It seems everybody agrees that Sony moving away from physical media for their games is absolute bullshit.
But if I were to suggest that this is the natural endpoint of what was started by Valve when it destroyed physical media for pc gaming, suddenly, I'd be in the wrong and a heretic.
If only if only the woodpecker sighs the bark on the tree was as soft as the sky why the wolf waits below hungry and lonely he cries to the moon if only if only
I made this fanfic after someone dared the Game Changer fans to make fanfics of the "On a Bus" minis. So here's mine. I've decided to anthropomorphize these characters. And set them in a modern day setting. So here it is.
This is from the perspective of one of the characters. It's very long. About 4.1k words. Enjoy.
Lindy Lint was pacing about in her palatial apartment in North Hollywood. She's waiting for her friends to come. They'll be here any moment.
This was always THE hangout for their group since their college days. Oh how the laughter and desperation of college students trying to get their degrees still puts a smile on her face. She could look at any spot and remember stupid arguments over which singer was overrated, laughing over which professor was sleeping with who.
These days, she can't bear to stay here. It is so painfully silent. But I guess that's what happens when four college students have to live their lives in the adult world. And it's even harder on Lindy, considering the state of things.
Let's start at the beginning.
It was freshmen orientation at Fancy-Smancy University. Lindy was dressed in full college branded clothes. Even though she was the heiress to the Lint fashion empire, she wanted to come off as a normal college student. So she went to the college store and bought herself an entire wardrobe out of college branded clothes. Hoodie, sweats, bandana, socks, backpack, even a temporary tattoo. She wanted to be clocked as normal, if only for a little while.
She was given a group number, six, and was told where to meet them. Lindy didn't know that she would meet her dearest friends. Armie Manning was a straight-laced, dry humor man who felt stiff but would later warm up to you if you shared his interests. Topson Hatter was the child of free spirit parents, a party animal through and through and always trying new experiences. And then, then there was her, Manda Marigold. She was the daughter of working class parents who got into university through scholarships, student loans, and second jobs. She was usually busy with her jobs but always made time for the group. Their senior ambassador, Dice-suke Davenport, was a kind and friendly man, answering their questions, paying for their meals, and always being available to them.
Some people attribute seeing their crush for the first time with the fluttering of hearts, light music, and birds tweeting. But for Lindy, the only thing she could think about seeing Manda was that she was in the most hideous blue sweater imaginable. In fact, the first words out of her mouth was "Wow, you're just a Bluey, aren't you." Anyone else would have been insulted but Manda just laughed. That laughter drew her in. From then on, she would only call her Bluey.
The four of them became a bonafide squad. They took their gen ed classes together and had regular hangouts at the cafeteria or the quad to catch each other up on classes. Lindy had never found a group of people that she connected so completely. The kids at her boarding school were always up their own asses about their wealth. And the people father brought as part of his own efforts to schmooze his way into deep pockets were all boring and self-important. Being friends with the three of them was just easy. And she felt comfortable telling her big secret to them, that she was an heiress. It was incredible. Manda, Armie, and Topson didn't freak out or use her for money like others had tried. In fact, they were all willing to pay their share.
It was the end of freshman year when Lindy invited them over to live with her for the rest of their time in college. And they accepted. Living with them was great, much better than living alone.
Sophomore year became more challenging to meet up on campus as their easy gen ed requirements were done and now they had to do their degrees. Armie, a communications major, was working on project after project. Topson was sampling class after class, saying that he wants the universe to give him a sign on what he should do. Lindy went for her MBA, mostly because of father's wishes.
And Manda went for her pre-law degree. Lindy had asked if Manda really wanted to be a lawyer because she didn't really seem like the type. Manda would say that it wasn't what she really wanted to do but that she needed to make college count for her. What she really wanted to was be a writer. She loved writing fanfics and her dream job was to be a writer. Lindy did look up what she wrote was impressed by how immersed she was in Manda's worlds. And she did love that she signed her name MandaM, which she shortened to M&M later when she lost access to her account and she made to make a new one.
It was Spring Break where everything changed for Lindy. They spent time along the Californian shoreline and rented a camper for the week. After a day of getting extremely tan and slightly underaged beach night drinking, it happened. Topson and Armie were sound asleep, leaving Manda and Lindy tending the dying fire.
Maybe it was the alcohol or maybe it was the relief of not struggling with classes. But Lindy looked Manda in the eyes and, with the backdrop of the tide receding and crackling fire, leaned in close.
"Bluey, what are we doing," Lindy whispered.
It was a deep kiss. Each of them drunk off of the alcohol as well as the feeling of lips against each other. It felt, in a word, good. In more than one word, Lindy had never felt more alive than she did when she was kissing Manda. But then, Armie stirred and the two moved away from each other.
