Classes ended and club activities began shortly afterwards. Sunny stood on the stage in the school's auditorium as she read lines from their current play. She looked out into the audience,spotting Indigo as the scene went on, she had mentioned she would stop by her practice, but actually seeing her there was different somehow. She felt a small flutter in her chest, but steeled herself for her line. 'She must be bored out of her mind though, redoing deliveries and placements can't be that interesting.'
'Sunny is incredible.' Indigo thought, watching her on stage. 'Well, I gotta see her actually perform now.'
Sunny made her steps with purpose and the way she spoke was as if someone else had taken the reins, Indigo figured this was what acting was. She leaned forward, resting her arms on the back of the seat in front of her, and her chin on her folded arms. It didn't feel great, but sitting up straight wasn't much better. The time passed rather quickly, a half hour had breezed past as Indigo's eyes followed the actors and actresses. Their different roles seemed to suit the specified actor, something about it though. Something was keeping her interest. Sunny stepped back over to her script, picking it up and flipping through it.
"Good job everyone, we'll call it there for today. Sunny, your delivery wasn't exactly there. Get some practice in and we can hit it again tomorrow." The teacher said. Indigo looked at the woman incredulously. How could she be off? That sounded great to her.
Sunny hopped off the stage and approached her friend, who sat up. "What was that lady talking about?"
"What do you mean?"
"You sounded great."
"Oh. Why thank you, but she was just trying to help me improve." She explained. "The moment you feel content in a role is the moment you stop getting better."
"Huh. Never thought about it like that, it's how I handle sports."
"Precisely. So what made you stop by here?"
"Got a lot more free time now." She shrugged.
"Right. Wanna head home then?"
"Oh, uh, yeah. I guess." She said, looking back to the stage. "Listen, tha-"
"Don't. You shouldn't thank me. I'm just glad you're safe."
"Yeah, and without you I don't think I would be, so I'm gonna thank you and you're gonna freakin' like it." She crossed her arms.
"I guess I can't exactly stop you." Sunny giggled, taking a few steps toward the door. "Come on. Mom's probably burning dinner, we should get back and try to save it."
"Is she that bad?" She asked, following behind her. "Or are you being harsh?"
"I'm just teasing, but she has burned simple recipes before."
"Oh. I gotcha."
"Are you good at cooking anything?"
"I know a few things, but I wouldn't consider myself 'good'." She shrugged. "I know how to not burn down the house."
"Ah. That's a good skill for someone I'm living with to have."
"I guess. I mean I don't do any home ec classes."
Indigo seemed to drift into thought as they exited the school. Sunny glanced back to see her watching the ground as she walked, her hands in her jacket pockets.
"Hey. You alright?" She asked quietly.
"Does it even matter anymore?" Indigo said with a sigh.
"Of cour-"
"Wait, that came out-" She grumbled. "I don't...know what I should even do now." She admitted. "I had everything planned out and now-"
"Indigo. It's only been a day." Sunny turned to face her. "If you think anyone is expecting you to figure out your life in a few days then you're wrong." She put a hand on her shoulder. "Take time to process. You've had a major shift in your life, but it was for the better. I promise."
"Until you get sick of me too."
"I won't."
"And how do you know?,
"Because I like you. You're a good person, Indigo. Whatever they told you that made you doubt yourself like this isn't okay. You're a good person. I can see it. Sour Sweet, Lemon Zest and Sugarcoat? They see it too, and I'll stick with you until you start to see it too, heck probably even after that."
"Thanks Sunny…" She mumbled, the actress lifted her chin to bring her face to face.
"Of course. Now, chin up. You have a lot of life left to live, and it won't do for you to be watching the ground while living it."
Indigo blushed lightly but chuckled. "Anyone ever tell you you're a bit of a drama queen?"
"So I've heard." She nodded before leading her to her car. They got in and she started it up, backing out of her spot.
"So-" Indigo began looking out the window. "I told you how my dad was a piece of shit, right?"
"Yes."
"Well, apparently it goes back to before I was born." She said. "I heard them argue a lot about another woman."
"Mmm. Indigo, maybe we should set you up for some counseling?"
"It'd probly be smart to."
"It's okay to need help, you know."
"I know…"
"Would you want a hand in setting that up?" She asked, glancing over.
"I guess." She sighed.
"I'm glad you're not fighting me on this, I was expecting to bring that up and be met with some resistance."
"Yeah? Guess I'm just tired. Been carrying everything for so long, y'know?"
The trip home was quick, perks of having a car versus riding the bus. "Mom, we're home!" Sunny called out as she entered.
"Welcome home, girls." She called from the kitchen. "How was school?"
"The same as usual." Sunny said before heading toward her room. "We'll be in my room if you need anything!"
"Alrighty, your father should be home for dinner tonight, that'll be in the next hour or so."
"Kay~" She called back, Indigo smiled softly, this was how normal families talked, wasn't it?
"You always got along with your folks, huh?" She asked, stepping into the room. It looked pretty much exactly like she'd imagined. The trophies and awards made sense. Sunny was talented.
"We bicker sometimes, but that's to be expected." Sunny shrugged. "Take a seat wherever." She sat her bag by her desk and powered on her computer.
