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Kel should be ecstatic.
I mean, it’s his Birthday for crying out loud! One of the best days ever. Up there with Christmas, Hero’s Birthday, Thanksgiving, Halloween… you get the idea. By all means Kel should be bouncing off the walls with excitement!
But something felt off. Like something was missing, or rather… someONE was missing.
“I miss Sunny.” He cursed how lucky Sunny was, thinking that he could just stay home all day and do… Well, he wasn’t exactly sure what he was doing at home while he went to school.
I mean most of his friends are… well here. So he would just be alone at home all day. Which to Kel sounds like the worst thing ever. Honestly he could brave the boring math lessons if it meant he wouldn’t be alone for long. So the thought that the possibility of one of his best friends was super sad because he was alone made Kel sad, and he didn’t like being sad. Sad is Bad. It rhymes for a reason.
“I wanna see Sunny.”
“Kelsey.” The caretaker spoke out amidst the lesson, “I would appreciate it if you didn’t interrupt.”
“Sorry Ms. Crabapple.”
…
…
Kel knew he had to talk about this with Basil and Aubrey during Recess.
…
“So… what’s the problem exactly?” Aubrey tried, she really did. But sometimes that boy just blabs without thinking of saying things that made sense.
“I think he’s trying to say that he doesn’t want Sunny to be lonely.”
“See?! Basil gets me!”
“Somehow.” Aubrey commented, setting her newly crafted pinwheel aside, “So what exactly do you want to do about it?”
…
…
“I dunno.”
“Ugh…”
“Well his Mom doesn’t want him to come… I dunno why, but she doesn’t.”
“So have you thought that, maybe, she has a reason?”
“Well yeah, but what if Sunny isn’t happy?”
“Well– I mean of course he is! If he wasn’t then he would have said something.”
“You sure? Remember when we played in the park a few weeks ago and Sunny tripped and fell on the blacktop. He said he was fine but he had a ton of cuts on his leg that he hid from us for the whole day?”
“Well that’s–”
“We were playing for like 8 hours, Aubrey.”
…
…
“Fine you MIGHT be onto something.”
Kel would have cheered for getting one on Aubrey… but after telling that story he began to think about it some more, “How DID he hide those cuts from us? There was like 50 scrapes all lined up on his leg–”
“Can we please stop talking about this…” Basil muttered, the memory of Sunny’s Mom using the dreaded Rubbing Alcohol and all the blood made him sick. Yet, seeing Sunny not even flinch when it came to his treatment made him both super impressed… and super scared.
“Well I know exactly what I’m going to do. I’m going to tell Mrs. Halley to have Sunny come to school after Christmas Break.”
“Wha– Why?!”
“So that way Sunny won’t be lonely anymore, because he’ll be hanging out with me!” It was a perfect foolproof plan.
“W-Well what if I want to hang out with him too!” Aubrey exclaimed, moving past the absurdity of the plan because the idea that Kel gets to hog Sunny during school hours was appalling to her. “Or what if Basil wants to hang out with him too?!” She added, wanting him to take her side on this.
“Can you not drag me into this?” Only for Mr. Sweden to preach neutrality in this. Pick a side Flower Boy! We’re at war!!
*Dinglinglingling*
“Recess is over kids, back inside!” Luckily the caretakers are here to reign in this argument from blowing over.
“... We’re talking about this later.”
“Yes. Yes we will.”
And so… the Eggplant v Basketball War continues another day.
…
“So… what are you trying to tell me here Kelsey?” But first, Kel wanted to get more info from other sources. The first victi– I mean interviewee, Sarah Bloome.
“It’s Kel.”
“Whatever. Why are you bugging me by talking about Sunny?”
“Because! He hangs out with you a lot so you might know something.”
“Well I don’t. He doesn’t really talk about what he does at home while we’re stuck here. For all I know he’s probably napping.”
While that sounds on brand for Sunny… Kel couldn’t shake the feeling of that not being the case whatsoever. “Well either way do you wanna come to my Birthday Party?”
“You asked me already.”
“I did?”
“Yeah, and I already said yes. You’re not going to see me say no to food.”
