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Benji had never liked history, it always bored him. It definitely didn't help that his teacher just loved to give partner projects. You see, normally Benji would just partner up with Cynikka, they'd been friends since elementary, and both knew how to divide the work correctly. However, for this project his teacher decided to do a…well, special partner project for their mid-year exams.
Instead of doing something that had even a hint of what they were currently learning about, their teacher decided to do a project over ancient civilizations. Each person would pick a civilization to research and make a presentation about, and that's when the partner came in. Once the person got a basic presentation, document, or whatever, they would teach their partner all about the civilization until they were just as much of an expert on the civilization.
The partners would then make a presentation on the civilization the other person had taught them about. The partners would be graded on how well they made each presentation and how well they taught the other about the civilization.
Benji had heard of this project from the seniors above him. It had always made him tense up, his wings pressing against his back and head. Benji had been so caught up in his thoughts he didn't notice that their teacher had let them loose or that someone was coming up behind him until a fist connected with his shoulder.
"Ow, what the fuck?" Benji turned around, his wings flaring out in annoyance. Behind him was- oh no, not Schpood. It seemed like Schpood noticed Benji's reaction and held his hands up in false surrender, his hands slightly scrapping against his bull horns.
"Hold up, Benji. Didn't expect you to lash out that badly at a small tap! You weren't responding so I thought that would wake you up. And, well, it did," Schpood gave a small, annoying, smile. "Well, anyways, you like ancient Greece, right?" Benji gave a small nod. "Great! And I'm a fan of Ancient Rome, we should 100 percent group up since they're so similar."
"Um, well, I was going to partner up with Cyn-" Benji started before Schpood cut him off.
"You two always partner together, you should try something different for a change! Besides we might even get extra credit for our coordination!(spoiler alert: they don't)"
"Oh…let me…um, let me just go talk to Cynikka quickly!" Benji sputtered before quickly getting out of his seat and walking to the front of the room where Cynikka was sitting. She took a moment to notice him before speaking up.
"Oh, hey Benji! Do you want to be partners or…?" Cynikka asked, already thinking she knew the answer.
"Well, Schpood already asked me, and I want to check if you'll be okay not being partners for this project. Because I'll feel guilty saying no to Schpood and-"
"Yeah, I'll be fine Benji. Don't sweat it," Cynikka waved a hand, "Besides I can just partner with Salty, probably."
"Okay, Cyn." Benji hated this. Hated having to choose between things. Hated feeling guilty. However, he pushed those feelings down and walked back towards Schpood.
"So, can we be partners?" Schpood asked, he had sat on Benji's table, his tail swishing underneath him.
"Sure."
"Great! I'm going to go and tell the teacher!" Schpood jumped off the desk, heading to the line that had already formed near the teacher's desk.
Once Schpood left Benji let out a long sigh. This was going to be a long project, wasn't it?
The lunchroom was loud. Too loud in Benji's opinion. Most of it came from the far side of the cafeteria, where the louder kids had decided to 'claim'. Benji sat closer to the doors, he normally sat with Cynikka and a few of her friends, seeing that he wasn't close to many other people in the school.
Cynikka was already at the table talking with one of her friends. If Benji was right she was talking to Salty, who was also one of the creators of a popular club. Benji couldn't remember the name of the club though, he did know however, that there were like 3 other parody clubs made as a joke towards the main one, or something? Honestly, he thought most of the clubs were confusing. Except the mythology club. He liked that one.
Benji blinked out of thought when he saw Cynikka waving —very enthusiastically— towards him. Benji walked over to the table, taking a seat across from Cynikka.
"So, did you two end up partnering?" Benji asked as he attempted to open one of the school brand chip bags.
"No, Salty had already partnered with Kanukei, so the teacher let me do the project alone as long as I did two civilizations, but only half the information on both," Cynikka explained, as she took a bite of her sandwich.
"Sorry 'bout that Cyn," Salty mumbled.
"It's fine! Besides, at least this time Kanukei doesn't have to worry about 'Kanoodling' with Lingulini again."
"Ugh, don't bring that up," Salty grumbled, putting his face in his hands.
"What do you mean by 'Kanoodling'?" Benji asked, the small, pale-yellow wings on his head tilting in confusion.