Indigo took a seat on the bed beside the desk. "So, uh-" She looked around again, trying to find a topic to slot into the hanging question. "-what's your dad like?"
"He's a total computer geek." She giggled. "He actually made my custom watch phone."
"It looks like something-"
"Out of a fallout game, yep. That's what he based it on, but I like it." She smiled. "You'll like him, he's a really sweet guy."
"I-, Your folks are really okay with me being here, right?" She asked, rubbing her arm anxiously. Her gaze fell to the floor at some point as well. Sunny reached over and brought a finger to her chin, guiding her to look up again.
"Of course they are. You're in a safe place, I promise you." She said softly. "And, be honest, since we've been friends, have I ever lied to you?"
"Pretty small sample size there, Sunny."
"Not by my choice, Indigo. I wanted to be friends much sooner." She teased, but shifted quickly. "I know things were against us, but here we are." She gave a small smile.
"You wouldn't back down. Honestly, I don't get it. If someone tells you to buzz off, you should buzz off."
"And yet you continued to talk to me."
"Well it's-, I just-"
"Mhm? Go on with your brilliant response."
"Oh, fuck off."
Sunny giggled. "You're also fun to tease, but fairly witty. I enjoy poking fun with you because you don't get mad, you poke back."
"Right, folks at CPA just get pissy when you say something they aren't ready for."
"Pretty much."
"I'm still kinda nervous."
"Just give them a chance for me, okay? Tell me if you need an out."
"Ugh...okay." She groaned before the sound of the door opening down the hall alerted them.
"C'mon, I'll introduce you to dad." She offered. The man had been at work or in bed the previous times she had been in the house. The realization that she hadn't met him yet actually hit her.
She followed Sunny out and into the living room. The middle aged man looked rather young for being the father of a teen. He was sitting back on the couch. This man is where Sunny got her skin tone from. His hair was a dark blue, but he had the same complexion as his daughter. Indigo glanced to the kitchen, wondering if she'd actually paid attention to Cerise's features at all. She couldn't call any to mind. So much adjusting, she'd have to fix that.
"Dad, how was work?"
"Tiring. I literally had to make so many changes to the programs-, you won't actually be interested in the details." He chuckled. "It was a day."
"Sounds rough. I wouldn't understand the details. There's a difference." She crossed her arms with a pout. "Oh, this is Indigo. Indigo, this is my dad, Solar Flare."
"Hello." She said.
"Good to meet you, Indigo. Don't be so stiff. You're at home." He chuckled.
"Sorry, it's just a lot of change."
"Oh, I see. Well if there's anything I can do to help you feel more at ease, just ask."
"I couldn't. You're doing so much for me already-"
"Now, now." He chuckled. "You needed help. You still have a long road to walk and we'll be here for you."
Indigo felt something inside herself just...tear. She felt her breathing speed up and a wetness in her eyes that she tried to blink away. She didn't know why she wanted to, but she hid her face and let out a watery "Thank you."
Sunny caught on immediately, putting a hand on her back for reassurance, a calming warmth radiated off her friend.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-"
"N-No, its-" Indigo sniffled, trying desperately to compose herself. "I-, just can't thank you enough…" She mumbled. "Ugh, I must look like an idiot." She weakly chuckled.
"Of course not, Indigo. You've been through so much." Sunny said quietly.
"I ruined our first meeting by being a crybaby, how is this not a bad thing?" She asked.
"It's not, I promise." Solar said with a smile. "I'd never hold it against you."
"Thank you, sir."
"You don't have to call me 'sir'. I already get called old by my other kid." He groaned with a chuckle, his joke lightened the mood, but Indigo couldn't ignore-
"Other kid?" She asked.
"My bratty first daughter." He glanced at Sunny, who gave a faux pout.
"I'm not 'bratty'!"
Indigo chuckled weakly. "Well-" She sniffled.
"Oh great, are you two gonna bond over teasing me?" She whined.
"Unless Indigo likes wrestling." He shrugged. "I know a good bit about that."
"Never watched it." She wiped her eyes before muttering an apology.
"It's fine, kiddo. Maybe we can watch it sometime, you might like it."
"We'll see…"
"That's good enough for me." He chuckled.
"Dinner~" Cerise called from the kitchen, Solar stood and stretched.
"Welp, time to get some grub. C'mon, girls." He walked past them and into the dining room.
"Did-Did I do okay?"
"You did well." Sunny assured her. "Dad likes you already."
"Sure it isn't pity?"
"I'm very sure." She nodded. "I'm really happy that you talked to him."
"He's not so bad. Kind of goofy."
"That's him in one word."
Indigo took a moment to compose herself, breathing in deeply. "Sorry about the waterworks. I feel like such a wimp."
"Sometimes you need to let it out. I'll never judge you for that. If you need a shoulder, I'll be right there. Promise."
"Thanks, Sunny. I-I needed that. Thanks for being there for me all this time."
"Of course." She nodded before taking Indigo's hand, leading her down the hall. "Come on before they ask what's taking us."
Indigo watched their hands as she was pulled along, that same feeling washing over her once more.