Peaches is walking toward our "peers's" new hang out. It's another waterfall, of course, much like the last one. And of course Peaches would want to hang out with Ethan and the other mammoths her age. And I'm riding on her head so it's not like I have much say in the matter. I guess if it makes her happy, I'd be fine with putting up with Ethan and Steffie for a while, and it's not like I would be jumping on board to hang out with some weakling molehog either...
I look around at the trees and flowers then down at Peaches; she's so lovely. She's never worried about things; she's always so happy and kind to everyone. Why can't I just break out of this shell I've put myself in and tell her how I feel? Why don't I just tell her right now? I open my mouth to speak, "P... P-Peaches..."
"Yes, Louis?" She responds innocently. What am I doing? I can't just shove something this big in her face and expect any form of answer! Quick, Louis; come up with something else to say and fast. Compliment her; say something!
"Uh... uh... you're so pretty today..." Well... you didn't say that very convincingly, but at least you meant it...
"Oh, Louis; you're so sweet. Thank you!"
"N-no problem..." Actually, there's still technically that problem of me secretly loving you. When can I tell her? When will it be the right time? Why am I in the air? Peaches holds me in front of her face. Why is she looking at me like that? She answers my last question in a way that can only serve to increase my questions a slowly pecks my cheek with a light, soft kiss. What!? What does this mean? Does she like me back, or is she just expressing gratitude for the compliment? Can I tell her how I feel now? She's looking at me now with her big, sparkling eyes. I stare back into them; they make me feel so small, but they bring with them a feeling of warmth and safety that floods my senses with life. But, just as fast as they came, they rush away, and Peaches raises me back up and places me atop her head.
We traverse the short distance to the falls in a warm silence, punctuated by Peaches giggling while placing me back on top of her head after I swoon a little too hard and fall forward onto her trunk. When we come close enough to hear the reverberating drum of hooves and feet, Peaches begins to quicken her pace. I begin to wonder it I'm missing something- what is so appealing about Ethan? Why does Peaches like him? And furthermore, does she even like me? Peaches walks out into the grassy flat next to the falls where the rest of the animals are flocked. Ethan and his group notice us and become silent for a few seconds before continuing to talk. Peaches approaches them inattentively, and I hear through the din a short, "Here comes possum girl." and, "Why'd she bring the molehog?" Why do they think it's bad that she's part possum? It makes her special, unique. It's part of why I like her so much; why can't they see that it makes her better? Peaches wouldn't be Peaches if she wasn't part possum, and if it's literally not hurting her or anyone else, why do they give one iota of thought to it? Addressing the comments about me: I'm self conscious enough as it is...
Peaches doesn't seem to notice or at least pretends no to and continues to walk toward them. I feel a cynical smirk betray my feelings and quickly attempt to replace it with a friendly smile, but the best I can manage is a faint, awkward grin.
Peaches reaches the threshold at which a "hello" is required and they exchange greetings. I stay silent, hoping not to draw attention to myself which does little more than to attract a glance and and a remake of, what I can only imagine as, the same fake smile I just offered from all of them.
The day blurs as I spend most of my time sitting on the sidelines, watching Peaches hang out with her friends. Then we all go down to the berry bushes to eat; though I eat much less than everyone else, understandably so. Then we go swimming for quite some time, and the sun is soon clawing at the edge of oblivion as it sinks below the horizon, sending out streaks of color in every shade and hue. I say goodnight to Peaches and dig back toward my burrow. I stop on a treeless hill nearby to watch the remainder of the sunset. The diving sun releases rays of colors, darting the sky to appear as a rainbow of golds and ambers and pinks for a few faint seconds before receding as the sun loses its perpetual battle and succumbs to its ever pulling free fall. I wish now that I'd enjoyed my time with Peaches more and not worried about whether she likes me back. I wish I would have savored her kiss instead of confounding it with my dumb emotions.
I dig back to my burrow. I get a few hours of sleep but continue to wake up. Another bad dream. The temperature continues to drop and it's colder every time I awaken. Does it have to be this cold every night? Tomorrow I should find a way to make my burrow warmer or else I may never get any sleep.
...
I feel the warm morning sun falling upon me and a cool, crisp morning breeze. Wait a minute... why is the sun able to reach me in my burrow? I quickly open my eyes, but I see nothing but black, though this black seems to be closer to me than that of my burrow ceiling. I reach out a hand to touch it; it's... soft... and... furry? I become aware of a slow, rhythmic beating emanating from all around me. Where am I? I can feel the heat of the sun cascading onto my back, so I roll over. It's too bright to make out much more than the horizon, but I am definitely not on the ground.
I regain my sight, and I can see the trunk of a tree from which I appear to be dangling. Am I in Peaches' arms? She came and found me... in the middle of the night... she brought me here? It occurs to me that my spines must be jabbing her, and I turn myself back towards her.
I feel her breathing hasten. I must have woken her up. I hear a quiet gasp. She seems just as surprised as me; she probably completely forgot about what she'd done. I open my mouth and whisper, "Peaches?"
"Louis?"
"Th... thank you." I feel her breathing slow again and she whispers something inaudible to me.
Why'd she bring me here? She's risking the wrath of her father and the complete ostrasization by her so called friends by even being around me, let alone doing something like this...
This chapter's song is "Your Guardian Angel" by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus.