Chapter Text
July 16th, 2017
Bitter. Skylar was bitter sitting on the old bus. He imagined it was the magic school bus, hoping the misery would wash away if they were doing something cool with Mrs Frizzle - but that wasn’t the case. He was in this crappy old bus going to a dumb camp that his parents decided would be good for him.
He sighed, leaning into the seat just slightly. The only plus side of this whole thing was knowing a few others going as well. He knew that Elizabeth was put into the same camp - it’s where their parents got the idea. So in technicality - this was Elizabeth’s fault. If Skylar heard correctly as well, Alfie was going as well, which should be fun enough. He hasn’t seen either of them in a little while, since their whole family ordeal (is what Skylar likes to call it) so this should be fun, right?
Not.
He watched as a tall brunette, maybe just a little older than him, got onto the bus just a few seconds after the bus stopped at its next destination. He had his glasses pushed up to his face, and he walked down the aisle with pride. Skylar could tell if the two of them had a contest to see who had a bigger ego, this guy would win. He watched as the other sat in the seat just in front of him, and Skylar hung his head. Of course, his fat head blocking 2/3rds of my view. Skylar knew he was being dramatic, but that was besides the point. Why did this guy sit right in front of him?
Leaning over just slightly, Skylar can also see that two more people followed onto the bus after him. They sat just slightly ahead of the two, right next to each other. If Skylar had watched them walk on, he’d get a better view of them - but he could tell it was both a girl and boy, maybe younger than him. If only this guys fat head wasn’t in view.
Skylar pouted, crossing his arms as the bus started up again. His mind begins roaming, thinking about the destination. He wasn’t going to lie, he was actually kind of excited. As a kid, he spent a good majority of his summers at the Huceti farm - and they did quite a bit of outdoor activities there. Was it going to be like that? If Elizabeth and Alfie were going, it had to be at least a little bit like the summers they used to have as kids. Skylar sat up straighter, a smile forming on his face as the excitement began to bubble inside of him. His mind continuing to think of all the fun stuff he would be able to do, possibly meeting some semi-cool people that can hangout with him and his old buddies, it was going to be fun!
Is this what gaslighting yourself feels like? Skylar shoved that thought to the back of his mind as the bus takes a turn into a neighbourhood he is familiar with. Of course he is familiar with it, he would know the feel of the turn anyday. His smile widened as the bus stopped at the house he considered his second home - his leg beginning to bounce. He listened as the doors to the vehicle opened, and Skylar couldn’t help but stand up and grin as Elizabeth walked onto the bus with Alfie following just moments after.
Skylar also couldn’t help himself when his arm rose up, waving at the brunette with dyed blonde ends enthusiastically. “ELIZABETH!!” He shouted, making the girl look at him quickly; scared at the sudden call out. He could see the recognition form on her face, and a smile form as she waved back. Skylar is unaware that the others on the bus stare at them, but he is aware of how Elizabeth grabbed onto her brother's arm, dragging them to the seat that Skylar was at.
Skylar ignored the annoyed look on Alfie’s face as they reached the seat he was in, Elizabeth plopping herself down beside Skylar as the other sat on the bench next to them, dragging himself to the window. “Skylar! What the hell, what are you doing here?” Elizabeth exclaimed, giving him a hug. Skylar hugged her back tightly, a laugh escaping his throat. It’s been too long without seeing her.
Skylar considered Elizabeth to be his sister, in fact - he considered almost all of the Huceti kids to be a sibling. Skylar practically grew up with them. They broke the hug, Skylar huffing as he crossed his arms. “Well, somebody’s parents told mine about a certain camp that a few people were being sent to. They decided that it was a good idea to send me as well. I wonder who’s fault that is?” Skylar says, clearly directing the comment at her. Elizabeth smiled sheepishly, leaning back into the seat. “Sorry.” She commented quietly, before straightening herself up again.
“But it’ll be fun! It’s been a while since we had a summer together, so it’ll be fun!” She exclaims, forcing the tone. Skylar can tell it’s forced too, but he doesn’t comment on it. Skylar grins, looking over her shoulder to Alfie. The younger one was staring out the window, clearly unimpressed with the whole ordeal. Skylar furrowed his eyebrows, but still put a smile on his face. “Hear that, Alf! We can pull pranks, just like when we were kids!”
Alfie looked over at the older male upon hearing his name, raising an eyebrow at the statement. Skylar expected a grin, he expected a knowing look - but he got none. Just the unamused look from the 13 year old sitting just across from him. Skylar chuckled nervously, sitting back into his seat.
“Ignore him, he’s.. Well, he’s Alfie. It’ll pass.” Elizabeth says, waving him off. Skylar nods his head, the sound of the bus becoming very present to his ears. “It’s weird, how things change so quick.” Skylar commented quietly, making Elizabeth frown as she leaned into the seat. “You’re telling me.” She huffed out, looking down as she played with her fingers.
