Reece whistled as he walked down the street. He nodded his head to people as he passed them. His green eyes sparkled as he saw Casper's apartment complex approaching. When he entered the building he walked up the stairs to his friends floor. He fished the keys out of his pocket as he got closer to Casper's door. He had gotten his own key because of how often he was showing up.

He inserted the key, a bit roughly. Knocking softly on the door before twisting the key in its socket and pushing the door open. Casper was sitting on the couch, his eyes closed and toes silently tapping. His phone was sitting on the table spitting out Twenty One Pilots from its small speaker.

" Hey, Casper"

" Hola"

" You really need a speaker for that phone"

Casper sighed. " I barely have enough money for rent. I could never afford a stupid speaker."

Reece nodded and sat down next to Casper. He was silently forming an idea in his head. He decided that he would get Casper a speaker as a gift. He moved ever so slightly closer to the blonde boy and grabbed his hand.

Casper blushed but kept it to himself. He reached for his phone with his free hand and switched it off.

" So.... what are you doing here?" He asked Reece. Reece smiled and shrugged.

" I don't know. I just wanted to hang out"

Casper rolled his eyes. He logged onto his tumblr and started scrolling. Reece's phone went off and he quickly picked it up.

" A text?" Casper asked nonchalantly. Reece just nodded and unlocked his phone.

" Who's it from?"

" It's from Marco. He's having a party tonight."

Casper put his phone down, now fully engaged in the conversation . " You should go"

" Nah. I'd much rather be with you."

" You deserve to have fun. Go."

" Really, Casper, I-"

" I'll go too."

" Casper... are you sure? There's going to be so many animals there."

" I know. I'll be fine."

Reece gave up protesting, knowing that he'd never win. " Alright, fine. Just be careful okay?"

" Yeah, yeah. Whatever"

~

Reece had left Sarah at home and the separation was killing him. He had never realized how much he took her for granted. He felt lonely without her. That was his excuse for curling up next to Casper and taking a nap.

Usually Casper would shove him away, but for some reason today he felt different. He sighed and laughed slightly at his friends unusual behavior. He thought that maybe it was because he left his other half at home.

Casper had heard stories of people getting separation anxiety if they were away from their animal for too long. It made sense. He wondered how Reece had managed so well. After all, he had been going to Casper's apartment every day for almost a week now.

Casper stroked the other boy's curly hair and hoped that he would never leave. Although he would never admit it, Casper enjoyed having a friend.

~

It was much later and Reece and Casper were walking back to Reece's house so he could grab Sarah and drive them to the party. Reece had changed into a grey button up and a green bow tie. Casper was wearing something far more casual in a tøp shirt and skinny jeans.

Casper rolled his eyes at his companions outfit, which he thought was quite dorky. He had his earbuds in his pocket, just in case and hopped into Reece's car. He noticed the tidiness and approved greatly.

When they pulled up to Marco's house, it was apparent that it was not a quiet or quaint party. The ground shook slightly from the volume of the music. Casper realized that it might've not been the best idea to come.

Reece squeezed his hand reassuringly. " Ready?" He asked. Casper nodded and reluctantly followed Reece into the house. They were immediately his with the sent of booze and various vapors. The air was hazy from all of the smoke.

Casper was surprised at the lack of animals anywhere.

" Where are all the animals?"

" Probably outside. That's where they normally keep them so they can play together."

Casper nodded and leaned against a wall. Reece mentioned something about grabbing drinks before disappearing into the crowd of wild teenagers.

~

Casper had completely lost Reece and was not dealing with it well. He was shaking a little when one of his favorite songs came on.

They're gonna clean up your looks

With all the lies and the books

Casper relaxed.

To make a citizen out of you

Because they sleep with a gun and keep an eye on you son

So they can see all the things you do

Someone bumped into him.

Because the drugs never work, they gonna give you a smirk

" Oh, sorry."

' cause they got methods of keeping you clean

"Reece?"

They're gonna rip up your head

"Heyyyyyy Casper! I missed you"

Your aspirations to shreds

"Are you drunk?"

Another cog in the murder machine

" Nooooo. Of course not!" He slurred, giggling.

They said all teenagers scare the living shit out of me

Casper sighed and fixed Reece's bow tie.

They could care less as long as someone will bleed

Casper heard a shout and turned around. Someone got thrown onto him.

So darken your clothes

Glass shattered around him.

Or strike a violent pose

" Casper! Are y o u o A y"

Maybe they'll leave you alone

The sound and scenery blurred together.

But not me.....