I want to be you're friend!

Dammit, Goddammit! I was trying to warn that damn brat, why the hell didn’t she listen to me!

“Uh Marcus?”

“What Lenny!?!”

“I don’t think we should get near that guy again.”

“What!”

What are you saying Lenny, you saw what that little prick was doing, you’re saying we should just leave him be!

“I agree with Lenny.”

“Manny, not you too!”

I looked over at Manny, he was rubbing his belly. That’s something he does when he’s nervous, then again considering what just happened…

“No, I won’t accept this! You guys we need-”

“You need to listen! Look at us Marcus, we’re covered in all these scratches. I’m shocked that guy even managed to do this, I’ve never seen anything like it. Not to mention the face he had when everything went down.”

“That’s true but-”

“On top of that, with Nina backing him, Ein’s in control of the narrative. We can’t win like this, we gotta keep watch from afar and play things safe. Especially since that guy's probably up to something.”

Dammit I’d hate to admit it, but Lenny is right. We went in over our heads confronting him like this, we don’t even know how he managed to do “that”. Now we’re in his crosshairs, this is so damn humiliating.

“Uh Marcus, are you okay?”

“I’m fine Manny, just a little tired.”

As much as I hate to admit it, I’ve caused my friends too much trouble already. I didn't expect them to get hurt like this, they didn’t even put their hands on him. I swear, this isn’t over! I’m so pissed right now, I might even kill something!

****

“Why…”

“Huh?”

“Why didn’t you stop those guys Ein?”

I decided to bring Ein back to the classroom to patch him up. We sat across from each other as I wrapped bandages around his arms and knees. After a while I just had to ask , why didn’t he stop those guys from killing the birds.

“What do you mean why didn’t I stop them, I was bruised and battered wasn’t I.”

“Yeah, and those birds are now dead.”

“Ah, I tried to stop them. I waved my arms to signal to the birds to-”

“You didn’t stop them from throwing the stone.”

“I wasn’t fast enough to climb up there and shield-”

“Why didn’t you punch Marcus and draw the attention to yourself.”

“Because I-”

“Those birds were your friends right?”

“*Sniff* I-I tri-”

“Because of you Hawthorne is dea-”

“I Get It Okay! I’m Weak!”

Ein began tearing up again, at that point I didn’t need to reprimand him anymore. He began to speak ill of himself, how he hated the fact that he couldn’t protect his only friends. How Hawthorne was the only one who accepted him and he let her die. How he’ll never forget the feeling of the dying chick in his hands, how he was the one who killed them. I looked at Ein who was crying again and decided it was time to put and end to this.

“Ein…”

“What, you’re gonna berate me more. You’re gonna call me a murderer now!”

“What is it that you want to do?”

“What?”

“If you don’t stand up for yourself, then you’ll keep losing more. Just like today, do you want that?”

Ein froze for a moment, I guess my words scared him. It took a moment, but he started to laugh. It was a laugh with no passion behind it.

“Heh, lose more! What do I even have left to lose?”

“Me.”

“What?”

“You’d lose me Ein, I’ve made my decision. I’ll be your new friend from now on!”

Ein stared at me, I could tell he was scared. He befriended animals, but humans were different. I stared back in his eyes all the same.

“If you stay as you are now, Marcus might try to hurt me too. Will you let that happen?”

“W-what!?!”

“I asked if you’re gonna protect me Ein, like I protected you.”

“I…I..”

He was scared again, Ein’s eyes darted back and forth all over the room. However he gained composure and looked at me with tears budding in his eyes again.

“I’ll do it, I’ll protect you! So, please stay by my side.”

“Heh, don’t get all sappy with me. Then let’s make it official, from this day on we’re friends. If Marcus tries anything, then we’ll have each other’s backs!”

I stook my hand out to Ein, he was hesitant but grabbed hold of it. Then we shook on it, to our new friendship. All that’s left is to celebrate our new bond!

****

“I wonder where she is, it’s starting to get a little late.”

It’s been three hours since school ended, unless Nina is helping out around town, she should be home by now. Perhaps I should put a curfew on her activities.

*Creak*

“Hmm? Oh that must be her now, Nina where were-”

Standing at the door was my unruly daughter and Ein who was covered in bandages and dirt.

“What happened?”

“Nevermind all that mom, is it okay for Ein to eat with us tonight!”

Nina winked at me while asking that, is she telling me to take a dive for her. I looked over at Ein to see him trembling and looking towards the floor. Poor boy, he’s awfully lonely isn’t he?

“Well you’re in luck Ein, I just so happened to make too much!”

“Eh?”

“Are you willing to help us eat all this food?”

“Y-Yes, thank you very much!”

I swear Nina you do the most surprising things, I didn’t expect you to bring a boy home so early. No matter, I’m happy you’ve made another friend.