In which Sunny becomes a rampaging monster of jealousy
Crystal Prep Academy's architecture was something at which to be marveled. The schools' founders had certainly put much effort into the details of the place, which was clear in the spiraling towers and the crystalline shine that coated the walls. Of course, the building was not made of actual crystal- that would be too costly for even a prestigious school such as Crystal Prep- but if one didn't know better, they might be fooled into believing so.
These were the thoughts that occupied through Sunny Flare's mind on Friday afternoon. Biology class couldn't hold her attention for very long, so she had turned her attention to the walls around her. Even that would be better than learning about animals' diets.
"Sunny, can you explain the theory of evolution?" With the teacher's one question, all eyes were glued Sunny.
"Easy peasy," Sunny answered nonchalantly. "I do believe that evolution is unorthodox and we shouldn't be learning about it in a private school!"
In truth, she was pulling out fancy words in an effort to stall the teacher. A minute until class let out, she could make it!
Her teacher frowned and ran a hand through her maize-colored curls.
"Miss Flare, that was not what I asked," she responded. "Regardless, just explain the theory. We can discuss your concerns at a later time."
"Oh, I would," Sunny told her, smiling, "but Pokey Pierce over there would love to show off his knowledge, and who am I to stop him?"
Pokey's eyes lit up. Sunny had noticed he had been raising his hand often but had never been called upon, so she had assumed he must have been enthusiastic about the subject.
"Fine." The teacher sighed and turned to Pokey, waiting for the answer.
Sunny bobbed her head as Pokey spoke, pretending she had known the answer all along.
When the bell rang, Sunny grabbed her books and made a beeline for the door.
"Finally!" she sighed. "This day is finally over!
"Hey!" she exclaimed, an idea sweeping over her. "Maybe Lemon Zest will want to go skating in the park after school!" With that splendid idea in her head, Sunny skipped through the hallways to find Lemon Zest.
Lemon Zest was tossing books into her locker when Sunny found her. Sunny cringed as each piece of school property hit the locker's interior with a metallic clang.
"Lemon!" Sunny cried, grabbing her best friend by the arm. Lemon Zest, who had been jammin' out to her music, stopped and turned to look at Sunny.
"Lemon, don't throw the books," Sunny told her, plucking Lemon Zest's chemistry book from the chartreuse-haired girl's hand. "You're not the neatest girl at CPA, and I get that. But if you break one of these books you'd have to pay to get replacements!"
"No way, dude!" Lemon Zest gasped, snatching her book back. "I can't waste my money on school supplies!" The sheer look of terror in her eyes made Sunny want to either laugh or hug the poor girl. She chose the latter.
"Don't worry, Lemon," Sunny told her, grabbing Lemon in a quick side hug. "Just don't toss the books into your locker so carelessly, okay?"
"Sure thing, Sunny," Lemon answered. After tucking the book under her arm, Lemon Zest turned up the volume of her headphones again. Her head bobbed to the rhythm of whatever music was playing.
"Lemon?" Sunny asked, waving a hand in front of Lemon Zest's face. She couldn't suggest her marvelous idea if Lemon Zest wasn't listening!
"Yah?" Lemon's headphones fell down around her neck, and she refocused her attention on Sunny.
"Do you want to go skateboarding with me?" Sunny asked, grinning. "Wouldn't that be fun?!"
"She can't, Lemon and I are going to be studying at the park near my house for an upcoming chemistry exam."
"Ah!" Sunny jumped out of her skin as Sugarcoat finished speaking. "How did you get here?!"
Sugarcoat adjusted her tangerine-tinted glasses as she replied, "I make a habit of staying quiet until I'm relevant. This effect probably has terminology, but I have not researched the proper word. My statements have more of an impact in this way."
"Oh." Sunny folded her arms. "So Lemon's coming over to your house?"
"We have actually made plans to study at the park instead. Lemon Zest prefers the outdoors and I have no qualms with the present weather." Sugarcoat nodded curtly.
"Like a study date?" Sunny queried, casually brushing a lock of lavender hair behind her ear.
"If you wanna call it that!" Lemon Zest shouted, banging her head wildly in time to the music. "Study date, study hall, whatever!"
"Oh." By now, roses were blooming on Sunny's cheeks. Careful not to let Sugarcoat see, she cupped her hands over her face.
"You look flushed," Sugarcoat observed.
"Just hurt my mouth at lunch." Sunny forced a smile. "It's fajita day in the cafeteria, you know. I should probably go now. Bye, girls!"
"Goodbye, Sunny Flare," Sugarcoat said.
