AN: Oh my gosh, I am so sorry for missing Monday's post! Life has been kinda crazy lately, but it's here! The final meeting! Enjoy!

For once in his life, Dewey has his head hung low in the halls. His confidence is at an all time low. Huey noticed.

"Dewey, you can't stay in this funk forever," Huey tried to comfort his friend, "Just because you didn't make the bask-"

Dewey snapped his gaze on Huey, "Don't say that word."

Huey cringed, "Right, sorry. You may have not made the, uh, team, but who wants to anyway with a guy like Timmy Jenkins on the team."

Dewey sniffed, "Yeah. You're right," then he sobbed, "But I wanted to."

Huey sighed, "Come on, we're gonna be late," Huey grabbed his friend's arm, trying to rush him.

As Dewey started straightening he noticed four figures standing in the halls. He immediately noticed Timmy Jenkins and his croony, Bill Green. The other two were less familiar, but he did recognize the cute girl from the first day of school, Webby. None looked happy. In fact, the duck in the green hoodie looked like he was about to hit someone.

"Huey, do they look like they're about to get into a fight?" Dewey asked.

Huey glanced up, "They… do. I wonder what that's about."

As they got closer they started hearing parts of the conversation.

"Practically?" Timmy raised an eyebrow with his ever irritating smile.

The duck in the green hoodie stumbled with his words, "Well, we're not actually related, but, we might as well be."

"Yeah!" Webby chimed in.

"Stay out of this, Webby," Timmy spat, "Nobody cares about you."

Dewey felt his blood boil. Timmy was always a terrible bully, but he was taking it too far. Dewey had to do something.

Dewey made eye contact with Huey, "We have to help them."

Huey suddenly got nervous, "I don't know, Dewey. They could really hurt us."

"So you're just gonna let them push those guys around?" Dewey implored.

Huey hesitated, but another glance at them confirmed his decision.

"Alright," Huey conceited, "But let's try not to get into a fist fight."

Dewey nodded, then started heading over to the four of them. He quickly jumped in between them and yelled, "Hey! Leave them alone!"

Timmy scowled briefly before putting on a cocky grin, "Well, well, if it isn't Dewfail and his robot."

"It's Huey," his friend stood behind him.

"And you need to back off," Dewey pointed, "Pick on someone your own size."

Bill covered his beak, looking to Timmy for his reaction. His face turned ugly, "No one insults my height and gets away with it."

"Well we just did," Dewey smirked and crossed his arms, "You're insults don't scare us, and you can't fight us... so what are you going to do about it?"

Timmy fumed, giving an angry yell as he started to walk away, "Next time nerds, you'll regret the day you met Timmy Jenkins."

Dewey laughed, "Can't wait!"

Huey looked at Dewey with an amazed expression. He whispered, "Did we just chase away a real bully?"

Dewey nodded, "I think we did."

They burst out laughing holding their stomachs. Suddenly they noticed the two they just saved standing there, still processing what just happened.

Dewey cleared his throat, "Uh, hi? Um… how are you?"

Webby rubbed her neck, "We're, uh, okay now. Thanks to you."

Dewey felt his face redden, and he looked away.

The duck in the green hoodie spoke up, "I mean, I totally had that under control, but," he put his hands in his pockets, "Thanks."

Dewey smiled warmly, "No problem. Your name is…"

"Louie," he responded, "And this is Webby. And you are… Dewfail and Huey?"

"Dewford, Dewford," Dewey groaned, "But I prefer Dewey."

"It's very nice to meet you," Huey extended his hand.

Louie gave him a questioning look, while Webby jumped right in, "You as well."

She took Dewey's hand and shook it, surprising him.

Louie rolled his eyes, "So, we're really late to class, right?"

Dewey sighed, "Yeah."

"Do you want to skip with us?" He offered.

Huey's eyes nearly popped out, "WHAT?!"