“Oh, well great! See ya later then, Sarah!”
“Wait that’s all–” Before Sarah could even respond, Kel sprinted away. Leaving the girl alone.
…
…
“Lonely, huh?”
She wasn’t concerned. Not at all.
…
“He seemed happy to me.” In Sarah’s-not at all concerned-attempt to garner more information. She went to the one person who has hung out with Sunny the most. Kimberly Johnson. “Why you asking?”
“Well Kel was saying stuff like how Sunny was ‘lonely by himself’ and something like that.”
“Well Sunny’s fine. He’s practicing piano while he’s at home.”
“... Wait he is?”
…
…
“Shoot, that was supposed to be a secret.”
“Well I ain’t a snitch.”
Kim looked around for a moment, “Okay, so he’s been learning how to play piano ever since Daycare started.”
“Oh, well is he any good?”
“Super good! We were at Hobbeez and Angelica’s little brother was crying, so Sunny played the piano and he stopped crying almost instantly.”
“Woah.”
“I know right? But Sunny told us that we’re not allowed to tell anyone about the piano thing. Something about his Aunt and being good at something at age 4. I don’t get it, and he doesn’t get it either.”
“... Well I’m not going to say anything. Speaking of, are you going to Kel’s Birthday Party?”
“Of course, he may be annoying and very smelly, but his family makes great food.”
“Glad to see I’m not the only one going for the food.”
“Well we’re going because Kel invited me.”
“Gah!” Kim jumped as Cris (and Mincy by proxy) entered the conversation. “S-Say something before jumping in! Grumble grumble…”
“Anyway, Kel told us to come to his Birthday party, Mincy is coming too. I think Charlie is coming too and Mikhael, but he says Daphne and Bowen are dragging him along against his will.”
“Sounds like them.” Sarah muttered, “What about Bebe?”
“She said she’s coming too with Brandi.”
“Oh good.” Sarah didn’t exactly know how to feel about having basically the whole neighborhood showing up for Kel’s Birthday. She was sure Kel was excited, but Sarah kinda wished it was a smaller gathering.
“Alright Class, it’s reading time.”
“Well, guess we’ll see you at the Party Kel.” Sarah said as the group broke away for the sacred Reading Time… but she lagged behind a bit.
‘... I hope he’s okay.’
…
In the slowest way possible, Day Care was out and Kel was strapped in his booster seat heading home. “Moooom, I’m too old for this thing!” Much to Kel’s discomfort.
“You may be turning five mijo, but you’re not old enough to get out of that thing yet.”
“But why noooot?”
“Because it’s to keep you safe.” Elena said, driving the package home for his birthday party. “But if it makes you feel better, you’re halfway there.”
“I gotta sit in this thing until I’m… I’m… uhh…” He counted on his fingers, “Eight… Nine… Ten. I gotta sit in this thing until I’m ten?!”
“That’s right.”
Kel pouted, “Being a kid is sooooo unfair! I wanna be a grown up!” No you don’t Kel. No you don't.
Elena meanwhile just smiled, he’s a kid after all. Might as well let him enjoy the pros and cons that come with it.
After Kel’s mini tantrum about the injustices of the booster seat, he just stared out the window, as he saw cars slowly pass by he realized something “Mom?”
“Yes mijo?”
“Why are we going so slow?”
“Huh? Oh… you know… sometimes you want to enjoy a drive.”
Yeeeeeaaaaah something smells here. He knows how much his mom hates slow drivers. Said something along the lines of ‘Pinche gringos no saben a manejar!’ he didn’t understand a single word outside of ‘don’t know how to drive’ but he felt the anger and venom in her words. “Mom. You hate driving slow.”
“Uhhhh… just let me drive, Kelsey.”
“Kel.”
“Whatever, don’t ask questions.” Yeah being told not to ask questions, made Kel want to ask more questions. But he bided his time.
He knew he was going to get answers once he got home.
…
“Alright everyone, you know the rules. Stay out of the kitchen and have fun, dinner will be ready in a few minutes.” And just like that, Elena left the kids to their own devices. But a noticeable member is missing.
