

"What about Lizzie and Joel?" Jimmy asked, noticing his friends concerned looks.

"I...I think they should stick with Scar."

"Scar already has his other, new friends."

"Well then- I don't know!" Mumbo groaned frustratedly.

"Hey, look, I'm really sorry Mumbo, I didn't mean to- "

"I know, I know you didn't mean to, I'm just so worried about Birdie."

"I think maybe I should just speak with him tomorrow and then invite Lizzie and Joel over."

"I- okay. Whatever you think is best."

"Alright, thanks Mumbo."

"Yeah, and thank you, Jim."

"Course."

They hung up.

Jimmy then sighed.

"What's up with Grian?" Lizzie asked.

"I- remember what happened in 6th grade?"

Lizzie gasped, fear in her eyes, "Tell me he's not doing it- "

Jimmy nodded sadly.

"Wait, what happened in 6th grade?" Joel asked.

"Grian asked us to leave him alone in order to protect him and...I don't think he's ever been bullied more than then."

"He's doing it again?" Joel asked, "Asking you to leave him alone?"

"Apparently," Jimmy said, shrugging, "He got in a huge argument with Scar. I told Mumbo that we're not gonna leave him though."

They all nodded.

"Well," Lizzie said, "I'm not gonna be at school next week, remember?"

"Oh yeah," Jimmy said, "You have that friend thing."

"Wait, what?" Joel asked, looking up at his girlfriend.

Lizzie sighed, "I told you about this, babe. My friend's mother got in a car crash and there's a funeral up there. Me and my mom are flying over to her state."

"For a week?"

"For four days, but that fifth I'll be tired and probably not go to school."

Joel nodded and he and Jimmy looked at each other.

"Guess we'll have to talk to Grian."

The Next Day-

"Hey guys!"

Jimmy and Joel stopped and turned around.

They saw Scar run up to them.

"Hey Scar!" Joel smiled, "How're you doing?"

Scar shrugged and looked over at Grian, who was sitting at a lunch table all by himself.

"I told my other friends about him. They said to give him space."

Joel and Jimmy nodded.

"So...wanna sit with us?" Scar asked.

"Er- sorry Scar, we're actually gonna sit with Grian." Jimmy said, smiling sheepishly.

Scar looked a bit hurt but then nodded, "Okay. Tell me how it goes later."

Jimmy and Joel both nodded before sitting down with Grian.

"What do you want?" Grian demanded.

"Grian, Mumbo told us what- "

Grian scoffed, "Of course he did."

"So what? You here to check in on me? Make sure I'm okay?" Grian snapped.

Joel and Jimmy exchanged looks.

"Actually," Joel said, smirking, "We had a different idea."

He rummaged around in his bag and his smile grew wider and he pulled out three leather jackets.

Each jacket had three different colored hearts, green, yellow, and red. There were also the words 'Bad Boys' on the back.

Joel handed on to Grian and Jimmy.

Grian looked at it.

He froze, holding it in his hands.

Jimmy and Joel exchanged nervous looks.

Grian then snickered and broke out in laughter.

"The Bad Boys?" He asked through his giggles.

"Yeah," Joel said, putting his hands behind his head, "They call me that Bad Boy of this school."

"You know, I can't tell whether we're supposed to be the Bad Boys, feeling a little bit Sad Boys, or are we the Mad Boys?" Grian asked.

"A bit of everything." Joel shrugged.

"A bit of everything, yeah." Jimmy said.

Grian giggled as Joel and Jimmy put on their jackets.

"Well, we're the Bad Boys, and you're feeling a little bit Sad Boy." Joel said, "But we'll cheer you up boy."

Grian laughed again.

"Thanks guys." He said, slipping on his jacket, "I really appreciate it."