‘Finally, got everything marked and ready for the next few months.’ Placing my books under the desk I lift my hands into my hair running my nails against my scalp and humming as the door creaked open. Out of the corner of my eye Newton drags into the room. He immediately doesn’t look to pleased to see me. But I can’t help it the smile on my face was contagious every time I saw him.

            “Well, Hello to you too Nerd.” I quip, he doesn’t respond which by this point is somewhat normal. We hadn’t spoken since junior high since the incident. Before than I would bug him to death, take his things, try my hardest to get him to just look at me but most of the time I took it too far… Cringy kid stuff.

            Getting up from my desk, I round the chair and over to where he had fallen into his own. Tired eyes against the textbook he had placed down as I go to lay my hand on his shoulder. Newton flinched, full out moved a bit if I hadn’t been holding my hand barely above his shoulder I probably wouldn’t have noticed as his shoulder hit my palm.

            “No hello nerd? That’s a bit rude.” Groaning he looks from the cover of the textbook to me; his usually soft umber orbs are clouded as he spoke.

            “Hey Derek…”

            Softly smiling my hand automatically runs through his hair a soft rumble running out of his throat as his eyes close. After a moment he draws his head back. Pulling the textbook open, he delves into the page as I shrug and walk away. He’s got to be out of it. But the flinch still bore into my mind a weight playing at my shoulders. Stretching the soft buzzing of my phone catches my attention as the screen lit up against my sheets.

            Opening the lock screen message upon message reaches my eyes making me roll them as my fingers slide across the screen. A good portion of our grade that did some work made it into this school, the group chat always blowing up throughout the day.

            Bending down, I pull my sneakers on and push the phone into my pocket. Grabbing my jacket, I check and make sure the keycard is in the inner pocket before heading towards the door.

            “Well, I got another party to oversee Nerd I’ll be back. Get some rest or something you look like death.” Pulling the jacket on he waves me off the scratch of his pencil resounding within the coming silence.

            “Another one?” His head comes up from the textbook turning to look at me. “It’s a bit late for a party? The gates would lock at eight if you actually paid attention.” Giving me a weird look, a smile stretches across my face.

            ‘Is he actually worried? Am I reading way to far into this? Probably…’

            “I remember Nerd. Don’t worry its close. You worried about me? ~” Folding my arms over my chest Newton shakes his head looking down. Looking back up his face brightens. “Aww, you want to come along nerd. It’ll be fun?”

            “Nope, just go!” Turning back around he keeps his head down the tapping of the pencil repetitive as my eyes widen a bit.

            ‘I am never going to get used to him snapping at me. I’m so proud! Should I push it?’

            Shrugging I stride over, I can feel my tail drop from my waist swaying slowly as my arms wrap around his shoulders.

            “You’ve become ballsy Puppy~ Where in the world is it coming from?” I whisper against his ear making a visible shiver roll down his shoulder. For a moment the idea of stopping does sound like a better option. But it has already fell from my lips. “What’s the matter Pup?” The quip leaves my lips as fast as it hit my thoughts.

            When we were younger, we used to quip about each other’s abilities, lives, his pack in better words being the bane of all his jokes as being the youngest of three made him get away with most things. We were two peas in a pod back than watching the word from the sidelines. How I wish we could go back to that. The better days.

            “Don’t call me that.” He turns his head, frustration leaking from his words as he continues. “Look, I shouldn’t have even spoke up. Just leave me alone already. I got to study.” Raising my arms up from his shoulders he starts working on his notes a sense of dread hitting my gut as my feet drew back. The sway of my tail dropping.

            ‘I hadn’t meant for that. I hadn’t meant for him to get frustrated. This entire week has had both of us on edge. Have I fucked up already?’

            Taking a deep breath, I give him one more silent look before turning towards the door my phone going off once more. Stepping out into the hallway, I feel like I’m going to throw up. Rushing over to the communal bathrooms, I do so my tail tight against my leg as the tingle of magic rushes through my nerves.

            Stepping over to the sink I cup my hands under the cool water. Splashing it into my face as the chime of someone calling reverberates around the tiled room. Shaking my head, I lean against the sink ignoring it.

            ‘I should have stopped… I should have listened to the thought and left him alone… but what am I going to do? I got to find someway to make it up to him.’

            The chime of my phone rung once more letting out a frustrated sigh my fingers grip the case pulling it out and glaring at the caller I.D.

            ‘Dickhead’

            A fitting I.D as my finger slides across the screen.

            “What’s up?” The low bass meets my ears along with the loud voices of other party goers. “Are you even there? Or did you drop the phone?”

            “Where you at? We about to start without you?” The voice responds, and for a minute the idea of them starting without me is more appealing but the hole in my stomach makes me cave. The emotions all around sounding more tempting than anything else as my stomach growls.

            “I’ll be there in a bit; can’t you bitches wait more than three seconds?’ I question as the thick laughter hits my eardrums.

            “Fine. Fine. I’ll try and make them wait but you got less than five minutes.” Hanging up the phone, I shove it back into my pocket. Rubbing my eyes, the thrum of a headache making itself known.

            “Am I truly contemplating this right now.... Gods, I hate you so much right now.” Looking into the mirror, I run my hands through my hair. Fixing it before stepping out into the hall. “Let’s make this quick.” I grumble making my way to the fifth floor where the soft pounding of music drives up my body.

            Pulling a smirk onto my face an older man gives me a once over before letting me in. All around people where drinking, plumps of smoke cloaked above our heads the smell of weed being obvious. I could get my fix just standing here but I would be noticed sooner or later. Hopefully sooner rather than later.

            Striding over to the bar, the kid behind it nods pouring me a quick drink before sliding it over. Nursing it, a hand taps against my shoulder. Looking over the fingers hold out a half burnt joint towards me. Taking it from their grasp I take a long drag, inhaling and holding it as I pass it to the next guy at the bar. After a long moment, I exhale and take a sip of bourbon the burn going down my throat.

            “DEREK!”

            ‘Fuck… thought I had a bit longer to myself.’

            Looking over to the annoying voice, a man in a crumbled half open button up, and jeans steps over. The sun tattoo visible against tan skin.

            “Took you long enough. Get that ass over here!”

            Rolling my eyes, I down the drink and slide it against the counter an arm making its way around my waist and making my body freeze as a slurred voice hits my ear.

            “Come on now don’t ignore me.”

            “Well. Well. Well. Garrett I’m here now why don’t ya move so I can see you.” Garret’s arm moves letting me back away from the bar. The rough smell of alcohol against his breath as he grabs my arm pulling me towards the table where several other people sit around either drunk, high, or both. “How long have been here Garrett?”

            “You’ve been around that Nerd for to long Baby~” He hums pulling me into his lap. “Starting to sound like him, I- I can’t believe he actually made it.” Gripping a nearby drink he takes a quick swig before continuing his words slurring as chuckles start falling from his lips. “What do you say about playing a little prank? An old classic if you catch my drift?” Placing the bottle down and moving to drag my jacket off my shoulders his lips ghosting my neck.

            Lifting my hand, I push him back making him crumble against the seat. Red eyes watching me as I fix my jacket back into place.

            “Fucking idiot… Why in the fuck did I become friends with you again?” The question getting up off his lap, my hand going to the bridge of my nose as the headache from earlier hits me. “I think I’ll pass this go around no longer in the mood to eat.” Feeling his eyes bore into my back as I walk back over to the bar grabbing the cup the bartender holds out to me. “Thanks.”

            Nodding, I down the cup before making my way back out the door a new emptiness making itself known.

            This night can’t get any better.