--Two days later—

 

I turn off the alarm, get out of bed, and go through my daily routine: shower, change clothes, check Twitter, and have breakfast. These days have been quite good actually. Anon and I are becoming better friends, and Reed and I often go up to the rooftop to smoke. There's also Trish, who I don't talk to very often, but when we can, we have long conversations.

 

I grab my backpack and leave my apartment. As usual, I meet Anon halfway, and while we talk about our things, I notice Anon with his phone in hand. He's on a website I've never seen before, and I can't make out much of what it says, but the only thing I can distinguish is "Damn meteor dodgers." I decide to ignore it.

 

After a long walk, we finally arrive at school. I can see Naomi in the distance, and when she notices us, she comes running towards us. "Good morning, Anon, Roscar!" I hear Anon mutter, "It could have been..." Naomi joins us, and I ask her, "Hey Naomi, where's Naser? It's weird not seeing him with you. I always see you two together." Naomi's expression turns sad.

 

"Oh... He left early to prepare a student event." "Well, coming from Naser, it's not surprising," says Anon. Naomi starts chirping, "That's right! I'm so proud of my perfect Naser!" Naomi's expression quickly changes, and she starts focusing on Anon. "Um... Anon, have you seen the school gardens?" She didn't even notice my existence. "Um, no, but Roscar and I saw a bit of them on our first day at school." Before I can say anything, Naomi interrupts, "Oh, we also won prizes. Come, I'll show you!" Naomi grabs Anon's arm and takes him to the gardens.

 

I'm confused about what just happened. "D-did they leave me alone? N-no, they ignored me. Damn..." I stay silent as I watch poor Anon being taken by the parasaur to the school gardens. I decide to leave them alone and change my direction towards the school entrance. As I climb the stairs, I see Trish talking to Fang. "Well, she finally decided to come to school." When I reach the pair of dinosaurs, I fist-bump Trish.

 

"What's up, Trish? How are you?" As I greet her, I notice Fang analyzing me. "Everything's good, Skinnie. Do you remember Fang? You still owe them an apology for what happened in the auditorium." Oh, right... I had forgotten. I turn to the pterodactyl who is still analyzing me. "Hey Fang, I'm sorry for what happened in the auditorium. I didn't know that you identified as he, but if you don't want to forgive me, that's fine." Trish nods while patting my back. "Well done, Skinnie."

 

But Fang looks surprised and a little upset. "T-thank you for apologizing, but... weren't you the Skinnie who was at the concert?" Fang furrows their brow, and I notice that their hands are clenched into fists. Before I can say anything, Trish interrupts, "Nah, this Skinnie wasn't the one who made fun of us. In fact, Reed and I have been talking to him more lately. I think Reed and him even became drug siblings or something." Thank you, Trigga, for saving me from another beating.

 

Fang remains upset but changes to a surprised expression. "I see... Sorry for mistaking you. What was your name again?" Trish interrupts, "His name is Roscar. We met a few days ago, but we had a fight and got sent to detention. We got to know each other better there and became friends." Hey, let me say something, seriously. While Trish tells the whole story of how we became friends, I check the time and realize I'm running late for my language class.

 

"Oh shit! Sorry, guys, I have to go. I'm running late for my class. See you!" I wave goodbye and hurry to my next class.

 

Class of language, Anon was right, the teacher thinks he's Japanese, I even think he's wearing samurai attire... "Good morning class, take out your books and go to page 15" I simply decide to turn off my brain and start answering the pages of the book, time passes very slowly in class, this is more boring than a second division match in Uganda.

 

After an hour that seemed like an eternity, the class finally ends, I grab my things and head to math class, as I enter I am greeted grumpily by Mr. Carlwenski, "Good afternoon, kid, I'm just here to tell you that I don't want any more fights in my damn class, so behave with the others, got it?" I reluctantly nod as I take a seat next to Anon.