"Well, you see, when we had the assignment where we had assigned partners me and Salty over here got paired up. Kanukei and Lingulini also got paired up together, so we made a joke about the two 'Kanoodling' with each other. Since their names are-"
"Okay, I think I get it now!" Benji interjected when he saw how absolutely embarrassed Salty had gotten. Benji however, noticed Salty was also a hybrid since he had small, rat-like ears.
"Hey, Salty, if you don't mind me asking, what type of hybrid are you? Because I noticed your ears."
"Oh, um, I'm a mouse! That's why I'm nicknamed Survivalist because mice can survive basically anything! Except for mouse traps, please don't try that on me," Salty explained, adding the last part in a quick succession.
After Salty said that Benji noticed something. Cynikka was a turkey hybrid and Salty was a mouse hybrid. Wait-
"Don't turkeys eat mice?" Benji asked, and immediately Cynikka's face paled and Salty froze up.
"They can…?" Salty asked, a horrified look on his face as he turned to face Cynikka.
"Hey, we're only hybrids of them! So, there's nothing to worry about, Salt. Besides, you wouldn't be so horrified if it was Lamp ins-"
"Shut it!" Salty lashed out in embarrassment, his horrified expression changing into one of extreme embarrassment.
Benji watched as Salty and Cynikka started some banter. He had caused that technically, if he hadn't just blurted out then they wouldn't be bantering arguing with each other.
They'd been given three weeks to do the project. Benji guessed it was so each section of the project got a week to be done. However, Schpood had made it so much more difficult for Benji. He had barely done anything for the project in class or at home. Schpood had told Benji it was because he knew a lot about both Ancient Greece and Rome, and not only Rome. That left Benji having to do all the Greece research and since Schpood had been too lazy to teach Benji anything he also had to research Ancient Rome.
That wouldn't have been so bad if it wasn't for the fact he also had to do tutoring and volunteer hours after school. Benji's parents had wanted him to do his school's program that would give two years of free school and a bunch of other things. But, with how they already made him tutor, seeing as he excelled academically, outside of school hours. And Finally, Benji still had to study for his midterms, and the fact he was enrolled in either honors or AP classes didn't help at all.
With all of that on Benji's plate it left him in his room at 10 p.m, multiple empty energy drinks, homework and study packets, and pens littering his desk. Benji could feel his eye-bags, could feel the tremors from too much caffeine going through his body. He was absolutely exhausted at this, yet he couldn't go to bed still. Benji had a list of what he had to do that day, and he was barely a third through it.
Maybe that's how the thought crept into his mind. A way to stop his exhaustion, a way to give him a break from all this stress. Benji reached out his hand finding the handle to one of his drawers. The wood rolling along the metal like a strike of thunder in the otherwise silent room. Benji then dug his hand into the messy drawer, aiming for the back corner. After a few moments of rummaging through, his hand closed around the metal object.
Benji's hand shook as he pulled the object out. It was one of those switchblades or something, he honestly couldn't remember the name. His father had given it to him for a birthday, lecturing him about something that was blurry in his mind now. Benji clicked the button, slightly flinching when the blade swung out.
This is the last time, Benji reassured himself as he pulled up his left sleeve. Just to calm myself down, just to give myself a break from… from everything.
Benji had moved to his bed, too scared he might ruin his school papers. His entire body felt too heavy to move, too heavy to clean everything up. He let his head fall back against the headboard, both sets of his wings fell almost limply against him. Their normal washed-out yellow color had felt vibrant against what they looked like now. Dull.
The knife was sheathed and on the bed next to him, the blood staining the blade hidden from view. Benji knew he had gone too far this time, what was supposed to be a few cuts turned into five. Then those five turned into his entire left arm, which soon traveled to his right. The blood flowing out made his brain feel fogged up and mushy. He couldn't will his body to get up, to go and find bandages to stop the crimson poring out of him.
Benji turned his head slightly to the side, finding his phone on the bed next to him. With a shaky and unstable hand he reached for it.
Benji knew he should ask for help, to tell someone. Benji couldn't tell Meagon—his younger sister—, the first time he had done this she had told their parents. He couldn't be mad at her though, she was trying to follow what her counselor told her to do if someone was hurt, and she was only ten at that time. Benji definitely couldn't tell his parents, they would throw him in therapy, or just watch him like hawks until the end of his Junior year if he did.
