09: New Moon

Chapter 9

New Moon

Later that night, Andreas marched around his and Craig’s bedroom, gathering his belongings into a black bag. The walls were painted neon green with various posters of action heroes and thrash metal bands. The clutter and collection of thrash metal vinyl records and gym equipment encumbered Andreas’ collection of candles, jewellery, and tarot cards in the corner of the room.

Andreas: “If this doesn’t speak volumes, I don’t know what does...”

He laughed bitterly at the “Death” card sitting on top of his tarot deck.

Craig: “W-What speaks volumes?”

He whimpered and hovered behind him. Andreas threw the card at Craig's head.

Andreas: “Do I have to spell everything out for you? Can't you read the room?!”

He spread his arms out, gesturing around the room.

Andreas: “Nothing was ever OURS, it was always YOURS and about YOU!”

He poked Craig’s chest.

Andreas: “I was just tucked away in the corner of your room like some trophy to you! You literally accused Blake of 'stealing' me away from you like some object!”

He huffed, grabbing his belongings from his corner of the room and shoving them into his bag.

Craig: “C’mon, Andreas! I didn’t mean it like that! I’m sorry! I’ll paint the walls black for you, and I’ll let you do whatever you want in Nuklear now! Please don’t leave!”

He pleaded with him, groveling to his feet. Andreas glanced down at him and shook his head.

Andreas: “Oh, so you’re permitting me to do what I want in OUR band now? It was never OUR band, you always said it was YOUR band, despite ME writing the songs and Makayla getting our gigs at Hellbent and SolarisFest!”

He snapped, grabbing his black left-handed Jackson Kelly guitar and shoving it into its case, slamming the lid shut. Craig winced, and his bottom lip trembled.

Andreas: “And it wasn’t OUR house either, nooo, it was YOUR 'Metal Mansion'.”

He rolled his eyes as he made air quotes with his hands.

Andreas: “Despite this dump NOT being a MANSION and me cleaning up everyone’s mess and covering your rent more times than I can count!”

He snapped at him.

Andreas: “You go on about how you're the ‘King of the concrete jungle’ and the ‘King of the thrash metal scene’ but you're King Nothing!"

He spat and shook his head. Craig recoiled and trembled at his words.

Andreas: “Well, it’s all YOURS, now… Merry Christmas.”

He said coolly, picking up his guitar case and bags and turning on his heel to leave.

Craig ran up to the door, spreading his arms out to block his exit.

Craig: “NOOOO! ANDREAS!”

He cried, tearing off his own Nuklear Intoxikation shirt with his bare hands, exposing his six-pack abs to him. Andreas gaped at him.

Craig: “C’mon, Andreas… Don't ya wanna ravage me in bed right now? You still love me, right?! RIGHT?!”

He pleaded with him with tears in his eyes as he flexed his biceps. Andreas furrowed his eyebrows at him.

Andreas: “No, Craig. All of this shows you don’t really know me at all...”

He said coolly. Craig’s face and shoulders dropped like a heavy weight of heartache.

Craig: “W-what?!”

Andreas: “...I’m not that young man anymore… but you still are… and that’s why this isn’t working anymore…”

He sighed and bowed his head.

Andreas: “I’ve given so much only to lose so much, and I’ve reached my limit now…”

Craig pursed his lips and went quiet.

Andreas: “Have a nice Christmas.”

He said earnestly and walked past him.

Craig: “Where are you going, Andreas?!”

He cried out to him as he approached the door.

Andreas: “Anywhere away from here.”

He said coolly and twisted the doorknob.

Makayla: “I can’t believe you’re giving up and turning your back on the band!”

She pouted and folded her arms across her chest.

Andreas: “Frankly, I don’t give a damn. All you care about is yourselves!”

He groused and slammed the door behind him.

~

Andreas walked through the streets of Selene Valley as the sun started to rise on a new day. He felt at ease at the peace and quiet of the empty streets and the birds chirping in the trees, a stark contrast to the noisy chaos of Nuklear Intoxikation. He inhaled a deep breath and closed his eyes, drinking in his newfound peace and freedom as he sat down at the bus stop. Andreas rested his suitcase and guitarcase down on the ground and reached into his black denim jacket, pulling out his cigarettes.