"Oh, come on, it's just math class," Louie argued, "Besides, there's a sub and honestly, I don't think they'll notice us being gone."

Dewey thought for a moment. Boring math class, or fun time with new friends…

Dewey smiled, "I'm in."

"It's not responsible, and we'll probably get in trouble," Webby shrugged, "But I'm in too."

They turned to Huey. He fidgeted, "I don't know… I've never skipped anything before."

"C'mon, Huey," Dewey smirked, "Part of you really wants to try, don't you?"

Huey debated in his mind until he finally gave in, "Fine. I'll do it. But I swear if we get in trouble-"

"We'll blame Louie," Webby injected.

Everyone laughed. And just like that Dewey felt a bond forming, one that felt like nothing he'd ever felt before. It was almost like this is where he belonged. This was a friendship that was going to last a long time.

Huey nervously walked through the halls. If someone had told him that in a month that his best friend would be adopted, he would start school, make 3 new friends, fight off bullies and be skipping class, he would have laughed in their face. But here he was, sneaking around the school with his new friends when they should be learning math.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Huey whispered to Dewey, "What if we get caught?"

Dewey laughed quietly, "Relax. The whole point of doing something you're not supposed to is not being caught. Think of it like an adventure."

"I've never been on one of those either," Huey's voice raised an octave.

Dewey shrugged, "Neither have I. Which is why we're doing this. For the experience."

Huey grumbled, "I don't want to experience getting in trouble."

The four of them kept walking until they reached the cafeteria. Louie, who was leading them, motioned them toward the nearby wall. They reached a closed door, and Louie pulled out a paper clip.

Huey gasped, "Are you breaking in?"

"Shhh!" The other three quickly hushed him. Huey covered his mouth.

Once Louie got the door, he walked in. The others followed. Huey sighed. He was going to regret this. He slipped in and closed the door behind him.

Someone flipped on the lights, and Huey quickly adjusted to the different lighting. It was a small cleaning closet. There were tools and cleaning supplies on every shelf.

Louie sat down, "Welcome to my secret hiding place. This is where I go when I need a break."

Webby gave him a look, "You mean, you've done this before?"

Louie smirked and didn't respond.

Dewey's eyes were practically sparkling, "So cool! It's like our own secret bunker!"

"We could set up our own spy gear!" Webby spoke excitedly, "Listen to everything everyone says!"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Louie put his hands up, stopping the two in their tracks, "This is still the janitor's cleaning closet. We can't just take it over."

Huey bit his lip nervously, "He isn't going to walk in on us, is he?"

Louie shook his head, "He only comes in here for his morning and afternoon clean. He's not even in the building right now."

Huey breathed a sigh of relief, "Oh. Good."

Everyone sat down, making small talk for a little while. Huey slowly focused less on the ever present fear of being caught and more on relaxing and talking with his friends.

"So you actually live in Mcduck manor?" Dewey asked excitedly, "Is it as huge as it looks?"

Louie put his hands behind his head, "Yeah, it's pretty cool. There are a ton of rooms filled with ancient and or cursed artifacts. We're not allowed in a whole wing because we'd get into too much trouble."

"Honestly, it's just like any other house," Webby added, "Just… bigger. A lot bigger."

Louie gave her a look.

"Sorry," She said with a soft smile.

"Well, I wouldn't know," Dewey shrugged, "I live on a houseboat."

Everyone looked surprised, "Really?" Louie wondered, "What's that like?"

"Well, we're just thankful neither of us get sea sick," Dewey laughed, "But it's home, like any of you guys'. My uncle can't really hold a job, and Mrs. Beakley's hip injury has kept her from any work, so we bought a boat with the rest of Uncle Donald's savings, and here we are."

Louie nodded, "That's tough, man."

Dewey shrugged, "I try to be optimistic. My uncle still tries to give me a normal life, even though he's extremely overprotective."

Louie rolled his eyes, "Helicopter parent? Ugh, I hate those. It's like, they go crazy trying to protect their kid from something that will never happen!"

