Summary: Anon meets Naomi's parents, and it doesn't go as expected.

The neighborhood was fancy, similar to Fangs’. Posh, fancy and modern. Complete with a gate at the front that needed a pin to enter. The car skidded to a stop as she punched the numbers in with a furious point. As soon as the gate cleared the car, the tires began to squeal as she burned rubber most of the way home.
Reaching the house and pulling massive G’s as she raced, I was on the verge of losing whatever remained of my lunch, which wasn’t much. Thankfully. I clambered out of the surprisingly powerful hybrid, catching my breath, thankful it was over.

“Anon? Are you okay?”

“Just ah… Yeah, Raptor-Jesus. I thought Naser was bad.”

“Come on, my parents have probably already sat down.”

I forgot about that. Shit. I’d rather suffer more in the car than have to awkwardly make small talk with parents.

“It won’t be that bad. Come on.”

 

“That bad for You? Or Me?”

 

“...Both?”

Naomi’s fingers slowly locked with mine, intertwining. Her heartbeat pounded through the palm of her warm hand. It couldn’t be ignored. I raised our hands to the view of both of us.

“Are you okay?”

Her eyes danced behind her glasses. Her face. She was staring at the door with That face. I’ve seen it before. Before Us, that look of neglect and worry. I was mortified, but she was petrified.

“Naomi, I’m freaking out too, but it’ll be fine. No fucking way Mia beat us here. The way you drove? I think I have jetlag.”

I raised my other hand to both of ours, clutching hers in both.

“I’m scared too. I’m not asking you to be brave for the both of us, just that I’m here with you.”

Her dancing jade eyes slowly fixated on me, with bouts of fidgeting.

 

“It’s not part of your plan. That’s okay! None of this was part of your plan!”

Naomi began to stare at the ground, formulating a response. She was going to find a way around calming down, no matter the stretch or ridiculous explanation or hypothesis formed up by the anxiety-addled dinosaur.
At this point, I knew that I was speaking to an orange-colored brick wall. I looked down at our hands that were desperately clasped together. A dumb idea, but the only one I had in the void of my mind.
This is going to be the wrong move, I can feel it. In a flash, I raised our hands to my lips, pecking her dainty hand quickly before hiding them away again.
“Naomi.”

She blinked, the stars in her eyes were back and staring directly at me. Once again, like a five foot tall iguana, she began to change colors. The ocher-orange fading to blush.

“...I’m sorry.” Naomi whispered as she looked at our hands. I could almost see the shock in her face as the act of degeneracy sunk in.
“Did you just-”
“Mia? Parents?”
The parasaur huffed as she was violently dragged back to reality.

The door clicked open to the fresh cool air conditioned breeze. The interior was very white, modern and sleek. The typical gated community kind of decor. Now I only needed to find that ‘Live Laugh Love’ sign to complete my rich people house bingo game.
Speaking of, laughing seemed to echo down the hall to what I assumed was the kitchen. Naomi’s grip tightened in my hand, Mia somehow fucking beat us. My confusion was cut short as her steps sheepishly continued. The beige carpet softened our steps. I was partially astonished by the fact she didn’t insist I take my shoes off to walk inside. I did not match this scenery.
As we walked down the hall, the laughing subsided, before Mia’s voice finished whatever joke she had started with us out of ear-shot.

“And then-! He turns to me and says- ‘No! It’s the ice-rink manager’!”
The group bursted into laughter just as we rounded the corner.

“Naomi!” Holy shit Naomi has parents.

Their mother was a tinge of red similar to Mia. She looked exactly like them both, much more rounded, with tired eyes. Her coat looked like the same exact brand that Mia wore, without the spikes. Very business casual. Her flowing blonde hair parted at the center, ending just above her shoulders.
What I assumed was their father, since he was a parasaur as well, was colored much more like Naomi. I really couldn’t put my finger on him. He looked like a mix of an 80’s action hero and someone so good at selling cars or insurance or some shit, you see a movie on him thirty years later. He was the opposite of his counterpart, his eyes were vibrant and it looked like he kept a solid regime for beautification.

