Zack’s perspective

“You said there was a sound of metal hitting metal and you don’t know where your keys are?” Michael asks. I nod. “Don’t get me wrong, but it sounds to me like you lost your keys in the nightmare,” Michael says, deep in thought.

I look at him in confusion. “You can’t lose stuff from real life in a dream or nightmare,” I say.

Michael shakes his head. “Okay. Whatever you want to think.I’m not going to force my opinions on you, Zacky.”

Isaac and I exchange a glance then look at Michael. His eyes are wide and he’s blushing.

“S-sorry! I have a habit of n-nicknaming people,” Michael says quickly.

I can’t help but smirk. “That’s okay. I rather like the nickname Zacky. Don’t feel bad, Mikey,” I reply.

Michael blushes again. He looks down at his food. “Okay,” Michael mumbles.

Isaac looks at Michael, then looks at me, then at Michael again. Isaac gives me a ‘We-Need-To-Talk-About-This-Later’ look. I simply nod.

“So, Mike. Would you like to exchange phone numbers?” I ask. Michael doesn’t say anything and I frown. “We don’t have to if you don’t want to. I just think you’re a cool guy,” I say.

Michael looks up at me. “Uh, s-sure, Zack,” He says.

“I’m getting a drink. I’ll be back,” Isaac says and gets up from the table. He walks away.

I smile and we exchange phone numbers. I set my contact name as “Zacky😉” on Michael’s phone. He hands me my phone back and I hand his phone back to him. He blushes when he sees my contact name. He set his contact name as “Mikey🙃” on my phone. I chuckle as I read the name and look at Michael who is staring at me.

“Is there something on my face?” I ask.

“Beautiful lips,” Michael blurts. He realizes what he said and smirks quickly.

I laugh and Michael joins on.

“Yes, they are beautiful. Only the best get to kiss these lips,” I joke.

Michael grins. “As expected from you,” Michael says.

“You expected something like that from me? I must admit, that was a very... cute thing to say,” I smirk.

Michael blushes and looks away. Isaac comes back to the table, a scowl on his face. “Of course they don’t have soda! Why would they have soda?” Isaac grumbles.

I sigh. “Isaac, they haven’t had soda for the past year and a half,” I reply.

Isaac glares at me. “I know. It’s outrageous!” He growls.

“Calm down!” I say. “It’s just soda!”

“Just soda? Are you on something? Soda is what keeps me alive!” Isaac complains.

Michael starts laughing. I look at him. “I wouldn’t-”

Isaac cuts me off. “Why are you laughing, dweeb!” Isaac roars, drawing attention to the table we are sitting at.

Michael stops laughing and looks at Isaac in shock. “I thought the way you’re behaving was funny,” Michael gulps.

Isaac slams his hands down on the table, drawing even more attention to the table we’re sitting at. “It most definitely is not funny, Michael!” Isaac shouts. “I don’t understand why they don’t have it anymore and it is outrageous that they took it away!” Isaac roars with a heavy southern draw, the accent he unintentionally uses when he’s very mad or upset about something. “It ain’t fair and I don’t like it!” He shouts.

I smirk and sigh. “Isaac, calm down. You’re using your southern accent,” I say.

Isaac glares at me. “I ain’t gon’ listen to you!” He says in his southern accent. He takes a deep breath. “Thank you for coming to my TED talk,” He says, his southern accent gone, and sits down. The cafeteria bursts out in laughter. I chuckle and Michael smiles and looks at me.