8 Friends for Life

Luke's Point of View

When the bell rang, as soon as the teacher dismissed us I grabbed my bag and ran out of school but not before bumping into Jake.
"Watch where you're going Luke." Jake said.
"Why don't you and I don't want to argue with you I need to get to the park." I replied.
"Why does mummy want to meet you there?" Jake replied.
"No I need to talk to Renee and will you rack off, you're doing my head in, in fact why don't you just leave everyone in our group alone." I snapped, while I was talking I didn't see Dylan and Jacob walk towards me when Dylan heard the last sentence, he grabbed Jake and pulled him away.

"Jake, leave him alone okay and DON'T EVEN think about picking on our sister and her friends or you'll be wishing you had left them alone." Dylan threatened.
"Okay, I got it loser why do you guys care so much about the girls." Jake quickly asked.
"Because they happen to be our best friend's sister or sisters." Jacob replied. Luke was about to say something when Dylan said.

"Dude don't you have to go to the park or something like that."
"Oh shoot I forgot about that I'm going now." I said as I ran off.
"Wonder what that was all about." Jacob wondered. By now Jake had managed to get away from Dylan and Jacob.
"Come on let's go find Courtney and Annabelle." Jacob said.

Courtney's Point of View

Annabelle and I got our stuff out of our lockers and together we waited for our brothers so we could walk home together. We were all lucky because everyone lived near each other.
"What is taking my brothers so long?" I wondered aloud.
"I'm not sure maybe Renee needed to talk to them again." Annabelle said.

"Maybe or maybe Jake stopped Luke again; I don't understand what he has against Luke. I mean it's not as if Renee will ever go out with Jake so why does he bother?" I said.
"He bothers because he knows that Luke likes Renee but is too shy to say anything so he is trying his luck on getting a date with her but she doesn't want to go out with him." Annabelle said matter fact tone.

"How do you know all this?" I asked looking very shocked at Annabelle.
"Oh his parents and my parents are friends and whenever they come over Jake is always asking me stuff about Renee." Annabelle replied while Annabelle was talking the boys came up.

"What's this about Renee?" Dylan asked.
"Oh it's just that Jake is always picking fights with Luke because he knows Luke likes Renee but hasn't said anything so he is trying to win over Renee but it's not working considering that Renee has feelings for someone else. I have no clue who that someone else is." Annabelle said summing everything in up.

"Wait what?" Dylan said.
"Basically Jake likes Renee and wants her to like him back but Renee doesn't want too because she likes someone else, we don't know who the someone else is though," I said explaining what Annabelle had just said.
"Oh now I get it but how do you know for sure Annabelle." Jacob asked.

"Oh Jake and his family have come over my house before and Jake is always asking me stuff about Renee." Annabelle said, while Annabelle was talking we all started walking home as we were walking past JJ place we saw Renee run out of house looking very upset she ran to the local park.

"Renee is going to park near her place, Luke going to park too." Jacob said.
"How do you know that Luke is going to the park?" I asked.
"Oh because we were walking to meet up with you girls when we saw Luke being stopped by Jake that what took us so long to meet you girls." Dylan said while we were talking we arrived at Annabelle's house.
"Cya tomorrow, I'll call you tonight Courtney." Annabelle said as she walked inside.

Luke's Point of View

(Meanwhile at the park)
I was walking to the park trying to calm down before I saw Renee, I knew that Renee was upset because she never texted me in class unless it was serious. When I arrived I went to our favorite place at the park which was a big tree near the fence that separated the primary school from the park.

"Renee are you here?" I called out.
"Yeah I'm here in the tree." Renee called back.
"I'm coming up now or would you rather come down and we can talk." I said.
"I'll come down now hang on a second." Renee replied, just like she said Renee came down and sat down underneath the tree she patted the ground next to her as if an invite for me to sit next to her.

"So what's up Renee?"
"You know how I had to come home early from school because my parents had to tell me something? Well it turns out that we are moving in four weeks overseas." I was shocked I didn't know what to say I was worried.
"What does that mean?" I asked.