"Rock it, girl!" Lemon Zest called as Sunny ran down the hallway.
"Dang it, Sugarcoat!" Sunny exclaimed as she burst out of the school and into the afternoon sunshine. A couple students cast curious glances her way, but otherwise paid Sunny no mind.
"I thought Lemon liked me!" Sunny wailed, curling her hands into fists. "But she's going on a study date with Sugarcoat?! How can this be happening?"
Sunny collapsed on a bench, wallowing in self-pity.
"At least it won't get well," Sunny sniffled, wiping her damp eyes on her uniform blazer. "Lemon doesn't have a very long attention span. Sugarcoat will probably get fed up with her, and they'll part ways in no time."
Realizing this made Sunny feel mildly better about the situation. Sunny pulled herself off the bench. She strolled off school grounds and began the trek back home.
"Besides, people can study together as friends, right?" Sunny reasoned with herself. "And I don't even know which way Sugarcoat swings. Come on, Sunny! Don't get all teary-eyed over one little study session!
"Oh, who am I kidding?!" Sunny griped, pulling a Sour Sweet-esque mood switch. "I am allowed to be jealous and vengeful! And if that's how I want to feel today, who can stop me?!"
Sunny was usually a mellow girl, save for an occasional outburst from time to time. This was one of the times where she displayed her inner emotions, however raw, negative, or completely unjustified they might be.
After she went home, changed out of her uniform and grabbed some... supplies, Sunny decided she would head to the park and see how "SugarZest" was working out.
I have it all figured out, Sunny thought as she jogged down the street, a wide smile spreading across her face.
Sunny kept close to the tree she was hiding behind. Several meters away, Lemon Zest and Sugarcoat were sitting on a bench, a book spread out in front of them.
Sunny stared at Lemon Zest intently. Lemon was dressed in a pink sundress, the same flamingo shade as her headphones, accented with a short blue cardigan. Sunny sighed quietly, admiring Lemon's cheerful figure.
Sugarcoat, on the other hand, was dressed in a hoodie and jeans. .Lame.
Although Sunny could see them, she lacked sufficient detail. The duo was barely out of earshot, for starters, making it impossible for Sunny to hear. For the former reason, Sunny had brought a pair of binoculars along. She raised them to her eyes, and instantly everything the lenses took in was sharper.
"Interesting," Sunny murmured, feeling like the star of a spy movie. Sugarcoat was gesturing to the chemistry book, words flying from her mouth at an incredibly fast rate. Lemon was shaking her head- although the reason was lost to Sunny. Lemon Zest was either listening to music or disagreeing with Sugarcoat.
Suddenly, Sugarcoat reached across the table and yanked Lemon Zest's headphones off!
Sunny gasped. "The number one rule of being friends with Lemon Zest is don't mess with the headphones! And she just messed with the headphones!"
Sugarcoat was yelling loud enough for Sunny to hear snippets of the tirade. "I know you don't... that's why... you here... I would appreciate... try to... on the assignment!"
Sunny watched Lemon Zest's reaction through her binoculars. Lemon seemed to be in shock- her eyes were wide, and she gripped the bench's armchairs in shock.
Sunny's grip on the binoculars tightened when she noticed Lemon Zest's nose twitching. That always happens when Lemon is about to cry, Sunny thought, a look of concern growing over her face.
Okay, here's the plan, Sunny thought, dropping the binoculars and standing up. Once Lemon starts to cry, I'll come to the rescue and chew Sugarcoat out for being so insensitive!
Sunny stepped out from behind the tree.
"Hey!" she cried, raising a finger. "Stop being a bi- huh?!" Sunny's eyes widened in shock as she realized what she was staring at. Lemon Zest's eyes were completely devoid, and she didn't look melancholy at all! Her headphones were lying on the table between them, and she and Sugarcoat were now comfortably studying.
In the blink of an eye, Sunny dashed back behind the tree, hopefully still unknown by her peers.
"Sugarcoat messed with Lemon's headphones and got away with it?" Sunny murmured in disbelief, slumping against the tree. "This is going to be harder than I thought."
Sunny rubbed her chin thoughtfully. Gazing around, she spotted a girl standing at the park entrance. Sunny raised her binoculars again. This girl wore a ragged purple hoodie and matching jeans. Her basic clothes contrasted with her flawless blue eyeliner and bright blue hair, professionally done in a long ponytail. Sunny could instantly tell she was a bit on the ditzy side, due to her large raspberry eyes and innocent face, but she could carry out a request with the right incentive.
Sunny got up from her position and jogged over to the girl.
