Drop Out

[catchacold]

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[mostlyajerk]

I wasn't expecting you would, Barry. Don't worry about that. He's not taking anything from you, is he?

[gotspeed]

No, he just made me look like an idiot and I inhaled some dodgy smoke.

I did punch him in the face though. I defended your honour!

[mostlyajerk]

I'm sorry. About the first part, the punching is really good, I wanted to do that.

[gotspeed]

Oh yeah, it was going really well, I looked pretty badass!

... until I got on my knees.

[mostlyajerk]

What, why? Are you okay, Barry?

[gotspeed]

Fine! Yeah, no, I'm good. It got a little weird, creepy and kinda awkward but then it got better then the exhaust went off in my face and they drove off.

I'm sorry about all of this, I feel so bad.

[mostlyajerk]

I'm sorry, I'm just glad nothing happened to you. You should stay away from them and definitely from me. I'm sorry I got you involved in this, Barry.

[gotspeed]

We have to stay away from each other?

I thought we were going to stay friends.

[mostlyajerk]

That doesn't seem prudent, the way things are going now.

I want you to be safe.

[gotspeed]

I AM safe. You're not. You need a friend. And I want to be there for you.

Look, it's going to be okay. We can fix this.

[mostlyajerk]

I was weak for a moment and that led to all this. It's safer to stay away from you, Barry.

I like you too much.

[gotspeed]

I hate that this could get you into so much trouble. I don't want to lose you. I like having you in my life.

And I like you too.

[mostlyajerk]

I'm not a coward. Please don't think I am. I'd just lose everything. I don't care about the money or my position or power, but I only have one family.

[gotspeed]

I understand, I'd never want to cost you that.

I'll back off. I can do that. But if you ever need me, come to me. And hey, we could still text and stuff? Nothing incriminating. Just a hi sometimes :)

[mostlyajerk]

I'd like that.

I'm sorry. It's not as if I have a lot of time to be a good friend anyway.

[gotspeed]

I don't know. You have no time all the time and you're still a great friend.

You're too harsh on yourself.

[mostlyajerk]

I think I'm smarter than almost everyone, so I don't know about that.

What are your plans for the future, Barry? You said you wanted to work for the police.

[gotspeed]

You know you're smart and brilliant but you don't think you're much of a person people would want around. You're wrong.

I want to be a CSI. Hence the AP chem lessons.

[mostlyajerk]

I don't know. I suppose if you want me around, others might too. My sister's a big fan as well.

You'd be great at that. I mean, you could excel anywhere. Solving crimes is worthwhile though.

[gotspeed]

You have a little sister? That's so cool. How old is she?

I want to help solve crimes. It all I've ever wanted to do, I want to help people and get justice, it's important. Though I am super tempted to go hang out at STAR labs and do my internship there this summer. Dr. Wells did offer.

[mostlyajerk]

She's two, she's tiny. She wants me to come home straight after school every day. She doesn't cry if I don't, she just gets really sad.

Wow. I wish I could work with Dr. Wells one day. You're so lucky. You deserve it, but still.

[gotspeed]

That's so adorable! I'll make sure you can always get home on time for her if I can. She deserves you time.

I can put a good word in for you, if you want.

[mostlyajerk]

She is adorable. She likes my music too, she's the only other person I've written songs for.

No, I have to work with Rathaway Industries. Obviously.

[gotspeed]

You write songs? Dude, that's amazing. Can you show me some time? ... Covertly? Top secret music sharing!

Oh. I forgot. Damn. I'm sorry!

[mostlyajerk]

The song I played today, I wrote that for you.

It's okay. My future has been mapped out since I was born. There's security in that. It's not a bad future.