Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was, overall, a pleasant day. Not too hot, not too loud, no sign of oncoming rain but slightly cloudy so the sun wasn’t glaring down directly in one’s face. Perfect weather for a fluffy-black-haired artist to make her way down to the local park, sit down on her favourite bench and finish up a sketch for her portfolio.

And finish the sketch, she had! ‘Carpe diem’, she decided, taking inspiration from someone she’d met who never seemed to let a day go by without doing something fun. Taking one final look at the drawing to make sure she was satisfied, she put her pencils and eraser away and smiled to herself. It was a landscape drawing of the park. She’d always preferred drawing people or animals, but if she wanted even a sliver of a chance to get into the college of her dreams she told herself quite a while ago she’d need to branch out, and admiring her most recent drawing she could tell it was paying off! Granted, there was still that cynical little voice in the back of her head but she gave it a rather stern-telling off for daring to criticise such a masterpiece. 

For the longest time, Mincy had struggled with looking on the bright side. She’d spend hours trying to get a single line to look just right, and even when the whole world told her it was perfect, she felt like a failure. Really, it wasn’t until recently that she’d been able to change her outlook. What had started out as an ordinary day in the park had ended with her making two new friends, and feeling much better about her art! The ever-optimistic Kel, who seemed to be almost as bouncy as the basketball he was so proficient with, and… Sunny. She’d seen Kel around quite a bit, and the two had talked whenever they happened to bump into each other, but Sunny was a different story. She felt slightly hollow when she thought about it, but ever since she’d drawn that gift for them, she hadn’t seen Sunny around. She found out later, when talking to Kel, that he’d moved away… His mother wanted to get away from this town, to have a fresh start, and she supposed it made sense but she couldn’t help but feel a pang of loss for someone she’d never get to know further. 

She wasn’t sure why, but Mincy often found her mind wandering back to Sunny… His neat black hair, his sense of fashion that almost made Mincy wonder if he’d just arrived in Faraway from Victorian England, and his face… He didn’t smile often, but Mincy didn’t get the feeling it was because he was constantly unhappy. She did, however, get the sense that it would probably take quite a lot to get him to smile! It’d be a goal she’d have quite a lot of fun with, but after hearing how Sunny had moved away, she supposed it’d be a goal that would remain, forever, hypothetical and unsolved. Just a nice ‘what if’... She packed up her sketchbook, ready to head home for the day.

~

“I just can’t believe you’re so grown up! Heading off to college, leaving your poor mom behind…” Mincy’s mother wiped a tear from her eye, squeezing the young artist so tight she could hardly breathe… 

“It seems like just yesterday you’d go out into the park, armed with your sketchbook, building your portfolio…” Her brother Ceylan reminisced, ruffling her hair. “Back then, we knew you’d be home every day in time for dinner, or by 9:30 if you were out late. But now-”

“SHE’S NEVER COMING BACK!” Her mother sobbed, dampening the shoulder of Mincy’s jacket. She returned the hug, feeling somewhat guilty, and made an attempt to ease the pain. 

“You’ll see me again! I’m not gonna be gone forever, and besides, It’s not like I’m moving country! I can visit, or you can visit…”

“That’s right, this isn’t a permanent goodbye.” Her father nodded solemnly, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Uni life’s a big adjustment, though, you sure you’re still up for it, Mince? Never too late to change your mind…” Knowing what he was going through, Mincy resisted the urge to correct him on his usage of the word ‘uni’. (Who said that, anyway? It was college! Weirdo.) He seemed to be the calmest, but she knew it was all an act for her. As soon as Mincy hopped on the train, he’d be bawling his eyes out…

Still, she had to give them some credit. Her mother barely slept the night of her first sleepover, and the longest she’d ever been apart from her family was when she was out camping for school. It was a big change, but she felt that living on-campus in a dorm would give her the experience she needed before she went out to tame the beast they called life. She’d been through it with them before, and they’d agreed. Mincy knew her father didn’t expect an answer, he’d already known it before he’d even asked the question. He looked at her, and Mincy was having difficulty holding in the tears herself. In that moment, she and her father shared an exchange that was unique to the two of them. It wasn’t a conversation, but they knew exactly what each other were thinking. Her father didn’t often talk about his feelings, though he tried, but over time Mincy had learnt to pick up on signs based on his expressions and body language and standing there, she knew that no matter how hard it was to say goodbye, he felt nothing but pride for her.

