Alexa still couldn’t shake the feeling of the upperclassmen torturing them because of Yin’s statement. She knew they’d be strong since they already had a year of learning already. Without even thinking, she chose the seat behind Yin because it was empty. 

Gale stepped into the bus. Today's activities made him anxiously excited. He took a quick scan of the available seats and saw Alexis sitting by herself in the back of the bus. Gale walked to the back and sat next to his friend.

"How's it going Bubbles?"

Alexa was still nervous about what Yin said earlier. If the upperclassmen retaliated, she wouldn't be able to taken them on. Stuck in her thoughts like usual, Alexa was a little shaken when she heard a voice called to her.

"Oh! H-Hi Gale... You sure you want to sit here?"

'Since when was I Bubbles?' Alexa thought to herself.

"Yeah. I'm good here." He said casually. He made himself comfortable in the seat waiting for the long ride. He turned his head back to Alexis.

"You ok? Seemed like something is on your mind?"

"It's nothing you need to worry about. Just some irrational fears." Alexa spoke looking down at her feet. After finishing her sentence, she turned toward the window.

"I'm surprised you're here though. This week you've been focused 

Something about the way Alexis spoke stung Gale. The air between them felt tense. Until that moment, he hadn't given any thought to hanging out with Alexis, or lack thereof. He cleared his throat.

"It's been a crazy week. Between starting U.A. and training with Andrew, I guess my head has been only focused on that."

She nodded as she continued looking out the window. Disappointment was all her face. It didn't seem like their friendship was gonna last now. At least that's how she was looking at it. The fact that Tokiko took her to Recovery girl really shook her.

"Yea.. I can see that..."

She brought her face to the seat in front of her as she crossed her arms. If only she sat with Yin or anyone else for that matter. 

"I'm glad training is working for you."

The two of them sat quietly for a whole minute. To Gale, it felt like several hours of hurtful silence. Ever since classes started and his training sessions with Andrew, the two of them had not hung out as much as they used to in the past.

"Sorry." He said quietly.

This was why she wished she sat with someone else. She couldn't hide her annoyance. Maybe it was her pulling away from their friendship,but she couldn't see it.

"What are you sorry for? Your doing well. Your "teacher" is doing a wonderful job. You don't need to hang with me."

"What do you mean? You are my best friend. I know we haven't hung out lately but that fact hasn't changed."

"Best friend?" Alexa felt she was stabbed when he said it. She actually turned to look at him. "I thought that changed...since you didn't even try to help me to recovery... You didn't even ask how I was."

It was hard for her to not cry, but she wouldn't. They had only been in the school a short time. No one would see her as weak. Not if she could help it.

"I know. And I'm sorry for that too. I'm a poor best friend. Guess I'm not used to handling a lot of things at one time and started slacking in other areas. My bad. I ain't mean to hurt your feelings."

"Dude...I...I'm gonna play my Capybara game."  In all honesty, she just didn't want to let him off that easy. That really hurt and when she felt the most embarrassed he wasn't there. She  reached into her bag, grabbed her phone, and jumped on her app.

Her shoulder was much colder this time. He looked over her shoulder and watched her play her game. He looked out the window and sighed. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. He opened up the same game. 

"What's your player code? So we can play together."

"Why should I give it to you. You don't even like Capybaras."

"Gotta build the teamwork right?" He said with a grin.

"Like we'd ever be on a team together. I'm just support.  Anyone can fill that role." She said as she sucked her teeth. The Capybara warrior in the game fell off the cliff. She still wouldn't look at him. She could see him peripherally.

"C'mon. Don't sell yourself short. You're more than support. You are my best friend right?" He held out his fist.

"Galen...you are getting on my nerves." Her voice was so low. It was like a cat's growl.

'Failed huh.' He thought to himself.

He lowered his fist. "Sorry. Just tryna make you feel better."

"Well, You're not." She was tired of talking to him. He didn't get how bad that felt.

'If only he understood how hurt I was. I need some peace."

Alexa was done and had no more to say. She put down her phone on the seat. Scooted a little closer to the window to create enough distance between them, then sucked in a deep breath and put her fingers in a box shape. Her barrier was up, but small enough to not bother anyone else on the bus. 

'Now I can get at least 2 minutes without him bothering me.'