Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

    Basil looked out of the window and sighed. He was bored. His friends were all getting ready for Sunny and Mari’s recital. He didn’t have anyone to hang out with at the moment. He really wished he could hang out with Sunny, though.

      No offense to his other friends! Sunny was just special to him. He hadn’t been seeing much of Sunny anyway. He was always practicing, and even at school he was always zoning out, barely involved in the groups conversations.

      He groaned dramatically and laid down on the floor, staring at the ceiling.

      He wanted to hang out with Sunny, but the stupid recital wasn’t letting him.  Sunny was all stressed out and ignoring him because of the recital.

      …Basil decided he didn’t like the recital.

      “Basil, are you still moping?” His grandma asked as she walked into the living room, holding a pair of gardening shears. Basil stared at her, already devising a plan. Noticing Basil staring at the shears, she smiled and spoke. “Oh, I’m about to trim some of the plants. Did you want to help?”

      Basil stood up quickly and held his fists out in front of him cheerfully. “You’re a genius, Grandma!”

      “Huh?” She tilted her head as her grandson reached for the shears.

      “Sunny can’t play in the recital,” Basil grabbed the shears and opened them menacingly. “ If he doesn’t have any HANDS!! AHAHAHAHAA—“

      His Grandma quickly snatched the weapon away from her unhinged grandchild. “What have I told you about trying to mutilate your friends with my hedge clippers?!”

      Basil kicked the floor innocently, hands behind his back. “Sorry, Grandma.” She sighed and held the bridge of her nose.

      “I know you want to see your friend, but I’m sure he wouldn’t be too happy if his hands were cut off.” She told him as she put the shears away. Up high. On a shelf. Where Basil couldn’t reach. He frowned, pulling at the bottom of his shirt. “Tell you what, why don’t you go wish him and Mari good luck? I’m sure the two would appreciate it.”

      “Oh, yeah!” Basils eyes practically sparkled, so kind and innocent compared to what he was doing earlier. She sighed again, wondering how she was raising such a chaotic child. Well, she could always blame his parents. “I’ll go right now! Thanks Grandma!!”

      “Be careful!” His grandma shouted as he walked out of the house. Basil walked with a skip in his step, excited to see his best friend. Oh, and Mari too.

      As he walked, he started to gain a sense of worry. What if Sunny didn’t want to talk to him? What if Mari didn’t let him? What if Sunny hated him?

      Basil gasped, pausing in his tracks. Could Sunny ever hate him? Basil didn’t want to think of why he ever would. So, he trekked on. He walked down the street, past Kel and Hero’s house, and onto his friends.

      ….It was oddly silent. He thought he’d be able to hear the sounds of a piano and violin together, but he didn’t hear anything. Confused, he walked up to the door. He put his ear against the door.

      He heard someone talking sternly— It sounded like Mari? Were their parents home? Why is Mari yelling? Was she yelling at Sunny?

      Basil gulped as he opened the door; No one really locked their doors, they didn’t have much to fear in the small town. The door creaked softly, though he was sure the two inside wouldn’t be able to hear it. He could hear the yelling coming from the hall.

      He shut the door slowly, not wanting—

      CRASH!!

      Basil jumped, his heart almost beating out of his chest. What was that? What happened? Were they okay?

      Mari started yelling. She was screaming at Sunny. Basil felt scared. What did Sunny do? Why was Mari so mad? The usually kind and soft-spoken Mari…

      Basil grabbed onto the door frame and peered into the hall. The first thing he saw was Sunny’s violin, lying broken at the bottom of the stair case. He gasped— Then looked up at the people on top. Mari was too lost in her rage to notice Basil, and Sunny was.. What was Sunny feeling? Did he throw the violin? Is that why Mari was mad?

      Should Basil be mad, too? Everyone worked so hard to buy Sunny that violin… Why had he thrown it?

      Sunny was clutching his fists, staring down at his feet as his older sister yelled at him. He looked so frustrated, so mad…

      Sunny turned to run down the stairs, but Mari stepped in his way. Sunny pushed Mari.

      She fell back and down the stairs, missing the violin by inches.

       …

      Deafening silence.

      The panic-stricken boys ran to Mari with fear and dread pulling at their guts. She was okay, right? Sunny hadn’t hurt Mari, Sunny would never hurt Mari, she—

      She sat up.

      She felt her face, then down her body. Then, she smiled. “I’m alive!!” Basil sighed in relief and Sunny broke down into tears. He tried to hug his sister, but she seemed to be… feeling a different way.

