Simon casually walks to his locker to get a book for class. His eyes scan the area and look out every window. He has not seen Josh since they played in the forest two days ago.

He wishes to see his friend again to make sure he's okay. It's unclear whether Josh is avoiding Simon or just not coming to school. Simon just hopes Josh still isn't mad at him for whatever reason.

Simon opens his locker and retrieves the needed book. When he turns around he spots Josh trying to scurry past, unnoticed.

"Josh!"

He stops dead in his tracks and slowly turns his head as if it pains him to look Simon in the eye. Josh doesn't say anything.

"Josh, where have you been?" Simon asks, biting his lip nervously. He plays with his fingers whilst holding his book.

"Here. At school." Josh appears stiff. He doesn't want to be here.

"Are you still mad at me?" Simon wonders aloud. His heart rate picks up a little bit in anticipation.

"I, um... I need to get to class." Josh says, backing away. Simon's heart remains empty of relief.

Now isn't the time for Josh. His mind is crowded with too much. He can't open himself up to Simon again. But Simon must know what's crawling under the dead boy's skin.

"Please!" Simon catches up to him. Josh whips around and corners Simon against a wall.

"Can't you see now isn't the time?" Josh hisses with a harsh tone.

"I'm just trying to look after my friend." Simon shrinks under Josh's body.

"Stop trying to be my friend." he snaps. "You do an awful job at being one." Josh can feel all emotions slip back into darkness. "You never know when to leave me alone and you're always being a creep and following me around like a stalker!"

The words just spew out without a single thought checking them.

"I...I" Simon stutters. He's at a loss of words. Young death intimidates him with his fiery stare. "I didn't know, I'll change if y-you want me to-o. How do I make you feel better? Hug?" He opens up his arms.

"Touch me and I will kill your soul." Simon stares helplessly into the devil's eyes, watching his reflection be eaten by flames.

"I don't understand. I thought you liked being my friend? We were having fun, getting along. You were even being nice to me but now," Tears swell in his eyes.

"I was being nice to you so weren't lonely. It was out of pity! I faked it all!" Josh towered over the weakened boy until he was curled on the floor. "We aren't anything alike. I hate flowers like you."

Simon watches him walk away. The dark figure slowly becomes fuzzier as tears blur Simon's vision.

~

Tobi is confused.

His task is to find Ethan at least one friend. And once he's done so, he'll wake up back home on the Superstar and be congratulated by his principal and Cupid.

So why is he still waking up in Ethan's room every morning? Has he not found Ethan friends? Are these so called "cigarettes" not a sign of friendship? To be fair cigarettes were never mentioned in class but the teacher did say friendship can be shown many different ways depending on the people.

Tobi is angry. He wants his diploma. He's running low on patience. Wondering what is happening, he takes out his portal key and travels back home.

He's a great friendship creator. What's going on? What is he doing wrong? He got all A's in his power classes. He made great friends back home.

Maybe he's not so great. He'll never pass and be as great as Vik. If he doesn't pass this test, he'll be stuck on his Star and never be allowed to help humans on Earth. Left behind.

Frustrated, Tobi whips out his key to back home. Tobi walks into the school building right before the school day ends. He marches into the front office, past the front desk and straight up to the principal.

"Tobi?" The principal recognizes him almost instantly. He remembers how excited this student was to start his journey. He'll never forget that face. "What are you doing here? You're supposed to be on Earth."

"I need to speak with, Cupid. Now."
...
"You'll pass once you've found your human a friend."

"But I did!" Tobi protests. "I've found him three!"

Cupid glares down at her disciple. She holds much patience and handles it very well. Her gray eyes shimmer against her pinkish skin tone. A thin silky white fabric is draped on her body as a dress. Her pink hair bounces on her shoulders but the rose it holds stays in place. Wings of the purest white span the width of her arms.

"I should've passed this test by now." Tobi grunts. He feels has accomplished his work beyond the requirements. Why is the world treating him as it treats Ethan?

"Tobi. Darling. You are not being cheated out of your reward. I know you are fully capable of succeeding." she begins softly. "You just haven't found the right people for, Ethan, is it?"

"Yes but I don't think you understand. Ethan is no longer alone!" Although, now, doubt has caused Tobi to speak warily.

"You have confidence in yourself, Tobi. It's admirable. So much drive and ambition. You want to show the whole world. But you must take a step back and assess the situation." To him, Cupid is being condescending. He almost refuses to listen to her but he must. "There are still more options to explore. Look at these people you claim to be good friends; Do these pieces fit the puzzle? Or are you forcing it?"

"Well, I thought they fit." Tobi ponders for a moment. "They let Ethan hang around and they laugh."

"Those aren't friends. Tobi you should know this. Friends are supposed to be stable and support each other. They need to be able to be themselves around one another. Not used temporarily and flimsy items, then thrown out like trash. Friends are deeper and more than that." Cupid explains. "It sounds to me like these 'friends' you found could be replaced with cardboard cutouts and there wouldn't be a difference."

"But-"

"Trust me. You'll see. Just wait."