The two were awkward around each other the rest of the trip. The kiss was never brought up. Armie had no idea why the two of them were acting that way. But Topson knew. He was so sick of them dancing around their feelings. At the end of their trip, he went over to Lindy and told them to just admit she had romantic feelings for Manda.
That was the push Lindy needed. After the trip and dropping Armie and Topson off, she drove the camper back to the rental place with Manda.
"Bluey, can we talk about the kiss?" Her voice was small, much smaller than normal.
Manda looks at her. There's a vulnerability in her eyes that Lindy had never seen before. Manda was always focused on her goal that it was very difficult to relax. Even during their Spring Break, Manda spent an hour or two before bed to work on some project. But now, there's nothing to distract them.
"If we do, it means acknowledging that things are going to change." Manda was trying to give the both of them an out. Too bad for her, Lindy won't let her.
"It can change for the better. You never know. But if you want to forget it, we can forget it."
Manda looks like she's debating. "I... uh.... I don't want to forget."
Lindy's smile breaks out on her face slowly. She hadn't thought she would be with someone like Manda. But, of course she would be drawn by her hard working, cool nature.
The two of them became a couple and announced their relationship to their friends. And everything fell into place. Topson and Armie were super supportive. And Dice-suke was happy for them as well. Everything seemed to fall into place, like a college movie where the rich kid falls in love with the working class kid. And, at graduation, they would share a kiss with their friends by their side and the movie would fade to black with "Perfect Day" playing in the background.
What they don't tell you about in those movies is that the relationship still has to continue after the end credits roll.
Topson didn't graduate college. He didn't like anything that required a degree so he dropped out and went to trade school and became an HVAC specialist. It was harder for him to be a part of the group after switching schools in the middle of Junior Year but they managed. But he moved to Portland, Oregon a year after the rest graduated and he found himself on the outside.
Armie finished his communications degree and was snapped up by an East Coast firm immediately as a branding consultant. He went into this job bright-eyed and eager, believing he was a fresh breath of air into this company that was filled with old fogies. The crushing expectations of the job eventually got to him and he became withdrawn. Although he still communicated with the four, it became obvious that he was giving one-word answers.
Lindy and Manda moved in together. They figured they could make a life for each other. And for a year and a half, they did. They lived the perfect post-college relationship. They made a life for themselves in Lindy's studio apartment and Manda got a job in a law office while putting herself through law school. Lindy, who got her degree because father wanted her to, didn't really have to work. She got a job in the family business as a company influencer, promoting the clothes that she wore on a daily basis.
This is when the cracks started to show.
Lindy was out living the heiress life, traveling from city to city. When she wasn't home, she was on a private jet with celebrities and models. She was always hosting midnight parties with champagne and rave lights. In contrast, Manda was getting swamped with trying to manage work and school, leaving no time for a relationship. Lindy had begged her to come with her on a backpacking trip through Asia or come with her to a company dinner. But Manda was mired in her own problems. She didn't have time to just hang out.
Their relationship was no better. Lindy was the kind of person who preferred solving her problems with money. Why bother cooking when she can just get delivery? Why bother cleaning when she can hire a maid? She has the money; why not use it to stop thinking about her problems. She just wished that Manda would rely on her more. Lindy knew that being a lawyer wasn't what Manda wanted and that she only took up that job because it was a high paying job. All Bluey needed to do was say the word and she could stay as a writer with all of her needs met.
As for Manda, she was so stressed out that she ended up using her spare money on microwave meals and instant ramen. And she began to hate the way Lindy just throw money at things. Even though Manda knows that Lindy would always help her if she asked, she hated asking. She hated the feeling of relying on her. She wanted to stand as an equal. Her writing account had been abandoned. She didn't have the time to put into it any more.
They may have been in a relationship but they were living separate lives.
Small arguments that could have been solved through communication snowballed into bigger ones. Lindy called her a killjoy and said they don't spend time together anymore. Manda, for her part, called her a nepo baby who didn't have to work for what she had. It was awful.
The breaking point was when Lindy's father died. There was confusion over who was going to run his empire. Lindy wanted Manda to come to the funeral but Manda couldn't get off work. She remembers when their relationship shattered.
"Manda, please. I need you," Lindy cried. "I can't do this alone."
"I'm sorry. I really am. But I can't take off right now. I have an important exam coming up and a work assignment that needs to be done." Manda was trying to be sympathetic but she was in her own bad place right now.
"Someone I loved died and my partner is nowhere to support me. Do you even love me, Manda? I pay for everything here, the apartment you live in, the food you eat, the car you drive. What are you doing for me?"
