#sp003

Characters: Quatro (Thea, Nico, Bela, Migo) from 576 Hours With You (MedTech on Duty, #2)

Prompt: Quatro at Bacc Mass '22

Dahil katatapos lang ng Bacc Mass ngayon, here's the ficlet I wrote last year during Quatro's bacc mass. Enjoy! Also, thank you for all your support! Congratulations, Batch 2023!

[Camera turns on and is pointed at Callie, who's sitting in a chair, facing it, vlog style. She's wearing a t shirt and jeans, a beanie covering her head]

Callie: "So we're supposed to do a vlog style video diary for our project in media studies. Just talk about our day and add some b roll. The problem is that nothing ever happens. The biggest thing that happened is that Bren invited a new girl in her history class to hang out with us. She's..." [her nose scrunches] "She's fine, I guess. She's from a big city. Bren seems to get along with her, which is weird because they're opposites. I don't know. I don't think I like her. Her name's Celeste. Anyway, I'm going to hang out with the group later, so we'll see how that goes."

[camera turns off]

[camera turns on, showing Callie in a different variation of the outfit she wore in the first clip]

Callie: "Celeste told us today that she was bisexual. Like she likes guys and girls. Duh. Obviously. That's what that means. I don't know. It makes me feel weird. Mom and Dad always say that 'those kinds of people' are going to hell. I don't believe them, but it gave me a weird fluttering in my chest, thinking about her liking girls. Kissing them." [she stares off for a moment, before shaking her head and coming back to reality] "Anyway, Celeste isn't as bad as I thought. Shes actually pretty cool. Maybe we can be friends after all." [another pause before she rolls her eyes] "These are honestly the most boring 'vlogs' ever. This is why I like being behind the camera more, for the record. But yeah. I made a new friend I guess. Just a couple weeks too late."

[camera turns off]

[camera turns on, revealing Callie in what could be called her standard uniform]

Callie: "So, Celeste and I actually hung out one on one today. We snuck into a movie and shared some gummy bears she had in her bag. It was a terrible movie, but a lot of fun, and probably not something you should admit on a project for school." [she laughs] "There was a moment when our hands touched and I felt that little flutter again. I don't know what that means."

[camera turns off]

[camera turns on, this time at a different angle, still looking at Callie, but clearly being held by someone else]

Voice: "I'm just saying, I think you could be a star if you wanted. You've got the look for it."

Callie: [laughs] "Sure, Celeste. Now, be serious. You said you'd let me interview you for this assignment."

Celeste: [laughs] "Maybe I want to know the director. The person behind the camera. You really never perform?" [Callie shakes her head] "Well. We've got to change that." [the camera moves, being set down] "Come on. Sing with me."

[Fearless by Taylor Swift starts playing]

Callie: [laughing] "You can't be serious." [Celeste just holds out her hand until finally Callie reluctantly takes it, letting the other girl pull her up]

[camera turns on, revealing Callie in the same clothes as before, a dreamy smile and faraway look on her face]

[Celeste starts singing and dancing around the room, wiggling Callie's arms and getting her to loosen up, until Callie is singing and dancing with Celeste as well, twirling and spinning her. Until the song gets to the bridge, the line "you pull me in and I'm a little more brave" Celeste spins into Callie and the girls are closer than they've ever been, within kissing distance. the laughter stops as they look at each other, until the girls lean in and kiss on the line about first kisses. Callie pulls away quickly, but just as suddenly, kisses Celeste again, who laughs. They kiss for awhile until Celeste remembers the camera, shutting it off]

[camera shuts off]

Callie: "She kissed me."

[camera shuts off]

[camera turns on to reveal a lot of b roll of Celeste, over multiple hang outs, the person filming her clearly infatuated with her and she them. sometimes a hand that Celeste is holding will come into view. if they're in a group, the camera has a hard time focusing on anyone but her]

[camera shuts off]

[camera turns on to reveal an empty bedroom, Callie's bedroom. Clearly, it had been accidentally left on. A moment later, the door opens and Callie and Celeste enter, laughing and kissing. Callie seems light and happy, almost carefree as she kisses Celeste eagerly]

Callie: Have I mentioned how much I like you recently?

