Rich runs into my house unexpectedly, which causes me to let out a horror movie shriek. Thanks Rich. Speaking of the fun sized demon, he doubles over in laughter while I'm trying to recover from my mini heart attack.

"You scream like a girl!" he laughs while pointing at me, still doubled over.

"I thought you were breaking in!" I try to defend.

"I told you I was coming!"

"A knock or a text would've been nice!"

"I am not standing out in that New Jersey weather while I wait for you to get your ass up to answer the door!"

I sigh and facepalm, reminding myself to keep my doors locked. "What's the project on again?"

"Stoichiometry," Rich forces out in bits and pieces.

I groan. I hate science.

Two Hours Later

"For the last time, I am not a jalapeño pepper! Can we just focus on the project?" I whine for the fifth time tonight. Was it a bad idea to bust out the weed? No. No it wasn't.

"But, but we could all just be giant jalapeño peppers and we'd never know it!"

"Rich, lie down. Take a nap. I'll wake you up in an hour." I rub my fingers in circles over my temples.

When Rich finally goes to sleep, my phone rings. I groan and answer. Can't a man get a bit of silence? "Yellow."

"Blue. Where are you?" Jeremy asks from the other line. I glance at the clock. Shit it's late.

"I'm at my house. Rich came over to work on the project. We're almost done what we need to get done tonight but it could take a while. Is that alright?"

"Oh. I just got home so I was wondering where you are. Um, your parents aren't there right?"

My fingers trail along the faint scar on my cheek. I don't even need to see it to know exactly where it is anymore. "No, no they're not here. Let's just, not bring them up okay? I'll see you later dude."

"Okay. Bye Michael."

I hang up. I take a quick glance around the room. God, just being here is making me paranoid.

I start to clean up the room, guessing that Rich will have to leave soon after he wakes up. I put on a pot of coffee because sleep doesn't exist and I have no idea when I'm going to want to leave.

I walk back into the living room to see Rich sitting up. "Better now dude?" I ask.

"Yeah. Lots. What time is it?"

"Like...ten?"

"Shit!" Rich jumps up and gathers his things. "I have to be home half an hour ago! Do I look like I got high?"

"No you look fine. Now hurry up, don't get in more trouble than you already are," I chuckle.

"If I get in trouble for this you're dead."

"Okay," I shrug. "But I have to warn you, I've been dead for years now."

Rich runs around the room. The front door opens and both our heads jerk in the direction of the door. Shit.

"Jump out the window in the bathroom. Don't ask questions. I'll explain at school," I whisper. Rich nods before dashing to the bathroom with his things.

"Michael?" a feminine voice calls out. Mom. Shit. What do I tell her? She knows I left. She knows I wasn't at home.

"Michael," my dad's voice calls out.

Fuck.

Just...fuck.

A/N

In case you didn't read the previous A/N
I'm holding a cover contest and the covers are due by the 26th. Just post the cover and tag me.

Also, sorry for the long wait I've been a bit busy. Hopefully I can get chapters done quicker now. Alright, peace.