The Project (Eacker x Philip) [Pheacker]

Chapter Eight: The Only Friend I Need

Philip couldn't get one thing off of his mind. Eacker. He was going to visit his parents before his classes start. One thing that has changed... Eacker follows him more often. He reviewed what they've written so far, passing all the students rushing by. Eacker hummed, following Philip. He didn't question it, though. It was kind of nice.

"I guess..." Philip said out loud.

"Hmm?" Eacker looked at him.

"O-Oh, uh, nothing, sorry." Philip apologized. Eacker nodded, looking directly ahead, again. A student passed by, knocking Philip's papers on the ground. Philip let out a quiet sigh, letting it slide.

"Hey, Eacker." one of the students said. Two other students followed the other one. Eacker looked at them, not even knowing who they were.

"And who the hell are you?" he asked. He was salty and rude around everyone except Philip.

"We're your friends, right?"

"... I don't even know who the hell you are." Eacker didn't like this one bit.

"Well, want to be friends?" they seemed less... nice than the other students.

"Uh..."

"Come on, let's beat the poor Pip up for his money~! Friends, right~?" Philip's eyes widened a bit, quickly looking at Eacker, now. Eacker looked back at Philip, not saying anything; but the way he looked at him... was unsettling.

"D-Don't you dare, George... no... let's no go back to that, again..." Philip thought.

"Nah, I don't think so." Eacker said, rudely. He didn't agree...?

"Ah, he's been hanging around the dork for so long, he's become a dork." one of them pushed Eacker, walking away. The rest followed.

"And they just walk by without putting up a fight? I hate this place, I swear." Eacker rolled his eyes.

"Y-You didn't att-ttack me...?" Philip asked, getting on his knees and picking up the papers, finally.

"No. Never." Eacker got down on his knees, too, helping him.

"Y-You used to..." There were so many questions Philip had.

"Used to." Eacker said quietly.

"I-I don't know what made you change..." Philip whispered, sighing.

"...because you're the only friend I need." Eacker smiled. Philip blushed light-pink, looking at him.

"..." he started to smile, too.

"Plus, no one here is really... 'friendly'. No one would get me like you do, either." Eacker said. Philip crawled over to him, hugging him. Eacker blushed red, hugging him back.

"Thank you..."