Lying on his messy bed, Gallus stared up at the ceiling above him. While it was dark, he was still able to see the the details of his room due to the light coming in from the night outside. There wasn’t much to grab his attention inside and even less to give him any motivation.
He brought his cell phone up to his face and looked it for a moment. He tapped the screen a few times to bring up an app. Gallus scrolled through the messages before he arrived at the one he was thinking of. It was a group text that he was in with a number of fellow students.
“Hope they’re awake,” he mumbled to himself as he typed on the screen, “and I hope I won’t bug them....”
He paused for a moment in hesitation as a number of worrying throughts crossed his mind. Nevertheless, he hit send:
Text Message
Yesterday 11:03 PM
Hey guys
Smolder
Yo Gallus!
Ocellus
Hey there!
Sandbar
What’s up!
Yona
Hello!
Silverstream
Hi Gallus! Hey there everyone! 😄
How have you guys been? It’s been
a while since we talked.
Ocellus
It has. Says our last group chat message was
sent 13 days ago.
Sandbar
Wow, really that long?
Yona
Doesn’t feel that long
Smolder
Time flies when you’re locked inside for a
health crisis
Silverstream
Ugh, don’t remind me! It feels so so weird! 😣
Sandbar
Tell me about it. Feels like we haven’t been to
school in years
If only 🤣
Smolder
I’ve been so restless!
Yona
What have friends been doing to keep
selves busy?
Sandbar
Well, outside of gaming, I’ve actually
started gardening.
Smolder
Gardening? You?
Ocellus
Oh, that’s so neat! How has it been going,
Sandbar?
Sandbar
My parents suggested I try it and I’ve grown to
like it. It’s pretty relaxing and my little sister
Coral helps me every so often.
Silverstream
Aww, that’s so cute!
Any produce come in yet?
Sandbar
Not yet, but I’ll be sure to take a picture of when
they start coming in!
Yona
Tell Coral Yona say hi!
Sandbar
Will do, Yona!
Ocellus
That’s great to hear! Well, I’ve been starting to
study ahead as well as doing some free reading
Smolder
Like the star student you are😝
Silverstream
😂😂😂
Yona
🤣
😆
Ocellus
😤 Hey, I just like to keep my mind occupied!
Nothing wrong with that!
Sandbar
What about you Smolder, what have you been
up to?
Smolder
A whole lotta nothin’
Guess that means you can’t really judge,
Smolder
Smolder
You can’t blame me, I’m just so restless and want
to go out and do something! Anything really!
Yona
Smolder could try baking bread like Yona
Silverstream
You’ve made bread, Yona?
Yona
Yup! Look at what Yona has made already!
Sandbar
Let us see!
Yona
Attachment: IMG_0007.JPG
Smolder
Whoa, you made that?
Sandbar
Those look pretty good!
Silverstream
That sourdough looks so yummy! 🤤🤤🤤
Ocellus
I’m really impressed Yona!
Yona
Yona has to admit it took several tries to get right.
First few batches tasted bad. Not enough yeast
Mind sharing some of the next batch?
Yona
Will do!
Silverstream
What about you Gallus?
Been trying to find the energy to do something
Ocellus
I do understand that feeling, believe me
Silverstream
You could do what I’ve been doing
Smolder
And what’s that?
Silverstream
I like to think about things that make my think really
hard. I call them brain tickles!
Brain tickles?
Yona
Can Silverstream give example?
Silverstream
Like how a camera take a picture of anything
except itself.
Yona
Huh?
Smolder
But what about taking a picture of itself in a
mirror?
Silverstream
But that’s only it’s reflection, not itself.
But isn’t the reflection not of the camera itself?
Smolder
Wait, I’m lost. Isn’t the camera’s reflection itself, so it
should count right?
Silverstream
The reflection is an after image of the camera
But doesn’t it mean it is the camera?
Silverstream
But from a moment when the camera is taking a
picture of a reflection of itself, not of itself
Ocellus
No, no, she’s got a point.
Sandbar
Guys, stop talking about this or you’re going to
give us all an aneurysm
Yona
Yona’s head hurts 😕
Ocellus
😅
Silverstream
😖😖😖
Smolder
😂
😆
Sandbar
Maybe we shouldn’t think too hard on those questions 😆
Yona
😂 Yona really miss this sort of thing with friends
Sandbar
I agree, stupid conversations like this are
things I really miss
Smolder
Like that one where we talked about what are
worse: beavers or seagulls!
Silverstream
We already know the right answer, seagulls are
so aggressive!