“Where’s Sunny?” Kel asked, super disappointed by the missing member.
“I don’t know Kel.” Mari answered, getting concerned about her missing brother. “I looked all over the house for him but couldn’t find him. Mom said not to worry about it though.”
“But… but I wanted Sunny to be here–”
“Alright kids, time to eat.”
“Huh? But we can’t start yet!” Kel exclaimed, offended that his Dad had the AUDACITY to start the party without the one person he wanted here the most!
“But Kelse–”
“That’s not my name, I’m Kel!” He told his mother before stomping his feet in frustration, “And we need to wait for Sunny! I reduce… no reuse… no refuse! I refuse to eat without Sunny–”
“Hi Kel.” The stomping stopped, as Kel turned to face Sunny… who held what looked to be a sandwich on a plate. “Happy Birthday.”
“SUNNY!” With his quick thinking, Sunny lifted the plate above his head so Kel could squimsh him into a hug, “You came!”
“Came? I’ve been here all day.”
…
…
“Y-You have?” Kel pulled himself away from Sunny so he could explain himself.
“Yeah, I’ve been here since this morning.”
…
*This Morning*
Future Sunny (which is now Present Sunny… okay technically it’s past Sunny but he’s Present Sunny in this flashback) declares that Past Sunny is the biggest dummy on the planet. Now Past Sunny has left Present Sunny with no gift for Kel on his Birthday.
But he does have a plan, something he got inspiration for when Henry came over a few days ago to make more of his famous Henry Grilled Cheeses™. Now here he stands, early on a Thursday morning, a time where he should be at his Grand Aunt’s Music Studio practicing piano some more… but this is important. So Sunny raised his fist…
*Knock* *Knock*
And knocked on the door before him.
…
…
*Click* *Creak*
“Sunny? What are you doing here?”
“Hi Mr. Rodriguez, can I ask you a favor?”
“Well sure… but what is it?”
“Kel mentioned something… something called birria?”
“Oh yeah, that boy can’t get enough of it. Just like his mother. Haha!” Mr. Rodriguez let out a laugh, “But why ask?”
“... I wanna make something for him for his Birthday today. Birria, but as a grilled cheese.”
“A birria grilled cheese? Wehell Sunny that sounds like… like something Kel would like a lot actually.”
“But I don’t know how to make it.”
…
…
“Well I know just the person who could help you.” Mr. Rodriguez leaned back, “Ma!”
The air was silent… until the sound of plastic hitting the ground started to grow louder and louder. “Que chamaco?! Yo estaba durmiendo!” The voice of an old woman exclaimed in what he assumed was Spanish.
‘... I wanna learn Spanish.’
“Who is this?” His thought was short lived as said old lady, who he also assumed was Kel’s Grandmother, stood in the doorway speaking English.
“This is Kelsey’s friend, the one he told you all about?”
“Oh… so this is Sunny huh?” Kel’s Grandmother gave Sunny a glance, “So what does he want?”
“He wants to know how to make birria, for Kel’s Birthday.”
“He wants to make birria?” She let out a laugh, “Are you sure you can handle it?”
“I have eight hours until he comes back. Of course I can.”
The elderly woman smiled, “I like this one. Alright James, get the car ready. We’re heading to the store.”
“But Othermart isn’t that far–”
“First lesson, what we need for birria can’t be found at Othermart.”
It’s only been five minutes and Sunny is already learning so much.
“Well come on then, we’re burning daylight just waiting around.”
“Yes ma’am.”
“And don’t call me ma’am, it makes me sound old.”
“You are old, mom.”
“Just for that you’re getting a smaller portion.”
…
*Back to the Present*
“And that’s how I made this.” He held the plate to Kel. “For you. Birria Grilled Cheese.”
“Birria… in a grilled cheese?” Such a creation sounded too good to be true! Something no one SURELY has ever thought of before!! “You made it… for me?”
“Yeah.” Sunny nodded, “For your birthday.”
Hearing that his best friend made something so amazing for his birthday made Kel feel emotions he’s never felt before. So with childlike excitement he grabbed a slice, dipped it into the consommé so aggressively that it spilled over and took a bite.
