Chapter 3- The Friendship Of The Dorks

Chris:

When I woke up, Lori's head was still in my lap. I was still half-asleep and didn't feel so good. I was a bit nauseous and ten to one it was because I haven't taken my meds in a few days.

Like the good friend I was, I actually carefully replaced my lap with a pillow while holding her head up so I could get away. I gave her a look of sorrow before I walked out the door so I could shower. I hated that Lori still had nightmares. No scratch that, I hated that douche Derek and every other person who dared to hurt her and most of all I hated that she had to go through all that.

I've had my fair share of heartbreak, don't get me wrong. I mean, really the nice guy gets what he wanted and then- POOF- he's a 'total dick' as Lori would say. Though nothing could ever compare to what Lori went through. I was just honestly thankful that I called the cops. I bit my lip as a bad force of habit before shaking my head. I stumbled a bit and struggled to get my balance.

I blinked a couple of times as my vision got a bit blurry. Woah, not to self- do not get up so fast. When my stomach gargled, I made a face.

"Shh... you'll get food soon, so shut up."

I grabbed some clothes and clean undies on my way to the shower. Once I was all clean, I pulled on the black skirt and green tank top before I put on my Loki necklace. My obsession with Loki is border line insane, but it's not near as bad as Lori's obsession with Thor.

I did my best to dry my hair then I walked out of the restroom to be met by Mamoru. I jumped,

"Holy-!"

I took a few breaths,

"I need to get you a bell."

Mamoru looked at me curiously before he finally answered,

"Would Miss Venn like to eat breakfast or have Miss Saint awaken?"

"I told you please call me Chris and she's Lori. And no to having her awaken and yes to breakfast."

"And your request for breakfast would be?"

I put a finger to my chin,

"Strawberry Banana Smoothie if you can... If you don't mind, could I go to the market before Lori wakes up? I kind of wanted to surprise her by buying some chips."

"We would be more than happy to get you some of those to give to her, Miss Chris."

"Gah, it's not the same thing," I waved him off, "By the way, did you-"

Before I could finish the sentence, Mamoru was holding two bottles and an inhaler. I looked at him shocked,

"How did you even know I was going to ask about that... You know what, never mind, don't answer that... freakin' Sebastian."

I looked over the bottles of meds to double check that they were the right ones. Ativan and Robaxin. Yep, that's all of them.. or now anyway and I hope I don't need any more. At least now I have my inhaler.

I browsed the aisles with great concentration before I carelessly threw a few bags of the chips into the small basket. I had stopped humming and doing dorky things when I arrived since it wasn't until then that I noticed all the looks. I should've expected the looks since I did go down the street, skipping, and going "I'm going on an adventure!" That was the result of too many Youtube videos, Lord Of The Rings and The Hobbit. It was kind of funny though considering that I had spent the whole night watching Harry Potter, a marathon that demanded to be continued.

I felt better since I took some of my meds. However, a side effect of taking all my meds at once left me a bit...

"Hello Venn-senpai."

I screamed, ... jumpy... I turned to see Haruhi there with a shocked look on her face.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

"It's fine you only made me jump out of my skin," I gave her an amused look.

Though I was a bit curious. I mean, I did only met the guy... wait... oh shit it's a chick... I mean crap dang it. Haruhi stood there cutely with a pink shirt and capri's that did nothing to hide that she was a girl. I was wise enough to not ask since honestly, I didn't want to offend her. Besides, I just met her yesterday so I didn't even know what pronouns she or he would prefer if that was the case.

Wait, exactly, I did just meet her yesterday so...why's she saying hi? I mean, I get if she's friendly but still..

"Sorry senpai, but could you please move so I can get some boxed diners?"

I face-palmed, right...

"Sorry, sure."

I stepped aside and as soon as she put the boxed diners in her basket, she looked at me,

"So, senpai, what are you doing at the market?"

