Instant Family (SWSH Fanfic)

A Mutually Beneficial Partnership

Gloria awoke unusually early the next morning. She groaned as she tried to hide from the spears of light bleeding through her curtains. She slapped her hand on the nightstand, flopping it to and fro till she landed on her phone. She kept her face smashed against her pillow.

"Rotom..." she grumbled, her voice muffled by the pillow, "Wha' time's it...?"

Her phone shot up towards her face, "7:00 am, Ms. Gloria." The phone buzzed robotically.

"Uuuuuuuggghghhhh," Gloria flopped onto her back, her sheets sprawling across her body, "too early..."

She decided to sit up and start getting ready, rubbing the sleep from her drowsy eyes. She shuffled to the bathroom to pick up her toothbrush, stopping only to briefly glance down at her home screen.

Still nothing.

She plopped back into bed, toothbrush in her mouth.

I hope Bea is doing okay... She really went out of her way for me last night.

Gloria picked up the jacket that had fallen to the floor while she was asleep.

I should find some way to say thank you...

Gloria grabbed her phone and scrolled through her endless list of contacts. She finally landed on Bea's name. She tapped and created a new thread.

Gloria👑: Morning Bea! So sorry again for bothering you last night, it was a weird night. But like, good weird!

Gloria knitted her brow, trying her best to navigate this text message.

Gloria👑: Like not that you're weird— I'M weird

Gloria cringed, BACKSPACE DUMBASS.

She nervously bit down on her toothbrush, bouncing her leg as she tried to find the words.

Okay just be nice. This is like a thank you! Bea likes... she likes sweets... and breakfast has sweets I think? Breakfast is SO low commitment...

Gloria👑: Anyways, you always seem to be saving my day! I'm going to be heading out for coffee, wanna come with?

Gloria tapped the send button before she could overthink. She began aggressively brushing her teeth on the way to her sink. She looked at herself in the mirror, running her fingertips across the bags under her eyes.

Today was going forward whether she liked it or not, so she turned the faucet on and splashed her face with cold water.

Dabbing her face with a towel, she anxiously checked for a reply. Still nothing. Huffing, Gloria tossed her day bag onto the bed, rummaging around for an outfit she knew full well she hadn't packed.

She glanced down at her running shorts and t-shirt, unimpressed. Stow-on-Side HAS to have a place where I can buy some clothes...

With that thought, Gloria slung the strap of her bag over her shoulder and slipped on her shoes, heading out into the blinding light of the morning sun.

-•-

Gloria delighted in the bustling life of the small town's Main Street. Lined with vendors shouting their daily specials, Gloria weaved through flowering maractus carrying vibrant produce. She could hear the jingle of cash being exchanged and smell the fresh fragrance of food getting prepared. She finally made it to her destination, a small mom-and-pop shop with some clothes for her.

Gloria approached the register with a pair of soft, olive green short-shorts and a tan cotton v-neck. She placed the items down, giving the cashier a warm, glowing smile as she fished for her money.