This time, Justin went to work with a smile on his face. He felt happy, excited, even, to meet his friend once again.

It was surprisingly nice to have some more company; not that he didn't enjoy Vanilla's company, but having another person to talk to was very nice, and North was someone very peculiar whom Justin really wanted to know more about.

He only had to wait about an hour at work before seeing the bright colored boy enter the store, who waved a hello as soon as he saw Justin at the counter. This time though, he seemed to search around the store a little faster than normal.

Was he in a rush? If so, he could've just arrived later.

He only brought over a few accessories, placing them on the counter before stretching his arms above his head.

Justin began to scan the objects, then asked, "Rough morning?"

"Tight schedule," North replied, "but I wanted to stop by I left."

"Left?" Justin's ears perked up at that.

The bright blonde blew a bit of his hair away from his forehead, "I have a last minute photo shoot in France, so I have to catch a flight in a few hours."

"Oh, I.. well, I hope you have fun over there."

He tried to seem happy about it, but part of him did feel a bit of pain. The first person he had considered a friend after years was leaving? So much for that..

North noticed his change in posture, gently poking his forehead with a smile, "Don't be like that, I won't be gone forever, this is still my home. Besides, you have my number, we can chat as much as you want."

The dusty blonde's cheeks grew pink at that, ears drooping back a little out of embarrassment, then smiled back, "That sounds nice.."

Maybe it seemed strange in other people's eyes considering they hadn't known each other for that long, but when you have no one else around, you sort of cling to that one person, whether it be healthy or unhealthy. Justin was not comfortable enough to be clingy, nor did he think he ever would be, especially not to someone he's known for a few weeks, but he did still want North in his life.

The bright blonde smiled, "Alright! I'll text you once I'm at the hotel."

Justin nodded in response, then handed the other boy a small bag with the stuff he'd bought, to which North began to walk away with a wave.

As he did, someone else walked into the store; they seemed like a coffee place employee, expression a little confused as they walked to the counter, "Justin Merrifield?"

Justin's ears flattened in worry, "May I help you?"

They placed a small paper bag on the counter, "I was told to give this to you, it's already been payed for."

Confused at the situation, he picked inside the bag, his pupils widening as a delicious scent reached his nose. Inside was a vanilla shake, neatly sealed up so it wouldn't spill, as well as a small vanilla muffin, freshly out of the oven.

When he looked back up, the employee was already walking out of the store, but he caught sight of North peeking in from the window, an innocent smile on his face as he met his eyes. He then mouthed a 'You're welcome', and walked out of view.

Justin's cheeks were pink, surprised that someone would do this, or would want to do this, and it brought a smile to his face and a warmth to his chest as he sipped his favorite drink,

thinking about the boy with the bright blonde hair..

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now at home, he sat on his bed, arms wrapped around his legs, staring at his phone which laid right in front of him. It wasn't because he was expecting North's text, he was more than aware that North was a busy person, nor was he a stage five clinger.

This was something else..

His screen was placed in Most Recent Calls, most of the calls from the same person.

An old friend, someone he had avoided talking to for a while now, someone he was too embarrassed to catch them up on his dull life.

But these past few weeks hadn't been dull, they had been nice, and warm, and dear he say, happy.

A nice change of pace.

Vanilla had been zooming around the apartment, that was his way of entertaining himself, but once it noticed Justin's posture, she landed behind the phone, tilting her head in curiosity.

Justin bit his lip, debating with himself whether or not to make the call. Maybe they were busy? They had their own life, his own job, own home, own girlfriend, would he even have time for an old friend?

Well.. might as well try, right?

So letting out a shaky sigh, he picked up the phone and pressed call, staring as it buzzed in his hands.

One buzz..

Two buzz..

Three buzz..

Four..

Every second that passed made Justin's anxiety grow, biting the edge of his thumb as his heart thumped louder and louder.

This was a bad idea, maybe he should've just-

"Hello?"

He grew pale at the voice, falling completely silent for a few seconds.

Then again, "Uhh, hello..??"

Biting his lip, Justin let out a silent heavy sigh, "Hi, Noah.."

"Oh, hey! It's been a while!" Their voice was as cheery as ever.

"Sorry to call you out of the blue like this.."

"Not at all, I wasn't doing much to begin with. What's up?"

"Well.." he lied back onto his bed, smiling as he started at the ceiling, "I made a friend.."

Thanks for reading!!! 'Till next time!!!

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