*a fresh package containing an aqua and purple cheerleader outfit and pom poms are in his locker with a note* See you in the gym after school, Your Highness ;)
Zel didn’t even break a sweat riding her bike all the way to the Woodland homes area. The chill autumn wind pleasantly breezed past, leaves tumbling in front of her, the weather couldn’t be more perfect.
She didn’t wear a coat, though her jersey was thin, the brisk pace she was riding kept her warm enough. She was about to check her phone to see the exact address Brice had given her, but was saved the trouble when she noticed the familiar, small figure raking up his lawn.
“Is this the Ortega residence?” she called, just a tiny bit breathless from the uphill bike ride
“A little bluebird told me I could find some sugar skulls at this address”
She gave her usual smile and leaned her bike against the sturdy fence as the senior looked up at her
“Oh hey, it’s you! I was just doing some chores real quick lemme just…” dropping the rake, Brice dashed inside the quaint little house and was out again in a second, balancing a tray of decorated sugar skulls, frosted and trimmed in about every color imaginable.
“They’re called Calaveras, they’re made entirely out of sugar and frosting. Told ya Ma had tons leftover… want any?” he asked, holding the tray up to her.
Zel was actually mesmerized by all the skulls’ tiny little details, the intricate patters and designs.
“Thanks for the candy by the way” he nodded to her.
“Hm? Oh yeah, you’re totally welcome” she replied “Gosh these are way too pretty to eat! Well almost way too pretty” she selected a pink frosted skull and carefully placed it on her tongue.
“Mm, thanks Chords, these really are good-”
O_O
Her eyes widened as pure sugar melted in her mouth, a saccharine rush spreading instantly throughout her.
“Wow!” she dizzily held her head, and Brice looked at her in concern.
“Uh, hey you alright?”
“Yeah I’m good- Hey Chords!” she grabbed his rake from the grass “I bet I can make a bigger pile of leaves than you can!” and she started quickly raking up the splotches of autumn colors vibrant against the grass.
Brice blinked, taking a second to process her actions and set down the Calaveras. “Oh, no it’s fine, I got this, I was nearly finished-”
“I’m winning!” the sophomore declared, brushing up the steadily growing mound of fall browns and oranges. Brice just gave an amused smile and retrieved another rake to play along.
And soon enough - amidst teasing and playful taunts - the lawn was swept bare and there were two large heaps of crisp leaves in front of the little home.
“Hm…” Zel looked hard at both piles, nearly equal in size. “Mine’s bigger.”
“Yeah no. Mine is.” Brice motioned to his stack which he’d been working on before she even showed up. But he smiled earnestly at her.
“Though not by too much. Thanks for helping me out, Gorgeous”
Zel again stared at his neat pile. “Hm… you’re right yours IS kinda bigger…” but she turned to him with a mischievous smile “But not for long!”
And she leapt into the mound, scattering his leaves everywhere.
“Hey- no fair!” he protested, but he couldn’t keep the corners of his lips from curving upwards as she resurfaced, flashes of brown and orange stuck to her purple jersey and hair, she looked ridiculous. It was cute.
“What’s not fair?” she asked innocently, and before Brice knew it, a small palm closed around his wrist and he found himself shaking off the crunching sound of leaves as she pulled him into the mound.
“Ay, this is my new coat!” he attempted to stand up and brush himself off. Zel tried to ambush him again with a fistful of leaves to his face but Brice ducked in time and sent a wave of his own at her.
They messed around a little more, just kids being kids, laughing till they were out of breath before Zel finally plopped to the ground, just as leaf-strewn as it was before she showed up.
“Ah sorry Chords… C'mon, round two. And this time I’ll beat you for SURE!” she got up to rake again.
“Don’t count on it~” he stepped up to help her and this time the yard was properly raked.
And just Zel’s luck, Brice had more leaves again
“Heh, looks like I beat you again, Gorgeous” he smirked at her as she pouted in defeat. He chuckled and reached for the tray of sweets and offered it to her again.
“But here, how about consolation prize?”
Zel huffed but she took another pink clad sugar skull anyway, popping it in her mouth. Brice took one himself and they both quietly stood with the sweet taste flooding their mouths. In silence but a comfortable, friendly silence, broken only by the soft rustle of leaves in the autumn wind.
“It’s getting late, and I got a ton of homework” Zel finally said, looking up at the sky, blue streaked with rosy clouds and gold sunbeams “Thanks for the Calaveras, Brice.”
“Thanks for helping me with my chores” he grinned back.
“Hey, I had fun too, even if I lost. But don’t let your guard down, I won’t go easy on you next time” she gave a princess-like pout as she got back on her bike and Brice chuckled again.
“See you at school,” he called as she strapped on her helmet. She flashed him a thumbs up.
“See you!” she answered, waving him goodbye. Brice waved back before dropping his hand, watching her pedal away.
“Hm… interesting girl” he murmured to himself before finally putting away the rakes and going inside, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips.
