All of art class you could hardly keep your nerves in. Even as you tried to distract yourself with Mr. Elsher talking and instructing the class, you couldn't stop looking at Yakko every few minutes. The whole class was working on drawing a bowl of fruit Mr. Elsher had on his desk, but even the assignment could not keep you occupied long enough. In the end, you found yourself staring at Yakko as he focused on his own piece.

It made you smile when Yakko kept flipping between pages, working on different drawings. One was the fruit bowl piece, and the other was some sort of mosaic piece. He continued to multitask through class, and you kept on watching him do so.

Something about how focused he was exhilarating to watch. You caught every stroke of the pencil, every flicker of emotion spilling onto his face. The little frowns and smiles. Made you wonder what the whole piece looked like.

RIIING!

You were brought out of your daze and turned to your sketchbook. All you had was the bowl.

"Whatever you didn't finish, must be done for homework!" Mr. Elsher calls out. "You are allowed to take a picture of the fruit bowl if needed."

Everyone around you was either packing or taking their cells out. You sighed and joined in, packing up your sketchbook into your bag.

"Nice bowl."

You snap your head up. Yakko, with a bookbag in hand, was standing next to your desk and smiling at you. You sheepishly smile.

"Eh, it'll look better once the fruit gets drawn." You say, stuffing the sketchbook into your bag.

Yakko nods. "What's your next class?"

You take out your schedule and look it over. "History."

"Aw, I have writing." Yakko says. He chuckles. "Well, I can't get lucky all the time I guess."

Your cheeks warm up. "At least we have lunch."

Something flickers across Yakko's face, but you can't catch a hold of what it was. Instead he offers a grin.

"Like I said, anything to get out of the classroom." Yakko laughs.

Yakko jabs a thumb behind him. "Well, the least I can do is walk you to class. And don't worry, I won't speed this time."

That gets you laughing. "Thank goodness. I have enough bruises."

Yakko smiles and turns walking ahead. You grab your bag and start walking with him. As you did, you remember the conversation you both had earlier on the stairs.

"Could we…try again?" He had said.

"Hey, Yakko." You found yourself saying. You grab him by the wrist.

Yakko stops just outside the door of the art studio and looks at you, confused. "Yeah? Something up?"

"Remember what you said earlier?" You begin. "On the stairs?"

Realization sets on his face. Yakko looks around before facing you. "Yeah?"

You smile. "Yes. We can try again."

It takes a moment, but Yakko's face lights up. He grabs you by the shoulders, surprising you. "Really? You mean it?"

You nod. "Yeah, I mean it."

"That's great!" Yakko exclaims, a giant smile filling up his face.

Suddenly he pulls you into a hug and you're left frozen. You can hear your heart pounding in your chest.

"You have no idea what this means to me." Yakko says softly.

Although you could not speak, your arms did the talking for you. You hug him back. He felt warm to the touch and all you wanted to do was just snuggle up in his arms. Being so close to him you could hear his heart beating and find yourself mesmerized. A soft ache enters your heart. This was only a friend's hug.

You hug him tighter.

Be grateful. You think to yourself. It's been way too long.

Yakko was right. It's been too long. Too many years. All those years without him had made you feel so alone inside. And now being here, in his arms as friends-

"Hey." Yakko suddenly says.

"Yeah?" You say, not really paying attention.

"I don't mind being hugged, but we might be late for class again." Yakko chuckles.

You glance down and realize Yakko had dropped his arms. It was just you hugging him now. You're quick to let him go and sheepishly hug your arms.

"Sorry." You utter. "Let's head to class."

Yakko nods. "Let's."

You both walk side by side as you travel down the hall and towards the stairs. You find yourself watching Yakko. He had grown in recent years, rising an inch or two taller than you. You recall before how often Yakko tried walking in public without t-shirts, but now he looked quite dashing in his collared long sleeve. He still wore the same tan pants. That never changed.

You smile to yourself. Even years later, he's still the same old Yakko. Maybe even a bit more mature.