A car pulled up beside him, blasting heavy metal. Andreas drew an exasperated breath and turned on his heel.

Andreas: “I’m not changing my mind–”

He paused when he saw the Orange Kingswood station wagon. The driver’s seat window rolled down, revealing Blake behind the wheel. He wore his leather jacket over an olive green button shirt with a small fern tree embroidered on the chest and black slacks.

Blake: “Do you need a ride?”

He offered, exhaling a drag of his cigarette. Andreas’ eyes widened, surprised to see him.

Andreas: “...Yes please.”

He nodded and went to pick up his guitar case and suitcase when Blake stepped out of the car.

Blake: “Allow me.”

He said gently, picking them up and carrying them to the car for him. He then opened the passenger door for him to get in. Andreas reddened and smiled.

Andreas: “Thank you.”

He said softly, locking his gaze on him as he got in. Blake smiled back at him and he got back in the car.

Blake: “Where are you heading?”

He asked him, pulling out onto the road.

Andreas: “As far away from here as possible.”

He frowned and embraced himself.

Blake: “Dare I ask?”

He took a drag of his cigarette. Andreas sighed.

Andreas: “I left the circus… and the big stupid lion.”

He twisted his mouth. Blake’s eyebrows rose.

Blake: “Oh, I’m sorry…”

He said awkwardly.

Andreas: “Don’t be. I’m only sorry I wasted all those years on him and HIS circus band…”

He said bitterly.

Blake: “Why did you? Didn’t your cards tell you he was an asshole?”

He asked. Andreas turned to him and laughed at the blunt and offbeat question.

Andreas: “In hindsight… yeah. But I guess I wasn’t ready to accept it yet… and wanted to believe otherwise…”

His voice trailed off as he placed his cigarette in his mouth. Blake reached over and lit it for him. Andreas reddened and mouthed a “Thank you”

Andreas: “I foresee the potential in people to be their higher-selves… so, I expected better of him and I believed in him to do better to reach that… ignoring my own intuition telling me otherwise.”

He exhaled a long drag of smoke.

Blake: “I see people for exactly what they are.”

He replied.

Andreas: “What do you see?”

He pressed him with curiosity.

Blake: “Craig isn’t a lion; he’s a chihuahua in the body of a grown man.”

He rolled his eyes. Andreas laughed a bit.

Blake: “And the only ‘higher-self’ Craig will ever be is high off weed and beer. He clearly hasn’t grown up since high school, so he’s not going to change.”

He shook his head.

Andreas: “You’re right… I feel like such a fool.”

He nodded and bowed his head. Blake turned to him.

Blake: “The only fool here is Craig for losing you! You deserve better than that jackass!”

He said earnestly. Andreas smiled a bit.

Andreas: “Thank you…”

He locked his gaze on him. Blake reddened and kept his eyes on the road.

Andreas: “So, where were you heading at this hour?”

He asked, giving him a look.

Blake: “I was on my way to work… but then I saw you…”

He reddened. Andreas observed his olive green shirt with an embroidered Fern Tree emblem on it that read “Possum Valley Parks”

Andreas: “Oh, you’re a park ranger? I love the Selene Ranges!”

He smiled.

Blake: “Me too…”

He smiled back at him.

Andreas: “You work on Christmas?”

He asked curiously.

Blake: “Yeah, the pay is good and I don’t celebrate Christmas anyway. People have their Christmas picnics up there, so they need us around.”

He explained.

Andreas: “Why don’t you celebrate Christmas?”

He asked. Blake paused and his expression soured.

Blake: “Because I hate it.”

His voice trailed off.

Andreas: “I’m sorry…”

He offered. He could feel it was a sensitive topic for him and didn’t want to press him further.

Blake: “What about you?”

He shifted the question.

Andreas: “Well, usually I would be with the Medeiros family, but that’s not happening.”

He laughed bitterly and sighed with relief.

Blake: “What about your family?”

He asked him.

