Chapter Text
One week left of eleventh grade. When I lived in the big city, this would usually be the time when all the classes would go on field trips and such, but, in small towns with minimal funding, we get… a creek, and the occasional hike. Well, if the school DID have enough funding, we would probably be able to rent a bus and leave the valley for a bit, but I can dream.
It's Friday today, so me, Jette, Apollo, and Sol were going to go get ice cream after school and possibly have a sleepover to celebrate the end of the school year!
I hope it goes well. It's the first time in a while that we all could get together, Apollo and Jette always cancel at the last minute, so I often just get to chat with Sol.
I glance at the clock, and then at the teacher, who is rambling about asbestos fibers, even though our lesson has nothing to do with it. There's about 5 minutes until the bell rings for lunch break. I fidgetd with my fingers for a bit, then pondered what I should make for the final cooking free-bake project next week. Next block we get to start the brainstorming phase, but of course they never give us enough class time in class and I want to do the best I can in cooking. I have already gotten straight A’s in it for a while, so I want to keep it up!
I probably should pay more attention in science class, since I got a B in it last term, I'm pretty convinced Mr. Peony hates me, since he always seems to ignore me or tell me off whenever I ask a question. Poor Georgia, she has to put up with him all day every day, and to top it all off, deal with a divorce that everyone in town knows about, which is probably why he's so bitter.
BRRRRRRR
I jumped, the stupid bell always scares me, it sounds like one of those “wrong” buzzers on a gameshow, one that I am far too familiar with. It's so loud and obnoxious, but it IS my saviour, so I don't complain. I remember once Jette complained about it, and the principal changed it to the sound of a cow loudly mooing for a week, until everyone went insane and practically started a protest in front of the front office.
I grabbed my useless science books, and scurried out the door with Sol, who had been sitting a few rows behind me. We walked to our lockers together, him mumbling curses in Spanish about the teacher, that's how he usually communicates with me about stuff he doesn't want others hearing, but I don't really want to listen to even more rambling right now, I want to be outside in the fresh air.
I fiddle with my old lock, and eventually with some tugging, it comes open. I unzip my large blue backpack and grab my lunch, too lazy to zip my backpack back up. I close my locker with a slam, and we make our way to the courtyard.
I stroll through the tall grass courtyard, over to a table in the corner where me and my friends usually meet up.
Jette is sitting on the corner of the bench against the wall, listening to his iPod. Apollo is nowhere to be seen, but that's expected since his class this block is the furthest away.
“Hiya, Jette!”
I said enthusiastically, as I sat down next to him. Sol came after, and sat down on the opposite side.
He glanced back at me, made a little hmf of acknowledgement noise, and then went back to fiddling with the sting of his hoodie.
“Do you guys have any ideas for movies tonight?”
Sol asked.
I poked Jette, and he took his earbuds out.
“Huh?”
“Oh, I was asking about movies tonight, I should pick one up from the dvd shop after ice cream. Do you have any suggestions?”
“I mean gladiator just came out, we could watch that.”
I winced, “yeah NO that came out like last year, and I don't really wanna watch a super violent movie. What about spirited away? I know Sol would like that.”
The spotted skinned boy beamed, and started profusely nodding.
“ I wonder if Apollo would like it, I know he's not super into movies, but I know he has a true appreciation for art, and anime often has very beautiful art, especially studio Ghibli's productions!”
Jette rolled his eyes at Sol's little obsession.
“Speaking of Apollo, where is he? He usually is here about now. I don't think he has any clubs today.”
Sol now looked quite concerned, and started doing his little nervous tic, flicking his leg.
“Why don't we check the library? Sometimes he goes there during lunch.”
I tried, maybe he will be there.
I mean, what could he be doing? There's not much to do by yourself in a small town like this. He's probably just speaking with a teacher. Apollo usually doesn't stay 20 minutes though.
“Sure, let me just wrap my lunch up though, the library doesn't let you bring in food or drink.”
He stopped flicking himself, finally I could see Jette getting slowly more agitated at the noise.
Sol tucked away his lunch, and hastily led the way through the courtyard, and towards the measly library.
I had to poke Jette again before he lazily followed behind me and Sol.
We silently walked through the hallways, a large contrast between us and our environment’s sound level. It is pretty expected from a k-12 school, all the loud little kids, and teen boys combined forces to create the ultimate loud experience.
We walk into the small, one-room library. Nobody there except for a slightly grumpy Librarian that in reality, isn't quite so bad if you bring up anything insect related.
But, still no Apollo.
“Hm, maybe we could check the cooking classroom? I believe he was there last block.”
I muttered, as I grabbed one of my arms with the other.
Sol nodded. “Yeah, his last class was cooking.”
Of course he would know that.
Jette took an extra look in the library, just to check.
This time, I lead the way, Sol losing a bit of hope and lurking behind me.
