"Daniel!"

I heard my name come, loudly, from down the hall and turned. Jack waved to me, striding towards my locker with such easy confidence that he could've been Anthony, or any number of my old friends. He could've even been me.

God, I longed for a time so simple. When there was no awkward shoving between bodies, or worrying about seeming too slow on the stairs. Only laughter and jokes and the utter reverence of my classmates.

Surely I couldn't be faulted for missing playing God?

Still, I never forgot that Jack was only a false idol. Which was why, when he leaned against my locker, and passed me that all-too-easy smile, I barely lifted my lips back.

"In a surly mood today, are we, Howell?" He chuckled, knocking my shoulder playfully. "But I guess you always are. I would be too, if I had to hang out with Lester and those nerds all day long."

"Phil's my friend," I said warningly. "As are the rest of them. There a lot better friends than I bet you have, too."

"Slow down, I meant no harm. And I suppose you are right, about my friends. Most of 'em are nothing but trouble. But we all live for a little lift, don't we?" He shook his head and tightened his grip on his load of binders and books.

"What do you want, Jack?"
"Just an answer. You don't happen to know Anthony Padilla, from that rich kid's school?"

"The Academy? Yeah, of course I did."

"Let me rephrase that. Were you friends with him?"

"Yeah."

He grinned. "So the rumors are true. The infamous Daniel Howell has come to our lowly school. But why?"

"That's a secret I'll never tell."

"Touche." He put an arm around my shoulder, leading me away from my locker, through the corridor of people, and outside. Not just outside, but to the table. The one Shane always said was full of people too dumb or high to do anything, but too beautiful to not be admired. "Why don't you sit with me today, Dan?"

"I'm supposed to sit with Phil."

"Supposed to. Are you being forced?"

"Let me rephrase that," I mimicked, "I want to sit with Phil."

"If you really wanted to, you'd already be gone."

"How was eating with Anthony?"

I glanced over at Phil, who was staring at the ground. "Pretty boring," I lied. "Two out of ten, definitely never eating there again." I nudged him with my shoulder, "I'd rather sit with you any day."

"Really? You'd rather sit at the loser table?"

"It's only the loser table because our awesomeness is so extraterrestrial that no one can comprehend it, and therefore they choose to scorn and hinder it in every way."

I wasn't very good with people. Being sarcastic, making them laugh, that was what I could do. Making them feel happy again, not so much. That was Phil's thing, not a thing that would have to be done for Phil. Ugh. Even in my thoughts I'm useless.

Maybe that was why, for the rest of our walk, we were silent. Or maybe it was just the silence between two friends, the one that is utterly comfortable and thoughtful and perfect. Either way, it somehow left me with the feeling that I had failed.

We got to Mango's late and scurried into the back to grab our aprons. As usual, there was no need to hurry. Business there was slower than at a graveyard. Some bursts, from time to time, but mostly nothing.

"God, I'm bored," I complained, leaning against Phil. "Is it time to leave yet?"

He pushed me away. "We got here, like, five minutes ago. Go make yourself a smoothie or something."

"Will you make me one?"

"No."

"You're the worst."

"Sure."

I made myself a drink and went back to the counter, sipping it slowly. We were only allowed one drink a shift, and I always regretted making mine as early in as I did. Still, the deed was done.
"By the way," Phil said, grabbing a small box from his pocket, I have something for you."

"I'm too young to get married, really."

(Why did my heart still soar at the idea?)

I took the box, a short gray little thing, and opened the lid. Inside was a silver chain necklace, with a small pawn charm. "There was a note, too," Phil explained, "but it felt cheesy and stupid, so I took it out."

"What did it say?"

He blushed. "Something cheesy and stupid. Anyway, I still got you the gift, so I figured you might as well have it. You're pretty emo, but I figure even the dark ones have a few necklaces, right?"

"The dark ones?"

"I'm no poet."

I hugged him and slipped the chain over my neck. "Thanks, Phil. Why'd you get this for me, anyway?"

"Think of it as a welcome gift. To the school, I mean."

"I guess you don't get new kids often, or else you'd be broke."

"We get a few, but none are like you."

I looked down and cleared my throat. If only he knew. "Well, thanks. Definitely no one is like you."

"Good thing, or else I'd be out a best friend."

"Never."

"You're right, I wouldn't let you go even if you wanted to."

I grinned at him. "How possessive."

"Only 'cause I love you."