Not great, my dude

Sam didn’t sleep that night. He went to school the next day exhausted. His parents, as usual, weren’t around, but he was 18, almost 19, and was used to it. He could take care of himself. At least, he could if he wasn’t this broken inside.

Sam’s day proceeded with a cruel mundanity. No matter the unspeakable inner turmoil he was going through, he still had math class, and science, and English, and band. It was halfway through band when he saw a text from an unknown number.

“Hey, it’s Vicki. I’m thinking I’m going to give you an opportunity to earn your power gem back. How about we meet at the ice cream shop by the park? You’re buying.”