We arrived at the home of delicious scents and foods, my favorite place in the whole school, it embraces almost as many cultures as socials, if not more. I peek my head into the room, and spot Mx. Baker, but no Apollo.
“Excuse me, Mx. Baker, have you seen Apollo? We can't find him anywhere.”
They thought about it for a bit, their forefinger pressed against their freckled chin.
“I believe he just left here at the usual dismissal. Sorry, can't help. Have you checked the library maybe?”
“Yeah, we just got back from there. Thanks for your help though!”
I glanced back at Sol, who was standing in the doorway, and shook my head.
Sol looked completely defeated.
We walked back to the courtyard together, but still missing one person.
And of course, there was Apollo, sitting straight up. Playing with his ginger hair. He smelled slightly of vomit? That's never good when it comes to cooking class.
“Where were you?”
Sol snorted.
He tilted his head “I was just talking to Mx. Baker after class about the final project. Were you looking for me?”
“YES, of course! Why wouldn't we be looking for you? You were gone for half an hour!” Sol took a breath to calm down, and sat down next to Apollo, and put his head on his shoulder. Apollo looked quite unengaged.
That's weird.
“We were discussing what to watch tonight, we sorta landed on spirited away, is that okay with you?”
Apollo nodded softly.
Jette checked his watch, “You know, there's only like 5 minutes left until the end of break, we should probably wrap up.” he grunted.
Oh yeah, I've got cooking next.
BRRRR
There goes the end-of-day bell.
I step out of my previous class and head over to the bike racks in front of the office. We always meet there after school. I passed many posters before stopping by my locker. I pulled open the door, grabbed my backpack, and wrote down some notes for cooking on my schedule.
Flower - pressed - shortbread – cookies!
I write, my tongue sticking out as I write on the dry erase board.
Off to the bike racks now!
I joyously slam my locker, and strut towards the front of the school.
The light struck me like a cannon ball.
There's Jette leaning against the rack, Sol pacing around, and Apollo sitting in the overgrown grass, picking daisies.
I bolted towards them, no longer able to contain my excitement.
Jette stumbled, seeing me run over so fast.
“Eep!!! I'm so excited to get ice cream with you guys!” I hugged Jette tightly and he just stood there awkwardly.
“Especially you, you never come with us!” I booped Jette on the nose, softly.
He looked very flustered, his dark cheeks reddening.
“He-hey! I'm busy often!”
“Really, with what? Playing guitar and sulking?”
I giggled, and turned to Sol, who was helping Apollo up from the grass.
“Jeez, you gotta be careful Apollo! This is tick country.”
Apollo stared blankly at Sol before nodding slightly and walking in the direction of the ice cream shop.
What an odd kid
Me and Jette followed behind Sol and Apollo.
“Watcha gonna get?”
I asked Jette politely.
“Chocolate moose.”
I smiled slightly.
He gets that every time.
We walked side by side quietly after that.
We arrived at the ice cream shop soon after, I could see Sol pointing at one of the buckets as Apollo happily watched.
We got close enough to hear them chatting, well, mostly Sol talking.
“I'm so excited to have a sleepover with you tonight! It's been a while.”
“Mhm”
“What ice cream you getting?”
Apollo thought about it for a bit, enough time for me and Jette to get there.
“I don't think I'll get anything today, I'm trying to cut down on my sugar intake.”
Apollo vaguely smiled
“Oh come on! Just once? I'll pay.”
“No no, it's really fine.”
“Oh well, maybe next time! ”
I smiled at the cashier.
“Could I get one strawberry ice cream, and a chocolate moose?”
“What? You don't have to pay.”
Jette looked quite taken aback but smiled as he spoke.
“Nope! It's on me this time.”
“Thanks…”
The cashier looked between us
“That'll be 12,20 please!”
I handed them a 20$ bill.
“Your change is 7,80”
They handed me a 5$ bill, a toonie, three quarters, a nickel, and two ice cream cones.
Me and Jette sat down at a four person table, it was in the corner of the patio, and had a large umbrella that blocked out the warm afternoon sun.
Sol was still deciding on an ice cream, while Apollo was patiently waiting for him.
“How was school today?” I rest my chin on my hand.
“Shit as always.”
“Aw, why?”
“Everyone hates me.”
I tilted my head slightly.
“I don't hate you.”
He looked up from his cone, and right into my eyes, a rare thing from him. They were dark and sad, the eyes of someone who has seen a lot. And then he looked away, back at Sol, who had finally chosen a flavor of like the six, and was now paying.
Sol skipped over to the table, Apollo following not too far behind, and we all sat down together.
“Hmmmm, what is the most random complement you have ever gotten?”
Sol tried, spoon ice cream into his face.
“Ooo, I've got one! Once, this girl complimented the way I laugh, she said it reminded her of a sunset.”
I giggled, then looked at my friends.