Andreas: “I’m estranged from my family.”

He replied. Blake’s eyebrows rose surprisingly.

Blake: “I understand that… I am, too. Except for Ashley.”

He stated. Andreas turned to him, surprised he wasn't the only one.

Blake: “So, you don’t have anywhere to go, huh?”

He asked him. Andreas shook his head.

Andreas: “...Not really.”

He said softly.

Blake: “Well… if you need somewhere, you’re welcome to come stay with us…”

He blurted. Andreas’ eyes widened.

Andreas: “Really? Are you sure?”

He smiled a bit. Blake nodded.

Blake: “Yeah… it’s the Sunshire way to help people in need.”

He blurted and then shuddered. Why did I just say that? He pondered.

Andreas: “Sunshire?”

He asked.

Blake: “Oh, it’s this fruity cult me and Ash grew up in… I was being facetious, but… I do want to help you.”

He said quickly, glancing down at his Sunshire thumb tattoo. Andreas’ eyes grew large.

Andreas: “...Is that a Sole-Wielder sigil?”

He took his hand to get a closer look. Blake froze and reddened all over.

Blake: “A what?!”

He gaped at him and slammed his brakes to a halt. Andreas’ jaw dropped.

Andreas: “...You don’t know what it is?!”

He gaped back at him, dropping his hand.

Blake: “It’s the ‘mark of the sun goddess’ or whatever.”

He used air quotations and rolled his eyes.

Blake: “They gave us these tattoos when we were born to brand us like property.”

He shook his head.

Andreas: “...You think it’s a tattoo?!”

He gaped at him.

Blake: “What, are you telling me I got marked by the sun goddess?”

He laughed bitterly.

Andreas: “Are you telling me you got tattooed as a baby on your HAND and it didn’t fade or stretch over time?”

He countered. Blake paused.

Blake: “How do you know what it is then?”

He pressed him, turning into their tree-lined driveway. Andreas drank in the lush green surroundings.

Andreas: “I've read many books about the history of Majique. The sole-wielders were said to be the original Majique-users, dating back to ancient times.”

He explained.

Blake: “You mean ‘The ancient ones’?”

He laughed bitterly with air quotes with his hands.

Andreas: “Yes…”

He nodded and gazed at Blake with fascination.

Andreas: “No one knew what happened to them, and some thought they were a myth…”

He gazed up at Ashley as they came out of the house to greet them. They were dressed in red velvet paisley bellbottom pants with an orange sunface shirt with lantern sleeves.

Ashley: “Blake?! What are you doing here? I thought you had to work.”

They scratched their head.

Ashley: “Oh my stars! Do you want to celebrate Christmas with me?!”

They gasped and cupped their cheeks.

Blake: “No, Ashley…”

Ashley bowed their head, looking hurt. Andreas stepped out from the other side of the car and greeted Ashley.

Ashley: “Andreas?! What are you doing here?!”

They beamed. Blake reddened.

Blake: “He’ll be staying with us…”

He declared. Ashley’s eyes widened.

Ashley: “Oh dear! I’m so sorry about you and Craig!”

They rushed over and gave him a hug. Andreas was taken aback by their overly warm hospitality.

Andreas: “Don’t be sorry, it was my choice and I’m glad I made it.”

He smiled and hugged them back.

Ashley: “Aww, that’s so sweet of you to help him, Blake! I’m proud of you for coming around to the Sunshire ways and helping those in need!”

They exclaimed.

Blake: “I didn’t do it for Sunshire.”

He blurted bitterly. Ashley tilted their head and looked over at Andreas.

Ashley: “...OH! Okay, haha.”

They winked at Blake and nudged him. Blake reddened.

Ashley: “Come on in! I’ll make tea and cookies!”

They clasped their hands together, scurrying back up the steps onto the veranda and back into the house.

Andreas: “That sounds nice, thank you.”

He smiled earnestly, following after them with Blake.

Blake: “After you…”

He stepped aside the door, gesturing for him to enter.

Andreas: “Thank you.”

He flashed him a smile as he entered through the door.