Benji unlocked his phone, scrolling through his contacts. Most of them were family, or sorta friends, neither of which were good options. However, his thumb lingered on one contact.
Cynikka.
Benji hadn't told her about the first two times, but he had always had a suspicion she'd know, but never brought it up. Cynikka would understand, she almost always understood him.
Benj: Hey, Cyn?
Benji knew it was late, 11 p.m by now if he was correct. He felt guilty about texting Cynikka this late, but she was the last person he felt safe telling. However, within seconds she texted back
Cyn: Yeah? Are you okay? It's late to be texting.
Benj: Could you come over? I need help.
Cyn: Are you okay, Benji? You don't seem like it.
Benj: Don't ask questions, please. Just come over, I need help badly.
Benji slightly panicked when Cynikka didn't answer for a few moments, his hand gripping the phone slightly tighter. Well, as tight as he could with the amount of blood he was loosing.
Cyn: I'll be there in five minutes.
Benji felt the phone slip out of his hands, the device flopping onto his bed. He fought to keep his eyes open, his brain fogging up even more as the moments ticked by.
Benji slightly stirred when he heard Cynikka accidentally hit his window, she probably expected it to be open and her avian instincts didn't help. He could slightly register Cynikka pawing at the window, trying to open it. Luckily, after a few seconds of struggle she pushed the window up, stumbling into his room.
"Benji, are you oka-" Cynikka immediately yelped as she got up, but her throat tightened too much to speak as she saw Benji on the bed.
Cynikka stood frozen in place for a few moments at the sight of Benji on his bed with cuts all over his arms. Within a second she was by his bed, Benji could see her talking about something, but his brain was to fuzzy to make any of it out.
Luckily one thing broke through the fog, "Do you have bandages or- or like something to clean these with? Is there anything downstairs that I c-could use." Benji felt guilty for making Cynikka worry about him like this.
"Bottom drawer…big one on the-… right, I think?" Benji answered, one hand coming up to check which if it was the left or right by attempting to make an L.
"O-okay, just stay awake Benji, okay?" Cynikka rushed over to the drawer, the wood creaking open as she rummaged through it.
Benji could tell she was trying to be brave for him, like she had always, but he could notice how her wings slightly shook, the appendages fluttering in anxiety.
Cynikka came back to the bed with a box of medical supplies, her hands trembling slightly as she opened it. The first thing she pulled out was a bottle of disinfectant and cloth that was in it.
"This might hurt a little," Cynikka mumbled as one hand came up to hold the underside of his wrist. Her fingers pulling away from the cuts, as if they were some poisonous substance. Benji barely registered the chemical wiping against the blood, picking up the dark crimson. After what felt like forever Cynikka moved to his other arm, disinfecting that one too.
Benji let out a small hiss as the antibacterial hit a cut. A small apology escaped Cynikka's lips, but she still continued to wipe his cuts.
Once Cynikka finished wiping the antibacterian against his final cut, she set the cloth and the bottle down and instead reached for the gauze. Then, she carefully wrapped it up his right arm, making sure to all the cuts and put pressure on them at the same time.
Cynikka then moved to the left arm. With the amount of cuts Benji had she needed to use two different rolls of gauze for both arms.
"Does that feel better Benji?" Cynikka asked, shifting to give Benji space now that she finished cleaning the cuts up.
"Um…yeah, it feels better," Benji mumbled. His brain was still foggy, but less now that he wasn't actively losing blood anymore. "M' sorry for bothering you, Cyn."
"Don't say sorry Benji. If you hadn't reached out you would've lost a lot more blood, and besides, I was up anyways," Cynikka responded, before looking around his room, noticing the messy desk and cans of energy drinks.
"Sorry, about the mess. I was working, and needed a break from the stress." Benji slightly winced at the state his room was in. "I should probably get back to working, I still have so much to do-" he started, trying to move off the bed, but Cynikka pushed against his chest, forcing him further into the bed.
"No, Benji. You need sleep, so your body can make up for the lost blood, and you're exhausted, " Cynikka pushed Benji down until he was on his back in bed.
"But-"
"No buts. I can do the work if it's that important to you," Cynikka pressed more firmly against him.
"I'll be caught cheating though! They'll be able to tell my handwriting from yours!"