You both reach the history room and Yakko turns to face you.

"This is where we part ways." Yakko says. "So, I'll see you at lunch?"

You nod. "Yeah, I'll see you then."

"I'll see you." Yakko waves and then walks away.

You watch him leave until he's out of sight. With a sigh, you turn to the class door and go inside. You felt light as a feather. You could skip if you wanted to.

You drop into the nearest empty seat and hug yourself. It was a miracle. You and Yakko were friends again. After so many years, the bond you both had was mended. You would be seeing Yakko for lunch right after this period ended. Just you and him.

The bubbly thought then popped when a crude fact entered your mind. No, it wouldn't be you and him. Delphine would be there too. It would be all three of you because Yakko and her are together. You slump in your seat.

God dammit! You thought. Even when it's going right she just has some way of butting into things.

But then again, you had agreed to this lunch. You recall all the lies you told Yakko. It makes your heart sink. Maybe this wasn't the start you had anticipated, but it was definitely the start you had buried for yourself. What were you thinking? Telling him all that?

"It was time we put our differences behind us."

Ha! Right! You scowl. Like I would be able to forgive that little-

You stop right there. You take in a deep breath and try to calm down. It was this sort of thinking that led to so much bickering in the first place. Maybe it was time to do some growing up. Maybe you can't forgive Delphine just yet, but Yakko didn't have to know.

You sit up straight. Just suffer through this one lunch. Who knows? Maybe it might turn out better than you think.

RIIING!

As class began, and the teacher introduced himself to the class, you sat forward and did your best to pay attention. But slowly as the minutes passed by, you hardly could pay attention at all. It was stabbing you in the back of your mind how soon the lunch would be coming up right after this period. You, Yakko and…ugh, Delphine. Despite that, you pushed through your assignments and did your best to push those thoughts aside.

But as class dragged on, you found yourself looking at the clock.

One hour.

Just relax.

Thirty minutes.

It'll be fine.

Ten Minutes.

It's just one lunch, you can do it.

One minute.

Just be calm.

RIIING!

You grabbed your things and stuffed them right into your bag. As quick as can be, you swung your bag over your shoulder and left the class. You barely heard what your history was telling the class as you rushed out the door. Something about reading chapters. Whatever, it didn't matter.

Walking out into the halls, you hurried over to the stairs and managed to pull out those five bucks you had in your bag. The thought of buying food made you sweat. Maybe you could ask Yakko to help you out with the money situation. Either that or find something under five bucks. Highly unlikely. Maybe you could just survive off the condiments?

You reach the first floor lobby and automatically walk for the doors.

"Going somewhere?"

You freeze and turn around.

"U-um, I was just-" You stop suddenly, recognizing the person in front of you with her bright orange sash.

Sandra Welsh's bored look suddenly perks up. She breaks out into a smile. "Hey, you're that kid from the bathrooms."

You calm down. "Y-Yeah! That's me."

Sandra chuckles. "Sorry to be a bother, but as hall monitor, I do have to ask where you are going."

"Oh!" You nervously rub your arm. "Eating out for lunch?"

"Ah, a sophomore." Sandra says with a grin. "I should have suspected as much."

Sandra then holds up a clipboard you notice she's carrying. She hands you a pen.

"You're supposed to sign out if you want to eat out." Sandra says. "School policy and all."

"Oh!" You flush. "I didn't know that."

Sandra shrugs. "It's fine, just go ahead and sign your name."

"Thanks." You grab the clipboard and sign your name. You hand back the clipboard and pen. "Is that everything?"

"Yep, you're all set." Sandra salutes. "See ya around kid."

"Bye!" You turn right around and head straight for the doors.

Once you're outside you went over to one of the outside benches and took a seat. Delphine had said to wait outside. Now all you had to do was just wait.

You tapped your fingers together. Being outside by yourself was just a tad bit boring. You sigh and look towards the school doors.