"Oh it just means that the graduation and the party will be the last time we see each other as a group." Renee said calmly even though I knew that she wasn't feeling very calm.
"Okay well that's alright... I mean don't get me wrong it stinks that your moving but isn't this what you wanted?" Luke asked.
"It is but..."
"But?"
"But I can't because I would miss all you guys too much!! And I don't want to move anymore." Renee said as she started crying.

"Hey, hey what's with the tears? Shouldn't you be happy you're finally getting out of this place wasn't that your dream?" I asked slightly confused.
"Yeah it was but now I just want to stay here I don't want to move it's too scary I can't handle it." Renee replied.
"Renee why are you scared, you're the most open and bubbly person there is." I said looking at Renee wondering what was really going on because I knew that Renee is hiding something from me.

"I'm scared to start over and I don't know anyone there." Renee sobbed.
"Oh Renee, yes everyone is scared and I know you don't want to go but I think there is something else about not wanting to go because your very emotional." I said, Renee is never this open with me and she never cries no matter what.
"You want to know why I'm like this is because..." Renee started, I looked at her waiting for her to reply but instead she quickly said.

"It's nothing don't worry, I need to go home I'll talk to you tomorrow." Renee said.
"Okay then, but Renee don't think you're getting away with not answering my question, I know there is something. I haven't known you for ages not to know when you're not telling me something." I said as Renee got up and started walking home. I couldn't help but wonder what that was all about. I walked home after Renee left, when I was near Jacob's place I saw Jacob coming out of his place.

"Hey Luke what's up?" Jacob asked.
"Um nothing much just a little confused but I can't tell you I need to think about it before I say anything" I replied.
"Ah huh Dude you and Renee were made for each other." Jacob laughed.
"Ha what about you and JJ." I asked.
"What about us there is nothing going on, we are just friends or rather beginning to be friends." Jacob replied with a slight smile.
"Well I've got to go see you tomorrow." I said.

Renee's Point of View

I walked into the house still lost in thought just replaying what when on at the park. When I was walking into my room I didn't see my sister JJ.
"I can't believe I nearly told him." I mumbled aloud.
"Hold up you nearly told him." JJ said.
"Huh JJ what are you doing in here." I said.
"I wanted to talk to you about us moving and the party Annabelle wants to throw." JJ replied
"Yeah what's up?" I said as I moved around my room cleaning it out.

"Well why don't we have the party here, because I have a feeling that if you're not their then the boys won't come especially Luke." JJ hinted.
"Okay, JJ I get your hint what about Jacob." I asked.
"Oh Renee you're such an egg sometimes, But, yes I know you and Luke each other and I kind of like Jacob but I'm not sure it's worth telling him when we are leaving." JJ said sounding very sad.
"Oh JJ let's make a deal, you tell Jacob that you like him and I will tell Luke about my feelings." I said.

"So let's talk about the party if Annabelle is having the party at her place you'll need to ask her if we can have it here. Also I will be happy to help you girls plan it." I said.
"Seriously, Thanks Renee." JJ said as she got up and hugged me. I of course hugged her back it was a 'Kodak Moment'.

JJ's Point of View

I was really shocked, when Renee hugged me and how she acted like an actual human being. I was still shocked when I walked over to the phone downstairs to call Annabelle to ask her about the party.

Annabelle's Point of View

Ring, ring!
"Hello this is Annabelle." I said.
"Hey Annabelle, it's JJ I have a quick question." JJ said.
"Sure what's up." I asked.
"Well... Hang on let's go three-way with Courtney, then I'll tell you." JJ said the phone rang.
"Hello Courtney speaking." Courtney answered.
"Hey Courtney its Annabelle and JJ. I have a quick question for both of you." JJ said
"Okay I'm listening," Courtney said.

"Well, I was wondering if we could have the party at my place because something has come up." JJ said.
"Sure but what's the something that has come up?" I asked.
"Oh it has something to do with Renee and you Annabelle." JJ replied.
"Me??" I asked.
"Yes you if you want to spend time with Dylan then I need the party to be at my place okay?" JJ said.
"Why would Annabelle want to spend time with my brother unless..." Courtney trailed off
"She likes him." JJ said.