"Please, I've fudged Elanuelo and Crow's signatures and handwriting so many times to save Flux's ass, I think I'm an expert of faking handwriting," Cynikka pushed back.
Benji internally cursed himself for choosing Cynikka to be his friend with how she was both really caring and on the debate team. Basically making it impossible to argue with her about his health or sanity because she has won more rewards for winning arguments than he has for getting an A on a test.
"Fine…" Benji grumbled, turning over to get in a more comfortable position once she let up on pushing him down. "Could you throw me a blanket though? My arms are too tired to do basically anything."
"Sure," Cynikka mumbled as she took the medical supplies off the bed and pulled the blanket that was on the edge of his bed up to Benji's body.
Cynikka stood up, letting out a small yawn as she stretched her brown wings. In a few strides she made it to the desk, sitting down to start on the pages of homework, assignments, and that cursed partner project.
After a few minutes Benji spoke up, "Hey, Cyn?" His voice was quiet, muffled slightly by one of the wings he had draped over his body. Cynikka let out a small questioning hum in response.
"You know our cliff?"
Right, their cliff. It was a small cliff on the edge of town. They'd found it one time when Cynikka was allowed to hang out with Benji. The two of them had been 10 and stupid, leading them to run away from the safety of the park and to the small line of trees on the outskirts of their town.
While rough housing they rolled down the small hill until they stopped on a small ledge that extruded from the cliff that went down to the ocean. Unluckily, Benji's mom had started yelling for them a few minutes afterwards, leading the two running back up in fear of getting in trouble — which they still got in once Benji's mom had spotted them.
However, since then they've come to that cliff to hang out. Whether it was to play around when they were younger, to talk about family issues, —which was mostly Cynikka— or to just keep each other company.
"Yeah, what about the cliff?" Cynikka asked, not turning to face Benji.
"If I were to fall off it, would anyone be able to find my body?" Benji asked. He had always wondered that. Well, he's wondered about it since he first cut himself, which was around 7 months after they had found the cliff.
Cynikka's breath hitched, barely audible, yet Benji heard it. "Just… J-just go to sleep Benji," Cynikka responded, her voice cracking slightly.
Benji's eyes opened slowly, the light from his window hitting him directly in the eyes. One of his bandaged hands came up to shield his eyes as he groggily sat up on his bed.
The first thing Benji noticed was how clean his room was. Cynikka must've cleaned it up last night before she fell asleep. Wait, where was she anyways?
Benji looked over his bed and let out a small sigh of relief when he saw his friend curled up on his beanbag. Cynikka's wings were splayed out behind her, the brown hues looking almost like amber in the sun's light.
Benji's attention turned to his desk to find all the cans and food wrappers gone and all the papers separated into different piles. He also saw that on a plate was a glass of milk —with ice in it to keep it from spoiling— and some crackers and cheese. Benji slowly tried getting out of bed when he noticed a note on the plate.
I made something for you, Benji, to eat when you wake up. Please eat it, you probably really need it. I'll shove it down your throat if I have to.
- Cyn :)
Benji had to hold back a small laugh at the last part. He knew she was 100% serious, but something about it still made him laugh. He sat down in his chair and started to eat the food while he pulled one of the papers out to check it.
Benji realized Cynikka was right about being good at replicating handwriting. The paper was from his math class —which he had started before— and Benji could barely tell the difference between the writing. Even if this was a math homework she still almost perfectly copied his lines, circles, and how he wrote numbers.
However, Benji had been so caught up in looking at the work and making sure it wouldn't be counted as cheated by the teachers he hadn't heard Cynikka waking up behind him. Benji had also not heard Cynikka padding up behind him until it was too late.
Benji was mid sip of the milk when he felt Cynikka's hands clamp down on his shoulders. Benji let out a surprised yelp while his wings flared out in surprise, probably hitting Cynikka by how he could he a thud.
"Warning next time, Cyn!" Benji exclaimed while making sure he hadn't spelt any of the milk on his papers.
Benji turned around to find Cynikka doubled over on the floor, her face scrunched with pain.
"Yeesh, man! How strong are those wings?! You hit me in the freakin' boob!" Cynikka complained before mumbling something in a language that Benji didn't speak.
