I haven’t written in awhile and I really miss it so I’m gonna try something new here :-) apologies if any of my grammar is incorrect it’s been awhile!!!
THE BIG FOUR // Short Story
(Prompt: Intervention)
~~~
It was a clear, breezy day outside. The birds were happily chirping and playing outside in the sun and the shade of the trees was painting the sidewalks with a light lilac shadow. It was the perfect day for frolicking and summer festivities, but Jack was slumped inside.
Jack was lazily sitting on the couch of his apartment, one hand holding an old magazine and the other shielding his eyes from the bright sun outside. Beside him was a small wooden table. Candy wrappers and other little bits of trash were scattered along its surface, the look completed by his half open laptop. He sighed aloud as he set the flimsy magazine down and wiped the sweat droplets from his forehead. Before he could continue in his sulking there was a loud knock at the door.
“Hello, ye there? We can’ wait here all day”. A familiar voice grumbled.
“We brought you something!” Another one chimed in.
“Come in” Jack replied. He couldn’t help but smile a little bit for his visitors. He got up and unlocked the door sort of sluggishly. He always seemed to walk with some low effort swagger.
Three familiar faces met him at the front of his doorstep. Hiccup stood there with his bag resting over the top of his shoulder. His hair was a bit messy and unruly, per usual, and he fiddled with his hands and the rings on his fingers a bit awkwardly. Beside him was Merida. She stood there with an unshakable confidence; and a bit of attitude. Her green flannel and jean shorts matched the bright greenery outside. In front of them both was an overly excited Rapunzel. In her hands she held a small cooler. The lid was closed which made Jack’s curiosity wander.
“Aww. For me? You shouldn’t have”. He said with a semi conceited grin. He reached for the cooler before he was quickly interrupted.
“Surprise! Can we come in?” The blonde quickly skittered inside with the contents of the cooler bouncing around with her footsteps. Behind her Hiccup and Merida followed both with expectant expressions on their faces.
“So uh… weren’t expecting company, were you?” Hiccup jabbed. The inside of the house was a bit of a chaotic mess.
“Aye, looks like a bear came through ‘ere”. Merida added. She felt small nudge from Rapunzel after she made her remark.
“Enough. It’s time for the surprise!” She exclaimed, hoping to lift everyone’s spirits. The girl plopped the cooler on the small table and quickly seated herself on the couch. The others joined after wiping some crumbs and excess residue.
“What have you guys been up to?” Jack asked. It wasn’t commonplace that they would show up to his apartment like this. Usually they met at Hiccup’s or took rides together in Merida’s camper van.
“Oh nothing much, just got your favorite” Hiccup said in usual manner.
“It took awhile to find” Merida butted in.
“Tada!” Rapunzel gleamed cheerfully as she opened the crate, “it’s Moo Melt! Your uncle North told us it was your favorite place to go as a kid”.
“Wow… that drive must’ve taken a few hours at least. You mean business. What is it, my birthday or something?” There was a genuine smile behind his aloofness. He opened the box and began to inspect the ice cream inside.
“I hope we got the flavor right,” Hiccup laughed softly while rubbing behind his neck. “There must have been at least 200 different kinds”.
“I thought you were more of a vanilla guy. But, mint chocolate chip is pretty good too”. Merida sneered.
There was a bit of silence in the room for a minute. Jack held the packaged treat in his hands for a moment while childhood memories poured in to his conscience. The white haired boy took a small lick and sighed contently. His shoulders eased slightly and his expression softened.
“We heard about the concert” Rapunzel said softly. She put her hand on his shoulder, “I know you were really looking forward to it. I’m sorry you weren’t able to get a ticket”.
“That’s what this whole intervention was for? The concert ticket?” He couldn’t help but laugh at the ridiculousness of it all.
“Elsa told us you were pretty bummed about it” Hiccup said bluntly.
“When you didn’t show up for DnD yesterday, we knew you ‘er rotting in your room again”.
“I was not rotting in my room” Jack tried to defend himself.
The group looked around at the mess of wrappers and couch cushions all around the home before giving him a quick ‘I told you so’ look.
“Alright alright,” He shooed them away jokingly and sat in between them on the couch.
“Thank you” He said. There was a kind sincerity in his eyes as he fiddled with the ice cream stick. “I can’t’ believe you asked North about this”.
“He said it would always pull you out of a bad time” Hiccup smiled, “Besides, you always cheer us up when we’re down, why not return the favor?”
The four of them together enjoyed the cool treats for the rest of the summer day. The night ended in full bellies and tummy aches but it was nothing compared to the warmness that their friendship stowed in their hearts.