Andreas stood at the centre of the living room, taking in his surroundings. He marvelled at the various decorations and plants hanging along the canary-yellow walls. He paused with intrigue at the family portrait taken under the strange tree on the wall by the vase of dead sunflowers.

Andreas: “Is that you? …Oh wow, is that a sacred life tree?!”

Blake froze when he saw him looking at their family photo. Ashley emerged from the kitchen through the archway, beaming with excitement.

Ashley: “Oh, my stars, you know what a sacred life tree is?!”

They chirped, clasping their hands together. Andreas turned to them with a smile.

Andreas: “Yes, but I’ve only read about it. I’ve never seen one before.”

He remarked. Ashley’s eyes lit up.

Ashley: “R-Really?!”

They gasped.

Andreas: “So, that’s Sunshire, huh?”

He pressed them with intrigue, observing the smaller details in the photograph, taking in the small A-frame buildings in the far background. Ashley smiled and nodded.

Ashley: “Yep! I’m the little chonker kid, and Blake is the angry kid, haha!”

They explained, pointing at the small, chubby child with a cat-like smile on their face, while the taller kid frowned, looking off into the distance as if he would rather be anywhere else. They were both dressed in hand-woven woolen ponchos and robes.

Ashley: “And that’s our mum, Eleanora, and dad, Nikolai!”

They explained, pointing to their parents in the photo. Blake fixed his gaze on the kettle in the kitchen through the archway, beginning to whistle.

Andreas: “I see the resemblance…”

He remarked, noting the strong resemblance to Ashley with her blue doe eyes, delicate features, and chubby figure. She had long caramel hair with white ombre tips and wore a crystal necklace around her neck. He noted the man had a stronger resemblance to Blake with his darker, masculine features and height, and wore the same faux fur coat he had seen Ashley wear before.

The kettle whistling soared louder from the kitchen, snapping them out of their daze and grabbing their attention.

Ashley: “Oh dear!”

They gasped and scurried over to the kettle to turn it off. Blake dropped his shoulders and exhaled a long breath. Andreas turned to Blake.

Andreas: “Is something wrong?”

He pressed him, observing his energy. Blake paused and turned to him.

Blake: “I’m fine… I just need a smoke.”

He assured him and forced a smile.

Andreas: “Sure.”

He flicked his gaze back to the Sunshire family portrait, looking pensive.

Ashley sauntered back into the room with a fresh pot of tea served in a cat-shaped teapot.

Ashley: “I made lemongrass tea! Fresh from our garden!”

They chirped, setting it down on the table in front of them.

Andreas: “Thank you.”

Ashley: “And I made you a coffee, Blake! Just the way you like it!”

They exclaimed, handing him black coffee in a smiling yellow cat mug.

Blake: “Thank you, Ashley…”

Andreas chuckled a bit.

Ashley: “The cookies are on their way!”

They chirped and headed towards the kitchen.

Ashley paused when they saw a plume of dust out the window as a car sped down their driveway.

Ashley: “Ooh, we got a visitor!”

They beamed with curiosity and excitement. Blake slammed his cup down on the table.

Blake: “Who the hell is that?!”

He narrowed his eyes into slits. Andreas twisted his mouth with a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach.

Ashley: “Makayla?”

They gasped when they saw her blue Ford Escort pull up to the house. Blake groaned when he saw her emerge from the car, dressed in a red velvet dress that left little to the imagination. Andreas sighed with relief when he saw it was just her and Craig wasn't in sight.

Makayla: “Ashleyyyyy!”

She hollered out for them. Ashley smiled and sauntered out to greet her.

Ashley: “Hey, Makayla! What a nice surprise!”

They chirped and pulled her in for a hug. Makalya: “Surprise! Merry Christmas!”

She beamed and squeezed them tightly. Makayla: “I want you to spend Christmas with me and my family!”

She took their hands and gazed into their eyes.

Ashley: “R-Really?! You want to spend Christmas with me?!”

They gasped and brightened.

Makayla: “Yes, so grab your jacket and let's go!”

She tugged at their shirt. Blake twisted his mouth.

