"Friends. Right." Well, he knew what that meant. There was that sting again and the crushing emptiness beyond it. Rejection. "You don't want me to have anyone." He didn't even say it accusingly, it was a conclusion more than anything. The person he loved wanted him isolated from everyone. Probably locked away.

Kind of funny how life went. Kept repeating itself. Barty finished his coffee and stared at Sam. It was nice to be close to him, if nothing else.