 

I can sense that he's a little uncomfortable and confused, "Hey dude, is everything okay?" Anon notices my presence, "Oh hey, everything's fine, just had a weird interaction with Naser's sister- I mean, brother?." I raise my hand as a sign to stop "Let me guess, you accidentally called he 'she', right?" Anon looks surprised, "Oh! Yes dude, how did you know?" I furrow my brow a bit as I remember the first interaction I had with Fang, "I... I also called he 'she' when I first met her in the auditorium."

 

While we're talking, Professor Carlwenski interrupts the whole class, "Alright, you damn brats, today we're doing algebra problems, so pay attention. Anon! Can you come to the board and solve this damn problem?" Anon gets up from his seat and goes to the front to answer the problem on the board. As he walks, he trips over Reed's backpack and falls onto his desk. Anon quickly apologizes to Reed, then proceeds to the front and writes the answer on the board before returning to his seat.

 

"Wow, dude, are you okay? You almost tripped over Reed's desk," I turn to Anon with his hand on his head in an expression of embarrassment. "I'm fine, thanks dude, it was just a scratch," I nod as I turn back to the front. Mr. Carlwenski holds a stack of papers, "Alright, here are the assignments you need to do today, use page two hundred seventy-nine. Now, help each other and do the damn problem." Carlwenski starts handing out the activity sheets, then he goes back to his desk and pulls out an adult magazine, trying to cover it with a math book.

 

Anon and I team up, as I take out my book, I can see that Anon is completely frozen, looking at his backpack. He quickly hides his backpack as I try to see what's bothering him. I look at him confused before asking what's going on, and a paper ball hits Anon's bald head, making me laugh a little. When I turn towards the direction where the paper cannonball came from, I see Reed and Trish. Reed is waving his hand, signaling for us to join them, while Trish is staring at Anon intently. I can see anger in her eyes.

 

Anon and I get up and sit at Reed and Trish's desk. Reed greets both of us as usual, but Trish, she keeps staring at Anon. "Hey bros..." I think Reed is high right now... "Hey, how's it going?" Anon says.

 

-"See? He's my classmate, so I take care of him. How come YOU are taking care of your classmate, Anon? Are you trying to fulfill the social contract, trying to be a better person in the community?" Trish says.

 

"What? What is this about?" Anon asks, confused.

 

"Some friend mine, is your teammate in cience class, right?"

 

"Are you referring to Fang?"

 

This is getting uncomfortable, so I decide to approach Reed while leaving Anon and Trish to talk about Fang. "Hey Reed," Reed looks at me and raises his thumb, "Hey bro, what's up?" "Nothing really, everything's fine, thanks. It's just that this conversation is getting a bit uncomfortable. How about we start working on the math problems, just you and me?" Reed nods as we both start solving the problems left by Professor Carlwenski.

 

Anon y Trish continued talking. Trish asked Anon several things, where he came from, what he did in his previous school, what he did with Naser and Naomi... Wow, I'm glad I'm not in Anon's place right now. I wouldn't want to talk about that INCIDENT. A lump forms in my throat as I freeze, it's not until Reed snaps me out of my thoughts.

 

"Hey bro... Everything okay?" "Oh! Sorry Reed, I just got lost in my thoughts for a moment, you know, the good stuff." Reed nods as he takes a sip from his thermos. After a few minutes, we finally finish our math problems. As we approach them to let them know we're done, I can still hear Trish's conversation with Anon.

 

"We also have a band. I'm Trish, the main bassist and founder of the band. Fang is the lead vocalist and secondary bassist, and Reed is the drummer." "And the songwriter." "Well, he only gets that title because he comes up with funny titles."

 

"Well, that was great, but I have to get back to my table to finish up math." As Anon gets up from the chair, I stop him and hand him the sheet with the answers. Anon looks surprised while Reed and I exchange smug smiles. But before he can leave, Trish interrupts him again.