One last time, Mincy hugged her family, bidding them a tearful goodbye as she gathered her things. She promised to stay in touch, to visit them and to make good decisions, and turned to face her future. The doors were open, but her mother’s emotional speeches almost resulted in her being… Late? Mincy checked her watch and immediately began to panic! She slung her bag over her shoulder, grabbed the suit-case she had tediously packed herself and rushed onto the train! She breathed a sigh of relief just as the doors closed behind her. She had big dreams but to accomplish any of them, she had to get there first! All while being on time, of course.

Mincy sat down, getting comfortable. It’d be quite a wait, so she brought a sketchbook! Her personal sketchbook, of course. She was still feeling jitters, and she didn’t quite think this would be a vent drawing but it wasn’t something she’d be presenting to a professor. She took out a pencil and tapped it against the page as she donned her earphones, shuffling her favourite playlist. Dreaming of the future, she began to work: A rough outline as a start, she’d decided on what to draw. Herself, standing tall on the page, in a fancy robe and hat! She wasn’t sure what the hat was called, but it was the sort you threw into the air once you graduated college. Leaning back as she examined it, she was happy with how she drew herself but the page still seemed empty. She wasn’t sure why, but she couldn’t shake the feeling… Hopefully she’d find some friends, maybe she could add them to the page? In any case, this was the goal: A robe, a degree, graduation and from there, her whole life! Mincy leaned back, closing her eyes, letting herself space out as the next song came on.

~

The wait was over. Standing in front of Mincy was her future. Her destiny, the thing she’d been working towards for years now. It was everything she’d ever dreamed of: Lush, awe-inspiring greenery, nice quiet spots to curl up with a book or doodle absent-mindedly to distract herself from looming deadlines, and… A familiar face?
No .

Mincy rubbed her eyes. Was she dreaming? Was she… dead? Did she die, and wind up in heaven?! She told herself to breathe, to get a grip on herself. No matter how she looked at it, it was him. Sure, he’d changed since she last saw him… He was taller, looked more well-rested… Did he start working out? She shook her head. There’d be time for that later! She started thinking of what to do, what she could say, when she turned bright red- He was looking straight at her. It’d be fine, nothing would happen anyway, or so she told herself. He’d look away, she’d walk off and pretend she hadn’t seen him, and-

“Mincy?”

Chapter Text

Lights. Cheering. Tension. Struggle. These distractions, painfully obvious to some, were invisible to one boy in particular as he focused on his goal. The world fell away as his concentration focused on two things. Two things, the only thing that mattered to him. The ball he was dribbling, its rough but familiar feeling against the palm of his hand providing some comfort amidst the stress of the court. And the net. He set his eyes on it, lining up for the perfect shot. His heart was pounding, it felt like everything that could possibly matter to him was dependent on making this work. He’d close his eyes if he didn’t need them, but for lack of any other way to ease his nerves he went for it. The ball soared through the air, he heard someone on the opposing team swear, and his father let out a roar. He stepped back, sighing. He did it. He’d won.

~ 

Kel walked out of the changing room, having showered off and changed, feeling uneasy. He tried to ignore it, but if there was one thing he’d learned from life it was that ignoring negative emotions didn’t make them disappear. He’d deal with it later, maybe with an evening run, he told himself… Making his way towards the exit, Kel was quickly stopped in his tracks as he heard his name being called out.

“Hey, Kel! Great job out there today!”

In front of him stood Cris, the blue-haired girl who was known across the school for her speed and skill in the water. He’d talked to her before, in passing, but he was surprised to see her seeking him out after a game.

“Yo, Cris! Thanks, it was rough, but I pulled through in the end!”

“What are you talking about?” She retorted, with exaggerated disbelief. “That game was nearly perfect for you! You kicked the other team’s collective butt!”

“Did I?” Kel smiled. “I guess so…”

“C’mon, what’s bothering you? You should be out celebrating! What’s got you down?” 

“I dunno, it’s kind of dumb…”

“If it’s getting you down, it’s not dumb at all!” Cris looked at him, a serious expression on her face. “Anything that ruins what should be an afternoon filled with pride over your achievement must be pretty big! Besides, we’re friends, right?” Kel thought it over… They hadn’t talked much lately, but he’d always wished they hung out more. Thinking it over, he wasn’t sure why. Aside from basketball practice, he really didn’t have a lot going on. Cris seemed like she wasn’t going to let it go, so he steadied himself and began to explain.