"Well, you're the one that jump-scared me, soooo… I'd say it's pretty even," Benji remarked before bending down to try and help Cynikka sit on the bed. "Wait, how did you even get this food? I'd be surprised if my parents hadn't heard you going down those creaky-as-fuck stairs."
"I slid down the railing for the stairs. However, Meagon was downstairs doing something, and we just kind of stared at each other for a few seconds."
"Did she ask about me?"
"No, I've been over here at midnight enough times for her to not ask about why I'm here. She did ask about something else though."
"What'd she ask about?"
"Oh, um, not important," Cynikka shrugged before falling onto her back.
The two of them sat there in silence for a little bit longer. Benji continued to eat his food in the silence until Cynikka spoke up.
"Hey, Benj?" Benji hummed in response. "When you plan to hang out at the cliff could you maybe… text me before you get there?"
"Sure I guess," Benji responded as he finished off the last cracker.
Benji walked through the familiar trees, his feet following the path that he and Cynikka created. Along the way he realized to text Cynikka, so he pulled his phone out of his jean's pocket, his fingers going through the motions.
Benji knew he should've texted her when he had gotten halfway here, but the thought slipped through the sea of other thoughts he had. The sea had seemed to grow when his feet touched the rocks of The Cliff.
The Cliff was more so a ledge that extended a little under 24 feet out. There was a slope to the left of it that led to the ocean. However, the one time Cynikka had tried to go down it she almost fell and had to get Benji to help her up. There used to be a tree that had grown on The Cliff, but after a nasty thunderstorm the tree had gotten struck down, leaving a stump in its place.
Benji slowly walked to the edge, peering off into the blue expanse of the ocean. His thoughts drifted back to that one that had —unfiltered— slipped out when he talked to Cynikka two days ago.
"If I were to fall off it, would anyone be able to find my body?"
Benji knew the answer. He had spent so many nights, mornings, and sometimes days staring off into the ocean to know. The current would normally go to the north meaning that within days his body would've floated past the north edge of his town, or he thought at least it would. Along with this, barely anyone came to this side seeing as this was the most elevated part of their town. Most everyone would go to the eastern side, seeing as there was a beach there that was extremely popular in the summer.
Benji hadn't even noticed how he had walked to the extreme edge, his feet slightly over the rock.
Wouldn't it be so easy?
…..
….
…
..
.
…….
Benji immediately registered the arms pulling him back. But before Benji could say something he was pushed down onto the ground. He immediately looked up to see… fuck.
"You idiot!" Cynikka pushed Benji further into the ground, her hands coming up to hold his shoulders down.
Benji stared up at Cynikka, his mouth suddenly too dry to speak. Cynikka was staring down at him, her eyes blown wide with… concern? Benji expected them to be filled with more anger than concern.
"I-I'm sorry Cyn-" Benji started before Cynikka's head fell onto his shoulder.
Benji was well… shocked. Cynikka had rarely been as emotional as him, and when she was he wasn't even supposed to see it.
"A-are you okay?" Benji gingerly asked, however his thoughts were cut short when he heard it. "Are you crying Cyn?"
"I-I thought I was about to watch y-you die," Cynikka hiccuped out. "When I got here you were on the ledge, j-just blankly staring out. I ran towards you, and you took a step… I barely pulled you away before you would've…"
Benji hadn't realized he took a step off the edge, his brain on autopilot.
"I…um… can you get off me please?" Benji asked and almost immediately Cynikka scrambled to get off him, one of her wings accidentally scraping against the rock. She sat beside him as he got up.
The two of them sat there in silence for a bit the only sound being the waves lapping at the rock below. Benji looked over at Cynikka and he could barely believe it. Cynikka's eyes were slightly reddened from crying and Benji could tell she was keeping in any other tears or sobs considering how irregular her breathing was.
"I'm sorry," Benji mumbled, his wings wrapping around himself tighter in shame.
After a few seconds Cynikka responded, "Don't be sorry, Benj. I know it's been rough for you, and you have no reason to be apologizing for your own feelings. Honestly, I should be the one apologizing for making such a big deal and crying." Cynikka rubbed at her eyes before her hands fell into her lap.
"Don't apologize for that either Cyn. You literally almost saw me die, so of course you have a reason to cry," Benji reassured Cynikka.
"Thank you."
"Hm?"
