Chapter Text
Mari had gotten her driver’s license shortly before she left for college. It served to be a huge help for Sunny, as she likely wouldn’t have even made it on time for her first day if she had to walk. But.. her routine would surely only get quicker with time, as her and Mari quite awkwardly sat in the front seats, with not much to really say. Seeing an opportunity, Mari made the effort to break the silence.
MARI: “Y’know.. I admire your bravery Sunny..”
SUNNY: “Mmm…”
Yeah.. despite her simulated bravado earlier that morning, Sunny was no short of absolutely terrified. What if Kel, or Aubrey, or even Basil was there… she wouldn’t think they’d like her very much. This was stupid. Why did Mari agree to letting her do this?
MARI: “Nervous, huh?”
SUNNY: “Kinda hard not to be…”
MARI: “Remember my words Sunny. Stay under the radar, nobody will detect you, you got this, little sister. Also.. we have to call you Summer at school. Something something old friends and whatnot.”
Sunny didn’t particularly DISLIKE the name Summer, she might even change her legal name to it, but.. She liked Sunny. However, as long as it was anything to disguise herself from her old friends, she would take the opportunity. As for Mari, she knew this had to be done, but quite frankly wanted her to be found out, just so she could see her old friends again by proxy. Mari missed Kel, she missed Aubrey, she missed Basil, and most of all.. She missed Hero. Hero probably had a new girlfriend by now, but… she hoped they could make it work again.
MARI: “They wouldn’t hate you, at least I don’t think… but remember there’s like 2000 odd people at this school.”
Sunny just hummed at that, not really seeing anything to really say. She felt the need to ask that same question she always asked Mari in public.
SUNNY: “Do… Do I pass okay?”
MARI: “How many times now… yes little sister, yes you do.”
And as always, a slight smile beamed on her face from that, as they pulled into the school parking lot.
Faraway Catholic High School.
Probably not a good idea to go to a Catholic school for something like this, but both expressed a mutual desire to return to the area… so this was all they had. Mari got an arrangement to work here part-time as a librarian, somehow… despite her lack of experience, it seems they’d let any old person into this place if they said “I won’t hurt anyone” and “Praise the Lord.” Mari waved goodbye as the two went their separate ways down the corridor.
Sunny had to check her timetable for the day.. Math first. Got it. Sunny was never exactly numerically-brained, much preferring writing or the arts. But if she had to get this grade, then that’s what she would do.
As she took her seat near the middle of the class, she heard… A somewhat familiar voice behind her. She elected to ignore them.
BASIL: “Hey Daisy.. You see that girl over there? You think she’s new?
DAISY: “I don’t think I met her last year, no.”
A short silence passed between the two of them.
DAISY: “Pretty cute though.”
BASIL: “I guess you’re right… I dunno though, who joins a new high school for senior year?”
Basil was just trying to get off the topic. It’s pretty clear the short love he and Daisy had was coming to an end. Daisy had pretty recently admitted to him that she was a lesbian, so there was really no point hanging on to the “love” that they had. It was just kind of a situation-ship that was meant to last until the 2 of them found love again.
All of a sudden, Daisy slipped a 5 dollar note out of her coat pocket.
DAISY: “I bet you 5 dollars I can land a date.”
Eyeing her up again.. Basil removed 5 dollars from his own pocket.
BASIL: “And I’ll bet my 5 as well.”
As the chatter around the class began to die down, the teacher took his seat, and introduced himself.
Then, roll call. A lot of familiar names came up during it that Sunny knew all too well. Mikheal Baker, Kimberly and Vance Eade, Basil Lockwood, Kelsey Montoya, and Angel Stevenson. Until like a bombshell dropped..
MR. ARTHURS: “Summer Suzuki?”
She had to quickly comprehend the calling of her name, to which she acted quickly.
SUNNY: “Her~e!”
Why. Why. GOD DAMN IT, WHY! Of course she fucked it up, cause why wouldn’t she. Why wouldn’t he, even. Like he’d ever be a real girl. Might as well hold up a big flag saying “Hi, I’m trans and a dumbass!”. She had completely blown her cover in 30 minutes at high school. At least.. She thought she did. Just some giggles, but honestly nothing too damning for her. Yet.
However, as roll call finished, Basil and Daisy continued to sit in the back, as a thought began to manifest in the former’s head, which he whispered to himself, softly.
BASIL: “Summer Suzuki… sounds.. familiar.”