“I guess even if I win, it still feels like I need to win… Better?” He started off, but noticed Cris’s blank, confused stare. Kel shook his head, trying again. “My parents are… T-they’re great people, for sure!! It’s not like I don’t like them, but they’ve always been… Strong-willed. It’s just ‘cus they want what’s best for us, yeah? And before, the pressure was split between Hero and I to bring home something to be proud of. But when he went off to college… It feels like that same pressure that was split doubled down onto me. And you know me, I’m not exactly the sharpest egg in the basket…” Cris cut him off.

“Kel, don’t put yourself down like that!” She pouted, upset to see him making self-deprecating comments.

“Nah, it’s not like that! I just know where my strengths lie. Strong of arm, pure of heart but dumb of brain… Hero was good at cooking, and bein’ smart… And I was super good at sports! But in my parents’ eyes, that’s kinda the only thing worthwhile that I’m good at. The reason Hero studied as much as he did; a lot of his dedication was more towards makin’ them proud than actually working towards the future of his dreams. I guess now that I’m pretty set on balling with the big leagues, they expect me to practise just as much as Hero did. The pressure’s on, and if I don’t do well enough…” He trailed off, looking tired. Cris looked at him, placing her hand on his shoulder.

“I get that. I got lucky, my parents try to be encouraging… Every time report card season rolls around they tell me that they’ll be happy no matter what I get but I can’t help but wonder if they’d be happier with a daughter who did better academically. But Kel, I can tell you one thing. You’re amazing. You’re one of the best basketball players at our school, maybe even one of the best in the state! For our age, anyway. And if they can’t see it… Then that’s their fault! You deserve better. I say forget about them, Kel! You’re doing just fine, who cares about what they think?”

Kel took a minute to process what she had said. He’d just sort of told himself he had to deal with the pressure they provided, but he wasn’t just a kid anymore. His life was his own, and his parents had always planned to move closer to where they grew up in the future. Kel would be getting a job eventually, and he didn’t need to deal with them if he didn’t want to. He conveyed these thoughts to Cris, who smiled, nodding.

“So basically, I don’t even need to put up with them for that much longer! I’ll still see them around, but it’s my life! I’ve only got room for people I want to be around! Like you!” He cheered. Cris’s cheeks flushed. She wasn’t entirely sure what Kel meant…

“N-not like… I mean…” He stuttered. What did he mean? As he did often, Kel just went with his gut. “You’re an awesome person, Cris, and I’d love to spend more time with you!” 

She was still blushing, she really hadn’t expected this to go so well! “Thank you, I’d like that too… Actually, it’s kind of funny. As well as wanting to congratulate you, I stuck around after school to ask if you wanted to hang out! I’d wanted to for a while, but in the past you’ve always been with the gang! Sunny, Aubrey, Basil… You guys have been inseparable for years! I didn’t want to intrude or anything… After Sunny left, I dunno! I guess I’ve just been working up the courage? That sounds dumb…”

“I don’t think so!” Kel grinned. Even just standing there, talking to Cris, the pressure he’d felt earlier seemed to melt away. He didn’t know why, exactly, but… What was that saying about gifting horses in the mouth? “Hey, Cris! Are you free tonight?”

“Tonight? I think so, yeah! Why’s that?”

“Well, I just had a pretty great game! And you’ve had some successes worthy of a feast lately too! I was wondering if you’d want to meet up for dinner somewhere?”

“But won’t your family be expecting you?” Cris asked, nervous.

“Eh, probably, but I deserve a night to myself! I’ll head home, let ‘em know, get ready and… We can meet at eight?” 

Cris nodded excitedly. She hugged Kel and said a quick goodbye before rushing off home. Kel was left with a smile he couldn’t get rid of even if he wanted to. For the first time in ages, it seemed things were looking up for him.

Chapter Text

It’s never been easy to process a truth you don’t want to believe in. To hear it and stay relatively calm in the face of it is one thing, but to live on and accept it is entirely different. Hero was well aware of this. 

He couldn’t be angry at Sunny, nor at Basil. They were practically siblings to him, and it felt wrong. He should be angry with them. Yet there he was, walking around Faraway, feeling incapable of holding it against them. He was angry when he found out what had happened to Mari. Angry at the situation, because it wasn’t right. Angry at himself because he felt he should have been able to recognise the signs in Mari. He should have been there for her, he should have helped… But looking back, there was no way he could have helped because the situation was a lie. She didn’t end anything, not by her own choice. This should have comforted him, and yet it didn’t.

