A/N: GUESS WHO'S BACK!
Didn't think I'd be writing here again but I've gotten some fresh inspiration. Re-reading some of my old stuff and new fics made by folks on this site made me remember just how much I missed writing. Plus, I still get the occasional review from somebody that read a story of mine and was affected by it. You guys! That will ALWAYS mean the world to me.
But the tipping point was all the amazing shows I have binged the last two years: She-Ra, The Owl House, Amphibia, just to name a few. I had not been this excited about characters and world building in so long. I can't draw so I am back here to do what I do best.
Speaking of which...If anybody out there wants to adapt one of my fics into a web comic, please let me know. I would love to see that!
QUICK NOTE: There are no sequels to any of my past stories (for the moment) so I am focusing on all new stuff here. But my old promise stands: I. Will. Always. Finish. A. Story. Ask anyone; I have never abandoned a fic and I don't plan to start now. You will get a conclusion from me GUARANTEED!
I will also do my best to respond to any questions or concerns or suggestions in my messages. If you submit a prompt for a fic I will reply as soon as possible and let you know where I can roll it into the workload. Obviously, it has to be based on something I've seen.
Enough housecleaning; time to get to what you all came here for.
Please leave a review if you like this one ;-)
"WAKE UP LOSER!"
Sasha honked her horn at yet another jaywalker who didn't understand that yellow wasn't the time to begin crossing the street. It especially bothered Sasha because she knew the traffic issues in L.A. and how anyone else would've creamed the jerk because he wasn't supposed to be there.
The blonde gritted her teeth as the pedestrian finished his oblivious trek to the other side of the sidewalk.
"If I can't use my phone when I'm driving, why are they allowed to be distracted?"
Sash took a deep breath and counted to herself while releasing her foot from the brake and continuing on her way. As a therapist she oftentimes had to heed to her own advice.
Upon getting her degree, one of her first offers was for her old alma matter but Sasha had to refuse.
"Ugh, too many memories."
This new chapter in her life was all about a fresh start. She's been through a heck of a lot since her early teens. They all have been. It was nice to see Marcy again for a little while anyway. But that's being an adult. You go from taking breaks from having fun to do work to trying to find the time to have fun amidst all the work. We were definitely naïve in our youth to think that growing up was glamorous and easy.
But Sasha admitted that they did waste a lot of time back then. Mostly stupid stuff that she would talk the Anne and Marcy into because she didn't want to be the only one. In her years studying psychology it really opened Sasha's eyes. Upon reading about abandonment issues and toxic relationships and wanting to simultaneously impress and rebel against authority figures; the blonde never felt so seen. It did arm her with a knack for finding out what was really eating away at one of the youths sent to her office.
She would watch closely their body language and listen to their choices of words. Sasha had that same feeling of satisfaction reaching these kids like when she was Grime's lieutenant or when she switched sides and started fighting alongside Anne.
Anne. Anne Boonchuy.
"Guess some memories aren't so bad after all," she said out loud when the girl crossed her mind.
Sasha noticed the clock on the outside of the bank when she drove past.
"Ah, dang it!" she said. "It's already noon?"
She knew she only had moments to get there before the lunch rush was in full swing. Then the line would be around the block. Sasha only had so much time to make it across town, get lunch and get back. She wasn't super hungry which was perfect because she had precious little time to eat before returning to work. She would normally pick at it throughout the day when she had a few minutes here and there. It didn't bother Sasha eating food when it was no longer hot, as long as it wasn't ice cold like it was sitting in the fridge.
The blonde parked the red convertible and pressed the alarm on her keychain. Luckily there weren't too many patrons inside so Sasha smiled and went inside.
"What's going on, Sash?" said a friendly familiar voice.
"Hey, Mr. Boonchuy!" she waved. "They in back?"
He nodded, looking back at the zero people up front with him. He handed the man in front his change and Sasha stepped forward to order.
"What will it be today?"
Sasha feigned looking at the menu but already knew what she wanted when she got there.
