Coming of Age

An Extended Fight

(Two Weeks Later)

"Beep, beep! Beep, beep!"
"Mmgh..." Roy grumbles.
"Wake up." Jade smiles, looking up at Roy.
"I'm up. Sorta."
"I like your hair." Jade strokes his head.
"It's a mess. I need to wash it."
"You sound like a girl saying that."
"Come here." Roy pulls Jade closer, giving her a kiss.
"Mmm..."
"Jade, when are we gonna make this relationship more serious? It's been two weeks since we were gonna."
"I know. Sorry."
"Did you change your mind or something?"
"I don't know, Roy. Normally I'm all for making wild decisions, but this feels different."
"I get it. Well, don't worry about it, Jade. Besides, I wouldn't want to ruin the innocent girl in you." Roy angrily gets up.
"What?"
"You act like your some princess trying to do what's right. You always make crazy decisions. Why is this any different?"
"I'm not trying to. I just..."
"It doesn't matter. We gotta get to school." Roy goes into the bathroom, shutting the door.

(Later at school during lunch.)

"Yo Roy! Gonna eat with us?" Richard hollers.
"Yeah." Roy sits down.
"Where's Jade?" Wally asks as he stuffs his mouth full of food.
"Who knows."
"Oooh! Sounds like a fight. Is the new couple not getting along?" Richard laughs.
"Shut up, Richard."
"Hey guys." Barbara walks up with another girl.
"Hi Babs! Who's the girl?" Richard says.
"Everyone, meet Catherine. She's new and I'm showing her around."
"What up!" "Hi." "Hey." Richard, Wally and Roy reply.
"Hi." Catherine blushes, looking at Roy.
"So, where's Jade?" Barbara asks.
"Look behind you." Roy grumbles.
"Hey Barbara. Who's this?" Jade walks up.
"This is Catherine."
"Hello." Catherine smiles.
"Hey." Jade sits down next to Roy.
"Rude Jade. Catherine wants to sit there. Right Catherine?" Roy irritatedly smirks.
"What?" Jade growls.
"Um...well...I mean you can sit there if you want, Jade." Catherine hesitates.
"No. Go ahead. I wouldn't want to interrupt this special moment." Jade angrily walks away.
"Roy?" Barbara frowns.
"Sit down, Catherine. I'd love to hear all about you." Roy ignores her.
"Oh...um...okay."

(After a few moments, Barbara leaves the lunchroom to look for Jade.)

"Jade? Are you in here?" Barbara walks into the girls bathroom seeing Jade sitting on the ground in the corner.
"Jade? It's gross in here. Why are you on the floor?"
"I'm fine, Barbara. Don't worry about me." Jade sniffles.
"Are...are you crying?"
"No! I'm catching a cold. Just go away!"
"Jade, your my friend. I want to help you if something's wrong."
"Sigh...You know how I've been staying with Roy."
"Yeah."
"Well, We got in a fight because...because I'm not willing to make our relationship serious. Anyways, he's just been a jerk about it and now that new girl..."
"I'm so sorry, Jade. You know what. If he's gonna be that way, he doesn't deserve you."
"I know. But I care about him."
"Sometimes you have to care more about yourself. You will be happier in the end."
"Yeah...You're right. Thanks."
"Hey, if you ever need a friend with an honest opinion, I'm always here."
"Yeah." Jade lightly smiles.

(Back at the apartment after school.)

"So, is your girlfriend coming over later?" Jade growls as she throws her bag down.
"No."
"She should. I'll bet she's exactly what you're looking for."
"And what's that?"
"A little harlot."
"Jade, just shut up."
"You know what! I'm done! I'm finished with you! I thought you were different, but your not! Your just like my dad! Rude and careless! Forget everything we ever had! Forget me trying to be a stupid vigilante like you! Just forget us! I hate you!!!" Jade yells, tears flooding down her face as she throws drying dishes at him.
"Jade! Stop!" Roy runs up to her, grabbing Jade's hand to stop her from throwing more dishes.
"No! Don't touch me!" Jade violently pulls away.
"Jade. I'm sorry."
"I'm leaving." Jade grabs her clothes, shoving them in her backpack.
"Jade, please don't. I'm sorry. Please stay." Roy pleads as Jade slams the door.

