The gray sky loomed over the world, intimidating yet approachable, and the wind whistled leaves through the air, making all concentration impossible. People that passed by seemed to enjoy the sights along the way. No one walked through the park to get anywhere, Johnny realized. Snow drifted in the air freely and melted once it came in contact with the ground. He found himself a bench and sat down.

That first day of school had really been a tough one. The girl, Aria, that had talked to him at the bus stop, she hung around with one of Robert's friends. Actually, she was standing by one of his friends, and when he would say things, she would roll her eyes and sigh. She wasn't like the rest. First of all, her appearance was different than those clones. She stood out in the crowd, and was probably the only girl not wearing a skirt.

Second of all, she wasn't evil like the rest. The others would scoff at him, laughing at him and tripping him and such. She saw him in the hall once, and smiled. No one ever smiles at someone like Johnny. People turn their heads, or look down at their shuffling feet, or read their maps. They'll do anything to keep themselves from staring at him. Heck, Frank only smiled a few times at him. This girl, who only talked with Johnny once, smiled when they passed in the hall.

Why would she make herself hang around with Robert and the likes? She obviously didn't enjoy herself while sitting with the Barbies, staring at her watch the entire time as they chat about lipgloss and Becky's new boyfriend. She didn't seem to be liking it too much when Robert's friend wrapped his arm around her shoulders. In fact, she elbowed him, hard. Of course, she then played it off as a joke.

Having a friend is something of value.

Too often, people will be so desperate for a social life that they will compromise their happiness for a couple dates. It's a pathetic thing when they compare schedules, asking who they're taking to the dance, hoping that they'll have a couple more friends than the other person. That they are better. Having a good friend is something of value.

Having people to call when you have nothing better to do, that's nothing to be proud of. You could call the operator and entertain yourself. Having people that won't call to say they're sorry, to forget to call back, that's nothing to be proud of either. That's not what a friend is. Having someone that will call no matter what, that's something of value. That's something that Johnny didn't quite have just yet.

He thought those things to himself as he left the park and began to make his way to "home". The sidewalk was crowded for the weather being so bad. Apparently, no one used cars around the place. Johnny slid his way through the main street and, when he finally got to his own street (which was bare), he sighed with relief. Seeing one more person grimace at him could have killed him.

There are times when I feel like I don't even even exist. Times like these that make me forget my own name. All they do is stare and laugh--

"Johnny?" he heard a voice calling to him from behind. "Is that you?"

He swiveled around, and finally found the person that had yelled his name. It was Aria, and she was standing still, letting the snow hit her hard as if it didn't bother her at all.

"Hi, Johnny!" she smiled, catching up to him with somewhat of a sprint. "What are you doing out here?"

"Hello, Aria. I'm pretty sure I live somewhere on this street," Johnny gestured with his hands, mumbling. "I was at the park."

"Hm. Really? I'm surprised I didn't see you there just now, because that's where I was." They moved their feet side by side for a few seconds, then she continued. "You're probably wondering why I know your name. Alex told me you were Johnny. Do you know him?"

"I don't think so. The only other name I know besides yours, is Robert." He paused. "I don't think he -or his friends- like me much."

Aria frowned, and in a lowered voice, she said, "... don't listen to anything Robert says or does. He's a jerk... I would know. Alex isn't that great either, but what can you do in a town like this? There's only so many kids that aren't psychopathic. Friends are hard to find."

"Yes, they are."

"You don't seem like a shallow person. You seem different than the rest. In a good way, of course." She stopped walking, and smiled. "Well, this is my house. I'll be seeing you tomorrow, Johnny."

"Goodnight, Aria," Johnny replied softly as she shut her front door. He shuffled past two houses and found his own. The lights were off, which was a good thing. The thought of being asked how his day was made him sick.

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I -really- love how cheesy this is getting. XD