      “Oh SUNNY, why would you push your DEAR SISTER down the stairs like that?” Her tone was filled with violent intention. Sunny, appropriately, screamed and ran away, Mari trying to chase after him. Basil spent a few minutes trying to convince Mari not to punt her little brother, running throughout the house in a big game of hide-or-die.

      “Mari please stop!!” Basil cried out, wheezing from all the running he was doing. He hated exercise.

      “Not until I push him too!” Mari shouted, looking around the living room like a rabid animal. Basil wanted to cry.

      “M-Mari please, Sunny didn’t mean to!” Basil tried to reason with her, but sheesh she was really mad. Maybe he should just find Sunny and run away. That would be fun, wouldn’t it? Then they could just skip the concert and play at his house. But Sunny probably would like to be able to talk to his sister again.

      “W-Well I could’ve died!” Mari retorted, looking frustrated. Basil took a big breath. He never had to argue with anyone older than him, but this was for Sunny’s sake!

      “You g-got in the way, to be fair,” He tried, his voice cracking, making him want to hide away and die. But, Mari seemed to be listening anyway. “And I-I don’t know exactly what happened, but you were yelling at Sunny about.. practicing. And he got upset, and threw the violin, r-right?”

      Mari hesitantly nodded. He could see Sunny watching from the doorway of the hall, nodding as well. He was crying really bad, Basil had never seen him cry that much. If Basil was much stronger, he’d punt Mari. He’d probably get his ass beat first though.

      “Well, Sunny’s been really stressed these past few months, a-and been trying his best…” He looked to Sunny for guidance. Sunny nodded slowly. “And, I-I don’t think he appreciated you yelling at him.”

      Mari sighed, looking away from Basil in guilt. Basil was actually doing a good job! Way to go Basil! “He tried to run, he didn’t want to hear you yelling anymore. A-And he probably pushed you by accident…”

      Sunny wiped his face, nodding again. “Maybe you two should just.. talk it out?”

      Mari sighed, scratching her arm. “Yeah, we.. we should. I shouldn’t be acting like this. I’m sorry you had to see me like this, Basil.”

      “It’s okay!” Basil gave his best non-traumatized expression and put his thumbs up. “I’m glad I-I can help, sorta..”

      Sunny ran out from the doorway and hid behind Basil, still sniffling. Basil wished he could hug his friend, but they were using him as a shield. Mari looked at her brother with guilt.

      “Im sorry for yelling at you like that, Sunny.” She sighed, crossing her arms, probably to comfort herself. Sunny sniffled again, slowly coming out from behind Basil. “I’ve just… been so stressed. I-I wanted this to be perfect, but I pushed you too far. And you pushed me in return, haha.”

    The light joke would probably be appreciated more in the future, but as of right now, Sunny started to sob again. Mari panicked, and looked to Basil for help. He shifted Sunny into his arms and pat his head. “She w-was just trying to joke, Sunny, no need to cry!”

      Sunny hid his face in Basils shirt. Ah, he felt really happy when Sunny relied on him. Mari crouched down to be eye level with Sunny. “I’m really sorry, Sunny. I pushed you too hard. I should’ve listened to you.”

      Sunny slowly let go of Basil and stood in front of his sister, shaking. She held her hands out for him. Then, he hugged her tight. Mari held her brother close, brushing his hair with his hand comfortingly.

      “I-I’m sorry for pushing you,” Sunny mumbled into her shirt. She laughed after hearing his muffly voice. Basil thought his voice was cute!

      “It’s alright, little brother. I’m okay, just sore.” She reassured him. Basil smiled, since the moment was so sweet. He was glad they could resolve their issues. But…

      Basil peered into the stairway and stared at the broken violin. It was completely shattered, just what force did the small Sunny throw it with to break it this badly? Basil felt bad for not being there for his friend sooner.

      “Oh gosh, we have to clean this up before mom and dad get home,” Mari sighed and went to the kitchen. Sunny fiddled with the bottom of his shirt. What were they going to do about the recital now?

      “U-Uh, we’ll fix this somehow Sunny!” Basil gave his best smile. Sunny stared, and then started crying again. Basil panicked because why did his smile make Sunny cry? Was it that bad??

      “You boys, I have an idea!” Mari announced suddenly, holding a broom and a plastic bag. They looked to her with hope. “Sunny, go get all the money you can find in our room. Basil, go get whatever you can from your house. We’ll need all we can get!”

      “Wait, what are we gonna do?!” Basil questioned as Mari quickly ran off to clean the violin up. He looked at Sunny for help but he shrugged.

      “We,” She stood up with all the pieces of the instrument in the bag. “Are going to drive to the city and get a new violin for Sunny!”