"Girls I'm still here you know, I can't talk to him at school so I guess at the party it should be okay cause it will only be our group." I said.
"Okay well we need to pick a day for shopping and I think Renee is going to come with us." JJ said.
"Renee? Come shopping? But I thought she hated shopping." I said.
"She does, but she has had a change of heart I'll explain more tomorrow I've got to go talk to girls later." JJ said as she hung up. As soon as I got off the phone I walked back to my sister's room.

JJ's Point of View

"Knock knock Renee can I come in." I asked.
"Sure what's up?" Renee asked.
"I was wondering if you want to come shopping with us girls for graduation and also can you bring the boys over to our table so we can tell everyone about moving and organize the stuff for the party." I replied.
"Sure, JJ can I ask you something?" Renee asked.
"Okay." I replied.

"Does Annabelle like Dylan, because I know that Dylan likes her but I'm not sure about her liking him." Renee said.
"Yes she does we need to come up with a way for Dylan and Annabelle to come together and talk." I said.
"I have an idea, but I need to think about it overnight." Renee said.
"Sure okay I'm going to bed now." I said.

The Next Day Tuesday (Annabelle's Point of View)

When I got up, I quickly got ready thinking about our conversation last night. I was seriously distracted that when I walked into the kitchen I didn't even have a go at my brother who was eating like pig.

"Wow you are distracted today." My mum said.
"Yeah sorry mum I was just thinking about a conversation I had with my friends last night by the way, are we having anyone over this week cause the girls and I want to go shopping." I said.
"Sure you can have any day this week but Sunday because you're aunty and her families are coming for lunch." My mum replied.
"Thanks mum, I've got to go now otherwise I'm going to be late to meet up with JJ." I laughed.

At School (JJ's Point of View)

By the time Renee and I met up with Annabelle, Renee had come up with the idea on how to get Annabelle and Dylan together.
"Earth calling Renee, Come in Renee." I teased.
"I'm here what is the plan for the day?" Renee replied.
"At lunch you bring the boys to the table just tell them that we have something to tell everyone and we don't want to repeat it twice then we can tell them about the change of plans about the party." I said.

"Okay it might be hard for the boys to come, hey Annabelle do you want to test something out." Renee replied.
"Oh no! don't tell me you have an idea." I teased.
"Actually I do, JJ you and I both know that Annabelle and Dylan like each other. So let's pretend Annabelle gets all upset and walks off. We girls pretend not to notice and most likely Dylan will go after her so that way they can talk." Renee said with a smile
"Wait you knew that I like Dylan." Annabelle asked.
"Of Course it doesn't take a genius to figure it out." Renee replied.

"Oh I don't know about the idea." Annabelle said.
"Come on Annabelle you know you want to." I said, Renee and Annabelle laughed it was really funny.
"Okay Fine I'll do it but why should I be upset?" Annabelle asked.
"You'll see at lunch but you might not have to act." Renee said.
"Okay, Okay I'll do it, Renee I know you like Luke. Why haven't you told him?" I asked with a twinkle in my eye, Renee was all embarrassed but she just laughed and said.

"How did you know? I don't know I guess it's because I'm not sure how he will react it's just that every time we are together I feel really comfortable and when I'm about to tell him I chicken out." Renee said.
"I know that's why I haven't told Dylan but I'm sure it's pretty much known by everyone in the school." Annabelle replied.
"Girls we have arrived at school oh by the way Annabelle thanks for letting us have the party at my place." I said as we walked over to our lockers.

"Oh great here comes Jake again, why doesn't he learn." Renee mumbled aloud
"Because he likes you heaps and he knows that Luke likes you so he trying to get to you before Luke can." Annabelle said.
"Wait hold Luke likes me?" Renee asked shocked.
"Girl, you need to open your eyes and start paying attention to what's going on around you Renee." Annabelle said. Meanwhile the girls were talking Jake started making his way over to the girls

Luke's Point of View

I arrived at school to see Renee, JJ and Annabelle having a really good conversation. But Jake was making his way over to the girls. I wasn't really in the mood to talk to anyone but since Jake was making his way over to the girls I quickly walked over to the girls.
"Wow nice to see you guys getting along so well." I said as I approached the girls.
"Hey Luke, nice to see you too." Annabelle said.
"Hey Luke what's up?" JJ asked.
"Nothing just thought I would come and talk to you girls." I said.