"Thank you for probably saving my life Cyn," Benji choked out.
"That's what friends do for each other, right?" Cynikka responded and all Benji could do was nod.
The two of them sat there in silence for a while, neither noticing the time passing.
"I don't think I'm gonna make it past this week," Benji mumbled, pulling his legs up to his chest. Cynikka didn't answer at first, but Benji could just feel the gears in her head turning.
"Can you just… could you at least live until midterms are over? That way you could at least die without any tests on your plate," Cynikka suggested.
"I…" Benji started, his brain processing what Cynikka had just said, "I can try. For you," Benji agreed.
Benji looked towards the ocean, noticing that it was almost sunset. Cynikka must've noticed too, because she spoke up about it.
"It's already almost sunset, damn. Well, I should probably get home before my grandparents get worried. Do you need a ride back to your house, Benj? Cus' I didn't see your car when I got here."
"Oh, I walked here from school. I wouldn't mind you giving me a lift though," Benji answered.
"Great! Well, might as well go now?" Cynikka exclaimed, before jumping up. Benji could tell she was trying to act like what had just happened didn't affect her, even if it definitely did. Cynikka reached a hand out for Benji to grab, which he did, before pulling him up with a concerning amount of strength.
"By the way Benji, I will have to move my violin outta the front seat."
"I'm fine with sitting in the back. Besides, I don't want to mess with your precius baby," Benji teased, which earned him a smack on the back of the head.
"Fuckin' doofus," Cynikka laughed.
Benji was internally yelling at himself. Even after midterms were over, and he thought he had gotten better he still went downhill again. Now, he was on his bed, fresh cuts on his arms from stress and so many things he couldn't name. Cynikka had come over when he'd texted her, this time he had been conscious enough to open the window, so at least she wouldn't smack into it this time.
"You're into Greek Mythology, right, Benji?" Cynikka asked, trying to take his mind off whatever he was thinking about.
"Yeah, why?" Benji mumbled, his eyes not meeting hers, as if her gaze would burn him.
"Could you talk to me about it, maybe? Just until I'm done doing this. It might help take the pain away," Cynikka suggested as she poured some more disinfectant on the cloth.
"Oh, um… sure," Benji stammered out. What could he talk about? There were countless myths, gods, and… other thingsthat he could ramble to her about.
"You remind me of Hestia," Benji started, and he could see Cynikka's head tilt in confusion.
"Who's that?" She asked.
"Hestia is the goddess of the hearth, home, and hospitality. She was the eldest of Kronos' children, but was thrown up last," Benji explained. "You remind me of her because of how you're always warm, like a fireplace, and are always welcoming. Every time I go to your house it always feels like your energy just makes it warm. I don't really know how to explain it, but you just remind me of her."
Cynikka didn't respond at first, too focused on cleaning him up. "Thanks, Benj. That… that means a lot to me," Cynikka thanked as she reached for the gauze. "I don't really know much about Greeky Mythology, but, you kind of remind me of Apollo."
"You do know in a version of the myth of why Hestia is a virgin goddess Apollo & Posiedon were suitors for her hand, and she didn't want either of them so she swore virginity?" Benji asked, and Cynikka's eyes widened in surprise.
"Welllll, we can ignore that… right?" Cynikka hesitantely asked as she finished bandaging Benji up.
"Sure I guess, I mean, everyone ignores the myth of Hepheastus attempting to rape Athena and still makes them best buddies," Benji stated. He looked over to Cynikka and had to suppress a giggle at her face paled and her mouth agape.
"Okay, anyways, you should be good now that all your cuts are bandaged up," Cynikka said, quickly changing the topic to something other than that. Benji took the hint and continued with her chosen subject.
"Oh, thanks, Cyn. Again, I'm sorry fo-" Benji started before Cynikka put a finger over his mouth, shushing him.
"Don't say sorry for your stress and your feelings Benji," Cynikka told him, and Benji quickly nodded.
Cynikka got up to put the medical supplies away which left Benji with his thoughts for a few moments. He had made it past midterms, but he didn't know whether or not he would make it any further now.
"Cyn, y'know how you told me to just make it past midterms?" Benji asked, and he could see Cynikka tense up at his question. However, Cynikka nodded as she turned to walk back towards his bed.