…
…
Kel was stunned into silence. A rarity with him. “Kel?” So much so that Henry waved a hand in front of his face… and still silent.
“Your Grandma was working him all day there Kel.” Kel’s Dad spoke out, which earned him a smack to the back of the head by the dreaded Chancla™.
“Cállate cabrón” Kel’s Grandma said before ruffling Sunny’s hair, “But the kid did good. Now that he knows how to make birria I don’t have to lift a finger during Christmas time.”
“It’s… AMAZING!!” Kel screamed with delight, devouring the birria grilled cheese sandwich like it was the last thing on Earth… and with an empty plate. “More please.” He held it out to Sunny.
“Wow… Kel said ‘please’? It must be good.” Henry quipped while Sunny took the plate.
“Sure, give me a second.”
“Aww Sunny! Make me one too!” Aubrey exclaimed, wanting one too.
“Me too?” Basil joined in.
“Huh?” Well this wasn’t what Sunny was expecting.
“Hey, make me one too!” Now Kim.
“Me too!” Bebe.
“... I guess I want one too.” Sarah.
“I want one!” Cris.
“C-Can you make me one too?” Mincy.
Daphne opened her mouth, but closed it again. The action flew over Mikhael’s head, but didn't fly over Bowen’s.
“W-Wait a minute.” Sunny, now surrounded by a bunch of hungry rugrats… he looked to the one person who he thought would help him.
“Sorry Sunny you’re all on your own.” But his Mother stabbed him in the back.
He didn’t have time to stew on that betrayal, he had a bunch of rowdy mouths to feed. “O-One at a time?”
“Me first, I’m the birthday boy after all.”
“You already had one Kelsey, everyone gets one serving first, remember?” Kim argued.
“It’s KEL!”
Now the hungry children were fighting amongst themselves… Well okay Kim, Kel, Aubrey, and Sarah fought. Bebe, Cris, Mincy, and Basil just let it happen.
As this was all happening though, a hand was placed on his shoulder. It was Mr. Rodriguez’s
“Now you know the dangers of knowing how to cook.” Yes, he’s now well aware… but… if Sunny was honest. He didn’t hate it.
Luckily Henry came in to save the day, “Don’t worry Sunny, I can help you.” That’s a Hero right there.
…
…
‘Wait. Hero?’
“Do you want one too Mari?” Henry asked, as Mari looked a bit hesitant.
“Uhh…”
Sunny caught on to Mari’s indecisiveness and leaned into her ear, “It’s meat in a grilled cheese.”
“Oh, then yes I do!”
Henry was confused for a minute, before realizing what happened. “You’re a picky eater, Mari?”
Mari’s face exploded into a blush, “Wha– I-I’m not–”
“It’s not that she’s ‘picky’ but she gets scared when it comes to new food. Especially ones that have names she doesn’t know or look weird.” As much as this exposé on Mari’s eating habits embarrassed her, she had no rebuttal.
Henry just laughed, “It’s okay Mari, Kel used to be like that too.”
“... Used to?” Mari asked, feeling a bit self-conscious about that part of her. The fact that Kel, a boy who is 2ish years younger than her, grew out of that while she didn’t made that feeling worse.
“W-Well that’s not… I didn’t…” Aaaaand Henry is fumbling the bag again. Guess it’s time for Sunny to save the day.
“I’ll be there to try the food first to see if it’s good.” Sunny said willing to be the food guinea pig for Mari’s sake.
“... Thanks Sunny.” And she was grateful for him.
…
…
…
“...ey Su..y…”
“He… Sunn…”
“Hey Sunny. Wake up.”
“Muh…” Sunny slowly rose from the blanket on the floor to see… Kel. Standing right over him. “Huh?”
“Let’s sneak out. I wanna go to Hobbeez.”
…
…
Sunny glanced at the wall clock that hung in the living room, 11:24 PM. Technically still Kel’s Birthday. “Fine.”
“Woo.” He whispered as to not wake up the others. The Faraway Six stayed at Kel’s for a sleepover while all the other guests left hours ago.
