Chapter Text
Ever since I was a kid, my parents forced me to go to church. I mostly didn't understand a word they were saying. I never actually thought about it till a year after Sunny and Basil's confession in the hospital. A year after Sunny left.
I remember that day like it was yesterday.
I couldn't help but run to Sunny and hug him, I remember feeling how small and petite he was compared to anyone else. If I'm honest that made me hug him tighter than I had initially. It had reminded me of how Hero was the first year of Mari's death, so poorly taken care of.
Was his mom not making sure he was okay? I hated the ideas that swarmed my mind once I asked myself that.
I could feel Sunny's tears stain my jersey as he returned the hug, as if his life depended on it. His hands ripping onto my jersey.
I could feel as his years and years of guilt came out of him as tears. It broke my heart seeing him like this.
I could see Hero clinch his fists and head for the doorway, but he paused right before heading out the exit.
He put a hand on my shoulder with an utterly failed forced-on smile.
"I'll... See you in a bit Kel." he looked at Sunny who had been still sobbing his eyes out, bless his heart.
"You too Sunny.." I could feel Hero's hesitation before joining the hug, Aubrey quickly joined.
Aubrey's face was bright red with frustration and sorrow, her eyes crying just like Sunny. I think that moment was when everyone broke finally. Hero started sobbing and squeezing the life out of everyone, I just did my best to hold onto everyone and help them feel okay.
"We're gonna be okay." I said with my signature Kel smile- at least that's what everyone called it. It seemed to help somewhat because everyone let out a mixture of soft giggles and small smiles. I was happy my 'dorky ass' (as Aubrey says to me) could help make that moment feel so intense. I'd hate for Sunny to leave on such a heavy note. I think we'd all hate it.
Me and Hero eventually got Sunny back to his room in the hospital, and it was only mere hours that he left.
Him leaving left a weird feeling in me I couldn't explain, but I just bit my lip and held it down. It'd be fine.
---
Anyways, back to what I was saying before, I never cared nor really took notice of church till about a year after Sunny had left.
I texted Sunny daily, it'd usually be about dumb stuff or just about how Sunny was adjusting to his new home. After tons and I mean tons of begging, I got mom to comply with Sunny staying for a week at our place during the Summer. Sunny season with sunny, funny right?
okay yeah it isn't-
I happily jumped onto my bed to grab my phone and confirm Mom said yeah, he could stay for the week but this weird sense of nervousness overwhelmed me, kinda out of character feeling for me. It was a feeling of anxiety and adrenaline, my heartbeat going a nuts in my chest for no good reason.
I quickly shook the feeling off of me and grabbed my phone, it had a crack down the center of the screen from that time Aubrey was trying to text sunny for me- I still don't understand what she was gonna message him.
7:28
Kel: SUNNY SUNDNMY
Kel: SUNNY YOUC AMND COME
Sunny: okay,
Sunny: I'll see you in a few days then, Kel
Kel: EYAH
I got so happy, excitedly kicking my legs against my bed, then letting out a sigh of happiness but it kinda sounded like I was a deflating balloon, causing Hero to pop his head in the doorway from the hallway.
"What was that?" He asked with a chuckle.
"Me dying of happiness just a tad, lost 2 years off my life from it." I joked, then proceeded to sit up but missed putting my hand on the bed so I fell onto the floor.
"Make that 3." Hero laughed and shut the door behind himself as he left.
'Okay so I gotta tell everyone Sunny is coming!' I cheered in my peanut brain, hopping up from the floor. Quickly slipping on my shoes and a tank top. Running down the stairs and out the door as fast as I could- which was really fast, too fast. I almost crashed into Hero.
I assumed that Aubrey would be with kim, smooching or whatever the hell they do. They always get mad at me for bugging them but this is important! Sunny is coming afterall! I gotta tell everyone. I was thinking of Aubrey's favorite spots and decided to check the secret hide out spot. Pushed the bushes out of my way and sure enough those two were sitting on the dock.
I was gonna walk up to them but I paused in my footsteps because something came to my attention, couldn't Sunny just message Aubrey and the others to come? Why didn't he? Maybe he did and I'm sure unaware. Yeah, that's probably it.
After convincing myself of that I ran up to Aubrey and Kim, Aubrey immediately shot an exaggerated eye roll my way.
"Kel, why are you here. We're obviously having a-"
"We gotta plan something with Sunny, Auby!" I interrupted her completely on purpose.
"Huh?" Aubrey looked confused at me, like I was delusional.
"Didn't Sunny tell you that he's coming?" I was confused myself- I mean there isn't a reason I can think that Sunny wouldn't tell Aubrey. We even talk in the group chat all together all the time. I mean Sunny did ask to stay over in DMs instead in the group chat, is that weird?
"Lemme see the message." Aubrey put her hand out for my phone and I gave it pretty trustingly. Kim looked bored as hell next to her, guess I really did ruin a moment, 'sorry guys!' I said in my head, knowing it was pointless- nobody can hear your thoughts Kel. That would be weird if people could though.
While I was having an entire conversation in my head Aubrey was reading through me and Sunny's messages, I felt my ears go red, it was weird- is this heartburn? Did I eat something bad? As if on cue with the thoughts finishing, Aubrey busted out into laughter,
"God you're so dense!" she chuckled.
"Uhhh, elaborate." I asked, genuinely curious about what she meant. I wasn't dense, or was I? Maybe I was and didn't know? Maybe?
Aubrey did a cheeky grin, pointing at one of me and Sunny's past messages.
2:48AM
Sunny: I miss you a lot, Kel
Kel: sorrty just woke uo
Kel: I midss yea too
Sunny: <3