"I don't know if I'm going to make it any further now. Even with your help its just… everything's too much for me, and every day feels like just a… just a chore to get through," Benji explained.
Cynikka thought for a moment before speaking. "Could you maybe, just maybe, make it to the end of the school year? That way you can at least get through Junior year before…"
Benji thought about what Cynikka said for a moment. Benji didn't know if he could do that, but if Cynikka wanted him to, he could. Besides, he would feel too guilty to let down his friend.
"I'll try to," Benji agreed, and Cynikka's face immediately lit up. Benji didn't think of how she had asked him to survive before, now making it longer. He didn't think about the fact that Cynikka had the look in her eyes that meant a plan of hers was going correctly.
"You should go take a nap now, Benji. It's around 1 o'clock and it might help with the pain," Cynikka suggested. A few seconds later when Benji agreed to take a nap Cynikka stood up to probably leave or do something, but Benji realized something, causing him to grab Cnyikka's wrist.
"You need sleep too, Cyn," Benji stated, sitting up in bed.
"I'm fine Benj, I get enough sleep anyways," Cynikka responded, trying to pull her hand away.
"No, I can see the bags under your eyes, and I know you. I know you've probably been spending too much time making sure to get perfect grades to earn-"
"Okay, okay, I get it Benji," Cynikka butted in, trying to shut him up. "I'll go to sleep, okay? Just let me go so I can sleep on your Beanbag."
"No, you need an actual bed, and I know for a fact that my Beanbag is not a good bed."
"Benji, I am not sleeping-" Cynikka started before she let out a yelp as Benji pulled her onto the other side of the bed. Her wings flared out for a moment before calming down.
"Sleep, Cynikka."
"…mng, fine…"
Benji didn't know how he got here. Benji didn't know how he somehow got to graduation after everything that happened.
Benji remembered when he finished Junior Year he told Cynikka how he had gotten to where she wanted him to get to, she had asked him to wait until… gods, he couldn't remember now. Probably some event he forgot about, that happened in July. Then, Cynikka asked him to survive until another point, and by that time Senior year had started up. Within a few months Cynikka asked him again to survive until after midterms. Yet, by that time Benji had started to get better, or at least he thought he was getting better.
The last time Benji had an episode was some day in June, and hadn't had one since then, an amount of time he hadn't managed before. Before Benji knew it midterms were over and Cynikka he told himself to stay until graduation. Now, here he was, at The Cliff waiting for Cynikka to come.
Benji glanced at his phone, which was open to the messages app. He started to scroll through the messages, but his thumb stuttered over a contact he had gotten during his past Senior year.
However, a hit to Benji's head snapped him out of his thoughts. Benji turned around to find Cynikka sitting down beside him.
"Hiya, idiot," Cynikka greeted as she settled on the rocks.
"You're an idiot too, hypocrite," Benji combated.
Cynikka let out a laugh at that one, one of her wings slapping against Benji's wings.
"Can't believe we made it to graduation. Fucking insane!" Cynikka blurted out, her eyes still blown wide with surprise.
"I wouldn't have made it to graduation without you, Cyn," Benji started.
"You too, Benj. Don't think I would've made it to even this year without you," Cynikka responded.
"Huh?" Benji asked, tilting his head.
"What do you mean 'huh'?" Cynikka turned to face Benji.
"I mean, you've done so much for me, but I'v barely done anything for you."
"What are you saying Benji? Of course you've done a bunch for me."
"Name one thing."
"Bet," Cynikka challenged before thinking for a second, "You were always there for me when I was younger, you were basically my only friend until like… middle school. You always helped me when I was having issues with my family — which was a lot. Then, you helped me get a girlfriend and actually have a relationship with my dad. Along with all of that you did enough by just being my friend!"
"Oh," Benji mumbled. He hadn't realized he had done so much for Cynikka he had always thought he had been the weak link in their friendship.
"This is why you're the Apollo to my… Artemis!" Cynikka compared before quickly adding on, "They don't have any weird incest stuff, right?"
"No, Artemis is a virgin goddess, she doesn't have any relationships," Benji reassured.
The two of them sat there afterwards in silence. Cynikka looked out to the ocean while Benji looked down for a bit.
"Thank you for everything Cynikka," Benji mumbled.
"Don't thank me. This is what friends are supposed to do, right?"
"Right."