Celeste: [laughs] Only about a dozen times. You really are a useless lesbian stereotype.

Callie: [bites her lip] But you still like me?

Celeste: Oh, I really like you.

[the pair resume kissing. After a moment, Callie notices the camera]

Callie: Hang on, I think my camera's on.

[Callie and Celeste walk to it, and Callie reaches out to turn it off]

[camera shut off]

[camera turns on to reveal Callie, clearly later in the year, weather warmer. No beanie and in an old band tee and cutoff jeans sitting in the chair. Celeste sits next to her on the arm rest, in denim shorts and a tank top]

Callie: "I can't believe you want to be here for this."

Celeste: "I wanna see the magic happen. I wanna see you vlog."

Callie: "You do. You're in them."

Celeste: "Not these parts."

Callie: "You're a menace."

Celeste, grinning: "But you like me."

[Callie gazes at her before remembering what she needs to do, looking back at the camera]

Callie: "So we're going to go hang out at the beach with our friends, and then sleep over at Bren's house. I need to talk to them all tonight anyway because of... reasons."

[she and Celeste look at each other like they share a secret]

Callie, to Celeste: "I really wanna kiss you."

Celeste, smiling: "You should, I'm very kissable."

[the pair lean in and kiss, and then keep kissing, finally, Callie breaks away]

Callie: "I have to turn the camera off. Say goodbye, Celeste."

Celeste: "Goodbye, Celeste."

[Callie reaches out to turn off the camera as Celeste moves to kiss her again, Callie giggles]

[camera shuts off]

[Henry]

Henry and Josh were waiting at the school for everyone else to show up since he knew that David would be bringing her and her friends there. He was just making the finishing touches on the decorations before they arrived. “Do you think that it looks good? Should I have done more?” 

[Josh]

“They look fine to me, but I don’t know Hallie all that well. If David thinks she’ll like them and you do then she will.” He responded. “I think it’s nice you guys are doing this for her. I am sure she’ll appreciate it.”

[Henry]

“I did prevent her from going to the one that she wanted to go to though. I tried to invite the same people from before that she wanted us to pick up on the way.” He smiles before pulling Josh closer to him. “Well we can always enjoy the music while we wait or do other things…” Henry teases. 

[Josh]

“Right, Hallie was telling me about her friends. They seem…great.” He nods before feeling Henry pulling him closer. “Hm we are moving slow. We just got back together and I already slept with you way sooner then I should have. You still have to prove you changed.”

[Henry]

“What, we can’t kiss for a bit then? That is still going slow…and um speaking of which. They mentioned that there are some changes you are going through that I don’t know about. What were they talking about?” 

[Josh]

“I don’t know…” He said before hearing the question. “Nothing that I know of.” He shrugged. “Anyway, so your parents ended your punishment just for tonight or are you still grounded?”

[Henry]

“What do you mean you don’t know? They made it sound like it was really bad…that worries me.” He tells him. “Yeah they ended the grounding starting tonight so.” Henry says before hearing everyone else walking into the room. 

[Josh]

“Nothing has changed from what I know. But he would be the one you would ask. I figured you wanted him anyway. You did bring him out.” Josh said before looking over and seeing the group walk in. 

[Henry]

“What? No, why would I want him. He is cold and doesn’t care. I didn’t mean to bring him out. It has been a while since I have seen it, so I don’t even know what I did to bring him out.” Henry says honestly. “Plus he is not as cuddly as you.” 

[Josh]

“He comes out every time I top, you know that. So you did ask for him. I don’t mind. I mean it’s just a part of me that I can’t get rid of, so it’s not a big deal if you did.” Josh responded before watching one of the football players spike the punch. “Hm..”

[Henry]

“I was trying to make it up to you, not him. Is there a way for you to, you know…suppress it? I heard my grandmother had a friend who had a bunch of personalities and he took some sort of medication to help with that.” He says before looking over at what one of the football players was doing. Henry saw one of the girls dragging Hallie to the bathroom and it was confusing because it looked like she didn’t want to go. 

[Josh]

“I don’t know, my parents don’t really talk about it. They just pretend it doesn’t happen. I went to a bunch of doctors when I was young. But it’s fine. Really.” He smiles before watching the interaction. “Is everything okay?”

