A Synonym for Chill [COMPLETE]

22. Hello, old friend

I nearly collapsed in on myself, continuing to let out broken sobs as tears ran down my face. Suddenly, I felt a hand on my shoulder, and I let out an ear-piercing scream, jumping up and turning around to see who it was. The hand was connected to an arm, which was draped in an assortment of beer and soda cans. The arm was connected to...Eli. He sat up, brushing his hair out of his face, and gave me a pointed look.

"Sup." He said coldly.

"E-Eli...?!" I asked in surprise. "I didn't know you were invited to this party." He laughed slightly, crossing his arms.

"I wasn't. Which is why I'm wearing...this clever disguise!" He stood up, gesturing to his body and letting me see the entire costume. It was a black bathrobe covered in trash, and he had fuzzy green claws on his hands. Truthfully, I expected to see him in his dragon onesie. My lips were moving, but I couldn't speak purely out of my own surprise. My best guy friend, the guy who I willingly blocked out of my life, was standing right in front of me. Sure, he was covered in trash, but still. "You're speechless," He noted, crossing his arms again while his voice took on a much more venomous tone. "Squip got your tongue?" I flushed in embarrassment, looking at my feet.

"It's...off..." I said softly, managing to look up at him. He let out a light laugh, shaking his head.

"That would explain why you're talking to me," He said. "I've been thinking about this moment. What I would say to you? I had this really pissed off monologue, an epic journey through twelve years of friendship..." I couldn't help but let out a light, semi-relieved laugh, pulling him into a hug. He looked surprised, but hugged me back for a brief moment before pushing me away from him. "What?" He asked defensively. I shook my head, smiling at him.

"It's just really good to see you, man." I said. He bit his lip.

"It won't be. Once you hear what I found out." He said almost nervously. I tilted my head.

"Found out?"

"About..." He tapped his forehead with his pointer finger, and I immediately realized what he meant.

"How?! Th-There's nothing on the internet-!"

"Which is weird, right?" He chimed in, cutting me off in the process. " I mean, what's not on the internet? So I starting asking around. Finally, this guy I play Warcraft with told me how his brother went from a straight D student to a freshman at Harvard. You know where he is now?" He asked. I thought for a moment, bit my lip as one particular outcome involving insanity floated into my mind, then dismissed it with a shake of my head.

"Really happy and successful?" I tried, but felt my heart stop as he shook his head.

"He's in a mental hospital," He said solemnly. "Totally lost it." I shook my head again, this time in defiance.

"I don't see what that has to do with-!" He grabbed my hands, startling me.

"Think, woman! We're talking an insanely powerful supercomputer. You really think its primary function is to get you laid? Who made them? How did they end up in a high school? In New England ? Of all possible applications for such a mind- blowingly advanced technology, you ever wonder what it's doing inside YOU?" He asked. I felt my face heat up.

"And I thought Tempest was jealous..." I muttered. He looked at me incredulously.

"I'm honestly asking!" He retorted. I felt like something inside me snapped, and I glared at him.

"Really? Because I think you're pissed I have one and you don't!" I shot back. He bristled slightly, looking much more surprised now.

"Come on-!"

It was my turn to cut him off. "Maybe I got lucky, is that so weird? With my history, I'd say the universe owed me one. And I don't know about your friend's brother's whatever, but if you're telling me his Squip made him crazy-!" Eli managed to get me to stop rambling...by grabbing my hands again and making me look into his eyes. They were glossy with tears.

"His Squip didn't make him crazy!" He said, keeping a firm grip on my hands. I looked at him with intrigue and surprise.

"Oh. Well... There you go." I reasoned. He let out a sigh, pressing the backs of my hands to his forehead. He felt like he had a fever.

"He went crazy trying to get it out ." He was practically whispering the words out. I couldn't help but let out a light laugh, pulling out of his grip and crossing my arms.

"Then I've got nothing to worry about. Why would I want that?" I asked. Eli looked at me with a broken expression on his face. I moved to walk out the door, but he was faster and managed to stand in front of it. "C'mon, man. Move it." I huffed. He crossed his arms, his voice taking on a defiant, determined tone.

"Or you'll what?" He challenged. I gritted my teeth.

"Get out of my way," I growled, practically shoving him to the side. " Loser. " Before I left the bathroom, I got one last good look at him: his eyes were wide, his skin was paler than before, and I could see that he still had tears in his eyes. In short, he looked shell shocked. I slammed the door shut and walked down the hall, trying to find someplace to go.