//------------------------------// // Life In Quarantine 2: Friends // Story: Life In Quarantine 2: Friends // by Closer-To-The-Sun //------------------------------// Lying on his messy bed, Gallus stared up at the ceiling above him. While it was dark, he was still able to see the the details of his room due to the light coming in from the night outside. There wasn’t much to grab his attention inside and even less to give him any motivation. He brought his cell phone up to his face and looked it for a moment. He tapped the screen a few times to bring up an app. Gallus scrolled through the messages before he arrived at the one he was thinking of. It was a group text that he was in with a number of fellow students. “Hope they’re awake,” he mumbled to himself as he typed on the screen, “and I hope I won’t bug them....” He paused for a moment in hesitation as a number of worrying throughts crossed his mind. Nevertheless, he hit send: Text Message Yesterday 11:03 PM Hey guys Smolder Yo Gallus! Ocellus Hey there! Sandbar What’s up! Yona Hello! Silverstream Hi Gallus! Hey there everyone! 😄 How have you guys been? It’s been a while since we talked. Ocellus It has. Says our last group chat message was sent 13 days ago. Sandbar Wow, really that long? Yona Doesn’t feel that long Smolder Time flies when you’re locked inside for a health crisis Silverstream Ugh, don’t remind me! It feels so so weird! 😣 Sandbar Tell me about it. Feels like we haven’t been to school in years If only 🤣 Smolder I’ve been so restless! Yona What have friends been doing to keep selves busy? Sandbar Well, outside of gaming, I’ve actually started gardening. Smolder Gardening? You? Ocellus Oh, that’s so neat! How has it been going, Sandbar? Sandbar My parents suggested I try it and I’ve grown to like it. It’s pretty relaxing and my little sister Coral helps me every so often. Silverstream Aww, that’s so cute! Any produce come in yet? Sandbar Not yet, but I’ll be sure to take a picture of when they start coming in! Yona Tell Coral Yona say hi! Sandbar Will do, Yona! Ocellus That’s great to hear! Well, I’ve been starting to study ahead as well as doing some free reading Smolder Like the star student you are😝 Silverstream 😂😂😂 Yona 🤣 😆 Ocellus 😤 Hey, I just like to keep my mind occupied! Nothing wrong with that! Sandbar What about you Smolder, what have you been up to? Smolder A whole lotta nothin’ Guess that means you can’t really judge, Smolder Smolder You can’t blame me, I’m just so restless and want to go out and do something! Anything really! Yona Smolder could try baking bread like Yona Silverstream You’ve made bread, Yona? Yona Yup! Look at what Yona has made already! Sandbar Let us see! Yona Attachment: IMG_0007.JPG Smolder Whoa, you made that? Sandbar Those look pretty good! Silverstream That sourdough looks so yummy! 🤤🤤🤤 Ocellus I’m really impressed Yona!  Yona Yona has to admit it took several tries to get right. First few batches tasted bad. Not enough yeast Mind sharing some of the next batch? Yona Will do! Silverstream What about you Gallus?  Been trying to find the energy to do something Ocellus I do understand that feeling, believe me Silverstream You could do what I’ve been doing Smolder And what’s that? Silverstream I like to think about things that make my think really hard. I call them brain tickles!  Brain tickles? Yona Can Silverstream give example? Silverstream Like how a camera take a picture of anything except itself. Yona Huh? Smolder But what about taking a picture of itself in a mirror? Silverstream But that’s only it’s reflection, not itself. But isn’t the reflection not of the camera itself? Smolder Wait, I’m lost. Isn’t the camera’s reflection itself, so it should count right? Silverstream The reflection is an after image of the camera But doesn’t it mean it is the camera? Silverstream But from a moment when the camera is taking a picture of a reflection of itself, not of itself Ocellus No, no, she’s got a point. Sandbar Guys, stop talking about this or you’re going to give us all an aneurysm Yona Yona’s head hurts 😕 Ocellus 😅 Silverstream 😖😖😖 Smolder 😂 😆 Sandbar Maybe we shouldn’t think too hard on those questions 😆 Yona 😂 Yona really miss this sort of thing with friends Sandbar I agree, stupid conversations like this are things I really miss Smolder Like that one where we talked about what are worse: beavers or