I still call crap, because beavers are evil little
things. Those buck tooth nerds….
Ocellus
Oh no, not this again
Yona
Yona agrees with Gallus, beavers are pests. They
keep stealing firework
Sandbar
I really wish I didn't say anything
Smolder
They steal my food all the time when I go to the
beach!
But does the bird have a literal weapon for a tail?!
Ocellus
Can we please not rehash this conversation again? The
last time we talked about this we got kicked out of the
school’s mess hall
Smolder
Alright alright, I’ll drop it
Sandbar
Thank you
Smolder
For now
Silverstream
😄
Yona
😄😄😄
The mess hall. Man, that feels like another
lifetime ago. Feels weird not being at school, yet
still doing school stuff
Ocellus
I do agree on that. I do enjoy spending time with my
family, but being at home for so long has certainly
taken its toll. And online classes certainly aren’t the
same as in-person ones
Yona
Yona also agree. Sometimes internet not always work
properly during class. Thank you again friends for help
with notes
Sandbar
Not a problem
Silverstream
Happy to help!
I mean, now I can not pay attention even easier,
but it’s not the same if I’m not there to show my
disgust to the teacher
Sandbar
There’s the Gallus we know and love
Yona
😆
Silverstream
😄
Smolder
I don’t know what you’re all so bent out of shape about.
Now we can go to worry about our uniforms. I can
now go to class with no pants
Ocellus
SMOLDER!
Did not need that image in my mind
Silverstream
🤣🤣🤣
Sandbar
TMI!
Smolder
What? Don’t act like you guys don’t do that.
Silverstream
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Sandbar
We don’t!
Yona
That was an option?
Please, someone, anyone, say something else
so I can not think about this anymore
Silverstream
Speaking of being inside so much, I’ve let my
hair grow out more!
Ocellus
Really? When we are in our video class,
you look normal
Silverstream
That’s because I put my hair in a ponytail so it isn’t
everywhere. Here, let me take a quick photo
Silverstream
Attachment: IMG_0024.JPG
Sandbar
OMG
Whoa, your hair is all over the place
Smolder
Yeah, it looks like a weeping willow tree has started
growing on your head
Ocellus
How heavy is that? That can’t be good
Silverstream
It’s okay! We’ve just been busy is all! My dad still
has to work and my mom is always busy helping
Auntie Novo, so we just don’t have the time.
I don’t mind though! 😁
Yona
Attachment: IMG_0008.JPG
Yona
Look Silverstream, we’re twinsies!
Sandbar
Whoa!
Silverstream
TWINSIES! 😋
Ocellus
How can you even see Yona?
Smolder
Can’t you braid it or something?
Yona
Yona can see just fine! Braids became hassle
after first few weeks, so Yona just let it be
natural.
You look like you’re more hair than girl
Sandbar
I think it looks good!
Smolder
Of course you’d think that
🤣
Yona
😂
Ocellus
I can’t wait for us to laugh like this in person again
Silverstream
SAMMEE! 😭😭😭
Sandbar
Amen to that. It feels so weird being indoors for
so long. I miss surfing and doing stuff outside.
I feel like a hikikomori.
Yona
What hikikomori?
Probably a nerd word.
Ocellus
Sorta 😅 It’s someone who is isolated and withdrawn
from everyone. Honestly, I think just about everyone
feels that way right now
Yona
Yona can relate. Yona misses spending time with
friends. Six feet feel too far away!
Silverstream
I miss being at school with all of you! And same for
all of our fun adventures!
Sandbar
Like getting your hand stuck in the vending machine?
Ocellus
😅😂
Oh man, I totally forgot about that!
Smolder
Remember how she asked if we could just cut her
arm off because she thought it would just grow back?
Yona
Silverstream was late to class because of that! 🤣
Silverstream
😂 I remember that! I never did get those chips.
I miss those fun times
Smolder
And I miss just doing anything
Like setting small fires?
Smolder
Headmistress Starlight wasn’t able to prove
that was me!
Ocellus
And yet you are quick to defend yourself when
it’s brought up
Silverstream
😆😆
Sandbar
😅
Yona
😂
🤣
Smolder
Next time we meet up in person I’ll be sure to
punch you for that. For you and your smelly hair
You always gotta point out the shampoo
I use, don’t you?
Sandbar
It is a weird brand, dude
Oh, not you too
Silverstream
🤣🤣🤣
Yona
It does have weird scent
Alright, alright, I get the message. You don’t
have to rub it in
Sandbar
Okay, that’s enough fun at your expense, dude.