"Sweet and spicy chicken. Large order, please."
"Long day?" he asked.
"Oh yeah," she nodded while handing her card to pay. "Thanks."
"Thank you!" Mr. Boonchuy said. "We love our regulars."
She shook her head.
"I think most people would find me very irregular," Sasha quipped.
She found a seat by a small table with another chair across from it. The seating situation can become desperate during lunch so you best find your perch early. Sasha took out her phone and checked for messages. No texts from the office. Then she refreshed her inbox but no new mail. Placing her phone down, she began to tap her fingers bored.
"Guess I won't see her this time," she sighed.
"See who?"
Her hair stood on end and she clutched her chest upon hearing that sudden voice.
The blonde turned and saw Anne standing behind her.
"Thought I heard your voice. I was restocking the..." she smiled. "Did I frighten you?"
Sasha blinked for a second.
"NO!" she said, rubbing her sleeves. "You just gave me a start there."
The two old friends started laughing.
"I remember..." Anne struggled through giggles. "I...hehehe...I remember...oh man...when we were kids and we rode our bikes past that clown selling balloons and a bunch of them popped and we were scarred off our bikes?"
Sasha slapped the table and started losing it too when her memory was jogged.
"You were so scared. I crawled to you because my stupid sock was caught in the chain and you refused to get up."
Anne blushed with embarrassment.
"Yeah, I heard stories about being hearing gunshots and it sounded like popping so I panicked."
"And I was like Boonchuy! It was a balloon!" Sasha was now turning bright red from laughing.
The girls breathed deeply, fighting off the giggles to become more stable. People were already looking at them with their howling a second ago.
"Good times," Anne smirked, wiping a tear.
"Hi Sasha!"
The pair whipped their heads around to Mrs. Boonchuy carrying a huge bag of rice.
"Oh, mom!" leapt Anne. "Did you need a hand with that?"
"Yes ma'am" she huffed. "You save buying in bulk so can afford that chiropractor later."
"Good one, Mrs. B"
The woman smiled.
"Food should be up shortly," she told Sasha.
"No prob!"
Sasha cracked her neck, still smiling to herself with that trip down memory lane. Things were nice for a time before that rift between them. But that second rift after leaving Amphibia hurt the most. That whole experience made Sasha think that they would be even closer than ever before. But over time, they drifted to different places in life. She thinks in the end it was all for the best because everybody is doing well and is happy.
It's just...
Ever since Anne's 23rd birthday having the trio reunited for the first time in a couple years, sort of rekindled some old feelings. Sasha started to think about Anne in a way she wasn't able to deal with back then. As her pink/purple/blue keychain reflected the light, she realized just how far she had come in her soul searching.
The Calamity Trio as it were are certainly more put-together than ever before.
"Am I being selfish or ungrateful again?" pondered Sash. "Am I bad for wanting more than what I have now?"
Before she could answer herself, her thoughts were derailed by Anne's voice.
"Who ordered the large sweet and spicy chicken? Big chicken, right here!"
Sasha stood up.
"That's me," she said, walking toward Anne. "Thanks."
Anne hands over the hot paper bag over to her friend.
"Listen, uh..." Sasha was trying to find the words. "What are do-"
Just ask her dummy!
"How much longer with those renovations at the aquarium?" she blurted out.
"Oh, um..." Anne shrugged, "I think they will be done next week."
"Good thing, too" Sasha nodded. "Bet the frogs and newts all miss you."
Anne nodded, "Yeah."
"Yup."
"Yeah...so I should be getting back. Gonna get packed before you know it."
Sasha blushed.
"Right, I need to get back myself. Later, Anne!"
"Good seeing you Sash," she said, putting her hand on her shoulder for a sec before retreating into the kitchen.
Sasha practically ran out of the restaurant and jumped into her car. She looked back longingly at the Thai establishment and sighed heavily.
"Big chicken," the blonde lamented starting the car. "That's me alright."