It was early in the afternoon, and Sunny had only woken up an hour ago. It was the obvious consequence of all the late nights he's been pulling lately. His mom was out for the day running a few errands, so he would likely have the house to himself until dinner time. He wouldn't be surprised if his mom brought home something for them to eat, she never liked cooking too late.

His stomach felt tight at the idea of dinner, he's had a hard time eating lately. That's something he hasn't mentioned to anyone.

He sat at his desk and turned his computer on. He had to pass the time somehow, didn't he? He had procrastinated on telling his friends he was going out there all week, and he knew it was only getting closer until he had to let them know. He would do it today… he just needed a little time to prepare.

He signed into his computer and began his daily ritual of checking his email. It's not like anyone ever emailed him, but sometimes there were promotions from games he liked or school information he needed to read. It mostly just gave him something to do every day. He always read every email. He waited for the webpage as it slowly loaded. The internet out here wasn't the best, but at least it was better than in Faraway town.

Finally, the page loaded, and all of the sudden his body went numb.

Hero wrote him.

Sunny.

That's all the subject was. His hand shook over his mouse as he forced himself to open it. He had to look. He couldn't run from this, not when it was right in front of him.

Sunny, it's been a while since we've seen each other, huh? I asked Kel for your email, I hope that that's okay.

I'm sorry that I didn't say anything to you at the hospital, or anything until now. The truth is, it was a lot for me to take in. It still is.

I miss Mari. But I think we all do. It isn't fair for me to hold this against you. Not when everyone else is trying to fix things between us. I haven't heard the end of it from Kel lately. Even Aubrey's been on my back.

Sunny didn't know how to take that. His friends really did care about him, didn't they? And they were trying to convince Hero to talk to him again… Maybe they didn't completely hate him like he thought they had.

I still don't know how to feel about what you and Basil did. I don't know if I ever will, honestly. But, I do know that I made a promise that day, just like you all did. I'm not a fan of breaking promises. Mari never was either.

I don't think that she would want this for us. She wouldn't want us to be broken apart by a mistake.

I know that that's all that it was. A mistake. You two were young.

I don't know if I can ever forget it, Sunny. But I want the group to get back together. I'll be back in Faraway town soon. I hope to see you when I'm there, but I understand if you can't make it. Or if you don't want to.

I hope to see you soon.

- Hero

Sunny stared at his screen, reading the message again and again. He blinked, and he realized how dry his eyes had gotten. How long was he sitting there reading that email? He took a deep steadying breath. Hero didn't completely hate him.

Still… What if it was a trap? Hero wouldn't do that, right? He wouldn't lead Sunny on. That wasn't him.

He shook his head. He had to trust him.

He placed his shaking hands over his keyboard.

SUBJECT: hero

dear, hero

No, that's weird. Too formal.

hi, hero.

i was actually going to try to contact you this week. i am going to be back at faraway town this summer, i am going to be staying at basils house.

He paused, he didn't know how to word what he wanted to say.

i miss you hero. im so sorry for what i did. i know that you will never see me the same.

Maybe that was too much. He erased it.

i hope that we can still be friends like you said. but i want you to know i completely understand if you can't keep your promise and if you hate me.

but, if you don't change your mind, i'm looking forward to seeing you again, hero. i miss talking to you. youre a really great friend.

see you soon

sunny

Sunny sighed, and looked at his finished email. Was saying he was worried Hero hated him unnecessary? It was true, so he didn't think so. But was the email too short? Hero seemed like he wrote more. He bit his lip, he couldn't second guess himself or he would never get this email sent. His cursor hovered over the send button before he squeezed his eyes shut and forced himself to click it.

Well, at least one of his other friends knew he was going to be in town now.

(1:37) hi basil. hero emailed me.

He had no one else to go to.

(1:39) Really? What did he say? I haven't heard from him…

(1:41) he said that he wants to see me again if im in town. he also said that he knows what we did was a mistake, but he doesn't know if he can ever forget it.

