Sy and 628 joined the older boys at table 8-B halfway through lunch. The first years had been released from class late. Things had not gone well, based on the large bruise forming on Sy's face. His pale skin was already swollen and turning colors.

Jim was on his feet in a heartbeat. "Who did that to you?"

"Me," Sy answered sheepishly. "Blaster class. The rifles had more kickback than I expected. I wasn't the only one that got myself, but I think I got the worst one. It was a dumb mistake. This'll remind me not to make it again." He set his napkin in his lap and bowed his head.

Braxton instantly turned towards 628. "You didn't hurt yourself too, did you?"

628 shook his head and beamed. "No!"

Braxton high fived him.

Jim touched Sy's shoulder. The younger boy startled and snapped his head up. Jim winced. "Sorry, I wasn't trying to-uh, I just wanted to know if you needed me to go get you some ice for your cheek."

Sy blushed, but offered a small smile. "That would be great. Thank you, Jim."

Jim couldn't keep his own smile contained. "Hey, it's what friends do. I'll just go talk to Echidna." He popped up to his feet. "See you guys in a few!" He glanced back at Sy one last time before he reached the lunch counter.

Echidna gave him a reproachful look. "Now James, I know for a fact you've already gotten your lunch, and M-O has not reported any spilled meals."

Jim flashed his most charming smile. "It is lovely to see you again as well, ma'am. I'm actually just here to humbly beg for some ice. My friend is developing a bit of a shiner from a blaster incident."

Echidna smiled and shook her head. "Your pretty words would work better on the younger girls, Hawkins. But I'll grab you some ice. What table are you at? I'll bring it right over."

"8-B, thank you, ma'am!" Jim flashed her one last smile before heading back to his friends. He sunk into his seat next to Sy. "Alright, she said she'd bring us some in a minute."

Sy flushed deeply again. "She didn't need to trouble herself to come all the way out here."

Jim waved it off. "She won't mind. She wouldn't have offered if she did."

"But everyone will see." Sy hissed as he ducked lower into his seat.

Braxton snickered. "Oh, don't worry. Jim'll take the ice for you. I'm sure he'll play it up like it's for him so no one gets suspicious." He winked at 628 and tossed him a chip. 628 caught it in his mouth. Braxton tossed him another.

Jim patted Sy's knee gently. "Braxton's right. I'm the one that went up there. I'll take the ice for you, no one has to know. They won't be paying attention to us anyway. Everyone's too busy discussing their new class schedules."

Sy took a deep breath and nodded. "Y-yeah. Thank you." He picked up his wrap again.

"There you are, young man!" Echidna declared, directly behind them. Sy dropped his wrap. Jim whipped around towards her. The beastly woman held up a bag of ice. "I brought your ice."

Jim stood up and accepted the bag gratefully. "Thank you, Echidna! I appreciate you bringing that out for us."

Echidna smiled down at the group of them. "Ah, there's the one it's for. That is a nasty lump, isn't it? Poor thing. I brought you this to make you feel better." She set a napkin down on the table beside Sy. "Alright boys, I'll see you all for dinner." With that she turned away and headed back for the kitchen.

Jim offered Sy the bag of ice with a sheepish grin. "Well, I don't think too many people paid attention to that."

Sy pressed it to his face and peeked into the napkin bundle. "I hope not."

"What'd she give you?" Matt inquired curiously. Sy pulled back the top of the napkin to show them an extra cookie.

"Ooooh." 628 perked his ears up as he spotted it. Braxton set his hand on the little alien's shoulder and shook his head. 628 sunk back into his chair and set to finishing off his own lunch.

"Lucky! How'd you become her favorite?" Varian asked.

Sy shook his head. "I don't know. I don't think I am?" He set the cookie on his tray and grabbed his knife. "I'll split it for us."

Braxton started laughing. "Keep your cookie, Sy. You are so two good shoes."

"Goodie two shoes." Matt corrected without thinking.

Braxton smirked. "Nice to see you agreeing with me on that." 628 burst into giggles.

"Braxton!" Jim turned towards Sy. "Sorry about him."

Sy waved it off despite his embarrassment. "I just like to be fair. I don't want to be anyone's favorite."

628 scampered across the table and threw his arms around the human. Sy awkwardly patted his back with a confused look as the four armed creature hugged him. The experiment nuzzled him and said, "You our favorite."

Sy hugged him tighter and buried his face into his soft fur. "Thank you," he whispered.