//------------------------------// // Chapter XXV // Story: The Group Chat // by TheKing2001 //------------------------------// Carrot Top “Where is Sunset, Cloudkicker and Trixie?” I asked as I examined the empty whiskey bottles, shot glasses and Trixie’s magic hat for some ungodly reason. “Upstairs in bed cuddling while sleeping,” Lavender said casually as she put her feet up on Sunset’s coffee table. Raindrops had her hand wrapped around a Dunkin Donuts coffee as she sat on the couch with me and Lavender. “Really?” Raindrops asked as she raised an eyebrow slightly. Lavender gave a thumbs up as she showed us her phone. Raindrops and I peered over to look at a picture of Sunset being hugged by Cloudkicker and Trixie on opposite. “Huh, Cloudkicker always did have a way of getting partners in unlikely circumstances.” “We should probably clean up. I don’t want Sunset to wake up to a mess of alcohol bottles.” “Or we can have her help,” Lavender suggested. “I’d personally hate if someone just came into my place of residence and started cleaning up, maybe put something wrong.” We both paused and looked at her. She had a point there, to be honest. I’d be unhappy if someone came into my house and did that. “Okay,” Raindrops said after a moment. “I’ll let Lavender get them. Sunset would probably be more appreciative waking up to a face she knows way more than mine.” Lavender gave a thumbs up as she bounded up the stairs to Sunset’s loft, leaving me along with Raindrops. “I don’t think Sunset likes me much,” Raindrops muttered as she sipped her coffee. “Nonsense Dropsy. Sure, you can be very intimidating at times and all but Sunset wouldn’t have gotten very drunk around you if she didn’t trust you.” “I got drunk too remember. So did you,” Raindrops pointed out. “And her other friends are her. Probably why she was comfortable enough to get drunk around us.” I opened my mouth to reply as a blushing Sunset, Trixie and Cloudkicker came down the stairs with a smug looking Lavender. “Guess who I caught sleeping together?” Lavender sang offkey and giggled. “Not like the dirty kind.” “You literally told us they were,” Raindrops countered in a flat tone. “Yeah well did I tell you Sunset and Cloudkicker kissed before going back to sleep?” Lavender asked with a grin and placed her hands on her hips. “I think not!” “Oh hey, you two are still here,” Sunset scratched the back of her head. “Good afternoon.” “Hey,” I smiled at the girl as she set down her hair brush. “Sleep well?” Sunset blushed even harder. “Yeah,” she admitted sheepishly and picked up a whiskey bottle. “Jesus, we drank a lot. You aren’t gonna snitch me out, right?” “What you do in your apartment is your business,” Raindrops answered. “We won’t say a word.” “We’re gonna help you clean up. Can I play some music?” Lavender asked eagerly as Cloudkicker looked at her warily. “No loud gangster rap, I know.” “Sure. Computer is over there, don’t gotta a pass word. You can pick a song off YouTube I guess. But not too loud, I don’t want a noise complaint,” Sunset said as she pulled some trash bags out from a cupboard and Lavender instantly went to the computer. We accepted our trash bags as I listened to the guitar playing as Cloudkicker and Raindrops gave an approving nod. ”This world will never be what I expected. And if I don’t belong, who would have guessed it? I will not leave alone everything that I own. To make you feel like it’s not too late, it’s never too late.” “You know, Rainbow and I were planning on doing a cover of this song?” Sunset said as she started picking up garbage we had produced over the night. “I can shut it off if you like?” Lavender offered weakly as she looked sadly at the fiery haired teen. “Nah,” Sunset shook her head. “I like this song.” “It’s pretty good,” Trixie admitted. ”Even if I say, “It’ll be all right,” still I hear you say, you want to end your life. Now and again we try to just stay alive. Maybe we’ll turn it all around, ‘cause it’s not too late, it’s never too late.” “This is one of Lavenders better song choices,” Cloudkicker said quietly as I chuckled. “Normally it’s really loud gangster rap. Her room is full of NWA posters along with a few other rappers.” “I heard that.” ”No one will ever see this side reflected, and if there’s something wrong, who would have guessed it? And I have left alone everything that I own to make you feel like it’s not too late, it’s never too late.” I yawned as I tied off my trashbag as Blossomforth watched quietly. “I hate not being able to help,” Blossomforth grumbled as she tried to reach down to pick up a glass. “Stupid chair.” “It’s fine, we got it,” Trixie reassured her as Blossomforth scowled at her. “I helped make the mess. If I could walk then I could help. Fricking falling.” “It’s fine don’t worry.” “Even if I say, “It’ll be all right,” still I hear you say, you want to end your life. Now and again we try to just stay alive. Maybe we’ll turn it all around, ‘cause it’s not too late, it’s never too late,” Sunset sang under her breath as I gave an approving thumbs up. While I didn’t really like the girl in the past, I always did admire her singing voice the few times I heard it. ”The world we knew won’t come back. The time we’ve lost can’t get back. The life we had won’t be ours again. This world will never be what I expected. And if I don’t belong.” “You know Rainbow and others went to go see them,” Sunset said casually as she dropped her trashbag in a pile in the corner. “Like a week or two after the Fall Formal. I sat outside the doors and listened because I didn’t get to go with.” “Like they didn’t invite you?” Raindrops asked as she made a fist and I squeezed her shoulder. “Yep.” ”Even if I say, “It’ll be all right,” still I hear you say, you want to end your life. Now and again we try to just stay alive. Maybe we’ll turn it all around, ‘cause it’s not too late, it’s never too late. Maybe we’ll turn it all around ‘cause it’s not too late, it’s never too late.” “That’s stupid,” I muttered as the others nodded. “I’m gonna take a shower. I’ll be back in about thirty,” Sunset sighed as Lavender turned her music off, watching the girl walk upstairs. “We should try do to something for her about that,” Blossomforth said casually. We all looked at each other and nodded. I don’t necessarily know what, but we could figure it out I suppose.