Small Spaces >Bril<

3: The Talk At The Big Oak Tree

Since Brian was so lost in thought, he didn't notice that the two girls had started to approach him.

Later that day.

"-rian. Brian. BRIAN!" He jerked back, confused on what was happening. He then realized that Ollie had been talking to him, but he hadn't been listening. The trio were now at school, discussing plans to investigate an old home in the middle of the forest.

Brian's mind had been somewhere else that day, thinking of things only he would know. The trio had grouped up together at lunch under the big oak tree. It was something the group had been doing for years. Brian turned back the Ollie and Coco and tried his best to stay focused.

"Well, as I was saying, I think we should plan our next move so we don't get caught out in the open." Ollie concluded.

She had devised a plan for the trio to keep safe while they explored the great forest in Ollie's backyard. Ollie was an adventurous type of person. Always going against the odds, daring the world to spite her. She never backed down, and she was so goddamm good at persuading people. The smartest in her class is truly a student prodigy. Sadly, though, she had lost her mother three years ago, but it impacted her severely.

Coco, on the other hand, she was a timid person. She always listened to what others said and was a very sweet and compassionate girl. She mainly looked up to her mother since her father walked out on her and her mother when she was still a baby. Still, she never gave up. She is amazing at chess, and so is Ollie. Both of them were able to outsmart teens and adults in chess. We've definitely used this skill as an advantage in a number of ways.

"As I was saying, there is an old abandoned manor in the middle of a clearing. We have to follow this route here." Ollie's finger was pointing at a map, tracing the path that they had to follow.

The path began near the back of Ollie's farmhouse, then was dissected by a tiny river going west. Continuing on past the river was a clearing about one hundred meters ahead. The group had come across the manor recently and wanted to see if they could repair it and make it their own secret base. It had seemed safe enough. It was just today that they were going to scout it out and see if it was actually safe.

"It seems like this direction is the safest path anyway. I've been climbing most of the trees. To get a better overview of the place." Coco concluded. She was the school champion for rock climbing, so it was normal for her to climb trees every now and then. She was just like a squirrel, or as Brian liked to say. A Coocoo bird.

Brian nodded his head. He didn't feel the need to protest since he also wanted to explore the manor. He wanted to feel like he was an important and necessary part of the group anyway. Since he's been feeling like absolute shit about himself. He still thought that he was worthless and that the group didn't need him, even though he's saved their lives multiple times.

"Hey, are you feeling okay? Is this about Phil? Or him?" Ollie inquired. She looked at Brian with concern on her face.

She had seen him zoning out, and this caused her to worry because of what happened to her, Coco, and Brian. Especially Brian. Whatever the full extent of what Smiling Man did to him, Brian wouldn't say. The most they had gotten out of him was from Phil. But even Phil didn't say much. Both of them were so shaken that Ollie and Coco didn't want to pry.

"Y-yeah. I'm fine, just.... preoccupied at the moment. There is a lot of stuff on my mind. And yeah, I really do miss Phil. Ever since he went on that camping trip, I haven't stopped worrying about him. I w-wish he would come home sooner, but I know that he still has two more days before he has to come back. Honestly, he n-needs it. We all do." Brian spoke, voice quivering. He looked down at the ground solemnly. Coco and Ollie both knew Brian liked Phil more than as his best friend, but they both didn't speak up about it. After all, they were ones to talk, especially because Coco and Ollie have been dating since seventh grade. Now that the four of them are in tenth grade, things have certainly changed.

"Are you sure you're up for this? We can reschedule for next week if not?" Coco insisted. She cared deeply for Brian since he was like an older brother to her.

"Yeah, I'm sure." Brian said, giving the both of them his signature smile and a thumbs-up.