Trio of Hearts (Sashannarcy/Amphibia)

The Hermit

Anne looked at the booth picture and smiled thinking of both of them, how soft their hands were, and the longing in their eyes. She ran her fingers over the picture and the thought of being close to them made her insides quiver. And if Anne Savisa  Boonchuy wasn't twenty three and knew the difference between her romantic feelings and her platonic ones, she would have called the funny feeling in her stomach butterflies. But, she's not that head over heels teenager anymore, Anne shook her head and confirmed, they were just friends. If only she could make her silly little hear start agreeing with her. The more she isolated herself the louder her heart protested.

Anne avoided going to lunch with her co-workers holding up her lunch pal while waving them to leave without her. She would sit in front of Sprig's display and talk to him while eating her lunch and even though he wasn't the Sprig from ten years ago, he  made her smile the same.  She would finish her shift a few minutes early everyday to avoid the afterwork Boba invites that she used to live for. Anne wanted to spend her time reflecting, recenter, and recharging herself.

Anne's hermit routine consisted of cooking breakfast, bringing lunch to work, making dinner, and reading some of Marcy's webcomics before bed. What else was she going to do with the extra time on her hands, from avoiding the author herself, Sasha, and her coworkers. She got up from her bed and started to pace around the room until she decided to get in her car.

She knocked on the door and heard someone coming as she twiddle her thumbs waiting for them to answer.

"Anne?"

"Hey," She said softly.

"Why are you knocking? You have a key," her mom looked sleepy and confused.

"I know, I just haven't been thinking straight lately."

Mrs. Boonchuy looked tenderly at her Bean. "Of course you're not, honey?" She pulled her into a hug.. "You're my little Les- Bean- Anne." She laughed alone, not feeling her daughter shake in her arms. "Come on, it's funny." Anne just shook her head into her mother's chest. "Well, come in. you'll catch a cold out there —" Her mom looked her daughter over, "Where is your jacket?" She scolded.

"Huh?" Anne looked at her arms. "Oh, I must have forgotten it."

"What's going on?" Anne's dad came from upstairs.

"Hey Dad." She smiled weakly.

"You okay, Anne?"  He joined the hug.

"Yeah, just tired," She said softly.

"Well, you can always sleep here." Her mom said.

"Okay, but can we watch one of dad's silly moves or something? I really would like some company." She gave a weak smile.

"Of course," They said

They all walked inside the house, closing the door behind them. Mr. Boonchuy sat next to Anne on the couch while Mrs. Boonchuy made stovetop popcorn.

The living room filled with the smell of salt and butter as they ate the snack while watching two movies. Anne enjoyed getting out of her apartment and more importantly out of her head for a bit. She felt her eyes get heavy and hugged her mom and dad goodnight before heading to bed.

The next few days  were a blur from work and back to her parents' house. The Boonchuys sat down for dinner like they did for the past few nights. Anne was excited to stuff her feelings with her mom's Chicken Basil and Rice.

"So Anne, you know we're always happy to see you." Her mother said, handing her the rice.

"Yeah, you're our favorite daughter."  Her dad said as Anne handed him the rice.