Holy shit we’re just standing here, no longer holding hands. My eyebrows raised, flashing my best awkward smile as I stared at them. Shakily my hand raised to stiffly wave at the trio. My blood was molasses as my heart struggled to pump it, pounding and beating, shaking my entire body. Will I turn around to see a wall mounted with various heads? Perhaps medieval weapons and torture devices this time, instead of golf? Maybe Ripley was a sweetheart compared to these two.

“Naomi? You didn’t say you were bringing a guest!” Mia smiled, a bit too innocently as she stood, pulling out two chairs for us to sit at the table with a very herbivore-friendly feast. This day was getting worse all the time.

Naomi looked at me as if she had forgotten I was there. Eyes shifting quickly between me and her family.

With one last glance, she stares at me. I can see it in her eyes. She was already apologizing.

“This is Anon- He’s just a friend.”

I felt my heart skip a beat. Mia almost couldn’t contain her laughter, aimed at her nervous sister and the heartbroken companion.

“Ah, another student needing tutoring, Naomi?” Her father prodded, I knew it was inevitable, but I prayed they wouldn’t ask me any questions. Or even notice me in the room.

“Yeah. He’s… Struggling. Struggling with some classes.”

I didn’t want to hear her voice anymore. The memory of Fang screaming at me to choose, her or Naomi. I didn’t feel regret, until now.

“So, Anon. Tell us about yourself!” Her mother beckoned, swirling a glass of wine.

“I uh. I’m Anon. I just transf-” I choked, I fucking memorized the school introduction without realizing. “I’m not great at math.”

“Well it’s not necessarily sharpening spears, now is it?” The father laughed, before getting jabbed by his wife. “Haha… Sorry.”

“I’m sure Naomi is more than capable of helping you with your homework. She’s an honor-roll student, Perfect A’s in every class.” There was a pause as she took a sip of the dark drink. “Sit! I’m sure there’s more than enough to go around!”

My hand rested on the back of the chair, I looked at Her. She stared at the table. I could see her fighting the urge to look me in the eye.
“Actually, I have to make a phone call really quick- I’ll be right back.”

 

I called a cab. My body was numb. I turned my phone off.

I fucked up… Didn’t I?

RAYmba beeped in response as he finished his snack. I had two missed calls when I turned my phone on, Naomi and an unknown number. Must have been her sister. The school year was thankfully coming to an end soon. Couldn’t be soon enough. Maybe if I can put up with this pain for another few weeks, I can just leave this town and everyone behind. Maybe join the Navy, just to put distance between myself and this place.
Pushed around and toyed with emotionally. I was too tired to cry. I was just Tired. Maybe it wasn’t even Naomi, maybe she was a bandaid all along, and I’m feeling the pain from Fang again. Hell, maybe Naomi decided that I was just her crutch. Maybe I rushed into this, and thought too much of myself, and Naomi, of Us.
So far, my plan to avoid both of them was to simply continue being invisible, from where I left off those few months ago. It wasn’t hard. It would be easier now that there isn’t a certain class president planning my moves.

Part of me wished I had stayed, if only for the free food, but on the other hand, it would have been healthy and green. Despite my financial burdens, I could still afford the gourmet meal of pizza rolls. The daylight waned and my lights stayed off as I watched the microwave torture my meager meal.
With my daily caloric intake met, I climbed into bed. Back to square one, or maybe even less than. Yousnoot provided the ambience to drown out the sound of my painful heaves, biting my lip as I refused to show any emotion to myself.
I really didn’t know if I slept at all, climbing out of bed wearing the same clothes as yesterday. Only a few weeks. Navy, College, whatever came my way. I just needed to get through it. I needed to avoid them. The dull gray light from the outside world welcomed me to the new day. I didn’t eat, instead choosing to endure the slight tinge of hunger as I stepped through the door. I wasn’t sure if I was mad at myself or Naomi, but I chose to make myself suffer.
Despite being close to summer, the mornings were still cool. My lone footsteps were the only noise I could hear, or at least focus on. I was passed the feeling of anxiety, or perhaps simply used to the sensation. That molten steel ball was instead frozen, burning whatever it touched with frost. A delicate balancing act of thoughts, one way or the other, that feeling would careen through my chest. Freezing whatever it touched as it swayed, a frosted pendulum.

