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Noelle was always the first one to greet Kris with a smile.
Rather it be in class or in church, somewhere in the street or in the quiet corners of a library. Beaming buck teeth and closed eyes seemed to always find their way into Kris’s sight.
Noelle knew she loved them from a very early age. She had always seeked them out in the playground or in class projects. She spoke kindly of them when the other monsters in town found them strange. How she would always go out of her way to do nice things knowing they'd only nod or give a barely audible thank you.
How she’d put a record they mentioned they liked years ago on repeat in the background as she stared at the framed picture of them as kids at night. How she memorized the lines of their face and prayed to whoever would listen to make it appear in her dreams that night.
How she would analyze the album in and out for any kind of closeness between them. The search for what they liked in the songs- how she’d desperately look between the lines and notes and try to morph herself into every lyric so she’d be something they’d like too.
Pathetic, she’d tell herself. Shameful to try and be someone- something- they love when you can’t even make them laugh. To try and force yourself to be comfortable with silence even when all you wanted to do was ask them how they are. To yearn silently in the delusional glow of your own fantasies and allow your heart to break time and time again for the human that everyone seemed to avoid.
But… she oddly liked it. The routine, the consistency of their friendship. As painful as it was sometimes, it was good. She loved it. In her own weird way.
Yet love is not something Kris is good at.
Noelle always knew this. They weren't touchy, weren't good with speaking their mind. They always found a way to avoid any kind of gentleness by turning it into a joke. She tried not to mind. She really did.
But god damnit, can't they just try? Just one time, give her some of the things she’d gladly give them? She never once raised her voice but all she wanted to do now was scream.
Her ears flicked as she studied in the library, Berdly flipping through a text book next to her as her study buddy like usual. He was cool sometimes, the only one with a job in their friend group and the only one that really noticed when she was… off.
Not sad, but bothered too. In small things like how she’d twitch her red nose in annoyance or flick her tail in irritation. She masked it with a perfect smile, she always had to. Her family had a reputation and she had no plan to ruin it.
“You’re acting weird today, Noelle.” Berdly’s nasally voice cut through her thoughts, making her ears prick in attention. Or annoyance. She wasn't sure yet. “Like… more weird than usual. Is it the fact that Catti's phone is on full blast in a place of studious silence?”
The bird gave a small click of the tongue, leaning back in his chair as he crossed his wings. “Normies and their Tiktok. Real gamers and chads use Reddit and IFunny.” He smirked in pride, as if what he just said wasn’t the worst thing to say ever.
Noelle’s smile faltered. “You… still use IFunny?” Her soft voice strained a bit, fighting back every urge to strangle this freak.
Berdly gave a short, clipped laugh of arrogance. “Of course I do. Anyone with elite ball knowledge understands why I’d have IFunny.”
Noelle’s eye twitched. Jesus christ.
Waving a dismissive wing, he continued. “That’s beside the point. You're weird and I want to figure out why.” He pointed a feather at her. “YOU are going to tell me. You have no choice.” Well... at least he cares?
The fawn only sighed, hoof tapping slightly on the ground as she bounced her leg. “It’s nothing. I promise. Just…” She could open up about Kris. Berdly is reliable and a good friend of hers. They’re alone in the library. This would be the perfect time.
“... thinking.” She finished lamely, mentally cursing herself for not being open. “And if it was something, it’s something small. No biggie, I promise, fahaha!” She gave a reassuring smile as she turned back to her paperwork.
Berdly scoffed. “Yeah, right. Is it about that human weirdo agai-”
“Kris.” She cut him off with a gently sharp tone. She looked up from her work from her eyebrows, her eyes hard but not unkind. “Their name is Kris. They’re not the weirdo or just the human.”
Berdly blinked, grimacing a bit. “Yeesh. Alright.” He awkwardly looked back at his work too. “A little too defensive, don’t you think?” He shrugged. “I mean, they don't have many friends. Or any at all.” A quick addition, “Besides you, I guess. And that other weirdo Susie.”
He snorted, “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you like them.” He waggled his eyebrows, making a kissy face with his beak. “And I think they like you too.”
“WHAT?!” Noelle’s shout carried through the empty library as she shot up, her chair hitting the floor behind her. She bonked her antlers on the light above, making her yelp and hold them. It happened so fast she barely even processed it.
The silence was deafening. Berdly looked genuinely taken aback, eyes wide as his glasses slid down his beak a bit. They stared at each other for a minute before Berdly snorted, falling into a fit of laughter at Noelle’s face.