seagulls! Silverstream We already know the right answer, seagulls are so aggressive! I still call crap, because beavers are evil little things. Those buck tooth nerds…. Ocellus Oh no, not this again Yona Yona agrees with Gallus, beavers are pests. They keep stealing firework Sandbar I really wish I didn't say anything Smolder They steal my food all the time when I go to the beach! But does the bird have a literal weapon for a tail?! Ocellus Can we please not rehash this conversation again? The last time we talked about this we got kicked out of the school’s mess hall Smolder Alright alright, I’ll drop it Sandbar Thank you Smolder For now Silverstream 😄 Yona 😄😄😄 The mess hall. Man, that feels like another lifetime ago. Feels weird not being at school, yet still doing school stuff Ocellus I do agree on that. I do enjoy spending time with my family, but being at home for so long has certainly taken its toll. And online classes certainly aren’t the same as in-person ones Yona Yona also agree. Sometimes internet not always work properly during class. Thank you again friends for help with notes Sandbar Not a problem Silverstream Happy to help! I mean, now I can not pay attention even easier, but it’s not the same if I’m not there to show my disgust to the teacher Sandbar There’s the Gallus we know and love Yona 😆 Silverstream 😄 Smolder I don’t know what you’re all so bent out of shape about. Now we can go to worry about our uniforms. I can now go to class with no pants Ocellus SMOLDER! Did not need that image in my mind Silverstream 🤣🤣🤣 Sandbar TMI! Smolder What? Don’t act like you guys don’t do that. Silverstream 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Sandbar We don’t! Yona That was an option? Please, someone, anyone, say something else so I can not think about this anymore Silverstream Speaking of being inside so much, I’ve let my hair grow out more! Ocellus Really? When we are in our video class, you look normal Silverstream That’s because I put my hair in a ponytail so it isn’t everywhere. Here, let me take a quick photo Silverstream Attachment: IMG_0024.JPG Sandbar OMG Whoa, your hair is all over the place Smolder Yeah, it looks like a weeping willow tree has started growing on your head Ocellus How heavy is that? That can’t be good Silverstream It’s okay! We’ve just been busy is all! My dad still has to work and my mom is always busy helping Auntie Novo, so we just don’t have the time. I don’t mind though! 😁 Yona Attachment: IMG_0008.JPG Yona Look Silverstream, we’re twinsies! Sandbar Whoa! Silverstream TWINSIES! 😋 Ocellus How can you even see Yona? Smolder Can’t you braid it or something? Yona Yona can see just fine! Braids became hassle after first few weeks, so Yona just let it be natural. You look like you’re more hair than girl Sandbar I think it looks good! Smolder Of course you’d think that 🤣 Yona 😂 Ocellus I can’t wait for us to laugh like this in person again Silverstream SAMMEE! 😭😭😭 Sandbar Amen to that. It feels so weird being indoors for so long. I miss surfing and doing stuff outside. I feel like a hikikomori. Yona What hikikomori? Probably a nerd word. Ocellus Sorta 😅 It’s someone who is isolated and withdrawn from everyone. Honestly, I think just about everyone feels that way right now Yona Yona can relate. Yona misses spending time with friends. Six feet feel too far away! Silverstream I miss being at school with all of you! And same for all of our fun adventures! Sandbar Like getting your hand stuck in the vending machine? Ocellus 😅😂 Oh man, I totally forgot about that! Smolder Remember how she asked if we could just cut her arm off because she thought it would just grow back? Yona Silverstream was late to class because of that! 🤣 Silverstream 😂 I remember that! I never did get those chips. I miss those fun times Smolder And I miss just doing anything Like setting small fires? Smolder Headmistress Starlight wasn’t able to prove that was me! Ocellus And yet you are quick to defend yourself when it’s brought up Silverstream 😆😆 Sandbar 😅 Yona 😂 🤣 Smolder Next time we meet up in person I’ll be sure to punch you for that. For you and your smelly hair You always gotta point out the shampoo I use, don’t you? Sandbar It is a weird brand, dude Oh, not you too Silverstream 🤣🤣🤣 Yona It does have weird scent Alright, alright, I get the message. You don’t have to rub it in Sandbar Okay, that’s enough fun at your expense, dude.  