by chance

Eric was glad to get the call. It was good to help out. He brought some fast food from MacDonalds to the school for Kyle.

"I haven't seen you in like forever," Kyle said while popping chicken nuggets in his mouth. "Why don't you come around?"

"Like you're so easy to find these days," Eric just watched him as they sat in the prop room that was quiet now as rehearsals were on.

"Yeah, well, I get paid." Kyle shrugged. "I feel like I live here. I found a cot in the boiler room."

"You're sleeping here too?"

"Believe me, I've thought about it," Kyle sighed.

"So how's it going with your Mom?" Eric shoved his hands in his hoodie.

"Its not." Kyle stuffed some fries in his mouth then slurpped on the milk shake. "She just being mute on the whole thing. Maybe she'll get used to it. I dunno."

"I don't guess you get to see Amanda that much, either." Eric thought out loud then.

"Not a lot. I mean, when they figured out that I could do all this electric stuff, it was all 'can you do this..can you do that..would you..' and I couldn't say no, you know. It's pretty good money. And if I study all this stuff then I can get my electrian license by the time I'm sixteen." Kyle told Eric.

"That's amazing. You look like shit, but thats amazing you're learning all this. It takes a lot balls, but you gott'm." Eric nodded.

"So what have you been doing?"

"Work, you know, nothing out of the ordinary." Eric shrugged.

"I just wish you'd show your face around," Kyle winced looking at Eric then.

"Its just too hard, beside she got all our friends. I'm sure of it." Eric sighed.

"Ellie's not like that. She'd want you-"

"Then its me," Eric tried his best to smile. "I can't. It gets to me. That's all. Best stay away until-"

"Until its too late. When she's in too deep with Elliot. You gotta get her back Eric. I know she misses you," Kyle said.

"What?" This felt like a stab in the heart. This sounded just the opposite of what he'd said before.
"Come on, have some balls Eric. Get in there and fight for her." Kyle smiled.

Eric wasn't sure how he could. He wasn't sure he had the strength nor the endurance to believe he could do what Kyle had asked.