The school didn’t care. Students clambered up the steps to the school, while cliques sat amongst themselves, laughing, joking, smiling. Only now do I realize I never had that. Or at least, I never belonged to one. At this point, I probably wouldn’t mind that trike giving me shit for ‘stealing’ Fang, if it meant being happy. But Now? I would probably fold up like a wet napkin if I heard so much as an insulting joke.
I was pitiable, pathetic. Climbing the steps one at a time as I moped to the entrance. I even made it to first period without so much as a word. The desk was cold to the touch, and the chill of the seat seeped through my jeans. It seemed like I didn’t actually move, instead the world moved around me, class to class. Different faces, teachers, assignments.
It felt like my story was over, I messed up and this was just a bad timeline. My life would fall into obscurity and irrelevance simply because I made the wrong choice in fucking high school. Lunch came, I didn’t stand in the herbivore line. As a matter of fact, I waited half the lunch period to go in, hiding in the male restroom to ensure I had no chance to see Naomi, or Fang.

The greasy meal went down easily enough, only after did I remember I wanted to make myself suffer, but it was already too late. I did think about stopping by the salad bar to steal a cherry tomato, but I didn’t want to entertain myself with thoughts of better times. Then a blur, I sat through the classes again.

A text, from Naomi.
Naomi: I’m out front
Followed by a chibi puppy dog sticker that was begging.

I didn’t know if she could tell if a text was read or not, but I didn’t respond. I took the back exit to the school. It hurt. I imagined her sitting in her mom’s car, eagerly staring at the entrance of the school, as school buses began to line up behind her. I grit my teeth and began to walk home. If I hurt, she should hurt.
I rubbed the bridge of my nose, I shouldn’t think like that, but I didn’t know what else to feel. I can’t see her right now. I began my trudge home, taking the backroads and alleys I haven’t walked before just to avoid the possibility of her tracking my route to talk to me.
Roughly half way home, I checked my phone, opening Naomi’s contact. I saw her begin to type, then stop. It didn’t repeat. I bit my tongue as I shoved my phone back into my pocket, trudging onwards to my home.

Another day. I dropped my backpack by the door, then made my way to the bed which remained unmade. I collapsed onto the sheets, holding my hands. I should have at least told Naomi I was walking home. The guilt built up in my stomach. I frowned. I’m such a piece of shit.
Maybe food would help. My dinner of microwaved pizza rolls. I opened the freezer to reveal the hoard of frozen delicacies had been diminished without my realizing. I’m out of food. The walk to the cheaper stores I frequented was beyond my range, only due to my being lazy and tired. Maybe a dash of heartbreak, but that could be filed under ‘lazy’ as well.
Well, the park was closer than the stores, sometimes on sunnier days, vendors would set up shop and sell their overpriced greasy goodness. I could probably spare a few dollars for some dinner, and then force myself to make that voyage for sustenance later.

I made sure I still looked presentable for the outside world before beginning the trip. The afternoon sun slowly drew sweat from my skin. It coated my back and ran down my neck, the rays of sunlight unrelenting, but the wind that crept through the streets from the ocean was a slight boon, when it actually made its way to me.
The shady neighborhood eventually turned into a civilized society, with planted trees in the sidewalk and green flora. The cracked sidewalk tiles became brighter, cleaner. I really wished I could adapt to this near-tropical climate already, almost huffing as I walked, silencing myself as I passed strangers, since I couldn’t show weakness to anyone, especially different species.

