"Bad news," Dallon told Josh who was approaching the taller boy's locker after school.

"What?" Josh asked, slumping his shoulders.

"I have to stay after school."

"Why?"

"Retake a test. Today's the last day my teacher will let me do it."

"Oh," Josh replied. "Okay, I'll just walk home, Patrick's school isn't that far from here."

"Ashley can't pick him up?"

"She's got work."

"Is she still teaching art classes at the college?"

"Yeah."

"Then I'll just keep the grade I have–"

"No, no, no, Dal," Josh interrupted, cutting his friend off. "Your education is more important. It's fine, we can walk, last time I checked it was nice out."

"It's cloudy," Dallon pointed out, gesturing to the glass doors.

"But it's not storming," he replied. "I'm serious, go retake your test, Dal."

Dallon gave him a soft smile. "Thanks. I'll see you tomorrow," he said, walking towards the Science rooms. Josh smiled back, knowing full well that Dallon wouldn't be able to see it anymore. His gripped tightened on his backpack straps and he began walking out of the school.

Weaving through the crowd of people hanging around outside, he finally made it towards the end of the sidewalk and crossed the street towards his little brother's elementary school.

It was silent and Josh sighed in relief, basking in the calm atmosphere. That is, until he felt wet drops hit his body. He glanced down at the sidewalk and it quickly became spotted with a darker shade as the rain began to fall down faster and faster. Josh then felt the breeze pickup.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to stay as calm as he was a few seconds ago. Instantly, he became stressed and began walking faster.

Josh crossed the street yet again, and a few seconds after he did, a black car turned the corner that he just passed. It started to speed past him, but then suddenly slowed down to a stop once Josh was about to pass it.

The window rolled down and a tired but familiar face appeared through the lines of rain. "Get in the car."

"That's what kidnappers say."

"I'm not gonna kidnap you," Tyler replied, rolling his eyes.

"Well, you buy weed from high schoolers so I don't know how sketchy you are."

"Sorry for trying to be nice," Tyler scowled, advancing towards the button to roll up his window. He then stopped, sighing. "Josh, just get in the car, I'll give you a ride home."

"I can't. I have to pick up my brother from school," he replied shortly, beginning to walk off again. Starting his car up again, Tyler began to slowly drive alongside Josh.

"Where's he go to school at?"

"Parsons Elementary."

"Get in the car," Tyler repeated. Josh stopped walking and glared at him. "My sister goes to school there too and I have to go pick up her and her friend."

Josh stood there for a moment before walking towards the passenger side of the car. As soon as he sat down and shut the door, Tyler noticed how soaked he was. His dark hair was matter against his forehead like the day he first met him and he clothed were damp.

"What?" Josh asked irritated, noticing Tyler staring at him. Tyler tore his gaze away and stuck his hands up in surrender. Josh turned his head out the window as Tyler turned the heat on in an attempt to dry off Josh a bit and began driving at a faster speed like he was before his encounter with the other boy.

Not too long after, Tyler was pulling into the pickup lane. There wasn't many kids still sitting outside, but Josh noticed Patrick sitting by himself on the ground underneath the awning, reading a book. There was also a little girl running around a tree and another little boy chasing after her.

Tyler honked the horn and instantly the two stopped and glanced at the car, running towards it.

"Is that your brother?" Tyler asked, motioning to the kid reading. Josh nodded and rolled down his own window.

"Patrick!" The said boy's head snapped up and he squinted at the car, noticing that the voice came from it. His face suddenly broke out into realization and he grabbed his backpack, quickly walking towards the car. "Hop in, my friend's giving us a ride home."

Patrick nodded and opened the door, sliding in next to the other boy that was in the car.

"Did you guys have to play in the rain? You're getting my car wet," Tyler asked, annoyed.

"Sorry, Ty. Who're those two?" The girl asked once the door was shut and Tyler was pulling away.

"Josh and his brother," Tyler replied distractedly. Josh turned around and smiled at them.

"That's Patrick," he said, gesturing to his little brother sitting behind him whom was looking down at the ground shyly.

The girl brightened. "I'm Madison!" She looked over at the boy sitting next to her. He just kind of sat there before Madison elbowed him.

"Oh! I'm Pete!" He said finally, grinning.

"He's my best friend!" Madison added. "Even though he gets in trouble at school a lot," she teased.

"It's not my fault that the teachers always hear me cuss," he laughed. Josh turned back around in surprise, which made Tyler chuckle.

"Is he mute or something?" Pete suddenly asked, pointing to Patrick. Madison smacked his arm.

"I'm sorry, he's an as- I mean butt!" She quickly corrected herself. "But Pete, that's not nice to say. He doesn't really have a filter," she told the last part to Josh.

"That's not nice either!" Pete yelled, sticking his tongue out at Madison. Copying him, she stuck hers out at as well.

"No, I'm not mute," Patrick said quietly. The two turned to look at him and even Tyler glanced at the boy through the mirror.

"Wait aren't you in Mr. Bellion's class?" Pete asked, turning to face him better. Patrick nodded. "And aren't you the kid who always sits on the swings alone with a book during recess?" Patrick nodded again, but that time it was more bashful. Suddenly, there was low grumble and everyone glanced at each other. Patrick's face instantly turned bright red. "Dude, your stomach is loud," Pete laughed.

"Sorry!" Patrick quickly apologized.

"Are you hungry, bud?" Josh asked him.

"No..."

"I am!" Madison exclaimed.

"Me too!" Pete agreed.

"This is why we're best friends," Madison high fived Pete.

"Hey, Patrick?" Tyler said, grabbing everyone's attention. "If you could eat anywhere you wanted in town, where would you eat?"

"Anywhere?"

"Anywhere," he replied, making a right turn.

Patrick was quiet for moment as he thought. "McDonalds," he finally decided.

"You can pick anywhere I'm serious," Tyler clarified.

"I know. I pick McDonalds."

"McDonalds is gross as fu-"

"Tyler!" Josh shouted, cutting him off. Tyler glanced over at him. "It's not really the best idea to say that with third graders in the car."

Tyler rolled his eyes, turning onto a main road. "Make sure you guys have you orders ready, we're headed to McDonalds."