[Henry]

“Well if it gets to be too much I can ask my grandma about it.” He says before watching as she came back out in a not so good state. “Um I actually don’t know…” Henry watched as one of the players picked her up and David seemed to be getting irritated. “I think I should go over there and help him.” 

[Josh]

“I promise I will.” He smiled reassuringly. “Are you sure? Maybe you should let David and Hallie work it out. Didn’t you say Hallie was still mad at you? Just…these are her friends right? I don’t want you to be upset or anything.”

[Henry]

“I mean just listening to their conversation it doesn’t seem like they are friends…they have been using my sister as a guinea pig for drugs…what the hell. No, I need to…my mom would kill me if I let them do that to her. I will be right back. I promise.” Henry says before giving Josh a kiss and then going over and hearing them talking poorly of his sister, he punched one of the football players. 

[Josh]

Josh kissed Henry back before watching him walk over to Hallie and David. He watched the interaction before seeing Henry punch one of the guys in the face. He moved over to the group before stopping as he saw Hope and Zach walk in.

[Henry]

He headed back over to Josh and told him that he was texting his parents about what was happening. “I need to help so that my sister doesn’t remember those horrible people. Can you help David keep an eye on Hallie while I help my parents really fast? I need to replace her memories.” He tells Josh before going over and bit down on Hallie’s neck to replace her memories and David caught her. 

He then walked back over to Josh. “I will come outside shortly. I promise. Just make sure she is okay please.” Henry asks. 

[Josh] 

Everything happened really fast before Henry was back in the school. Josh looked over at David and Hallie, who was still knocked out. “Um…did you need anything? Like did you…did you want me to help with her?”

[Henry]

Henry heard David telling him to help get the doors while he carried Hallie outside. He waited until Josh left before helping his parents and then leaving the school. There was some blood on his tux but he didn’t mind. Then he made his way outside to where Josh was before hearing his mom locking the door. 

He got into the car with them as they drove back to their house. 

[Josh] 

Josh opened the door for David before seeing Henry. “So…I guess the party is over?” He asked as he sat in the car with everyone. “I’m really sorry about how they were treating Hallie…that sucks.” He says awkwardly to the two boys.

[Henry]

“Yeah the party is officially over. But we can still you know…listen to music in my room if you want? I feel bad you came out here and it wasn’t even for that long.” He says. “She kept telling me they were her friends. I should have known that they weren’t her actual friends. I feel horrible.” 

[Josh]

“It’s fine. I’m not a big prom person anyway. I just wanted to go for you and her really. It’s not a big deal.” He shrugs. “How could you know though? You aren’t always around and they are smart enough to know not to do that in front of people.”

[Henry]

“I am her brother. I should have seen the signs or realized it when people talked in school.” He sighed. He got a message from Hope telling them to go stay at David’s. 

Once they arrived at the house, David told them they are more than welcome to stay since the night didn’t really go as well as they hoped. Then he carried Hallie inside. “Did you want to come inside too?” Henry asks. 

[Josh]

Josh stepped out of the car with everyone and looked at Henry. “I can’t stay the night but I can stay for a second.” He told him, smiling. “You shouldn’t be so hard on yourself. You did try to give her good memories to help her.”

[Henry]

“I did give her good memories of the four of us at the prom instead of the assholes showing up.” He tells him before taking his hand. “I have my own room here just in case.” Henry leads Josh inside to his designated room. 

[Josh]

“You have a room in his house? Are they really getting married?” He asked as he followed Henry. “They were assholes. But now they are gone so it doesn’t matter.”

[Henry]

“Yeah, and yes they are. They seem very in love with each other and he has been nothing but supportive for her so I don’t see why they couldn’t.” He says as they make their way down the hall. 

[Josh]

“She is pretty young though.” He says as he looked around the house. “Is he rich or something? Teachers don’t have a lot money right?”

[Henry]

“He is older so he had a lot more saved up than most people and he was planning on trying to have a family soon anyway. I am sure that’s why my aunt introduced them?” He sits down on the bed and gestures for Josh to join him. “I don’t know. I think they started to improve the salary depending on where they teach.”

