Warning: This chapter contains dangerous levels of humanized lemurs. Read at your own risk.

Chapter 3: Mort and Julien

I was a zombie all day at school. After my "chat" with Skipper, I couldn't sleep at all. I fell asleep in history class and woke up to find a "do not disturb" sign on my desk. apparently, my teacher had put it there (That actually happened to one of my classmates, in eighth grade! XD). So, basically, I had quite an embarrassing moment, I did.

I was relieved when lunch hour came. Not only was I starving (I had no appetite during breakfast), but I figured I'd be able to sleep without people getting mad (or putting signs next to me). I managed to eat a little of my fish fillet, but I still didn't feel much like eating. The time I spent with Skipper kept playing in mind over and over.

Luckily, I was distracted from it when my best friend, Mort Donaldson, skipped over and sat next to me, a huge salad on his cafeteria tray-he was a vegetarian. Mort had messy brown hair and huge brown eyes and a high-pitched voice. He was almost always cheery, but I think that's what I liked about him.

"Hello there, Private!" he greeted, smiling.

"Hi, Mort," I said half-heartedly.

Mort tilted his head. "Are you okay? Why did you fall asleep in history class?" I yawned. "You didn't sleep too good, last night?" I shook my head. "Why not?"

I shrugged. "It's not important."

Mort scoffed and crossed his arms. "And you wonder why they call you 'Private!'" he said in annoyance. "You are too closed off with things! I am your bestest friend! You should tell me what's wrong!"

I stared at him in surprise. It wasn't often that Mort would show emotions other than happiness or, occasionally, sadness. "W-well...I suppose there is something on my mind..."

Mort grinned and clapped his hands. "You're going to tell me! Yay!"

I glanced nervously from side to side, then told my friend about my conversation with Skipper, last night (leaving out the part with him crying-he had a reputation to keep). When I was finished, I sighed. "I don't know what to do."

Mort took a forkful of salad. His eyes lit up, suddenly, and he swallowed. "I know someone who can help! He's the smartest guy, ever!" He shot up. "I'll go get him. Wait here." He ran off and returned with a student much taller than us. The student had bleached-blond hair and hazel eyes. He wore a blue and white ball cap.

"Mort," I said facepalming, "Julien isn't smart!"

Julien gasped. "How daring of you! To say dat I am not smart! I AM DE SMARTEST GUY EVER!" Everyone stared at him, he blushed in embarrassment, and they returned to their business. Julien cleared his throat. "Eh, you were needing something, Mort?"

Mort nodded. "My friend, Private, needs some help. Could help him?"

Julien smiled. "But of course I can be assisting your buddy." He pushed Mort down and sat next to me. "Let's talk, Private."

I sighed. Julien was a sophomore who was conceded and rather selfish, yet my friend looked up to him-why that is, I'll never know. I felt bad for Julien, though. The poor fellow had ADHD, meaning that he was easily distracted and could be a bit dramatic at times. I knew it wasn't his fault, but I also knew that he wouldn't pay much attention to my problem.

Nevertheless, I tried to explain, anyway. "Well, Julien, it started when my motha-" But I was cut off.

"Hey, look!" the sophomore exclaimed, pointing a girl with long, dark brown hair in a braid and brown eyes, wearing an orange hoodie and carrying a brown paper bag. "It is being my girlfriend! HELLO, LADY, WHO'S NAME I HAVE FORGOTTEN!"

She looked at him, rolled her eyes, then sat next to my brother-her real boyfriend. Her name was Marlene Baker. She was really nice and friendly, and I thought that her and Skipper made a nice couple. Julien, however, couldn't seem to wrap his mind around the fact that she wasn't his girlfriend-or that she was never interested.

Julien groaned. "Women. Who invented dem?" With that, he walked away.

Mort stood back up and ran in his direction, saying "coming, Julien!" I rolled my eyes and continued eating.

Tune in next time for...something... Review!