"Hi," she said amiably.
"Huh?" Ponytail girl looked up, surprise flickering in her eyes.
"Do you have a phone?" Sunny asked bluntly. "I need some help, and that includes you and a second phone."
The girl shook her head. "Sorry. I almost got a phone once, but the police caught me and I had to return it."
"Drat." Sunny folded her arms, but her brain quickly came up with a replacement plan. "Okay, that's alright. You can use my phone, as long as you promise to give it back." Sunny held out her phone which was sealed in a pink case patterned with lavender suns.
"What do I get for helping you?" the girl asked, raising an eyebrow.
Sunny tapped a finger on her cheek, pretending to think about it. "Money?" she suggested. "Or perhaps a gift card? You could buy a nice outfit to wear, instead of that drab hoodie."
The girl nodded eagerly. "Yes! I can't wait to feel pretty again! My last clothes were stained with rotten vegetables, and Adagio told me to throw it away."
"Not gonna ask." Sunny passed her phone to the girl. "What's your name?"
"Sonata." The girl hesitantly took Sunny's phone. "What do I do?"
"Well, Sonata," Sunny answered, leaning in. "There are two girls over there, studying on a bench. Open the voice recorder app, or the video camera, whichever, and walk by. Don't interrupt, but make sure to get as much of their conversation recorded as possible without raising suspicion."
Sonata's lower lip stuck out in a pout. "I'm bad at not raising suspicion. I ruined the plan and cost us our gems, according to Adagio."
Sunny grimaced. Apparently, this girl had some traumatizing past with this "Adagio" she kept mentioning. However, Sunny was confident in her judge of character. Sonata could pull this off, if she really wanted to.
"The gift card, remember?" Sunny replied, placing a reassuring hand on Sonata's shoulder. "You can do this, okay?" Sonata still had an uncertain visage, so Sunny added, "Don't worry, Sonata. I have complete faith in you. There's no way you can mess this up. Just don't mention me if they question you."
"That seems simple enough, I guess," Sonata answered, pulling up the audio recorder app. "I'll be done faster than you can say enchilada!"
"Enchilada?" Sunny muttered as she returned to her station. As Sonata approached the target, Sunny ducked down behind the tree. She could just see Sonata walking past. Suddenly, Sonata stooped down.
Tying her shoes? Sunny assumed. Clever.
Sugarcoat and Lemon Zest appeared to be oblivious to Sonata. Good.
Eventually, Sonata stood up, shoelaces tied, and walked on her merry way. She circled back to the park gate, where Sunny ran to meet her.
"Can I have the gift card now?" Sonata asked impatiently.
"Of course, of course. Hold on." Sunny pulled out her wallet and produced a random gift card. Her parents let her carry lots of them around, for "emergencies." Sunny had never come across an emergency that involved gift cards, not yet.
"Here." Sunny held it out for Sonata to take. "I used a couple bucks on it already, I think, but you should be able to buy a nice outfit."
Sonata greedily snatched the card out of Sunny's hand and tossed Sunny's phone into the air.
"Hey!" Although Sunny caught her device, her she raised an eyebrow in annoyance. Phones were not playthings to be casually tossed around. Does this girl have any morals?
"Thanks for the money!" Sonata squealed, eyeing her prize like a hungry hyena. "Are you rich?"
"I guess you could say that." If you went to CPA, you either had a scholarship or had a substantial income to pay the tuition. Sunny had the latter, though she maintained a good GPA, while Lemon Zest had somehow been giving a scholarship. (Sugarcoat had a scholarship, Sunny might add, but nobody cared.)
Remembering Lemon Zest brought Sunny back to the present.
"Thank you for the help, Sonata," she said politely. "See you around."
"Sure thing. As long as you have more money, I'm happy to help!" Sonata laughed, then skipped out of the park.
Sunny returned to her post. Putting her earplugs in, she pressed play and listened to the recording Sonata had given her.
Should I be happy or disappointed? Sunny wondered. The conversation was boring, all about chemistry. At least Sugarcoat seemingly hadn't made a move. Yet.
Sunny pursed her lips. What was a tactful way to break up the study session? She had stashed her skateboard in the bushes; there was always that. Or, perhaps, she might demonstrate a martial arts routine, diverting Lemon Zest's attention from the mundane to the extraordinary.
Sunny chose the former. She grabbed her skateboard, strapped on a helmet, and returned to the park entrance. Everything had to be just right.
Just be smooth about this, Sunny told herself. Placing one foot on her board, she expertly pushed off and glided down the path. Sunny had been skateboarding for years, and the motions looked almost effortless to any onlookers.
