Entoan's View

Smarty continued to ball his eyes out as I did my best to comfort him. His tears were never ending; an endless stream. I frowned and pulled him closer to me.

"It's okay... Things will get better from this point on, trust me... I'll make sure of it." I whispered softly into his ear.

Smarty sobbed even harder than before, his body trembled and shook against my own.

"Th-Thank you! Th-Thank y-you, Entoan!" He cried out.

I wrapped my arms around him more securely than I had them before, "Don't thank me yet..." I stated, "Hold that thank you until I actually do some good for you."

Nobody hurts my friends and gets away with it.

Ever.

~*~

[ Next Day ]

After comforting Smarty yesterday, one of the deans happened to see what was happening between Smarty and I. He took it the wrong way at first and questioned me, trying to see what I did to him. But once I spilled what really happened, the dean - who was a woman - understood and offered us the option to be sent home early. It was the best option seeing the condition Smarty was in due to Max.

I'm really glad that the dean gave us the option, because as soon as I walked Smarty home he knocked out on his bed in a heap of blubbering tears.

I sighed and stretched my body out. Smarty needed a good night's rest after that bullshit. I wouldn't even blame him for wanting to ditch the rest of the week. I glanced over my shoulder at Smarty. His cheeks were stained with the trails his tears left and his eyes were still red.

"Look what they did to you..." I muttered out sadly. I closed my eyes and let out a deep breath, "They made a mess out of you..."

I guess after my departure things went downhill for many people, even the one's that I wasn't too close to.

I sighed once more and made my way downstairs. I'll just ask his parents that he isn't feeling too well and to call him off for school today. That's sounds good.

As I made my way down the stairs, I could hear the faint sound of sizzling coming from the kitchen. I glanced over to my right at the clock - 6:21 AM.

"Smarty? Is that you?" I heard his mother ask.

I smiled and walked through the kitchen door.

"Sorry, but Smarty is still sleeping." I stated.

Smarty's mother spun around and looked at me with eyes wide in shock; confusion.

"Oh, I see... Well, thank you for telling me Entoan, dear." She muttered out with a small smile coating her lips.

She turned back around and continued to cook, humming while she did so.

"He has a small fever, so I don't think he'll be able to go to school... Is it alright with you if I go to school, grab his notes and homework then head back here once I'm out?" I asked her, grabbing the plates, cups, and utensils for the table.

"That's fine. Thank you for telling me again. You really are a sweet boy Entoan, you know that? If only there was more boys like you out there in the world, then maybe us women would have an easier time." She mused with a sly chuckle.

I couldn't help but laugh. What she said was absolutely true. If there were guys I guess like me out there, our mothers would be able to lay back a bit more.

"Thanks, Laura." I responded.

She glanced at me with a grin, "I'll let you slide this time, Entoan." She stated with a wave of her spatula.

Rolling my eyes, I walked to the stairs and looked up.

"Breakfast is ready Mr. Aprigliano!" I shouted to Smarty's father.

I could hear a door slam open then immediately slam shut afterwards. I let a smirk cover my lips as Smarty's father came running down the stairs as if someone had offered to pay for any meal that he wanted for the rest of the year. He held a tie in his hand and there was a coat tossed over his shoulder. He sure did rush himself to get down here...

I took note of his attire. It looked like it was ironed down and properly kept in place. He must have gotten a new job since I last saw him all those years ago; a job that pays a lot more money. Then, that was when Smarty's father spotted me waiting there for him to come down.

"Hello again, Entoan! I haven't seen you in forever!" He shouted and ran up to me, wrapping his arms tightly around me.

I laughed and pat his back roughly like he used to do back then. "It's nice seeing you again, too, Mike." I mused with a smirk.

He sighed in relief and sat down. He quickly wrapped his tie around his neck and tied it. I watched it awe. I swear, I'll never learn how to tie a tie.

"You're really dressed up. Mind if I ask why?" I stated.

He shrugged his shoulders as Laura served him, "I don't mind. Ask away." He said.

I nodded and sat down at the table, Laura followed my actions. I eyed the meal she had made for us - surprisingly enough for me as well - while Smarty was upstairs in a bundle of covers. She had made a breakfast platter that consumed of eggs, toast, bacon, and hash browns. It looked great!

I can't remember having a breakfast like this in a while with my family. Usually one leaves before the other or both of them leave around the same time so I'm left with cereal. And let me just say that eating cereal on a daily basis isn't as appetizing as it would seem.

"So, where do you work now?" I asked after taking a spoonful of my hash browns.

"I'm a CEO now for a pretty big company." Mike stated proudly.

I grinned, "That sounds like it was better than the previous job you had." I added.

"Absolutely. There's no doubt about it that this job is better than my old, low paying job." He scoffed.

"But away from that subject, can I ask you something Entoan?" Mike retorted before I could ask another question.

I rose an eyebrow at the urgency in his voice, but I nodded and let him go with what he had to say. I picked up my cup of water and went to take a sip.

"Are you friends with Smarty?"

I choked on my water. I pounded my fist against my chest harshly and when I was fine I shot a confused stare over at Smarty's father.

"What kind of question is that!" I retorted.

"Just... Just answer the question, please..." Laura cut in, her eyes shut tightly.

I gulped. "Well, of course I am. Despite the fact I was gone for a good two or three years doesn't mean we're not friends anymore. I'll always be his friend; through thick and thin." I stated, glaring down at my plate. I clenched my hands together tightly.

"Smarty deserves so much more... He deserves respect, love, and just someone who's going to be there for him." I whispered softly.

Smarty's mother covered her mouth with her hand and let out a small sob. On the other hand, Smarty's father was nodding his head in agreement. He also held this look that gave off respect.

"I'll be here for Smarty until his troubles are gone, and even then I'll be by his side. That's what friends are for..." I said.

Smarty's mother stood up and threw her arms around me. She muttered out incoherent words into my shoulder. The fact that she was crying and talking into my shoulder at the same time didn't help one bit. Nonetheless, I wrapped my arms around her as well.

But what shocked me the most is when Smarty's father stood up and hugged the two of us.

"Thank you, Entoan." He whispered.

"For what?"

"Being there for our son all this time."

"...it's not a problem, sir."

"Mike, just call me Mike."

"Okay..."

They both smiled at looked at me.

"Here, in this house, you're our son... Remember that. You're family to us."

.
.
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"We love you Entoan."