Stolen Sunshine

Kel has always been a little pain. It seemed that there were no worries in his childish shaggy head: sheer fun and stupidity. But there was something special about this. He brought an integral contribution, some kind of zest to their company, which, by the way, each of them did. Hero and Mari seemed to be parental figures to the four children, reminiscent of small and ever-active kittens. They kept order, encouraged, amused, made peace, and were simply there to dissuade Kel from trying to become Spider-Man, in an attempt to climb the wall, with Aubrey encouraging him, who did not understand the seriousness, or, on the contrary, to give an idea for entertainment for, again melancholy, Sunny and Basil. Sunny was the baby of the group - the youngest, even if only by a couple of months, the cutest, round-faced and soft-cheeked, the quietest kitten among all, for which each of his friends adored him in his own way. Sometimes Marie simply couldn’t find the willpower to stop pinching Sunny’s cheek and laughing, even when he began to loudly ask her to stop, and finally she ruffled his hair and, still laughing, kissed his long-suffering cheek with her thumb wiping away the small dissatisfied tears that managed to jump out at the corners of his little brother’s eyes. Basil didn't go far - he seemed to be the zephyr of the group. Soft and fluffy, always showing attention and care to friends, being the first to volunteer to help and support. But what was funny about him was that, despite all his shyness, he could not stop talking when it came to plants. Sometimes he finished his stories only when he noticed that the conditional Aubrey had already fallen asleep under his soft and soothing voice. But even then he was not offended - it seemed that he simply did not know how. Kel and Aubrey were special prickles. Friendship cannot exist without quarrels, so it seemed that these two diligently monitored their presence, taking the rap for the whole company at once. They could fight literally over nothing, and then abruptly make up and laugh together again at some stupidity, like the “Pinocchio drowned” joke. And it has always been like this. Such was their happiness.

***

Kel pushed Hero, falling across him only when he gave in and woke up. Last night, Hero was not himself: he was going to go for a “walk” with Mari, as he himself put it, until the whole family unanimously called it a date. All evening he was worried, embarrassed, and denied even when Mom, not sparing her beautiful rose bush, cut several branches for it, choosing the most beautiful buds and, having rid them of thorns, slipped a pretty bouquet to her son. However, a few hours later, Hero returned too excited: he refused to eat dinner, immediately heading to the shower and standing there much longer than usual. And then, assuring that everything went just fine, he immediately went to bed, even ignoring Kel’s request to build a house out of pillows for the night. He slept for a long time. For a very, very long time. Waking up at 10 o'clock in the afternoon, he only had breakfast at his mother's request, after which, asking Kel to take a walk somewhere, he went on to sleep. This was not an ordinary thing for the productive Hero, however, when his mother came to ask him about his well-being, the boy only replied that he was going to get a good night's sleep before Mari's evening concert... Sunny and Mari, to be more precise. That's where it all ended - Mrs. Desoto, understanding what was happening, closed the door on the other side. Hero muttered displeasedly, looking at Kel, who was sprawled across him. He seemed completely sleep deprived, even though he had slept for literally half a day! — What time is it? - he asked, rubbing his eyes with his hands, feeling a headache from oversleeping. — Exactly four o'clock in the evening, the concert is in an hour, mom said that your ironed suit is hanging on a hanger on the closet door! He looked at the closet - yes, exactly. The suit was hanging right there, but the older boy's gaze was as if putting on this suit was pointless. As if it wouldn't be useful today. Pushing Kel off of him, which he was not surprised at, it was common, Hero sat up on the bed, yawning dejectedly and smiling tightly: — Yes, Kel, I’m already getting up. Run to mom and tell her I'll be down in a couple of minutes. His brother ran away, and Hero got up and quickly got dressed, not bothering himself with tying his tie. It won't be useful. Having gone down, the guy headed to the kitchen, where his mother was already flitting around, leaving a plate of sandwiches and a mug of tea on the countertop for her eldest son. After all, Hero had to have a snack. Kissing his mother on the cheek, smiling somehow sadly and guiltily, Hero pulled away, sitting down at the table and taking one sandwich. Nothing went down his throat, but he forced himself, chewing the food with force. He feels bad. He's sick as fuck. Looks like he's about to throw up The stomping could be heard as Kelsey now ran upstairs to put on his trousers and jacket. Kel hated suits, everyone knew that, but today he would do anything to watch his friends perform on stage. How skillfully Sunny will hold the violin and, closing his eyes in concentration, looking unrealistically serious, will move his bow along the strings. His hands will shake, but his bow will feel lighter than feathers, although Kel knows for sure that Sunny’s grip will be so strong that his fingers will turn white from the tension. But he is sure the music will be incredible. Hero took a deep breath and, before he could swallow his food, began coughing. Sirens were heard outside the window. His heart was beating like crazy, he seemed to be throwing himself either hot or cold. Anxiety struck sharply: his vision went dark for a couple of moments, after which Hero inhaled loudly, trying to stop the trembling in his hands. He has nothing to do with it. He has nothing to do with it. He doesn't know what happened. He doesn't know who the ambulance came to. No, not like that. He doesn't know it's an ambulance. Mom looked out the window worriedly, looking worried and even a little scared. — This is an ambulance at Suzuki’s house.. Did something really happen? I'll be right back! - And she came out, and father followed her. Hero tried to control his trembling. It's not him. And not her. It's not them at all. It's accidental, accidental, accidental!! He stood up, following his parents outside, as if he just wanted to make sure his friends were okay. Everything is okay.. The stomp sounded again and Kel literally slid down the railing, already about to listen to his mother scold him, but there was no one in the house. There was a siren noise outside, which Kel heard back in the room, but then he thought that maybe their TV was too loud. Discouraged, the boy went outside. Sirens. Flashing lights. Ambulance at Sunny's house. The crowd and turmoil, in which he did not even immediately find his mother. Approaching closer, his gaze fell on Hero, who was holding the sobbing Marie by the shoulders. Slipped further: onto the ever kind and gentle Mrs. Suzuki, who looked as if she could no longer scream, only trembling in the arms of the stern Mr. Suzuki. Already frightened, he approached his mother, tugging at her hand. "What's happened?" — Darling... - Mom turned around. A gurney covered with a sheet passed nearby. Hanging from the gurney was a pale, tender, painfully familiar hand, which Kel loved to squeeze so much, leading his friend along. — Sunny drowned... The gurney was wheeled into an ambulance. It's getting dark before his eyes Sunny drowned. His Sunny. There's no more sunshine.