The bright grass overlooking the port of the city with ample cover for shade, vending machines, the bathroom me and Fang- Yeah. A few scattered vendors minded their own business, some with customers, some without. Oh, hey. It’s that hot-dog-dino. Maybe I could rant to her about my teenager problems and get free food? Maybe one for the road? Maybe one for later tonight?
I sighed, concealing my hands in my pocket as I moped to the yellow, chef hat wearing, life-advice touting, hotdog grilling dinosaur.

“Hey, kid! Good to see you again!”

“Hi, hot dog vendor.”

“You look down, hungry? Sad? Both?”

“Yeah, both.”
With a pair of tongs, she rapidly assembles a hot dog, slathering it with condiments and toppings before handing it to me, complete with a paper wrapper.

“Tell aunty-Trace what’s up, pal.” She said, clicking her tongs as she leaned against the cart, the palms of her hands resting on the push-handle.

I unwrapped the dog, eating it quickly, hoping she’d forget that I owe her money for it.
“Fang…” I wiped my face, “She said she wanted a break.”

“A break…?” She raised an eyebrow, lifting her chef’s hat to scratch her head. “Well, what’s so bad about that? Sometimes people just need time to themselves.”

“The way she… Started the break, I really thought she was done with me, and she… I don’t know. Just wanted to let me down gently?”

“You did something stupid, huh?” She smiled warmly, as if she already knew the entire situation.

“It’s- Well it’s complicated.” I began to scratch my wrist, looking elsewhere as I tried to figure out how to explain.

“It’s not too busy, I got time.” With a blur, there was another hotdog perfectly concealed by the paper container within the grasp of the tongs, held aloft towards me.

“Her brother- He took a break too with his girlfriend at the same-”

“Kid…” She began to rub the bridge of her nose. “Please don’t tell me…”

This was the first time I saw her actually upset, but I also didn’t interact with her daily.

“We were both hurting, and I thought maybe-”

“Hang on. I’m not done.” Still wincing with her face in her hand, she raised a finger to me. “First off. You’re dumb. Second, stupid.”

“Well, I mean-”

 

“Third. If there really is a connection, and you can see yourself with her, later down the road, I’d say it’s okay.”

“But-”

 

“But. Do you still have feelings for your … Ex?”

This was the same conversation I had with Her.

“I don’t know. She… Hurt me. And then just… put our relationship on pause, put me on the wayside! I… I don’t know. I miss her. But me and Naomi-”

“Naomi? Ain’t that the… plastic… peachy… Parasaur? That one with the fucked-wing dude?”

“She’s gotten a lot better. We were both hurting and I thought we had something special, and only recently have I been able to-”

“You ‘Thought’? Something happen?”

 

I groaned silently, hanging my head as I had to think over the events of yesterday.
“Well. She wanted me to meet her parents.”

 

“Fun…?”

“Naomi… flaked? She told her parents I was just a friend. So I… I left.”

“You Left?” Her eyes widened, staring daggers.

“Well- I was hurt. That same day, I told- I made up my mind, that I wanted her. I stood up for myself. I pushed Fang away-”

“But you… Left.”

“I was hurt!”

“You were stupid!”

The flashbang of accusation struck me, blinding my senses.
“What? Why?!”

“She was scared! She didn’t do it to fuck with you!”

“I was scared! I- I didn’t want to meet her parents!”

She rested her tongs on the cart, covering her face with her hands. “Young and dumb…” She caught her breath, before picking herself back up to look at me. “That’s what you do! You support her! You play along and you help build her confidence, you- you dumb boy!” She almost seemed pissed, but was in hysterics as she finished.
“But- Well- God damn it.” I sulked, my shoulders limped as I sighed deeply. “I am stupid. But I don’t know what to do now. I feel like I’ve pushed Fang And Naomi away.”

