"Fuck yeah, you make really good food when he's here. Oh, and Cecil," Sam said. "We need more whipped cream." They punctuated this by squirting half the can onto their now empty plate and shoving a spoonful into their mouth. They were as neat as they could be, but shoveling whipped cream into one's mouth when one was not fully awake was bound to be a little messy.
"Come to think of it, I should just get some of my own. So when do we leave?"
“Soon hopefully…” Luna sighed.
Raya gasped in mock-offense, hand flying to her chest. "So my cooking isn't good enough normally?" she asked, then laughed. "If we're going soon, then I'm gonna have to get ready quick." She gestured to her absolutely chaotic hair and her pajamas, then got up and took her empty plate to the sink. "Well, girls, gays, and theys, I'll be right back," Raya said, then made her way to her bedroom to pick out an outfit for the day.
Cecil washed Raya's plate too, and looked over to his friends. They all seemed so happy today, so content, but still with their usual levels of excitement. He laid out the cat's food for them in their dishes, and then went out to feed the chickens and clear his head. He was a mess inside since that letter, which he still hadn't told anyone about.
Luna was smiling as she cuddled with Judd and Rosie. Both cats, surprisingly, didn’t fight for her attention and just coexisted.
When he came inside, he was still wearing a bright, cheerful smile, despite how it had wavered outside. "Hey guys! So, who of y'all all wants shotgun seat? I'm driving of course, as I'm the only one'a you that hasn't gotten pulled over more'n twice." he said, poking fun at his friends' driving records.
“I call shotgun!” Luna shot up in her seat. “Also, it’s not my fault that cop thought I was 14…”
"In my defense, I wouldn't have gotten pulled over last time if it weren't for your furry little rat weasels," Sam said good-naturedly. "I'm cool in the back, though."
"I don't like the implications of either of those statements." he shook his head, walking out to the van to start it so the initial blast of heat from the A/C wouldn't kill them all upon impact like it always did. He started the van, and sure enough, the wave of heat obliterated him, but the replacement of cool air made things just a little bit better.
Luna pet both Judd and Rosie before also heading out.
Tyler ran back to her room and plopped Ziggy back in his little home, making sure it was all closed up and the heat lamp was on. After everything seemed to be in perfect working order, she headed out as well, getting into the car.
Sam slipped into the back of the van as they hastily shoved their wallet into their sweatshirt pocket. "Cecil you better not get pulled over 'cause if you do, you can't call yourself the best driver anymore."
"I won't, darlin'. I've only been pulled over once, and that was for the pride stickers on the bumper that the cop was harassing me over. I put him in his place, don't you worry." he grinned. "Well, I lied a bit. I was also pulled over once during driver's ed because my Momma was so drunk on shit quality whiskey she passed out, and I freaked out and called 9-1-1 because I thought she died."
Luna nodded. “And we don’t want that.”
When Raya came back, she was wearing an orange button-down shirt with blue flower patterns and the top few buttons unbuttoned, ripped-up jeans, pineapple-patterned socks, and a pair of blue Converse. Her hair had been brushed and had two braids in the front. To top off the look, Raya had grabbed her "Women want me, fish fear me" hat and thrown it on. "I'm gonna take my truck," she said. After all, she'd need some way to get to her parents' house later. The truck in question was a beaten-up old thing that Raya wasn't even really sure the model mattered anymore, after how many adjustments had been made on the damn thing. It was white with a thin rainbow stripe down the sides–the stripe had been her sixteenth birthday gift–and most definitely needed a trip to the car wash. Raya absolutely loved it. When she got in, she rolled the driver-side window down instead of turning on the AC.
Adrien was quick to finish up his food, making his way back to his room to change into something less dirty. He hurried back out, getting into the back of the van and making himself comfortable. Running his fingers through his hair, he looked down at his wallet to make sure he had the money for what he needed.
"Wait!" He said, moving to get up again, "Now might be a good time to sell some of the seedlings, I'm going to go grab some." He pushed his way back out of the van, hurrying off to the barn to grab some flower and vegetable seedlings he'd set aside.
Malcom shoved on his doctor coat and grabbed his helmet, chuckling at his friends bickering. "Jokes on all of y'all, I have a motorcycle and one more empty seat. First to offer to buy my lunch gets it!" He called, motioning to the sleek black cycle and a white helmet sitting on the seat.
Luna giggled a little. “Sorry Mal, but I’m gonna say no…”
Tyler let out a dramatic gasp, excited by the prospect. “Malcom! I’ll buy you lunch if you let me ride with you! Please, please, please!” She said, clasping her hands together while one of her legs bounced.
Malcom smiled widely and held out the white helmet. "Tyler have I ever told you that you are my favorite friend?" He joked, putting on his own helmet and getting onto the cycle. Thankfully he had taught all of them how to ride his cycle before showing it off.
“Hey!” Luna huffed.
“Yes!” She declared victoriously, hopping out of the car and bouncing over to Malcom. “And no, you haven’t actually.” She replied jokingly, taking the helmet from him with a soft chuckle.
"Enough bickering, y'all!" Cecil could hear how loud they were being even from outside the house. "Get in the van or get lost, honeybees!" he shouted.
"Are you…yellling at your bees?" Sam asked, not hearing whatever it was Cecil had heard. "Beekeepers," they mumbled. "So weird."
"I was yelling at all y'all, I like to call y'all my honeybees because you're all sweet as honey." he grinned, as a bee flew over and landed on his nose. "Why hello, Cecil Junior! You takin' some pollen to your queen?"
Luna smiled. “Awwwww!!”
"Beekeepers," they repeated, shaking their head. "Are all of the bees named Cecil Junior?"
"Yes, of course. It's a hive mind thing." he grinned, starting the van. "Anyone else, or are the rest of y'all takin' your own rides?"
“I think they’re going on their own…” Luna told him.
(boop)