Chapter 14

Luna Watching

Royal Woods is well known for having plenty of parks surrounding its normally-urban settlement. One such park currently held quite the number of teens and breezegoers, all seemingly enjoying the freedom brought on by a random janitor revolt. Facts on the origins of the rebellion were still scattered, but who the heck cared? Free day offs are wonderful!

Amongst the freed students were the wondrous rock group known as the Moon Goats, Luna's esteemed band that prided themselves in exploring the world of music just waiting to be reached. Today was supposed to be another round of getting the tunes down right, but now that their schedule was open, why not do something unique and creative to pass the time?

And as Mazzy learned, that unique and creative activity was the greatest thing ever. Sully thought of it himself, and brought the others along with him, never losing the most childish smile ever put on a rocker's face. His eyes sparkled as he showed off an unique item wrapped around his neck, paramount to this task that he couldn't wait to share with his friends.

The task? "Oh, isn't this fun, guys?" He spoke like a baby seeing candy for the first time.

Oh, Mazzy nearly had a heart attack from all the excitement. "We... are we seriously... I mean, really?" She looked down at the same contraption wrapped around her neck. A set of binoculars, perfect for getting a close look at things in the trees. Things that fly. Things that... generally don't do anything else.

Behind that large hair of hers, her happiness was immeasurable. "We're bird watching," she put it bluntly.

Sully nearly hopped out of his shoes. "I know, isn't it grand? It's like we're living in that giant nest! Oh, this is so awesome!"

She threw the binoculars at him. "Are you kidding me? Sully, the most punk student in all of Royal Woods, is into bird watching?" She looked about. No one was paying attention at least. "Please tell me you found a girl that's into this stuff and ya just want to impress her?"

He sneered as he picked the set back up, handing it back forcibly. "Mazz, what's the big idea? Bird watching is a true punk hobby!"

"How do I even answer that dude?"

"By looking at that blue-tailed beauty up in that branch!" He looked on with his tongue dangling to the side; he could barely stand from all the action. "Aw, it's chirping!"

She slapped her forehead. "Wow, it chirps! Sully, if I didn't know any better, I'd guess it was a bird!"

He looked at her confused. "I have a bad feeling you're being sarcastic..."

She brought his binoculars down to his chest. "We're teens! Why the heck aren't we hanging out, or causing some sort of wacky mischief? Dang, if we let you keep making plans for us, I'd bet watching paint dry happens around dinnertime!"

"... I was thinking we could try painting the lockers in the park..."

"Jeez, why are you such a dweeb?" With a sigh, she watched as the birds flew away. One looked like it was ready to murder, the others looked like they were its goons. If Mazzy bothered to keep watching, she would've seen the mafia being born in those trees, but sadly her hair got in the way. That, and her boredom.

"Sam, back me up, unless you're about to tell me you actually want to do homework right now!"

She waited for the blonde to answer, but no reply was given. Sully and Mazzy turned towards a distant bench they passed by before. While two of them made it to the boy's wondrous hobby spot, it seems they were missing their third wheel, who instead sat alone with a hand rubbing the other elbow, sighing every second the wind blew by.

Her bandmates looked at one another concerned, before sighing. "Hey, uh, Sam? You hanging in there?" Still no reply. "You're missing all the action! Uh, I think that bird is about to watch himself. Maybe that's... okay, I can't even joke." Still no response. The worry was immeasurable. "Sammy? Uh... oh jeez."

She looked towards Sully. "Buddy, you're better at mending broken hearts, talk with her! She's clearly still, y'know, bothered by it."

Sully nearly lost his boots with that request. "W-What? How the heck did you figure... I barely had a girlfriend yet!"

"I'm terrified at the word barely there, buddy. Look, just talk with her. Luna I think really bummed her out."

It's true. No matter what, Sam was never good at dealing with depressing things. To have such a thing occur during her relationship was just sad all around. Putting his hands in his pockets, he at last let the binoculars down. "Okay, okay, but you better keep an eye on these beauties! I don't want to miss any bird action, okay?"

"Hey, I'm helping too! Trust me, buddy, the birds will be... birding it up when we're done."

