Ç𝚞𝚛𝚜𝚎 (𝓣𝓹𝓷)

✩✉𝓕𝓸𝓾𝓻🕯

You, Ray and Emma were helping put laundry up and out to dry. Norman was proposing an idea to play in teams when playing tag. you were in your own world.

Maybe the reality of all this was finally hitting you properly?

"something wrong?" Ray asked putting a hand on your shoulder

"nope not at all." you accidentally used the exact same tone you had used on Sister Krone which he noticed. he cringed.

"that's so weird." he deadpanned "so you're lying?"

"what- no it's just a reflex." you shrugged it off.

"then what exactly are you not telling me?" you and him made intense eye contact.

"what exactly are YOU not telling ME is the real question." you turned around his question, because, what else do you do when you don't want to look like something is bothering you?

"welp you're no help." he sighed. you laughed in response. "anyways since it's obvious you weren't paying attention we are telling Don and Gilda. now, Emma!" he yelled at her.

"hm?" she responded

"remember these formations- both of you." referring to you and Emma "there are hundred of them."

"by ear?" you asked

"what you can't do it?" Ray asked challengingly

"like hell I can." you responded

"easy peasy!" Emma said

-

"the goal here is to not get caught. you have ten minutes. go!" Ray told them as he surrounded by a group of kids who stayed with him as being 'it.' The rest of everyone playing proceeded to take off down the hill. this was the test run for playing in teams.

"everyone follow me!" Emma said

"let's surprise Ray by winning!" Norman added.

"we've got this in the bag!" Don boasted

"heck ya!" you added.

you all ran through the forest you split up with the first fork in the road. Emma using a hand signal. you went with Norman's team as they had a larger group and would need help splitting up more. Ray's team was right behind you. You made a hand signal to split up. Everyone obliged with a smooth transition of going separate directions. You and Don took the left and ran with it. With Ray of course following your team since you were you.

The sound of leaves being crushed by feet were constantly heard.

"No way in hell am I losing to Ray." You mumbled.

You might have to split up one more time. You thought it might be terrible at first but thinking about it... It sounded perfect. Less group of people to run with meaning it's more under control. You can afford to make more sharp turns. Ect.

You put up a hand signal to separate again. Don, for one not expecting it, stared for a second. It took him a second to process but he turned away from the tree to the right side just in time. You took the left once again.

"Alright everyone get ready to make some sharp turns!"
-

once the game came to end everyone boasted about how much fun they had. Don asked for another round because he wanted to be an official leader while Gilda asked to take a break.

you all indeed took a break you brought out a pitcher and cups with fresh water. the four of you; Emma, Ray, Norman and you stood together near the table where the pitcher and cups had been set. Ray took a sip from his cup.