Finn swallows his last piece of food away. "So, Aris, you have any hobbies?"

We're eating breakfast at the rectangle kitchen table. Warm sunlight shines into the room. Surprisingly enough; it's the beginning of October. Finn's birthday is coming closer.

As every year, I'll sew him something. I don't know what yet. I'll have to start soon. Maybe a sweater?

But it doesn't feel like enough. It repeats every year. For everyone, every birthday, I sew things, and then add perfume or something.

Whatever, I'll figure it out.

"Uh, I draw... sometimes," Aris replies slowly, eyes not focused on anything in particular. The table, maybe. "But, um, the institution, eh, was kinda strict. I mean, I— I wasn't always, you know, allowed to draw. I like to read, and I... can play a few things on the piano."

"Nice," Finn comments. "I think I have a keyboard hidden somewhere. If I find it, I'll let you know."

His cheeks catch a blush. "Oh. Thanks."

Finn gifts Aris a smile, then returns to slicing himself a new piece of bread.

"Tomorrow, Minho will drive you, himself, and Viviette to school. I made sure you have classes with either of them every time," Mom says.

"Thank you." He gives a quick nod.

It falls silent. I rush to eat my food for once. Normally, Finn, Minho, and Dad finish minutes before me and mom. But an idea just came to mind and now I really need to do it.

"Can I leave the table?" I ask after I've consumed my glass of water.

Dad glances around at most of the empty plates. "Fine. It's your turn for the dishwasher tonight, though."

"Got it."

Without falling, which is something new, I manage to get up the stairs. I take ten dollars from my wallet, go back downstairs, keys in my hands.

I shut the front door with a soft click, then turn around. Thomas's house is right across the street. The white bricks haven't changed. Neither has the veranda, or little path there is to reach the stairs, that lead to the same veranda, and then the front door.

"Hey! Sage."

I stop myself from throwing the keys at Thomas just in time. "Oh, hi."

Mango is beside him, breathing heavily. So is Thomas. He controls Mango with the dog leash as he wipes some sweat off his forehead. They must've gone on a run, based on their state and the looks of that white tank top and—

"I need to go," I say hurriedly.

"Wait," he steps closer, "did you get my text?"

I step back. "What text?"

"The one I sent. Did you see Teresa's, at least?"

"Nope, not yet. But I really need to go now."

"Where to? Do you need a ride?"

"Just the store," I say. "I'll be fine, thank you."

What is wrong with me? It doesn't have to be this awkward. I should've stayed with freaking denial.

He smiles a bit. "Thought you hated walking?"

"Yes— eh, no. Not anymore. It's not that far. I better get a bike sometime. After the other one... I don't know."

"Crashed?"

"Right. It crashed. Okay, bye."

"...are you sure you're okay?"

"Mhm." I start taking more steps back. The memories of last night come back, and I spin around, not wanting to risk slamming into anything again. "Bye, Thomas."

"Eh, bye, Sage."

After the fifth time of looking over my shoulder, he has finally disappeared into his house, and I can breathe again.

I really need to gather myself together. And soon. There is no need to embarrass myself or to suddenly act like this. Is it only because Teresa mentioned how well she trusts Thomas and I? I don't know. But something changed.

Tense and all, I arrive at the store I usually buy material to sew with. Besides that, they also have other things to craft with. I make my way to the drawing section.

First, I pick up a sketchpad, it's plain but has good quality. I have a look at pencils and end up going for a set of basic drawing pencils that includes different colors. I have enough money left for a pack of erasers, so I take that to the cash register as well.

"Is it a present?" The woman behind the counter asks.

"Eh, yes... I have fifty cents left."

She nods. "I'll give you a bag."

Neatly, she slides the drawing equipment into the paper bag, then hands it to me along with the receipt.

"Thank you." I smile. "Have a good day."

"Likewise. Bye." She returns the smile, luckily. I have a deep hatred for rude cashiers.

I walk home even more excited than before. It's tiring to go this fast while walking up the hill, but alright.

The hill is actually just a road that barely anyone ever drives on. Beside the road, there's houses. On both sides. A whole street. We live pretty close to the top the hill. If you walk down the other side of the hill, you arrive at the beach.

So basically: town and school, then the hill, my house, hill again, and the sea.

