Groaning, I leaned back in my chair and pushed away from my desk. Another attempt, another failed level. This game is hard. Though, that's half the fun. Not that I enjoy punishment.

Glancing over, I noticed Bark wearing his headphones, hard at work in a boss fight. He ducked and weaved all around the arena, swinging a sword and firing the occasional spell. I won't admit it, but it was impressive.

Running my hand through my hair, I stood and stretched, looking around the dorm. It was messier than normal. An empty suitcase sat open in the middle of the room and clothes were strewn about. I turned and kicked Bark's chair.

Grunting, he scowled at me and paused his game. "What?" he demanded, removing his headphones.

"Shouldn't you be packing?" I asked, thumbing at his suitcase.

Frowning, he glanced at his laptop. Seeing the time, his eyes grew wide, and he sprung up. Dashing about, he tossed random items into the bag. "You already ready?" He called over his shoulder.

Shrugging, I shuffled across the room to lean against the window. "I'm not going."

"Huh?" Bark grunted, freezing in his tracks. He was slouching over, and his jaw hung open stupidly as he waited for me to elaborate.

Shrugging again, I gazed out the window. "To get home I would need bus and airplane tickets. I don't have that kind of money."

Straightening up, Bark dropped some more things into his suitcase. Frowning, he said, "What about your parents?"

"It's whatever, man. I'll see you again in three weeks."

Bark seemed to think for a moment before grunting again. "If you say so. Try not to get bored."

My brows creased. I knew he was right, but I didn't want to admit that. "I won't be the only one here. I think there's a few from our year. Plus, some kids from the years below us."

Glancing at me, Bark frowned. "Why bother with the younger years?" He asked sincerely. "They're annoying."

Crossing my arms, I looked at the ceiling. "To you maybe. Those kids worship me; I'm a king. No idea why, though."

Bark shrugged. "Figures you would be popular."

"Not popular, well-liked," I corrected, pointing meaningfully.

Shrugging, Bark dropped to the floor. Shoving the last of his things into his suitcase, he lay atop it and yanked the zipper closed.

Drumming my fingers against my arm, my gaze drifted back out the window. "Evelyn's in Lambarra. I'll probably go see her."

Bark only grunted in response. Satisfied with his packing, he returned to his desk and reached for his headset.

"What about you and June?" I asked, my head tilting to watch him.

Bark froze. Slouching in his chair, I could hear a tinge of something in his voice. "What about her?"

Trying to hide my intrigue, I picked absently at my nails. Though, my eyes hovered above my hand, drilling into the back of his head. "You live close together, don't you?"

The armrests on Bark's chair creaked as he shrugged. "I might see her once or twice. She likes to hang out."

I figured it out a while ago. Other people might not see it, but for some unknown reason, I am close with this emotionless husk. Hence, to me, it was obvious. Also, just because I don't like people, that doesn't I'm bad at reading them.

"I know you like her."

Spinning in his chair, Bark frowned at me. "Your point?"

"Why don't you ask her out?"

Sighing, Bark pretended to think for a moment. His eyes scanned the room before settling on me. "Too much effort."

"So, she's not worth it?" I asked, pushing myself off the wall.

"Not what I meant," Bark grunted, turning away again.

Flopping into my chair, I watched him with a bored expression. "What then?"

Groaning, Bark dropped his headset. Leaning back, he looked at the roof. His voice growing quiet, Bark sounded sad. "I'm not romantic. She would be happier with someone else."

That's actually not a bad argument. Though, not doing something because you think it would be better for someone else; that sounds painfully familiar, and it's not always right.

"That's probably true." I nodded, conceding Bark's point. Spinning around, I felt myself grow dizzy. My vision blurred and I held my head as the pain set in. I always got nauseous after making myself dizzy, why do I do this?

"She might be happy with someone else, but she likes you. I honestly don't understand why, but she does like you," I said, eyes clenched shut, trying to steady my thoughts.

For a moment Bark was quiet. Then, without a word, he put his headset on and resumed his video game. Dropping the topic, I did the same, though, my head wasn't in the game.

