OFFSTAGE ☆ [Banana & Pear]

II - Anonymous Gift

"I'm putting this dumb-arse's face on my clothing!"

Pear indulges in rampant consumerism and returns home after ignoring Dancing Banana for the past week. He's later woken up to a doorbell and... a package?

Also added a Heathers reference and original character because why not

(1044 words)

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- Pear's pov -

Everyone has disregarded the fact that I haven't made a scene in public for over a week. For the latest episodes of Shovelware's brain game, I either wasn't present or kept my mouth zipped for the duration of the quiz show.

It's also been a while since I've spoken with the yellow fruit, though most of our conversations led to arguments broadcasted live in television. Here and there, I see things that remind me of him and...

Wait, why am I even thinking about this? It's absolute DRIVEL. I wouldn't be caught dead talking to that moron. Agitated by my own thoughts, I step down my seat and walk out of the set.

By the exit, I stumble upon the gift shop and admire the new merchandise displayed on the opposite side of the glass wall. Opening the door, these little bells chime above me to indicate that a customer has entered the shop. I started traversing happily through the rows of aisles, browsing for products I might include in my collection. It's not the first time I've visited.

I grabbed as much items I could afford such as pins, keychains, and a cap. All of them have the Shovelware's brain game logo printed on the material. While placing the things on the counter, the cashier acts suspiciously before engaging in conversation with me.

"You roam around our gift shop often. Guess we can consider you a regular customer," they claim. I give a subtle reaction, but no further response. "It gets lonely in here sometimes, since customers only come after the end of the day. You're one of them."

To get out of the awkward position I'm in, I complete the purchase and carry my bag of merchandise. The cashier gestures me to halt for them. "Didn't catch your name...?" With my hand on the doorhandle, I turn to the unaccompanied worker. "I didn't throw it."

☆

I took a quick shower and began moping the kitchen tiles close to the refrigerator. Suddenly, footsteps can be heard approaching the bottom of the wooden stairs, creaking louder. It turns out a family member of mine has woken up from their nap.

- "Oh! Did you come home just now?"

"Yes Quince, I didn't want to be such a bother so I stayed quiet."

- "Makes sense. Anyways, welcome home! How was your afternoon?"

"It was a little mundane, but I managed to buy more gifts for myself."

- "Aw for you only? That's unfair!" I smirk at my younger sibling and pull out a keychain from my bag.

"I'm kidding, here, you can keep this one. I double checked and found out I already have a duplicate in my bedroom."

- "Ooh thank you THANK YOU big brother!" Quince reaches for the keychain, hurrying back upstairs to hang it somewhere secure.

I move on with my night routine, tidying my desk and arranging the additional souvenirs onto the shelves. While mixing and matching the order of pins, I hold a particular one up close to examine it.

This accessory didn't have a brain game theme like the others, but simply a picture of Dancing Banana posing with a calm and friendly smile. I thought it felt out of place with the other pins, so my first instinct was to attach it on my puffer jacket hanging on the coat rack.

The bright yellow stood out with the dark shade of phthalo green and black. To me, his usual goofy expression was exchanged with something genuine, something real. I actually prefer him that way... NO, did you realize what you just said to yourself Pear? I'm putting this dumb-arse's face on my clothing! I rip the pin out carefully and lie on my bed, staring at the blank ceiling.

I quarrel with him, call him names, avoid him, but why am I constantly reminded of the idiot and doing THIS? My palms sweat as I hold the pin again. There was a flash in my memory, back to the moment I walked out during the meet and greet. He was flirting with me in front of everyone. Did it mean anything? Or was it just another one of his lame jokes?

I turn off the room's lights and plug the lamp sitting on the sidetable. Scrolling through social media and not a single notification from anyone. Maybe sleeping early will get this weird feeling off my chest. I charge my phone and shut my eyes.

☆

I woke up to a doorbell sound coming from downstairs. Checking the time on my alarm clock, it's 5:36 AM. Confused to who's up this early in the morning, I head to the front and my right eye glances through the peephole. There was no sign of someone, except for a large box. I push the entire thing through the door and lock the entrance.

The package's enormous size and lack of labeling seemed sketchy to me. Quince never told me about a box being delivered to our house today, perhaps she ordered a product online? Curious, I open the top with a box cutter and insert my arm to reveal what's hidden.

The material is clearly made of cotton, which is pretty soft and sewed well together. Peeking inside, I see features oddly familiar, but couldn't envision what it was. It all becomes recognizable once I bring out the stuffed toy.

Usually won at the carnival corner of Shovelware Studios Hollywood, I received a giant dancing banana plush...! Who could've sent this to me? How did they learn my address? I'm left weary and puzzled.

At this hour, I am too tired to process what I've gotten my hands on. Walking back to the bedroom, the massive plush toy was dragged up the steps and thrown on the mattress. I collapse beside it, burying my face into the cotton and falling into a deep slumber.

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(a/n just like Pear, I'm making this late at night rn and want some beauty sleep)