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“I spy with my little eye…”
Spoke gazed at Parrot, watching him intently — the summer sun made the brunette’s hair shine brighter, blinding everything and everyone in the vicinity.
“... Something brown and furry,” Parrot announced.
Spoke didn't even think about it, and he pointed a finger up at the tree to Parrot’s right.
“The squirrel you were watching when I got here.”
Parrot promptly blinked, turning his head towards Spoke.
“That fast?”
“Bro, I told you. I’m the Director.” Spoke put an arm on his chest, proudly explaining his “reasoning”. “I’m directing the right answers here.”
Parrot sighed. “We have been through this a thousand times, Spoke.”
“You run from the truth… pawn.”
“There is no way you just said that in the big twenty-six.”
“Okay, well, bro, I guess it's because…” Spoke paused for dramatic effect, and Parrot looked like he was just about ready to strangle Spoke if he continued. “... I’m the Director.”
Parrot slapped a hand to his forehead, before burying his face in his hands.
“Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god—”
“Y’know, Church is, like, a better environment to pray at—”
Parrot let his hands fall away from his face. “Spoke, you genuinely aren't a real person.”
“Correct, I’m the —”
“Just get back to the game!”
Spoke brought a hand up, pretended to zip his mouth closed, and started to look around the area.
“I spy… with my little eye… something…”
Parrot was trying to hide it, but Spoke could see him trying to peer at where he was looking.
“... Green,” Spoke finally said.
“We’re in a park.”
“I know.”
“Everything here is green.”
“I know.”
“Bro.”
“I know.”
Parrot sighed exasperately, starting to list off all the green objects.
“The grass?”
“Cold.”
Parrot shot Spoke a glare, but continued anyway:
“The tree?”
“Be more specific.”
“The leaves on the tree.”
“Cold.”
“The bushes?”
Spoke paused, peered over Parrot's shoulder, then behind him, before finally settling back down.
“Hot.”
“The rusted copper on the bench?”
“Hotter.”
“My cloak?”
“No.”
“Dude, my whole outfit is green. Is it on me?”
Spoke shook his head.
“Okay, uh, is it on you?”
Spoke didn't move, his form akin to a statue. Parrot narrowed his eyes, squinting at Spoke.
“... The green in your bandana?”
“Finally!”
“You do realize that's not how the game works—”
“Just revel in your victory, bro.”
Parrot looked at Spoke, shot him a superficial smile, before staring straightforward again.
Spoke side eyed Parrot’s gesture, not paying much mind to it — yeah, it was sarcastic, but it was such an insignificant thing to get worked up over.
Spoke kicked a loose rock in the soil, sending it skittering down the hill.
“I’m bored,” Spoke muttered, eyes fixated on the rock.
Parrot stood up. “Do you want to walk home together?”
“Sure,” Spoke replied, standing up as well.
The duo started to trudge towards the dorms, chatting about mundane things like work life and school — honestly, Spoke was relieved.
Everything that had been going on with Mapicc and Jamato had really taken a toll on him. Jamato’s righteousness when Spoke made the littlest mistakes had put him into a chokehold that made Spoke want to bolt when he saw him.
Mapicc wasn't any better. He had jumped atop the bandwagon as well, criticizing Spoke’s “bad” habits. Seriously, was it so hard to let a man have fun every once in a while?
“Have you seen Wifies?”
Spoke cocked his head, side eyeing Parrot.
Parrot clutched his arm, his posture gloomy.
“Today marks an entire week since I’ve seen him.” Parrot closed his eyes, his steps slower now. “I don't know. I’m getting… really, really worried.”
Spoke couldn't bring himself to feel much sympathy, but that was a whole can of worms he didn't want to open.
“When’s the last time you saw him?”
“At our shared dorm. He told me he was going to his first lecture and he never came back.” Parrot sighed. “I just don't understand.”
“Family emergency?”
“He would've told me.”
“Did you file a missing persons report?”
“I did that first thing this morning.”
“... I got nothing else." Spoke shrugged, still trying to make his voice sound sympathetic. “I hope he turns up soon. I can only imagine how difficult this is for you.”
“Thank you, Spoke. I’m glad you understand.”
Parrot smiled, and Spoke smiled back.
If only you knew.
It wouldn't be long till Parrot ended up with Jamato and Mapicc — yet, being the greedy being he was, Spoke would leech off and revel in their time together as much as he could.
After a few more minutes of walking, the duo reached their destination: the dormitory. They went through the preliminary steps, and upon reaching their floor, walked off in separate directions.
“See you tomorrow! Text me!” Parrot called, waving to Spoke.
“I will! Bye!” Spoke waved back, before hastily turning the lock of his door and entering the building.
Spoke took off his shoes, didn't bother to wash his hands, and fell face side-up onto the couch — his phone fell out of his pocket, landing onto the furry rug.
Spoke buried his face into his hands, letting small rays of light seep through the edges of his hands and torture his eyes.
It’s whatever.
His phone buzzed.
Spoke let his hands fall away, his gaze fixiating on the screen.
“fat bird
3:43PM
I had fun today
Let's meet up again tomorrow
:)"
Spoke didn't pick up his phone, continuing to stare at it, until —
"jamato
3:45
Trying to tie Parrot into the same ropes?
At least change as a person first.
How selfish are you?"
Spoke’s mind burned with emotions, emotions he didn't want to start unraveling — his hand reached toward the device, snatching it up off the floor.
"i dont want to hear a single fucking word from you
just leave me alone"
Spoke put the phone on silent, throwing it onto the other couch — it bounced off, almost landing onto the floor the second time that day.
Another day, another time, another week or hour — in the future, things would be better.
Time heals all wounds.
Spoke looked up at the ceiling, blinking away tears.
Sayings are popular for a reason, right? They work.
Spoke finally shut his eyes, falling into restless sleep.