“Think about things. You’re a young man, and you’re about to get a few months to do whatever the hell you wanted, y’know? And what, two weeks until graduation?”

The thought of graduation made me sick, of course I’m ready to be done with school, but then the rest of life. Serious decisions, responsibility, the graduation ceremony.

“I want to spend time with her. But-”

“But you don’t know if it’s real? If she still feels the same? If you’re enough for her? If-”

“Yes- Raptor Jesus, calm down. I know, I’m stupid.”

“Love makes people stupid, men especially. Just stick it out, kid. I’m sure she’s beating herself up over all of this too. So, when you eventually talk to her again, just support her. Never hurts to tell her how you feel.”

“I guess so. Thanks… hotdog lady.”

“It’s Tracy, pal.”

“It’s Anon, Tracy.”

“Anon?”

I nodded my head.

“That’ll be ten-twenty five”

 

My appetite was sated, but at what cost? The air was already cooling by the time I made it back to my room, twice in one day now. I’d better go to sleep now so I don’t get hungry again and have to walk all the way back to the park to get almost-free food.
I crawled on to my bed, reaching down the sheer cliff face to grab my charger, pulling it up to charge my phone. I opened Naomi’s contact, staring at the default picture. I should say something, but… I can’t. Even with the keyboard underneath my thumbs, the words just didn’t translate to finger movements to type it.
Instead, I opened Yousnoot and put on some four hour gaming documentary to fall asleep to. Just another day tomorrow, a few more of those and I’m out of here, a few more of those and I need to … Fix things.

 

As quickly as my eyes closed, they darted open, tiredly looking for my phone to smack the screen to turn off the alarm. I sat upright, twisting my waist to hang my legs over the side before finally contacting the cool ground with my feet. I really didn’t want to experience today. More of the same, more of that blur that whisked me through events.
My socks and shoes found their way to my feet, my trademarked shirt that I own multiple identical copies of, my backpack and finally my phone and wallet. I could almost smell that summer air, thin and inviting, images of relaxing on the beach with my future wife- The idea of a wife. Certainly no one in particular, I argued with myself.
The fog began to clear quicker as the summer months encroached upon spring, the daylight hours lasted longer and the dew on grass was much thinner, existing only in shadows. The top of the school was a bright hue as the sun rose over the adjacent buildings, leaving a scrap of concealment from the sun for the student who eagerly awaited the end of the school year.

The electronic chime called those same students to their classrooms, myself lumped in with them. It was too hard to focus on the random assignments when freedom was so close, but still, graduation rehearsals were annoying as hell, and had the potential to cut into lunchtime. Speaking of lunchtime, I still wanted desperately to avoid both Naomi and Fang, taking strange routes and lesser used hallways to get to the cafeteria.
I tuned out the background rabble as I walked mindlessly. Barely watching my surroundings as I stared at my phone to remain as inconspicuous as possible if I were spotted by either of them.
Finally, I arrived, scoping the large, full room. Neither that bright ptero or bubbly parasaur were in sight, allowing me to eat in relative mental peace. The food was cold compared to the bursts of hot air that snuck their way through the halls as people exited and entered the school. I was once again haunted by the idea of stealing a cherry tomato, but I couldn’t bring myself to attempt it, only realizing as I had already sat down to feast.

Subjecting myself to a food coma since I ate as fast as I could, having been late to lunch. I bumbled back into the hall, making my way back to class amidst the scattered groups of students. I turned off my brain and began to autopilot my return trip, staring at the meaningless walls of text on my phone.

“An-on!” Rosa shook me by my shoulders, ripping me from that comfortable nothing.

“Jesus fuck, Rosa- What?”

“An-on, I have been calling your name! Why are you not listening?”

 

“I didn’t hear you. I’m gonna be late.” I tried to break her grasp, but her nails held me in place.

“Ah-ah! You have five minutes, An-on! I need to talk to you! Now!”