Years ago, when it happened, Hero was never given time to think about what had actually occurred. He wasn’t allowed to process his emotions at a rate he was comfortable with. Mari was his world, his everything, and now that she was gone he was expected to carry on with his life - the life he had once been sure he’d spend with her. His parents encouraged him to stay home and take a break to think about things, but he knew he had to return to school. For their sake. He’d wake up, walking the same route he had taken for years, the only difference being the empty space on the sidewalk right next to him. He’d go to school, taking the same classes he had taken for years, but the warm smile and melodious voice that encouraged him to do his best was gone. The class was noisy, but it felt wrong. To Hero, it may as well have been silent. 

So why, now, was he not angry? He’d spent nights crying for hours, wishing and hoping and running the sharp edges of ‘what-if’s over his brain just hoping he’d wake up and things would be different, and now he knew the truth. There was nothing he could’ve done and there was no way it could have been his fault.

~

Of all of them, Kel had been the most understanding.

“Accidents happen, Sunny, it’s what makes us human! As long as the truth comes out, things will turn out fine! Doing one bad thing, especially one you didn’t mean to, doesn’t make you a bad person.” He’d explained with an innocent smile on his face. And yes, maybe Hero would agree. It made sense to him, and Sunny was family to Hero. More than that, Sunny was a friend. You couldn’t choose your family, but Hero and Sunny had hung out together, with the rest of them, practically every day for as long as he could remember! Even if it made sense, logically, he couldn’t hate Sunny. Or Basil. He knew that Basil was just trying to help his best friend.

Aubrey had taken slightly longer, but came to the conclusion that it could have happened to anyone. Fights broke out, and sometimes the aftermath goes wrong. Something that could have been harmless results in something far, far worse. She knew this just as well as Sunny… So she stepped forward, and hugged him. She wept, and so did Sunny, and it had carried on for… Minutes? Hours? Hero couldn’t tell, nor could he see how it was important. He felt lost, detached from the world. He’d talked to Sunny about it, and Sunny had promised to stay in contact. Hero wasn’t sure what he was feeling, not in its entirety… But there was one sense he could recognise as plain as day. Hunger. You couldn’t function on an empty stomach! Maybe this walk, alongside his favourite meal, would help him process this.

~ 

Hearing the jingle as he entered Othermart, Hero made a beeline for the bakery. At the register, he saw… Hero stopped. He didn’t actually know her name. He’d seen her around before, of course, but the two hadn’t really talked. It was something starting with a ‘D’, he thought. Danielle didn’t seem right, nor any shortening of that… Deborah was dead wrong. Maybe it was…

Daphne?

“Hero?” She responded, looking confused. Hero panicked as he realised he’d spoken that last part aloud without meaning to, not quite sure what to do. 

“Y-yeah, that’s… That’s me!” He said, making finger guns. He wasn’t sure why. “Sorry if I spooked you, just wasn’t sure why you were out here instead of your parents!”

“Ah, that does make sense. We haven’t seen you around lately, but my parents have been rather preoccupied as of late. They’ve asked me to help out when I’m free, and in return I get some work experience! With a little bit of financial compensation, too, but that’s just between you and I.” She remarked, playfully.

“Oh, have they been busy?” 

“Exceptionally so…” She sighed. “The sun never sets over the baking empire…”

“Though like with any sun, it rises in the yeast, right?” 

Hero was met with a blank stare. Just as he began to worry he’d messed up, Daphne burst into laughter. Pure, unfiltered, uncontrollable laughter… Hero loved a good pun but usually he was met with a groan or sigh if not a threat of violence. 

“Rises in…” She struggled for air, composing herself. “Rises in the yeast… I hadn’t heard that one before! That was good…” 

“Glad you liked it!” Hero was pleasantly surprised, and decided to go with it. “After all, most people have this deep sense of loaf-ing for my bread puns…” 

Daphne erupted into laughter once again. She didn’t seem like she was faking it! Hero was excited, most social interactions recently were quiet, dull, small talk or formal and daunting conversations… 

“So, you’re here for the baguette loaf? Sandwich material?” Daphne looked at him expectantly. Was she psychic? He nodded, and was clearly confused about how Daphne knew this because she explained herself with a smirk.

“One can’t go around with the nickname ‘Hero’ and not have people question it. Tales of your legendary sandwich quests have even reached me, and you better believe I prepared myself for such an occasion!” She pulled out the exact loaf Hero was looking for, and he fished out his wallet, readying the payment. “Though frankly I can’t see what’s so special about them.”

Hero gasped. Blasphemy! Heresy! 

“How could you say such a thing? The softness, the crunch, all of the flavours mixing together… It’s the perfect meal in one convenient edible package!” 