      “What!?” Basil and Sunny shouted at the same time. They looked at each other again. Sunny had this shine in his eye, and although it could’ve been from his tears, it made Basil feel more determined to help out. “O-Okay! l’ll go home and be back as fast as I can!”

      “That’s the spirit Basil!” Mari cheered as Basil ran as fast as he could out of the house. Sunny huffed and nodded rapidly, then ran up the stairs to grab whatever money he could fine.

      They had five hours until the concert. Their parents would be back in four, and it should only take an hour or two to get to and from the music store in the city. This was Mari’s fault she felt, because if she would’ve treated her brother better, then this wouldn’t have happened. So she would be determined to get the boy his violin, and they’d play together, even if it sounded like shi—!

      “Mari.” She jumped when her little brother spoke to her from behind. She turned around to see him holding a couple of twenties. He held them up for her, so she took them and counted them.

      “A hundred sixty, awesome!” She said cheerfully, then ruffled her little brothers hair. He huffed, but allowed her to do so. She gave a soft smile. “Hey, we don’t have to do the concert if you don’t want to.”

      Sunny’s eyes widened and he shook his head rapidly. He pushed the money in Mari’s hand closer to her and nodded. Sunny didn’t speak much, but he made it clear what he wanted through his actions.

      “You’re determined now, aren’t you little brother?” He nodded, She smiled and sighed and put a hand on her cheek. “Alright, we’ll do it.”

      Sunny smiled, then hugged Mari again. “Thank you.”

      She smiled and pat his head with the money hand, since the other held the bag. “Of course, little brother! This is as much my fault as it is yours, so I’ve got to help as best I can!”

      Sunny let go and took off up the stairs again, probably looking for more. Mari tied the bag and decided to take it with them. Maybe the store could do a refund even? She wasn’t sure, but she needed to try everything she could. She grabbed her keys and flip phone, and made sure she had everything.

      “I-I’m back!” Basil shouted from the front door, completely out of breath. Mari ran over to see him holding a fifty, two twenties, two fives, a couple of quarters and a one hundred dollar bill.

      “Woah, since when we’re you this rich Basil?”  Mari said as she counted it to about two hundred dollars. He wiped the sweat from his forehead, wheezing.

      “G-Grandma… saw me looking… WHEEZE… For money and gave me some…” Basil looked like he was going to collapse. Again. Earlier he had been running but he wasn’t this bad…

      “Basil… you don’t have asthma, do you?” Mari asked, hand on her cheek again.

      “I— I don’t think so… WHEEZE…”

      “You should definitely go to a doctor sometime.”

      “Mm!” Basil and Mari turned to Sunny holding out a few crumpled up bills and some random coins. He looked proud. Basil smiled, but instantly wheezed again. Maybe he should see a doctor…

      “Alright, let me see how much we have!” Mari said, grabbing Sunny’s money and going to the dining room. She laid the money down and began counting it all, including the coins. “You found the money in my wallet too, right Sunny?”

      He nodded. “Well then, we have about three hundred and eighty dollars!” She said happily. Basil and Sunny looked at each other again and smiled. “This should be enough for at least a used violin… right..?”

      Mari mumbled the last part, so Basil pretended he didn’t hear it. Sunny didn’t hear it though, he was too busy looking at the cash with determination.

      Mari suddenly clapped her hands together. “I hope you brought your jacket Basil! Time to get going!”

      Basil had not brought a jacket, but he would probably be fine. It wasn’t that cold. They’d be in a car, too!

      Sunny sprinted to the door and put on his shoes quickly, Mari doing the same. Then, with cash, keys, and a broken violin in hand, they left the house and to Mari’s car. It wasn’t anything special, just her parents old one before they got a new one for themselves last year. Too bad she didn’t get the new car…

      Welp, no point in complaining. They had transportation, and that’s all that matters! Basil and Sunny hopped into the backseat, Mari throwing the violin pieces and cash on the seat next to her. She had her phone, keys, permit… She would probably be fine driving, right? She knew how. She was old enough, a junior in high school, she’d be fine!

      “You two ready?” Mari looked behind her. Basil and Sunny nodded, the two holding hands. Poor Sunny, he probably needed a lot of comfort. “Alright, let’s go to the city!”

      Basil cheered, and Sunny imitated him with his free hand. Mari pulled out of the drive way, putting in the location of the store in the GPS. She hoped they’d be able to get everything in time for the recital.

      Hero and his mom were finally driving home, his mom listening some overplayed latino song and singing her lungs out. Hero already knew all the words, he’d heard it so much. It was torture…

      Then, he shivered for some unknown reason.

