Weeks passed, Raven made the effort to go hang out with the other goths at Benny's, writing more, and sharing what he wrote. His depression wasn't glaringly obvious for a while, it was odd. Well..., more specifically, parts of it weren't obvious. The lack of interest in his favorite activities was draining though. He couldn't really bring himself to game, reading was hard, on a plus side, he was watching a show he had always wanted to watch but could never find the time to. However, he missed his gaming friends, but he also didn't feel like interacting with them, despite missing them. It was like, socializing with his real life friends, took up all his available social energy. It took up most of his energy in general.

So..., maybe his depression had just changed forms, so to speak. He was sleeping more again.
He sighed and rolled on to his side, picking up his phone to check the time and notifications.

It was almost time for the meeting that night, Pete had texted him and asked if he would be attending.
He replied that he would, and then he got up and found his fingerless gloves and hat, putting those on before going to the bathroom to apply deodorant and a mist of body spray. He adjusted his hat and hair before wandering downstairs to sit and wait for Pete to be ready.
It didn't take long and then they went to the car, Pete offering to drive.

THe drive over was silent, but it wasn't a long drive, and it wasn't an uncomfortable type of silence.

They were first to arrive, and ordered their first coffees. Pete dug his notebook out of his drawstring bag, while Raven dug around in his pockets, looking for one of the things he had written lately. He came up with a few sort-of neatly folded pieces of paper and began the process of unfolding them. As he read over them, Michael and Henrietta slid into the booth, also ordering their first coffees. Firckle was the last to arrive and order his coffee, he apologized for being late, he had overslept.

They all caught up on the last week, Raven mentioning how exhausted he's been, for no apparent reason, Henrietta noting how draining and oftentimes boring school was, Michael talking about the horrors of being a third shift IT guy, Pete about how he hated people that came in while he was stocking shelves, and Firckle about how awful his classes were, just "gen ed" bullshit he didn't need.

They sat in a comfortable quiet for a while, drinking their coffees and ordering more, when an unknown to most of the group, red head, approached their table.

"So..., uh..., is it really cool if I join you guys?" Kyley-B seemed genuinely nervous, which was definitely weird, the guy generally exuded a fuck-you attitude.

Raven smiled as the others talked amongst themselves.
"Course it is. We haven't gotten to read our stuff yet."

"So..., want to introduce us to your friend?" Michael asked, eyes narrowed at the newcomer.

"This is my old friend, Kyley-B."

The other guy awkwardly raised a hand in greeting before Henrietta moved to allow him to sit with them.

The table went around with introductions and Kyley-B also ordered a coffee.

The goths noticeably loosened around him after that but Michael declared that since he was new, Kyley-B would have to take first reading.

If he was nervous about that, he didn't show it, he just reached into one of his pockets and pulled out a folded piece of paper, not unlike Raven's pieces.

"I don't normally share this shit so..., like... you know." Kyley-B began, glancing up only once before fixing his eyes on his paper and beginning to read it aloud.

"Never Ending
White-hot,
Force through,
A pinpoint focus.
Powerful,
For a second...,
All there is
Then it fades.
Exhausted, empty, listless.
But then it comes back,
Back to the start of this.
A cycle,
Will it be broken?"

He folds it and puts it back into his pocket, staring hard at the table.
Raven stares at his former super-best-friend. He wonders if this is what he talks to his therapist about, it probably is, given this has been a problem since they were kids. It's funny, in a sad way, his depression and Kyley-B's anger, they both leave them empty.
Soon though, Raven is jolted from his thoughts as they begin talking about the poem in depth, discussing how to improve the structure and any word-choice.

Kyley-B's face flushes with the attention but he listens and converses with them about it. Eventually, it's Michael's turn and they do the same with him. Firckle volunteers to go after him, and then Henrietta, and Pete. Raven goes last, his confidence strengthened by Kyley-B's reading and his conversations after.

He smooths the paper out so he can read his messy writing better.
"Death & Despair
One would think,
should be afraid of death,
Afraid to die.
But why?
In death, there's finally peace.
Everyone that's left, is consumed by despair,
Typically.
Because they can't see the joy and peace,
but maybe that depends on the circumstances.
It shouldn't really,
Death is a gift,
Oftentimes those that die,
Were living in despair already.
Therefore,
Be not afraid of death,
Embrace it,
And do not despair,
It comes for us all."

A somber silence encompasses the group for a few long minutes before they also begin talking about his poem. They drink more coffee and continue talking, well into the early morning, as usual. Michael invites Kyley-B to their next gathering, before departing.

Raven waits as the others pile out and Pete goes to the car, to get it warmed up while Raven approaches Kyley-B.

"Do you want my number? So like, if you need a ride, we could pick you up and stuff."

"Yeah…, yeah sure." Kyley-B takes his phone from his pocket and unlocks it, typing in the numbers Raven gives.

"All right. It was great hanging out with you tonight. I…, uh, hope we get to again next week?" Raven phrases it as more of a question, unsure if Kyley-B will actually attend.

"Mmm…," he stares at Raven, green eyes piercing as ever.

Raven swallows a sudden lump in this throat, but he returns the gaze steadily.

"I have missed you, you know?" Kyley-B finally breaks the silence, looking away.

"Same," Raven laughs nervously before continuing, "I have my own place, with Pete, if like, if you would want to come play video games or something."

"Like it's just that easy?" he deadpans, looking back at his former super-best-friend.

"Why can't it be?" Raven challenges.

Kyley-B just laughs and waves a farewell, already walking down the street.

Raven stares after him for a few moments, before sighing and going to the car.
He stares out the window as Pete drives, eventually his friend asks, "You okay?"

Raven takes a few minutes, not answering until Pete has turned off the car at their place.
"Yeah. Yeah, I'm good. Just…, thinking."

Pete offers a hand on his shoulder for a few seconds before getting out of the car. Raven goes inside too, laying down on his bed. When he pulls his phone from his pocket, he's surprised to see a message notification.