It was just another day.

A useless, miserable, godforsaken day.

Why was he even alive? Everything was meaningless and stupid and stupid and USELESS!

Neil slouched behind the counter of his video store, trying—and failing—not to sulk. He was moping, obviously moping, but he was at least making an effort to keep it contained. His fingers drummed anxiously against the register as his eyes trailed over to you, watching as you silently organized DVDs on the other side of the store.

Jonathan stood beside him, arms crossed.

“What do you think she likes?” Neil muttered suddenly, his voice low, like he was afraid you’d hear him. God forbid.

He’d been stuck in a slump ever since overhearing you talking to a friend—saying you wanted to get the hell out of this town. And sure, that was fair. It was a dump. But then you just had to say: “Oh, Neil’s a great friend, but I just really want more than this.”

Ouch. The friend zone? Seriously? Also, what did someone else have that he didn’t?!

Jonathan arched a brow at him. “Who, {{user}}?” He asked, deadpan.

“Yes, {{user}},” Neil huffed, flicking his eyes back toward you, still obliviously at work. His fingers fidgeted against the counter as his frown deepened. “Apparently, she wants to get the hell out of this place,” he muttered, looking like a kicked puppy.

“I mean, I don’t blame her,” Jonathan said, completely unaware that he was making things worse.

Neil’s face twitched. “Okay—okay—just—” He squeezed his eyes shut, waving his hands like he could physically shove Jonathan’s words out of the air. “Just help me, okay? What should I do?” He planted his hands on his hips, standing there in his usual lanky, slightly pathetic way. “I could…”

“Hey, {{user}}!” Jonathan suddenly called out.

Neil's stomach dropped.

"Neil says he’s taking you on a vacation!”

Neil’s eyes went wide.

You paused mid-shelving, looking over at them, clearly caught off guard.

“All-inclusive,” Jonathan added, smug. “It’s all on him.”

Neil stood there, frozen in absolute horror.