I groaned a sigh, sticking my phone into my pocket.
“Okay, fine. What’s up?”

“Stella told me you were having troubles lately, An-on…” Rosa tilted her head, trying to look me in the eyes. “Is this true?”

“Was it her cards?” My eyes slowly began to roll to the back of my head as my head mimicked the movement.

“Well, that. But not to mention your… Shouting…”

Oh yeah, I almost forgot about that.
“Oh yeah. I almost-”

“Come to the gardening club after school today!” Rosa’s face glowed as she smiled blindly. She was either excited to give me yet more relationship advice, or for the free slave labor. “You look like you need some sunshine to brighten up your attitude!”

“I’m probably… Busy?”

“Nonsense, An-on! What are you busy with? Sulking around the school, taking the long way to the cafeteria so you can avoid your estranged female friends?”

I gave Rosa a stern side eye to signal that she had hit the nail on the head.

“Fine. For a little bit-”

The electronic chime screeched, demanding us return to the school day.

 

“Good! I’ll see you after school today, An-on!”

An inhuman groan vibrated my throat, I could already see the Parent-Trap levels of cliche romantic love stories that Rosa possibly thought up. ‘Oh, sorry An-on! I didn’t tell you Naomi and Fang would be here! teehee’. Why Rosa was wearing a sombrero in my imagination, I don’t know. It’s not my fault she’s a living stereotype…
I trudged back to my locker, slipping out my backpack. A small pile of white, misshapen envelopes fell to the floor. I must’ve been in such a hurry that I didn’t notice them. At first, I thought they were miscellaneous assignments that fell from my backpack, but as I scooped them up, I saw the scribbled ‘to’ and ‘from’. All of them were from Naomi. All of them were for me. I could tell the chronological order of them, the handwriting that got worse with each envelope. I looked around, my few remaining peers were already making their way into classes, slamming shut lockers. No one paid any mind as I stuffed them into my backpack.
My heart ached again, hurting deep in the pit of my chest. It was impossible to ignore as I sat through more lectures. Those letters slowly resigning to the back of my mind as I anticipated that last freeing bell.

Just as I was about to doze off, we’re set loose upon the rest of the world. I slip a backpack strap over a shoulder, sighing a breath of relief and sucking in that sweet, warm summer air-

My phone began to buzz, Rosa.

 

“An-on! I’ll meet you at the school garden!” She then hung up on me.

I groaned so hard that my throat started to hurt. That last hour, I was selling myself on the idea of hiding away in my chilled room, watching videos and vegging out. Wait- No, I have to get food today. Fuck.
Instead of the back, I took the side exit to merrily walk to the garden, grumbling the entire way. At least it might be a bit colder out when I have to walk to the store, or maybe I can starve myself. As I pushed open the doors, the ‘club’ was nowhere to be seen. Instead, Rosa was alone, placing tools on the bricks that separated the luscious garden from the pristine grass.

“Rosa? Where’s the rest? I’m not cleaning out the garden myself.”

“Oh! An-on! Nono, the club does not work today! Just me and you!”

‘Just me and you’? I scanned the surroundings, no ‘estranged female friends’, no surprises, not even Stella. I sighed, partially in relief, but that turned sour as I realized that I would actually have to work.

“Come here, An-on! Get some gloves, I don’t need you getting any cuts! Especially before graduation!”

“Fine.” I grumbled again, slowly falling to my knees as I slipped on the well-worn leather gloves.

“We’re just digging out these roses, An-on.”

“Digging them out? Didn’t you… Almost kill me for falling on them?”

Rosa giggled before exhaling sharply, clutching the small trowel with both hands. She stared longingly at the flowers.
“We need to clear this garden for next years’ gardening club students…”

“What? I thought that they just… Kept them, and left them for the new students… Or whatever.”

“Yeah… I thought so too. I guess we planted too much. The school wants some space cleared.”