      …He decided he would wish Mari good luck when they got back home.

Chapter Text

      Mari sighed as she pulled into a gas station. Basil and Sunny tilted their head. Basil asked since he knew Sunny wouldn’t. “Why are we going to a gas station?”

      “I forgot this car needed gas.” She grumbled, pulling into the space. She stopped the car and groaned, then looked into the back mirror. “…You guys want anything..?”

      Basil and Sunny’s eyes sparkled. Mari looked like she regrets asking the question. “Only one thing, got it you two?”

      “Okay!” Basil shouted, Sunny nodding excitedly. The two boys hopped out of the car and ran to the store without looking both ways. Mari shouted after them but they seemed too excited. She groaned again, grabbing a few dollars and heading into the store.

      Basil looked at all the candy in the candy section, Sunny and him staring straight at the Skittles. Basil loved Skittles too! “Sunny, you want skittles too?”

      He nodded. Basil perked up, an idea popping up. He peered out of the isle, seeing Mari looking at some energy drinks. He looked at Sunny sneakily and whispered with his finger over his mouth, “How about I get the snack and you get the soda, so we can share?”

      Sunny thought about it. He liked doing sneaky things with Basil, this was considered sneaky, right? He deserved to have a little fun after being traumatized, right?

      Sunny blinked, then he nodded. Basil smiled and grabbed a pack of skittles.

      “You can pick the drink, since I wanted Skittles too!” Basil said happily, and Sunny smiled too, grabbing Basils hand and leading him over to where Mari was, since there was soda, too.

      “What did you get, Basil?” Mari asked, grabbing some can with a bull on it.

      “Skittles!” He said, holding out the bag of rainbow goodness in front of her. Sunny smiled internally, knowing Mari would never suspect their devious plan.

      “Huh. Rainbow candy. Figures.”

      “What’s that supposed to mean?”

      “Nothing. What are you getting Sunny?” Mari asked, looking at him. Sunny shrugged, then turned to the sodas, putting his hand on his chin.

      So many choices… Coke, Sprite, Dr Pepper… Oh, Dr Pepper! Sunny loved Dr Pepper. It was his favorite soda. He opened the door and grabbed it, happily holding it out to Mari.

      “Oh, of course you got Dr Pepper, it’s your favorite!” She smiled and ruffled Sunny’s hair. He smiled a little bit. “Let’s pay then and we can get going!” Mari walked over to the counter.

      Sunny turned to show Basil, but Basil didn’t look so happy. He seemed to be forcing a smile. “What a great choice, Sunny. Your favorite .”

      Sunny frowned, holding the drink to his chest. Why did he look so upset?

      ….Right, Basil hated Dr Pepper. He only liked Sprite.

      Sunny looked at the Sprite in the fridge. He didn’t care for Sprite much, it was lower on his soda list. But if he and Basil were sharing…

      He grabbed a Sprite bottle and put the Dr Pepper back. Basils eyes practically sparkled. “You’re gonna get Sprite..?”

      Sunny nodded. “Your favorite.”

      Basil started crying. Sunny waved his hands in panic, confused why his friend was crying. Did he do something wrong again???

      “You’re such a good friend, Sunny,” Basil sniffled, wiping his eyes. Oh, it was just happy crying. Sunny smiled and grabbed Basils hand, taking him to Mari. They placed their stuff on the counter and Mari paid for it all.

      “Hey, what happened to your Dr Pepper?” Mari asked as she opened her can. Sunny shrugged. Basil held back a smile. Mari raised an eyebrow, but shrugged it off.

      They got in the car and buckled up, Basil kicking his feet happily. Mari started to put the gas in the tank, while Basil and Sunny struggled to open their snacks. Luckily they opened them before Mari came back in the car, so they didn’t need to ask her for help.

      “Okay, now we can get on the road!” Mari said happily, starting the car again. Basil sneakily handed Sunny a skittle, who ate it discreetly.

      Mari pretended she didn’t see it.

      They drove peacefully for a while, the freeway the two boys sharing their snacks and Mari chugging her energy drink. It was nice.

      …At first.

      But alas, every road trip faces the same problem, especially in the early 2000s.

      Boredom.

      Sunny looked out the window. The trees were nice, but boring. He looked at Basil, who was staring at the trees on his side. He looked occupied, so Sunny didn’t bother him. He looked at Mari, who was too busy driving. So Sunny was left to be bored.

      He stared at the passenger seat, seeing the violin bag falling onto the console compartment. He grimaced, knowing it was all his fault. He didn’t have the right to be bored, this was all his fault anyway.

     Right, he could handle it!

     …He was sad now.

