Philza hadn't minded that morning when the day started with rain. He actually quite liked the rain. It reminded him of new beginnings, and it made him hopeful for the rest of the day. He prepared for the morning and packed a healthy lunch. Checking the clock on the wall, he grabbed a green and white-striped hat along with a green raincoat. He was giddy with excitement since it was one of the three days he worked, and he loved his job.

Phil worked at a pottery shop where he taught classes to people of all ages. The lessons were free because he just wanted to be nice, and people donated since they felt they should, so the pottery shop usually had the funds to keep up the shop. They sold other pottery products to people, and that provided some funds to keep them in business. Phil enjoyed seeing the grins of the young children with wet clay all over their faces as their eyes sparkled with joy. (I personally think that's irritating, but Phil seems like the type to like children, so...)

Phil arrived at the shop early in the morning, the parents with their children, and the grandparents with their grandchildren waiting at the doors. He wasn't the owner of the shop, just an employee, but his boss entrusted him with keys for the shop. It was unusual for the boss to be late, but it wasn't so unusual that it was worrying. Phil slipped past the group of people, smiling at them and greeting them a good-morning. They all happily responded with their own greeting, their glee shining through the gloomy clouds and icy rain.

Later that afternoon, Phil's boss arrived. The boss was usually peppy and upbeat, but he came into the shop dragging his feet, sluggishly making his way towards his only employee. Phil excused himself from the circular table he and his students sat at and turned his happy face into a concerned one.

"Hey, Steve. Is everything alright?" Philza's words seemed to make his boss, Steve (Yes, it is a joke. Laugh, please ;-;), even more distraught.

"Well..." Steve started. "My grandmother is in critical condition in the hospital."

Phil gasped, "I'm so sorry! I hope she makes it out fine."

Steve exhaled, "I'm low on funds, and I think I'm going to sell the shop." He made eye-contact with Phil and was shocked by his expression. Phil just looked at him understandably, nodding his head.

"That's okay, Steve. You do what you need to do," Phil patted Steve's back. "Do you have a buyer?"

"Yeah," Steve sighed. "There was another company who wanted to demolish the shop and build a new one, so..."

Philza nodded again, "Well, I hope everything turns out alright, and I understand and respect whatever decision you need to make." Steve smiled sadly, thanking Phil before heading to the back room. Phil went to sit down at the table, working on his clay project and gazing out the window. It was raining even harder, and he sighed. Maybe he didn't really like the rain after all...

-

Phil decided to take the subway when the time came. He wanted to just ride the train and fade into the soothing sounds that came with it. Saying goodbye to Steve, he headed out into the rain, finding his way to the subway. Walking through the hordes of people, Phil noticed how alone he was. He had never felt that way before, but now that he finally had, he didn't know how to deal with it. Rain from the skies mixed with a couple of tears that he shed, and he walked even faster down the stairs to the subway. He waited a little while, seeing which compartments people went in before going to one that not many people went to. Though he felt lonely, he wanted to be alone.

~~~~~

The train was headed to their next destination, and the three boys seemed happier than they had been all day. They made a deal that if anyone else joined them, depending on how many people, they would ask them to be part of their group. They had decided to meet at least once a week on the subway train. From there, they would figure out their destination.

Techno fixed his pig-pink hair, observing the others, "Where are you all headed?" Tommy's smile faded a bit as he looked away nervously to Wil, waiting for his reply while he thought of an excuse. Techno realized he was stalling, "Where are you going, Tommy?"

Wil glanced at the boy, and on seeing his troubled face, immediately grew concerned, "Tommy, are you okay?" Tommy nodded but didn't answer Techno's question. He seemed to be panicking, and his breathing grew fast. Hoping to ease the boy's distress, Wilbur talked with Techno, patting Tommy's back as he did. The train announced it was five minutes away from the destination, and Techno looked back to Tommy, not wanting to give up on the question.

He spoke in a comforting way, clearly worrying about the boy, "Was there a reason you kinda panicked back there?" Techno didn't know why he wanted to help him feel better, but he did. He watched as the boy looked all around the train compartment, looking for a different thing to talk about.

Wilbur had known Tommy for only a little while longer than Techno, but it was clear that Tommy trusted Wil the most. "Tommy..." Wil gently urged him.

The young blonde was dubious to answer the question, but he eventually gave in, seeing that they were only concerned about him. "I'm just riding the train wherever; I don't really have a plan."

"Won't your parents be worried-"

"My parents don't give a crap (PG) what I do. They forgot me this morning, and they probably already forgot I exist. All they want to do is use me to win arguments they have with each other." Tommy rambled indignantly. He peeped at the others in the compartment, quickly looking away, embarrassed. Techno and Wilbur glanced at each other before turning their attention back to Tommy. There was only the sound of the train traversing down the tracks through the tunnel for a while.

"It's okay to be frustrated, Tommy," Wilbur said, finding the right words. " I'm sorry you have to go through that." Wilbur hugged Tommy, and Techno ruffled the boy's hair.

"Wil's right, Tommy. We'll always be here to help you, and if you ever want to talk to us, we'll only be one call away." (*Sharp inhale* I'm OnLy OnE cAlL aWaY) Tommy nodded, giving them a small thank you and wiping some tears that had fallen.

The train interrupted them, announcing that they had arrived at their destination. The boys all sat up straight, wanting to make a good impression on whoever joined the compartment. No one came for a while, and they began to get worried.

"What if no one comes-" Tommy began to whisper to the others. They all composed themselves even more as a blonde man with a peculiar hat and shiny green raincoat stepped into the compartment.

~~~~~

As soon as Phil stepped into the compartment, he was disappointed to see he wasn't alone. His disappointment was immediately replaced with curiosity as he examined the three boys. One had profound light-pink hair that set neatly on his head, and he sat almost elegantly in his seat, a smirk placed on his face. The second wore a black beanie over his curly brown hair. His feet rested on a guitar case that stuck out from beneath the seat, and he smiled sideways at Phil. The third was no doubt the youngest of the group, his puffy golden hair swept lazily to one side.

"Hey there!" The blonde one shouted, grinning nervously at Phil. He showed his braces, and Philza had to laugh.

~~~~~

Heeeeeey kids. This is not something you'd just do with random people. PLEASE DO NOT tell strangers where you are or are not going, and DO NOT take up any offer they give to you to drive you anywhere. Remember: STRANGER DANGER. If someone's being nice to you, that doesn't necessarily mean that they're a nice person. Be careful! Not even if they offer you candy... I know it might be difficult... (But seriously, please don't ;-;))

Also, I have no idea how subways work. Do you have to get tickets or something? Is it free? I DON'T LIVE IN THE CITY!!!!!

Thank you for reading, and thank you, @Anxious_Blue, for your suggestion because it really helped :D <333