"Patrick, just invite him over." The two friends pushed Patrick towards the new kid. Their friend is being a little too awkward to join the new kid.

"Okay," Patrick said, "what if you invite him over?" He said to Mikey. "You haven't met him yet and Frank just shuts down in any kind of social interaction."

"That's not true!" Frank argued, looking down into his school bought pasta. Where the noodles looked like plastic and the sauce looked like water.

Mikey gave his friend a pitiful look and then glared towards Patrick. "If you love this guy so much, just ask. Worse comes to worse, he just says no. It won't be the end of the world." He explained.

Patrick huffed, "Well I can't do it now. Frank looks like he's gonna cry and I'm about ninety percent sure his food is made frowning because of him."

They both looked at their younger friend wondering why he was so upset. "Frank?" Mikey questioned. He wanted to comfort his friend but he wasn't exactly sure what was wrong.

"M fine." He mumbled. No one bought it. He looked towards Mikey, "You're okay, right?"

Mikey shook his head, "Frank, I'm worried about you. What's going on?"

"I'm sorry, Patrick, but can I talk to Mikey alone for a minute?" Franks asked. Patrick didn't seem to mind as he nodded and walked over to the new kid. Frank then turned to Mikey blurted out everything. "So you're fine? Nothing weird has been happening lately?"

Mikey was confused. "What?" He asked.

Frank rolled his eyes, "How long have you been feeling tired during the day. How long has regular food been tasting bad? How long have you been hearing stuff you're not used to hearing?"

Mikey opened his mouth and then closed it. "How... what does that mean?"

"Do you not know what's happening?"

"No, why are you being so vague. You're acting just like Gee and—" he paused for a moment listening to the commotion in the cafeteria. Something was missing and he looked over at Frank and noticed right away. "You don't have a pulse?"

Franks eyes widened. "Mikey..."

"No, you are acting like Gee. What's going on? Frank, you know what's happening."

"If Gerard hasn't told you by now then I shouldn't tell you. It's not my place to tell you everything."

"Frank just talk to me—"

Frank stood up from his seat and dragged Mikey outside where it was more quiet, not going unnoticed by Pete who sat at a table along with Patrick. "Listen, do you hear your own pulse?" Frank asked.

Mikey listened and he could hear it, though it was more faint and slow than the day before. Mikey was now scared. "Frank, why is this happening?"

"Cause it's some hereditary thing, I don't know. Just be careful, you're one of my best friends and I can't let you get hurt."

"Maybe I won't get hurt if I actually knew what was going on."

"Let's go back and meet with Patrick." Frank said, pulling Mikey along before he yanked his arm back.

"No, why are you being so secretive? I thought we were best friends? We're not supposed to keep secrets from each other!" Mikey exclaimed.

Frank turned and looked up at Mikey. "I'm going to meet up with Patrick. Please just talk to Gerard when you get home? I don't want to be between this." He turned back and walked back inside.

Mikey stood there quietly, not wanting to follow Frank. He heard footsteps stop behind him and he turned around and saw no one other than the new kid. "Hi..." Mikey said awkwardly. "Pete, right?"

He nodded. "Yeah and you're Mikey?"

He nodded, noticing that Pete was keeping his distance from him a bit. "I don't actually have the plague. I was just joking yesterday, I really was sleep deprived." Pete's laugh made Mikey smile. "So where are you from? If you don't mind me asking." Mikey said.

Pete shrugged, "I just moved schools so I'm not exactly new to the area."

Mikey nodded. "That's cool," Mikey said awkwardly, "yep." He bounces on his heels a bit, not really knowing how to keep a conversation going between him and the new kid. "I should probably go back to the cafeteria."

"I'll go with you," Pete said, "I was sitting with your friend, Patrick"

"Right, you guys were friends?"

"I guess." Pete shrugged, "I don't think I've actually talked to any of my old friends since middle school."

Mikey nodded along even though he knew he couldn't relate. "Hey," he stopped in his tracks, "no offense but it sounds like you need some friends."

Pete laughed, there was that wonderful sound again, "I had no idea." He said sarcastically.

"I'm having a party— actually, it's not a party. I'm hanging out with my two friends, Frank and Patrick, this weekend. You should come too."

"Sure." Pete said, he smiled unaware of how contagious it was to Mikey. "Is there like a specific day or time?"

"Oh uh," Mikey thought for a second, "what's your number? I can text you." Yes! Go Mikey, ask for the cute guys number!

Pete's smile faltered and a moment of panic struck inside of Mikey. "I'm sorry but I don't have a phone. I kind of have really strict parents."

"Oh, then what's your address so I can write a letter?" Mikey suggested. Watching Pete laugh as he wasn't aware that Mikey was a little serious.

"You can email me. Sorry if that sounds lame." Pete shrugged. A bit embarrassed that he offered his email to the cute guy at school.

"No! It's fine." Mikey said, "perfectly fine." He was fine with anything as long as it meant that he could meet up with Pete after school. He sighed in relief to himself. "We should head back before lunch is over." He suggested.

Pete nodded. Once Mikey had turned away, Pete fist bumped the air in victory. Freddie Mercury's voice singing "We Are The Champions" ringing through his head.

_\|/_

I'm so tired the heck?