[Josh]

“Oh Hallie’s into older boys. That’s sexy.” He laughed as he sat down on the bed. “I am sure your parents loved that. But I will say he seems to love her a lot, which is nice.” He smiles. “But anyway, I’m sorry your surprise was ruined.”

[Henry]

“Yeah they weren’t very fond of it but he did want to meet them and give them a good impression of him. I mean he faced my dad and that in itself is an accomplishment to make it out alive.” He teases. “It’s okay I guess. I still get to spend time with you so it’s not a complete loss.” 

[Josh]

“Yeah I had fun…for the second we were there.” He teased. “Your dad was nice to me. I am sure since Hallie is your only sister it’s a bit different.”

[henry]

“Yeah, he is a lot more protective of Hallie. She is the little girl. I wonder what will happen if my mom has another baby girl…I mean if Hallie has moved out by that point maybe she won’t mind?” He says while taking Josh’s hand in his. 

[Josh]

Josh smiled as Henry took his hand and nodded, “I am sure she would love a sister. It might take some getting used to, but I thought your mom was going to kill your dad if she got pregnant again?”

[Henry]

“Yeah I highly doubt she would. She would die too so I don’t know. I think it would take her more than a while to get used to. I am sure that I will probably have another baby brother, boys seem to be the strongest in the gene pool.”

[Josh]

“Well if your mom was queen people would love her. All they want is sons.” He teased. “Well she’s not pregnant so it’s fine.” Josh reminded him before looking at him. “Did you still…want to kiss me?”

[Henry]

Henry nodded his head as he looked over at Josh. “Of course I do. I always do.” He smiles before leaning in and cupping the boy’s cheeks before giving him a kiss. 

[Josh]

Josh kissed him back before smiling, “I think I’ll take you up on that offer. If you could just ask your grandma for help I would appreciate it.”

[Henry]

“I can definitely ask her to help you.” He smiled before giving him another kiss as he pulled the boy closer to him. 

[Josh]

“Okay, thanks.” He smiled before feeling Henry pulling him closer to him. “Also I think our parents should meet…like really meet.” He said against the boy's lips as they kissed.

[Henry]

“Did you want to come with me? I can’t see her ever saying no…” He tells him before nodding. “I think I can convince my parents to behave.”

[Josh]

Josh’s eyes widened, “You want me to meet the queen? No…no I can’t. I…what would I even say? I would have to tell my parents. They would want to go. I can’t…”

[Henry]

“Well yeah? I mean it’s not that big of a deal and plus I will be with you every step of the way Josh don’t worry.” Henry reassures him. “I mean if your parents get along with my grandparents that is a step in the right direction.” 

[Josh]

“It’s not a big deal to you because they are your family. They literally make the laws I live by. My parents are big about the royal family, you know this. I just can’t go over and meet them.”

[Henry]

“Okay? I know they are so that is why I said if you want to you can bring them. They don’t like when people make such a fuss about them. The only thing you don’t want to do is hit on my grandmother. My grandfather has quite the temper when it comes to her.” He tells Josh. “I mean technically my mom is a princess so that is still royalty and I am a prince technically speaking so…” 

[Josh]

“Why would I hit on your grandmother?” He asked. “Well when would you want to do this? I mean I would need time to prepare, you know. My parents will need time.” He responds. “Well actually you were named duke when you were born, you wouldn’t be named prince unless your parents were next in line. It’s a long thing.”

[Henry]

“I am talking about your father possibly. Some try to give her a compliment but if he perceives it a certain way well…so we should definitely prep your parents. I mean I will tell him to be on his best behavior and if Misty is there he will most likely listen to her.” He says before looking at Josh. 

“What if I brought you first alone and then we could bring your family after you meet my parents? I mean…well technically my mom is next in line for the throne and if my grandparents didn’t go back to it then my parents would have had those roles.” 

[Josh]

“Oh, your father changed the law of succession?” He asked before nodding. “That makes sense, skipping over women is so dumb. Women can be queens without a man.” He said. “Honestly my dad is more likely to hit on your mom. He said they went to school together. He was just in a different class or something.”

