A Muffin a Day

Chapter Three, The Bonding

Lacey

I looked around, my eyes wide. How much butter is going to help this... I'd look up at Jay, worried. They didn't seem like they knew what to do either. I'd groan, going back up the stairs, "Jayyyyyyyyy," I'd reach in my wallet and get three dollars. "go to the dollar store and get a pack of butter." I'd hold out the money. Hay would look at me. "Uhh...How about you go?" She'd nervously laugh, giving me the same look when they were at the door. I'd shake my head, "I don't want to come back to you two making out!...Or worse." She'd grab the money, "I'm going! I'm going! Stop talking!" They'd storm off the playground, going to the dollar store down the street. I'd plop down next to Archer. "This sucks ass." He'd mutter. I'd look over, "Why do you know what that tastes like?" I'd snicker. He'd roll his eyes, "I'm too old to get stuck in a damn slide..." I'd shrug, "Clench your ass or something, I don't know." He'd stare, "Why in hell would that help me..?" I'd shrug, "It makes your ass smaller?" He'd groan, "I don't even think butter will help..." We were silent for a little. "You seem emo." I'd snicker. He'd stare at me. "How so..?" I'd blink. "Black jacket, grey sweater, and black pants? You scream emo, Archer." He'd narrow his eyes, looking at me. "I'm not-" He'd groan. "Forget it..." The slide would begin to buzz, making him groan, "Great...Can't even reach my phone if I wanted to." I'd tilt my head, "Is it your job?" I'd question curiously. He'd stare at me, "I don't know, Lacey...Let me check." He'd growl. I'd shrug, "Hey, I'm just trying to make conversation so you don't get lonely. He'd stare, "I'm fine with being alone, I have been my whole life, why the hell do you think that I'm all attached to the thought of talking?" I'd look away, pouting slightly. He'd stare, noticing my silence. "You don't like the quiet, do you?" I'd slowly shake my head. He'd exhale, nodding. It was silent between us. "Where do you work, Lacey..?" I'd look over, smiling slightly. "I work at a festival..." He'd nod, "Is it fun?" I'd giggle, "I get to meet amazing people! It's really fun!" He'd nod, "Sound much better than my work." I'd tilt my head, "What do you do?" He'd sigh, "I kill people." I'd feel my heart sink, "You...You wha-" He'd laugh, "It's a little joke with my friends. I work at a haunted house." I'd giggle, holding my chest. "Oh! Scared me! That's cool too! I couldn't work at a haunted house, it's like really bad on my lungs." He'd nod, looking at the road, probably watching the cars go by. I'd bite my lip, hesitant to ask. "Wh...What do you like about Jay..?" He'd look over, chuckling, "What's not to like?" It'd hit his shoulder, "Be serious!" He'd chuckle, nodding. "Right...Right.." He'd adjust his coat. "I mean...They're very independent and fun to be around..." He'd chuckle slowly. "I haven't met anyone like them...They're real nerdy with their games and plushes, but they could do a good deal of damage if it was needed." He'd shrug, "I don't know...That's just things I've picked up on." I'd nod, "I suppose you're right, huh?" He'd nod, beginning to take his coat off. "God...wrong day to wear black, huh?" I'd smile nodding, "You and me both, pal..." He'd slide a bit down more, gripping the stairs. I'd stand slowly, "What'd you do?" He'd stare, "I tried to go to the store, Lacey." I'd blink, "Uhhuh...? ...Well, whatever you did, do it again." he'd shrug, "I doubt it'd work again." Jay could be seen from the small rocky parking lot. I'd grab Archer's coat, but he didn't let it go. "Let me take it for you? So you don't get butter on it?" He'd shake his head, "I think it's fine with me..." I'd stare at him. Why is he so difficult? I'd manage to snatch it from him with one quick motion, making his eyes wide. I suppose he wasn't tensed up, due to how he nearly ate it as he moved down the slide. I felt my eyes wide, seeing Jay rush over. "What happened?! Lacey are you okay!?" I'd shrug, "I'm fine shouldn't you be asking him if he's okay?" Jay would nod, going to Archer, who had woodchips all over his sweater. He'd groan, lying on his back. "I'm too fucking old for slides..." I'd hear him. I'd snicker, "You're probably as old as time!" I'd watch Jay help Archer up, the butter probably...no...It 100% was not needed now. Jay would watch me get off the playground equipment, holding Archer's coat. "Why don't we go back home..?" Jay would suggest. I'd nod, "Probably would be the best, so you both could have your make-out time." "Lacey!" Jay would say red. Archer would shake his head, "It'd probably be best if she came with us. Then I won't be all over you." He'd chuckle, looking at Jay. They'd shake their head, moving back towards their house. "Nope...Nope...Not talking about this with you..." Archer would look at me, taking his coat back, "Watch this," he chuckled. "Oh c'mon, Jay! We never talk about that anymoreee." I'd smile, joining in on the teasing. "Jay!! How rudeee! He wants to have a serious, adult situation with you!" Jay would shake their head again, "Both of you quite!" Archer would laugh a bit. His laugh sounded like a literal bird when he was genuinely laughing. I'd look at him, "Why does your laugh sound like that!?" I'd snicker. He'd smile, "You sound like a bottle of Windex being whipped and I didn't say anything." I'd giggle, nodding. "Hmmmm...We need a nickname for you..." He'd raise his brow, "How so?" I'd shrug, "Jay is Jay-Bird! You need a bird nickname!" He'd blink, "Why?" I'd shrug, "Couple goals?" He'd shrug, "Sure...Lay it on me." I'd look up, thinking, "Hm...You dress like an emo private school teacher...look all mean...how about...Raven?" I watched him flinch at that name, "...I don't-" Jay interrupted us, "Are you going to come inside or just stand there!?" I'd snicker, "Raven it is." I'd bring myself inside, hearing Archer groan behind me.