Donta led the group across the parking lot to the burger place and took a large patio. As they sat down, the menus appeared under the surface of the glass table and Donta tapped an order of burger and fries, then turned to look at the coast.<br/><br/>So much had happened in the past few days. He had saved the school, and almost died in that short period. Never before did he ever even think of doing such a thing to stand out. He always ran out when fire alarms rang, looked the other way when he saw muggings in the street. He never joined any clubs or sports and rarely socialized at all because both he and his mother were worried his secret would get out. Now it was different. He had friends he could trust.<br/><br/>"Donta?"<br/><br/>He turned around to see Kate standing beside the table, pulling up a chair to sit beside him.<br/><br/>"What'cha guys up to?" she asked.<br/><br/>"Just ordered. You want anything?" he asked. Kate skimmed the menu and tapped a milkshake, making the menu vanish from the surface of the table.<br/><br/>"Thanks." she said. A lady wearing an apron came by and served the drinks, then went back inside the restaurant, "So I suppose you guys are here trying to keep your mind off of what happened?"<br/><br/>"Yeah I suppose. It's going well so far." he said.<br/><br/>"You call almost drowning 'going well'?" Osiph snapped from his arm device. He knew it was waterproof which is why he didn't bother taking it off, yet he was confused as to why she decided only now to say anything.<br/><br/>"You almost drowned?!" she gasped, "Are you alright?"<br/><br/>"I'm fine now." he said, "Kat and Angela saved me. I was lucky they were there."<br/><br/>"Angela helped save you?" she asked. She knew Angela to not like ferals much but as she glanced across the table at her, she seemed to be enjoying herself with them. Then there was an odd boy sitting across the table wearing an odd helmet. In fact, he seemed to be wearing some sort of armor, "Who's the kid?"<br/><br/>"I am not a child, miss." he said, "I am Cypher. An android." Again, another surprise. Being from the country, she had only heard of technology so advanced. It was a while before she caught herself staring.<br/><br/>"Donta, you have interesting friends." she said. This made Donta smile. The whole having friends thing really made him happy. His smile slowly faded when he heard a familiar van pull up to the restaurant. Then he smelled his mother's familiar scent before she rounded the corner in an almost frantic rush. She stopped to catch her breath once she saw them sitting around the table.<br/><br/>"Yes, Mom. I'm fine." he said before she asked. He knew she was overprotective and didn't have to ask how she knew about it. Osiph was probably staying silent because she told on him, yet it didn't matter. He patted the seat beside him and she walked over to sit down, not saying a word. Still, the screen she was carrying had his current vitals. He smiled softly to himself. She was that worried about him, yet didn't want to make a scene about it in front of his new friends.<br/><br/>"So you're Donta's mother? Hi, I'm Kate! I live next door." she said, holding out her hand across Donta. Rane took it and smiled,<br/><br/>"Yes, it's nice to meet you." she said, "Donta, won't you introduce me to the rest of your friends?"<br/><br/>"Sure. Mom, this is Angela and Katherine. They're both in my class. And this is Cypher." he said, "Everyone, this is my Mother, Rane."<br/><br/>"Oh, I've met Cypher. He came by this morning after you left for school." she said, "He just sent me an email about what happened. I was worried so I came over, but it looks like you're fine."<br/><br/>"I have good friends." he said. His mother smiled, her eyes welling.<br/><br/>"Yes. It's about time too." she said, "I should let you guys continue your afternoon." She went to get up but Donta caught her shoulder.<br/><br/>"Stay. Order something. I'm sure you won't embarrass me too much." he said. She nodded and turned on the menu to order something as Donta eyed Cypher from across the table, surprised it was him instead of Osiph who had told his mother.