(1:42) but he still wants to keep his promise and stay friends with us.

(1:45) Oh… that makes sense. I'm surprised he wants to talk to us at all. Me particularly… he must really hate me.

Sunny held his breath. He never knew what to say.

(1:46) we both made the mistake together, basil. you're not any worse than i am

(1:48) I am thogh sunny. Im a lot wors

(1:49) basil, hero said that he wants to see us. its all going to be okay, i promise. he doesnt hate us.

(1:50) Ok. :)

It scared Sunny when Basil got like this. It didn't take much to send him down this path. Sunny clenched his fist, why did he say anything? He should've known that it was going to hurt Basil. Sunny could've handled this himself. He took a deep breath and called Basil.

"Sunny?" his voice was hoarse and Sunny could hear him taking short breaths, "What's up!"

There was a forced enthusiasm in his voice that Sunny was all too familiar with. Basil never seemed to understand he could see straight through him. He was his best friend! Basil needed to trust him.

"Basil…" it was the first word he'd spoken that day, and his throat was rough. He licked his lips nervously, "It's okay."

He paused, listening to the sound of Basil's breathing. It was only getting worse. He had to make this better.

"Hero reached out to me first. He didn't say anything bad about you, I promise. I can even forward the email to you. He knows what you did was just a mistake, Basil. He doesn't hold it against you, I know it." Sunny's body felt cold, he knew that Hero would never hold it against Basil, but what about him? He shook it off, he needed to focus on Basil.

It was still hard for Sunny to talk so much at once like this, but he steeled himself. He had to do everything he could to help Basil.

"I don't deserve that, Sunny!" Basil forced out, "I-I don't want him to forgive me. Not after what I did. I don't want to see him again. I don't want to see any of you again..."

The words resonated all too well with Sunny, it felt like his heart was split in two. Did Basil think Sunny hated him too? Maybe there was a time Sunny blamed Basil for what happened, but that was long ago, and it was one of his biggest regrets.

"I… I'm the one that did the bad thing," Sunny replied, unable to bring himself to really say what happened, "Not you. You were just trying to make it better. He understands that. I know he does. If he hates anyone, it's me."

Probably wasn't the best thing to say.

"No! Sunny… no one can hate you."

"Basil."

"Sunny…" His breathing was only getting more shallow, Sunny needed to do something.

"It's okay..." Sunny paused, "How's that plant doing that you showed me last week. It was blooming, right? It only had one flower though, does it have more now?"

Basil always liked to talk about his plants, sometimes it helped to calm it down. It was a long shot today, but it was worth a try. Talking about Hero was only making things worse at the moment.

"Oh... yeah! It actually has bloomed a little more… Let me look.. Hang on…" There was the sound of shuffling and soft footsteps, "Yeah… There are more flowers blooming now! You know, these remind me of you. They're tulips… ha… I'm sure you're tired of hearing that though."

Basil never seemed to get tired of reminding Sunny that he was like a tulip. He didn't mind, it brought a smile to his face every time.

"You're like a sunflower, Basil." Sunny knew Basil wanted to be like a sunflower, and he reassured him as much as he could he was just like the flower.

"Do you really think that, Sunny?" his breathing was getting slower, Sunny could tell he was starting to calm down, "Am I like a sunflower?"

"You are." Sunny affirmed, "Always facing the sun. It's going to be okay, Basil. I promise."

Sunny didn't mind being the one to reassure Basil it was going to be okay. Traditionally that was always Basil's job, and Sunny didn't like that. He wanted to be there for Basil in the same way that Basil was there for him.

"Thank you… Sunny," he took a deep breath, "Thank you. I don't know what I would do without you."

"You don't have to worry about that, Basil."

"Are you sure Hero doesn't hate me?"

"I'm sure of it."

Sure as he could be anyway. He didn't doubt Hero could be angry with both of them, but Basil particularly? No way. Never.

"Are you sure… you don't hate me? Basil murmured.