Just be patient. You told yourself.

As you waited, students began exiting out the school. More sopohmores heading out for lunch as well. You would gaze at the groups and look for Delphine and Yakko. But after ten minutes of waiting and looking, you were starting to grow restless.

"Where are they?" You mutter to yourself.

Another five minutes pass…your stomach begins to growl. This was getting ridiculous. Where the hell are they?

Maybe they're lost? You think pitifully to yourself.

Suddenly, a horrid thought enters your head. They hadn't…ditched you? Had they?

Your stomach twists into knots. You stand up and look towards the doors.

No, Yakko would never do that!

You're walking towards the doors. A scowl fills your face.

But I know who would! Fucking-

You practically throw the school doors open and storm inside. Furious and embarrassed you march up the stairs. Suddenly, you slow to a stop. You had no idea where you were storming off to. Furthermore, did you want to face off Delphine?

They ditched me. You think. It makes your stomach turn. I can't believe this.

Hot tears threatened to leak out. You hastily blink them away and put your head in your hands. Nothing made sense. Delphine you understood if she'd suddenly decided to ditch you in the blink of an eye, but Yakko? Yakko ditched you too?

A flurry of anger bubbles inside of you.

Are they both in on this? Was the whole friend thing…a lie?

You feel sick. And it wasn't just from hunger.

You put your hands down, trying to breathe. You march right up the stairs. If they had ditched you then there's one place they might still be at.

You run up the stairs until you've reached the floor the cafeteria was on. You charge down the hall, easily spotting the cafeteria double doors as students happily walk in and out of them. You could feel the rage making your face warm. You stomp towards the doors.

Before you could make it there, a set of doors leading up to the stairs opens right in your face. You yelp as you hit the door and fall backwards. You grab your nose.

Okay…officially the worst day ever. How many times must you fall and injure yourself?

"Oh my god, I am so sorry-"

"Watch where you're going, jackass!" You yell, snapping your head up to the person.

Your eyes widen. Peering from behind the door was Yakko. His eyes widened as well. He's quick to get away from the door and rush up to you. Before you could really react, he pulled you up to your feet.

"Are you okay?" Yakko asks, looking genuinely concerned.

You gape at him. All the anger in you had sapped into nothing. But it didn't stop the hot tears coming from your eyes. Yakko instantly looks worried.

"We should go to the nurse." Yakko concludes, grabbing you by the wrists. "I'm really sorry, I didn't see you-"

Suddenly, the anger floods back. With a bitter scowl you push him off. Yakko stumbles back.

"You jackass!" You scream. You could feel your face burning red. "I can't believe you! I trusted you!"

Yakko is bewildered. "It was just an accident, I honestly didn't see-"

You stomp your foot, hands clenched into fists. You could feel the hot tears running down your face.

"Y-You ditched me!" You point an accusing finger at him. "You and her! I've been waiting for the past fifteen minutes! And no one came! No one!"

"W-What?" Yakko says, looking confused and nervous now. "Wait, what do you mean-"

"The whole friend thing was a lie, wasn't it?" You yell. You grind your teeth. "This was some sick ploy by Delphine! Wasn't it?"

Yakko's puzzled expression doesn't change. He stutters out your name. "I-I-"

You turn away from him, hugging yourself as the tears run down your face. Your steam was blowing off and now you were left with a very sick stomach.

You hear Yakko softly say your name. Suddenly, you feel his hands on your shoulders.

"Please, look at me." Yakko's voice sounded small. "Please."

Despite the anger flooding back into you, you take a deep breath in. If he was owning up to this sick joke, then you wanted to hear the apology. You turn to look at him.

You expected shame, or even embarrassment, but when Yakko stared at you he looked…hurt.

"I don't understand." Yakko begins, holding onto your shoulders. "Delphine wasn't waiting with you?"

Confusion fills you. What?

"What…no." You slowly say.

