The glue in a friend group, no matter how small the group, was the most important part. Not that Lewis would ever admit to being the only thing that held his new trio together, and not that Armina would ever claim Jayce as a friend.
But Jayce was a perfect fit for them. Just what they needed. He was the quiet, mysterious one.
And Armina, she was definitely the one ready for a fight.
Lewis had a love for Armina as if she were his sister. She hadn't announced his sexuality aloud. Hadn't needed to. She could read Lewis like an open book, and it felt good to be understood.
Lewis, dressed in plaid pajama pants and a t-shirt a size too big, knocked on Armina's door. It was the middle of the night, but he knew she'd be awake after the day's events.
Armina choked out, "Come in."
The door creaked open and revealed a pale yellow room cascaded in moonlight. Armina sat on the checkered rug against her bed, head on her knees. She hugged them close.
Armina's room was simple. A few pictures of her, Elliot, and Lewis. A poster of an actor Lewis didn't recognize. A desk to the right stripped of any contents.
"Hey."
"Hey," sobbed Armina. She wiped away her tears. This was a scene exclusive to Elliot and Lewis. No one could know that the terror of the school had feelings.
Lewis slumped down next to Armina on the floor, his arm brushing her's. She wore a hoodie paired with striped pajama pants and a tank top. Her gloves sat on the bed. She hadn't expected company. She went to slip the gloves on, but .Lewis stopped her.
"I know you wouldn't hurt me."
Armina's face twisted into a sad smile. "Lewis, am I a good person?"
He gulped. "You can be mean," he said, knowing lies hurt more than the truth.
She scoffed.
"But I'd never regret giving you a chance to prove your true self to me. You don't show it well, but you care and would do anything for me."
Armina readjusted and laid her head on Lewis' shoulder. His heart raced for a moment then calmed down to a steady beat.
"Isn't it weird to think I could kill everyone in a matter of weeks? It terrifies me, and I can't believe whatever higher power has the sense of humour to give me the ability to drain life and power."
"I believe in you, Armina Stanton. You've believed in me so long that I can't help myself. You're going to have a future, a wedding, a job."
Armina's arm wrapped around Lewis', careful not to make skin-to-skin contact.
Lewis felt so joyous to be so close, so comforting to her. He loved her as a sister, and it tore him apart like a termite chewing away at a wooden heart not to be able to fix her problem.
"Armina?"
A snore slipped from her mouth. Lewis almost laughed, but caught himself.
He snuggled up to her and watched the minutes tick by on her alarm clock until the night filled his tired eyes. He was dragged off to sleep, his head of blond hair resting on his best friend's.
Lewis dreamed of strange things: asking Jayce on a date, Mari becoming the next American Idol, and the four of them being the best of friends. Dumb things for a young man trapped in a child's body.
He needed a saving grace, so he let himself dream well past Armina's alarm.