Sunny felt tears sting his eyes, and he blinked them away quickly. He took a deep breath.

"I could never hate you. I promise"

There was silence for just a moment.

"Okay, Sunny. I think I'm better now," Basil let out a small laugh, "You always seem to know, don't you?"

"You're my best friend. That's my job."

"I guess so." he paused, "Well, Sunny. I'll let you go now. Don't worry about me, I'll be okay. I have to go and water some of the plants in my garden. I'm already a little behind today. It'll keep me busy."

Sunny smiled, "Okay, Basil. Stay safe."

"I will. Bye, Sunny."

"Bye, Basil."

Click.

Sunny set the phone down and let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. Basil was doing better. That's all that mattered.

But now he was gone, and Sunny was left alone with his thoughts. His hands were still shaking from earlier, but he forced himself to get up out of his chair and leave his room. He had to force himself to eat something, maybe it would distract him.

He just couldn't get the image of meeting Hero again out of his mind. Is this how Basil felt? Basil must have felt so much worse.

Before he knew it he was standing in front of his fridge. When did he get here? He hardly remembered walking down the long hallway. He swung the door open and grabbed a gallon of milk.

His eyes darted around the kitchen before he found what he wanted, a new box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch. It might be a little late in the day for some people to make cereal, but Sunny liked it, and it was easy on his stomach.

He poured himself a bowl and sat down at his dining room table alone. There were only two other seats at the table, one for his mom, and another for if Sunny ever had a "guest", something that was yet to happen. Maybe Basil could come by someday.

If Mari was still here, she would sit there. There should be four seats, actually.

He ruined that though.

He picked up the bowl and carried it back to his room, setting it down on his desk beside his keyboard. Maybe he won't get distracted by that kind of thing here.

He forced the spoon to his mouth. It's always hard to start eating, but more so lately. Things have been getting hard again. Usually, after he gets the first bite in it gets easier. That was the case today, he realized he was starving. He'd hardly eaten the day before, and waking up late today put him at almost twenty-four hours since his last meal.

Before he knew it he finished the bowl, and he began his trek back to the kitchen. It wasn't the most convenient way to eat, but some days were worse than others.

His mom didn't like it when he let dishes collect in his room, and he didn't like to worry her. He always made sure to wash every dish he used and put it away so as to not put any more burden on her. She worked long hours to take care of him, he wanted to make her life as easy as possible.

He felt guilty that he didn't have a job to help pay the bills, but he knew he wasn't ready. Besides, his mom would never let him do something like that to help out. She was far too proud, and far too protective of him. She was always adamant she could take care of him, and all he needed to do was focus on getting better.

He forced himself to look around the kitchen. He and his mom had made themselves a nice home. There was a TV in the living room, mostly used by his mom to watch dramas or whatever sitcom was currently trending, but sometimes they would both use it to watch a movie. Usually Sunny just sat in silence, but his mom never seemed to mind.

She always made him feel comfortable, and she'd make them both popcorn.

He always looked forward to their movie nights.

Mari should be there.

He shook his head.

His therapist said these kinds of thoughts were normal, and of course he grieved her and regretted that she wasn't there. But she said that he can't let them rule his life.

It's kind of like survivor's guilt, she said. Everything he does he laments that he can do but she can't.

Sunny didn't want it to be him gone instead of her though, he wanted her there with him. He guessed that's why she said it was "like" it. It wasn't exactly that.

He mentioned not feeling real to his therapist the day before, like Basil had advised him to do. She told him it was perfectly normal, especially for someone in his position. "Depersonalization" is what she called it. It's nice to have a name to put to things.

He tried to clear his thoughts, he had things that he needed to do. He was going to be going to Faraway town in a week, he had to text his other friends and let them know. Or should he call? He didn't know what was most appropriate. What if he called but they were busy? That would be embarrassing. But then he could leave a voicemail, and that might be easiest. Unless they call back...

