Halfway to Derek's house, Tom figured out what that nagging sadness feeling was. It was loneliness. Unknown to him, the disease that he had contracted from Derek (CTS) was slowly transforming his mind to make him act and think more like Derek. And Derek was a very lonely person. He had no friends and no one wanted to be his friend. Tom understood that. Who would want to be friends with an emo? But slowly, Tom began to feel the same way.
Hearing a roaring car engine approaching, Tom turned his head. Even in the dimming light, he could still recognize the car. It belonged to Steve Farber.
Not wanting to be seen, Tom shoved his fingerless-gloved hands into his pockets and hung his head low, so that his hair draped across his face.
As Steve drove by, he yelled out "Hey, fag! Get off the street!" Then Tom heard laughter from at least two other guys, probably riding in Steve's car.
After they had gone past him, Tom tilted his head up a bit and watched the car's brake lights come on, as it made a turn onto Main Street.
Why do they have to be so mean? Tom thought. But then he remembered that that was him just a few hours ago. He made fun of Derek. He even began to beat him up. How could he have been so cruel?
Then he began to realize that that's how he would be treated from now on. A single tear escaped one of his black-lined eyes. He needed to see Derek as soon as possible. He didn't like being alone. He didn't like being teased. He wanted a friend.
