---Firkle's pov---

The rest of the day went by without much happening. I skipped the rest of the classes and stayed outside in the back of the school for the rest of the day.

I went back into the school to stop by my locker and get my bag, but I stop before I round the corner, hearing people talking around the corner.

I stop and stand there, putting my hands in Ike's jacket pockets and leaning against the wall and waiting for them to leave.

"-I was just wondering! You don't have to get all defensive about it, man."

"I'm not getting defensive. Just drop it okay?" I know that's Ike, but I have no clue who the other guy is.

"Well, Ike, we're allowed to ask. We're your friends," says a girl.

"Your best friends," says the guy.

"I know, I know... I just... I don't know," Ike says, the sound of a locker closing echoes in the mostly empty hallway.

"Is it pity?" The girl asks, "I mean, I could see how someone would feel bad about... it."

"Don't say it like that. You're making it sound abnormal,"

"It is abnormal. You're just acting like nothing else is really-"

There's a loud noise, and a groan, "Shut the fuck up. I don't want to hear what you guys have to say," Ike says.

"Well, we're trying to help. The way this is going, it'll just end badly. We don't want that happening to you," the girl says.