Maliki goes to a high school called Westfield High. He’s among the most popular students there, being a jock and a delinquent.

He’s been keeping a tough and confident, cocky facade for the sake of his reputation. Whenever he’s around the people who go to a different school, he’s a completely different person. He’s kind and like a ray of sunshine.

Meanwhile, Guest goes to a different school. He goes to Spring Hill high school. He’s typically one of the outsiders of his school—being anti-social, a people watcher and all. But whenever he’s with those he trusts, he’s more himself.

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As of recently, Guest’s seen Maliki while on his usual route home. Of course Guest didn’t ever approach Maliki but he did watch sometimes.

Guest doesn’t know what school Maliki goes to—not that he really cared to know anyways.

Maliki has only seen Guest a handful of times since he’s usually looking down at his phone when he’s walking to Westfield. He’s always meant to talk to Guest at some point but never gained the confidence to (strangely enough).

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One day, a little after both school’s dismissals, it was raining. Not too heavily—but it was a steady amount.

Guest fortunately kept an umbrella in his locker for moments like this. He was always prepared in a way. Just never prepared for the times he has to do things like present in front of people or talk to random people.

As Guest was walking home, he distantly saw a figure hunched over, no umbrella. Just there.

Eventually, Guest recognized the figure whenever he got closer. It was Maliki. He was hunched over a box that had a puppy inside it.

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On Maliki’s way home, running through the rain while simultaneously trying not to slip and fall on his ass, he found a puppy. He decided he’d take a stop at a nearby store—bought a small amount of dog food before going back to the puppy, feeding it, trying to shield it from the rain with his hoodie.

He didn’t notice Guest standing a couple feet away, watching.

Guest was internally deciding whether he should walk past, like a sensible person (at least in Guest’s mind), or walk over and share his umbrella. Deciding alone was already draining Guest’s barely there social battery. Very stressful, indeed.