"Rex: Hey guys, I'm back. Our lunch ACTUALLY looks good today. I'm starving," he says as he plops down next to Aniya.

"Aniya: You call this garbage, plastic-tasting stuff, food?" she says in disgust while picking at her food.

"Milly: Honestly, it doesn't taste that bad."

"Aniya: You don't have to lie, Milly. Anyways, Milly wanted to ask ya something, Rex."

"Rex: Oh really? What is it?"

"Milly: It's nothing serious, I-I just wanted to ask how old you were. You seem tall for your age.”

"Rex: I'm the same age as Aniya. We're in the same class," he says with a smile.

"Milly: Ah okay," she says quietly, a thoughtful expression on her face.

They continued eating in silence. Aniya glances at Milly with a confused look on her face. Milly looks up at her and shrugs apologetically. They soon finished their lunch and returned to their classes, where they spent the rest of their day before heading home. The next day, Milly walked into her classroom and, to her surprise, saw the quiet boy she had been curious about sitting in the seat next to hers. Her heart raced as she slowly approached. With a deep breath, she awkwardly sat down and gazed at him from the corner of her eye.

"Casper: The teacher told me to sit here since there's a new student who is taking over my seat," he said, suddenly with a fed up voice though Milly hadn't even said anything yet.

"Milly: O-oh…okay. Makes sense."

She opened her backpack and took out her school books and a pencil. She glanced at the boy, who was engrossed in a book that, to her surprise, she recognized as one her dad read in the past. The boy notices Milly looking at him but rolls his eyes and ignores her, focusing on the book. Milly looks away and tucks her hair behind her ear unconsciously, his presence making her feel more anxious than usual. The teacher finally walks in, and class commences. Milly and the boy next to her don’t interact at all during class, and eventually, to Milly’s relief, the bell for break rings. Milly joins Aniya and Rex, who have already begun eating at their usual table.

"Aniya: I hate school. The only good thing about it is the friends and rarely lunch," she grumbles, taking a bite of her food.

"Milly: (Giggles) You just don't like learning."

"Aniya: Yeah, and I'm not ashamed of that. Just because I'm bad at school doesn't mean I'm bad at everything."

"Rex: That's true. I'm really bad at school, but good at all kinds of sports!" he says supportively.

"Milly: Yeah, that's right. Everyone is good at something and you shouldn't be upset if you struggle at one thing."

"Aniya: While we're talking about being good at stuff, did you guys hear about that one handsome boy in our school?" she asks excitedly.

"Rex: Who?"

"Aniya: I think his name started with a C or something. They say he has really pretty features and is good at every single subject - even arts and sports!"

"Rex: Woah. He sounds really cool, but guys can't be pretty? We're handsome. Girls are pretty," he says matter-a-factly.

"Aniya: What? No! Who told you that? Boys can be pretty too," she insists.

"Rex: No, they can't!"

"Aniya: Yes they-"

"Milly: Wait, are you talking about the boy…I think his name was Casper Blue, or something like that? He's in my class."

"Aniya: Oh yeah! That's his name!"

"Rex: Wait, what? That's my brother."

"Both Milly and Aniya: WHAT?!!"

Everyone in the cafeteria gives them a strange look.

"Aniya: What are you looking at losers-"

"Milly: We're sorry!" she interrupts quickly.

"Aniya: Stop staring, it's rude!"

Everyone turned back to what they were doing, and Aniya and Milly exchanged a stunned look before turning back to Rex, wide eyed.

"Aniya: You said he's your brother?"

"Rex: Yes. Well, not my real brother…"

"Aniya: How come you never told me? And what do you mean by not a real bro-"

"Milly: I think that's him," she says quietly, nudging Aniya’s arm.

"Aniya: Where?!"

“Milly: Standing in the line."

Rex turns around and Aniya leans to the left to get a look, since Rex was sitting in front of her, blocking her view. 

"Rex: Oh, that is him. Should I call him?"

"Aniya: Yes!"

"Milly: No!"

"Rex: What?"

"Milly: W-well, it's just kind of awkward-"

"Aniya: Come on. I'm sure he won't even recognize you."

"Rex: Okay, I'm going to call him."

Rex pushes his chair back and hurries over to Casper, who was reading the same book Milly had seen him reading before. Rex taps him on the shoulder, but Casper ignores him, keeping his eyes on the book.

"Rex: Casper?"

Rex stands in front of him and uses his hand to cover the page Casper is on. Casper finally looks up, an annoyed expression on his face.

"Rex: Hey bro, I have a few friends that want to meet you. We're sitting at a table together. Want to join us?"

"Casper: Absolutely not. Now move. I have things I have to do."

"Rex: What? Come on Casper. You're just reading a book."

"Casper: For the last time, Rex, leave me alone."

"Rex: I'll let you play on my PX3 for a whole week," he hums, lowering his voice.