Ocellus Yes yes. Anyone do anything fun today? If you call grocery shopping fun Yona Maybe Gallus not see it as such? Yona sort of likes going out now, even with mask. Yona at least able to enjoy being outside more when running errands Smolder I do kinda get how you feel Gallus. It’s gotten to the point that I now have a favorite mask now, so that’s a thing Silverstream And I’m not allowed to visit Auntie Novo or the rest of our family at the palace for a while, but at least I’m with my family! Sandbar It is important to just be careful right now. Just because things seem fine doesn’t mean we can let our guard down. I’ve been double masking for a while now. Smolder Don’t you think you’re being too precautious? Which of us has gotten ringworm 3 times? Smolder Question withdrawn. Yona 😅 Silverstream 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Sandbar 😄 Ocellus Oh, that reminds me! I just finished making masks for each of you! Smolder What, really? Ocellus Attachment: IMG_0055.JPG Silverstream Aww, that’s so sweet of you Ocellus! ❤ Thank you! I think I can tell which one is mine Yona It will be nice to get package in the mail. Thank you! Sandbar Thank you, Ocellus, that’s so kind of you! And yeah, I second that Yona. I have gotten to know our mail carrier. She’s very friendly and really enjoys it when we bake muffins for her. Smolder Can’t wait to see it when it arrives. But why did you start making them? Ocellus I’ve been wanting to keep my hands busy being inside, and I felt it was a productive thing to do. Turns out I have a bit of a talent with the sewing machine! Smolder Looks like I might have a new favorite mask. So shines a good deed in a tired world. Ocellus It’s “weary world”. Smolder Same thing. It’s really neat that you’re keeping busy by being productive like that. Wish I could figure something to do. Like Yona with her baking, Sandbar with his gardening, and Silverstream….keeping out of trouble Silverstream My parents say that I’m a ‘safety hazard’! Ocellus There has to be a story there Yona Yona want to know story as well Sandbar I’m sure you’ll find something to keep yourself busy, Gallus. The first step of being good at something is being bad at something. And then, you’ll find out if you like it. And for that matter, you don’t even have to be great at something to enjoy it.  Ocellus That’s a very good point, Sandbar Smolder Huh, never thought of that before Sandbar And for all you know, you might enjoy something separate from the hobby. I’ve learned to enjoy the little things while gardening. Such as the sound of insects during the day and night. The petrichor that comes after the rain. Silverstream Petrichor? Ocellus It’s the scent of soil and water after the rain. I’m impressed you know the term, Sandbar.  Sandbar I admit I learned it from my mom. Yona 😝 Ocellus 😅 Guess you have a point there. Guess gardening has really taken to you, huh? Ocellus I guess Sandbar has a green thumb! Yona Boo. Bad pun Silverstream 😄 Sandbar 😅 I really should find something to keep me busy. Otherwise, these days just seem to drag on forever Ocellus You aren’t wrong. This quarantine lockdown has been more of a challenge then I would have ever thought Smolder Yeah, I never thought I’d miss being stuck at that school with all of you Sandbar I think that’s a much of a sentimental statement we’re going to get from Smolder Ocellus 😆 Yona Smolder misses friends! Silverstream Awww, we miss you too! ❤❤❤ Smolder Geez, now I regret saying anything Sandbar 😄 Okay, this is pretty funny Smolder No need to rub it in, guys Sandbar Sure there is! Ocellus It’s okay to admit it, Smolder, we miss you too! Smolder There isn’t emoji for how I feel right now Silverstream How are you feeling? Tired? Exhausted? Hungry? Yona Add annoyed and that probably how Smolder feeling Smolder Yona hit the nail on the head Ocellus 😅 Sandbar 😂 I do want to admit, I do miss all of you. If I’m going to be honest, I’ve just really been so out of it lately and, well, I sorta felt really bummed out lately. Sandbar Whoa, dude. Didn’t know you were feeling like that Yona Why didn’t Gallus say anything? Because I feel like I’m afraid to reach out about it. Honestly, with this whole quarantine business, I feel we’re not really keeping in touch at all. And because of that, it’s almost like we’re drifting apart since we’re not in