“Well, what makes it different from any other sandwich? Dare I say… The average burger?”

“I’m offended, Daphne…”

“Wounded, even?” She raised an eyebrow, enjoying their banter.

“Hurt, Daphne! You of all people should know that those are just too soft! Having soft ingredients like tomatoes and cheese combined with soft bread like a burger bun of your average run-of-the-mill white bread just ruins it all! You’ve got to earn the satisfaction of a perfect lunch or dinner, and the way to earn it is by biting through the just-tough-enough exterior of a long piece of baguette!”

She smiled, amused as she considered his explanation. “Well, perhaps you’ll have to show me some time~” 

If there was any connotation to that statement beyond a challenge, it fell deaf on Hero’s ears. His pride had been tested and he wouldn’t back down. “Well, when will I be able to prove it to you?”

“My shift actually ends in a few minutes. I should really be closing up soon…”

“I could help!” Hero offered confidently as he began planning the best possible sandwich to best Daphne’s accusation in his mind.

“That would be lovely!” She smiled as she started to pack up, handing Hero some change. “Though I do wish you’d brought an umbrella…”  Hero looked confused. Why would he need an umbrella?

“I mean, take a look around! Seems to me like there’s a heavy chance of grain!” She stood, clearly proud of herself, as Hero chuckled.

Chance of grain… He was really starting to like this!

Chapter Text

“You can come with me, or stay here. Do what you want, I don’t care, just let me know soon so I can start packing.”

The words of Aubrey’s mother echoed in her mind as she paced around her bedroom, thinking. Parents had said similar things before, but Aubrey knew her mom meant it. She really didn’t care about the aftermath. If anything, her mom would probably be happier if Aubrey stayed. She had said to Aubrey that she was leaving town to live with her sister and offered Aubrey the choice. To Aubrey, the answer seemed obvious. She’d do anything to finally have some freedom, to live a life separate from her mother. The only thing stopping her was deciding where to go…

~

“I don’t have enough money to stay at any hotel, and even if I had a job, where would I stay while I’m trying to work for the money?” Aubrey grumbled. She’d been given the chance of a lifetime with no way to utilise it. Her best friend, Basil, sat across for her and smiled sympathetically, trying to reassure her.

“I wish I knew… How long have you got to decide?” 

Aubrey scowled. “She wants an answer by the end of the day. Didn’t think to tell me sooner.” 

Basil was fuming, but his eyes lit up as he tried to present an idea as if he had just thought  of it. “Aubrey… What if you stayed with us?” 

“That’s…” She sighed. “Basil, it’s a nice offer, but this isn’t just a weekend, or a sleepover. This would be… Well, for the foreseeable future. Until I can get a job.”

Basil nodded, and Aubrey looked at him. She seemed exhausted… “Basil, I wish I could but I can’t just push that onto Polly.” Aubrey sounded desperate. She so badly wanted this, but she knew she couldn’t. It would be selfish.

“You wouldn’t be pushing it onto her… She’s talked before about-” He stopped. Not his place to say. “Nevermind, just… Let’s talk about it over dinner?” 

She didn’t want to get her hopes up. She’d learned that lesson long ago. Getting a child excited to go to Disneyland as a family for months and then blowing the money on gambling and booze tends to have a lasting effect… Aubrey nodded. She’d talk it over, and nothing would come of it. She’d then head home and pack her clothes. She’d known for a while that there were never any easy outs of an awful situation, and this was no different.

~

“So if it came down to it, you’d rather not stay with your mother?” Polly asked, frowning, as she poked at the pasta she’d set down for herself on the table. Recently, she’d made a habit of freeing up time to eat with Basil each night. Polly had grown up eating as a family, and believed it helped keep one close to their family and gave everyone a good opportunity to speak their mind, but Basil had never really gotten that opportunity… It seemed to be helping him, and she was sure Aubrey could benefit from it too.

Aubrey shook her head. “I’d do anything to get out of it. I used to be terrified of her, but… Well, now she just pisses me off. I don’t want to have to deal with her lounging around all day.”

Polly was furious, but she tried to keep a level head. Did everyone in this town have at least one awful parent? She looked at Aubrey, concerned. “I know you said you didn’t want to be a burden, but Aubrey… This isn’t just my job. I genuinely care about Basil, and I care about you, too. I suspected something was wrong, but I didn’t want to assume anything.”