"Ah huh does this have anything to do with the fact that Jake is coming over to us right about now." Renee asked.
"No why should it?" I replied.
"Because you always want to protect us but have you ever thought that may be we can protect and stick up for ourselves." Renee snapped.
"Renee that's a bit harsh, Calm down he is just looking out for us. You shouldn't speak to him like that." Annabelle said.
"Especially since he is your best friend and he cares about you like a brother should." JJ said.

"Yeah, Yeah whatever, I'm going to my locker and I'm not sorry about talking to him like that." Renee said as she walked off.
"What was that all about JJ?" I asked.
"I have no idea but I think it is best to leave her alone." JJ replied.
"Hey girls, where's Renee?" Jacob asked he had just arrived when JJ had finished speaking.
"She was upset at Luke so she walked off." Annabelle replied.
"Oh okay. Incoming at 2:00 subject Jake." Dylan said.

"Jake what do you want? If you're here to talk to Renee she isn't here as you can see." I said
"I just wanted to say Luke in case you haven't noticed that Renee likes you, but she is too scared to tell you because she isn't sure how you are going to react." Jake said.
"What do you mean Renee doesn't like me! Does she?" I asked JJ.
"Yes, she does like you. Luke when will you realize that Renee has liked you since year 11 but was always scared to tell you and she came close to telling you at the park but she didn't because she chickened out." JJ said. I was shocked I didn't even know that my best friend in the entire world liked me.

"Thank you Jake for telling me you're not a bad guy after all." I said to Jake
"It's cool; I just wanted to let you know about Renne and also that I are not going to be picking on you guys anymore because I realized that Renee likes you more than me." Jake replied.
"Well you know now that Renee never liked you because of Luke. But word of advice Jake if you want someone to like you, you shouldn't do things to impress her just try to be yourself." JJ said.

"Hey look there's Courtney and she's late again." Annabelle said. Everyone laughed included Jake. It seem liked everything was going to be okay between Jake and us.
"Hey everyone, sorry I'm late, did I miss anything?" Courtney asked everyone laughed.

Courtney Point of View (Recess Time)

Everyone was let out of class at the same time. I couldn't help but notice that Renee was ignoring Luke and when I went to ask her JJ quickly cut in.

"Hey girls what's up?" JJ asked.
"Nothing much." Annabelle replied.
"Hey Courtney have you noticed that your brother Dylan is looking at Annabelle and is drooling." JJ asked.
"Really he is drooling??" I asked playing along with JJ.
"Yup." JJ replied.

Renee's Point of View

I was still mad at Luke but just before I could go over and talk to JJ, Luke quickly called out to me.
"Renee stop for a second please." I sighed.
"I've stopped now what." I asked.
"I'm sorry about always wanting to protect you. I should have known that you could fend yourselves. Can you please be my best friend again?" Luke said.
"Okay but Luke remember I'm not someone who needs others to protect me." I replied.
"I know and I am really sorry." Luke replied.

"And you're forgiven now. let's tell the guys cause it looks like they won't talk to either of us unless we made up." I said as we walked over to Jacob and Dylan.
"I take it your two had made up" Jacob asked.
"Yes we have, now why is Dylan drooling?" I replied.
"Oh he is just watching Annabelle." Jacob said.
"Let's make sure." I said as I took my phone out of my pocket and dialed JJ's number.

JJ's Point Of View

My phone starting ringing, I took it out of my pocket and saw my sister's number I answered it knowing what she was up too.
"Hey big sis." I said.
"Hey JJ just calling to let you know that Luke and I are friends again and also Dylan is drooling over Annabelle again." Renee said.
"Oh yeah I know about Dylan drooling. It's good to know that you and Luke have made up." I replied.

"Yeah it's kinda hard not to talk to Luke because he is my best friend." Renee said.
"Don't forget about lunch, it's really important so don't you dare forget." JJ said with laughter.
"Will do little sis, well I've got to go Dylan is giving me the evil glare talk later." Renee said as she hung up.

Renee's Point of View (End of Recess, Period 2 ~ JJ, - Renee)