Chapter Text
Cw: this chapter contains spoilers for TCOAAL, swearing, and just other immoral things within this chapter and others later on. Viewer discretion is advised.
"Honey?"
"Yes, mama?"
"Would you mind picking up some groceries for me?"
"Sure thing, mama!"
"Why me though?.."
. . .
It's another tedious day for most people, but for you? It's probably the BEST DAY EVER!!!
Your mother has trusted you with finally being responsible and old enough to pick up some groceries for her, being that you were 6 going on 7.
So, happily, you took the folded piece of paper your mother gave you along with a small bag filled with enough money for all of the items on the list, some snacks for yourself for being good, along with a first aid compiled of some wipes, bandaids and bandages.
"Bye-bye, mama! I'll be back soon!!" You said, your tone filled with elation as you put on your shoes, starting for the front door of your house.
"Goodbye, sweetheart!! Don't take too long and don't trust any old men in white vans!"
And with that, you went on your merry way to the grocery store.
You and your family were pretty rich, but you lived in an average neighborhood to save some money even though you really didn't need to, but of course you lived within the biggest house on the block across from this somewhat cramped apartment building.
You skipped along the sidewalk, playing a game of hopscotch as you had previously drew with chalk earlier that week.
And of course, 'the step on a crack rule'.
"Step on a crack, break your mom's back!" You mumbled to yourself, making sure to miss every single crack or crease within the ground.
Humming one of your favorite songs as you played your games on your way, you heard the sound of a boy and girl talking in the distance..
"Leyley- I don't.. want to.."
"Well I do!!"
The sound of them arguing over who knows what, you frowned. You hated people arguing since it reminded you of some memories you weren't very fond of.
So, like any other kid would you..
..Walked over towards them, hands on your hips as you tutted in disapproval!
"What are you guys arguing about!? You shouldn't be arguing! Only adults quarrel with each other about serious affairs, not us kids. We're too young and good for that anyway!!" You pouted, using some vocabulary probably no other kids have heard of besides you since you studied every single day due to your parents not being the greatest of all..
The boy and girl looked shocked that another person practically barged into their argument as you tried to fix whatever was happening without even knowing what was going on.
The girl- she had cherry blossom pink colored eyes, her hair was black, short and messy but still very pretty and fluffy looking! She wore 5 white hair clips in her hair, 3 of them all being rectangular shaped near her bangs and the other 2 within other parts in her hair being more almond shaped. She wore some black overalls with a belt and a black and dark purple short sleeved shirt underneath with some scuffed up socks and black mary janes.
And the boy who looked like her brother had emerald green colored eyes, his hair was also black and much shorter than his sisters but still having that messy and fluffy look to it. He seemed much more nervous than the girl, fidgeting with his fingers as he wore a same colored purple short sleeved shirt with a collar resembling a sweater almost. He wore what seemed to be another shirt underneath that was white that slightly stuck out beneath the other shirt followed with simple black pants.
"Who are you to tell us- especially me what to do!?!" The girl yelped out with an annoyed look on her face.
"As I said, quarreling is only for adults for serious matters! I'm just giving you some info.”
"How do you even know what we were talking about?.." The boy spoke up all of the sudden.
"It seemed very very serious. So, I had to stop it. Why don't you guys play games instead?"
The girl looked at the boy while he tensed up, looking away shortly after she grinned while staring at him before turning her attention to you.
"Welllll.. I know a really fun game!! I think you'll like it too!" Your eyes widened as you smiled wide.
"Oo!! What game!?" You flapped your hands, jumping up and down a bit from excitement.
"We'll need four players though.."
"No!"
"Andy!! Pleaseeee!?!!"
"Leyley, I said no!"
"ANDYY!!!"
You covered your ears with how loud the girl, supposedly named LeyLey was being as looked down out of the ground.
"Fine, fine!!! But you're taking all the blame if someone finds out!"
"Hey, no fairrr! What if I only let her out after she promises not to tell on us?"
The boy, named Andy, huffed and nodded.
"Hoorayyy!!!" She turned to you, still covering your ears as she pouted, poking your hand.
"Nono- I'm sorry!-"
"New kid???, helllooooooo???" The girl practically ripped one of your hands away from covering your ears.
"SORRY- .." you paused, now looking up at the both of them as you pursed your lips before you laughed awkwardly.
"Sorryyy just got.." you thought quickly about an excuse.
"Startled! Yes, there was a loud noise I don't think either of you guys heard earlier!" You gave an awkward smile as you all stood there in silence for a few seconds.
"Sooo.. fourth person?.."
"Right!—" the girl suddenly paused before she cleared her throat.
"Almost forgot!! Names Leyley! And this is my brother, Andy! You are?"
"Oh! Um.. I'm (___).. " you smiled softly at them both.
"Well, (__), Today's adventure is calledddd.."
