A/N: Second chapter, yay!

Chapter Two

Phil waited for Mike at the park that morning, surprised by his own enthusiasm when the boy approached. Mike was dressed nicely again, slicked back hair, buttoned shirt, black tie, slacks and dress shoes that seemed half a size too big. "Morning!" Mike squeaked.

"Good morn-" Phil started before the other boy latched on to him, making Phil let out a large squeak.

Mike giggled, "You sound like a kitty!"

Phil glared and Mike let go. "I've never heard a cat squeak in pain and fear."

"It's a happy squeak!" He grinned, "Kitties love making that noise when I hug them."

"Yeah.." Phil blinked, "what's today?"

"Tuesday!" Mike answered, chipper. "Tuesday is my favorite day, because…because, um…" He though for a second.

"Because it's the day after Monday?" Phil offered. The other boy nodded furiously and giggled. "Where's Gabe?"

"He's at home, he needed a nap."

"The balloon needed a nap?"

"Yeah, plus he didn't want to have to stick around with Maria, and he's on a secret mission." Mike whispered.

"Secret mission?" Phil raised his eyebrows.

"Yeah," his voice got lower, "my mom said when I lose my teeth, the tooth faerie gives me money. So, he's protecting my tooth." He grinned, showing one of his missing front teeth.

"You're weird."

"Why does everybody keep saying that?" Mike frowned.

Phil bit his lip, "In a good way."

"Yay!" The boy hugged his friend again.

"Ack! Come on, we've got to get to school."

"Okay." Mike sighed, grabbing his friend's hand and walking as fast as he could.

"Ow, Mike!" Phil walked faster.

He tugged him most of the way to school, ending up the lasts ones to their cubbies. They put up their backpacks and rushed into the classroom.

Mike sat next to Phil, Maria behind him, "So, you're my best friend today, right?" Maria grinned.

"Yeah." Mike said.

"Okay, because me and Beth are going to play dolls together at recess, and we really want you to play."

Phil snickered and Mike blinked, "Can't we play trucks?"

"But Beth has Barbies, they're the funnest ones." Maria whined.

"Okay, can we play dolls and trucks?"

"Sure, but only because Barbie doesn't have a car, so she can drive trucks."

"Fine." Mike agreed, slumping in his chair a little. Maria sat back in her seat happily.

Orton spoke in a low, dull voice about how for science they were going to study animals, letting each of them choose their animals, Mike wiggling in his seat, whispering to himself, "Don't pick mine, don't pick mine."

"Phillip?" He asked.

"Um, tigers?" He shrugged, mumbling, "They're pretty cool."

Orton called names, people claiming their animal they were going to read and report about, finally getting to Mike.

"Michael?"

"Giraffes!" He jumped with excitement.

"Giraffes?" Phil asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Yeah!" He grinned back to his friend, "They're scary monsters that eat people and burn entire villages with their powers!"

"No they don't." Phil blinked.

"Yeah, they do!"

"Maybe on your planet."

"My planet?"

"Planet Crazy."

"Phillip," Orton said in a serious tone, "don't call your classmates crazy."

Phil sighed and crossed his arms. "Sorry."

The class went by slowly before recess, and Mike wandered off to play with Beth and Maria. John approached Phil.

"So, you stole my friend." John glared.

"Sorry?" Phil shrugged.

"He was MY friend!" John shrieked.

"I didn't mean to-"

"Sure you didn't." John sniffled.

In the background, he could faintly hear Maria's familiar voice, "Mike, stop making Barbie kick people!"

"She's super action Barbie with her powerful kick and man-eating truck!"

"Mike! Don't run her over!" Beth growled, "I just combed her hair!"

Phil looked back to John, "I…I…"

"Never mind." He huffed, "I'll just hang out with Evan. He's cool." John stormed off, leaving Phil to listen to the aftermath of Mike's game.

"Barbie does not have a super kick power!" Beth spat.

"Of course she does!" Mike argued, "She and her truck are the evil duo of awesome."

"Barbie's not evil." Maria cut in.

Phil sighed and walked over, head hung low in shame, "Hey, um…can I play?"

Maria looked up at him, "You want to play dolls?"

"Um, yes." Phil nodded.

Beth handed him a blonde Barbie, sporting an interesting mix of a McDonald's uniform and a tutu. Phil sat next to Mike and moved her across the ground, "Hi, I'm Phil."

"Your Barbie's name is Phil?" Beth arched her eyebrows.

"Hi, I'm…Philerina." He corrected.

"I'm going to destroy you!" Mike threw his doll at Phil's hand.

Phil pulled his hand back, "OW! That hurt!"

"Mission accomplished!"

Phil sighed and the bell rang for them to go back in. He got up and so did the girls and Mike. They walked back to class together, mostly silent.

"Hey." Mike whispered to Phil once they got back inside.

"What?" Phil asked.

"Want to stay over at my house this weekend? Me and John used to have sleepovers, and he doesn't want to come."

"If it's okay with my parents." He shrugged lightly.

"Okay." Mike grinned widely.

The rest of the day was relatively slow, when it was time to go home, Mike and Phil walked together holding hands.

Mike let Phil have Gabe again, promising to trade off the next day.

"I'll see you tomorrow." Mike tied the string to Phil's wrist before hugging him.

Phil squirmed, "Yeah, see you tomorrow. Er, let go, I can't breathe."

The boy let go, "Sorry for attacking your hand earlier."

"It's okay." Phil gave a weak smile, "I'm just glad I didn't have to be Philerina for long."

"Yep!" Mike bounced happily.

"Goodbye." The other boy smiled.

"You're my best friend." Mike smiled.

Phil grinned, "You're mine, too."