Ashley: “Oh, you still have my jacket, remember? I need to get that back, haha!”

They chuckled. Makayla’s smile faltered.

Makayla: “I meant the jacket I gave you Ashley…”

She frowned. Ashley titled their head.

Ashley: “Uhh, you want me to wear THAT to meet your family?”

They laughed, thinking she was joking. Makalya gaped at Ashley.

Makayla: “What is that supposed to mean?! Do you have a problem, Ashley?!”

She cried with hurt in her tone, placing her hands on her hips.

Ashley: “N-no… it's just… my fluffy kitty jacket is special to me…”

Their voice trailed off, thinking of their father.

Makayla: “What and a jacket gifted to you from your girlfriend isn't special?”

She cried. Ashely knit their eyebrows.

Ashley: “...N-no… I mean… yes?”

Their head spun. Makayla gaped at them.

Makayla: “So I'm not special to you?!”

Her bottom lip trembled. Ashley waved their hands around.

Ashley: “N-no, no! I didn't say that!”

They pleaded.

Suddenly, the door burst open as Blake stormed out of the house.

Blake: “Cut the crap and give Ashley their jacket back!”

He barked at Makayla. Makayla recoiled and glared at Blake.

Makalya: “Hey! Don't yell at me!”

She snapped at him.

Blake: “Ashley doesn't want your stupid jacket, they're just too polite to say so!”

Ashley awkwardly embraced themself.

Blake: “That jacket isn't Ashley. It's YOU.”

He added for good measure. Makayla frowned at him.

Makayla: “Stop speaking for Ashley!”

She snapped back at him.

Blake: “Speak for yourself!”

He countered. Makayla glared up at Blake.

Makayla: “You don't speak for me! You don't speak for no one. You don't speak at all.”

Her voice rose to a high pitch on the verge of a song. Blake felt that strange paralysis from last night came over him once more, but this time he felt it in his mouth. The words weren't coming out and felt like they were muted. Ashley's jaw dropped and their head spun with confusion.

Andreas interjected as he stepped out onto the veranda.

Andreas: "That's enough, Makayla!”

He snapped at her. They all turned to him.

Makayla: “Andreas?! What are YOU doing here?!”

Her jaw dropped, and she swung her gaze to Ashley.

Makayla: “Back off from my cutie pie!”

She gasped and stood in front of Ashley, protectively. Ashley and Blake gaped at her.

Andreas: “You're just as perceptive as your brother.”

He deadpanned and rolled his eyes.

Makayla: “Well, my brother is looking for you, so get in the car and let's go! Its fucking Christmas, so put your fighting aside and let it go!”

She huffed and opened the car door. Andreas gaped at her.

Blake: “He's NOT going anywhere with you!”

He bellowed, stepping forward and shielding Andreas. Makayla glanced up at Blake and over to Andreas.

Andreas: “There is no fight, and I did let it go, Makayla. I broke up with Craig and left the band. I'm done. I don't want anything to do with either of you.”

He said tersely. Makayla gasped as if she had just been kicked in the stomach.

Makayla: “Seriously?! You're just going to throw away five years over some asshole?! After everything we’ve been through? We've known each other since high school!”

She cried and threw her arms up, looking over at Blake. Blake glared at her.

Andreas: “Yes, I threw away five years too many over some asshole, and we're not in high school anymore!”

He folded his arms across his chest.

Andreas: “Even though you and Craig seem to think so.”

He twisted his mouth. Makayla recoiled to his harsh words.

Makayla: “B-But you can't just turn your back on us and the band! Music is our dream!”

She cried.

Andreas: “Yes, I can. I owe you nothing.”

He turned on his heel, facing his back to her. Makayla’s bottom lip trembled.

Makayla: “Why are you being mean to me, Andreas?”

She cried. Ashley knit their eyebrows and wondered the same thing.

Andreas: “Because I know what you’ve been doing… I know what you really are.”

He narrowed his eyes at her. Ashley tilted their head. What does he mean by that?

Blake: “What? An asshole?”

He chimed in. Andreas laughed a humourless laugh.

Andreas: “In a sense...”