Ocellus
Yes yes. Anyone do anything fun today?
If you call grocery shopping fun
Yona
Maybe Gallus not see it as such? Yona sort of likes
going out now, even with mask. Yona at least able
to enjoy being outside more when running errands
Smolder
I do kinda get how you feel Gallus. It’s gotten to the
point that I now have a favorite mask now, so
that’s a thing
Silverstream
And I’m not allowed to visit Auntie Novo or the rest
of our family at the palace for a while, but at least
I’m with my family!
Sandbar
It is important to just be careful right now. Just because
things seem fine doesn’t mean we can let our guard down.
I’ve been double masking for a while now.
Smolder
Don’t you think you’re being too precautious?
Which of us has gotten ringworm 3 times?
Smolder
Question withdrawn.
Yona
😅
Silverstream
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Sandbar
😄
Ocellus
Oh, that reminds me! I just finished making masks
for each of you!
Smolder
What, really?
Ocellus
Attachment: IMG_0055.JPG
Silverstream
Aww, that’s so sweet of you Ocellus! ❤
Thank you! I think I can tell which one
is mine
Yona
It will be nice to get package in the mail.
Thank you!
Sandbar
Thank you, Ocellus, that’s so kind of you! And
yeah, I second that Yona. I have gotten to know
our mail carrier. She’s very friendly and really
enjoys it when we bake muffins for her.
Smolder
Can’t wait to see it when it arrives. But why did
you start making them?
Ocellus
I’ve been wanting to keep my hands busy being
inside, and I felt it was a productive thing to do.
Turns out I have a bit of a talent with the sewing
machine!
Smolder
Looks like I might have a new favorite mask. So
shines a good deed in a tired world.
Ocellus
It’s “weary world”.
Smolder
Same thing.
It’s really neat that you’re keeping busy by being
productive like that. Wish I could figure something to do.
Like Yona with her baking, Sandbar with his gardening,
and Silverstream….keeping out of trouble
Silverstream
My parents say that I’m a ‘safety hazard’!
Ocellus
There has to be a story there
Yona
Yona want to know story as well
Sandbar
I’m sure you’ll find something to keep yourself busy,
Gallus. The first step of being good at something is
being bad at something. And then, you’ll find out if
you like it. And for that matter, you don’t even have
to be great at something to enjoy it.
Ocellus
That’s a very good point, Sandbar
Smolder
Huh, never thought of that before
Sandbar
And for all you know, you might enjoy something separate
from the hobby. I’ve learned to enjoy the little things while
gardening. Such as the sound of insects during the day and
night. The petrichor that comes after the rain.
Silverstream
Petrichor?
Ocellus
It’s the scent of soil and water after the rain. I’m
impressed you know the term, Sandbar.
Sandbar
I admit I learned it from my mom.
Yona
😝
Ocellus
😅
Guess you have a point there. Guess
gardening has really taken to you, huh?
Ocellus
I guess Sandbar has a green thumb!
Yona
Boo. Bad pun
Silverstream
😄
Sandbar
😅
I really should find something to keep me
busy. Otherwise, these days just seem to drag
on forever
Ocellus
You aren’t wrong. This quarantine lockdown has been
more of a challenge then I would have ever thought
Smolder
Yeah, I never thought I’d miss being stuck at that
school with all of you
Sandbar
I think that’s a much of a sentimental statement
we’re going to get from Smolder
Ocellus
😆
Yona
Smolder misses friends!
Silverstream
Awww, we miss you too! ❤❤❤
Smolder
Geez, now I regret saying anything
Sandbar
😄
Okay, this is pretty funny
Smolder
No need to rub it in, guys
Sandbar
Sure there is!
Ocellus
It’s okay to admit it, Smolder, we miss you too!
Smolder
There isn’t emoji for how I feel right now
Silverstream
How are you feeling? Tired? Exhausted? Hungry?
Yona
Add annoyed and that probably how
Smolder feeling
Smolder
Yona hit the nail on the head
Ocellus
😅
Sandbar
😂
I do want to admit, I do miss all of you. If I’m
going to be honest, I’ve just really been so out of it
lately and, well, I sorta felt really bummed out lately.
Sandbar
Whoa, dude. Didn’t know you were feeling like that
Yona
Why didn’t Gallus say anything?
Because I feel like I’m afraid to reach out about
it. Honestly, with this whole quarantine business, I feel
we’re not really keeping in touch at all. And because of
that, it’s almost like we’re drifting apart since
we’re not in person.
Ocellus
Gallus, you really feel that way? Like we’re
drifting apart?
