Kyle's side of things

Kyle knew very well what they were doing in Ellie's room. Definitely, not getting ready for a Halloween party. Kyle scowled as he looked at the shut door across the hall. It was really getting hard to play this so-called game.

Deep down, he knew Ellie was a bit of a thrill-seeker even if she didn't come off that way. No, never, he thought. Kyle went back to his room and plopped himself down on the bed. No way, was he staying home tonight. He had to do something. Just had too. He doubted Roxie was staying put. Not that they talked anymore. They didn't. When it was over it was over. Sort of like one of those shut cases where they seal it in a vault, and its never spoke of again. That's what they were.

It wasn't that she didn't have her issues. Now he could say it so wisely with that smart mouth of his, "Yes, she was a bitch." And he'd given her time, money, bought her things even hid her in his room. And for what? She was all cuddly and what not, but no, it was never the real thing. Might as well have been bought at Wal-Mart on clearance, he thought now of their love life. But she could be up or she could be down. It was never really ever normal. And as he thought about it now, it was just as well that it had been what it was. Some teenage romance that was at its best making out in public. He'd really tried at this too. Like maybe he'd missed something. He'd missed something, all right. He missed it a lot. Sex.

But he had his buds to cavort with for the most part. And yeah, it was fun just to hangout, take the edge off. Yet that wasn't always what it was cracked up to be, either. Dylan was in love with Cory, some of the time. Not that Cory was like that. Wanting to be all showy and stuff about gaying up. It wasn't something that Kyle was going to keep him from being friends with Cory, either. He could deal. He had a lot to deal with. Everything from putting up with Ellie and Eric, her Dad with his Mom, and then there was old lady Carson who he did odd jobs for. She was an encyclopedia of how not to be happy in life. She hated everything. Somehow, they managed to put up with each other.

But did anyone really care that he had to put up with everyone else's crap? Hell no. So why should they care if he wanted to get high alone. He was definitely alone. And there were times he wondered if that would change. Maybe it never would, and that scared him.

His cell rang which felt like an alarm clock. It startled Kyle. He answered it without even staring at the number.

"Dude, what's up?" The voice didn't sound familiar. It was kind of girly, even.

"What's up with you?" Kyle sighed wondering who in the hell this was.

"You're going to the show, aren't you?"

"Maybe." Kyle was a bit puzzled.

"Dude, its me, Derrick."

"Derrick." Kyle winced a little. He was some eighth grader he remembered from the Roxbury, where he generally went to concerts. It had been an all age show. He was even more baby-faced than Kyle, but he had one those cool knit caps on and all you could see were those big brown eyes of his. Yeah, he looked way elementary, yet in a cool way.

"Yeah, we hung out after the show, helped all those band dudes with their stuff and they talked to us about shit."

"Oh, yeah." He didn't remember giving Derrick his number.

"You said you'd be there to see Ludo?"

"Oh, yeah, I forgot."

"You're smoking too much shit, man."

"And you're not."

"Straight edge, totally."

"Yeah, I know." Kyle sighed. "Well, what's up?"

"Do you need a ride?"

"Kind of." Kyle wasn't sure he had the energy to find a way to the show. He wasn't sure if he could catch a bus still. No way, would he bother Ellie and Eric.

"OK, dude, can you meet us at Burger King in thirty?"

"Who all is going?"

"My sister is taking me?"

"She drives?"

"Yeah, she finally got her license."

"Sweet." Kyle didn't bother to ask her name or age. He'd figure it out soon enough. If she looked anywhere like an Anime cartoon like Derrick, then she might be worth knowing. Halloween was definitely shaping up.