      He shouldn’t have lashed out at Mari like that. He should’ve just sat down with her and talked it out, like a mature person. But he was still just a kid. A bratty little kid.

      Sunny started to tear up. But he deserved to feel this way. He hurt his sister. He destroyed the thing everyone worked so hard to get him. He didn’t deserve them as friends.

      He didn’t deserve them. He didn’t.. deserve to—

      “Do you want another Skittle?” Basil whispered into Sunny’s ear. He jumped a bit, Basil holding a singular red Skittle. “There’s only one red left, I know you like the red ones.”

      …Sunny started crying again. Basil panicked. Sunny took the red Skittle and ate it, still crying. Basil frowned, and looked at Mari, who was trying to find a good song on the radio.

      “What’s wrong?” Basil asked. Sunny looked at the bag on the seat. Basil clicked his tongue. “Don’t be sad about that Sunny. Accidents happen. It was causing you a lot of stress, anyway.”

      Sunny looked down. He still felt bad. He told him softly, “But.. you worked so hard…”

      “Well, yeah but, I’m sure if we tell the others they’ll understand.” Basil reassured him. “You were upset. No one will blame you.”

      …

      Sunny unbuckled his seat belt and scooted over to the middle to hug Basil. He gasped, but quickly hugged Sunny back. He cried into the boy, Basil rubbing his back. “Thank you Basil.”   

       “Of course! You’re always there for me when I need you.” Basil pat his head. Sunny was happy Basil was his friend.

      “Sunny, get back in your seat!” Mari shouted, looking in the rear view mirror. Sunny quickly scooted back to his seat and buckled himself back in. Basil giggled.

      Mari huffed, but then she smirked. Sunny tilted his head. She turned up the radio— Sunny and Basil groaned as the already overplayed Toxic by Britney Spears played in the car.

      “Oh come on you two! You know you like it!” Mari said cheerfully, singing along with the words. Basil and Sunny groaned even louder, Sunny leaning back into his seat. He heard it way too many times from Aubrey and Mari singing it together. The song just came out (at least he was pretty sure it did), why did his sister have to play it so much?

      “Oh the taste of your lips, I’m on a ride!~ ♪” Mari sung loudly, and Sunny suspected it was to purely annoy him. Sunny grunted and crossed his arms. He turned to Basil, who was doing the same thing as him.

      Except his head was nodding to the beat.

      “ Betrayal.” Sunny muttered. Basil turned to him, looking dramatically offended.

      “See, even Basils into it, little brother!” Said Mari, and Sunny frowned. Mega betrayal.

      “I-It’s not that bad, Sunny.” Basil tried to reason, but he turned away from him. If he had to guess Basils face at that moment, he’d probably look like a hurt puppy. Good thing he wasn’t looking, otherwise he would feel bad.

      Mari continued to sing, Basil humming along. Sunny frowned even more. They were being annoying. Sunny spoke a little louder than he normally did, but it was necessary. “Is this how you feel with Hero, Mari?”

      Mari stopped singing abruptly, the car swerving for a second. Basil covered his mouth and tried not to laugh. Sunny smirked.

      “Don’t do that while I’m driving!” Mari cried, hunching her shoulders. She lowered the volume of the song, so Sunny took it as a victory. “A-And you don’t even know what this song is about!”

      “Kissing?” Basil tilted his head. Mari went quiet again. Sunny also tilted his head. Was it not about kissing?

      “W-Well, at least I have the person I want, you wish that was you and Aubrey.” Mari smirked. Sunny’s face went red. Basil turned away, shaking. “Oh hush Basil, I know who you like!”

      “I don’t like anyone?” Basil said, confused. Mari turned to look at him, blank expression. She narrowed her eyes, then turned away. Basil looked at Sunny, confused. He shrugged, confused as well.

      Mari continued to listen to the random music at a reasonable volume, taking sips of her energy drink. Basil and Sunny continued to share the Sprite, finishing the bottle completely.

      Now the boys were bored again. How long had they been driving? Basil decided to speak up, “Mari, how long have we been driving?”