"Andy and LeyLey and the bitch in a box with our special guest, (__)!!"
Andy left you and LeyLey in this old warehouse that LeyLey used to play in before you both met. She was incredibly impatient after a few minutes of waiting for her brother while changing into some brown shoes for this specific adventure while you on the other hand seemed a bit anxious.
"..soooooo.. why were you outside?" LeyLey asked you, tilting her head to the side a bit as your attention turned to her.
"Oh- originally I was out to buy groceries for my mom since she didn't have some ingredients.." you answered as you clicked your shoes together while leaning against a wall, where you both waited for Andrew and the other newcomer.
"Huh.. you're like Andy.. your mom makes you do all sorts of chores, doesn't she? Just because you're sooooo obedient?" She huffed, looking disgruntled.
"Well today was the first time she asked me to get groceries.. but I have done other chores, yes.." you muttered.
"That's so boring!! Why do you follow rules and be obedient- all of that gross stuff??" She grimaced.
"..I just.. wanna be a good kid"
"So you really are like Andy!!"
"..."
"Speaking of him- where is taking him!? He wouldn't forget our plans would he?.." LeyLey’s mood suddenly switched to looking far more despondent, until she heard the sound of footsteps approaching.
"Finally!!" She grabbed your wrist, running over to her brother and the other 'friend' he brought along with him.
"Huh? What are you.. who even are you??" The newcomer inquired, looking absolutely bewildered.
She had fluffy looking, blonde hair. It was styled into some small and very loose pigtails with some basic black hair-ties, followed with a somewhat lighter purple shirt that was still relatively the same color purple as both Andy and LeyLey's shirts. Her shirt had a lighter colored purple as a flower on the center, and the color of her eyes was colored that of a wisteria. She wore a black pleated skirt and some white leg warmers with black ribbons on the sides of them, followed with some basic white shoes.
"I'm—"
"They're me and Andy's new friend! Surpriseeeee!! We wanted to hang out too and introduce you to them!"
"...oh"
'Really??? Just oh????' Was all you could think of in the moment.
"I guess thats.. fine" the girl seemed like she wanted to roll her eyes, but she didn't for whatever reason..
"What's your name?.." you quietly asked the girl as you clasped your hands together as they rested in-front of your lap.
"..Nina. You?" The girl name Nina asked in a slightly disappointed and vexed tone.
"(___). It's nice to meet you.." you held out your hand to Nina as she just stared at it with a look of disgust, but when Andy started staring she immediately changed to a more gentle look and shook your hand.
You could tell she was forcing it.
And that gave you everything you needed to know.
She likes Andy!!
You don't know when, where, or why you can always tell that people are lying but you never questioned it..
It came in quite handy during most times. Like this!
"Say, did you tell your mom you're here?" LeyLey spoke up out of the blue
"No. Why?" Nina replied.
"Heh heh!! Just wondering." LeyLey giggled.
"I mean I'm surprised she let you come hang out with a boy!"
"No way! She thinks I went to study with Julia."
"But, otherwise.. why are you here, Ashley?? I get why they're here somewhat.." Nina mumbled that last part under her breath, but thanks to your sharp hearing you heard what she said. So.. her real name was Ashley? Huh.. so, LeyLey's a nickname..
"Divine intervention."
"..What's that even mean??" Nina queried.
"It means shes full of crap. Don't listen..." Andy finally spoke up.
"So! Are we going inside or what?" LeyLey said with a smile now on her face.
"Is that allowed?.." the girl, Nina, said.
"I allow it! Let's find a way in right now!!" LeyLey happily told the nervous girl as you stayed quiet.
You didn't know how to feel about all of this, a sense of foreboding coming over you as LeyLey led the way for the 4 of you.
"Ugh!! Why'd they nail this metal sheet thing to the wall?"
"To keep trespassers out.." you answered her question, your voice just above a whisper.
"Looks like theres a hole behind it.." Andy quickly added onto what you said.
"Perfect! Tear it open!" LeyLey practically demanded him.
"What? I can't do that!"
"It's okay! I won't tell anyone!!"
"As in I literally can't do it, dumbass!"
"Not without some tools at least.." Andy added.
"Huh. Even though it's this flimsy??"
"...........Yes" Andy sighed.
"I— I like smart guys over beefy ones!" Nina suddenly said, obviously trying to tell Andy that she liked him.
"Who asked??" LeyLey narrowed her eyes as she turned to the girl who seemed embarrassed now being called out before she huffed and went back to leading all of you.
Within a couple seconds, LeyLey found a hammer and used the back of it to pull the nails put from the flimsy metal sheet covering the hole.
That's when Nina started coughing.
"Wow, it sure is.." she coughed again, cutting herself off.
"Kinda dusty in here..."
"Makes me worry about my asthma.." ...she has ASTHMA?????
