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Blade

I'm craving ice cream.

I never have cravings. Even when I'm on my period, to randomly want ice cream in the middle of the day is beyond unusual.

I'm in chemistry which is already unbearable to begin with , and only being able to think about ice cream makes it next to impossible to concentrate.

Maybe I'm getting my period so that's why I'm craving it.

I do my best to ignore my base desires and try to focus on taking notes. I'm mostly successful.

The crackling of the loud speaker catches the attention of the class as our principal gives an announcement.

"Good day, students. This is the last session of the day as classes have been cut short due to a bee infestation. Classes will resume on Thursday."

The buzzer sounds and other students waste no time in leaving. To avoid being trampled, I wait until most of the class is cleared out before going, taking my time to pack my bag while I wait.

"We're going on an adventure." I gasp quietly at the sudden sound of Dustin's voice. He gives me a cheeky smile. "Didn't mean to scare you… or did I?"

I roll my eyes at him, unable to stop the small smile on my face. I pull out my phone typing in 'What's the Adventure?' and showed him the screen.

"I can't tell you yet because it's a-" he pauses, grinning at me while he moves his hands to sign. 'Surprise'.

I bite my lip to hold my laugh typing 'You're ridiculous' into my phone.

He looks at me in faux offence. "Hey. I'm trying my best here." We walk to his car, him opening the door like the gentleman he supposedly is.

"You're the DJ again," he says, handing me his phone.

I start with the same song from the last time.

"So you do like this song." Dustin states proudly. I shrug, typing 'it's a good song' into my phone. I don't usually listen to music so the only time I hear music is when I'm with Dustin.

We stop in front of the all girls high school a few blocks away from our campus. I give Dustin a questioning look to which he winks at me. "We're breaking Miriam out of here."

He laughs at me which means I'm probably looking at him like he's crazy. "You are now officially a part of operation Break Miriam Out."

I shake my head. No way am I helping him.

"Relax. I already texted Mir. She's coming out in three… two…" Just then the gate opens and Miriam steps out, smiling widely when she sees us. She's wearing her school uniform which is a burgundy plaid skirt, white button up and burgundy blazer. "One."

"Hey guys!" she greets enthusiastically as she slides into the car. "Drive!"

Dustin wastes no time pulling out of the driveway and speeding off.

"God, that class was so boring. I'm so happy you texted me that the school had an infestation so you can rescue me." Miriam says, pulling off her blazer.

"I heard it was rats."

Miriam snickers. "I don't think school will shut down due to a rat infestation."

"I don't know, man. Those things are pretty gross."

"Who's playing music?"

"Blade."

"Can I DJ?"

"No."

"You're so mean." Miriam huffs, leaning back in the seat. "Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise."

"I don't understand how you're able to stand him, Blade."

"She's usually sitting down when she's around me," Dustin teases.

Chuckling, I pass Miriam the phone, sticking my tongue out at Dustin.

He gives me a look of betrayal as Miriam changes the music. "I thought we were friends?"

I shrug, typing into my phone 'Can we get ice cream?'

Dustin glances at my phone, grinning when he reads the message. "Told ya their ice cream is addicting."

A few minutes later we parked at the ice cream place again. The same server is there from the last time and she greets me excitedly.

"Hi, Blade!" Kia signs while talking to me. "We have a special flavor today. Honey pistachio. Wanna try?"

I'm not big on trying new things when it comes to food or anything really, but I sign asking for a sample.

"Sure." She grabs three small wooden spoons and swipes a bit from the special flavor and passes it to me, Dustin and Miriam.

"Oh! This is good." Miriam gushes. "I'll have a double scoop please. On a waffle cone."

"You got it!" Kia serves up Miriam and Dustin orders a double scoop of raspberry cheesecake.

"And for you, Blade?"

I point at the vanilla and ask for one scoop.

Kia serves me up and Dustin looks exasperated. "Boooring!"

I shove him playfully, bidding Kia goodbye.

"Miriam, you agree that it's totally lame to order one single scoop of vanilla not once but twice when going to The Big Scoop, right?"

Miriam laughs at her brother's dramatics. "Yea, kinda lame." She throws her arm around my shoulder which makes me stiffen slightly but I force myself to relax. Miriam doesn't seem to notice. "But you hang with us so clearly you have good taste."

I smile, leaning into Miriam slightly while we walk to the car.

"Group hug?" Dustin asks, wrapping his lanky figure around us, getting some ice cream in Miriam's hair.

"Dude!" Miriam shoves Dustin away, flicking the ice cream off. "Your ice cream got in my hair!"

"Your hair got in my ice cream."

The two continue to bicker as we drive off. We started driving back the way we came and I became even more confused.

"Where are you taking us?" Miriam asks, voicing my thoughts for me.

"You'll see."

Just then, we turn onto a side road, passing a sign 'Julie's Butterfly Farm'.

"Omg!" Miriam squeals. "I love butterflies."

"I know." Dustin answers.

We park the car, and a pretty blonde haired lady comes to greet us.

"Hi!" Dustin waves cheerfully.

"Hello. I'm Julie. This is my butterfly farm and botanical garden. Would you like a tour or would you prefer to walk around on your own?"

"Walk on our own." Miriam says.

Julie nods. "No problem. Everything is labelled with signs and informational plaques. It's fifteen dollars per person."

Before I can make a move, Dustin pulls out his wallet, handing the woman a fifty dollar bill.

"Great. I'll get your change for you." Julie walks back into the cute floral painted building, returning shortly with the change.

"Enjoy!" She tells us.

The garden is beautiful. There are so many plants and so many blossoming flowers that I can't help staring at everything in awe. The pathway we walk on is white gravel, leading us through different parts. We pass a succulent section, a flowers section and many other sections dedicated to a specific group of plants.

Miriam comes up next to me, wrapping her arm around my shoulder. "You like it?"

I nod enthusiastically which makes her smile.

"Yea. It is really peaceful here."

"What are you ladies talking about?" Dustin slows his walking and throws his arm around my shoulder so I'm sandwiched in the middle of them.

"Life." Miriam answers.

"Deep."

We keep walking, huddled together and I can't help but feel warm. I may be deprived of human touch but I feel peaceful with these two weirdos wrapped around me as we look at plants.

I guess we're friends, which is something I've never had but if this is what friendship is like… I think I lucked out.

*******