The pair put on their sandals and eventually managed to break though the unbreakable seal… that is the locked door knob. After a short walk they managed to reach their destination… Hobbeez After Hours.
*Dingling*
“Huh?” Pedro Sr. looked up to see Kel and Sunny. “Isn’t it too late for you kids?”
“Tomorrow’s Saturday.”
…
…
“Well when your parents come to nab you two, I’m not helping.” The shopkeep said, still letting the boys run around this late at night. After all you’re only a little kid once. “Just don’t break anything or make a mess. I do have to get home by Midnight.”
“Got it Pedro Sr.” Kel grabbed Sunny’s hand and dragged him to the other shelves, “Come on Sunny, let’s check out the records for your player!”
“I’m not sure if there’s anything there that Dad doesn’t already own.” Sunny said, but was willing to humor Kel anyway.
“See anything new?”
…
…
“Yes actually. That one.” Sunny said, pointing to the record that said ‘Chevelle: Wonder What’s Next’. “I never saw them in Dad’s record collection.”
“Hmm… hey Pedro Sr. is this record good?”
“Well I’m not one for rock and roll, son. But you can pop it into the record player and hear it for yourself.”
“Great!” Kel pulled the vinyl out of the shelf, “Come on Sunny let’s–”
“Hold it.” Sunny snatched it from Kel’s hands swiftly, “I’ll do it. You might damage it.”
…
…
“Fiiiiine.”
…
If you were to ask what Halley Suzuki was doing in the middle of the night in her pajamas and slippers… well call it a Mother’s Intuition™. And it’s telling her that her baby boy Sunny is currently sneaking out in the middle of the night… again. Something tells her that this is going to be a habit of his that annoys his father… and she was all for it.
As such, here she was at the location where her intuition led her to. Hobbeez. If her Mother’s Intuition™ is right, and it always is… then her baby boy is breaking the rules by sneaking out of the house to hang out. She was so proud.
But regardless, she had to be a ‘responsible adult’ and bring him home. So after putting on her game face.
*Dingling*
"So lay down, the threat is real..."
She entered the store, witnessing Kel dancing around to some rock song she hasn’t heard of before… but she did like it. Maybe she’ll snag the record later, “Hey. Sunny, Kel.”
Kel stopped dancing, as the two boys stared at the source of the noise, “M-Mom?” Sunny asked, confused as to why she was here of all places at the middle of the night.
She immediately took note of his confusion, “I should be asking you two that. What do you two think you’re doing here in the middle of the night?”
“Uhhhh…” Kel tried to come up with an excuse, but was tongue tied.
“I thought so. Well come on then you little runts.” With one swift movement Halley lifted the two troublemakers onto her shoulders.
“Aah!” Kel shrieked, but try as he might to wiggle out of her tight grasp… he couldn’t pry himself free. The injustices of being smol. “Let me go!” But still if Kel’s giggles were to be believed he was having fun.
“Sorry boys. You’re coming with me.” She said, getting a firm grip on the kiddos. “Sorry about this Pedro. Oh and put that record on hold for me. I kinda want to buy it.”
“I would… but it seems Sunny got to it before you did.”
“... Huh?” She looked to her right to see Sunny holding the record in his hands. “Really?”
“... I like it.” He muttered, not at all ashamed of his actions.
Halley sighed, “How much is it?”
“Ehh, just take it with you. Think of it as Kel’s birthday present from me.”
Hearing that made Kel perk up, “Really?! Thanks Pedro Sr!”
“No problem, Happy Birthday Kel.”
“Well with that out of the way, time to get you two back to the Rodriguez’s.”
Hearing that name made both of them freeze… they both knew the dangers of an older, angry Mexican woman.
…
And their fears would be well founded, as there they were standing before Elena Rodriguez with her own Chancla™ in hand. The deadliest weapon on the planet when wielded by an annoyed Mexican woman.
“Why were you boys out so late?” She’s even using the tone of voice that sends fear down every young boy’s spine.
“Uhh… well I… uhh…” Kel looked to his Dad for aid.
“Sorry kiddo, I know better than to stand between Elena when she’s like this.”