 

"Hey Anon, listen to this, it's important." Anon fixes his gaze on Trish. "Fang is happy... he doesn't need to be changed or fixed. he found something that he finally likes, and I helped them through that dark time in their life. He doesn't need people in their life who can hurt or confuse them." Anon nods and leaves the classroom. Trish turns to me. "And you, Roscar? Are you also trying to do something with Fang?"

 

I lean back in my chair, thinking carefully about my response. "Honestly, nah, he is not my type, plus I had a lot of bad first impressions with him , so don't worry, I don't want anything with him." Although Trish looks upset by my answer, I can see some kind of relief in her eyes. I grab my backpack and head to the cafetery with Reed and Trish. Trish separates halfway to "fix her horns," as she claims.

 

When we arrive at the cafetery, Reed joins the line, while I take an apple out of my backpack. "Bro, are you sure you can last the whole day with just an apple?" I tease Reed a bit and simply nod. As we wait in line, Anon comes running to us, catching his breath. "Hey, Anon, what's up?" I ask, to which Anon points at Reed. "My... backpack." Anon catches his breath. "I accidentally took your backpack... again." Reed grabs his backpack and hands it to Anon. "Wow, bro, it's the second time already, and I'm the stoner and I don't mix up backpacks."

 

"Damn, Anon, this time you looked more panicked than the last time. What was so important in that backpack?" Anon freezes at my question, but I remember what happened last time and put my hand on my head, showing embarrassment. "Right... Sorry, dude, I forgot you use the lunch card." Anon lets out a sigh of relief. Then Trish joins us. "Hey Reed, why the Skinnies are here?"

 

"Anon doesn't have friends. He and I got to know each other better in the class where you and Roscar were in detention together. I became his friend. I think Roscar and I are his first friends," Reed explain. "Wow, that's so sad," Trish says, I patt Anon on the back and giving him a comforting smile. "And Trish, Anon uses the lunch card," Reed adds. Trish looks surprised. "That's pretty depressing." Anon is just trying to process everything that's happening. Poor Anon, it must be tough not being able to buy food at school.

 

"I'm sorry for you, dude. Look at me, I'll say it again, I'm Rexican, and even I can buy cafetery food," I say, trying to console him. Anon looks uncomfortable, but he still accepts my comforting words. After a few minutes, Fang joins the group. When she sees Anon, she's surprised. I nudge Anon while raising my eyebrows and giving him a smug smile. "Que galan wey" Everyone turns to look at me, trying to decipher what I said. I just laugh.

 

"Hi Fang, this is Anon, he's my new friend, and he's also poor," Reed interrupts.

 

"How poor?" Fang asks.

 

"Super poor. You know those lunch cards?" Trish says.

 

"That's pretty sad and depressing," Fang says.

 

"Poor Anon, I'm Rexican, but even I have lunch money," Fang looks at me and Anon. "Why are the Skinnies sitting with us?" I swear to God, one day my racism is going to slip out unintentionally. "Anon and Roscar are my super bros, I became friends with them in the early days of high school. Plus, Roscar and I are planning a medicinal weed empire, we'll make millions!" "Damn it, Reed, I told you not to talk about the project!"

 

Reed raises his hands to signal me to relax. "Chill, bro, only they know, don't get all worked up." I nod irritably at Reed, sit back down, and start eating my apple. I see Fang asking more about how Anon and I became friends with Reed, but honestly, I'm not that interested now. I decide to take out my phone and check Twitter. While scrolling through the feed, I notice that Anon is uncomfortable and trying to escape the conversation. So, I decide to rescue him. I approach Reed and start talking to him, giving Anon a break.

 

"Hey, bro, check out this video, it's really funny."

 

Funny Video LOL

 

Reed shows me the video while I pray that it's not a jumpscare or worse, moans. The video plays, "What the hell is this, bro? Is this a teenage furry game?" I'm completely confused as I watch the video. Reed is laughing hysterically at my reaction. After the longest minute of my life, the video ends. Reed looks at me expectantly and says, "Pretty funny, right?" "I don't know what the hell I just watched Reed..."