“Alright.” I shrugged, “Easy enough.” I took the small rake, clawing into the earth as I broke roots, ripping the delicate, bright red rose from its home in the soil. Then another, and another before I realized Rosa hadn’t moved. She still clutched that trowel with both hands, holding it to her chest.

“Mis preciosas…” She whispered.

I thought this was going to be a therapy session for me, but Rosa seemed to be on the verge of tears. Her eyes tracked my crude movements, watching the scars form in the soil as I had torn out each one.

 

“Rosa? You good?”

 

“Yes, of course, An-on…” She sighed deeply, “I thought I could do this myself, but I cannot bring myself to harm them…”

“Should I stop?”

“No, no. It needs to be done.”

My tool slowly approached yet another of the neatly planted flowers.
“You’re sure?” While I was apprehensive to continue, I was eager to get home. Rosa only nodded slightly, nearly catatonic as her eyes grew wetter.

“What’s all this about, Rosa?” I fell back, sitting on my feet.

“It is… This is important to me, An-on.”

I dropped the rake into the garden bed, ripping off the thick gloves from my sweating hands. I pushed myself off the ground to sit criss-cross, facing the tormented Aquilops.

“Tell me what this is about, Rosa.”

“Es el paso del tiempo” Rosa muttered.

“Yeah, What?”

“It is the passing of time, An-on.” She wiped her cheek, dropping the trowel. “I planted these when I first came to Volcano High.” Rosa delicately held the now dying rose that I had haphazardly thrown into a small, yet growing pile. “The good times are over, it feels…”

Rosa had much better composure than me, humming a song as she held the bright red rose in cradling hands. Humming a song, occasionally speaking soft words in a shaky, quiet tune.

“Junto a las manecillas de un reloj… Esperarán. Todas las horas que quedan por vivir… Esperará.”

The foreign language bounced off of my understanding, but her tone deemed it to be emotional. As she sang, I snuck the trowel from her, cutting a square into the dirt around a solitary rose, giving plenty of space for the roots in the ground to remain somewhat undisturbed. A clay flower pot within arms reach held only dirt, scooping some out, I slowly placed the rose into the soil.

“Rosa-” I offered the now-potted-plant, her gaze slowly wandering to me. “The good times aren’t ‘Over’, Rosa. You’ll have more ‘good times’. I don’t want to sound… Cliche, but- Just be glad they happened. That you have the memories, and that more will come.”

Rosa’s trembling hands slowly encompass the bright orange terracotta pot, with the bright red rose blooming within. Her mouth quivered, which I assumed was the equivalent to lips quivering-

 

“An-on…” She adjusted her legs, placing the pot in her lap as she softly prodded the flower. “Thank you.”

I tried my best to give her a reassuring look, before ultimately doing all of the work while she sang to herself about the good times. The sun cooked us both until it finally began to hide behind the hillside.

 

Eventually, I had finished the grueling work and parted ways with Rosa. I began my trudge back home until roughly half the journey was finished, when I remembered I had to stop by the store to get food.

The room welcomed me with its slightly conditioned air, and I dropped my backpack in its usual spot, and then made my way to the humble kitchen, dropping the loaded plastic bag. The typical bachelor menu of frozen foods and a large bottle of soda. I slammed the fridge and freezer shut, keeping one of the boxes of dino-nuggies on the counter.
It was as if I had seen a ghost. I bought them out of habit, without realizing. I picked up the box, looking at the cartoon mascots and its ‘fun’ font. The box began to dent beneath my grip. The plastic bag inside crinkled as my hands slowly crushed the frozen contents.

My eyes wettened as I slid down the wall. I knew I was forgetting something. This pain.

I need those memories. I need those happy moments. I didn’t know where my wisdom came from when I was there for Rosa, but maybe I needed to hear it too. I needed to make the effort, I needed to make these memories, these moments, count.

 

My hands released the frozen hostage. The flakes of frost stuck to my fingers as I held my face.