Finally getting their food, Silas rejoiced finally just being able to sit down in McDonalds and relax, quickly spreading the bag across for them to eat on, passing each other the twenty-piece nuggets, large fries, and the hamburger exclusively for her.

"You sure we can eat this all quick?"

He was too busy stuffing his face with about three of them and fries.

"Did you say something?"

"Nah," imaging his mouths swallowing them like a giant and making a new drawing of his mouth making a vortex sucking up demon nuggets while she was a journalist reporting a rare discovery.

"Still, I never thought Royal's prediction would come true."

"Prediction?"

"Back when they did a trial run for out-lunch, Royal invited me with her friend group out for McDonalds at the one closer to the school. Jane said it'd be the ghettoest thing ever, but Royal said it'd be a good thing to try."

"Oh. She sounds really cool. She's not the type of girl you're into?"

"I mean kinda, but she's that cool friend you always want to have, but make sure they're not gonna do something stupid like with her toxic side of friends. Even if we were to go out, we'd be more of that extroverted-introverted couple that'd act like close friends. It doesn't make sense, but-"

"No, I get it. Someone that vibes with you much better."

"And again, she's known this guy since middle school. I've been on my own. And while I'm grateful for my friends, I can't really bring up a group of people who don't talk to each other at best...and probably lowkey hate each other at worst just because they're nice to me.

"Emerald and Royal would get along though. Still, I'm not entirely sure just yet, but," making his cheeks thinner. "I think there's someone else who I vibe with much more," deflating the puffed up tension with his hand to his chest, almost like he was waiting for her response.

So he likes me that way? Say something. Huh no beverages. "Um. No drink?"

"I don't like drinking too much or I'll have to use the bathroom less. But if I don't, I get more tired during the day."

"Catch twenty-two, huh"

"Bodies are stupid and hypo. Plus if we go back, I don't want Ms. T to get mad we gotta pee when we go back."

"Makes sense," dining on their nuggets. "Oh," showing them her drawings. "Which one should I complete first?"

"The McDonalds dragon or me being a vacuum sucking demon eater? Hmm, I'm flattered. But how come you don't use yourself more often?"

"I tried. That's why I need a muse."

"Camila, don't doubt yourself so much. You kicked theirs and saved my butts in a few minutes. Wait, that's it! Camila, the Domino Dragon."

Huh. So he's the dragon, and I'm the wielder, conjuring her throwing down a tile to add to a dragon made of dominoes with glasses on for good measure.

Her laugh pushed her head to see the ceiling. "You have way too many weird dreams."

"And you can turn them into reality. You always do. Let's keep having fun."

"Sure. But why did you want to take me here today?"

His hand slipped, and dropped in front of her. She looked down, seeing an image of an emotionless boy on one panel feeding a young girl around their age, awkwardly shuddering while he continued to feed her.

Silas stuttered, and snatched the phone away.

"Just ignore that," about to grab the only remaining nugget left between them.

There was an awkward stare from both as their hands touched. He got to it first, handing it to her.

"I thought white meat was your favorite," lightening the mood.

"It is, but you're my favorite person to be around. Take it, we won cuz of you."

Camila could see the flustered dimples growing out of his positive smile. She took a bite out of it from his hand, slowly savoring it as she carefully held the rest and slipped it into his mouth.

"It's our victory. We earned that together, right?"

He swallowed it with glee, barely moving his body outside of a face-widening response to her question.

"Yeah," warm in the heart, at her face's glowing earnesty, "together."

That light fought their self conscious desire to look away from each other until Silas' phone began to vibrate.

"What's wrong?"

"We gotta go. The bus to get back to school is coming in two minutes," immediately cleaning up and taking the fries in the bag they couldn't finish while she started packing up with the same speed. She had no time to ask him why he didn't warn her about it as they were out of breath by the time they got onto the bus ride back.

"That was fun," slowly able to breathe again.

"See, exercise can be good."

"Not that. You never answered me. Why did you wanna take me there?"

"Well," swinging his head back and forth. "It's thanks, for uh, cheering me up earlier. I wanted to take someone I care about, but it'd be just the two of us. Didn't really have many options outside of you."

For me? Does he, I mean we're just friends, but, he did all that for me? Okay.

"Let's do this again sometime. It is a lot more peaceful when it's just the two of us."

"Really?" He cleared his throat. "Sure, I'd love that."

As they got off the bus, Silas reflected on his conversations with her. Sure their connection was growing, but what good was someone consumed with contempt for his other peers. He looked at his hand, shuddering at the possibility their bond could sever. If she was looking to change, so should he.

"That's it! We're going to start a new club. The Anigame Club! Vice President Rose, you and I are gonna make it one for anyone to join."

"Uh, sure?"

Curiosity would plague her mind as work seemed to not deter his mind through the rest of the day before they split paths from work.