"It's fine, it's fine.." LeyLey hushed the girl sounding somewhat irritated before she suddenly changed her tone.
"Ooh, I know! How about some hide n' seek!"
"You're such a kid.." Nina pouted.
"Huh?! Andy wants to play too!!"
"You do?.." The girl looked baffled as she turned to Andy.
"What..? Oh, yeah sure.."
"So does (__)!!"
"..Right, yeah.. I do"
"SEE!?" LeyLey furrowed her brows together.
"Well, I mean.. it's fun every once in a while!" Nina made up for her blatant rudeness towards LeyLey despite it being forced just for Andy.
"You totally wanted to play too.. you child" LeyLey remarked.
"I- I'll be it! I'm gonna count to ten!!" The girl then skipped off outside.
"Hundred! At least count to a hundred!!" LeyLey yelled out.
"Okay, okay!.."
"One.. two.." the girl had started counting.
"Alright. Let's find a box to shove her in." LeyLey whispered to both you and Andrew as you looked taken aback.
"..Shove her.. into a box??" You mumbled, almost stuttering over your words.
"Yeah! Of course! Isn't she annoying??" LeyLey stared at you, her hands on her hips.
"... I mean- but we can't!.." your face had become pale.
"Don't you wanna have friends?! I do! We can be your friends!! Your cool friends! Pleaseeee, (__)??" She implored as you were just in absolute disbelief, she took your arm hugging it as she gave you the puppy dog eyes.
"But what if-"
"We won't get in trouble! We'll make sure that she promises to tell no one next morning and that's when we'll let her out! Just for the night!!" Just the night?.. but.. her asthma.
You looked over at Andy as you seemed on the brink of tears and he just looked down at the ground, fidgeting with his fingers.
Looks like he wasn't gonna help you, but he did seem guilty. Sorry for the fact that he was going to let you cry due to this.
"..Fine.. but- just for the night and if it gets you guys to stop quarreling!" You finally succumbed to her antics, sniffling and tears pouring down your cheeks.
"Horrayyyyy!! Thank you, (__)!!" She hugged you tightly before pulling away.
"LeyLey, maybe we shouldn't.."
"Andy, don't you dare start! You promised. Now c'mon before shes done counting!"
So, now you three were looking for a box to shove this poor girl into as she got closer to finish her counting. Even if she had a bad attitude, she doesn't deserve this unless she did something especially bad..
But LeyLey was set on this, and this may be the first ever you've gotten the chance to have real friends.. ones that'll play with you and understand your problems even! One you can confide your problems and secrets to! Like an actual friend..
"Oh! This one will do!!" LeyLey cheerfully squeaked out in contrast to the plan you were doing.
"There isn't any lock on it though.."
"Well we don't want to lock her in..." Andy mumbled.
"The hell we don't!?"
"Don't we just wanna put her into a box until morning?" You cried out.
"Just.. place a stick or something between the rings... that'll keep it closed."
"Won't the stick just break???" LeyLey groaned.
"No, well... if shes hunched inside I doubt she'd have the leverage to—"
"READY OR NOTTT! HERE I COME!"
Shit.
"Aw crap! She counts too fast!!" LeyLey complained.
"..it wasn't that fast, really.." Andy stated.
"Ahaha!! Let's hide! Hide!!" LeyLey giggled as she encouraged you both as she led the way once more as you all hid together.
You sat with your legs close to your chest as the siblings sat by each other, Andrew in the middle of both you and LeyLey as the two sat on their knees.
"Where would we get a stick anyways?" LeyLey whispered as Andy grabbed whatever two pieces of wooden debris was near his feet.
"I guess this'll do.." he quietly said as LeyLey stayed silent for a few seconds.
"Weeee-eeeell???? What do you think? Is she pretty??" LeyLey yelped out, still managing to stay quiet.
"The stick..?" You almost laughed out-loud, covering your mouth to suppress it.
"No! Who do you think, dumbass??" She fussed.
"Ah.. She's fine, I guess...?" You turned your head to LeyLey who looked absolutely pissed but, she said nothing.
You all shared a moment of silence as it filled made everything around you all palpable before you open your mouth to speak-
"Found you!! All of you!" Nina yelped out, smiling brightly.
"Who hides in the same spot? Idiots, hahha!!" The girl laughed.
"I—!! It was my spot first!" LeyLey whined.
"Then you're it!"
"No way! It's either Andy or (__) because they stole my spot!!" You looked over at Andy as he looked over at you.
"..I'll be it." Andy said as he crawled out from the hiding spot as he left to go and count outside.
"Heh heh. My hiding spots are the best." LeyLey declared.
"I know a really good one for you!" She stated with a vivacious tone.
"Come take a look!"
"Um.. okay?" Nervousness was laced into the blonde’s tone as her eyes subtly darted around the room.
