In the Season of Scorching Lies

He stuttered and stammered, trying his best to talk me out of doing something rash.

"With the scorching heat at the end of the world, that guy won't last long. We need to focus on gathering supplies right now!

"Do you want to get even with Jennifer? Why not have her come and wait on us, be our gofer?"

"That's your plan, huh? All right!" I could not help but laugh at his suggestion.

'Ha! Gavin, do you think you're the only one who got a second chance? I thought you were my best friend, but you betrayed me and now you dare to lie to my face! This time, I'm going to make both of you pay!' I thought angrily.

I have heard of people getting caught for cheating on someone, but never someone who would admit it willingly.

Right after Gavin got his second chance of life, he came to me and spilled the beans about Jennifer cheating on me.

Then he had the audacity to help me stock up on supplies as if nothing happened.

Thinking he suddenly grew a conscience and wanted to make things right? No chance.

I still remember back in our sophomore year of high school during finals, Gavin took money to help someone cheat on a test.

I warned him not to risk it, but I was the one who almost got caught.

While the teacher was looking away, Gavin tried to sneak the paid-for answers to the other student, but the note ended up by my feet.

He made all sorts of faces, trying to get me to pass it along.

The wad of paper under my foot just would not stay still. Right as I was about to kick it away, the exam monitor caught me.

"What's that under your foot? Give it here!"

The monitor picked up the paper ball, unfolded it, and his face went pale.

"Teacher, it wasn't me..."

"No excuses!"

He would not hear me out and snatched my test away in an instant.

He grabbed me by the collar and handed me off to the head teacher who was on duty.

I could not betray Gavin and tell on him for cheating, that's not what friends do.

When I did not confess or say a word, the head teacher made me stand outside the classroom as punishment.

Gavin snuck over to stand with me.

"Wesley, you're a true friend for not snitching!

"You know I've been short on cash, trying to earn a bit. However, if my mom finds out, I'm toast!"

I tossed my head with a grin. "It's all good! We're best friends, right?"

"If you have to write an apology, I will do it for you. And if there's a girl you like, I'll help you win her over!" He slapped my shoulder like he was the one doing me a favor.

However, he did not own up to his mistake and let me take the fall.

I ended up in trouble, my parents were called, and my dad gave me an earful.

I thought I was being loyal.

However, that sense of pride turned into a joke when it came to Jennifer.

Jennifer was the prettiest girl at university, and I fell for her the second I saw her.

I was too scared of rejection to talk to her.

Gavin promised he would help me win her over.

After we got her number, we started hanging out, always on my tab.

Looking back, I guess they were together from the start.

So, when everything went crazy at the end of the world, people showed who they really were.

They took over my house, my bed, the last of my stuff, and even tried to take my life!

Gavin came back to life and found me. He wanted to see if I had come back too, and he was also looking to take more of my things.

"Wesley, what's up with you? You're spacing out," Gavin asked, looking worried.

I took a deep breath and snapped back to reality. "I'm just trying to remember if we forgot to buy anything," I said, holding back the urge to punch him.

Gavin said "Oh," and rubbed his hands together. "You know I'm always broke before payday. I am totally out of cash.

"However, weren't you saving up to buy a ring? Since you're over Jennifer, you might as well spend that money on food and drinks.

"With this crazy heatwave, who knows how long it'll last? We should stock up."

It did not take long for Gavin's nasty side to show up.

He planned to use my stuff to buy a bunch of supplies and keep them for himself, then shack up with Jennifer.