“Hey bro! What took you so long?” A girl called from her seat on the counter. She popped her lollipop back into her mouth and jumped off, rushing over to pull WW into a tight hug. She had the same blue eyes and dark, curly brown hair as him, though hers was longer and tied back. She wore a white shirt under denim overall shorts.

“Corrine, today’s really  not the day for that.” Frank frowned in the middle of watering the plants by the window.

She rolled her eyes. “Sorry. Hey dude…” Her eyes trailed over to Pan, who was standing just behind WW. She looked him up and down slowly. “Who’s the hottie?”

Pan blushed. WW scowled at that, but when he tried to introduce Pan, the plant man stepped forward and held a hand out. “You can call me Pan.” He smiled charmingly down at her.

“I’m Cori, this grump’s cousin.” The girl grinned. “Are you two like… together?”

“No!” WW scoffed immediately, furrowing his brows. Pan just laughed at that.

“No, Pan’s just one of Walter’s friends from University. He’s staying with us for a while.” Frank cut in, walking over.

WW’s attention snapped to his father. Cori raised an eyebrow at them. “I thought you lost contact with them… You never told me about one named Pan, either.”

“No, dad’s just a shit liar. Pan’s not from around here. Or human.” WW started to explain.

“Explains the green… Everything.” Cori nodded.

“Yeah. He’s kind of locked out of magic-land right now, and he’ll be staying with us until his people come to get him.”

“Huh. Alright.” She shrugged, and took Pan’s hand, “Come on, I’ll give you a tour of the shop.”

“Wh—You just told her?” WW’s dad stared after the two, wide-eyed.

WW bristled. “Not my fault your story was completely see through. She’s my best friend, dad. She knows better than to think I still talk to anyone from uni. Why’d you even bring that up?”

“I wasn’t aware you lost touch… You never talk about them.” Frank frowned, reaching a hand toward WW’s shoulder.

“Of course, I did, I wasn’t allowed on the internet in that prison  I was put in.” WW crossed his arms and walked away.

That wasn’t entirely true, of course, and he knew it. He could have called them when he got back. He could have texted them, too, but he didn’t want to. He was too… Ashamed. He’d lied to them for four months, after all… How could they have trusted him after that? Sure, it wasn’t as if the lies hurt anyone but himself, but still. His stomach churned as he grabbed a watering can and headed to the succulents. He suddenly became hyper-aware of the granola bar in his pocket. He was hungry. He knew he should eat it. You’re ruining everything. Just eat something. He told himself. Instead, he looked around the flower shop. His mom was probably going to try to teach him how to balance the books again, or something.

It washed over him in waves. The dread. The panic. He felt like the room was closing in around him. All the potted plants pressing in, suffocating him. He was never getting out. What was the point in trying, any more, anyway? It’s not like he could, even if  the doctor said he was okay to. What would happen to the shop, then? Who would take over? He’d already broken his parents’ hearts too many times. He couldn’t just abandon them, force them to sell their beloved shop when they grew too old to keep it running… His fate was sealed. He had no choice. He wouldn’t go back to university, or move out, or… His only choice was whether or not he was going to eat the granola bar, really.

The thought made him want to throw up more than the anxiety did.

You were fine, yesterday. He told himself. He shut his eyes and leaned against a shelf. You ate breakfast, you were going to make yourself food… You’re hungry, asshole. He put a hand over his stomach, thinking back. Think of Cherry. Of Rita. Of… Of James. Tears sprang to his eyes and he quickly wiped them away when he heard giggling. He stood up off of the shelf and took deep breaths as Cori and Pan rounded the corner. He must have looked as uneasy as he felt, because Cori’s grin washed into worry immediately.

“Hey, what’s wrong, Wes?” She frowned, walking over quickly.

“N-Nothing,” WW forced a smile, “I’m fine.”

“You don’t force smiles when you’re fine… Pan, you should go see if Kate or Frank has something for you to do, please?” She looked back to Pan, who just nodded, sending WW a worried look before giving the two some privacy.

“You didn’t have to send him away, I’m fine.” WW insisted, though he could feel the tears coming back.

“You’re a bad liar… Come on. We’re going to the loft.” She pushed him toward the back of the shop.