      “Uh.. Like, twenty minutes.” Mari said. Basil and Sunny groaned dramatically. How had it only been twenty minutes? Sunny wished time would go faster.

~~~

      Hero stretched as he entered his bedroom, seeing Kel digging through his clothes drawer. His hair was cut now, but it was still longer than Hero would ever have it. Kel started to throw things behind him, so Hero stepped in.

      “Hey, don’t be throwing things everywhere, you’ll make the room messy.” Hero told him, and Kel turned to him with disgust. Hero raised an eyebrow. Why was Kel looking at him like that?

      “I’ll pick it up later, I need to find fancy clothes.” Kel grumbled, grabbing shirts and examining them, then throwing them to the side.

      “Our “fancy clothes” are in the closet.” Hero told him, pointing to their closet with his thumb. Kel didn’t look, and was too consumed in his drawer. “Kel, are you listening?”

      “Those clothes aren’t comfy! I’m gonna find comfy fancy clothes!” Kel huffed. Hero sighed, but smiled. He wouldn’t find anything, all of Kel’s clothes were bright and colorful, nothing meant for a recital.

      “Kel, Hero, Aubrey’s here!” Their dad shouted from downstairs. They offered to give her a ride since her parents were busy.

      “Coming!” Hero shouted, nudging Kel with his foot. He pushed it away, and Hero groaned, but left the room. Kel would come down sooner or later realizing he can’t win this battle.

      Hero quickly ran down the stairs to greet Aubrey. She was taking off her shoes, holding a plastic bag filled with what Hero assumed was clothes for that recital. She waved at Hero whilst putting the shoes against the door.

      “You’re here early.” Hero said, sitting on the arm of the couch. She nodded, skipping over to him.

      “I was bored!” She said and smiled. Hero’s eyes widened slightly, realizing Aubrey’s hair was cut to just below her shoulders. “Oh! Do you like it? Dad took me to get it cut today!”

      “It’s cute,” Hero complimented, ruffling her hair. She huffed, trying to fix her hair.

      “I just got it fixed, don’t mess it up!” She groaned, and Hero laughed. Kel suddenly busted into the room, breathing heavily. He stood like a gremlin.

      “I just saw you!” He shouted, pointing at Aubrey. She copied his pose, pointing right back at him.

      “I just saw you!” She shouted back. Kel seemed to be upset, but Aubrey seemed to be excited. Hero decided to ignore the weird stand-off and go into the kitchen. His dad was all dressed up, sitting at the stool on his phone.

       “Why are you dressed right now? We don’t leave for a few hours.” Hero asked. His dad looked up.

      “Oh, did we not tell you? I’m taking your mom out for a date before we go,” He told him, going back on his phone. “I’m waiting for her to finish whatever she’s doing.”

      “Oh, you didnt.” Hero frowned. His dad raised an eyebrow. “O-Oh! I just wanted to wish Mari good luck, but I guess I’m stuck on babysitting duty.”

      “You can take ‘em with you!” His dad chuckled. Hero smiled, but he was forcing it.

      “I guess you’re right, haha.” Hero said, pulling his charismatic charm. His dad gave a grin and looked back at his phone. It wasn’t that Hero didn’t love to hang out with Kel and Aubrey, but, he wanted alone time with his girlfriend.

      After a few minutes of waiting, his mom eventually came down. His parents said goodbye and left, leaving Hero to take care of the younger ones. They pretty much started arguing immediately.

      “My haircut it better than yours!” Kel said, sticking his tongue out. Aubrey gasped and pulled her eyelid down, also sticking out her tongue.

      “Nuh uh! Mine is sooooo much better!” Aubrey argued. Kel said something back, but Hero was too busy trying to sneak away to notice. If he could just reach the door…

      “Hero, where are you going?” Kel shouted as he barely reached the doorknob. He winced and slowly turned around, facing the two kids who had their hands on their hips.

      “You can’t abandon your responsibility! We’re just kids!” Aubrey said, huffing. Kel imitated her huff. Hero rubbed the back of his neck.

      “I wasn’t! I was just, going to wish Mari good luck.” Hero told them. They gasped. Hero wish he said he was going to the store.

      “I wanna wish Mari good luck too!” Aubrey shouted, running to grab Hero’s arm. Kel joined her and grabbed his other arm.

      “Yeah! And Sunny too!” Kel shouted. They shook Hero’s arms aggressively, Hero trying not to cry.

      “Okay okay, get your shoes on. We’ll go together,” Hero said, and the two took off to put on their shoes. They’d probably want to wish Sunny good luck more than Mari, he might get some alone time with her.

      The kids put on their shoes quickly and took off to Sunny and Mari’s, barely giving Hero time to lock the door. He groaned, because even thought it wasn’t that much of a run, he wasn’t very fit. He hated running.

      When he arrived at the door, they had left it open. Hero sighed and made sure to close the door on the way in. But the house was oddly.. quiet.