Noticing how she overreacted, Noelle’s face turned into a deep red under her fur. Her mouth opened and closed to defend herself before she shut it into a thin line. She slumped back into her chair, putting her face in her hooves as blonde hair covered her completely. Humiliating, honestly.
“Don’t even say anything. I know you want to.” Noelle’s miserable voice shook, peeking at him from between the segments of her hoof. “I don’t… like them.”
Berdly let out a shark bark of laughter, “No normal person makes that kind of reaction for someone they supposedly don't like.” He reached out, patting the spot between her antlers with a wing. “There, there. Not all of us can be nonchalant and chill. It’s a burden I'll carry myself.”
“God, shut up!” Noelle whined, shrinking into herself more. “It’s a normal reaction for a friend that I appreciate and confusion at a stupid lie you said. That's all. Nothing more and nothing less.”
Berdly scoffed again, twiddling a pencil. “Yeah, and I’m not a Valorant player.” He sniffed in indignation. “Hoenstly? You’re pathetic.”
Noelle’s head shot up, green eyes wide and hurt by the accusation. She tried to speak, but Berdly cut her off with a wing raised. “Pathetic because you obviously like them and are being a… how do you put it… COWARD. It’s in a nice way. I’m being nice.”
Noelle rolled her eyes, hugging herself for comfort. “You absolutely are not. That’s mean.” Her voice was so sad, so small. So self-deprecating.
“It’s tough love, Noelle. You may be too sheltered to comprehend the concept of banter but it’s all in good fun.” He shrugged, leaning back in his chair. “My mom gives me tough love and I turned out fine.”
A pause. Berdly frowned comically as Noelle only stared.
“Right.” Noelle muttered, sitting up straighter. “I just don’t know what to do about it. They’re always with Susie and barely even look at me anymore.” She gave a sad chuckle. “I don't even think they remember my last name…”
Berdly groaned dramatically. “Oh my GOD, you are SO dramatic. They just found a new friend and are bonding with her. It’s not the end of the world.” He rolled his eyes.
“But they don’t talk to me anymore! It’s like I don’t exist!” Noelle wailed again, ears flat against her head.
“Because you’re not putting in effort!” Berdly countered, leaning closer to the table. “They won’t think you’re hurt unless you talk to them about it- whatever ‘it’ is. Do you even know how to communicate? Be normal?”
He sighed. Not happy, not unhappy. “You can’t expect them to come back when all you do is hover and hope they can read your mind. It doesn't work like that.” His eyes were annoyed, he was genuinely over this stupid pining.
Noelle was silent for a bit. He was right. She always hopes they realize she misses them but she doesn't even talk to them much anymore. She’ll actually have to work on rekindling their relationship to get anywhere with it. God damn it.
She groaned, putting her forehead on the table. “This sucks. I’m scared they’ll never come back.” Her muffled voice passed softly. Berdly poked her antlers as he listened, rolling his eyes.
“Then do it scared. Text them or something to hang out at the diner. They aren’t evil or mean, they’ll say yes.” He shrugged, turning back to his textbook. “Now shut up. We need to finish this sheet before the library closes and I’m sick of you being a loser. Lock in, twin.”
Noelle stared at him as he focused back on the work, shutting her out from her ramblings before she got emotional. Again. God, she hated when he was right.
“Okay... yeah. Okay.” She took out her phone, hooves trembling slightly as she typed. She hoped it sounded cool. Was it cool? Did she act cool or cute? Did they like cute? What did they like?
Finally, she drafted a good text. Good to her, at least.
*Hey, Kris! Wanna come get dinner with me sometime this Saturday? I’ll buy some chocolate milk for ya. :)*
Berdly stared at the screen in silence for a bit, a long sigh coming from his beak. “Yeah. Sure. Whatever that means.” He shrugged before picking his pencil back up.
When Noelle got a notification that they texted back, she nearly jumped out of her fur. She scrambled for the phone, hooves still trembling as she stared at the single emoji they sent.
A thumbs up.
After Berdly had to stop Noelle from squealing her head off like a weirdo, she had a stupid smile plastered on her face. Her buck teeth peeked out as she stared at the thumbs up, stomach erupting with butterflies.
Noelle smiled softly when she glanced up, eyes gentle on the bird. “Thanks, berdly. You’re a good friend.” She was honest about that part. He was a very good friend even if he was very cringe and blunt.
Berdly’s feathers ruffled at the compliment, giving her a smug smile despite it. “I know. I live to help poor souls such as yourself from fumbling. Which you almost did.” He ignored Noelle’s groan as he smirked to himself.
“And for the record, if you two get married, I want the first slice of the wedding cake. Wingman’s honor and all.”
“BERDLY.”