I'm not a puppy! (age regression)

10. Getting some perspective

He frowned
"Gimme a ballpark"
"Um... not too long"
I tried and Andrew sighed.

I could see he was conflicted and my instinct was to get annoyed at him even thinking of telling me no. But before I could think any further he answered.

"Course you can go out, just definitely be back before dark. And call me if you need anything, you don't have a phone. Do you need a phone? Just-"
He pondered before grabbing a scrap of paper
"Here! I'll just write down my number, I'm sure Ben or whoever has a phone so just ask them"
Andrew smiled and stood, giving over the little paper to me.

I took it and shoved it in the pocket of my jeans, pulling my green hoodie back down over everything. It was quite oversized but I like how comfy it was, and I'm sure it was the style the hoodie was aiming for.

I went to leave again and Andrew followed me down the stairs to the door, fussing with little questions.
"You got everything you need? You want me to make you a sandwich or do you want a little change to buy something-"
"I'm fine!"
I snapped. Andrew was taken aback and looked a little hurt and immediately regretted it. I didn't mean to yell I just wanna go. I pouted for a second before shaking my head so I stopped.
I awkwardly added on

"Thanks"
Before opening the front door and leaving without another word

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

I moved from foot to foot nervously, looking around at the nice park scenery and watching a family have a quaint little picnic not too far away. It looked like fun, they were all laughing. I stashed the idea away to maybe suggest to Andy sometime.

But I pushed that out of my main focus as I continued my search, stood atop the big skate ramp, watching out for big bike groups. Ben always rides with his bike buddies through here, so I can easily get ahold of him to talk.

Suddenly up the road I spotted a hoard of black blobs. The blobs took more shape as they got closer.

A bike gang, a seemingly average bike gang, all wearing the same black puffer jackets and grey sweatpants. However this bike gang was different, sporting a familiar face in the front.

Ben was riding with hands in his pockets, a friend tried to copy it and nearly crashed into a tree. The whole group laughed. I giggled along too.

As they got closer I began to bounce on the balls of my toes and I waved one hand.
"Ben! Hey!"
I yelled out and Ben looked to me, he smiled and signaled to his friends to come my way.

I ran down the ramp, doing my best not to fall over in front of everyone.

He cycled up close to me and jumped off his bike as it was still going, dropping it off to the side.
"Hey James, what're you doing out here?"
He smiled, using his dumb little nickname for me. I used to get stupidly annoyed over it, whining that it wasn't my name, but over time I grew to like it.

A girl in the group laughed and shouted
"Yeah squirt what happened to that sugar daddy of yours?"
A few of the bikers teens cackled loudly and Ben rolled his eyes, mouthing 'ignore them' to me. It was hard though. Ben asked again.
"Come on James, what's up?"

"Dunno, was just around and uh- um"
I tried to talk but his friends circling around us made me uneasy. They never got off their bikes, obviously not expecting to have stopped for long. They mostly ignored my presence but some groaned or gave little glares.

Ben sensed my uneasiness.
"James are you alright?-"
I just sort of stuttered, feeling foolish but also being unable to respond any other way. Ben sighed
"Guys! Fuck off and give us a minute"