Form of friendship 2

Amari and Apollo arrive at the treehouse that Amari lives in.

''This is where you live?''

''Yeah.''

''I actually thought you were joking about that. Where's your family?''

''I... ''

''He stays on his own.'' Conrad suddenly appears behind the tree.

''What are you doing here?'' Apollo turns to Amari while pointing at Conrad. ''What is he doing here?''

''He's right, I don't have a family like everyone in the city, I live alone.''

''I... didn't know that.''

''Now you do, so leave!''

''Why should he leave? I thought maybe he should stay and eat with us.''

''Why, we always eat alone.''

''I know, but he's a good guy.''

''Okay. I guess if you say so.''

Conrad starts setting up a picnic blanket and takes out food from an artifact. He neatly sets the food on the blanket, and calls everyone to join him for the feast. 

''You got pudding! I love pudding!'' Apollo shout excitingly.

He jumps to grabs the pudding, but Conrad slaps his hand.

''The pudding is for after we eat dinner.''

''That's dumb, I eat what I want to eat when I want to eat. Now give me that pudding.''

''Ugh you're so rude! Why did you invite this guy Amari, he obviously doesn't like following rules.''

''Rude? I don't know if you've noticed but we aren't eating in the palace, we're in the middle of the forest, so we can start eating anything we want.''

''No! around here we follow rules! Amari, please tell him!''

Before Amari could say a word, Apollo put his hand on his mouth.

''Don't say shit Amari. You think because you're the prince now you get to control the way we consume food?!''

''You shouldn't have invited this guy, Amari. He just destroys everything that he's part of!'' Conrad stands on his feet trying to intimidate Apollo.

''Listen prince, I won't listen to the likes of you! I'll eat what I want, whenever I want to! And you can either deal with it or cry!''

''Guys... We're supposed to be eating, not fighting.'' Amari comments while eating on a sirloin steak.

''Exactly, he started it!''

''Maybe you guys should just quietly then fight it out later.''

They both stare at Amari confused.

''What? Amari, that's not how you solve problems.''

''Why not? It's an easy way to solve them.''

''I agree with Amari we should just fight it out when we're done.''

''Of course, you would!''

''Then it's settled then, fight me after we're done.''

''I'm not fighting you!'' 

''Why not? You're scared you're going to lose?''

''I'm your prince! Don't you dare touch me!''

Conrad storms off and leaves, but Amari goes after him and stops him.

''Conrad, what's wrong?''

''Him?! I don't know why you thought it was a good idea to invite him!''

''I invited him because he said I was his friend, like how you are my friend too. I thought it would be a good idea to invite you too.''

''He obviously isn't your friend; he's only looking out for himself!''

''Who are you to judge me!''

''I wasn't talking to you so mind your own business.''

''You've been using Amari for your own good.''

''What are you talking about?''

''Don't play dumb with me... we all know you don't have real friends, and you've bribed Amari to be your genuine friend with these things.

''You don't know anything about me!'' Conrads's face becomes red in anger and his voice starts to sound more intimidating.

''You trying to intimidate me prince boy?''

Apollo steps up to Conrad to confront him and they both fiercely look at each other. 

''Guys!... I think everyone should just go back home.''

''Fine!'' Conrad turns around and leaves.

Apollo turns the other way and also leaves, but before he leaves, he snatches the container with the pudding and leaves with it.

''See you around Amari.'' He waves him goodbye.

Amari goes back to calmly eating his meal.

...

The following day after school Apollo is about to leave the school grounds, he is slowly walking behind Conrad who is heading to his carriage. Apollo looks at Conrad entering his carriage and they both lock eyes before the butler closes the door, and the carriage drives away but Apollo is focused on it.

''Conrad is a good person you know?''

Apollo turns to see Amari.

''He was just upset because he doesn't like you.''

''Tell me something I don't know.''

''Did you know he doesn't like you because you're stronger and smarter than him? He even told me that he bought new books and resources so he could beat you.''

''Why would he want to beat me? He's literally the prince, doesn't he have other prince things to focus on other than me?''

''I don't know, you should ask him yourself.''

''Why are you telling me this anyways.''

''I just had a feeling that you had to know.''

 Amari leaves Apollo standing there and leaves the school grounds. On his way home Apollo didn't know whether he should feel bad or be proud of what Amari told, what he heard was on his mind until he got home.

...

Later that afternoon Amari and Conrad have set up a picnic by their usual.

''Look, don't enjoy the sound of the river flow and the birds chirping along with the gushing wind.''

Amari smiles.

''What are you smiling about?''

He is giggling and looks towards the bushes and Apollo comes out carrying a basket of his own. 

''Not again...'' Conrad complains.

''Hey Apollo.''

''I didn't come here to fight, I just wanted to come eat with you guys.''

''Okay.''

''Amari...'' Conrad shakes his head.

''I get it if you guys don't want me to its fine, I'll go.''

''But I want you to come sit with us.''

''Really... you okay with that Conrad?''

Conrad stares at him with no reply.

'Come sit Apollo.'' Amari instructs.

Apollo awkwardly sits on the blanket and takes out what he has out of his basket.

''What's that nice smell.''

''What I can't smell anything.''

''You don't? It's coming from Apollo's basket. Let's see.''

''You must be talking about the pasta my mama made, you guys want to try it?''

''It tastes good!''

''You haven't even tasted it yet.''

Apollo hands out the spoons and opens the container for the to eat. Amari takes the first scoop and puts it in his mouth.

''Wow...wow! this is so good.''

''I know right? My mom's special chicken pasta.''

''It's so good! you should try it, Conrad! I've never had anything like it!''

''Never? It's better than the sirloin steak?''

''Try it! Try it!''

Conrad takes a scoop out the container and hesitantly shoves the pasta in his mouth. After chew a few times he swallows and lets out a sigh savor it's taste.

''It's so good...' he utters.

''I know right?!''

They smile at each other and start eating on the pasta.