It had been exactly one month since the six young ones had returned to their own world.

Eric had counted. By day, by hour, he could say exactly the amount of time they had spent back in the comfort of their own homes. It had been one month. Or 4 weeks. Or 30 days. Or 730 hours. Or 43,829 minutes. Whichever example he wanted to use to make his point. Something like, "We've only been back for one month!" if he wanted to complain, or "We've been back for a full 30 days!" if he wanted to express his gratefulness for returning.

Either way, Eric was happy he was back. There was just one thing that bothered him. Okay, there were a lot of things.

Firstly, his life seemed emptier without the companionship of his friends 24/7. His larger-than-average room seemed even larger than it usually did. Where were Diana and Sheila? Where was Hank, where was Bobby? Where was Presto?

Secondly, his bed. It was huge. It was comfy. How was he supposed to sleep in a comfy bed when he was used to sleeping on the cold, hard ground? In his armor, no less?

He thought he'd be relieved coming back home, but he was lonelier than ever. His mom still didn't pay any attention to him. His dad was still never home (always on an important business trip. It only figures). He had only his memories of being surrounded by his friends to comfort him.

Not that he'd admit they were his friends. Or that they'd even thinkof him as their friend.

Which is why the calls he made to their houses were listed under the "most difficult things he'd ever done because it was just-that-hard to get past his own ego" list. He had decided he wanted to have a late "housewarming" party. If you could call it that. Just a little celebration for being back home for a full month. 30 days. 730 hours. 43,829 minutes. Etc, etc.

He didn't even try to call the girls. If no one else made it, it would be awkward with either of those two coming over on their own. It was the same with Bobby (besides, Bobby wasn't exactly 5 star company).

With those three checked off the list, it left Hank and Presto. When he called Presto, his friend's mother picked up the phone. That was a conversation he hadn't particularly liked.

"Who is this?" A middle-aged woman's voice came from the other end of the line.

"Uh, Eric. Presto's friend. Is he there?"

"Oh! Are you the Eric my little Albert is always talking about? He says you two are great friends. 'been through a lot together', he puts it."

"Uh… sure."

"Well, he can't come to the phone right now. He's doing his homework. What is it that you need?"

"I was just wondering if he'd want to spend the night this Friday. I live at the big mansion at the end of Cherrywood Drive."

"Oh yes, he did mention you were rich. Well, I'll ask him now."

Long story short, it was a yes for Presto. Same with Hank, though Hank did answer the phone himself. The clock now said 5:45, and Eric was waiting patiently for his friends to arrive.

That was an understatement. Eric was running from the kitchen and the entertainment room back to his, since he had decided to do all the activities in his own room. It was big enough, anyway. He had a television, a small sofa, a desk to set the refreshments, a stereo, and in the middle of all of it was his own oversized bed.

He made a list before getting things together. He'd checked off everything but "Presto and Hank arrive", which he was saving for when the doorbell rang. This, to his irritation, wasn't due to happen for another fifteen minutes. Fifteen long, restless minutes. He checked everything twice more before he was sure everything was in order. His night of fun had to be perfect.

~*Diiiiing doooong*~

This was it.

He checked the last thing off his list.