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It’s been a week since Bee and Es moved in. What was originally only going to be a one night stay ended up dragging onto two days, then a week, then two weeks, until Polly finally suggested they just move in for good. They agreed with little hesitance- where else were they to go, after all?- and have now been staying officially for an entire week.
In the few weeks Aubrey’s known the kids, they’ve come out of their shells a lot, Es in particular- Polly got him a little sketchbook to write in, since he didn’t seem to like speaking that much, and now he pipes up often in conversations with messy scribbles and little doodles. Both Es and Bee tend to avoid talking about themselves, though, which Aubrey can somewhat understand- they’ve only known each other for a month, and these kids have gone through so much. …She still wishes they trusted her more, though.
-
Bee and Es meet Kel soon after moving in. Kel barely goes outside these days, choosing to hole himself in his room- Aubrey doesn’t know what he’s doing, but whatever it is, he’s working like a man obsessed. He and Aubrey have mostly drifted apart, years of not talking to each other making their friendship run stagnant- Aubrey had tried to reach out every now and then, but eventually had given up.
…Which is why it’s so so surprising that it’s Kel who reaches out first, this time.
It’s a breezy summer evening, and Aubrey is busy doing nothing, when there’s a knock at the door. Aubrey opens it to reveal a slightly disheveled looking Kel, long hair shoved into a man bun, thick-framed glasses resting slightly askew on his face.
Aubrey is so startled to see him, she forgets to talk for a second. “Kel…?” her voice is soft and high in disbelief. “What are you doing here?”
“What, am I not allowed to visit my friend?” Kel laughs. (And Aubrey wants to laugh back at him, all bitter and sharp and say, “No, Kel , we haven’t been friends in years because you never talk to anyone, let alone step outside your damn room!” -but she bites her tongue and holds her breath, holding back the sharp words.) “I heard new people moved in and wanted to say hi-“ Kel holds up a plate of cookies. “-plus, my mom told me to take these to you guys!”
It’s now that Bee walks down the stairs, Es tailing not far behind, before stopping and staring at Kel, who is still standing in the doorframe. “…U-um… Aubrey, who is this?”
Kel’s eyes light up when he sees the two. “Sunny…? Basil…?” his face breaks into a wide smile. “It’s been so long!”
Both children flinch, drawing back. “…My name’s Bee,” Bee says finally, pointing at themself, “and this is Es. …Who are you?”
Kel’s face freezes into an awkward smile. “Ah, sorry… thought you were someone else for a sec, haha… the name’s Kel! If you go one street towards the park and turn left, my house is the second-“ his face darkens for a bit. “…my house is the last one on that street, just next to the… garden.” he finishes, awkwardly clearing his throat. “Um, anyway. Come visit someday, if you want? It was nice meeting you two! And it was nice to see you, Aubrey!”
…And Kel’s stepping back, shoving the plate of cookies into Aubrey’s arms, and he’s just going to leave again, lock himself up in his room and barely reach out, and Aubrey must be dumber than usual because she reaches out and grabs his wrist.
“Hey, wait- wanna…” she stares down at the plate of cookies, trying to work out words. “Wanna catch up?”
And it’s a lame excuse, a horrible attempt, but it’s done the trick- Kel’s staring at her like she’s a stranger, and maybe she is a different person, because the Aubrey of before would’ve just waved him off, still slightly angry and somewhat disappointed at him for not being there, for refusing to grow up.
But right now, Aubrey is tired . She is twenty two years old and tired of staying bitter and upset. Mostly, she just misses her friend. She misses what they used to have, bickering and pranks and all. She offers him what she hopes is a smile, knowing it’s probably more like a grimace, and watches as he slowly brightens.
“…Sure, I’d like that.” he says, and he isn’t smiling as widely as he usually does, but somehow, it feels like the most real smile Aubrey has seen from him in years.
…She definitely needs to unpack that statement more later, but for now, she allows herself some respite, some time to wind down and catch up with an old friend.