I unlock the door, smiling to myself, kick off my shoes, and walk into the living room. My eyes trail around the room for a sign of Aris. I find him, sitting on the couch with a book I recognize in his hands. Must be one of Finn's.

"Hi." I sit down next to him. "I got you something."

Surprised, Aris looks up. I press the bag in his hands. Wipe my sweaty hands on my shirt again. I don't know if he likes being given gifts and I really hope I'm not making him any more nervous by doing this, or making him feel forced to give me something in return.

"Oh, wow." He looks into the bag with wide eyes before he looks at me. The gratefulness is written all over his face. "Thank you so much. Do I... how much was it?"

"Don't worry. It's on me. A gift," I say. "Let me know if you need anything else."

"I— thank you," he says again.

I crack a smile at him. "You're welcome."

Okay, that went well. Maybe if I talk to him more, he'll warm up, and we'll become friends. Maybe that's also what will get me distracted from Thomas.

Hanging out with Teresa clearly won't help. Newt's parents are tight with allowing him to go everywhere everyday, so that's also not always an amazing option.

Okay, that's just a stupid excuse. There's still Brenda and Gally, apparently, and Harriet, even though I haven't spoken to her in ages.

Now my mind's telling me that Thomas is actually greater friends with Harriet than I am so I'm not sure— stop. It's not about who will bring Thomas up or who won't. I just have to not think about him.

I've been thinking about him for half of my life, though. That's gonna be quite the change.

Or find the reason I suddenly like him way too much. What changed?

I take my phone out of my pocket, typing fast before anyone can see, why do I suddenly like my best friend?

Nothing. I blink. Well, Google clearly— oh fuck.

STEPHENIUSIBUSIUSYPUSSY

Today, 01:22 AM

are you sure you're okay?
We're worried
You seemed kinda off

Today, 10:38 AM

Why do I suddenly like my best friend?

Delete delete delete delete delete delete delete.

Once that's done, I throw my phone away from me.

I frown. Did I really delete it?

Quickly, I check again.

Yes, I did.

I lock the screen, blowing away a deep sigh.

"Are you okay?" Aris wonders carefully beside me.

I jump. "Huh? Yeah. Fine."

I think I should've caught more sleep.

"Is your phone okay?"

"Yup."

"I remember in the institution, when we were allowed to have our phones, I saw those jump scare kind of videos. We could get them from ten to eleven in the morning, and four to five in the evening. Was it one of those videos?"

"Yes," I lie.

Aris's eyes move to the kitchen behind me before he focuses back on me. Some kind of worry fills his eyes.

I turn my head, too. Nothing is there.

He's schizophrenic, I remember. Is he seeing something?

He doesn't mention it, so I leave it alone. "How do you like it here so far?"

"I guess it's, eh, okay." He shrugs a bit. "I'm sorry for... well, this."

"It's fine. I hope it helps. Are you ready for tomorrow?"

"Sort of," he mutters.

"I have really nice friends. You'll like them. And I'll help you get to the right places."

"Thank you."

Nodding, I get up. "I've got a few things to sew. Let me know if you need something."

"Thank you," he says again.

I walk up to my room. I've got to decide which material to use from Thomas's shirt. Something satin? Is that too much?

I grab all the blue things I have and stock them in front of me on my desk. One of them catches my eye. Dark blue with little white stars. Or does he want plain blue?

Stars are so beautiful, though. Sometimes, when I can't sleep, and there's stars in the sky, I watch them for a while. And I wish I take have them. Just reach out, steal them, keep them.

But I'll never have them.

Not the stars, not Thomas.

I remove the material from my sight. Maybe this plain, lighter blue one? It's nice material.

STEPHENIUSIBUSIUSYPUSSY

What did you deleteeee

Nothing
Now that you're online, what material did you want again? For the shirt

Do you have that one blue left

That ONE blue?

You made a skirt for yourself with it once
It was perfect
The color I mean

Right
Got it

Okayy thank you!!
You sure nothing's going on?

Yes Thomas

Alright
Better come have a taste of the cupcakes we baked sometime

I'll see

And what if this is an order?

Then you're crazy
Byee

See youu

☯︎︎

A/n: y'all is it very annoying how clumsy/awkward Viviette is ?

And so yes, idk how to change it now that I've already written her like that