Dewey rubbed his elbow, "Actually, something did happen a long time ago."

The room grew quiet.

"What?" Webby asked.

Dewey sighed, "I don't know much, but I do know my two triplet brothers were taken before we were hatched."

Louie scoffed, "You have secret triplet brothers? Are you making that up?"

"No, I swear!" Dewey held up his hands, but his normal lighthearted smile had returned, "I should have been a triplet!"

"That's crazy to imagine," Huey joined in, "three deweys."

"Nah, I think they'd all be different," Louie put in, "kind of like us."

Dewey nodded, "Yeah. If only."

"How do you know their brothers?" Webby asked, "You could have a sister too."

"I don't think so," Dewey pulled out an old, worn down notebook from his bag, "My mom had names all picked out for us."

Huey read the first name, "Jet…"

"Turbo... " Dewey continued.

"Rebel?" Louie finished, "Weird names."

Webby gave him a sharp glare.

Louie quickly corrected himself, "I mean, uh, they're, unique."

"It's fine," Dewey pulled the notebook back toward him, "My mom was kind of like me. Energetic. Different."

Webby smiled longfully, "I'm glad you get to connect with your mom that way. I don't have the slightest clue about my family."

"Or mine," Louie added, "not that I care that much."

"I don't know anything about my parents either," Huey said quietly. When the others wanted him to go into more detail he said, "I'm an orphan."

The rest of them nodded, looking at each other in a new light.

"I guess we have more in common than we thought," Dewey said thoughtfully.

Webby gave a small squeal, hugging Dewey and Huey close, "I can't believe how many new friends I made today!"

Louie quickly separated the three, "Okay, no need to get touchy feely."

Webby sat next to Louie again. This time Huey spoke, "So how did you two end up living at McDuck Manor if neither of you are related to Scrooge?"

With this Louie immediately tensed up, and it looked like his mind was far away. He looked away and didn't respond.

Webby, however, was happy to share, "Oh, well, as far as I know, I had a relative who worked for Scrooge, but they quit just before I was hatched. I don't actually know what happened to them after that. Then my mom just put me on Scrooge's doorstep and left herself."

Dewey whistled, "Dang. What about you, Louie?"

At first Louie remained silent. He glanced up to find all eyes on him. He reluctantly started talking.

"Well, uh, I was on the street for awhile," Louie admitted quietly, "I shined people's shoes and… uh… Scrooge found me and took me in. Before that I…" Louie couldn't finish.

Webby quickly interceded for him, "Yep, Scrooge loves a good shoe shiner who makes an honest living, heh heh. So Huey, uh, you have an adoption story?"

"Actually, I do," Huey took a photograph from his hat. It was of his dad and him near the orphanage playground, "Hubert, my name sake, found my egg hatching in a dumpster. He dropped me off, but," Huey touched his hat, "he left me his name, his hat, and his word that he'd return. And he did. For a while," Huey slouched against the wall, "one day he just, never came back."

There was more silence.

Dewey attempted to change the mood, "Okay, does everyone have a sad story involving parental figures going missing or not having a family period?"

Louie stood, "Whatever. C'mon, the bell's gonna ring soon."

The rest of them stood, walking out of the closet and back into the halls. They chatted lightly and promised to talk more till they reached their separate classes. Huey couldn't breath until he was safe, sitting at his desk. He couldn't believe that just happened. And he didn't get caught! Huey shivered. He still wasn't comfortable with the idea of going behind his teachers' backs and skipping class, but…

Huey smiled. He was making so many friends. And he did enjoy spending time with them. As long as they didn't skip class any time soon, he was looking forward to their next time in the cleaning closet.

Louie pushed the door open, more forcefully than usual, Webby noticed. Ever since Huey had asked about their past he'd been irritated and closed off. Scrooge had warned her of bringing up the subject with him. He went through a lot, lass, he has said, best leave the matter be.

