ro

owing me up the basement steps. "Nothin

at him over my shoulder.

ext time, it's g

rn to hug him as I leave, and say, "If you want that to be true, you'd better get som

d I stick my tongue out at him

you l

you a text next time I

tter,"

r behind himself, and I make my way throug

ion, but before I can get far, I pause. There's

rp features. His hair is jet black and carefully styled, and he's well-built, all of his clothes tailo

a mop of adorable brown curls and cute round cheeks

t upset him, but

hard time calming him down. As I approach, he murmurs something to

es meet. It's only a fleeting, passing glance. He goes straight ba

thing that makes me freeze on the sidewalk. I'm not

el. I start to rummage in my purse for my secret weapon, and feel it ne

ng necks and tails, diminutive, only about the size of my palm. I hold it out to fa

w this guy?

, his eyes red, tears still

his friend," I explai

s eyes with the back of his hand.

toward myself, staring into its

hand so that the dinosaur wiggles. I put on a deep, fake-gr

rs temporarily forgotten. That

he dinosaur tells Brandon, its voice cracking as I strain my vocal chords t

smile turns int

Since you guys are pals, and he's so attached to y

ams.

take care of

. As soon as I let go, he hugs it to his chest,

He stares directly at me, this time, and my breath catches as he meets

o feel like he owes me, or anything, just for being nice to his

on my way when he hold

ai