Menlo paced around his apartment, making sure that the slightest spec of dust wasn't to be found on any surface. It was nice, having parents willing and able to afford to help him get an apartment off campus so he could go to college without the added stress of a messy roommate to aggravate his compulsive cleaning and the overwhelming anxiety when in a mess.

But this was different. He had a guest. A guest who said he was going to be a few minutes late because of traffic.

Maybe he should make some tea. . .

Just as the kettle began to whistle, there was a knock at his door. Menlo took it off and answered. Standing outside his door, TJ stood with a duffel bag.

"Hey Menlo," he said. "How's it going?"

It's been a while since they saw each other. After the incident, TJ went for his GED instead of returning to high school, though Menlo often visited after school, rekindling their friendship. But time for college came, and Menlo left to start his college career. The two of them called and texte, but that was different from being face to face.

"So how's college?" TJ asked. The two of them sat on the couch with a simple cup of black tea each.

"It's good. It feels nice to blend in for once," Menlo laughed. "I blend right in with the other students dressed like they're here to take college seriously instead of just partying. What about you?"

TJ shrugged. "Nothing much. My parents want me to go to community college next semester."

"You should! It'll give you time to figure out if you want a 4 year degree. And even if you don't, an associates degree is still useful."

"I guess so." He took a drink. "It's kind of hard to think far ahead. I didn't think I would live this long."

"But you are! And I'm glad you are," said Menlo.

"Thanks, Menlo."

The two of them sat in silence for a while, simply enjoying each others presence. Sometime when they were together, it ended up like this, just sitting around, not talking about anything, but it still did plenty to help each other feel better and relax. Sometimes words didn't need to be said, they supposed.

"You know at the end of summer, a few of my old friends came up to me," TJ started. "I was just walking around to clear my head."

"Which ones?"

"Spinelli. Mikey. Vince. They apologized for what happened. Or at least they tried to," he said. "It felt like they were trying to clear their conscience about it."

Menlo nodded. "What did you say?"

"I didn't say anything. I just walked away. I didn't have anything to say to them," he said. "I didn't want to talk to them."

"I think they wanted to clear their conscience too, considering when they came up to you. I wouldn't even bother talking to them. Real scummy people." Menlo sipped his drink. "Let's not think about that. You're visiting! We should go out and do something."

"Wow, you of all people want to go out. What do you have in mind?"

"Nothing crazy. I'm not the type for clubs," Menlo said. "Much too noisy. I found this one quiet place that does poetry slams. I'm not one for poetry, but it's a comfortable atmosphere to relax in."

"Alright, if you say so." TJ leaned back in his seat. "It'll be something new."

"You haven't been out in a while?" Menlo asked. TJ shook his head.

"I'll go out and get groceries and take care of errands, but besides that, it's hard to get out of bed most other days. This new medication they have me on, I think it's starting work, though. It's getting better, I think," TJ said. "I hope. It's complicated."

"It's alright. As long as you're trying," said Menlo. "C'mon, we should get there early if we want a decent seat."

They left the mugs on the coffee table and headed out the door.