A week had passed since Issac made me join him and his friends at lunch. Everytime I tried to sit at my usual bench Issac would come around and either join me or take me to the cafeteria to join his friends. It would've bothered me if it was anybody else but I actually enjoyed his company. He made me laugh in a way nobody had been able to do in a long time.

Eventually I found myself waiting to see if he'd come by and sit with me and talk about nonsense or escort me to sit with his friends in the cafeteria. I would even get a little sad if he was taking long enough that I thought he wouldn't come since I liked being with them. I would've asked if I could sit with them myself but my anxiety always got in the way.

I still wasn't even sure if I was friends with Ezra and the rest to be honest. I only really talked to Issac. Occasionally I joined in on other conversations but most of the time I felt like I was just a burden to them. Some kind of annoying little brother they have to put up with because I hang out with Issac.

Maybe I'll try to put myself out there a little more so they can see I'm not just a tag along. And I could probably ask Issac to help, I thought. But the idea of asking made my heart pound hard against my chest. I don’t really want to bother him with my problems though. I’m sure he has better things to do then dealing with my annoying anxiety issues. I hung my head, closed my eyes, ran my fingers through my hair, and let out a soft sigh. Why do you have to be such a scaredy cat Philip…

Bzzt, bzzt.

My eyes shot open as I jumped a little at the unexpected vibration. I take a quick peek at my teacher, Ms. Hayes, to make sure she isn't looking before pulling out my phone and checking the notification. It's a text from Issac.

Issac Garcia:

Hey philip! Me n Ezra r gonna watch a movie l8r

Wanna come?

Me:

U want me to come? Why?

Issac Garcia:

Cuz u look like u need 2 go out more

C'mon, itll be fun! :)

I look like I need to go out more? You're kidding, right? If anything, I need to stay in more.

Me:

That's what u said last time. Rolling eye emoji.

Issac Garcia:

And u had fun didnt u?

Me:

No -_-

Issac Garcia:

Dont lie 2 me!

U had the biggest smile on ur face the whole time

Me:

That's SUCH an exaggeration

Issac Garcia:

Wutever xD

U know u had fun!

Admit it!

I felt a smile spread across my face. I took a glance at my surroundings then at my teacher to make sure nobody noticed I was on my phone when I was supposed to be working on my assignment. To my relief, Ms. Hayes was still focused on her computer and none of the other students were paying any attention to me.

Me:

…

Shut up.

Issac Garcia:

Lol

So r u coming or not?

Me:

I don't think so…

Issac Garcia:

Awww

Y not?!

U NEVER want 2 do anything w/ us!

Me:

That is SO not true!!

Issac Garcia:

O really?

Wut about that time we invited u 2 get ice cream w/ us?

Or all those times we asked if u wanted 2 come w/ us to get jamba juice?

U said no everytime

Me:

I was busy doing stuff!

Issac Garcia:

Mhmm suuurrreee -_-

Well ANYWAYS if u change ur mind let me know b4 5:30 cuz that's when we're buying the tickets

Me:

Well I don't think I'll change my mind but ok

Issac Garcia:

Smh ur impossible philip xD

I giggled softly while putting my phone back in the pocket of my hoodie and shaking my head slowly. Gradually my smile faded and I actually started to take Issac’s offer into consideration. I mean going out every once in a while isn’t so bad, right? And he does have a point about me needing to get out more… I have always wanted to go out with friends too… But what if I don’t know what to say and it gets super awkward? It would only be us three, after all, and I’m not good at conversation. Anxiety was starting to set in. 'What if they think I’m boring? And what if they leave me because of that? I could feel my anxiety and panic growing, spreading, throughout my body, overcoming me. My breathing was becoming more rapid and my hands were starting to shake. Eventually, tears began to well up as well.

No! Stop thinking like that! Just take a deep breath. You need to calm down before someone notices you. After taking a few quivering breaths I was calm enough for the tears to reside and for my hand to stop shaking. It’s been two weeks, I reminded myself. Two weeks and they haven’t left you or asked you to leave. That means they still want you around. That means something. So why not take a chance? If they’ve stuck around for this long then it’s worth a shot. And throughout that whole time I’ve never seen them run out of things to talk about so maybe it won’t be as bad as I’m making it up to be. I just need to trust them. I need to push myself. Get out of my comfort zone a little. I took my phone back out, swiftly typed up the messages, and hit send before I could talk myself out of it.

Me:

Actually…

I’ve thought about it and…

I changed my mind. I want to go

His reply came a few seconds later.

Issac Garcia:

Gr8! :D

I knew ud come around! :)

Are u gonna meet us there or do u need 2 be picked up?

Me:

I'll meet u there

Issac Garcia:

Ok!

See u l8r then! :D

"The bell is about to ring everyone," Ms. Hayes announced, startling me. What? Already?! Ugh, great job, Philip! I thought, rolling my eyes. This is what you get for texting Issac the whole period instead of working like you're supposed to, I scolded myself. Maybe I can ask for extra time.

"If you've finished the worksheet you can turn it in, if you haven't then take it home and do it for homework." Oh… never mind… I just have to make sure to get it done before meeting up with Issac and Ezra.

As I packed my stuff, I went down the list of my classes to make sure I had no other homework. After confirming that I didn't, I took out my earbuds, opened Spotify, and waited for the bell to ring so I could press play on the Hamilton soundtrack.

"There's only a minute left, you guys can go early," Ms. Hayes said. Which was weird since she'd never done that before but, I mean, I'm not complaining. She's probably just in a good mood or something, I thought with a shrug as I watched students hurrying to get out the door. I put in an earbud and after the crowd of kids made their way out, I left the classroom. Now… what should I wear to the movies?