(One year later.)

"Thanks for the job, Jason. The grocery store just didn't pay enough." Roy grins.
"Yeah, not surprised." Jason replies, handing him a set of keys.
"Those open the shop. Just don't break anything."
"No worries. I work on my motorcycle all the time. I'll find my way around." Roy says.
"So what about school?"
"I graduated."
"When?"
"Dude, I'm seventeen.
"And?"
"And I finished early."
"Since when?"
"Since a couple months ago."
"Oh yeah. Cool."
"Yeah."
"Well, see ya, bro." Jason drives away.

(About an hour later.)

"Where's the manager?" A tall, blond man walks in the shop.
"I'm in charge right now. Can I help you?" Roy sternly replies.
"Probably not. But whatever. I have a truck in here. It's supposed to be done later. My daughter is picking it up cause I can't. I'm giving permission."
"Ok. Here. Sign this and your daughter's name. After that. All good."
"Seriously? That's it?"
"For now."
"Good." The man walks away.
"Kinda looks familiar." Roy mumbles.

(That afternoon.)

"Bro! Hand me that wrench." A worker says.
"This one?" Roy holds it up.
"Yeah! Thanks."
"Yep."
"Excuse me? Is anyone here?" A young woman calls out as she walks inside.
"Just a minute!" Roy hollers, coming up to the counter, looking down at a clipboard.
"Can I help y...Jade?!"
"Roy?"
"How have you been?"
"I've been fine. You?"
"Good. You look great." Roy notices her.
"Uh...thanks. You too. Dirty though."
"Huh? Oh...yeah. Been working hard. Just got a new job."
"I see. So is my dad's truck ready?"
"Yeah. Follow me......what do you think?"
"Looks fine. Do you have the keys?"
"Here you go. Try it out."
"Sounds good." Jade starts the truck.
"Good."
"Well...see ya. I guess."
"Jade wait. Wanna go out later?"
"What?"
"Just as friends. You know, to catch up."
"Roy, I don't know."
"Come on. Just for a little bit."
"Well, I guess."
"Great! What time?"
"Um...seven o'clock?"
"That works. Need me to pick you up?"
"It's fine. I'll walk."
"Jade. Let me pick you up.
"Ugh! Fine! Goodbye!" Jade drives away.
"Old girlfriend?" A worker asks.
"Yeah. My first. The best." Roy lowers his head.
"Ohhh. The one."
"Yeah. Something like that."
"What happened?"
"I blew it. That's what happened. I was such an idiot."
"To that gorgeous woman? Are you stupid?"
"Just get back to work, will ya."

(That night.)

"Sorry I'm late." Jade hops on the motorcycle.
"No worries. Ready?"
"Yeah."
"You look nice."
"Thanks."
".......Alright. We're here." Roy pulls into the busy parking lot of a huge, five star restaurant.
"The foreign cuisine?"
"Don't like foreign food?"
"No, I do. Kinda fancy."
"Thought you deserved options. This place has all kinds of food. Mexican, Japanese, Chinese, even American."
"That's good."

(Eventually Roy and Jade are seated and waited on.)

"What did you say that was again?"
"A Shirley temple. Wanna try it?" Jade pushes the colorful drink towards him.
"You sure?"
"Just try it, Roy."
"Mmm...mmhmm. Yep. That's good."
"Told ya." Jade laughs.
"So you're sixteen now, right?"
"Yeah. As of a week ago. You?"
"Seventeen about two months ago."
"Well. Happy birthday.
"You too....uh...so what is it you got again?"
"Kung Poa chicken. Want some?"
"Sure. Mm...you got good taste, Jade."
"Thanks." Jade grins.
"Well, with food anyways."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Jade, I'm really sorry for how I treated you a year ago. I was the biggest idiot. Trying to make you jealous and hurting you like that. I hope you can forgive me."
"I do forgive you, Roy. I wasn't the best either. There was a lot I said and did wrong, and for that, I'm sorry"
"Jade, we should start over."
"You mean as friends?"
"Exactly. How bout it?"
"Ok. Sure, Roy." Jade smiles.