Chapter 4 - Expendables (Posted 1 December 2011)

"So," Harvey said, "you and Trevor are getting pretty close." They were at dinner, a week or so having passed since the movie night.

Mike shrugged. "I guess."

"You guess? I've hardly seen you since you started hanging around with him."

"What are you talking about? We're in class together every day."

"Yeah, but that's class, Mike." Harvey rebutted. "I'm talking about outside of classes. I know we're here to learn, but I thought we'd get to spend at least some time together."

"You want to spend time with me?"

"Of course I do. Why would you even ask me that?"

Mike shrugged again. "I don't know. I just thought... well we always hang out together. I thought maybe you wanted some time to yourself. I was just trying to give you some space."

"Mike, I need space from my overprotective mother. I need space from homework and chores. But I never need space from you. You're my best friend, I expect you to be in my space."

"I may be your best friend, but I'm not your only friend."

"You might as well be." Harvey argued. "You're the friend I like to be with. You're the one I go to when I need something. You're the one I care about keeping. All the others are just random people who like me because they think everyone likes me. They're expendable. You're not."

Mike gaped at him. "You've never said any of this before."

"I didn't know I had to," Harvey said, although that wasn't completely true. Which is why he continued, "Okay, so maybe I should have said something before, but honestly, I didn't know you needed me to tell you you're my friend. I thought it was pretty obvious."

"So you really don't mind being with me all the time?"

"What? No. Trust me, if I minded it, you'd know."

Mike's lips twitched into an almost-smile. "Thanks."

"And I'm glad you're making other friends. But that Trevor... there's something off about him."

"Ugh, Harvey..." Mike rolled his eyes, "not this again. Trevor is cool."

"I've heard things about him."

"Rumors."

"Even if I heard it from his own friends?"

"When did you talk to them?"

"When you were with Trevor."

"Oh..."

"They said he sells drugs, Mike."

"So?"

"So, I don't want you getting mixed up in that."

"I haven't gotten mixed up in anything."

"Yet," Harvey argued. "I'm telling you, he's bad news. You shouldn't be friends with someone like him."

"So that's what this whole thing is about? Not you finally admitting that you care about me, but just you telling me how much you hate Trevor."

"That's not what this was at all."

"Yeah. Right. Trevor is a nice guy. There's finally another human being who sees me as a person rather than a punching bag. Why can't I just have this?"

"He's going to hurt you. I know he is, I can feel it. Why won't you just trust me on this? I'm the one that protects you, remember? That's all I'm trying to do here."

"I think you're wrong. I'll show you you're wrong, Harvey." Mike stood up, carrying his tray away and exiting the dining hall.