Silverstream
It sorta of does feel that way since we haven’t really
kept in touch in this chat all that much
Yona
Yona does agree
Smolder
Gallus, you’re an idiot
????!!
Sandbar
Hey, what was that for?
Ocellus
Smolder, that’s so rude!
Smolder
Come on, Gallus. We might be all over the world right
now, but nothing, and I mean nothing will stop us
from being friends.
Ocellus
While Smolder could have been a bit better with
her tact, she is right Gallus. A little lockdown won’t
stop me from being your friend. Or any of us
for that matter.
Yona
Friend Smolder right. Just because Yona at home
don’t mean friends not on Yona’s mind.
Sandbar
You’re my dormmate when everything is normal and
you’ll always be one of my best friend. And you bet
I can’t wait for us to room together again.
Silverstream
And I can’t wait to hug all of you so much next
time I see you!
Smolder
So yeah, as you can see Gallus, just because we aren’t
always talking don’t mean we aren’t thick as thieves.
You’re all my best friends for life, and possibly death
That sounds like a threat
Yona
Yona think it might be
Silverstream
😆😆😆
Ocellus
😅
Sandbar
We can face anything as long as we’re
not alone. And we aren’t. Not by a
long shot.
You’re all right. Thanks for listening. Next time
we meet up, I’m buying you all a cider.
Smolder
Good, because it’s the only way I can put
up with you
Sandbar
There’s the Smolder we know
Ocellus
Of course, Gallus, we’re happy to listen. If you need
an open ear, just ask. And that goes for all of you
Sandbar
And same to you too Ocellus
Thanks everyone. Sorry for bringing all
of this up
Yona
Friend Gallus don’t need to apologize. Yona admit
that Yona also had similar thoughts like Gallus had
Silverstream
I feel we all had some of those pesky
thoughts lately
Ocellus
It certainly has been a trying time. I know
I have a couple
Sandbar
Same over here
Smolder
Hate to admit it, but me too.
I guess we’re all hurting. I’m really happy
to have all of you as friends
Silverstream
And I’m really happy we all have cell phones
so we can still talk!
Sandbar
Amen to that
Ocellus
Thank goodness for technology! No matter where
in the world we are, we are still connected together
Yona
Yona happy too! But it still make Yona miss friends
and Yona can’t wait to hug all
Silverstream
Not if I hug you first! ❤
Smolder
I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but I’ll
happily accept it
Wow, now there’s a shock 😆
Sandbar
I wouldn’t believe it if I didn’t see it in front of me
Ocellus
First time for everything 😋
Smolder
You guys don’t have to rub it in
Silverstream
Sure we do!
Smolder
How much are you all going to make me
regret today?
Everything 😆
Sandbar
Come on, play nice you two
Ocellus
Sandbar is right, we all seriously miss one another
and there is nothing wrong with being candid
about how we feel
Yona
Like how much friends miss each other
Silverstream
I know I miss you all! ❤❤
Sandbar
I do too!
Smolder
Alright alright, I do miss you all. Happy?
Ocellus
Yes 😊
Sandbar
Oh dang, it got late
Silverstream
Time flies when you spend time with those
you love!
Yona
Aren’t friends Silverstream, Gallus, and
Smolder in different time zones?
Most of us are, if I remember right
Silverstream
Yup! But like I wasn’t going to not talk to
my besties!
Smolder
Same here, I’ll easily stay up all night for
any of you
Silverstream
Aww!
I think that might be the nicest thing
Smolder has ever said
Sandbar
I think you’re right 🤣
Smolder
And with that, I’m going to sleep.
Night, guys
Yona
Night Smolder! Yona gonna go to
sleep too. Night friends!
Sandbar
Good night, Yona!
Ocellus
Good night, Smolder! Good night Yona! I plan
on finishing up this chapter and I think I’m going
to do the same.
Silverstream
I should go to sleep too! If I stay on my phone too
long, my parents take it away from me.
They confiscate your phone?
Silverstraem
Yeah, it’s because my curiosity peaks when I’m trying to
sleep. Like is a tomato a fruit or a vegetable?
Ocellus
Silverstream, we are not having this conversation
again. Go to sleep
Sandbar
I agree, we’ll be up all night with this discussion again 😅
Silverstream
Okay~, I’ll go to sleep. Night! ❤
Ocellus
Good, sleep well, Silverstream! Night, everyone!
Sandbar
Good night, Ocellus, And good night to you too, Gallus. Rest well, dude
Good night everyone. Stay safe