But Webby had always been curious. The mystery and story intrigued her, and finding out the truth would answer so many questions. She had a whole board on his past. But she'd never asked him directly.

Now, today, he'd shared the smallest piece of his story. He was a shoe shiner. That's probably why Scrooge took an interest in him in the first place. The new information just made her even more curious, so she decided to try and ask him. They were close now, so, maybe he'll open up to her.

"So… you were a shoe shiner…" Webby started, "How was that?"

Louie looked over his shoulder, "You want to know what it was like to be a shoe shiner?"

Webby nodded.

"Go outside and shine them yourself," Louie waved her off, walking away.

Webby paused, thinking of what to say, "You, uh, mentioned a before that?"

Louie stopped in his tracks. He groaned loudly, "Look, I don't want to talk about it, you definitely don't want to hear about it, end of discussion."

"But I do!" Webby exclaimed, "I want to know your story. Whatever happened I want to be there for you. I'm your friend, isn't that what friends do?"

Louie sighed, long and quietly. Finally he turned.

"Fine, but this is all you're getting out of me," Louie said quickly, "I was raised by... an organization b-bent on revenge a-against…" he trailed off, his face filled with pain.

Webby gently prompted him with a nudge, "Against?"

Louie gave her a sharp look, and she backed off, "Look, the point is I hated that place, and all I want to do is forget it, alright?!"

"Alright, ok," Webby put her hands in the air. She had never seen Louie like this before, "I… I'm sorry-"

"Yeah? Then stop bringing up my past!" Louie shouted, storming off.

Webby felt terrible. Louie had finally started opening up and she'd ruined it. She held her head, collapsing on the floor. Poor Louie. What had he gone through to make him so afraid?

All Webby wanted was to make him feel safe. She wanted him to know he could trust her with anything. But he just wasn't ready.

Webby took a deep breath. She wasn't going to give up on him. No matter how hard he made it, or how many secrets he had. He was her best friend, and she vowed that was never going to change.

Louie flopped into bed, covering his face with his hands. He didn't even know what to think of today. On the plus side, he got to hang out with two new people that he didn't hate. He actually felt really connected to them.

And that's what terrified him. He was opening up to them, strangers he had never met before. They got too close to his dark past, and he didn't like it. Opening up your heart only hurts you. His time with them taught him that. He was too afraid to let anyone in. Not Dewey, or Huey, or Scrooge or even Webby. He just couldn't. It was easier to keep everything inside.

Louie sighed. But… it was so lonely. He might as well be back on the streets, alone. At least here, he had people who cared about him. He was so jealous of them. They could love unconditionally without being afraid of being hurt. Which is exactly what he had just done to Webby.

Louie groaned. She's probably hurting right now thanks to him. He better go apologize.

But right before he got out of bed he heard a knock on the door. Louie called, "Come in."

The door opened. It was Webby. She shyly entered his room.

"Hey, Webs, I'm really-" Louie started.

Webby put her hand up, and Louie closed his mouth, "Louie, I'm sorry I pushed you. I know, or… I understand you went through some really hard things. I don't ever want to put you in a position that makes you uncomfortable. I want you to know I… I will always be there for you."

Louie was stunned, "Oh, uh, yeah. I know. Thanks."

Webby smiled, "So, you're not super mad and never want to be my friend again?"

Louie shook his head with a grin, "No! I'll never do that to you," Louie paused. She deserved a little vulnerability. He swallowed, "I… I want to be your friend."

Webby gave a small gasp, but tried to keep her surprise to herself, "Yeah. Me too."

And with that she exited the room, closing the door behind her. Louie released his breath and held his chest. Even when he just promised himself to stay closed he still opens himself up. He just couldn't do that anymore. But… that doesn't mean he has to be lonely. His friends can know just enough of him that they are satisfied, but really they only scratch the surface. He couldn't let them know his past, or else, he'd really be alone.