"Casper: (Sighs) Fine," he grumbles, closing his book.

"Rex: Yay! Come on."

Casper grabs his lunch and follows Rex to where Milly and Aniya are sitting.

"Rex: Guys, this is Casper."

"Aniya: Oh my Gosh! Hi! My name is Aniya Ishioka. I'm in the same class as Rex. And this is Milly, she's in the same class as you!"

"Milly: Eh, h-hi," she says awkwardly.

"Casper: Why exactly did you want me to meet these pathetic friends of yours, Rex?"

"Aniya: Hey! Who are you calling, pathetic?"

"Rex: Casper, you have like, no friends. Try to make some already."

"Casper: Friends are a waste of time. And unlike you, I don't need friends. They just cause unnecessary drama."

"Aniya: Okay "Mister. Loves To Be Alone.""

"Rex: At least have lunch with us."

"Casper: You said you just wanted to introduce them to me. That was the deal. Now if you'll excuse me-"

"Rex: Okay, okay! You can borrow my PX3 for two weeks! How does that sound?"

"Casper: Three weeks."

"Rex: Ugh! Deal!" he groans, irritated.

Casper smirks and sits down, starting to eat his lunch.

"Aniya: So where are you from?"

"Casper: Aren't you and Rex friends? Hasn't he told you where he was from?"

"Aniya: He said you guys weren't real brothers."

Casper looks at Rex, lifting an eyebrow.

"Casper: I'm American from my mom's side and Australian from my dad's."

"Aniya: Don't Australians have an accent?"

"Casper: Well, I grew up here, so no, I wouldn't have one."

"Rex: By the way, Milly, I wanted to ask if you could help me study. My grades have been at rock bottom lately, and I really need some help,” he says sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Milly: Oh yes, of course. Is there a specific subject you need help with?"

"Rex: Nope. I'm bad at every single subject."

"Aniya: Why are you so proud of that?"

"Rex: I'm not. I'm just answering her question," he says, flashing her an annoyed look.

"Milly: It's okay, Rex. I would say we could study at the library, but it's closed."

"Rex: You can come to our house," he offers.

"Milly: Are you sure that's okay?"

"Casper: No, it's not-"

"Rex: Yes, of course it is," he says quickly, interrupting Casper.

Casper puts his hand over his face and shakes his head in disappointment.

"Aniya: Hey! What about me?"

"Rex: You can come too!"

"Casper: No! No one is coming to our house!"

"Rex: Mom and Dad will one hundred percent let them come over."

"Milly: It's okay. We can always study at the public library if Casper feels uncomfortable," she suggests, noting the irritation on Casper's face.

"Rex: Guys, ignore Casper. He just doesn't want you guys to come, so that he can finish his stupid books," he says, rolling his eyes.

"Casper: That's a valid reason," he grumbles quietly, mostly to himself.

"Aniya: Okay then! When should we meet?" she says with a clap of her hands, a wide smile on her face.

They continued to discuss their after school plans and soon, the bell rang to signal the end of break. Milly sat in class, listening to the teacher, but her eyes kept drifting toward the clock on the wall. A few minutes later, class ended. As soon as she got home, Milly ran straight to her father's lab.

As she walks into the lab, she notices her father working on something. She hesitates, not wanting to interrupt him but decides to approach anyway.

"Milly: Hey Dad."

"Arnold: Welcome back, darling. How was school?" he asks, his tone distracted as he works on one of his projects.

"Milly: Good. I have a new friend at school. He's Rex's brother."

"Arnold: Wow, that's fun."

Arnold wasn’t really paying attention to what Milly was saying. He peered into the microscope, before moving back and forth, grabbing things and putting them away.

"Milly: Oh, I'm also helping Rex with his studies and he told me that Aniya and I should come over to his house this weekend. Can I go?"

"Arnold: Yes, of course. You're helping someone, which is a great thing. But make sure to ask Mom too."

"Milly: Okay. Thanks, Dad."

"Arnold: You're welcome sugarcookie."

Milly runs over to Rina, who is preparing dinner in the kitchen.

"Milly: Hey Mom."

"Rina: Hi sweetheart," she says with a smile, extending her arms towards her.

Milly runs over and hugs Rina.

"Rina: How was your day?"

"Milly: Good I think. I made a new friend. And Rex also invited me to his house. Can I go? Aniya will be there too."

"Rina: Yeah, of course. You asked your dad?"

"Milly: He also said yes," she says with a small smile.

"Rina: Great! I'll drop you at their house if you want."

"Milly: Okay! Thanks Mom."

Milly ran back to her room and jumped onto her bed. As she lays on the bed, she takes off the necklace around her neck and holds it over her face.

"Milly: Should I tell Aniya and Rex? But what if they think it's really scary and weird."

Then she puts both of her arms on her stomach and a few minutes later she falls asleep.

~

Thanks for reading ♡(｡- ω -)