It all seems rather sudden, doesn't it? Alright, let's timeline this. I started at this school in January, term one. Met Evelyn, Bark and June in that first month. Fast forward and there's some character development, a bit of bonding. Really nothing too interesting.

Next, Autumn came, bringing the cold weather with it. Middle of term two we had the excursion to Lambarra, and I got my first girlfriend. Then we had some exams which I do not want to talk about. Now, here we are. Term two has just finished and most of the school is going home for our three-week holiday. I'm staying here because I can't afford to travel or some stupid reason like that.

June and Bark return to their hometown tonight. Evelyn will be in Lambarra with her family. Apparently, her parents have given me permission to visit, but she doesn't seem excited about that. Most of the school staff stay behind to watch any students that don't go home.

The students who stay pretty much get free reign of the school, not that that's worth much. I mean, really, we get to go to school? Oh boy, I can't wait!

My character slammed into an enemy, exploding as his health dropped to zero. I didn't care. Video games are great, but this is a pretty boring way to end the term. The question now is, how to liven things up?

I won't think of anything sitting here. Standing suddenly, my chair crashed onto the floor. Saving his game, Bark glanced over at me. Though, that didn't prepare him for what happened next.

Grabbing his collar, I tugged Bark from his chair and out the dorm. He squawked like a canary as I dragged him along. Smacking me, he got his feet under him and rubbed at his neck.

"The hell?" He hissed between coughs.

"Follow me," I said, looking around the courtyard.

Students milled about in comfortable clothes, ready to travel. Most had a bag or suitcase with them. Some had already left. I needed to act fast.

Thinking quick, my eyes darted back and forth. Following a strange noise, I looked over to see some of the younger boys running to the basketball courts on the other side of the school.

"What are we doing?" Bark grumbled, trudging after me.

Marching ahead and wearing a determined grin, I took note of the crunchy leaves underfoot. The weather is definitely getting colder. A little game should keep everyone warm.

"This is gonna be awesome," I muttered.

Bark frowned and buried his hands in his pockets. If something was awesome for me, it probably wasn't good for him. Though, that isn't the case this time.

Hurrying to the indoor gym, I raised the roller door on the equipment locker. Not hesitating, I grabbed a large red bag and handed it to Bark. Picking two more bags for myself, I slung them over my shoulders.

If Bark was worried before, now he was just confused. Eyeing the bags, he warily said, "J?"

Grinning, I didn't answer, instead bolting for the stairs. Racing through the school, I headed to the roof. Bark hurried close behind. So, when I ran into the final stairwell and didn't fit because of the massive bags over my shoulders, he slammed right into me.

I took a moment to laugh at him before shifting and slowly working my way onto the roof. Growling, he followed.

Here we are, two blokes on a roof with three big bags. This is how it ends. The school term, that is. What did you think I was talking about?

Chuckling, I opened the first bag and pulled out two foam balls. I grinned at Bark. "You really think they would lock that door."

Clueing in on what I was planning, an evil grin appeared on Bark's face. Not answering, he retrieved some balls, a dark look coming over him.

"Give 'em hell," I said, fist-bumping Bark. Turning, I faced out over the courtyard and bellowed one word. "Dodgeball!"

With that, Bark and I began pelting soft orange balls at our peers. Students yelled and screamed as it began raining dodgeballs. Soon enough, the mania had spread through the school. Bark and I had tossed near sixty balls and now most people were scrambling to grab one and throw it at their friends.

I simply watched and laughed. There were so many smiles down there. Everyone seemed so happy. Honestly, it was a little weird. They had been assaulted with foam balls and now they cheered and fought back.

Glancing at Bark, I found him smirking. Hands on his hips, arrogance in his stance.

Throwing my head back, I laughed. "Life is a comedy."

Bark's skeptical gaze did little to dampen my mood. "Life is a joke?"

"No, life is funny."

"Humour is subjective," Bark retorted, crossing his arms in a superior way.

Once again, I could only laugh. "Exactly. We can't make everyone laugh, but I like to try."

Shaking his head, Bark kicked at the ground. "You're an idiot."

Leaning against the railing, I dropped my head into my hands. "Maybe so."