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Anemone was walking around the centre of her city. She always enjoyed the amount of voice, loudness and differences in Splatsville. Her favourite part of the city, really. Most of her favourite memories were made here, whether it was hanging out with Hiro and running from people she kept pranking or just taking a nightly stroll during the few hours that Splatsville felt… peaceful.
“...Hiro…” She muttered, her mind plagued with her insecurities and thoughts about him finally moving on from her. She fiddled with the blue bracelet around her hand, it’s a gift that Hiro gave her for her birthday a few years prior. It might sound obnoxious and obsessed but, she tries not to make it sound like that. She’s just.. Upset. She wishes things turned out differently, doesn’t understand why after years of spending time together, going through kindergarten all the way up to their current friend group, 16 years later, he decided that she’s replacable. She wishes she never acted this way, but seeing Hiro slowly stop hanging out with her as much and move onto someone else who she wishes she befriended as closely just… hurts. Immensely so. This pain is so hard to explain.
It’s like knives digging into your heart. Someone you looked up to, shared secrets, ate food together and defended each other, 16 fucking years of memories and joy only to be crushed with the sudden realization that apparently you weren’t enough. Or was she overthinking this? Probably. At least it doesn’t explain the lack of hanging out as much.
As these thoughts plagued her head, she noticed a familiar blue and yellow pairing, hovering over a manhole. Pushing whatever she was thinking aside, she thought to approach them to talk to them. Even if she thinks about all of this, she enjoys hanging out with them. Sure she feels left out or more like a spectator of a friendship but she just enjoys their company.
“Yooooyoyo! What’re you two doing?!” She’d exclaim cheerfully, her tone was always a bright one. She enjoys annoying people, so it was fun for her.
“o-Oh, hey Anne! What are you uhm- doing here?” Veronika said nervously, it was odd seeing them this anxious.
“What are you two doing? Why are you just standing over that thing huh?-” She’d say, about to make a joke, before being cut off.
“Oh no reason really! We were just…” Hiro would place a hand on Veronika’s shoulder, before speaking. “We just wanted to explore whatever’s down there for fun. Just a few minutes really.”
‘Right. Without inviting me, again.’ Anemone thought, before speaking. “Oooh, can I go with you? Please??? I- uh. Miss hanging out, come on!” This sentence alone made Hiro’s eyes widen a little. Thing is, it was such a little detail that nobody would’ve noticed except for Anne, as she was good with small details, this confused her slightly.
“....No. Sorry, we just uh. Wanted to explore alone really, we had plans-”
“Why?” Anemone cut Veronika off suddenly. What was she doing? She’s said to not want to confront them or make a big deal, has she just had enough? It isn’t anything though, she’s overthinking it, right?
Vero stopped, examining Anemone’s face. She was obviously puzzled, as Anne was never the confrontative type. “Why not this time?”
“Anne, come on, it’s not like that.”
“Nono, you aren’t answering me. It’s obvious it’s like that, as this is like the 50th time you’ve said the exact. same. excuse. What’s the fucking problem, genuinely?” She’d pause, waiting for a response. Instead, she gets silence.
“Talk already! I want to know what I did or if I’m some kind of pest you’re trying to get rid of? You’ve held me in this limbo state for practically a year now and I can’t figure out whether we’re friends anymore or not. I genuinely don’t know what the fuck is up with you two anymore!”
Anne’s sudden outburst towards the both of them left Hiro and Veronika shocked. She picked up on this, she probably realised that it was never like that, or that they never noticed, but it was too late to go back now. She’s either fucked up or finally letting go.
After a period of time, Hiro spoke up. “...sorry, i didn’t know. Really, I didn’t, I thought we were just.. Okay to…” He tried saying something, an excuse or anything similar but he couldn’t think of anything.
“Okay for not inviting me all of the time? Okay for basically ostrasizing me every fucking time we’re outside? You two bickering and talking whilst I just sit in silence wishing I never even came outside?! Never being one of the first choices anymore nor a topic for conversation? Nooo, I’ve genuinely had enough!”
She’s yelling now, tears swelling in her eyes. She doesn’t like yelling, but she’s extensively upset.
Now moving her blue bracelet off of her hand, clenching it in her arm and tossing it at Hiro. “Keep your shitty souvenir then! Go have fun you two, I’m done trying and suffering to be friends with both of you when it’s obvious that neither of you care or want to.”
She’d turn to storm out, taking a few steps before being grabbed by the arm by Veronika. She promptly shoves their hand off, yelling out a loud “FUCK OFF.” before fully running away.
…
It’s been days since this incident. Her friends have been calling but she hasn’t returned any calls, only leaving her apartment to buy food. She can’t live like this and will need to face her friends once more soon, but… She wants to be ready this time. She can’t tell whether she fucked up or if this was the right decision. Only time will tell, I guess.