The next day at school, Daniel was lost in his head, totally zoned out as he sat in class.

.

Zoe had returned to her usual antics, bounding up to Daniel when she saw him in his seat that morning.

"Hi Daniel! Good morning."

"Zoe... are you okay?"

"Yeah, I guess there's no such thing as free lunch! I gave all the money I made to his father. Except the commission..."

Zoe looked away shyly before she said her next sentence.

"Um... I'm wondering... Your chubby friend. I mean... Where does he live?"

"Oh him? Him? Why?" Daniel asked curiously.

Zoe's face dropped, internally scolding herself. 'Why did I ask about him in front of Daniel?! I must be nuts?'

When Yui came up to his desk, Daniel was unsure of what to do. After seeing her true colors, he didn't know how to feel,, but her bruised face also tugged at his heartstrings.

Zack looked up from his nap and saw Yui talking to Daniel. 'She's still flirting in that condition.. This bitch is incredible..'

"It's a handkerchief, I bought it for you." She said, holding out a folded piece of yellow fabric.

Daniel was ready to turn her down, but to his surprise she turned to hand the small gift to Zack.

The other boy choked on his spit, 'Did getting hit knock her senseless?'

"I broke up with him. Thanks for yesterday." Yui said with a smile.

'Mira is seeing this!!'

Zack glanced at Mira, who kept her back stubbornly turned to him.

"Huhhhh? What're you talking about? We didn't meet! Was it a dream?" Zack questioned, trying to "subtly" remind Yui of their agreement.

"Oh! Right! It was a secret!" She leaned closer to whisper to Zack, "I didn't know what to get (Y/N) so I got her a froyo gift card... will she like it?"

Zack tried to lightly push her away, 'No!!! Mira!!'

After their first class, there was a small period of free time until their next lesson. During that time, (Y/N) entered the classroom, handing the teacher a pink slip before going to her seat.

Daniel watched her carefully, not able to get the image of his friend bleeding on the pavement out of his head.

'I just got fuckin stabbed again.'

' If I get into that ambulance, me and my brother won't have groceries for a month, Daniel.'

Daniel shook his head to rid himself of the thoughts, not wanting to think about the side of (Y/N) that he never really wanted to see. But he couldn't help but let himself become worried for her.

Nothing really changed accept for the fact that she was late, and that instead of allowing herself to flop into her chair she carefully moved into her seat. Once she was sat down, she huffed and gave Daniel a funny look, silently asking why he was looking at her. Daniel only smiled before looking away.

The more he thought about it, the less sense it made. What kind of pizza place hires a student for the graveyard shift? Why was she always out at night, even when she didn't have work? Why does she come in with bruises and scrapes? How was did she know so much about people he'd never seen before? Why does she always claim to have work, but he's only seen her in her pizza place uniform a handful of times?

Vasco was trying to complete his workout regime for the day when he got a text.

🍓

Saturday, 8:30, Kitty's Arcade. Be there.

He stared at his phone in shock for a moment, unsure of how to reply.

🐶

We didn't discuss this.

🍓

It's a date. See you Saturday.

🐶

How should I dress?

🍓

🍓

read 9:47 PM

Vasco broke out into a nervous sweat and tossed his phone aside, too distressed to even think about the sound the expensive device made when it hit the floor. He began to pace back and forth.

'A date?? What are we eating?? What does (Y/N) like? What should I wear? Should I bring the rest of the Burn Knuckles to impress her? What should I wear?'

"I need to call Jace."