"Adam. Your bail's paid. Get outta here."

I looked up from the concrete floors to see the bailiff glaring at me by the holding cell door, thumbing the way out. Getting up from the bench, I had to ask.

"Who?"

"See for yourself." The bailiff couldn't care less as he left for his post, leaving the cell open for me to leave.

I did, until I came to the police station's front entrance where the bailiff was relaxing at his desk.

"He's outside. Thank him why don't cha."

I didn't look back.

Welcoming the fresh air and bright sunlight, I looked around. The streets were empty with a few passersby and a car or two driving past. The sky was clear blue. Hmm.

A whistle rang nearby. I snapped to see who got me out.

… A kid? No. A freshman. My junior from school.

Blond. Blue eyes looking at me. Short. A yellow raincoat (why?). A red scarf tucked in (isn't it hot out here?). And a bright wide smile.

Ugh. He's the complete opposite of me.

"Jaune. Right?"

The kid brightened up and nodded fast. My eyes narrowed to shield against the sunshine in front of me.

I know this guy. Hardly. He's been around Blake and her friends lately, from the few times I decided to come to the Lounge. He's been friendly the day he joined us. Not that I would care, he's like a mascot. Kinda surprising though, since Neo's there too. If I had to guess, there's been a few times where she would threaten this kid. Wish I was there to see it. But the question here is,

"Why? How?"

Jaune tilted his head and frowned, like he doesn't understand. I felt a bit peeved at that.

And then he pulled out a carton of cigs. I backed my head away and looked at him weird.

"For me?" Pointing at his hand.

He nodded with that smile.

I can't really say no to cigs.

"Thanks." I mumbled as I lit one in my mouth, letting out a long puff. Damn, that feels good.

"*cough* *cough* *cough*"

I peeked at the kid. He was coughing up a storm, covering his mouth and wincing his eyes. Then why give me cigarettes in the first place?

"You aight?"

He nodded back fast with a grin, acting like his lungs weren't catching smoke like a fly trap.

With that, I turned on my heels and left. I'd rather be elsewhere.

Although…

"So… Why are you following me? And why did you pay me out?" I said to my tagalong, making obvious footsteps behind me.

I didn't hear anything at first, so I looked over.

He was holding out a letter to me as we walked.

I rolled my eyes and took it from him. I snuck another puff and blew it out away from the kid. Least I could do. Meh. With that, I began to read.

"Hey Adam, I was worried when I heard. I know you barely know me, but I care about you, my senior. Actually I care about a lot of people, but you mean as much to me as anyone else. You were pretty crazy when you started that fight. When I heard from Sun, I was worried. He didn't tell anyone else but me. So I did what I had to. Um… you're welcome? I'm sorry for writing this out. It doesn't help that no one would listen to me talk, so I think it's better to just write it out. It's better to convey feelings and thoughts that way, isn't it? Anyway, Why I paid for your bail? I don't want you to stay there. That's it. You're my friend, really. It's dumb I know, but hey, at least you're out now. So… what do you want to do? –Jaune.
P.S. I don't mind that you smoke. Actually, I encourage it. It's a part of who you are and if you think it's not, then I'll support you all the way. I support everyone's decisions actually. I don't really have a conflicting opinion. I just think everyone is who they choose to be. You know?"

I eyed the writer, who was busy coughing. Still? I barely puffed. Damn, those are some crap lungs.

"You want to be friends with me?" I deduced. He must be crazy.

He nodded in between coughs. Jesus, he'll be coughing out his lungs at this rate.

"…" I debated about having this guy around. I mean, I know him, sure, but we're not close or anything. I glanced at him again, still coughing. I mean, I've heard of the times Jaune's been acting childish and all that. He's pretty innocent from what I've heard. Helpful too, he's been helping everyone in the Lounge with something, big or small. Does he really want to risk hanging out with a guy like me?

"… Sure." Against my better judgement.

Jaune lit up like a Christmas tree and jumped up and down. Yeesh, calm down.

"Come on. I need a drink." I motioned him to come with, handing him back his paper. "I'll order you something. Least I could do." Stuffing my hands in my leather jacket pockets. I took a look over myself. Blue jeans. Black loafers. White tank top. Eh. It works.

Meanwhile Jaune hopped and skipped beside me as we went, like a kid...

Actually, I'm feeling a little less hinged…

Huh. Maybe he's not as bad as I thought.

Not too bad…

I thought back at the first time I actually met him. His smile and how obnoxious it was, how innocent it was. That raincoat. That scarf…

The lights of red and blue flicked from the corner of my eyes, illuminating the empty neighborhood street and the clear night sky.

I was leaning against a lamp post that was turned off for the night, watching Jaune's mother wailing on her own home's driveway while his father and two officers comforted her close by.

I was just taking a walk when I noticed the police cars and their blinking lights. I noticed that I was close to Jaune and Yang's houses. I was curious and I overheard.

I didn't like what I heard.

Damn.

Damn…

Dammit…

I actually liked the kid.

Fuck…

No one else was around. It was just me, the nearby officers, and his parents. Of course not. They had to be asleep at this hour…

Someone has to spread the news. Yang had to hear this too. I mean she and Ruby lived next to him…

No… Yang won't spill. I know she won't. She dated him after all. I knew that. I knew that she dumped him too. I didn't figure it out at first, had to piece it together…

Guess I'm going back to school tomorrow.

I looked up to the sky. Why? Because isn't that what people do when they don't know shit about what to do?

I shook my head.

I rummaged around my pockets and pulled out a box and lighter. I shook the box and felt one more was left. With a flick, I lit the cig in my mouth… before taking it out to just watch it burn…

With a grimace, I tossed it down to the ground and grinded it, longer than I should.

I didn't feel anything as my foot kept grinding.

I breathed out a puff of cold air before putting my hands into my pockets.

I walked off, leaving behind the cries of a mother who lost her only son.