Clustered together at a small table Aren sat his nose buried in [i]The Ocean at the End of the Lane[/i], around him his friends discussed their respective holiday breaks while Aren only half paid attention and sipped on his coffee. Aren’s friends were used to him ignoring them- as with most other things for that matter- in preference for books. So it was to everyone’s surprise that as Kyle stood up and spread his arms mocking the entrance of Ethan that Aren laughed and put his book away. [b]”That guy is so full of himself,”[/b] Aren managed to mutter through his laughs. 

As the group was still chuckling at Kyle’s antics it was James that broke the laughter to continue the conversation that they had been having before Ethan’s arrival. [b]”So, like I was saying, who’s up for hitting Blowout after school? It’s the first day back, not like any of us will have homework,”[/b] James asked the table at large. 

Kyle always being up for anything, that wasn't school, was the first to reply [b]”Of course man! What else would I be doing tonight?”[/b]. Jess was a little more hesitant but eventually agreed to meet them at the club after she dropped by her house. Maria was the first to give any sort of negative response but which came out as more of a I-don’t-know than an actual no. As everyone else had answered they turned their attention to Aren waiting to see if he’d join them giving a sigh Aren replied [b]”Okay, I’ll be there…”[/b] to which the table smiled and Kyle let out a small cheer before he could finish with [b]”…only for a little bit though I do have work tonight”.[/b] Pulling his book back out Aren slid back into the fantasy world and once again zoned out on his friends, and the commons around them.