“So… how was it?”

It was afternoon, lunch break time. After the meeting with Mr. Williams and Mr. Fox, Toby returned back to class, and now he was in the break room with Roy. He had Famfay on his lap, who was snacking on some cheese.

“Ah… it was a rather awkward situation.” Toby pet Memis, who was resting next to him on the couch. “Not because of them - but because of me. I just don’t know how to act in front of those higher ups… so I just said nothing when I wasn’t asked.”

“Mh… I see.”

“B-But I’ll try to get closer to my uncle again. I know you don’t like him, but -”

“Hey, this isn’t about me. Besides… He’s still my boss…” Roy scratched Famfay behind his ear. “Sooner or later I will have to get over what happened, or I’ll have to give up my job. Which I can’t and don’t want to do.”

“Ah… Okay.”

“...” Roy looked up, as a few of their classmates entered the break room. “Toby…”

“Mh?”

“I was… wondering something.”

“Spit it out.”

“... Do you like Mr. Doyle?”
“Mh? You mean Randall? Sure. He’s a friend of mine.”
“Just a friend?”
Toby furrowed his brow. “What else would he be?”
“I don’t know…” Roy sighed. “I’m just worried, you know. That you’re spending time with people who don’t want the best for you.”
“I’m confused.”

Roy looked Toby in the eyes. “I know what happened on Wednesday. Mr. Laghari saw it and told me about it.”

Toby’s mouth stood open.

“He saw how Mr. Doyle threw you in the trash and proceeded to intimidate you.”

“Ah- That- That’s a misunderstanding- He wasn’t intimidating me-”

“Then what was he doing? Why did he do this to you?”

Toby gulped. There was no way he could tell Roy what the two were talking about. “I… I can’t… tell…”

“Why not? I thought you trusted me.”

The brunette began to panic, not being able to think of a valid excuse. “I- I can tell you eventually- just not- now-!”

“... I think I’ll go back to class.” Roy stood up from his seat, lifting Famfay back up on his shoulders. “Maybe we shouldn’t spend so much time together. Only makes me believe we are closer than we actually are.”

“What-” Toby jumped up. “Hey- Roy- That’s not what I meant- I-” He wanted to grab his shoulder, but Roy quickly backed off.

“No- please just- leave me alone. And don’t text me.”

“Roy- wait-!” Toby wanted to stop him, but Roy already went off. “Ahh…”

“Toby…” Memis looked up at him. “What’s going on…?”

Memis jumped off the couch and slowly followed Toby, who had a hard time keeping his composure, as he choked on suppressed tears.