Parallel Paths (SaMS RuinxSun Ship)

He Exists and We're Rolling With It

(not the title being half the family 😭)

After I had walked out of the kitchen, Earth hadn't mentioned my... confession? I suppose that's the word. She hadn't mentioned it anyhow, and for that I was thankful. I didn't look like I had been crying - the makeup was waterproof, and my eyes were dry rather than red.

All the children were finally gone. After getting in comfortable clothing, Sun and I were munching on the leftover fruit snacks while sitting on the desk. Earth was rambling about Moon scaring her earlier when he suddenly ran around the corner because he was looking for something he dropped in the daycare hallways. I remember hearing her scream over the children, "HOLY DUCKS!" She refuses to cuss, so that's the best we would ever get. It's still amusing.

"... and he was just there!" she was explaining. "I knocked him over."

Sun snorts. "He's straightforward to knock over." I could say that Moon can knock Monty over like a feather, but I didn't. That would be disrespectful.

As if on queue, Earth's phone buzzed on the counter next to where I was sitting. I handed her the device, which she looked at. "Oh, that's right! Monty was gonna take me shopping later. He's on his way." She glances up at me, then Sun, then at the device as she types something. She pockets it before I can see what it is. I assumed just a reply letting him know she was ready in her flowery sweater and pink skirt. "The mall has a new Claire's open, and I wanted to check it out."

"I've never been to Claire's," Sun commented, popping a grape gummy into his mouth. "Can't you get your ears pierced there?"

Earth nodded. "Though, I don't know if this one will. It opened last week."

I hadn't said a word yet, so I cut it quietly. "My ears used to be pierced, but the holes healed up. I took the earrings out one night for bed and forgot to put them back in once I woke up, and I didn't get home from work until it was too late." 

That was a lie. I had taken my earrings out on a day off, then that thing had taken control of my body and never put them back in. That was a year ago though. The earrings were nice. I'm sure they're still in my dimension, on my bedside table, gathering layers of dust.

Sun looked over at me curiously, swallowing. "I didn't know that. You don't even have any scars."

"To be fair, my hair covers my ears most of the time."

"... true." He ate another gummy, swallowing before he spoke. "I've thought about getting my ears pierced. Never knew what earrings I wanted."

Earth poked at the rose earrings that Monty had given her. "Maybe we can match!" she offered.

Sun grimaced teasingly. "Not really into flowers, but thanks anyway. I-"

"WHAT'S UP, SINGLE FUCKERS??!!"

Earth whipped around, Sun blinked, and I nearly fell off the desk. Nearly. Monty was standing by the large wooden doors. They were already open, so we hadn't noticed him come in. His fiery red mohawk seemed more neon in the lights of the daycare, his dark skin lighter. He glanced at Earth's mildly offended face, and his gaze softened. It tended to do that when looking at her. It was sweet. "Sorry, I couldn't resist."

"That's alright," she said, "you're allowed to say what you want. Just not screaming a curse in a daycare."

Monty shrugs. "So, you ready to go?"

"Yes, but..." Earth pauses, her eyes flicking over to us.

Monty's eyes widened. "Ohh..." He looks over at Sun and I. "You two wanna come?" Sun chokes on a gummy snack.

... So Earth told someone. Fun.

"Pardon?" I questioned, hoping my face wasn't as red as it was heated.

"You heard me."

"Isn't this meant to be a date?" Sun finally stopped dying. His tone was confused. "I don't think-"

Monty walked over, grabbed Sun and my wrists, and yanked us off the desk. I fell face-first into the ground. At the very least, it was soft and cushioned, but that doesn't mean I liked it. Monty keeps speaking as I stand. "There's no choice."

Earth wriggled her eyebrows at me. "It'll be fun, right?"

I glanced at Sun. He looked nervous, scratching at his neck. We made eye contact, then he turned back to his sister. "I mean, we have nothing else going on. Right?"

It took me a moment to realize his words were directed at me. "Oh, uhm, yes, right."

"Well then." Sun sighed. "It'll be something to do."

Earth and Monty peered at each other and grinned mischievously.

I had a feeling this would be rather... fun. Sarcastically, of course.