The class bell rang at 3:00 and everyone departed out of the classroom besides three boys. Phoenix was still rubbing his eyes a little, Miles was collecting his school supplies into his sack and Larry was still in his seat, leaning back while his feet rested on the desk.
Phoenix, who was crying like crazy only an hour ago, felt embarrassed about showing his discomposure like that. He couldn't stand up to the students who threw insults at him and felt like a coward. All he could do was cry and hope that someone would get him out of his agitation.
Phoenix began grabbing his stuff from his desk and walked towards Miles. His face was still a bit red and his nose was slightly running. He tried to find something to say to him. "I…" he began, looking at Miles but turned his gaze to the floor when Miles turned towards his direction. He didn't have the courage to look him in the eye at the moment. "I wanna… I just… thanks, Miles." he managed to look him in the eye after he stammered the words out of his mouth. Miles replied with a smile.
"It was nothing." he said, grinning. "I can't turn away from someone who is suffering, especially when he is being accused of something he has never done." he zipped his backpack closed and swung it around his shoulder to his back. He pointed his thumb towards his chest. "I am gonna be a defense attorney when I grow up, after all! Just like my father!"
"Really? Your father is a defense attorney?" Phoenix asked in amazement.
Larry Butz couldn't help but laugh. "Of course," he said, hopping off his chair and swiftly rushed towards the two boys. "Its all Miles ever talks about in class. About how awesome his father is in court and how he never turns away from an innocent person and all that mumbo jumbo!" he started swaying back and forth with every word.
"Its not mumbo jumbo!" Miles corrected. "Its protecting others and-"
"Come on, Miles. I'm not the kind of person that's into politics and all that jazz!" Larry giggled and Phoenix weakly chuckled.
"So your name is Phoenix, is it?" Larry asked, with a welcoming smile.
"Uh-huh," Phoenix nodded.
"Phoenix sounds complicated and hard to remember or spell. I'll call you Nick instead. Its short and simple." Larry suggested. Phoenix didn't mind at all. He was just glad to make some friends especially after the little 'trial' they had recently.
"Phoenix, huh?" Miles grinned . "I am Miles Edgeworth." he extended his hand out to Phoenix and he shook it gladly.
"And I'm Larry. Larry Butz!" he said, spitting his hand and extending it towards Phoenix for him to shake, but Phoenix just stood there, not sure whether to shake it or not. Larry just laughed aloud and extended his other hand out for Phoenix to shake and he shook it.
"I like you, Nick!" he exclaimed. "I think we're gonna be best friends."
Miles was on his way to the door when Larry ran up to him. Phoenix followed.
"No need to be jealous, Miles. We'll be best friends, too!" he said, wrapping his arm around Miles's neck until Miles pushed it off.
"Hmph. Jealous? Not even close, Larry. Not even close." he responded.
"Great!" he wrapped one arm around Miles's neck again and the other arm around Phoenix's neck and pulled the two of them close. "Then we can all be friends!"
Miles and Phoenix struggled to release Larry's tight grip until they grew tired and surrendered. Then they all started to walk out of the classroom and out towards the bus.
"Uhh, can you let go now, Larry?" Phoenix said weakly, resisting the urge to cough.
"Fine, then. Don't express our friendship to the other fellow classmates on the bus." he snickered sarcastically and hopped on the bus followed by Miles and Phoenix.