6 The Intervention

When he got to work James asked about the dog.

"The dog is doing great. I gave him a bath this morning and now the big is atbome sleeping."

"That's good well then see you tomorrow"

The rest of the night was quiet and uneventful and the night passed by slowly. By the time his shift was almost over Shaun was drifting in and out of sleep while his homework laydd on the counter with little puddles of drool on it.

He left as soon as Emilg got there and when he got home he fell asleep on the couch. He didn't make it to school in the morning and decide to just not go that day. Be slept until 2:30 occasionally getting for bathroom breaks for him and the dog. He made some food for himself and gave the dog a ljtle bit then st and watched some television before Spencer came home. When Spencer got home three people trailed behind her all with worried expressions. peter and Faith sat down next to Shaun while Lucius and Spencer stood.

"I think its time we had a chat" Spencer said looking sadly at her brother and the others nodded in agreement. The dog came in and puts its head in Shaun's lap as if he was in on the intervention as well. Shaun sat with a confused expression while he stroked the dogs head. "What's there to talk about" he asked.

"We didn't want to say anything but you missing school.today was unexceptable" Faith said with a disapproving look. The others nodded in agreement when Spencer spoke.

"We've been noticticing how tired you've been lately and I've been noticing how you come home in the morning. Idong like it."

"I don't either" Lucius said "we care about you too much and we don't want anything bad to happen too you. So tell us what you've been doing so late at night and don't lie this time." Shaun looked at his friends and sister and noticed that Spencer looked like she was onn the edge of tears, Lucius had his arms folded and was frowning, Faith a as staring at him with such an intense look it looked like her eyes might pop out or something and Peter just looked at him with a curious look. Shaun cleared his throat then spoke "I have a job" everyone looked at him with a look mixed between shock and disbelief. "Really that's all it was all thus time" faith said. "Bro are thought you was on drugs or something" Lucius said.

Spencer didn't say anything but just kept looking at her brother. Shaun stood up and walked over to his sister. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you" he said and gave her a hug. He felt something writ fall onto his shirt and realized his sister was crying. "You must have been so worried" he said rubbing her back trying to soothe her. The others watched with a little bit of awkward atmosphere. The siblings pulled away and Shaun helped his sister wipe away her tears. "I'm gpad its nothing dangerous" she said "but why does it have to be so late and how is it so late isn't there a law or something about child labour"

Shaun looked down as red started to creep up on his face. "Well I'm 18 so legally an adult and I may have fibbed about school and said I was in college instead of high school so I could have longer hours."

"Dumbass" Lucius said and everybody laughed and the dog joined in by barking and wagging its tail. Since it was almost.dinner time Shaun and Spencer made dinner for their guests. They laughed and ate until 5:00 when Shaun stood up and said he had to get ready for work. A few seconds after Shaun left Peter stood up and said he should probably go and that he had some things to take care of at home. Peter ran to catch up to Shaun who was half way down the street.

"Hey Shaun wait up" Peter called out. Shaun stopped and turned around. "What are you doing here." He asked.

"I wanted to walk you to work" he said walking closer to Shaun "you know just make sure you're not lying about having a job"

Shaun smiled and kept walking with Peter trailing behind him. Once they got to the convenience store they gave a small wave to each other and Shaun went inside while Peter watched him enter then left once he knew Shaun was inside. Shaun goes in and James is staring at him giving him a smirk. "Seems someone made a friend that's more than a friend." He said teasingly.

Shaun felt his face flush and blurted out a retort. "You're wrong James we're just friends. No not even friends more like acquaintances then friends."

James just nodded slowly and continued to smile as he left the store. Shaun mumbled to himself "we're nhst friends."