person. Ocellus Gallus, you really feel that way? Like we’re drifting apart? Silverstream It sorta of does feel that way since we haven’t really kept in touch in this chat all that much Yona Yona does agree Smolder Gallus, you’re an idiot ????!! Sandbar Hey, what was that for? Ocellus Smolder, that’s so rude! Smolder Come on, Gallus. We might be all over the world right now, but nothing, and I mean nothing will stop us from being friends. Ocellus While Smolder could have been a bit better with her tact, she is right Gallus. A little lockdown won’t stop me from being your friend. Or any of us for that matter. Yona Friend Smolder right. Just because Yona at home don’t mean friends not on Yona’s mind.  Sandbar You’re my dormmate when everything is normal and you’ll always be one of my best friend. And you bet I can’t wait for us to room together again. Silverstream And I can’t wait to hug all of you so much next time I see you! Smolder So yeah, as you can see Gallus, just because we aren’t always talking don’t mean we aren’t thick as thieves. You’re all my best friends for life, and possibly death That sounds like a threat Yona Yona think it might be Silverstream 😆😆😆 Ocellus 😅 Sandbar We can face anything as long as we’re not alone. And we aren’t. Not by a long shot. You’re all right. Thanks for listening. Next time we meet up, I’m buying you all a cider. Smolder Good, because it’s the only way I can put up with you Sandbar There’s the Smolder we know Ocellus Of course, Gallus, we’re happy to listen. If you need an open ear, just ask. And that goes for all of you Sandbar And same to you too Ocellus Thanks everyone. Sorry for bringing all of this up Yona Friend Gallus don’t need to apologize. Yona admit that Yona also had similar thoughts like Gallus had Silverstream I feel we all had some of those pesky thoughts lately Ocellus It certainly has been a trying time. I know I have a couple Sandbar Same over here Smolder Hate to admit it, but me too. I guess we’re all hurting. I’m really happy to have all of you as friends Silverstream And I’m really happy we all have cell phones so we can still talk! Sandbar Amen to that Ocellus Thank goodness for technology! No matter where in the world we are, we are still connected together Yona Yona happy too! But it still make Yona miss friends and Yona can’t wait to hug all  Silverstream Not if I hug you first! ❤ Smolder I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but I’ll happily accept it Wow, now there’s a shock 😆 Sandbar I wouldn’t believe it if I didn’t see it in front of me Ocellus First time for everything 😋 Smolder You guys don’t have to rub it in Silverstream Sure we do! Smolder How much are you all going to make me regret today? Everything 😆 Sandbar Come on, play nice you two Ocellus Sandbar is right, we all seriously miss one another and there is nothing wrong with being candid about how we feel Yona Like how much friends miss each other Silverstream I know I miss you all! ❤❤ Sandbar I do too! Smolder Alright alright, I do miss you all. Happy? Ocellus Yes 😊 Sandbar Oh dang, it got late Silverstream Time flies when you spend time with those you love! Yona Aren’t friends Silverstream, Gallus, and Smolder in different time zones? Most of us are, if I remember right Silverstream Yup! But like I wasn’t going to not talk to my besties! Smolder Same here, I’ll easily stay up all night for any of you Silverstream Aww! I think that might be the nicest thing Smolder has ever said Sandbar I think you’re right 🤣 Smolder And with that, I’m going to sleep. Night, guys Yona  Night Smolder! Yona gonna go to sleep too. Night friends! Sandbar Good night, Yona! Ocellus Good night, Smolder! Good night Yona! I plan on finishing up this chapter and I think I’m going to do the same. Silverstream I should go to sleep too! If I stay on my phone too long, my parents take it away from me. They confiscate your phone? Silverstraem Yeah, it’s because my curiosity peaks when I’m trying to sleep. Like is a tomato a fruit or a vegetable? Ocellus Silverstream, we are not having this conversation again. Go to sleep Sandbar I agree, we’ll be up all night with this discussion again 😅 Silverstream Okay~, I’ll go to sleep. Night! ❤ Ocellus Good, sleep well, Silverstream! Night, everyone! Sandbar Good night, Ocellus, And good night to you too, Gallus. Rest well, dude Good night everyone. Stay safe END