Disclaimer: What takes you people this long to figure it out? But I do have something to say. This whole story takes place as if all they did was climb the mountain, not find the treasure.

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Chapter 3

Happy Birthday!

Stanley dragged himself out of bed. He yawned and stretched. X-ray walked by and knocked him back onto his bed. Stanley sighed and shook his head. He pulled himself out of the bed again. He began to walk outside. He stopped and turned around as he heard running footsteps. Zero ran up behind him.

"Hey Hector." Stanley said. He had been calling Zero by his first name for about a month.

"Hey…huff…Stanley…huff." he said, still trying to catch his breath.

"Hey man. Today's your birthday, isn't it?" Stanley asked, looking at his friend.

Zero took a moment to think it out.

"Yeah. I guess it is, isn't it." he said.

Stanley threw an arm over Zero's shoulder and pulled him close. He ruffled his hair and let him go.

"Well, happy birthday, man! How old are you?" Stanley asked.

"14." Zero replied quickly.

"So…How did it feel to get a good nights sleep last night?"

"Great! But you know why we didn't get more, right?"

"I don't guess so."

"She didn't need you writing to your mom about that and have her getting another lawsuit on her hands. It was bad enough that they couldn't find us."

"That does make sense."

"That's what I figured. That's why all we got was digging all day and all night non-stop for month."

"Lord, we've already been back that long?"

The two laughed and ran towards the Wreck Room. They were both hungry. It had been quite a while since they had both had a good meal, and they were desperate to have some real food, instead of just whatever the other boys refused to touch. They had to hurry or they would be stuck, yet again, with something that looked like fried yellow spotted lizards. They ran, and on the way, passed by X-ray. He grabbed Zero by the shirt and pulled him to the ground. He stood over him.

"What in the hell do you think you're doing, exactly?" X-ray asked.

"I was just going to get some breakfast." Zero said.

"How long is it going to take you to realize, you parentless scum, that I'm the boss around here?" he asked.

Stanley ran up and grabbed X-ray by the shirt.

"What did you just call him?" Stanley asked.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't the jealous boyfriend now. Whatcha gonna do about it, huh fag boy?" Armpit said.

Stanley pulled his fist back. The other boys laughed.

"Ooh! I'd better watch out! He's gonna bitch-slap me!" Armpit said.

By now, X-ray had forgotten about Zero and was sitting on his haunches, watching the fight that was about to brew. Zero stood and brushed himself off. Stanley had not seen an ounce of it. He reared his fist back.

"I'll show you bitch-slap." he muttered.

Then, throwing all of his force into it, he decked Armpit, sending him flying to the ground. X-ray and the others let their mouths fall open.

"How's that for bitch-slap?" he asked.

"What do you think you're doing to him?" Magnet asked.

He pushed Stanley lightly, not near enough to make him fall. He pushed him again.

"Whatcha gonna do about it, huh?" X-ray asked. He hit Stanley.

Stanley turned and looked at X-ray. He hit him back. X-ray fell to the ground. He got back up. He hit him again. Stanley decked X-ray. Magnet turned to him. Then the fight truly started. Fists were flying, hitting by-standers in the jaws and eyes. Soon, there were the sounds of running footsteps.

"Run!" Zigzag said. "It's Pendanski and Mr. Sir!"

The boys who were stuck in the fight ignored the warning. Stanley felt a strong hand pulling him away from the other boys. He watched as Magnet and X-ray were also pulled apart. Mr. Sir looked them straight in the eyes.

"You boys are going to see the warden. No get in the truck."

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Later, Stanley sulked back into the tent. He walked over to Zero's bed.

"So, how'd it go?" Zero asked.

"Ughh." Stanley replied.

"What happened?" he asked, patting the bed for Stanley to sit.

"We have no shower tokens for a month, and I get to eat more of what the other boys leave behind." Stanley replied.

"I'll sneak you what I can at night."

"Nah. I might as well get used to it now. I have the feeling that I'm gonna be seein a whole lot of it." Stanley replied.

The two boy laughed.

"Oh! Wait a second! I think I have something for you!" Stanley said.

"Really?!" Zero asked. His eyes were bright and happy.

Stanley nodded and walked over to his crate. He pulled out a wrapped package and handed it to Zero. Zero opened it. It was two journals, a book that showed how to write the letter of the alphabet and how to read and write, and a large pack of mechanical pencils and lead. Zero beamed happily. He jumped over and hugged Stanley.

"Thank you soo much!" Zero said.

"You're welcome! I had mom send them to me." Stanley said. "Happy Birthday!"

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Later that night after everyone was asleep, Stanley stood up and walked over to Zero's bed. He watched him sleeping innocently for a bit and then, gave him a light kiss on the cheek.

"Happy Birthday, Hector." he whispered. "Good night. I…love you."