Chapter Text
Stargazing Chapter 2
There was no doubt about it, she was changing.
Anne came to this sudden realization while driving Bessie down the road to Newtopia, It was only their first day of travel.
Right now she was driving the Fwagon (The name was growing on her, admittedly like a Mold but still) Hop Pop had decided that it would probably cover more distance if they drove in shifts. He had done so reluctantly, clearly, he was a little skeptical from yesterday. In his defense, he had almost died.
Bessie was going forward. Anne wondered if Bessie could drive herself. The old snail only needed directions once in a while, despite her theory Anne kept an eye on her at all times.
This was just proof that she was changing, a month ago she might have let Bessie go her own way and spend time looking at her phone, Now she was making sure the Snail kept on the road not getting distracted by anything.
Frog help her, She was becoming more responsible.
But that's wasn't the only thing, She was starting to like this world.
She had to get back to earth, She needed to get back to earth, but that was the problem, A few days ago she realized something that scared her. She hadn't thought of her parents in a week. That scared her more than any monster. That night she had a nightmare, she was back home she entered the door to her house she saw her parents standing in front of her, However, they didn't recognize her, they thought she was someone else, they kicked her out and threatened to call the police. she woke up after that,
She spent the night with Sprig that night. She had tricked him into thinking that he was having a nightmare and that she wanted to make sure he was alright. Sprig brought the story, Though part of her wondered if Sprig was smart enough to know she was just lonely and needed a friend, that would be so like him.
She realized just how much she had come to love him and the Plantars in the last few days.
Anne looked to the sky, She still hadn't gotten a book on astrology, she should start learning them, their names at least, but was reluctant to do so, knowing the stars' names might just show that she was starting to actually like this place.
Three months ago if asked she would have told you she hated this world and everything in it, the frog's hatred her, the wildlife was trying to kill her, and she despised how unclean she felt every day, (The Plantars needed a bigger shower)
Now, She considered almost everyone in town her friend, the wildlife was now a challenge she looked forward to.
She still wanted to feel clean though.
She didn't want to admit the truth. She was scared, she was changing and was worried over who that person was becoming and who her friend had become.
Her nightmares had changed as well.
No longer were they about being stuck in this world, or her parent's rejection.
They were about Sasha.
There were two variants of this dream, the first was that she didn't stand up to Sasha, That her best friend of many years ended Hop Pop's life.
The other was from when the tower fell, Sasha let go and Grime didn't save her, the blonde girl hit the ground and didn't move. She didn't go to sprig over those dreams, She didn't know how he'd react.
Those dreams made it hard for her to think of her Ex-best friend the same anymore, Was she an enemy who wanted to control her and destroy what little she had gained in this world? Or was she the person who stood up for her friend and was willing to give up her life to save her? She didn't go to her new family about this, after what Sasha had done they might have been glad of her nightmares, It was stupid to think that but still.
The even worse part is that Anne had understood, the part of Sasha who she loved who always stood up for her friends, who watched stupid tv shows with was just a part of her. The other Sasha, the one who wanted to control her, the one who made her steal. She was that Sasha was well.
Was it so wrong that she didn't notice how terrible she was before?
She wondered if Marcy had changed, if she was still alive that was.
Anne held back her tears. She didn't want the Plantars worrying about her, Her fear for her friends her fear of change, her fear of coming to love this world, it was a lot for a thirteen-year-old girl to handle.
,
The hatch on the roof hatch behind her opened, Anne turned to see Hop Pop and Sprig coming from the Fwagon.
“It's been four hours Anne, I'll take over,” said Hop Pop.
Anne rolled her eyes, She knew Hop Pop was still keeping an eye on her after everything that happened earlier today, It was just one ancient ruin that turned out to be more than they expected.
“Okay Hop Pop, She said Handing over Bessie's reigns to Hop Pop
Anne stepped back and sat down on the roof.
“Hey Sprig, What ya up to,” she asked.
“Nothing much, I'm going to use the telescope to see if we can see Wartwood.”
“We might be a little too far by now,” replied Hop Pop
Anne sighed.
“Anything wrong Anne?” asked Hop Pop.
“Nothing it's just..., You said you left the valley once, right?”
Hop Pop laughed, “Yep, I remember like It was yesterday, I experienced more out there than I ever could in the valley.”
“Why'd you go back then?”
Hop Pop was quiet for a moment, “I guess you can you say, I failed.”
Anne felt guilty instantly.
“Sorry,” she said.
“It's not a problem, I got over it, I mean to be honest It was pretty rough, But I met Sprig and Polly's grandmother and I made friends at Wartwood, Heck I made kept the stands good reputation, I guess I didn't to badly.”
“Huh,” said Anne.
There was an awkward silence for a few seconds until Hop Pop interrupted it, “Anne is everything okay?”
Anne was quiet for a few more seconds before sighing “No, It's just... Hop Pop, Sprig do you think I've changed?”
“Well not that I can see but I don't know how Humans go through puberty,” Said Hop Pop
“No, gross,” said Anne said laughing a little, Sprig stuck out his tongue, Anne had tried to explain Puberty to him and he tried to blot out the memory.
“Sorry Anne, What do you mean” Asked Hop Pop.
I mean... do you think my parents would recognize me when I get home?” she said her voice wavering on the work home. “I just worry that they're going to see me and well they won't see their daughter anymore, Just this different person who alien to them.
The road was silent for a while.
“Anne, I don't know,” said Hop Pop.
“Okay, Thanks hop Pop,” She said disappointed, she didn't expect him to have the answer but she hoped he'd at least he'd have something. Sprig stopped and gave Anne a concerned look.
“But I can tell you that You're one of the reasons I'm glad I failed out there.”
Anne looked at him, “What?”
“Oh Yeah, I mean I could have had fame, Money, Women, Food, Women, The means to support my family, Women.”
“Okay, Hop Pop I get it,” said Anne laughing.
“But honestly none of that compares for having you be a part of my family, You've saved us several times, you've stood up to an army to save me and the town twice, and even harder you had to stand up to your friend, Anne, Your probably the best thing to happen to us, he turned to face her, "if you're changing, well I can tell you, your parents would be proud.”
Anne smiled, she hugged Hop Pop “Thanks Hop Pop,” a small tear from her eye.
“Your welcome Anne.” She didn't know just how much it hurt him to say that, Deep down he felt worse than any monster.
Anne released him from her hug and then laid down on the roof, looking at the stars she smiled, Yet again she thanks the frog for finding the Planters.
“Hey guys, Exclaimed Sprig. “I can see the farm.”
“Huh, Well don't that beat all” Said Hop Pop chuckling to himself.
Anne crawled over to Sprig and the telescope, Sprig moved out the way so she could look, in the distance there was a building, she could recognize it anywhere, She never thought she would ever become this nostalgic for the small, smelly, cramp little farm but she did, Who cares if Sasha had a tower and an army, She wouldn't trade the place for the world.
“I'm actually going to miss it,” said Anne
“Yeah, But we're back there one day.,” replied Hop Pop.
Anne smiled “Yeah, That's pretty great.”
Anne then turned around and rested on the little steps to the telescope. She closed her eyes and relaxed, Whatever she was changing into she maybe it wasn't bad.
They spent the rest of the night cruising along the road, to whatever lay in the future.