He went back to his room and picked his Nokia off his desk, and began pacing back and forth. Aubrey, or Kel first? Which one is least likely to get mad… probably Kel. He could call Kel and ask about how to handle Aubrey.

Okay. That's a plan.

He took a steadying breath and called Kel.

"Hey, Sunny!?" The surprise was obvious in Kel's voice, "What's up, dude! Nice to hear from you!"

Sunny had never initiated contact with any of his friends aside from Basil since he left Faraway, so it wasn't a shock that Kel was surprised at his call.

Kel sounded older, over the phone it was almost impossible to distinguish his voice from Hero's. It seemed like everyone was growing up and maturing, was he being left behind?

He couldn't worry about that right now.

"Hi, Kel…" he started, "Um, I just wanted to let you know that I'm going to be back in Faraway next Saturday. I'll be staying at Basil's house. I just figured I'd let you know in case you wanted to meet up or something, but it's okay if not... I just wanted to tell you."

His heart was pounding in his chest as he waited for his friend's response. It was likely only a few seconds, but the silence felt like an eternity.

"Are you kidding! That's awesome, of course I wanna see you!" his voice was obviously excited, "You said you'll be at Basil's house on Saturday? I'll be there! Do Aubrey and Hero know?"

Sunny winced.

"Um… Hero just emailed me, so I told him I would be in town… I haven't told Aubrey yet," he paused, "Do you think she would want to see me?"

"Totally. She acts all tough about it lately but she misses you a lot. I can tell. Give her a call, trust me."

Something about Kel's tone reassured Sunny. He felt more confident about calling her.

"Okay, Kel. Thank you. I'll let her know now."

"Let me know how it goes!"

"I will, bye."

"Bye!"

Click.

That wasn't too bad. Maybe Kel was right, and Aubrey wouldn't take it too bad.

He called her.

"Sunny?" her voice was concerned, "What's going on, is everything good?"

"Hi… Aubrey." He took a deep breath, he already talked to Kel and Hero, this wouldn't be that bad, "I just wanted to tell you that I'm going to be back in town next week. On Saturday. I'll be at Basil's house… Kel and Hero already know. Kel will be there, I don't know if Hero will. In case you're wondering."

She'd probably be wondering, right? He just felt so awkward talking to his old friends, he didn't know what to say. He was always much better suited to being quiet.

"Really?" there was a hint of excitement in her usually harsh tone, "That's actually really cool. Everyones gonna be back together again, huh? Count me in, of course I'll be there."

"Are you sure?"

He felt he had to ask.

"I'm sure. Thanks for letting me know Sunny."

Sunny felt optimistic for a moment. It seemed like all of his friends were going to be there. Maybe it would be okay.

"No problem. I'm excited to see you all again soon."

There was a brief pause.

"Hey, Sunny…" Aubrey began, "You're okay, right? We never hear from you much. I worry."

Sunny's chest ached, he didn't want to worry them. He just thought they hated him. He still did.

"I'm doing okay. I've been in therapy. It helps."

It kind of helped.

"Okay. That's really good Sunny, I'm glad to hear. We're all here for you, you make sure you're okay."

"You too, Aubrey."

"I'll see you in a week."

"See you."

Click.

Everyone knew he was going to be back in Faraway town. His mom would probably be proud of him. Basil too. He went to text Basil.

(2:37) hey everyone know i'm going to be in town. i think everyone is excited.

(2:38) That's great, Sunny! The gang is gonna be back together!

He sent Kel a quick text as well, letting him know Aubrey was excited. Kel replied with a short "Awesome!".

Basil seemed to be back to his usual spirits, much to Sunny's relief. He was worried Basil would have gotten bad again in the time he left him alone. Basil was strong, he was good at taking care of himself. Much more so than Sunny was. Sunny could be pathetic. He hated it.

They took care of each other. They never made each other feel bad for needing help sometimes. Basil was the best friend he desperately needed. He hoped he could be that for him too.

He texted his mom.

(2:45) movie night?