Long story short, he fled back to his cartridge to rethink things. I suddenly felt super guilty of what I'd said; it wasn't technically wrong to let my feelings out like that, but I probably should've warned him that people don't normally have heavy situations like this to deal with and that this was just me being my easily-collapsible self. I decided to keep my hopes high and assume he was fine, just thinking, because if I actively searched for him now that could make things a whole lot messier.

The back screen door slammed shut.

"Ave! Can you help me out here?"

"Sure," I sighed, holding my head as I stood up to put this week's groceries away. At least Ben hid away before my mom came home.

"You'll never guess who I ran into at the store today," she chirped as she struggled to reach the higher cabinets to put some sugar away.

"Who?"

"Mia Stevenson. You know, it was so good to see her again, I've barely talked to her since you were five! We did a lot of catching up. Turns out, she's been pretty put down by work too, would you believe that? Oh, and her daughter was there, too! I, uh...didn't catch her name, any Stevensons in your grade that you know of?"

I pretended to think for a little bit, knowing full well I wouldn't be able to come up with a satisfactory answer for her. "I don't think so. But I barely know anybody in my grade."

"Hm. Well, not to be pushy, but I've noticed you don't seem to be that keen about moving out of your comfort zone. Maybe try talking to different people. You've only mentioned to me one or two of your school friends this whole year!"

"Eh. Maybe. But right now, I think I'm good regarding my social life. Maybe I just forget to tell you when I get along with someone." I shrugged like it was no big deal to me, which was about half-true. But the whole truth was that I did know a lot of people in my grade. It's just that I'd been something of a vagabond that year; hopping from one group to the next, never really finding anyone that stuck. Or maybe more accurately, the groups hopped to and from me. It was quite upsetting when I thought about it. Which was precisely why I chose not to think about it that much at all.

"Well, don't forget to engage once in a while. Remember what happened last y—"

"Yes. I remember. I'm going up now. Tired," I interrupted, my words sharp and choppy. I didn't really mean to sound angry. But I was kind of done with this conversation, and bringing up the second half of my sophomore year was a little low for my mom to stoop.

"Oh. Okay," she muttered, surprised. "Wanna order pizza tonight? Or are you okay with cooking something?"

"Pizza's nice. Thanks."

"Alright. Have a nice nap," she called as I disappeared around the corner of the stairs. All the groceries had been put away, anyway. There was no reason for me to stick around.

As I entered my room I noticed a distinct buzzing sound filling my ears, and tried shaking my head to get it out. It failed to do much. It seemed more like, the room was causing it rather than something in my brain going haywire. My eyes darted around, looking for whatever might be causing the sound, but I couldn't see anything to blame. Everything looked normal to me. I could only think of one thing—well, guy—that'd be connected to this.

"...Ben?" I asked quietly, half-expecting nothing to happen. I heard him sigh and saw a flash of blue as he appeared at the foot of my bed, scratching an arm like he'd been caught having a midnight snack.

"I know. I shouldn't have done that. I get it if you're a little pissed at me right now." He almost flopped down onto the mattress, making me hold in a chuckle. I knew he wasn't trying to be funny, but the way he looked so ashamed of himself seemed weirdly hilarious.

No. Stop it. That's a shitty thing to think, he probably thinks you're really mad at him!

I shut my eyes and walked over, sitting down next to him with an attempted air of I forgive you because you really didn't do all that much. "It's not that big of a deal. I'm okay."

"But all that about how you were so stressed, all the time? Because of me?" He muttered like he regretted having to say it. I leaned back on my arms, staring at the ceiling.

"No. It's fine." I sighed at that, very aware of how not-fine I sounded. "It really is, though. High school's so dramatic. It's almost designed that way, I think. I only meant to, like, say that I was still a little weirded out by all of this. But I guess I went a little overboard."

"That's not your fault," he responded simply, lifting his head and staring straight into my eyes. I gave him a confused look. How is it not, in any way, shape or form?

"I should have been a little more considerate. First of all, I literally ran away after you spilled your heart out to me, so that's not a good start. But I also just...didn't think about how much I'd weigh in on your life. You're in high school, second worst place on the planet."

"What's the first?"

"A mall with no GameStop. The point is, I never really apologized for existing in general. So...I'm sorry for existing. In general."

I held up a hand at that. No way in hell is this boy trying it. "O-kay. I think you're a little confused here, friend. I'm the one who straight-up called you a burden, and said you have a lot of baggage—"

"Alright, the first one is not true."

"—and just didn't take into account the fact that you haven't connected with another human being in years. I probably know a lot more about you than you do me, and...I should've thought about it more. I should've just kept it inside. But I didn't. So now you have to deal with my gross-ass emotions. And I'm not letting you argue with me about this anymore, so don't even try." I punctuated my poorly-constructed, immature argument with a huffy cross of my arms. Ben raised an eyebrow.

"...alright. You've made your point. Uh...but, just know, you can always take it back if you need to vent a little more," he said, leaning forward and forcing me to look him in the eye. It felt weirdly comforting, but almost scary at the same time. I was tempted to close my eyes just to spite him, but found myself unable. I'd gotten all my leftover stubbornness out of me; there was really nothing left to do. Instead I just waited for him to say whatever was still on his mind.

"But if you don't, I guess that's fine too. I...think I'm gonna go now," he finished awkwardly with a little wave. I blinked and nodded, not exactly sure what to make of that. He didn't waste much time before rushing off again, and I was alone.

Again.

We're really getting nowhere with this, aren't we.