Chapter Text
It was a rather gloomy day in Golden Grove.
The once vibrant colors of the small town seemed to dull with each passing second. You lay on your back, eagle-spread beside Tamarack in her backyard. Autumn leaves clung to your clothes and hair. Letting out a long, slow breath, you rolled to face her, the ginger beside you who was gloomier than usual. She stared at the sky with her legs kicking in a bicycle in motion, a habit she had picked up since she considered herself, “queen of the forest.”
A wet raindrop fell onto her nose, then slid down her cheek. She only sighed, unbothered, and finally turned over to meet your eyes.
“Y/N.”
“Tamarack?”
You stayed in silence a moment longer, letting it stretch.
“I think you should go home.”
Her expression was soft, almost hesitant. Tamarack stood up and brushed leaves from her skirt and sweater, then extended a hand. Confused, you took it and pulled yourself up. You stared at your feet, she fiddled with her messenger bag strap.
Did she not have fun? Why is she sending me home early?
Your thoughts swirled until Tamarack cleared her throat.
“It’s not you.. it’s me. Today just doesn’t feel right. I want some time alone to write in my journal. Sorry.”
Right. The journal. A suggestion from Serenity she had taken seriously.
“I understand. It’s alright,” you said, brushing leaves from your clothes.
“Oh! And—”
She smiled, opening her bag and rummaging inside. Curious, you peeked to see what she was doing. Her brow furrowed in concentration until she finally found it. A single granola bar.
“Could you give this to Qiu—please?” she asked softly. “I just… I can’t sit here and do nothing. They haven’t been to school in a while, but Omi wanted to go over to their house to talk to Mrs Lin over tea. I tagged along out of curiosity.”
She fiddled with her thick ginger braid and sighed in bittersweet remembrance. “I haven’t been over there in so long… Anyway, Mrs. Lin asked me to grab something upstairs, so she let me use the bathroom up there. Afterward, I walked past Qiu’s room to grab something from a shelf…”
Her words faltered, and she bit her lip. “They looked so pale. I’d check on them myself, but… you know how they are with me.”
She chuckled, but it came out hollow and awkward. You nodded and slipped the granola bar into your pocket.
“Thanks, Tam. I think I’ll get going now.”
“No problem. See you at school tomorrow?”
“Of course.”
You waved, leaving Tamarack behind, and cut through the house and onto the sidewalk where you then began the walk out of the cul-de-sac. The walk to Qiu’s house was short, but somehow you didn’t want it to end. You slowed your pace, letting each step drag just slightly. The wind pushed against your skin cold but damp. You shivered and clutched your jacket a bit tighter.
You passed the small row of houses you’d walked by countless times, but today, it only made you feel uneasy. The sidewalks glistened from the wetness of now pouring rain. The puddles forming reflected a dim, gray sky that seemed to stretch endlessly above. You kicked at a pebble, Watching it soar into the gutter.
Your mind wandered to Qiu.
Were they really okay? Did they even want me there? I don’t want to be a bother..
Shoving your hands in your pockets, you felt the warmth of your phone.
I should tell them I’m coming over beforehand. I dont want to go to their house then find out they were at practice or somewhere else.. Though, i doubt they’re anywhere but their room..
You sat on the curb, snatched your phone out your pocket, unlocked it, pressed on the messaging app, then tapped the familiar contact.
.
.
.
New Message
You: Qiuuu
.
After getting no immediate response you sighed and stared at the screen for less than five seconds before typing again. There was no way someone as chronically online as Qiu would not see your texts.
.
You: Autumn?
.
You let out a sigh of relief when the words “read” popped up in small letters under the message. At least you knew they weren’t dead… Yet, but they weren’t replying.
.
You: Why r u ignoring me 😔
Qiu: sorry
You: Ohh nono i was joking im not mad 😭
You: U homw?
Qiu: huh
You: HOME*
Qiu: o
Qiu: ya im home
Qiu: why?
You: Jeez why are you being so dry lighten up 😒
Qiu: ughhh leave me alone dude
You: no
You: Anyways unlock the door for me im coming over
Qiu: wait no you cant come like deadass
You: ?
You: Why
Qiu: uh…
You: Yea no im coming over
Qiu: nooo
Qiu: whos gonna open the door for you then huh?
You: I have a key
Qiu: then why’d you ask me to open the door..
You: Makes my life easier
You: Duh
Qiu: whatever
.
.
.
You snickered then shoved your phone into your pocket and stood up, ready to check on Qiu.
.
In the distance, their house appeared. The faint light in the window gave the house a calming warmth, but your stomach twisted with uncertainty. You reached into your other pocket, feeling the wrapper of the granola bar press against your fingers. Slowly, you made your way to the door.
You put your hand on the knob and opened the door, relieved it was already unlocked. In the back of your mind, you knew they were going to end up opening it for you anyway. You entered the welcoming house and spotted Mrs Lin on the couch. The noise from you opening the door caught her attention and she turned towards you, locking eyes. For a split second, you saw a hint of confusion and fear in her eyes but upon seeing you, she relaxed. She was curled up on the couch in her usual elegant and flowy dress with a mug filled with dark hot liquid, you could tell from the steam rising from the top.
“Hello, Y/N. Qiu told me we were expecting you.”
“Hello.”
You slid your shoes off and left them near the door and she smiled at you.
“He’s in his room. As—“
She cut herself off before she could finish her sentence. Her smile faded as she stared off beside you, still facing your direction. If you had to guess what she was going to say, it would probably be along the lines of “As always.”
You thanked her and headed upstairs and to their door. You knocked, but not regularly. You knocked in a way only you and Qiu could recognize. You heard shuffling from behind the door, and finally, it opened.