HENRY'S POV

"Hi Willow."I greeted her as I sat down at our usual table in the library.

Ever since we became closer we made it a thing for us to have lunch at the library together. We didn't have any common classes so it was the only time we got to hang out other than at the arcade, where she was working most of the time.

"Yeah, hi."She mumbled without lifting her eyes off the paper in front of her.

I frowned because on a normal day she was always cheerful or sassy but never dismissive and dull.

"Are you okay?"I asked retrieving my lunch from my bag.

"Yes."She replied in auto mode.

"Are you sure?"I insisted noticing how she was chewing her lip nervously.

"Uh-huh."She responded absent mindedly.

I let her be for five minutes until I realized she was too lost in whatever was disturbing her. She was not eating, she hadn't said a word to me since I sat down or even looked at me. Risking her wrath, I pulled the paper she was glaring at away from her line of view.

"Hey I was looking at that."She scolded before her eyes widened in surprise."Henry? When did you get here?"She inquired looking shocked.

"A while ago? What's wrong?"I demanded softly wanting to know knowing what was eating her up.

She rubbed her hands over her face before she sighed.

"I'm just having a rough day that's all. I mean it's like everything today has been designed to test and break me. First of all Jack got sick yesterday and I was scared Charlie and I would catch what he had so I pumped us full of antivirals which made Charlie extra irritable this morning. My mom and I got into an altercation about Thanksgiving, she wants us to travel to see Robert's family for the holidays but I refused which caused a huge fight that lasted a while. Then when I finally got to class late, that crazy bitch Miss Johnson gave me a hard time. She actually gave me a pop quiz all on my own as punishment. To top it all off I just remembered Charlie has a science fair this Friday and I promised to help but I have no idea what project he'll do yet I have only three days. So yeah it's been a terrible day so far."She ranted out.

She looked better after letting it all out, making the saying, a problem shared is a problem half solved idiom true. I passed her my juice which she took gladly and helped herself to a big swig.

"Jack called to tell me he was okay and to check up on you to make sure you aren't sick too. I'm sorry about your mom and Miss Johnson. About the science fair project not to gloat but I've won a few trophies over the years and would be happy to help you come up with a great idea for your brother."I suggested hoping to ease her worry.

She met my gaze and a smile finally graced her pretty face.

"You sure?"She asked looking uncertain.

"Totally, since neither of us can work at our homes properly, we can meet up at the arcade later and brainstorm."I assured her.

"That would be perfect. Jack did cancel my shift today and Charlie has a sleepover later so it will be perfect."She concurred.

"Great, now wipe that frown off your face and let's eat out lunch as we start thinking of some ideas."I recommended.

"You Henry are a life saver. Thank you."She grinned.

"What are friends for?"I shrugged happy to be of help to her just like she had been to me many times before.

After school let out I drove to the arcade to help Willow out as promised. As I walked into the building I found myself smiling when memories of Halloween flooded my mind. A few weeks had already passed since that day but the memories were still fresh like it just happened. I'd given into Willow's request of drinking with her halfheartedly but I found myself enjoying it immensely. We'd gotten drunk as we played games until we couldn't form coherent thoughts anymore. We passed out on the sofa after a wonderful night. Drunk Willow was just as fun as sober Willow if not more.

Being with Willow as her friend was one of the best things to ever happen to me. She listened, cared, made me laugh and was always there ready to help if she could. I had been looking for a place to belong for a very long time and for the first time in a while Willow made me feel like I belonged with her, by her side. She didn't like dating white dudes as she had made it so clear many times before so I would not dare ask her out. She would turn me down, it would get awkward and I'd loose a really great friend so I would keep my feelings to myself.

"Willow."I called out when I didn't find her by the counter.

Her car was parked out front and the door was unlocked so she was definitely in.

"In the den."She yelled back further inside the arcade.

I got myself a pack of doritos from the vending machine before joining her. I'd never really liked Doritos before but it was the first snack Willow and I shared so it had grown on me.

I found her seated cross legged on the floor her laptop on her lap, her hair tied back away from her face in an afro. She really was beautiful, too bad she could never be mine.

