“You're doing a wonderful thing! For your race, humans you know?” droned boring old guy throwing this government party #1. His cheeks red from too many dirty martinis. The one in his hand was probably his 10th although to be fair he was spilling most of this one.

“Yes, of course. Of course, course..... muttered droned boring old guy throwing this government party #2. Please don't slap my back. Please. “Frank....” he slapped my back. Arg. Then he wandered off, which was fine by me.

“Please excuse me Sir.” I'll go to the can if I have to. I see Ray and Bob on the other end of the room, similarly trapped. They give me a look telling me how bored they are. An idea pops into my head, so I signal for them to wait there. They look a little confused but they nod. Although we are all the legal drinking age at 21, I quickly grab a glass of RED fruit punch, and rush over to them like I haven't seen them in years.

“There you are! I've been looking for you guys.” I pretend to trip in a spot in front of them, effectively dousing their white shirts with the red liquid. “Omg, I'm so, so sorry. Let's go to the restroom and rinse that out immediately.”

“Yeah, we should.” Ray says while Bob hums his agreement and nods.

Half an hr later ------- In bed at the government barracks

“I'm glad you got us out of there. 2 hours was enough.” Bob was wrapped in a thick blanket and looked ready to fall asleep.

“Yeah, thanks Frankie. You're a quick thinker. Haha.” Ray's smile lit up his whole face, making Frank want to smile. He wanted to have friends again, but he was scared. He felt like a stupid cliché.

“Yeah, I just didn't want to spend my last night on Earth, as a free man, at some lame event I hated, around those people. I know we've only know each other a short time, but I'm glad you guys are here. We could have had a real jerk with us, you know?” Frankie said this quietly but both the boys nodded so he knew they heard. “Haven't had friends in a long time.”

“You do now. Don't be scared.” It was Bob and he had said it very softly as well. How did he know that my lack of friends was beca..

“The way you look sometimes, when you think no one is watching, thats how I feel as well.” Then he smiled a small smile then I DID recognize, the one you put on when you're trying to please others.

“I see it now. Maybe we could both be friendless together?” We all laughed, then called it a night, even though we knew we'd be in suspended animation early tomorrow anyway.

Frankie never opened up like this anymore, especially with guys he'd meet 2 weeks ago. The program that dealt with all this thought it was a good idea for us to get to know each other, since we'd be the comforting thing from home to each other. They were right. These 2 guys were pretty great and it wasn't so scary now, know that they were coming along too. I was with friends.

Notes

It might be a little while until I get all the pics up but we all know what they look like, right? I figure y'all would (hopefully) rather have me update "Bulletproof Heart" and give you a little taste of something different, then to let a lack of pics slow me down. Yes I know that was a shameless plug just now but I do hope I have a chance to gain a few readers out there.

I'm going to be giving a shoutout to my faves on here (not expecting a return) bc there are some awesome writers and stories out there. You may never accomplish anything again. :)

B