#datendingtho

Arthur leaned back in his seat, the hard plastic bench creaking slightly under him as he waited for his appointment. It usually only took a few minutes for him to get in, but today it was taking forever…not just that, but he had company. The girl to his right was fiddling with her scarf, an odd look of determination in her eyes, as if she were focusing all of her energy on not looking at anyone or anything else, and the dude to his left…jesus what a behemoth. He had to be at least 6 foot, and was built like he was a bloody linebacker on the varsity team, although Arthur had never seen him on the field ever, despite working at the concession stand practically every game this season…you couldn’t exactly miss that bright purple hair.

“So, uh, what’re you guys in for?”

“Hmmmm?”

The girl had turned to look at him, as had the giant dude, and Arthur suddenly found himself regretting his decision, panicking a little at the attention.

“Oh, um, I meant, uh, why’re going to see the counselor, is all…i-if you don’t mind sharing?”

The air went silent, Arthur practically melting into his seat with embarrassment: he wished he would just disappear.

“Anxiety.”

The giant dude had spoken, Arthur somewhat surprised at how gentle and quiet his voice was, the dude not even looking either of them in the eye.

“Whoa, that’s rough dude…don’t worry though, the counselor here knows what she’s doing, she’s really awesome-“

“I-I know…second time this week, eheh.”

“Oh…s-sorry, man.”

Arthur looked away from the guy, glancing over at the girl for a second, who was still avoiding the both of them.

“What are you in for?”

“Ehh? Oh, um, family bullshit. Times are tough and we’re cutting it close every month and everyone’s arguing like idiots. Has me stressed out.”

“You’re having family troubles?”

Both boys practically jumped out of their seats as the bright, bubbly voice suddenly jumped out of the girls mouth, her expression suddenly quite animated, her tone somewhat angry as she spoke:

“That’s so stupid! Just stand up to your family and tell them to stop arguing! It’s making it harder for everyone in your house and it’s stupid! Honestly!”

The two boys exchanged looks. This girl was a little firecracker, she was.

“Erm, I kind of agree, but its pretty damn delicate, I mean, heaven help me if I hurt my mom’s feelings or my dad gets on my case…I’d be dead by morning, eheh…anyway uh, name’s Arthur. Pleasure to meet you.”

“Lewis!”

The two others turned to the hulking man, a rather dorky smile on his face, like he was a puppy that had just been given a new toy. Kind of creepy, actually.

“Vivi here, and so you’ll both stop asking about it, I’m ‘in’ for some help regarding something I am NOT telling two strangers about, thank you very much.”

She smiled, and the two guys kind of scooted away from her a bit. Sure, she was as cute as a button, but dang did she give off an air of command, of power…it was quite endearing actually.

“Well, um, nice to meet you, Vivi…say, what classes are you in?”

 —-

Two years down the line, and the trio were bobbing their heads to the beat as they blasted techno in their van, their dog in the backseat, going on another adventure. They stopped at a stop light, the song they were listening to fading out as Lewis turned the radio off, much to the confusion and displeasure of the others.

“Yo, dude, what the heck?”

“No no, hear me out: do you guys know what today is?”

“…Wednesday?”

“No, no, think harder…”

“…uhhhhh….”

“The day we met, dinguses. Jesus.”

“Oh my GOODNESS YOU’RE RIGHT!”

“Holy crap, I hadn’t even noticed…”

The van lurched forward as the light changed, and they were all silent for a moment, lost in nostalgia.

“Man, look at how far we’ve come: I’ve moved out of my parents’ house, Lewis can handle anything that comes his way, and Vivi is the goddamn image of badass-ness. Dang we’re awesome.”

“Darn straight.”

“Eeyup.”

The trio went silent again, everyone thinking it, but no one wants to say it. They needed each other, had found a bond none of them could ever think about breaking, a force that held them together that simply couldn’t be shaken.

Lewis let out a choked sob.

“C-crap…it’s just…I love you guys, so much…”

“Feelings mutual man, feelings mutual.”

“Agreed.”

The trio let out a collective sigh of relief. Well, at least someone had said it. All of them knew this was more than friendship, more than just some simple, common bond. They felt connected at their very souls, complete, together. Someone had finally admitted it, was all…

“Welp, we’re here.”

The group looked out the window as Lewis shut the engine down. They had heard so many stories about this cave, about its supposedly dark, dangerous nature, craggy cliffs and sheer drops: a perfect place for some exploration.

“Well, let’s go then!”