Page 21 of Evil King

“Hey,” he greeted, looking me up and down. “You must be uncomfortable when you sleep.”

I continued to scan all the students as they passed me and slowly came to the realization that every single student was wearing some form of pajamas. “What, doeseveryoneparticipate?”

“Yeah, man, even the teachers.” He motioned off to where the principal of the school was standing and talking with a couple of teachers, and I saw they were all dressed in similarly comfortable clothing. “Are you just a sourpuss or what?”

“I’m not a very spirit-week kind of guy.” I groaned as another group of students passed me by, whispering. “Shit. I wanted to blend in. This isn’t blending in.”

“I got another pair of pants in my car at least. I mean, I don’t know a whole lot of people who wear leather jackets to bed, but maybe you could just say you run cold?”

“No offense,” I responded, “but I don’t think any pants you have are going to fit me. Besides, I…I don’t want to wear pajamas. It’s school. Pajamas are for home.” I sighed. “I’m clearly going to be forced to participate more this week, though.”

Sicily nudged me with his arm. “Does that mean we’re twinning on Thursday?”

We turned and started heading back toward the senior wing. We didn’t have the same homeroom, but the classes were in the same direction. “What?”

“Twinning. Twin winning.” He scoffed. “Geez, come into this century, grandpa.”

“I don’t want to mess you up if you’ve already made plans with someone else,” I replied.

“Yeah, uh…” He let out an awkward chuckle. “I don’t really have that many friends. I mean, don’t get me wrong, peoplelikeme, but they mostly just like that I can get stuff for ‘em. No, you know, real friends.”

It was an oddly vulnerable moment. “You consider us friends?”

He looked up at me, shocked. “You don’t?”

“I do,” I replied, and the happy look on his face instantly roped me in. “Yeah, let’s do that twin thing on Thursday, I guess.”

He clapped. “All right! I mean, obviously, we don’t look anything alike, but I think your style is pretty cool. You just come as you, and I’ll come as you too. Bada-bing, bada-boom.”

That was an awesome compromise. “Cool, but maybe I’ll get a hat like yours.”

He snickered, overjoyed. “Hell yeah. That’s amazing.”

I couldn’t help but smile. Behind bars, I didn’t really have what anyone would call a friend, but more I had guys who looked out for me because it benefited them to do that. Back before I was locked up, I had lots of friends, though most friendships at that age were vapid and fleeting, to begin with. The only person I felt truly connected to back then was…

“Hey.” Sicily and I reached my homeroom class just as Cherri and Avery did, and Cherri greeted me with a warm smile. “Nice PJs.”

I nodded back at her. “Ditto.”

She grinned, and Avery squeaked and walked into the classroom, leaving Cherri and me behind. I looked back at Sicily, and he put his hands up. “Hint taken. Catch you later.” He walked off with a stupid smile on his face, but it made me happy to see.

“So,” Cherri started as we stepped into the classroom. “You and Sicily. Unexpected friendship there.”

“Yeah. I didn’t see that coming, that’s for sure. He’s a good guy, though,” I replied.

“Really? He always seemed kind of smarmy to me.”

I leaned against my desk, sitting my backpack on the floor next to it. “Yeah, you know. I get the feeling that lots of people think that, but really, I just don’t think anyone has taken the time to get to know him. I mean, he got so geeked just now because I told him we can be twins on Thursday.”

Cherri threw her hands to her mouth to stifle a laugh. “Oh my god. Are you going to twin with Sicily on Thursday? You guys are gonna look like Pinky and the Brain.”

I laughed. “Probably. What about you?”

“I’ll be triplets with Avery and Colette. We do it every year,” she responded. “Speaking of which.” Almost as if on cue, Avery slid over and linked arms with Cherri. She had a bright smile on her face. Cherri tapped her. “This is Avery, my very best friend.”

I held out a hand to shake, which Avery did. “Nice to meet you,” I said.

She nodded. “You as well. I’ve heard,” she snickered, “lots about you.”

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