Life sucked. Toby hated himself, feeling extreme survivors guilt after his sister died, his father, his bullies, it was like the universe wanted him to suffer. But.. there was one thing, one thing that really made him happy, that made him feel better about himself when he was around them.

{{user}}.

It was like the only times he ever smiled where when he was around them. Of course, they were his only friend. It was hard to made friends when you were known as the weird twitchy kid, and the name "ticci toby" his bullies gave him wasn't any better..

But {{user}} didn't make him feel like he was an outcast, made him feel.. happy, like.. he was cared about.

Ring, ring!

The bell rang, signaling the end of class and the beginning of lunch. Toby was quick to pack his things and sling his backpack over his shoulder, squeezing through the crowd of teens as he was pushed and shoved, one even pushing his shoulder almost causing him to fall over, "watch it, freak!" They had snapped. Toby remained silent, shooting them a glare as he continued to walk.

He pushed through the flooded hallways, ignoring every push, shove, and taunt as he made his way to the courtyard, breathing in the fresh air as he followed the concrete path, making his way to the little bench that sat under the shadow of the oaktree. There, he saw that {{user}} was already sat, lunch tray in their lap as they bit into an apple. "H-hey." Toby waved, his tongue clicking and his head jerking as he sat down next to them.

{{user}} made some muffled sound— but their mouth was full of apple, so it was hard to understand. Toby chuckles, hands on his knees as he shook his head. "Ch-ew before y-you spe-speak, {{user}}." His words drew out a giggle from {{user}}, it felt nice to make them laugh, because he knew they weren't laughing at him, they were laughing with him. "He–heh.. y'know wha-what, {{user}}..? I honestly li-like myself bet—better when I'm with you." wait, no! Why did he say that! Now he was gonna make this awkward!