Makayla looked at Andreas with hurt.

Makayla: “I-I can’t believe you would believe those horrible rumours about me… I thought you were better than this! Don’t be like them, Andreas! Please don’t leave Nuklear!”

She pleaded with him. Ashley knit their eyebrows, feeling sorry for Makayla. Blake stepped forward.

Blake: “He wants to be left alone, so leave him alone.”

He said firmly and waved his finger at her. Andreas gazed up at Blake as he defended him like that.

Makayla turned away, looking hurt.

Makayla: “F-fine, be like that! Let's go, Ashley!”

She sniffled and took Ashley’s hand. Ashley knit their eyebrows.

Blake: “You’re not going off with her!”

He interjected.

Makayla: “You can’t tell Ashley what to do!”

She fired back at him.

Makayla: “Besides… you’re the present under my tree, don’t you agree?”

She sang to Ashley, stroking their tummy, lulling them into a dazed state. Suddenly, she turned on her heel and sat under the tree.

Ashley: “Aww…”

They smiled at her and sat down under the tree with her. Why am I sitting here? She thought.

Makayla: “No more racket, grab your jacket, and let’s go, my cutie-pie.”

She hummed a melodic tune, rising to her feet and grabbing her own jacket from the car, sliding it on. Andreas quirked an eyebrow at Makayla.

Ashley smiled and nodded, heading back inside to grab the jacket. Blake gaped at them.

Blake: “Ashley?! What are you doing?!”

He snapped and went to follow after them. Andreas placed his hand on Blake’s shoulder, stopping him in his tracks. Blake froze to his touch.

Andreas: "Let them go, Blake…”

He said firmly, but gently, giving Ashley a knowing look. Blake turned to him with his mouth agape.

Blake: “WHAT?!”

Andreas grabbed the windchime pendant dangling down and pulled it towards himself.

Andreas: “The more you try to pull something towards you.”

He released it from his grip as it swung away from him.

Andreas: “It will push away from you.”

He explained.

Andreas: “But if you let it go, it will come back to you.”

He added as the pendulum swung back to him.

Andreas: “Ashley needs to see this for themself…My senses tell me they will see the moon for what it is very soon…”

He hummed. Blake sighed and nodded, dreading the thought of losing Ashley.

Ashley ran over to Makayla, wearing the ill-fitting jean jacket Blake detested so much.

Makayla: “Aww, you bring a smile to my face!”

She cooed at them and kissed their cheek.

Blake: “Hmph…”

He pouted and folded his arms across his chest as he watched them get in the car with her.

Blake: “I need a drink.”

He huffed as Makayla roared up the engine and sped away with Ashley.

~

Ashley and Makayla arrived at a single-story, freestanding house constructed primarily of red brick, giving it a warm, traditional feel. It had a hip roof covered with terracotta roof tiles.

A small, slightly elevated front porch was accessible via a short set of brick stairs. The porch had a white metal railing with a zig-zag pattern. The front door was a striking, vibrant red, contrasting sharply with the red brick and white trim. There was a small, awning-like structure over the porch, with a green-striped detail. Two white chairs and a small table sat on the porch.

The house had large, white-framed windows. A prominent picture window dominated the front facade to the right of the entry.

Ashley caught a waft of the barbecued meat sizzling from the backyard and brightened. Makayla grabbed Ashley’s hand and led them up the cement path, snapping them out of their daze.

Ashley: “Whoa!”

They laughed awkwardly. Makayla dragged them up the stairs and barged in through the front door.

Makayla: “I’M HOME!”

She announced, leading Ashley through the archway and into the kitchen. The scent of boiling vegetables, onions, and garlic whetted Ashley’s appetite as soon as they entered the room. The second thing they noticed was the horizontal lines scribbled across the doorframe, marking Craig’s height as he grew up over the years. The kitchen had dated wooden cabinets and linoleum floors that were scuffed at the edges from age and wear.

A middle-aged woman stood at the orange benchtop, cutting up vegetables. She wore her curly blonde hair in a ponytail and wore a dress with cherries on it.

Woman: “AH, MIJA!”

