Fireflys

Chapter 4

POV: Sprig

"Yessss!!! The lake!!" I ran up the stairs and grabbed some towels. I then threw them down to Hop Pop, who made a pile of the things we're bringing. Oh! Beach ball!
"Polly, where'd you put the beach ball??" I called out.
"It's in the closet!" Polly said back.
I look in the closet and found the beach ball. Perfect! I threw it down the stairs.

After a few minutes, everyone was ready to go! We ran out the door to Bessie and loaded our things onto her. Hop pop and I sat closer to Bessie, while Anne and Polly sat more in the back.
"Are we all set to go?" Hop Pop asked.
"Yup!" Anne chuckled.
"Alright, now lets go to the lake!!" We all cheered.

As we made our way towards the lake, I couldn't stop looking back at Anne. Anne and Polly were playing 'patty cake' and just, it looked like they were having a great time.
I felt an elbow against my arm, and I looked toward Hop Pop.
"Whatcha looking at kid?" He chuckled.
"Hm? O-oh, nothing!" I nervously respond. Why am I nervous?
"Alright, if you say so." He laughed, continuing to drive Betsy.

      Why was he acting so weird? I was just looking back at my little sister, and best friend...does he think I like Anne or something? No. That would be ridiculous. He knows that Anne and I are just friends!

Memory:

"look! It says that 2/3 of all soulmates started off as Just Friends"

———-

.......crap.
Nope
Nooo
Nopety nope nopeee.
.
..
Do I have feelings for her?
No, that's ridiculous! I would know if I did!
.
..
But, what if I'm unsure?
What am I talking about. She's a human! She has her own life that she wants to get back to!
.
..
Then why does my chest hurt?

"Ah! Stop the snail!" Anne said, nearly giving me a heart attack, and jumping off Bessie, "the beach ball is escaping!" She said, dashing after the fallen beach ball.
Bessie slowed to a halt as we waited for Anne. She returned in a few seconds, holding the ball in her hands.
"I captured it!" She chuckled, placing the ball in a situation where it couldn't fall out again.

We got to the lake, and saw a lot of others gathered around. People swimming, eating, and playing in the sand.
"Wahoo! I'm going in the water!" Polly cheered, jumping out and hopping to the water.
Hop Pop placed a bucket of vegetables in front of Bessie, who immediately started to eat from it.
"I'm going to mingle amongst the townsfolk." Hop Pop said, beginning to walk away, "Don't you two get into any trouble, okay?"
"We won't, Hop Pop!" I laughed.

Anne got down, and I hopped next to her.
"I didn't bring any peppers this time, so hopefully that creature's gone." I chuckled.
"Hopefully. But I don't think as many people would be swimming right now if it was in there." Anne laughed.
"You wanna go swimming now?" I asked.
"Sure." She shrugged.

She was already in her swimming clothes, so I just took off my jacket and put it on the back of Bessie. As we walked over to the water, I realized that Anne was still wearing her socks and gloves.
"Hey, shouldn't you take off your socks and gloves before they get wet?" I asked.
She looked at me nervously, "Uh...no. I have some—mosquito bites that I don't want anyone to see!" She said quickly, stretching her gloves further up her arm.
Hm..odd
"Alright then.." I shrugged.
"Come on slowpokes! The water's great!" Polly called from in the lake.
    I laughed and dove into the water besides her.

    We all swam around, had water fights, and played with the beach ball. After many hours, we went to leave.
"Did you kids have fun?" Hop Pop asked, loading everything back on to Bessie.
"Yeah!! I lovveee this place!" Polly said, yawning soon after.
The sun was setting, and we were only minutes away from the house now.
"Hey, I'm gonna walk the rest of the way back..." Anne said softly, jumping down from Betsy.
   Hop Pop stopped Bessie.
"I'll join you." I said, getting down next to her.
   "Alright.."Hop Pop started, "Just be careful. And don't be getting into any trouble!" He then started Bessie up again, and they were gone within moments.

"So, why'd you wanna walk?" I asked, catching up to Anne.
"Well.."she said softly, "I wanted to clear my mind from something." She hugged her arms together, Looking a bit distressed.
"You wanna talk about it?"

     She sighed, "Yes...but I'm not sure how to.."
I never seen this side of Anne before.. I've seen her sad, angry, and upset about things, but this felt..different.
"Well..I'll listen whenever you feel ready." I gave her a reassuring smile, which she smiled to.
"Thank you.." She chuckled.

    We got back to the house, and got inside. Everyone was already going off to bed, so Me and Anne parted ways. But I couldn't help but be curious to what she was worried about...

POV: Anne

   I fell face first into my pillow. I. Should've. Just. Told. Him.
   I take off the glove. The blue skin itself was already the length of the glove. Same for on my legs, and the socks were longer than the gloves.
"Why's this happening..is it because I'm in a universe where my species doesn't exist?" I groan. I've grown shorter in less than a few hours..I'm changing quicker and quicker..at this rate, I'm going to have to tell everyone in the morning...