That afternoon Jack found himself studying on his own on one of the many tables on the school deck. Since he wasn't familiar with some of the topics in his non-art classes, he had to put an extra effort, even the marine biology teacher had suggested him to find a tutor, but the idea hadn't been exactly appealing to him. Until this day i've always managed alone, why should i need help from somebody else now? Still lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice when part of his class approached him

"Hey Jack! Mind if we join?"

"Sure" Jack closed his books and notebooks and arranged them in a small pile, leaving enough room on the table for the other 3 members.

"Have you answered the quiz yet?" One of the boys asked him

"I haven't actually... you?"

"Yeah, it was pretty easy... especially because we had the chance to write it in our own words"

"Yeah, I don't know any definitions either" the other boy said

"It's been ages since I saw this on high school" the girl added

"Were you studying before we arrived? Don't be afraid to tell us to shut up so you can concentrate"

"Oh... i... yeah a little bit I guess"

"Do you want to join our study group? We're on topic 4"

Topic 4 already? I'm between 1 and 2.

"Thanks guys, I think I'm getting a little seasick... i should go get some rest"

"Oh, sorry man"

"Feel better Jack, see you tomorrow in class"

"See ya"

He tossed all his stuff on his backpack and walked back inside, just before reaching the elevator he noticed his pencils were falling off. It wasn't until then that he discovered a hole in his backpack. The icing on the cake. He thought.

When he arrived, he found his Irish friend playing cards with Fabrizio. They greeted the blue-eyed boy and returned to their game. Jack let out a loud sigh as he let his weight fall in the couch.

"Woah, what was that sigh for?" Tommy asked

"I'm a bit stressed"

"Can we help? Is it school? Is it your parents?"

Right. Tommy doesn't know. Fabrizio and Rose were the only ones whom he had talked about his parents, he looked up aiming to see the look on Fabrizio's face and signaled him with his eyes to let him tell Tommy the truth.

"Tommy... i... I don't have parents. They died when I was fifteen"

"Oh, god Jack... I'm so sorry, I didn't-"

"It's okay, don't worry"

"I'm sorry"

"Don't be. It's weird. I don't want you feeling sorry for me"

"Sorr- I mean. Sure, man" Jack nodded thankful "but... what's got you stressed then?"

"I... um... I'm having trouble with the marine biology quiz..."

"Let me help you, I'm done with mine."

"No, it's fine, keep playing"

"Let him help you so we all can play" Fabrizio suggested

Tommy looked discreetly at Jack's paper and noticed he had only answered 2 questions out of 10. He thought it was a bit odd, since Jack wasn't lazy and he had proven to be quite the talker, never struggling to find the right words for anything.

"This... cellular respiration... is it like... when you breathe through your nose?"

Tommy chuckled "Very funny dude. I wrote that it's when ATP is produced in the mitochondria, don't worry you don't have to put the exact words. Just write what you remember"

Jack stared at him perplexed

"What was ATP again? Is it like oxygen?"

"Jaysus, what high school did you go to?"

Jack sighed again, he has the right to know, we're practically living together and he's my friend, still, he had his doubts when trusting people "I didn't go"

The room became quiet, and Jack figured it was his duty to break the silence "I did enroll, but I didn't finish my freshman year... I ran away from home when my parents died" he didn't realize when his gaze met the carpet. Normally he wasn't bothered by these questions, he wasn't ashamed or anything, it was the stress bringing him down.

Why did he feel this way? Maybe because he never had anyone to compare himself to? The stress was building on his body, and he felt the urge to throw up. He couldn't stand the atmosphere in the room.

"I need some fresh air" Jack said before walking to the small balcony.

The sun was almost set, and the cold breeze of the Atlantic made him feel a little more relaxed. He was about to sit on a chair when he noticed he had left a notebook and a pencil there. Perfect timing. He opened a blank page and started drawing circles all over the page, trying to get the burden out of his head.

His friends joined him eventually and offered their help in that class. Jack wasn't stupid, he didn't want anyone thinking he was stupid or feeling sorry for him. He couldn't depend on others. Could he?

"How did you get in?"

"Charity i guess"

"Well, I'm glad you did. This world trip would be so boring without you" Tommy said

"You wouldn't have someone to mess with"

"Exactly" the trio laughed

"Guys I don't want you to feel sorry for me, alright? I can manage, i've always could"

"Oh trust me, we know that"

"I couldn't feel sorry for you, I admire you way too much"

His best friend's words made Jack look up in disbelief "Really Fabri?"

"Yes. Without you i wouldn't have met Tommy, and I wouldn't have got the job at Starbucks"

"And you wouldn't have had the courage to ask Helga out in New York" the Irish fella added

"See? I wouldn't ever feel sorry for you, and don't you dare feel sorry for yourself. You can do this."

"Thanks Fabrizio, that really means a lot... and what about you huh?" His question was followed by a slap on Tommy's side

"You wish blondie" They laughed

"Your turn. Tell us about yourself"

"About myself? There's nothing much to know. I grew up in Belfast, my mom works as a tailor and my dad owns a couple of franchises... I have two older brothers who are already married and have their own families..."

"Why are you studying economics?"

"I don't know... I like it I guess? I enjoy trading and stuff... how about you Fabrizio?"

"Me? Uh... I don't have any brothers or sisters... I grew up with my parents near Napoli... my mama introduced me to cooking since a young age and I've always loved it... I'm still not as good as her but, I try"

"You're pretty good"

"Yeah"

"When we get to Italia, you're going to meet my vecchi! and you'll get to try my mama's food!"

"That would be awesome, thank you Fabri"

"Can't wait to get there"

"Can't wait to see everything! New York was amazing, I've never been outside of Italy before"

"Too bad we can't explore without the group"

"We'll find a way"

"You know what would be fun?"

"What?"

"Go ghost hunting at the museum"

"I already went..."

"And?"

"I don't think I wanna go in again"

"Oh c'mon Jackie"

"Yes Jack! It will be fun"

"Guys we have school tomorrow"

"We'll be back before the sun rises"

"It'll be fun" they said.