Yakko lets out a frustrated sounding sigh and lets you go, pinching the bridge of his nose. He then looks at you. You notice the frustration hasn't left his eyes, infact, he's starting to look angry.

"I told her to wait with you." Yakko says, digging into his pockets and pulling out a cellphone. He quickly turns it on and in seconds he's showing you a group of text messages.

You stare at the messages. You look at Yakko. "Wait-why?"

"My teacher gave us a pop quiz." Yakko explains. "I had to stay behind and finish it. That's why I told her to wait with you outside while I did that."

The confusion was slowly leaving you and you gave the text messages another look. You read it over and you realize he had indeed told her to wait with you.

"She…she never came, Yakko." You say, rubbing at your face. "I've been out there for fifteen minutes."

Yakko then looks angry. He turns the phone to himself and presses the call button.

"I'm gonna kill her!" Yakko puts the phone to his ear, crossing his arms. "I'm gonna-"

"Hello?" Delphine's voice echoes from the phone.

"Delphine." Yakko says. "Where are you right now?"

"Oh, Yakky-poo!" You hear Delphine shriek from the phone. "Turns out your little friend was busy. So I'm in the lunchroom. I saved you a spot and everything."

Your jaw drops. Did you just hear that right? You slowly look at Yakko. His expression was unreadable. You notice his hand had turned into a fist.

"Delphine, get the fuck out of that lunchroom." Yakko bluntly says.

You pale. Yakko sounded pissed.

"What?" Delphine says from the phone. "Honey bun-"

"Now." Yakko demands.

Yakko hangs up the phone and grabs you by the wrist, pulling you beside him. "Stay here."

Not sure if you should speak, you do what you're told. You look towards the lunch room's double doors. Soon enough, Delphine walks through those doors.

"Yakko! I-" Delphine stops dead the minute her eyes land on you. Immediately, anger flashes across her face, but then it changes to wide eyes. You glance besides you. Yakko's face was turning red.

"O-Oh." Delphine stutters. "Yakko, I can explain-"

"Delphine, did you ditch her?" Yakko interrupts. There was an edge to his voice.

Delphine scurries over. "What? I would never-"

"She was waiting outside!" Yakko yells. "For over ten minutes!"

You flinch. Yakko yelling was never a good thing. In fact you hated it.

Yakko holds out his phone. "You told me you were with her, waiting! And then you had the audacity to lie to me about her?"

Delphine scowls. "Yakko, you're causing such a scene!"

"I don't care!" Yakko yells, face burning red. "You said you would stop this sort of shit!"

You look back and forth between the two as they bicker. Maybe it was you, but it doesn't sound like this is their first argument. You sheepishly shrink back as they raise their voices. You notice right away, students coming out of the cafeteria were looking this way and staring at the arguing.

"Ugh!" Delphine says. She walks up to Yakko and grabs him by the hand. She flutters her eyelashes at him, putting on a smile. "Yakky-poo, can't we just leave this behind us? It was an honest mistake-"

"Don't you start." Yakko snatches his hand back. He scowls. "I don't want to hear any of it."

Yakko then grabs your wrist and drags you away from Delphine.

"Where are you going?" You hear Delphine shriek.

"Out to eat!" Yakko yells back.

"Yakko!" Delphine yells, but you've both gone to the stairs and Yakko rushes down with you.

Once you've both reached the lobby, Yakko storms for the doors.

"Yakko!" You say.

Yakko stops. He turns towards you. His look of anger calms down.

"I'm sorry." Yakko apologizes. "You didn't need to see all that. I just got so angry…"

You sheepishly smile. "No, um. I actually was gonna say you need to sign out before we leave."

Yakko blinks. "Huh?"

"School policy." You say, recalling earlier.

"Ah, heh." Yakko chuckles. "Right. Let's go do that."

You nod and Yakko leads you towards the office. Despite what just happened, you had an inkling to not bring it up. Probably for the best. After a few minutes, you're both outside the school and walking towards the parking lot.

"So," Yakko begins. "Where do you want to eat? I can drive us somewhere quick."