Skylar winced at that. He knew what happened, how everyone reacted, and he knew everything changed after that - at least to him, but he never got the intel on how things changed for them. His big change of it all was that last summer was the first without spending almost every moment with them, so how big of a change was it for them?
Instead of dwelling on it, Skylar decided to think past it. It was in the past, and Skylar figured that they needed a summer that was fun, adventurous. They all did. So instead of pushing further, Skylar gave Elizabeth a grin. “Think we’ll be able to skydive?”
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow, looking back up at Skylar. “What kind of camp has skydiving?” She quips back, a small grin on her face as she huffs out a laugh after. Skylar pouts, crossing his arms. “Let me dream.”
-
Comet sat there, reading the book in her hands as Zephyr sat beside her, staring out the window. To say she was nervous was an understatement, she was petrified. If you look at the bigger picture, this technically is the first time their parents actually put her and Zephyr into something that wasn’t to make them ‘useful to the family’. It’s also technically the first real summer for Zephyr outside of the army, which she personally thinks is a big deal - Zeph, not so much.
She stared at the book in her hands, not actually taking in the words that were on the paper - her mind going 100 miles per hour. She closed it softly, tucking it into her bag before glancing over to her little sibling. She could tell they were nervous, the way their leg was bouncing up and down. Comet placed her hand on their leg, making them quickly look over to her - letting out a deep breath they didn’t know they were holding. “You okay?” She asks quietly, trying to make sure nobody else can listen in on their conversation.
When they had first gotten onto the bus, it was just the boy sitting in the far back of the bus. Comet didn’t get a good look at him, considering Sebastian had been walking in front of her and blocked the view by how tall he was and how short she is - but she did get a better view when they had stopped at the next house and the boy had shot up to wave his friends over. Well - friend - the boy behind the girl had seemed so annoyed by the whole ordeal, so Comet wouldn’t consider them friends by that reaction.
The bus was now filled a little more, and Comet had made sure to examine every person as they walked on. There was a taller boy come on, but what peaked her interest was the wolf ears and tail that the boy had. Obviously a hybrid of some sort, but any hybrid peaked Comet’s interest. There had also been two other girls come on at one point - a dark haired girl with a checkered purple and black hoodie, and the other just shorter than her decked out in almost all pink shades. The flower crown that had sat on her head was absolutely adorable though, Comet thought to herself.
Zephyr nodded at the question, giving her a sheepish smile. “Yeah, sorry. Just..” Zephyr trailed off, making Comet give him a soft smile. “Nervous?” She suggested, making the younger nod their head just slightly. “Yeah.” he breathed out, eyes darting around the bus. Their elf shaped ear twitched just slightly until he looked back at Comet.
“It’s weird, y’know? Every summer I spent training for wars, surrounded by men triple my age and now I’m.. stuck on a bus with people my age.” He continued quietly, shrugging as he spoke. Comet felt herself feel a tinge of guilt as her sibling spoke. She herself was never put into the position that Zephyr had been put into, was never held to the same expectations as them. “I want to make friends.” They declare, pulling Comet out of their thoughts. Comet raised an eyebrow, a smile forming on her face. “Yeah?”
Zephyr nodded, determined. “Yeah, I do. The only thing is the fact that I don’t know how to talk to them.” They continue, making Comet put her hand on his shoulder. “Just be yourself.” She advises, making Zephyr give Comet a look. She knew what that look meant. It was Zephyr’s ‘are you fucking kidding me’ look.
Comet retorts the look, tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear before continuing. “You have to be yourself, Zeph, or else its going to be tiring putting up this persona for people all summer.” Her words made Zephyr slide deeper into the seat, crossing their arms.
“You make it sound like its going to be easy.” He mumbles, staring down at the ground as Comet sighs, sitting straight. “It probably won’t.”
“Helpful.” The one word made Comet give a weak smile. “I don’t have many friends either, Zephyr. It’s not my area of expertise.” It was true, Comet had, well, Zephyr. She never cared to interact with her classmates, because to her - they all meant nothing. She focused solely on her studies, even skipped a grade because of how well she was doing. She made it a goal to be the absolute best, no matter what. There was no time to make friends, none at all.
I suppose I have the time now She thought to herself bitterly, looking behind her shoulder to see Sebastian sitting a few rows behind, speaking with the boy that has cotton candy coloured hair. She furrowed her eyebrows, turning back around.
Okay, new goal - make more friends than Sebastian this summer. Can’t be that hard, right?
She glanced back over to Zephyr, who continued to look out the window as he did before their small conversation.
Make sure Zephyr is okay and having fun, that's her first goal. The second can be making new friends.
Somehow, both of these goals seemed as if they may be a little difficult.