#(eeewwww)

“herooo,” kel said, whiny this time, “is this where you’ve been disappearing off to the whole time? we thought you were studying or something but mum said she hasn’t even talked to you in ages!”

“ages? i’ve only been here for a couple hours this time. check out this frying pan! i dont even need a stove, it’s like magic!” hero said without giving them even a glance

”whatever man, that’s cool but can’t you hang out with us a lil more? summer’s ending and we have to spend it all together, like we promised, right? that we’d stick together?”

at this, hero looked off in the distance, still avoiding their gaze. “just give me a little more time. it’s so nice here, right mari?”

she smiled, her perfect mari smile made more perfect under a soft purple haze. “yeah! i love hanging out with each of you, though i know the friends from my side are a little intimidated by you since you’re older. you’re free to join us, you know, we have plenty of hero’s delicious food to go around.”

“but,” muttered basil this time, “didn’t you say you knew where a key was?”

now, hero gave them a stern look. maybe he saw a dark Something lurking inside basil. maybe he didnt like that his picnic time was being interrupted. or, maybe the thought of keys or college or his family, things he’s been avoiding, left a bitter taste in his mouth. but he exhaled and his vision became a little brighter. “i dont… i don’t care about that right now, it can wait. can’t we just dream for a little longer?”