"Hey."I greeted as I dumped my bag on the sofa and joined her on the floor.

"Hi."Willow replied without looking up.

I was close enough to read what was on her laptop screen and I saw that she was researching science fair projects online.

"You'll never get anything good online."I informed her.

"I'm starting to think that you're right. I've been searching for a while and everything here is so basic and probably overdone. Charlie doesn't have to win but I want his project to stand out."She replied.

"I personally came up with a bunch of good ideas but I specifically like one if you're up for it."I suggested.

"The floor is yours."Willow answered putting her laptop away.

"You see in black panther how T'challas suit is able to absorb kinetic energy from all the hits he gets then repels it to use it against his enemies?"

"Yeah but Vibranium is not real so we can't build a suit."Willow reasoned.

"I know and that's not what I was driving at. I was suggesting that we build a device to harness all the energy that Charlie's wheelchair uses. We can then use the same energy to power it so that it can move faster or use it to charge other devices like a phone."I finalized hoping she understood the basics of what I was proposing.

"Wow, that's a really good idea but do we have the materials and the time to finish it by Friday?"Willow asked.

"I've done the math and yes, the materials needed are pretty basic and we'll have to work late for the next few days but we will be able to do it."I assured her.

"That's perfect, let's start now."She cheered.

"I like the enthusiasm but we have to draw the plans first."I chuckled.

"Fine, you lead and I'll follow."She suggested and I nodded.

I grabbed her laptop and used it to go online to do all the research needed to start the project. It was a little ambitious but it was also going to be fun working with Willow.

She started working on the board Charlie would need to explain the whole project.

After working together for an hour I noticed that Willow was zoning out a lot and she still looked troubled. It was eating me up knowing she was holding don't in so I manned up to ask her what was wrong.

"Willow?" I called out to get her attention.

"Mmh."She replied looking up to meet my gaze.

"Are you okay?"I asked.

"Yeah, why?"She answered trying to bury her emotions.

"I feel like you didn't tell me everything at the library. There's still something eating at you, what is it?"I insisted.

Anyone else would think that she was okay but I'd spent the last few weeks mesmerized by her face so I learnt how to read her emotions. Something was stressing her out because every few minutes she would get a lost look in her eyes but she'd snap out of it just as quick. We'd already solved Charlie's science fair dilemma so whatever it was had to be something bigger.

"If I say nothing because you really can't help will you let it go?"She asked looking at me with sadness filling her amber eyes.

"Yes because I respect your decision but even if I can't help I'd still like to know so I can share the burden. That's what friends are for right?"I replied.

Willow thought about it for a minute before she sighed.

"Charlie's birthday is on thirtieth and I'd promised myself that for his birthday, I'd have enough money to pay for the surgery that he needs to finally be able to walk normally. I checked my balance yesterday and I realized that I'm short of the money needed. Jack pays me well but not enough and I can't afford to take a second job because of school so Charlie won't be getting the surgery."She explained.

Her voice was so sad, all I wanted to do was pull her in for a hug and never let her go. My heart went out to her and what she was going through but she was right, there wasn't much I could do to help her out. I'd offer the money but I was saving up for my escape plan and she'd probably not accept any money from me anyway.

"Why doesn't your mom pay for the surgery or Robert?"I inquired.

"That selfish bitch would have Charlie dead if she could have her way. Robert on the other hand knows that Charlie is permanently disabled as my mom let him believe. Telling him the truth would cause problems with my mom and his plate is already full with her. I'd also not like him to view us as a charity case."She replied.

I hummed in response as I mulled over the right way to reply so I could offer some comfort to her.

"Does Charlie know of what you had planned for him?"

"No I wanted it to he a surprise. He would have loved it."

"If he doesn't know then you're not really breaking any promise. I know you wanted it to be his birthday gift but you're doing all this on your own so give yourself some leeway. There's still time for you to save up and come up with the money. Charlie will still love it, even if it isn't his birthday gift."I consoled hoping I had helped.

Willow looked at me with an unreadable face as she thought about what I'd said.