She put down her knife and cooed, wrapping her arms around Makayla. Ashley smiled at them, endeared by her mother’s love and how much they missed theirs.

Makayla: “Hey, Mama! Meet my new boyfriend, Ashley!”

She exclaimed, wrapping her arms around Ashley, showing them off as if they were a prize.

Ashley: “...Boyfriend?”

They gaped at her. The woman’s face lit up.

Celia: “OH? Boyfriend?! That’s wonderful! I’m Celia! Nice to meet you!”

She pulled Ashley in for a tight hug. Ashley’s eyes widened.

Ashley: “O-oh, uh, I’m not a boy!”

They stammered between her tight grip.

Suddenly, they heard screeching tires tear into the driveway, blasting heavy metal.

Makayla: “Here comes the star of the show.”

She muttered.

Celia: “MY BOY IS HERE!”

She clasped her hands and lit up to the blasting heavy metal coming from the lawn. Ashley covered their ears.

Ashley: “Oh dear! How does he hear anything with the music so loud?”

They laughed awkwardly. The music shut off, followed by the slamming metal car door and Craig’s heavy footsteps stomping up the stairs and into the house.

Celia: “HIJA!”

She scurried up to him, pulling him in for a tight hug and showering him with kisses.

Craig: “Muuuuum!”

He groaned, flustered with embarrassment.

“IS THAT MY BIG MAN?”

A deep masculine voice boomed from outside. Makayla groaned as a tall, muscular Latino man entered with a plate full of barbecued steaks. He looked like Craig if he were an aging 1950s Greaser. He wore his blonde curly hair in a pompadour hairstyle, and wore a black shirt with blue jeans and brown boots on his feet.

Craig: “Sup, paps?”

He grinned and gave him a high-five. The man gave him a high-five back.

Celia: “Take your seats, everyone. I will serve your plates.”

She offered.

They headed into the dining room through the archway. It was a small room with a wooden table and a cheap paper Christmas tablecloth thrown over it. At the centre of the table were ceramic snowmen and Santa Claus ornaments with a gingerbread house. Family photos covered the walls, depicting Craig and Makayla as children and teenagers, along with their parents and grandparents throughout the years. A speaker system sat in the corner of the room with the Christmas tree by the window, with various gifts tucked underneath it. The TV sat on the other side of the room, playing reruns of football games from the 1970s.

Their father sat down at the head of the table, under the window, and in view of the TV. Makayla sat away from her father on the other end of the table with Ashley. Craig sat down at the other end of the table, on the other side of Ashley and adjacent to his father. Celia walked around the table, serving up their plates, starting with their father, serving him the biggest piece of steak. He grinned at Craig and swung his gaze to Ashley beside him.

Man: “Ohhh, what’s this? You stopped playin’ the field ‘n ya settling down now, ey? Who’s ya misses, Craig?”

He beamed with delight, nodding to Ashley. Ashley’s eyes widened, and Craig froze.

Makayla: “WHAT? No, Leon, Ashley is MY boyfriend!”

She huffed, grabbing Ashley’s hand. Leon twisted his mouth at her and bellowed with laughter.

Leon: “Very fucking funny. She’s more feminine than you.”

He snorted. Makayla furrowed her eyebrows, and Ashley awkwardly shifted their eyes.

Celia: “Where is Andreas?”

She asked, noticing his absence as she served up Craig’s plate full of steak. Craig’s heart sank.

Craig: “He… had to go see his family in Norway.”

He forced a smile. Ashley tilted their head.

Ashley: “Oh? I thought he broke up with you?”

They scratched their head. Craig’s heart sank. Leon’s jaw dropped, and Celia gaped at them.

Leon: “The fuck do you mean BROKE UP?”

His voice took on a trace of an edge. Craig waved his hands, trying to signal to Ashley. Why is he doing that? They wondered.

Ashley: “Oh, well, Craig thought my brother was trying to steal his man, and then Craig got into a fight with him, and we all got banned from Hellbent! Then Andreas quit the band and broke up with Craig! He didn’t tell you?”

