"Hey babe," said an unfamiliar, yet familiar voice.
"Hey?" I replied, trying to figure out that contradiction.
"Just got back from my dad's promotion celebration dinner and needed some emotional support."
"What happened?" I asked, instinctively concerned.
"Urg, just the usual," he sighed, "My mom was nagging me about dating you again. He was going on about how I should be dating one of the footballers like that jerk Biff. Just because he did it when he was my age and 'cause I'm one of the popular crowd like he was in high school and...urg...at least dad shut him down and said I should go for someone I like, but then mom argued I should be like someone else and how I'm too good for you and..." He trailed off and I could tell he was holding back tears.
"Hey babe," I replied, "Don't cry. I can...umm...I can fix this."
"Y-you mean the stone?" he whispered, "But it's too dangerous, what if it goes wrong?"
"I'm sure it'll be okay," I lied.