“I mean that's not THAT weird, what would you consider normal?” Sol pondered
“I don't know, maybe someone commenting on my thighs?”
“That is NOT normal, girl.”
“W-what? Why not?”
“Isn't that like –gross? Don't you think?”
“No? I don't think so…”
“Oh- okay.”
Sol looked a little awkward now, but still continued looking for people to answer.
“Someone once called me a horse, I thought it was an insult at first. When I asked them to elaborate, they said it was because I could stand outside in a snow storm, and by the end I would push right through. I don't really know how to feel about that.”
Jette muttered in a monotone voice.
Apollo coughed, “someone told me that my cooking reminded them of their grandmother’s, I think it's an honor that I could recreate such a loved memory for someone.” Apollo looked at Sol.
Sol nodded, in satisfaction.
“Someone complimented me on the fact my heart beatted, They said that it meant I was alive and healthy.” Sol tried.
Jette had bitten the bottom of his ice cream cone, forgotten about it while looking at Sol, so it was now dripping everywhere
“That's so weird!”
“Jette, your cone–!”
“Shit.”
He struggled with his cone, but finally figured it out, sucking the bottom. After a bit, we all finished up, and threw out the napkins on our way out.
We walked to the dvd shop together, Sol and Jette debating about what the best movies are, and I walked alongside Apollo.
We turned a corner, and the shop came into view.
Sol pushed open the door with a jingle, and the worker greeted us. Sol immediately knew where spirited away was, so the trip was pretty fast.
Soon enough we were at Sol's apartment, and the movie was over.
Sol had set up some big bean bags for us all to sit on in front of the tv, maybe to sleep on later too.
Apollo had unfortunately gotten bored of the movie halfway through, and decided to start cooking dinner in Sol’s kitchen, the space not being to foreign to him. By the time the movie was done, dinner was done too.
“Colcannon! My grandmother taught me this one.”
Sol shoveled mass amounts of mashed potato in his mouth.
“HOLY MOLY, APOLLO THIS IS AMAZING!”
Apollo practically blushed at that.
We all eagerly devoured our food, giving our compliments to Apollo. It is getting dark now, and the sun was splashing it's warm colours across the room. We giggled and smiled together, talking about nothing in particular.
“What are your guys' plans for summer break? Are you going back to your family?”
Sol eventually asked.
Apollo piped up first, breaking the awkward silence we all hate.
“I'm going back with Jay, to my grandmother’s I will probably be spending most of my break there, since the school encourages the dorm kids to leave.”
Sol smiled at Apollo,
“I'll be spending some time back at home with my siblings, although my parents will probably be a bit busy, I won't see them much.”
Jette and me both didn't want to speak yet, but my stares eventually got him to speak.
“School is kicking me out for break, so I'll have to go home. My brother probably doesn't want to see me, he's too much of a fucked wreck to care if I go missing or not, so I'll probably sneak out to his ex wife's place, Birdie. She treated me better than my own flesh and blood.”
“What about you Meena? Suppose you have a nice loving family to go back to.”
He flicked his wrist at me, it reminded me of some I don't want to think about right now.
“I actually can't go back this year, Anaya usually welcomes me, but of course she lives in Spain, and neither of us can afford the fight tickets right now. I hope next break I'll have saved enough to see her and her husband.”
“At least you didn't have to grow up in poverty. I bet it was nice.”
Jette giggled, innocently
Ouch
I nodded awkwardly, and Sol tried to change the subject.
“It's uh, getting pretty late, we should probably get ready for bed.”
Sol was probably the only one getting changed.
Sleepover ritual, heh.
As Sol got changed, we sorted out who was sleeping where. Me on the far left, Jette next to me, then Apollo, and Sol.
I fluffed up my side of the blankets, and jumped under the covers, staring into Jette's face, who was quietly watching me. We smiled a little, and so did I, teeth and all.
Apollo reached his hands out to the ceiling, stretching his wrists.
“I've been over thinking about the little end of year party, I'm a little worried I'll over eat right before the parties and gain way too much weight after the party, all the food and stuff there, and I don't wanna miss out on it, it's the whole thing.”
I peaked over Jette, who also looked a little confused.
“I- You- It's okay… you don't have to do anything for the party you know, it's supposed to be fun.”
Instead of comfort, he looked even more stressed.
“Sorry, I don't mean to worry you guys- it's not like that. I just don't want to slip up.”
Before I could say anything, Sol came back, and loudly stated his presence. He also switched off all the lights, before crawling onto his bean bag and almost immediately dozing off in the dark.
It was almost pitch black, but the few street lamps outside lit up the room in a cool tone, just bright enough for me to make out the form of Jette's face by my side. He watched me intensely, like a macaw studying human speech, and trying to regurgitate it.
I replied with a little “hmf” noise, before tucking my head under his chin, and falling asleep.