They explained, running their fingers through their hair. Craig went pale as a sheet and grabbed Ashley’s arm, pulling them into him.

Craig: “WAHAHAHA, very fucking funny, sweetheart! Isn’t she SO funny?! My GIRLFRIEND, the comedian!”

He forced a smile and wrapped his big arm around Ashley. Ashley quirked an eyebrow.

Ashley: “...Girlfriend? You’re not even into girls, and I’m not a girl!”

They pouted. Craig covered Ashley’s mouth with his big hand to silence them.

Craig: “SHHHHHH!”

He hissed and glared at Ashley.

Makayla: “HEY! What the hell do you think you’re doing, Craig?!

She snapped at Craig. Ashley awkwardly shifted in their seat.

Leon roared with laughter.

Leon: “Oh, Craig, you sure can pick ‘em. She just about gave me a heart attack!”

He laughed.

Craig: “She was just fuckin’ with ya dad! Ain’t she a beaut?”

He stroked Ashley’s hair. Ashley narrowed their eyes at Craig. Makayla glared at Craig, and a wry smirk spread across her face.

Makayla: “Oh, by the way, Andreas didn’t go back to Norway. He’s living with Ashley and his brother now.”

She smirked. Craig released Ashley from his grip and shot up from his seat in a fury.

Craig: “W-WHAT?!”

He rasped. Ashley caught their breath and knit their eyebrows at her. Why did she tell him that?!

Craig: “WHERE?!”

He paced around the room. Ashley shifted their eyes and sank into their seat. Oh no, Blake and Andreas!

Ashley: “Makayla! Please don’t!”

They knit their eyebrows, grabbing her hand and pleading with her beseechingly.

Makayla: “Right next door to Madelyn on Willowbury Lane! The green weatherboard house!”

She explained. Ashley bowed their head and sighed, looking worried and hurt. Craig barred his teeth.

Craig: “REALLY NOW?!”

He rasped and marched out of the house, slamming the door behind him. Ashley jolted.

Leon: “OI! Ya left your girlfriend behind, Craig!”

He called out for him, gesturing to Ashley. Ashley pouted and folded their arms across their chest.

Celia: “Oh dear!”

She cupped her mouth as she heard Craig’s tires screech as he took off down the street. Makayla sighed happily as the sound grew fainter until he was gone.

Makayla: “Don’t worry, Ashley, now we’re at peace. Now, eat up!”

She cooed at Ashley, stroking their cheek. Ashley turned away from her.

Ashley: “No, we’re not… Why did you do that, Makayla?! Andreas said he wanted nothing to do with Craig, and what if he hurts my brother?!”

They cried and embraced themself. Makayla frowned.

Makayla: “Don’t worry, Ashley, it will be fine. They will work things out, and we will be a band again!”

She assured them, stroking their head.

Ashley: “But–”

Makayla pressed her finger to their lips.

Makayla: “Eat up and be merry… my sweet berry… drink up your sherry, and eat up your dairy.”

She sang to them, stroking their tummy and lulling them into a paralysed state. Suddenly, she grabbed Ashley’s plate and dug into eating their food.

Ashley: “Uhhhh?”

Their head spun with confusion.

~

Craig’s tires screeched as he sped down Willowbury Way.

Craig: “I’M COMIN’ FOR YA ANDREAS!”

He rasped, making a sharp turn onto the property, running over the gate and zooming down the long dirt driveway, kicking up dust behind him. He slammed his foot on the brakes, bursting out of the car and slamming his car door behind him.

Craig: “ANDREAS!”

He hollered out for him.

Blake and Andreas approached the living room window, looking down at him from above.

Blake: “What the hell is that idiot doing here?!”

He growled between gritted teeth and clenched fists.

Andreas: “...Makayla must have told him where I was…”

He twisted his mouth.

Craig: “GIVE ME MY MAN BACK BEFORE I KICK YA ASS, BLAKEY BOY!”

He roared from outside. Andreas knit his eyebrows.

Andreas: “I’m so sorry about this!”

He exclaimed.

Blake: “Don’t worry, I will deal with this…”

He assured him.