      He peered into the hall, seeing Aubrey and Kel peering into  the piano room. They looked at each other, confused, before seeing Hero. He tilted his head.

      “I don’t think they’re here.” Kel said, Aubrey skipping to the stairs.

      “What do you mean?” Hero questioned. “They should be here. There’s no reason they should’ve left.”

      “Dunno.” Kel shrugged, joining Aubrey and climbing the stairs. Hero followed them, and the two peered into the rooms, Sunny and Mari nowhere to be found.

      It was unnerving. Mari and Sunny should be at home, practicing away. Where were their parents, too? Hero was disturbed, and he could tell the younger ones were too.

      “Uh, how about I just call Mari?” Hero suggested, pulling his phone out of his pocket. The kids worriedly stood on front of him, waiting for him to make the call.

     “I spy with my little eye, something… blue!” Mari exclaimed. Sunny and Basil looked around, trying to find said blue object. It had already passed, which often happened in Eye Spy, but she wouldn’t tell them.

      Suddenly, her phone rang. They looked at her expectantly but she waved them off. “Keep looking!”

      They nodded and continued to look outside as she picked up the phone. Oh, it was Hero!

      …Oh no, it was Hero.

      Did Hero know they were gone? Why was he calling? Did she scare him? She quickly picked up the phone and held it to her ear.

      “Mari! Where are you and Sunny?” Hero asked as soon as she picked up the phone. Kel and Aubrey looked up at him, trying to listen in on the phone call. He shooed them away, and though they looked upset, they left the room.

      “Ohhh hey Hero!” She said nervously. She looked back at the boys who were now talking to one another, not focused on Mari. “Okay listen, Sunny… accidentally broke his violin, so we’re driving into the city to get it.”

     “You’re WHAT!?” Hero shouted through the phone. Mari held the phone away from her ears and laughed nervously.

      “Yeah, haha. B-But don’t worry! We’ve got money and I know where we’re going!” Mari reassured. “This means a lot to Sunny and me. We have to do this recital!”

      “Okay, I understand this is important,” Hero said, pinching the bridge of his nose. “But you aren’t even supposed to be driving! We aren’t old enough— We don’t even have licenses!”

       “I’ve got my permit!” Mari said happily. Hero sighed, tapping his foot.

      “Permits aren’t enough to drive alone. Mari, how much money do you even have?” Hero asked. She took a second before answering.

      “Well, we had three-eighty, but we spent some on gas and snacks,” She started, but Hero interrupted.

      “That’s not enough for a new violin.” He said sternly. Mari went silent.

      “W-We’re trying to rent one, so—“

      “That’s not going to be enough to rent one either, Mari.” Hero told her. Mari’s lip trembled. “I’m sorry I have to be the one to tell you that, but you won’t be able to get a new one.”

      Mari didn’t know how to respond.

      “Mari, did the thing pass already?” Basil asked. She jumped but tried to smile so the two boys wouldn’t get worried.

      “Y-Yes, it did, I’m sorry. But you two just play for now, okay? I’m on a call.” She told them and they nodded, and went back to doing things amongst themselves.

      “Hero.” She sighed. “This happened because of me. Sunny is still so determined to play in the recital, we have to get a new violin.”

       “Mari, you don’t have enough—“

       “Then you’ll just have to drive over here too!”

      “…Eh?”

      “You can bring some extra money and drive over too! Then we can meet up and buy it together!” Mari said happily. Hero sighed.

      “Mari, I know that you want to, but I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Hero told her again.

      “Hero, please. I know this is a lot to ask for but.. We need to play at this rectital.” Mari pleaded.

      Hero wanted to help Mari, he really did, but there were so many things that could go wrong. Even if Hero got a lot of money it might not be enough, and who’s to say they’d even make it in time? What if they get caught in traffic? What if the store closes when they get there?

      But they had been working so hard. It wouldn’t be fair to just give it up.

      Hero sighed loudly.

      “Okay, okay, I get it. I’ll.. get as much money as I can and I’ll drive over there.” Hero finally said. Mari squealed, and Hero couldn’t help but smile.

      “Thank you, Hero! You remember where it is, right?” She asked.

      “Yep. I’ll try and get there as fast I can.” Hero told her. She giggled.

      “Thank you Hero. I love you, and I’ll see you soon!” She said happily.

       “Love you too, Mari.” Hero responded before she hung up. He stretched and started to think of a game plan.

      So they had to get as much money as they could, drive to the city and help Mari to pay for a new violin. It shouldn’t be that hard. He was happy his parents weren’t home.

      “Aubrey, Kel!” He shouted. The two came running into the room, looking at him with anticipation. “You guys ready for a road trip?”

      Mari put down her phone, filled with a new form of excitement. Hero was helping now! They’d definitely have enough money!