Aubrey stared idly at the plate in front of her. “You don’t have to say that…” She was trying so, so hard. She could feel tears forming but she blinked them away, reinforcing the walls she’d been working tirelessly to preserve. Suddenly, coming as a complete shock to her, Polly raised her voice. She wasn’t quite yelling, but that soft, caring demeanour she usually acted with was gone too. Polly was angry, clearly, but not at her.

“Aubrey!” Polly was looking straight at her, sounding serious. “I’m not trying to act in charity, or pity you or whatever you’ve convinced yourself I’m doing. I care , Aubrey, and I know you’re not used to that and it breaks my heart to know that but I do! I don’t need to do this. I could turn you away, and it wouldn’t be my problem. I’ve got other things to do, you’re not paying me for this so there’d be no other reason for me to do this. I don’t need to be here with Basil, either! But I am. His parents…” She was fired up, and nothing was going to stop her speaking her mind but she didn’t want to intrude on Basil’s privacy. Looking at him with a pause, he nodded, encouraging her to go on. “Basil’s parents enrage and disgust me. They have no bond, but expect him to care about them… They act like they’re entitled to his love but do nothing for him. His whole life, he’s had to rely on his grandma or his friends, people his age, to talk about what he’s facing… In the past few years they’ve stopped by twice! Twice!” She took a breath. Aubrey had never seen Polly like this. It was a little unnerving, but she felt like she respected Polly more for it. “They don’t even find the time to call him, their work’s more important. Him, and you… You’re both amazing people! You’ve done some messed up things, sure, but that’s expected! Neither of you had someone there to guide you. Neither of you had someone who loved you as much as they should have… You both deserve so, so much more. And I’m not going to pretend you or Basil will see me as your mother. That’s not what I’m offering! It’s not realistic, and to be honest I don’t think it’s what either of us want. But at the end of the day, if I can give you two a place to stay, the guarantee of three good meals a day and someone to talk to… Well, I think everyone should have that. It’s your choice, Aubrey, I just wanted to let you know where I stood-” Polly looked up. She’d been ranting for so long, she hadn’t realised Aubrey had gotten up from where she was seated. Subsequently, she hadn’t realised Aubrey had walked over to her, tears spilling down her face, looking at her as she spoke.

Aubrey’s eyes widened, surprised as Polly wrapped her arms around her, placing a hand on her head. “It’ll be okay, Aubrey. I’m sorry you’ve had to make this decision alone, but from now on it won’t just be you dealing with these things. You don’t have to face life alone… That is, if you wanted to..?” Aubrey nodded. Wordlessly, but immediately, she nodded. 

~

“I’ve made my decision.”

“Took you long enough.” Aubrey’s mom looked up from her phone, sitting on the tattered couch. She’d packed up a while ago, as had Aubrey, and was now waiting for a car to pick her up. Aubrey scowled, she’d expected some kind of reaction but she should have known by now that even that was overestimating her mother. 

“I’ll be staying with Basil and Polly until I have a job and can afford another plan. They both said they were comfortable and more than happy to accommodate me, and I’ll be able to continue life as normal from here.”

“‘Kay.” She said, taking out a cigarette. Aubrey had tried to suppress what she was feeling but she was just sick of it by now. She’d put up with her for far too long and for all Aubrey knew she wouldn’t be seeing her mother for a very, very long time.

“‘Kay? Is that all you have to say? KAY? I’m leaving home, I won’t see you for who-knows-how long, I’ll be living with an adult whom you’ve never even met and you can’t even respond with a single proper word?”

Her mother looked up, angry. “Listen here, young lady, you can’t talk to your mother like that-”

“No! No, you listen because I’m sick and tired of not being heard. I don’t matter to you. I know that because if I did, you’d have been there for… Literally any important event that’s happened in my life! Sure, maybe I shouldn’t talk to you like this because ‘you’re my mother’ but have you ever considered that you shouldn’t treat me like garbage because I’m your daughter?” Her mother stared, blankly. She couldn’t discern any emotion from her expression but honestly? She didn’t care. “Do you even know who Basil is? I’ve told you about him! I’ve been his best friend for most of my life!”

Her mother stared ahead, blinking. She thought for a few minutes, and then spoke. “Basil… He’s the gay one?” Aubrey, still furious, was too stunned to speak, so her mother elaborated. “Kid walks around with a flower in his hair! No normal guy does that!”

Aubrey turned around, opened the door and walked out. She didn’t even bother closing it. Maybe it would finally give her mother a reason to leave the couch. The one thing she knew for sure, as she walked forwards, was that would be the last time Aubrey spoke to her mother.