"Don't play the 'How much you love me' game, Lindy. I can't just drop my responsibilities. You're basically asking me to fail. We all don't have the life you have, living off of daddy's money." It was out of her mouth before her brain registered it. In fact, it took her a full ten seconds, the longest ten seconds of her life, to really digest what she really said. "Lindy...." She tried to get an apology out but it was too late.
"You must be happy now that daddy is dead. I don't have daddy to back me now." Lindy burst out in tears, both from the harsh words and all the emotions she was feeling from everything.
Manda realized that they were two different people that had incompatible lives. Love wasn't enough to save their relationship. It was time to go. "Lindy, I'm sorry. I really am. I think this is no longer working. I'll be out of here before you come back."
Lindy left that day to go to her father's funeral. And true to her word, Manda was gone by the time she came back. She left Lindy a very heartfelt letter. In it, she spent lines apologizing for blowing up at her and not supporting her in her time of need. She also said that the time they spent together were some of her best years. One last thank you and goodbye and that was the last thing Manda Marigold had said.
Lindy found herself in an apartment all alone. Her dad passed away. Her friends are distant. And her partner broke up with her in spectacular fashion. She found herself adrift, purposeless. She didn't feel like going to parties. Her clothes made her feel gross. She spent hours a day just lying in bed. She didn't bathe. She didn't clean. Wallowing in self-pity was a full-time job.
It took Lindy six months before she decided to do something. The first thing was to divest herself of her father's clothing empire. She stepped down as the heir apparent for one of her relatives but kept the salary and stock options. She wanted to do something that helped people.
And she found it helping homeless and runaway teens in the greater Los Angeles area through a non-profit outreach program. She stepped in as a minimum way worker, connecting people with resources. And every six months, Lindy would anonymously give a million dollar donation to the program she works for. The look on her director's face when they received another check that could help many helpless youths put a smile on her face.
A year passed in her new job and Lindy felt a satisfaction she had never felt. She loved helping kids both with her money and her efforts. Job satisfaction was all she had these days, though. She stepped away from the fashion world to such an extent that people believed she died, with the wildest being in a drug-fueled orgy. Her coworkers are nice but her relationships with them are shallow. And as for dating, she tried to get on dating sites. But there was something that prevented her from doing so.
Lindy felt nostalgic for the old days. So she went on social media and checked up on her college friends. Topson was doing great. He was enjoying life. The trades have been good to him. He seems to have a great work-life balance if his trips in the Oregon Wilderness are anything to go by. And Armie left his marketing job and is working for a national news network. He seems much happier than he was years ago. He seems to have recently got a girlfriend.
Manda, she saved for last. She felt a bit icky checking up on an ex, especially how it ended. But after a day, she opened her social media. It appears that she left law altogether and works in an artisan sweets shop. There are videos of her making chocolate and dipping wafers in them. Or her explaining how to tell if your chocolate is too sweet. But on a separate post, she tells her followers that she finally got a book published. Lindy went to look it up. "Mars and Reese take on the Milky Way" by M&M was just moderately successful but it was a foot in the door for her old friend, Bluey.
Everyone seems to be doing good without being in each other's lives. And that hurt. Lindy missed the days where the four of them could just goof around, talking about the latest movie or show. Or just listen to music while eating greasy pizza and lounging about. Maybe it's the nostalgia talking but she wishes she could see them again.
A month later, a letter came to her address. It was from their senior rep Dice-suke, inviting her to his wedding in three months. It was an all-expense paid trip to Bora Bora. Lindy was happy for him and went to RSVP. She noticed that Topson, Armie, and Manda had all RSVP-ed yes. There's a moment of hesitation seeing those names. Lindy wasn't sure at first, considering the state of things. But she really wanted to support Dice-suke. So she said yes.
Ten days passed when Lindy's phone buzzed. It was Armie on their old group chat. He said he's glad the four of them would see each other again and that they could use some time before traveling to catch up. Topson and Manda agreed. Lindy smiled. The gang was getting back together. Lindy invited them to stay at her place the day before the flight to catch up, for old times sake. Topson and Armie readily agreed. Initially, Manda said no. And Lindy was okay with that. However, the guys pushed and Manda couldn't say no. So she agreed. With that, the group chat came alive with updates on each others' lives.
Of course, it took Lindy a moment to remember that she was going to have to interact with Manda again. She started getting nervous palpitations and spent the rest of the time trying to calm herself. It's just some old friends coming to visit. Yeah sure, one of those old friends was her ex, the ex that she had a huge fight after the death of her father, which was the catalyst of their breakup. But it's been years. She should move on. She could move on. She could totally move on. Totally. Not going to be difficult at all. No way this was going to be weird.