[Henry]

“I mean yeah he changed it because I guess my other uncle wasn’t fit enough to be king so Hope seemed to have the most stable head out of all of them at the time so…” He shrugged. “Yeah don’t have your dad hit on my mom. He doesn’t take lightly to people hitting on my mom either. And she doesn’t have much tolerance for it either. I heard she beat up a bunch of guys before for flirting with her and if my mom is having another kid then that chance is more likely to go up. It’s the protective gene thing.” 

[Josh] 

“Well I hope he doesn’t. I am sure he wouldn't. I was just saying the likelihood that he insults your grandmother is slim to none.” He replies. “Does your family just kill people that hit on them? They haven’t heard of just…saying no?”

[Henry]

“Well no. They tell them no and to back off and sometimes people don’t listen. Then they threaten them and if they still don’t listen then they die. They have the choice to listen and respect my family and if they don’t they suffer the consequences much like if someone insults the queen the punishment can be death. My mom has been through a lot that is why my dad is so protective of her. She has said no to people and they did things to her…” 

[Josh]

“Oh…you don’t have to…you don’t have to tell me anymore if you aren’t comfortable.” Josh says as he kind of got what Henry was hinting at. “Um, I will just maybe go and ask if the queen is comfortable with my parents meeting her and if she says yes then they can come in and if not, they will stay outside.”

[Henry]

Henry shifted a bit before nodding his head. “Yeah that would work too. I mean if we are trying to get you some help though it might be better to bring them on a different day so that they don’t distract her from wanting help though. I think she would have to bring us to meet someone…” 

[Josh]

“Meet someone? I don’t understand. Like a doctor or a therapist? I have tried some before, but I’m sure that the castle has more qualified people to help me.” He shrugged. “I still have to ask permission though. I can say they come another time, but they still are my parents. I can’t help if they want to be involved.”

[Henry]

“I know. And yeah meet someone. She knows of someone who has the same thing as you. The whole split personality thing. They were friends.I don’t know what happened but I am sure she will be able to bring you to him or something. Maybe he would be able to help?” He tells him. “Of course, you still need permission. I am not telling you not to bring them. How much time do you think they would need in order to prepare?” 

[Josh]

“I’m not sure. I should go and ask.” He said as he stood up. “Besides, my parents will be freaking out after what happened at the prom. What exactly do I say again?”

[Henry]

“For all intensive purposes it was just the four of us at the prom to celebrate for my sister. That is all that they need to know. And we invited a few friends but they got into a crash since they were doing things they weren’t supposed to and crashed before ever arriving. That sounds believable right?” 

[Josh]

“I mean I think so. But I do remember them mentioning taking photos on Hallie’s phone. You might want to delete those.” He says before kissing him softly. “I will call you later okay?”

[Henry]

“Oh yeah I can do that.” He smiles when Josh kisses him. “Did you want me to fly you home? I mean I don’t want you going home alone, it is late and everything.” He tells him. 

[Josh]

“I love you, but you flying me home will just freak my parents out again. I don’t need them asking you to go through how you shift again. But thank you.” He smiled. “I’ll let you know when I get home.”

[Henry]

“Oh yeah it can be hard to explain…you are right. Okay then yes please tell me when you get home.” Henry smiles before getting up so that he could walk Josh to the door. 

[Josh]

Josh walked with Henry to the door before kissing his cheek. “I will see you later. Have a good night Henry. If you get bored, call me.” He teased before leaving the house.

[Henry]

[Setting: Early morning, cloudy with sun, The City]

Miu Miu Wellness was a store which seemed like an everyday skincare store. Which it was most of the times. Though beneath the store, when one would walk through the red door, they would notice that Miu Miu was more than just a story for make-up and creams. Underneath were bathes, massage rooms and pedicure, manicure sections. Doirnan only worked shortly in the new store, scouted by the owner of the shop who approached him when he walked down the streets once upon a time. ‘’You have good hands my boy, I could put them to good use.’’

An job offer was sudden but not unwelcome. He had lived of the money left from his grandmother. Keeping money on the bank for saving and not touching it made a little fortune. Money would run out at some point though, a job would bring him some spending money. So he took the offer, learning how to massage people. He began with simply hand and feet, talking with the customers as he did his job. This had been several weeks ago. Now he could massage the whole body without problem, he even got his own room.