"You really are wise beyond your years Henry, thank you. I'm glad I told you, I feel so much better now and you're right; Charlie will like it no matter what time it happens."Willow said with a smile of her face.

It was the first genuine one she had given me all day so I smiled back happy to have helped.

"My pleasure, now let's back to working on this. Charlie has to win that fair."I declared.

"I'll order a pizza first, I'm famished."Willow replied as she pulled out her phone.

Half an hour later we pushed our work aside as we shared a pizza and soda.

"Can I ask you something? It's completely random and a little personal so it's okay if you don't want to answer."Willow asked.

"Shoot."I replied picking another slice from the box.

Willow looked unsure of what she wanted to ask me because her gaze kept straying but she eventually made up her mind.

"What's your deal?"She rushed out as if she was embarrassed to even be asking me that.

I looked at her confused not understanding her question.

"What do you mean by what's my deal?"

"Like are you into girls, dudes, both, neither?"She clarified and I nearly choked on my pizza.

She was right, that was definitely random and personal. I thought it was obvious I was straight but the doubt in Willow's eyes was showing that I was doing a poor job of showing a preference.

Willow continued before I had a chance to reply.

"I'm sorry for asking its just that I've never seen you show interest in someone. There are no naked pictures of women or guys on your bedroom walls. You never talk about dating and I've never seen you look at my boobs even once or caught you checking me out. Not to blow my own horn but there a lot to look at but you just never seem interested. So you're either not into black girls or you like boys."She expounded.

I wanted to be offended that Willow was asking all these questions but she looked embarrassed enough asking me that for me to even be mad at her.

"I look."I blurted out.

"What?"

"I do check you out, I just don't make it blatantly obvious to avoid offending you."I replied.

"So you're into girls?"

"Yes I like girls and I don't discriminate by skin color. I had a girlfriend in freshman year but she was an exchange student so we broke up after she moved back home. Since her I haven't dated much because no one has really captured my interest since then."I explained.

Not until you, I wanted to add but I kept that part to myself.

"Thanks for telling me and again I'm sorry for putting you on the spot like that."She apologized.

"It's okay."I assured her.

We continued eating in silence until a question I'd wanted to ask for a while popped into my mind.

"Since we're talking about dating, do you mind if I ask you a question of my own."I inquired.

"Sure, it's only fair."She replied.

"You've stated time and again that you don't date white guys. Why is that? Do they turn you off or do you just prefer dating black guys only."I asked.

"Definitely went for the kill huh?"She chuckled.

I shrugged hoping she'd answer me.

"Well you've met my mom so you know my dad is white. The whole story of my conception is a long one that I'll share during another time. But the short version is that my dad is a rich bastard who denied me and my mom immediately he found out she was pregnant because she was poor and would not fit into his sophisticated life. He's Charlie's dad too because my mom was unable to resist his charms when they met again when I was ten. He denied Charlie too proving that he really was a dickhead. My mom has married one white guy after another and none of them were any good. I don't like dating white guys because I don't have a good example of any nice ones who are worth dating and investing my emotions on."She concluded wiping a tear from the corner of her eye.

It hurt me to see Willow so broken. Before I could stop myself I found myself tugging her towards me and hugging her. It was awkward as we were both seated but we made it work. Willow hugged me back as I rubbed her back to console her.

"You are great and your dad doesn't deserve you as a daughter. It's his loss from missing out on knowing the greatest, most loving and loyal girl I've ever known. You will find your person Willow, whether black or white. When the time comes you won't even have to question about their skin tone because in your heart you will know they are the right one for you."I whispered.

I desperately wanted to be that person for her but it had to be her choice not mine.

"Thanks Henry."Willow sniffed hugging me tighter before we let go of each other.

She wiped her tears, gave me a small smile and strong Willow was back. I was always in awe of her strength but having her expose her weakness to me made me like her even more because it showed that she trusted me.

It sucked that we both had messed up lives but I was glad that in the midst of all the chaos we found each other and could be friends. I had no idea what the future would hold for us but for the moment I was content being her friend and confidant.