“Nice to see you have learned.” She commented.
Luckily… Halley has the guts to stand up to her, “Well I don’t mean to meddle… but it’s still technically Kel’s birthday.” She pointed at the clock, which showed it’s 11:58 PM.
Kel perked up at that knowledge, “That’s right! That means I can’t get in trouble.”
…
…
“Well she does make a good point there Mom.” Henry said, assisting his little brother and Sunny, even though they caused him, Mari, Basil, and Aubrey to be woken up in the middle of the night.
Elena took a deep breath, before sighing heavily, “I woke up for this…? Fine. I’ll let it slide just this once.” She held out the Chancla™ threateningly at the boys, “But if I catch you two sneaking out in the dead of night again, there’ll be hell to pay.”
“Yes Mom/Mrs. Rodriguez.” Sunny and Kel muttered.
“Good, now I’m going back to bed. You two should too.”
“And I…” Halley snatched the record from Sunny’s hands, “Will be taking this back home. Kel since it’s technically yours you can come listen to it whenever you want.”
“Really?!”
“Of course, in the meantime I’m going to… see if it works right.” And with that, she left. Which caused Mr. and Mrs. Rodriguez to return back to their room too.
“... Well you heard her Sunny and Kel. Go to bed.” Henry said, the clock striking Midnight which means Kel’s Birthday Special Treatment is now over with.
“Yeah yeah in a minute.” Kel waved off before leaning into Sunny’s ear, “Did you hear what she said?”
“Yeah. She would give us hell to pay if we get caught sneaking out.” Sunny replied, “So… let’s not get caught.”
“What are you two scheming up over there?” Mari asked, who has already figured out what the two knuckleheads are planning, but was wondering if they were gonna tell her.
“Nothing…” To no one's surprise, they didn’t say.
“Well alright then.” Though she was kinda disappointed they weren’t including her into their midnight escapades, she knew why. Besides, she could try to do it too with Hero!
…
…
Okay maybe he needs some convincing, but there’s a plan there! But sneaking out in the middle of the night sounded fun!
… Especially if Henry was there with her.
…
“Hey Sunny?” Kel called out, except this time Sunny was wide awake.
“Yeah?”
…
…
“Thanks.”
Sunny looked at his friend, “For what?”
“For making this birthday the best one ever.”
“... I didn’t do much.”
“What? Yeah you did. You made me that amazing grilled cheese and went out with me to Hobbeez. This was… the bestest birthday ever!” He exclaimed before covering his mouth, he didn’t want to wake anyone up again tonight.
“... You’re welcome.” Sunny didn’t think what he did warranted the ‘Bestest Birthday Ever’ moniker, but he was happy he was appreciated.
… Kel figured that now was a good time to ask, “Hey Sunny.”
“Hmm?”
“Are you… happy being at home all day?”
“Sure. Why do you ask?”
“Well… isn’t it lonely?”
“... No, not really. Besides, I’m not really at home all day.”
“You’re not?”
“... Promise to keep this a secret?” Kel nodded, “Well… I work.”
“Y-You work?”
“Yeah. At my Grandparents' restaurant, and I was thinking of asking if they could teach me how to cook. My Grand Aunt also teaches me how to play Piano.”
“Really?!” He exclaimed, before catching himself, “T-That’s so cool.” He whispered.
“Yeah… but my Grand Aunt said to not tell many people about it until I’m older. Never said why though.”
“Oh.” Well that blew Kel’s idea of bringing him to Daycare out of the water. “So… you’re super busy then?”
“Yeah.” Sunny noticed Kel’s disappointed face, “Is that a bad thing?”
“What? No, if you want to keep working and stuff then keep doing it. It’s just… You know ever since you came here, and everytime you hang out with me, well everything is just… better. I don’t know why. So you’ll stay with me, right?”
“Of course. Where else would I go?”
“Haha, true.” But Kel wasn’t convinced… so he decided to pull out the ultimate contract sealer. “Promise?” He extended his pinky finger.
“... Promise.” Sunny linked his pinky with Kel’s.
Thus sealing their contract.