      “Mari?” Basil poked her shoulder. She turned to him. “I, um, need to use the restroom.”

      She narrowed her eyes at him. He smiled nervously. She sighed, making her way to the right-most lane. “Alright, we’ll have to wait until the next exit.”

      “Sorry.” Basil said softly.

      “It’s okay, I rushed us out the door.” Mari said calmly. They soon found the exit and pulled into the nearest gas station. Mari took Basil out of the car and into the store, asking for the bathroom key for him. He did his business, and they returned to the car, but someone had been watching them.

      “Okay, time to get on the road again!” Mari cheered. The other two smiled, but just as Mari was about to pull out of the parking space, someone knocked on her window.

      It was a police officer.

      “Holy crap-“ Mari looked at him through the window and waved nervously. He looked at the two boys, who looked just as nervous. “it’ll be fine guys, don’t worry!”

     She rolled down her window, and greeted the man. “Hello, officer. What seems to be the issue?”

      “Just curious as to why a young lady is out driving this late.” He said, Mari unable to read his expression. She gulped.

      “I-I need to get an instrument repaired, because me and my little brother have a recital tonight!” She explained. The officer looked to the backseat, where Sunny waved slowly.

      “And who’s the other boy?” He asked.

      “That’s his friend. He wanted to come along!” She smiled, trying not to act nervous. He raised an eyebrow and pointed to the bag in the passenger seat.

      “What’s in the bag?” He asked.

      “Th-The instrument.” She stuttered.

      “May I see your license?” He asked. She froze.

      “W-Well, you see,” She tried to find some excuse. “I… f-forgot it at home…?”

      He stared.

      “I’m going to ask that you call your parents.” He told her and she started to panic.

      “Th-They’re busy! And we can’t we have to go to—“ Suddenly, shouting came from the store. Was a fight happening? The officer scoffed and pointed at her as he backed up.

      “Stay there!” He ordered as he ran into the store.

      Mari stared. She slowly turned to look at Basil and Sunny, who looked at her with wide eyes. She inhaled.

      The put the car in reverse and stepped on the pedal, pulling out, then took it out of reverse and stepped on it, driving quickly out of the lot. Luckily the entrance to the freeway was right there so she quickly drove onto the freeway, now a criminal.

      “Haha, sorry about that you two!” She smiled. They stared at her in pure disbelief. “Don’t tell anyone about this, okay?”

      They nodded. Sunny thought it was cool. Basil was terrified. But it happened, and nothing could be done.

      They drove for a little longer before it looked like there was traffic up ahead. Mari groaned, trying to look ahead. Was there a bunch of flashing lights?

      “Oh you’ve got to be joking.” She complained, the car stopping.

       “What’s wrong?” Basil asked.

      “There’s a car crash or something. We’re stuck here until they clean it up.” She explained, and leaned back into her seat. Just great. Now they’d be stuck here for who knows how long. Would they even make it in time for the recital at this rate?

      Sunny tapped her shoulder. She turned to him, tilting her head. He sighed.

      “…I need to pee.” He said. She stared at him, eye twitching.

      “Why didn’t you go when I took Basil?”

      “Didn’t need to.”

      She grabbed the empty sprite bottle and handed it to him. He looked shocked. “What? It’s either you piss in the bottle, or go outside.”

      Her tone was menacing. So much so Sunny started to cry again. And really badly too. Mari groaned, throwing the bottle in the seat. “It’s the truth Sunny! You either go in the bottle or you go on the side of the road!”

       Sunny continued to sob, and Basil tried to comfort him. Mari rubbed her temple. If Hero was here, would he be able to handle it better?

      Oh, she should call Hero and tell him about the freeway! She quickly grabbed her phone and called Hero. When he picked up, she could hear Kel and Aubrey talking in the background.

      “Hey Hero! Did you bring Aubrey and Kel with you?” She asked him. He sighed before speaking.

      “I had to. But they got money and we have four hundred dollars .” He said happily. Mari’s eyes sparkled.

      “Seriously!? That’s great!” She cheered. Hero sounded like he was going to speak but got cut off by Sunny’s sobs. Mari’s lips made a straight line .

      “Is Sunny crying?” Asked Hero with concern.

      “It’s only because I told him he had to piss in a bottle.” She deadpanned. Hero seemed to be at a loss for words. “Anyway, there’s traffic on the freeway, I don’t know how long this is gonna take. You might want to try and find another way.”

      “Another way? Oh.. I guess I could look.” Hero mumbled.

      “That’s the spirit! Good luck Hero!” Mari said happily before hanging up. She hoped the traffic wouldn’t take long. She also hoped Hero would have a better time than her. She drove away from cops! Hopefully they didn’t see her license plate….