You look at Yakko. "Really?"

"Yeah, I got my driver's license recently." Yakko says.

"Oh, yeah I know, Your brother told me." You point out.

Yakko turns his attention to you. "When did you see Wakko?"

"This morning." You explain. "Wakko offered to walk with me to the bus stop. Surprised me too."

Yakko smiles. "That was nice of him. Was Dot there too?"

"Yeah, we met her up at the bus stop." You say.

"Hey," Yakko starts. "If you want, I can drive you home."

"Really?" You squeak. You quickly clear your throat. "I mean, that's cool."

Yakko laughs. "No please, be excited. I know how much you hate the bus."

You chuckle. "It'd be nice to be driven home for once."

"Speaking of." Yakko had reached the parking lot gate and took a key out of his pocket. He opens the gate and holds it open for you. "Can you guess which car is mine?"

You walk inside and scan the parking lot. There were a lot of different cars out. But then your eyes landed on a really nice red roadster.

"Whoa, check out that one." You say with a grin.

Suddenly the car beeps on. You turn your gaze to Yakko. He was holding up a set of car keys and grinning. Your eyes bug out.

"No way!" You exclaim. "This is your car?"

"Yep!" Yakko says and walks over.

You join him and he opens the car door for you. "For you, milady."

You giggle and take your seat. Yakko closes the door behind you and walks around the car to the driver's seat. He gets into the car with you.

"How did you get a car as nice as this?" You say as you check out the car's interior.

"Ah, Scratchy spoils me." Yakko smiles.

You recall the guardian. Dr. Scratchansniff, or as everyone seems to nickname him, Scratchy. He took care of the Warners. You remember the times you've gone to their house and Scratchansniff was there. He was such a nice man.

"I can tell!" You laugh. "I mean, a roadster? What's Wakko gonna get for his first car, a monster truck?"

Yakko laughs, turning on the car. "He wishes!"

Yakko puts on his seatbelt and just as you turn to grab yours, Yakko has done it for you.

"Oh!" You exclaim not expecting the Warner to grab your seatbelt. "Um…I could've done that."

"Huh?" Yakko says, clicking your belt into place. Suddenly, a redness flushes over his face. "Ah shit, sorry…that's a bit of a habit."

You raise a brow. "From what?"

Yakko's nose wrinkles. He grabs the wheel. "I usually fix Delphine's seat belt."

"Oh." You fidget with your seatbelt. There's an awkward silence.

"So!" Yakko suddenly says. He turns to you with a grin. "Where do we eat?"

"Right!" You quickly say, reaching into your pocket and pulling out your money…the measly five bucks. You stare at the money. "Um, is there a 7-Eleven around here by any chance?"

Yakko laughs. "You know what? I'll treat."

"Omg, really?" You say, relieved.

"Of course." Yakko begins driving the car out of the parking lot. "I'll take you to this nice sandwich shop I know. You deserve it, especially after what happened."

You could tell when Yakko said that he was clearly still angry at Delphine. A part of you was relieved the whole thing had been Delphine's fault, but another part of you was greedily happy he had left her like that.

Now he's treating you out. He's trying to make it up to you.

Your joy deflates in seconds. You had said some cruel things yet again. It made you angry you had accused him like you did. This whole thing was Delphine's fault…

"Yakko?"

"Yeah?" Yakko says, focused on the road.

"Thank you." You say, cheeks heating up. "For everything…I'm sorry I yelled at you like that."

Yakko's silent. He adjusts the mirror at the top of the car ceiling.

"I know you were just angry." Yakko explains. "I would be too. Delphine had no right to do that to you. You're my friend."

You notice his hands grip the wheel tightly. He then drives out onto the road.

"I'll talk to her." Yakko continues. "But for now, let's just enjoy lunch."

He smiles at you.

"Okay?" Yakko says.

You find your cheeks warming up and face forward. You nod.

"Yeah. Let's enjoy lunch."