"Thought I should grab some chips," I shrugged and at a loss of what to say next, I chose my next words carefully,

"So, Haruhi-san, I was wondering... I don't mean any offense, but I'm not sure what pronouns you would prefer and I don't want to offend you..."

Haruhi looked at me curiously as I fidgeted under her gaze.

"What do you m- oh," she chuckled, "It's not that, I'm a girl, I just don't like girly clothes. Plus I got roped into wearing the male uniform when I broke that vase and ended up in that dang host club."

"Oh," I said, my face turning red, "Err- sorry I didn't mean-"

"No, it's fine, honestly I'm happy that when you thought that I was that you asked. It's... respectful so, thanks."

When I got back to...well, I couldn't call it home, but either way when I got back, I opened the door and-

"GAAAHHH!"

I jumped back as far as I could. Lori laughed her butt off as she took off the mask.

"Where did...you," I panted, "Get...that...thing any...way..."

"From our personal Sebastian."

I started to laugh slightly, but since I was short of breath that didn't exactly work out that well. I ended up choking a bit and losing my breath. I hunched over and tried to calm down.

"You okay, dumbass," Lori asked concerned, "Do I need to get-"

"...I'm.. fine."

After a few more calming breathes, I was able to straighten up. My legs were shaking a bit, but all and all, I was fine. I smiled largely as I held up the shopping bag that contained the chips,

"I brought chips!"

"Onion and sour cream?"

"Would I buy anything else?"

"Did I ever mention how much I love you, oh best friend of mine."

"Not enough," I huffed.

Lori's brilliant reply was to stick out her tongue. She took the chips and headed upstairs to her room.

"I'm gonna go chow down and watch anime and stuff," she told her. "Thanks for the chips."

With that, she twirled around and made woosh noises for her cloak and ran upstairs. I just rolled my eyes.

A few minutes later as I headed up the stairs, I could hear Lori from her room.

"NO! WHY WOULD YOU KILL HIM?!"

I almost laughed. So she's watching that episode of Fullmetal Alchemist.

Lori:

I was currently sitting on my bed with my laptop open after watching that horribly depressing episode of FMA,writing fan fiction and listening to music. I needed to get my mind of the nightmare. The thing that bothered me the most was it wasn't just a random nightmare, it was a memory.

I shook my head to get the thoughts out and glanced at the drawer that had my pain pills. I didn't really like them, and I never needed them unless I hurt my back or put to much strain on it. I shrugged and kept on writing, and soon found myself singing to the song and stopped writing.

"I'm a good man, with a good heart
Had a tough time, got a rough start
But I finally learned to let it go.
Now I'm right here, and I'm right now
And I'm hopin', known' somehow
My shadow days are over, my shadow days are over now."

Man did I wish I had my acoustic with me. It would sound even better.

After the song, I got dressed in some normal clothes and headed outside. By no means was I really an outside person, but today was nice, and the breeze was blowing the water in the creek just right.

I took in a breath of fresh air and sighed. I could do this all day, I thought as I closed my eyes and just listened to the noises around me. After a few minutes, I put some headphones in and pulled out the sketch book I had brought with me.

Chris:
"Lightning strikes
Inside my chest to keep me up at nights.
Dreamin' of ways to make you understand my pain..."

I sang softly as I just relaxed. I was a bit tired and worn out, probably the result of walking to the store and back. Though, I supposed it might have been my medicine too.

I bet that Lori just needed some time alone, especially since her nightmare. I hoped that she was alright.

"...It's heartbreak warfare..."

Music was another thing that Lori and I had in common. We both loved artists like John Mayer, Soundgarden, and a few others. Not to mention that we both loved to sing. Though I couldn't dance if my life depended on it, whether it was from a stiff body or my state my mind I would never know. I just knew that if I went on the dance floor it usually ended with me dancing like an old grandma.

I looked out the window to see Lori outside and for once in normal clothing. I would never get out of my pajamas unless it was needed. Still, she looked like she was enjoying herself.

Honestly, what I did to deserve a best friend like her I would never know.