These Forbidden Oceans

Chapter 6: Girl Talk

 Lonnie offered to take the swords back to the gym. Jay and Hyacie thanked her. Lonnie called a goodbye to the group and jogged off with the swords under one arm. Ben got sidetracked, and Mal hung back as Jane talked to him about something related to Cotillion. That was when Hyacie remembered; she had agreed to be Caleb's date. Her body lagged for a moment as she glanced back over her shoulder at Caleb, who was walking behind her, talking to Carlos. She wasn't sure how she felt about it anymore, but it couldn't be that bad. If worse came to worst, she could just hang out with Evie, Lonnie, and Jane all night. And Mal –assuming Mal chose to attend.

She was brought out of her thoughts when Evie took Mal's arm and muttered, "We need to talk."

Mal agreed, and the two girls started to walk away before Carlos stopped them.

"No," he ordered.

"No?" Evie repeated in astonishment. Both girls looked a bit offended and surprised.

"You guys are always going off in a huddle, whispering your girl-talk stuff or whatever," Carlos sighed.

"I don't," Hyacie cut in, because Carlos had glanced at her for a moment.

"Yeah, all right. But you don't exactly share with the group either," Carlos snapped. "Anyway... Jay and I are tired of it."

Jay looked up, surprised. "I- I'm not," he clarified. Carlos shot him a dirty look, and Jay piped down.

"We're your family too," Carlos continued, lightly scratching Dude's head as he held him in his arms. "We've been through a lot. Together. I'm not stopping that now. Okay?"

Mal nodded, looking upset and tired.

"Everyone sit," Carlos ordered, plopping down in the grass and staring up at everyone else expectantly. "Come on."

Jay knelt down, and Evie and Mal followed eventually. Hyacinth began walking away, partially not feeling like she was enough of a part of the group to be included, and partially hoping she wouldn't have to participate. Emotional conversations were not her thing. Sadly, she had no such luck.

"H, what do you think you're doing? Get back here and sit down," Carlos demanded.

"Damn it," she whispered, turning around to face the group guiltily. "I, uh– didn't think I was included."

"You're one of us now," Jay said, patting the grass beside him.

"Yay," Hyacie replied awkwardly. "Are you sure I should be here? I can g–"

"Get over here." Jay gave her an unimpressed look. Hyacinth reluctantly sat down on the grass next to them and accepted her fate.

There was a pause of awkward silence.

After a beat, Carlos spoke up again. "I don't know how to start girl talk," he admitted.

"What up?" Jay tried casually. Evie laughed, and Mal gave a wet sniffle.

"You tried," Hyacinth told him quietly, clapping him on the shoulder.

"Um... Well... I'm a mess. I'm such a mess." Mal broke down, finally letting out everything that had clearly been eating at her. Evie rested a hand on Mal's shoulder comfortingly. "I mean, six months ago I was, you know, stealing candy from babies. And now, everyone wants me to be this Lady of the Court, and I have no idea how to keep up the act."
"Then don't," Carlos suggested with a soft smile.

"See? This was dumb." Jay began to stand up, but Hyacinth pulled him back down.

"If I have to suffer, so do you, pal," she growled. Jay raised his hands in surrender.