"Take this nest!" grinned Acornpaw enthusiastically, leading Willowpaw to the nest right next to his. "We can be right next to each other. How was your first day of training?" 
              "Good. Tiring," shrugged Willowkit. She curled up in the nest Acornpaw had pointed at. He gladly slipped into his. He cocked his head. 
              "You don't seem to happy," he noticed. "Was Brownclaw mean?"
              "No," said Willowpaw. "He's so nice. I'm just- I don't know..." Willowpaw sighed. She hadn't seen her parents after she had got back from her first day of apprenticeship. She wanted to talk to Mintspot. So badly. She didn't care that Mintspot hadn't really ever been very warm or motherly to her. She just wanted to talk to her. To tell her all about her day. One of the best days of her life. But when she had gotten back into camp, Mintspot had been talking to Beetlejaw. She had run up to them, her eyes bright with excitement. It was like she had forgotten how things worked. 
             "We're talking right now," Mintspot had say, brushing Willowpaw away just like that. 
              "Is it about your parents?" asked Acornpaw softly. Willowpaw raised her head. This was the first time anybody had pointed aloud the fact that somebody had noticed that her parents were upsetting her. 
               "Uh. Yeah," nodded Willowpaw. "I guess so. I mean, they haven't really done anything to me...." 
               "Yeah, they don't do much with you," nodded Acornpaw then watched Willowpaw's reaction to see if he had overstepped. 
               "I guess," shrugged Willowpaw. She was used to it. She just wished for once, they would pay attention to her. They would be glad to hear about her day. They would just be glad to see her. 
                "I'm glad to see you," said Acornpaw. Willowpaw smiled. 
               "Thanks," she said, her mood quickly lightened. 
                "Have you guys tried hunting yet?" asked Acornpaw, showing interest in her day. That was enough for her. She was glad for his company. She was glad for this... friendship. 
               "Not yet. Brownclaw said we might start the basics tomorrow though," said Willowpaw.
               "I've only managed to catch a mouse so far," sighed Acornpaw. "I'm not very good at hunting. I'm more of a tracker I guess. I'm not a very skilled fighter either...." Acornpaw sighed sadly. "My parents said it doesn't matter, they said I'll learn. But... Snailpaw has caught three crows, a mouse and a vole! Plus, even Dovepaw said he's really good." 
               "You don't have to be instantly good at fighting," said Willowpaw. "I'm sure you're going to improve. Maybe you'll even be better than Snailpaw." 
               "hopefully," grinned Acornpaw. 
               "I just- I have a question," Willowpaw said slowly. 
                "What is it?" asked Acornpaw. 
                "Are- are we friends?" asked Willowpaw. She was ready for him to say no. She expected him to say no. She just had to hear him say it out aloud. 
               "Of course," exclaimed Acornpaw. "I've already told you before. You're my best friend." Willowpaw smiled. Small tears were sparkling in her eyes.
                "Hey, you're Mintspot's kit," interrupted a voice. Dovepaw, Whitepaw and Snailpaw were standing at the den entrance. 
                "Yeah," said Willowpaw, not knowing what it implied. 
                "Stay away from me. You're bad luck," growled Whitepaw, raising his eyebrows. He stalked to his nest, on the otherside of the den. Dovepaw shot Willowpaw a look then trotted after her brother. Snailpaw walked over to Acornpaw, ignoring Willowpaw. 
               "Why is she sleeping right next to you?" asked Snailpaw. 
               "Cos," shrugged Acornpaw. "I don't need to explain anything to you." 
               "You're my brother. I'm just looking out for you," Snailpaw said with a shrug. 
                "Don't worry about Willowpaw. Worry about those two," retorted Acornpaw, nodding at the two older apprentices. 
                 "Why? Cos they're going to become awesome warriors. Although I'll totally be better than them?" said Snailpaw. He sighed. "Whatever. Talk to me when you've stopped talking to her." Willowpaw looked down at her paws. She didn't say anything. It didn't come as a surprise that Acornpaw and the other apprentices didn't like her. Although she had stayed with Snailpaw in the same nursery for 6 moons, they never had been very close. 
              "Ignore him," huffed Acornpaw, glaring at his brother. 
               "No. Don't. He's right. The other apprentices won't like you if you hang out with me. I'm- I'm a nobody," sighed Willowpaw. 
               "You're my best friend!" exclaimed Acornpaw. Willowpaw frowned and let out a small growl. 
              "Stop it. You shouldn't lie to yourself," Willowpaw snapped, much harsher than she intended. 
              "I'm not!" replied Acornpaw indignantly. "Don't say that. You know it's not true." 
              "You're like the rest of them!" hissed Willowpaw. She had never said anything louder or angrier before. "You're not my friend! You're even worst than them! At least they don't pretend to be my friend. You're full of lies." Acornpaw looked hurt, his eyes were shining with tears. He gulped and leapt out of his nest. Then he trotted towards the other apprentices. His brother turned to him, his eyes lighting up. The other apprentices invited Acornpaw to their group happily. He didn't turn back. Snailpaw shot a look at Willowpaw. She held her eyes closed and curled up in a ball. Alone, once more.