Chapter Text
November 7, 2000
“Hey Sunny, how are you doing?” He moved his face further from the phone, realising he was probably talking too loud.
The quiet boy’s voice finally came from the other end. “I’m... good. H-how are you?”
“I’m doing great! Hero’s back at college, but he’ll be back soon. You wanna know why?”
“Why?”
“My birthday, silly! It’s this Saturday. I wanted to know if you can come over that day. Everyone’s gonna be there!”
Sunny took a long time to say anything.
“Hello?”
He responded with a shaky voice. “I’ll think about it.”
“Huh?”
Sunny hanged... HUNG up.
Kel’s jaw dropped, but after it set in, he really wasn’t that surprised. He made a mental note to call him back later.
Everyone else already knew about the party, so everything was in order for Saturday.
Kel decided to go play some basketball. A cold wind hit him as he stepped outside. Dang.
The cold normally didn’t faze him, but he went back in and threw on one of Hero’s old hoodies.
On the way to the park, he saw Basil on the other side of the street. Since returning from the hospital, he hadn’t said a word to anyone.
Kel did feel bad about not visiting him, but something always got in the way. And from what Sunny said that day... it was just hard to understand. Kel didn’t know how he would start talking to Basil again.
A “hello” seems good enough for now?
“Hi Basil!” He shouted from across the street.
Basil stopped in his tracks and turned his head, already visibly sweating. “H-hi...” As Kel approached him, he couldn’t help but feel... threatened?
“How’ve you been?”
He adjusted his hair clip. “Uh... recovering.”
“That’s good. Hey, uh, I’m sorry for not visiting you in the hospital. You know, with school and everything it-“
“It’s alright. I- I understand. Well, uh... see you later...”
“Wait, are you doing anything this Saturday? I’m having a birthday party, and as far as I’m aware, everyone’s coming.”
“Oh, um... I’ll think about it. Bye.” He continued towards his house.
November 10
“Sunny? You there?” Aubrey tried to hide the annoyance in her voice.
“Yeah.”
“Have you thought about it yet?”
“What?”
“The party. Can you be there?”
“Um... I can’t.”
“What? Why?”
Sunny hung up. Aubrey had the fight the urge to throw the phone across the room. Seriously? He’s doing this? He’d better have a great excuse in a few days. Alright, time to tell that to Kel.
“Hey Kel. Sunny’s not coming.”
“Ha ha. Very funny.”
“I’m serious.”
“Aw, really? Why?”
She gritted her teeth. “That’s the fun part. He hung up on me.”
He sighed. “Man. Ah well. Maybe he’s got some personal stuff going on.”
“Yeah. Let’s go with that. See you at school.”
“Yep.”
She put the phone down and ran her fingers through her fading pink hair. Seeing Sunny was something she was... really looking forward to. But apparently he doesn’t care enough to show up to HIS BEST FRIEND’S BIRTHDAY.
She was under the impression that there was something of a mutual crush between her and Sunny, but... maybe she was projecting? Then again, a lot can change in four years. He DID cut her with a knife a few months ago. But after that first day, he seemed so normal. He even looked a little bit guilty when he pepper sprayed her.
But why should she care? This was the boy who had a dubious involvement with Mari’s death, and as much as Aubrey tried to convince herself that Sunny deserved to be forgiven, she still felt resentful. And Basil... she didn’t want to think about him. She HOPED he wasn’t coming to the party. It seemed likely, considering he’d been avoiding everyone since he got back.
She went to school, her good mood ruined for the rest of the day.
November 11
Aubrey woke up for the third time at around noon. Ugh. Just go back to bed. Wait. What day is it?
Kel’s phone rang. “Hey Aubrey.”
“Hey, happy birthday. I didn’t get any sleep last night, so I’ll be there a bit later.”
“Oh. That’s alright. See you then.”
“Bye.”
She put the phone down and pressed her face into her pillow. In what felt like an instant, it was already eight. Aubrey sighed, still not feeling rested.
She briefly considered putting makeup on, but decided against it. Too much effort. Walking in the cool darkness woke her up a bit. She knocked on Kel’s door.
Hero answered, and she immediately hugged him.
He laughed nervously, returning the hug. “Hey Aubrey. You doing okay?”
She sighed and let go, entering the house. “I’ve had a rough week. Happy birthday, Kel.” She hugged him, taking him by surprise.
“You want to talk about it?”
“Not particularly. How was the party? Sorry I missed it.”
Kel smiled. “It was great! But hey, don’t worry about it.”
She threw her head back in frustration. “I forgot your present.”
“It’s fine. You can give it to me whenever. We saved you some cookies. Hero made them. There’s pizza left, too.”
“Thanks.” She sighed. “For whatever reason, I just feel so frantic.”
He led her into the kitchen. “Nothing to worry about here! We’re all just chilling.”
They all loaded up on some food, catching up with each other about the past few months.
“So who was here?” Aubrey said.
“Oh, most of your friends were.” Kel laughed nervously. “It was a little awkward at first, but I’m warming up to them.”
“Was Cris here?”
“Yeah... I didn’t talk to her that much. Kinda wish I did.”
Hero was shocked. “Wait, you have a crush? Why didn’t I know about this?”
“Aubrey only knows because she kept pestering me about it.”
Hero laughed. “I miss being your age. It’s a lot more... interesting. Or... maybe I just don’t get out a lot.” He took a sip of soda. “Shame that Sunny never showed up.”
Aubrey couldn’t hide her frustration.
“Something wrong, Aubrey?”
“I’m just... annoyed with him. In general.”
“What, did he say something to you?”
She laughed. “No. I can never get a word out of him. Maybe he’s just not that interested in us anymore.”
“How can you say that?” Kel said. “He’s my best friend. Are you forgetting that long conversation we had in the hospital?”
“Oh, I remember. But think about it. Do we REALLY know Sunny?” She didn’t know where this anger was coming from, but she didn’t have the energy to stop it. Kel had to be a target for now.
“What do you mean?” Kel’s voice started to shake. Hero took a step back, not making eye contact with either of them.
“Well, he hides away for four years, and then the first time I see him, he gives me this!” She rolled up her sleeve, showing the thin white line along her forearm. “Think of this from my perspective! He shows up again, and suddenly my whole life has been a lie! And then he won’t even talk to us! Am I the only one who thinks that’s weird?”
“He’s always been quiet! And he’s dealing with his own stuff right now! The way you’re talking about him, it’s like you think he’s just a psychopath! As if you’re better than him!”
She glared angrily at him. Now she was really mad.
“You spent those four years being awful to everyone! You made Basil-“
“Shut the HELL up about Basil! You think that’s MY FAULT!?” She stormed to the front door. “Happy birthday, asshole!” The door slammed behind her as she ran off somewhere.