"(__)" LeyLey spoke in a playful tone as she looked over at you.
"..yes??" You let a squeak-like sound escape past your lips when you heard your name.
"Come on! I need you to supervise me!!" She demanded in a merrily tone.
"Right!" You said without a fight as you followed behind Nina and LeyLey over to the box she pointed out from earlier.
"Think you'll fit in here?" LeyLey asked Nina.
"Seems like a bad idea.." she replied.
"How so? Hm?"
"I'm gonna get my clothes dirty."
"Oh bohoo. Who cares!"
"My mom does! She'll get mad if I—"
"HUNDRED!" Andy yelled out.
"Oh shoot! He's coming! Hurry hurry!!"
"Err— oh.. O-Okay???" Hastily, Nina hops inside the crate.
"U-hup! (__), come on! Get on!" LeyLey giggled, extending out her hand for you to hold.
"Oh— okay.." you quietly said as you took her hand, now getting on-top of the crate.
"H-huh??? What was that??" Nina stammered over her words.
"Hehehee! We got you now, hussy!" LeyLey grinned in delight as you just frowned and looked at your hand intertwined with LeyLey's.
Nina tries to open the crate, but shes too weak to get one of you off the lid. Let alone two of you, and thats when the coughing started..
"T-this isn't funny, Ashley!! Let me out!"
"There you are Andy, you slowpoke!" LeyLey stuck out her tongue as Andy rolled his eyes.
"Hurry up, she's putting up a fight." The girl within the crate could be heard coughing much more, causing you to feel more.. empathetic.
"I-I can't breathe!!" The girl cried out, followed by more coughs.
"..is she alright?" Andy stared up at you two as he heard the desperate and weak coughs coming from the girl within the box.
"Please, I—!!" She pleaded.
"Shut up already, you drama queen!" LeyLey stomped on the create as you winced.
"Let her out, LeyLey...." Andy sighed.
"She's just pretending!"
"No-one's ever died from some dust."
"Because no-one with asthma has been locked into a dirty and dusty crate!.." you snapped before you slapped your free hand over your mouth while more coughs come from the crate.
"C'mon, let her out." Andy harshly told her.
"What? You guys will believe her over me!? Your bestest friend ever!?!"
"It's not about that, LeyLey!!" You cried out, tears threatening to pool from your eyes.
"..it isn't." Andy quickly added.
"Fine! You guys let her out then. Who cares about me anymore!" More coughs filled the air, and you felt your stomach churned.
"Everyone likes her better! Bet you guys like her better too! But everyone does, I already know!" Tears welled up in her eyes, harsher- wheezing coughs following.
"I bet you'd both rather have partners than spend time with me!!! Of course you guys would!"
"Oh, c'mon! I already told you, I don't want—" Andy was cut off.
"And bet—!! Bet you only hang out with me cause mom told you to, Andy!" She burst out crying, convulsing as she balled up her hands into fists, rubbing her eyes.
"........Well that's... I mean maybe she did but—"
"It's not fair! Why does everyone like her better?!" She screamed, sobbing more as you got closer to her.
"I'm loud and weird and annoying and no-one likes me at all!!" She sniffled.
"..I like you better, LeyLey." The boy’s tone got softer.
".. I- ..do too." You hugged LeyLey, suppressing your cries.
"Prove it. You liars." She huffed out, her mood now changing as she got you off of her, pointing over to Andy as a way to tell you 'go by him'. You did just that.
You stood by him awkwardly as he sighed.
"I knew it." LeyLey frowned.
"Maybe you'd have more friends if you weren't always so—"
"Not even my own brother picks me over her! I knew it already!! Not even my new friend!!"
"Did I not just say—"
"LA LA LA LAAA!! Talk sure is cheap!!"
"Goddammit.." Andy handed you the second wooden piece he picked up earlier as you furrowed your brows together, thinking about how messed up this was..
But, nonetheless, you obliged like Andy. You put your wooden piece in after Andy put in his between the rings of the crate
"There. Are you satisfied?" Andy huffed out.
"Heehee! Yes!!" The girl happily said as she got onto her knees and pulled you two into a group hug much to Andy trying to pull her off.
"Just until morning, okay?" Andy groaned.
You just hugged Andy and LeyLey tighter to get your mind off what just happened.
"Yes, yes! You're both the absolute best! I like you both the best!!"
"You hear that, Ninaaa?? You have to stay there until morning!"
"No!! Please, Ashley!!" The girl implored, wheezing coughs indicating she was loosing oxygen.
"Let me out! Please!"
"Ashley, wait!! Don't— go!!" She coughed in-between her words.
"Ashley, please!!"
"ASHLEY!?!!"
And, as you three left, you could hear the poor girl sob and cough, trying to get out.
. . .
End of chapter