And that's were things stood until today, the day before their flight. Armie came first. He had the longest trip of them all but he was the first to arrive. Armie put on a few pounds but the shaved look on his face made him look a bit younger than he did in his pictures. Lindy smiled and greeted him. Topson came next. He decided to drive the several hours instead of getting a plane like the free-spirit he always was. He brought beer and munchies, greeting her like they hadn't been out of contact for years. Manda was last. She had to finish her last shift before vacation. For Lindy, opening that door felt like stepping into the past.
Manda looked like she did on that first day of orientation. She didn't have the bags under her eyes. She didn't have a cross look on her face. Her skin was even glossy.
"Hello, Manda." Lindy hoped that there was no awkwardness in her voice.
"Hello, Lindy. It's good to see you again." Manda's voice had no lingering sarcasm and it felt like she was genuinely happy to see her.
And Lindy invited her inside.
It was just like old times. Lindy thought it would be awkward but they quickly got back into the groove. Even around Manda, who Lindy thought it would be the hardest to feel at ease around, there was no awkwardness, no mention of their failed relationship. They were just four friends, reconnecting after years of being apart. Manda, Topson, and Armie talked about their jobs while Lindy admittedly was quiet about hers. She was happy that they had jobs they liked. None of them asked about hers. It wasn't like she was ashamed of hers. She just didn't feel like bragging.
Topson and Armie soon passed out while Lindy cleaned up. Manda asked if she could help and she agreed.
"Lindy, can we talk?"
Can we talk? Three words that had so much depth and pain to it. Lindy didn't really want to but she also didn't want there to be any awkwardness at Dice-suke's wedding.
"What should we talk about?" Lindy will dance around the issue unless Manda was direct. This was not a conversation she was ready to handle.
"I am really sorry how we left things."
Lindy nods, not trusting herself to speak.
Manda continues. "When I said what I said, I was angry at myself. I hated my job and the stress it put me under. I hated the burden of supporting my family." She sniffles and wipes her tears on her shirt. "For some time in our relationship, I hated how easy you had it. And I hated how you never helped."
"But Manda, I..." Lindy didn't get to finish before she was interrupted.
"I know. You did try to help. But I was too proud to accept it. I didn't want a handout. And honestly, I wanted to be mad at you for not helping. That's what I've been discussing with my therapist. They told me that you were an easy target of the anger I felt at my situation."
Lindy starts to tear up herself.
"And I learned," Mandy continues, "that I was in a perpetual cycle of victimhood. I was taking on too much stress from having a full time job I never wanted and being a full time student for a degree I didn't want to do anyways simply because it would provide me and my family money. And I was eating unhealthily because I was stressed. And I know I had you as a lifeline if I only asked but I didn't want to feel like an accessory to your life. I wanted to stand as your equal. And that was my fault."
"I think I share some of the blame too," Lindy admits. "I was so used to having everything at my fingertips that I didn't realize you were struggling. I closed my eyes and didn't stay at home so I could easily ignore that you weren't doing well."
There's a moment of silence where the two of them acknowledge how they both failed the relationship. It's very humbling.
Lindy is the first to break the silence. "I no longer work for my father's company."
"Really? What do you do now?" Manda was curious. Lindy hadn't said anything about her job while they were catching up.
"After dad died, I think I was just lost. And it took some time but I work at a non-profit, providing assistance to at risk teenagers. I also use the money I have to fund it anonymously."
"Wait, are you saying that you not only work in the field, you're also giving them money. That's incredible, Lindy."
Lindy allows herself to crack a smile. "I don't think it's anything like that. I just realized that my money is better spent serving people who don't have as much as me. I find it more rewarding than gallivanting to fashion shows."
"I'm glad that you do." She pauses for a second and then continues. "I've finally written a book."
"Really? Incredible. I'll need to grab a copy."
Manda's small smile still makes her feel fluttery. Even now, when they've been apart for so long and their explosive breakup, the feelings were still there, buried but beating.
"Listen," Manda says after a space. "I hope there's no awkwardness between us. We don't have to be friends if you aren't up for it but I hope that we can at least be civil around each other. But I can understand if you can't."
Lindy shuffles on her feet. "If there was any lingering awkwardness, I wouldn't have offered to invite everyone to my house." She offers her hand and Manda takes and shakes it. "Now we should go to bed. We got an early flight."
With that, the two former lovers went to bed.
Morning comes and everyone gets ready. The bus Manda reserved is waiting for them downstairs.
"A pink bus, Lindy?" Topson laughs at the absurdity of the bus's color.
"I didn't really plan it like that," Lindy replies. "Now let's go. We have a flight to catch."
Lindy, Topson, Armie, and Manda put their luggage onto the bus, preparing to head to the airport. Bora Bora and the wedding of a dear friend awaits. The trip that could reignite their friendship awaits.
But they had no idea the adventure they would undertake would be a perilous one.