After finishing eating, Anon joins us to continue talking. During the conversation, we learn a bit more about Anon. He gives us his Xrox username, so now we have a trio for COD Dino-zombies. After a while, Reed takes out a tablet from his backpack.

 

"Well, bros, you know we have a band, Trish told you earlier," Fang and Trish look at us expectantly. "So here's a recording of the band." Anon and I prepare ourselves for what we're about to hear. The video starts playing and I can distinguish some chords, but the problem is the two basses. At some moments, they sound good, but then all that progress crumbles into a big screech of notes. When the video ends, Reed, Trish, and Fang look at us expectantly.

 

"And what do you think? We're good, right?" Anon is confused as he thinks about what to say. I'm just confused. "Why the two basses?" I ask. "It's our style!" Trish says with a big smile, that damn smile again. I snap out of it when I realize I should say something else. "Don't you think you should improve the notes? You know, try to make both basses sound good." I notice Trish is annoyed and Fang is frowning.

 

"What do you mean by that, Skinnie?" "I don't know, I don't know much about music honestly, but you could try to improve the notes or use another instrument or something." Trish gets upset. "Well, obviously you don't know about music, Skinnie. This is our style and it suits us." I nod a bit embarrassed as time passes. Now they ask Anon before he answers, I grab my things and decide to leave. I say goodbye to the others and leave the place.

 

After classes are over, I go with Anon as usual, but now I feel strange. I feel like I don't want to talk to anyone. Maybe I'm just exhausted? I didn't talk to Anon the whole way, I spent the whole time looking at the ground. It wasn't until Anon said goodbye that I snapped out of it. When I arrive at my apartment, I throw myself on my bed, take out my joint, and take a hit.

 

I don't know, but I feel bad about what happened at the cafeteria. "Did I mess up again?" A bad memory comes to mind, me running for my life while some cars chase me... "Shit... If only I hadn't messed up at that moment." I have to be more careful with my choices and my honesty. What if Trish attacked me again? I know it's good to tell the truth in various situations, but the girls looked really upset. I'm glad I apologized to them.

 

While I reflect, I look at the ceiling. I notice it's a bit cracked, but in my neighborhood, there were houses with tin roofs, so that's nothing. I continue smoking my joint, and as I take the fifth hit, I start coughing quite hard. I even start feeling a burning sensation in my throat from the coughing.

 

"Shit, control yourself, old man." I hit my chest while looking at the joint in my hand. A memory comes to me of how after that Incident, I started smoking weed to relax, even though it messed up my lungs. I furrow my brow as I close my fists. I don't care that I burned my hand, being high makes me not feel pain.

 

I angrily throw the joint against the wall as I start remembering my life before all this shit happened. My friends, my swimming trophies, my family... I let out an exhausting sigh as I put my hands on my face. "Damn it... Why the hell did I have to make that decision? If I hadn't made it, I would still be in Rexico, without problems, without being addicted to weed and jerking off."

 

I punch the wall and see my fist start to bleed a little. In the end, I go to the bathroom, apply some first aid, and put bandages to cover the wound. As I look in the mirror, I see my face, that face that months ago was full of life and now is dull. I've let my beard and hair grow, even my eyes have suffered from the effects of getting high so much, they're bloodshot and red.

 

I let out a small sob as I look at my reflection. "How the hell did I bring this upon myself?" I think about the mistakes I made that led me to this. Finally, I leave the bathroom and lie down on my bed. I look at my phone and start looking at old photos, when I was full of life and wasn't just a weed and porn addict. When I went to swimming competitions and won silver and gold medals. Now, even breathing is difficult at times.

 

Finally, I close my eyes as I regret making that decision.

 

"I wish I could stop fucking up..."