The two walked to Sam, noticing her posture changed somewhat. Her hand stopped gripping the other arm, and chose instead to look at her phone. She's been doing that endlessly since that bathroom incident. Luna's been avoiding her ever since, and though her friends didn't know all the details, it was obvious the blonde rocker wouldn't stop trying to call.

Sully took the seat beside her. "Hey Sam. You okay?" He asked with a surprising amount of comfort.

While she barely reacted, Sam at last acknowledged she was with her bandmates today. She looked at him and Mazzy, realizing quickly her eyes were ready to break open the gates and let the tears out. Quickly diverting her attention back to her phone, she tried her best to look tough.

"I'm... I'm fine."

Sadly, her strength failed her. Sully saw a tear land hard against the screen. Giving the warmest smile he could, he pat her on the shoulder. "Don't worry about it, Sam. Whatever's happening with Lunes, it'll work out."

Sam, in return, looked to the dirt below. Her body shivered and her skin felt all clammy. "Did... Did I do something wrong?" Her mouth burned asking that. "Did... Is she mad at me?"

Mazzy looked on frightened. "W-What? Sam, you're... well, Sam! Have you ever done anything wrong?" She sat beside Sully, hoping to be of any assistance. "Heck, the last bad thing I remember you doing is helping Lunes pretend to be bad. That's it!"

She glared at them. "Then why won't she let me know what's wrong? Why?" The tears were welding up. "She's always open with me. Now? She... I'm scared. I think she hurt herself. I must've done som-"

"Stop."

Sully put an end to that thought immediately. He never lost that smile. "Look, to be honest, I'm disappointed in her too. I know Lunes, and she ain't one to bottle things up. Whatever's eating her must be serious, but that ain't an excuse to make ya cry, girl."

Sam wiped down her face, trying her best to remain calm. "But what is it then? I don't think she's being bullied, and her family's always so kind... I don't know..."

"Well, let me tell ya this!" Mazzy wagged a finger in Sam's face, "Whatever it is, you did nothing, okay? Nothing! Luna's probably just being overprotective and such. Last thing she'd want during her... whatever this is, is getting her girlfriend all scared."

"She's... protecting me."

Sully shrugged. "Her heart's in the right place, but I know those Louds well. They're both smart, but at the same time a little too bullish in the head." He pat her on the shoulder again. "Just give her time. I'm pretty sure she'll be here soon to apologize for everything."

"Yeah, that's the way to think! Luna will patch this us, and we'll all be pumped once again for that concert! We got nothing to worry about!" She stood up and gave a thumbs-up to her bassist. "So just keep rocking, Sam. Everything'll be all right."

It... didn't honestly help her heart, but she appreciated her friends trying. Maybe they were right; just give it time. Luna was probably just dealing with something randomly hellish, and dragging her own girlfriend into it? Would Sam do the same thing?

"Oh Lunes," she muttered under breath, "You know I don't care. If you need help... I'll help. That's what girlfriends do, y'know?"

As she spoke, Mazzy overheard the sound of something quite familiar. An engine belonging to a van that seriously needed a tune up. A van that may just give Sam a nice opportunity to cheer up. "Hey... guys, hear that?"

Sully nodded with pride. "Sure do. That's the American Robin singing her song to potential mates, asking for their permission-"

"God, I just want to punch you!" She shouted back, before grabbing Sam. She brought her friend up to her feet, and brought those eyes towards the parking lot. Amidst all the random cars, a giant family van suddenly appeared, and though the sun glared against the glass, the visage of Lynn Senior was impossible to deny.

"The Louds are here, Sam," Mazzy spoke confidently, "meaning our frontwoman is finally here! So, do us a favor, okay?" She looked serious into her friend's eyes, "Please clear things up with her, before Sully drags her into the wonderful world of falling asleep!"

Guess it was time, huh? She strangely feared the opportunity, but in the end, she knew she had to do this. This wasn't just her friend; this was the girl she devoted her life to.

And dammit, she was getting her Luna back.

"Hey, you think Luna wants to learn about the woodpeckers?"

Before Sully drove her even further into depression.