The two characters on either side of Lightning are (left to right) Running River ("River") and Rock Chocolate ("Rocky"). They are his best friends, and practically his only friends…
I know it probably wouldn't be relevant in the tags, but I still feel like saying; Running River is lesbian, and Rock Chocolate is very heterosexual.
When I think about it, the two of them really resemble my two old best friends, Katryna and Zachary… Well, we're still friends… We just aren't all together anymore… I still stay in touch with Katryna… She's nice… I miss my friends……