As she neared Lemon Zest and Sugarcoat, Sunny increased her speed.
"Woo hoo!" she called as she zoomed along. Sugarcoat didn't look up. To Sunny's delight, Lemon Zest did. Her lemon eyes lit up with delight, and she said something to Sugarcoat.
"Hey guys!" Sunny skated up to the group, slamming her hands onto the table. "How's the study session going?"
"Hello, Sunny Flare," Sugarcoat adjusted her glasses. "We are actually progressing very well considering Lemon Zest's attention span."
"I wish you took chemistry with us!" Lemon chirped, flashing Sunny a friendly grin. "Then we could all study together!"
"Well," Sunny replied coyly, "since Sugarcoat says you two are getting lots done, I'm sure you're finished already! Wanna go skateboarding, Lemon?"
Lemon Zest shrugged. "I really wanna get a good grade on this test, Sunny."
Sunny sighed. "I thought you guys were done, according to Sugarcoat."
"I said we were progressing," Sugarcoat corrected, arching an eyebrow. "We are not nearly finished studying."
"Well how 'bout a break?" Sunny suggested, leaning in closer to Lemon Zest. "Give your mind a break, then return to your studies!"
Lemon Zest ran her fingers through her lemon-lime hair as she mulled the idea over. "What do ya think, Sugarcoat?"
"I think Sunny Flare has some explaining to do," Sugarcoat replied, folding her arms.
Sunny bolted upright, completely caught off guard. "What?!" Sunny flattened her expression to one of confusion. "What do you mean, Sugarcoat?"
"You have been trying very hard to get Lemon Zest away from this study session," Sugarcoat pointed out bluntly.
Lemon tilted her head. "No she hasn't. She just wants a person to skateboard with!"
"Exactly, Lemon!" Sunny flipped her skateboard into the air and expertly caught it in her hands. "One can't go skating by herself!"
Sugarcoat rolled her arms. "Sunny Flare, drop the act. You're in love with Lemon Zest."
"Really?" Lemon Zest turned her gaze to Sunny. Her citrine eyes were round with curiosity.
Sunny bit her lip. What am I supposed to do?! Sugarcoat's not gonna let it drop. But I can't deny it, otherwise Lemon'll think I'm not interested!
"What makes you think that, Sugar?" Sunny asked, trying to keep her voice even.
"You want to get Lemon away from this because you're afraid I'll make a move on her, or vice versa."
Lemon began to giggle as Sugarcoat spoke. "That's ridicuilous, Sugarcoat!"
Sugarcoat nodded, her gaze not once wavering from Sunny's face. "We're completely platonic, Sunny. You've worked yourself up over nothing."
"Well, I-" Sunny was at a lost for words. Usually she was never this decomposed.
"Can't I just be seething and jealous without you busting my plans, Sugarcoat?" she snapped, folding her arms.
"Being seething and jealous are detrimental to your well being. Next time, talk it out, okay?"
"Okay, hold everything!" Lemon Zest stood up and stared at her friends. "I am confused! Sunny, do you like like me or not?!"
"Do you like me?" Sunny responded, blushing slightly. Sugarcoat, the only one still sitting, was watching the exchange.
Lemon Zest shrugged. "I don't know yet. What qualifies as romantic feelings?"
Sugarcoat sighed and rested her head on the table.
Meanwhile, Sunny was staring at the ground, contemplating Lemon's response. "Whatever you think qualifies as romantic feelings," she muttered.
"Really? That sounds fantastic!" Lemon nodded. "Yeah, I usually don't buy into the whole romance business. But for my best friend... I can make an exception. I like you, Sunny Flare."
Sunny looked up, a grin slowly spreading over her face. "Seriously?"
"Yeah!" Lemon suddenly threw her arms over Sunny's shoulders in a giant hug. A warm glow spread over Sunny's visage as she embraced Lemon Zest.
"You wanna hang with us while we study?" Lemon sat back down and scooted over to make room for Sunny. "I still need to do well on this test."
"Sure." Sunny gladly took her place next to Lemon.
"Sorry, Sugarcoat," Sunny apologized, staring at the girl across from her.
"What for?" Sugarcoat raised an eyebrow.
"For cussing you out in my head." Sunny shrugged nonchalantly. "You're a friend, I shouldn't have done that."
Sugarcoat raised her eyes to the heavens, as if asking what she had done to become friends with these people.
"The end!" Lemon Zest flipped the chemistry textbook shut.
Author's Note
I now headcanon Lemon Zest is demiromantic.
