The luggage Maya took from her father instantly jerked her arm downward with its weight. Geez, did Katie really need to bring so much stuff just for one week? Then again, she’s always been a little… excessive. But cute girls were all a bit excessive in their own way, Maya thought, puffing her cheeks out as she pulled another piece of luggage under her arm. Carrying her things… Sigh. It would be a long walk back to the inn. She didn’t mind that though, because the longer the walk, the more she could talk with Katie! Turning, Maya fell into step next to her cousin (leaving Jake and Colleen behind to pay the carriage and take care of anything else).
“You gotta get settled, first!” Maya said, surprised that the trip itself didn’t wear her out. Or, maybe it wasn’t so surprising. Katie always did have a lot of energy when it came to this kinda thing—they matched in that way! Maya smiled at the memories of them as kids getting into shenanigans.
“Did you even eat anything on your way over here?” The notion of Katie skipping a meal was simply unthinkable.
“If you wanna get big and strong like me, you should have at least three meals a day and never forget to bring a snack or two with you. ♡” She flashed a smile, balancing the luggage in her hands and even going so far as to lift them up as proof of her muscular superiority. But sadly, she only had two very strong arms. If she had a third one, Maya would be able to dig into her apron pockets to check for goodies. She usually had a couple of spare treats tucked away… Guess snacks would have to wait until they got home.
Crossing the bridge and following the path toward the farms, Maya craned her neck up and inhaled deeply, taking in the cool breeze and sunshine.
“How much everything’s changed…” she repeated from earlier. “Well, actually, things haven’t changed much!” As if on cue, cow nearby moo’d, and Maya let out a giggle.
“I mean, we did get some new resident farmers! And, um…” But did that really count as a change, getting new residents? Castanet was still mostly the town it’s always been. Sure, there were weird happenings here and there… But it was still quiet. Still by the oceanside. It had the same familiar shops and the same familiar fashions… The Mayor still came for dinner every Wednesday at 6 o’clock on the dot, Luke still got lost in Fugue Forest at least once a season… As for Maya herself? She still worked at the inn, still sucked at cooking, still was as clumsy as ever. A small frown etched its way onto her face. Huh. Was she really not different at all from four years ago? The thought burrowed itself into her mind like a centipede, each little leg a different insecurity tickling her brain and making it tingle all over. She hasn’t changed. She hasn’t grown at all. She’s not close to being an independent adult yet.
Maya glanced at Katie. She was the shorter of the two. The youngest. And yet she’s been alone all these years, never asking for help or running back to her family because she couldn’t solve a problem. Life pushed her down and she fell onto her two feet, not letting herself hit the ground. Between the two of them, it seemed that Katie was actually the more mature one. Even after she was orphaned, she managed to have that pretty smile on her face. Sure, it may have taken her four years to come back to show that smile again, but in that time…
“What about you?” Maya asked. “It’s been so long! Has anything special happened since we last stopped talking?” Inching closer to her, the Maya grinned as she nudged Katie with her elbow.
“You know, any new jobs, new friends… a boyfriend, maybe?” She couldn’t help the way her smile spread knowingly. Katie was always popular with the boys and it wouldn’t shock her if that were the case. Maya looked away, heaving a sigh before she could even answer.
“Oh, I should’ve guessed it was a boy that kept Katiekins so busy~” They were approaching the bridge to town now, and her eyes filled with the fake weeping that came so easily to her. By the time she looked back to Katie, her turquoise irises glimmered in the sunlight with unshed crocodile tears.
“I can’t believe that he stole you away from me~”
Katie giggled and began to tease her cousin playfully. “Maya’s got a boyfriend, Maya’s got a boyfriend!” She stuck her head in the door of the inn, looking for someone who may be working. “Excuse me? Can anyone tell me who the lucky man is that’s dating my cousin?”
A slight tugging feeling of guilt rose in her chest as she watched Maya shift the luggage between her arms, trying to get comfortable. Katie would be the first to admit that when it came to packing she didn’t exactly pack, well um, light. Anyone could visually gather that she was not someone who’s fashion choices were light clothing pieces. The skirts of her lolita dresses and the weight of the shoes she wore weren’t exactly light. She made most of her own clothes, so she knew better than anyone how heavy a couple layers of tulle could get. Turning to her cousin, Katie gave her cousin a small apologetic simple.
“H-Hey Mai! You know I can help you carry those!” Katie smiled, putting out a hand to catch one of the bags that looked like they were about to fall. Yet, as she knew that Maya was always trying to show how big and strong she was, Katie just helped her readjust the bag and the two kept on walking.
A small giggle escaped her lips. “Settled in?” She shifted her head to the side, auburn curls falling into place. “I’m already settled in! You’re here right? That’s all I need to feel at home. It’s nice to be home!”
Yet, as if her elder cousin mentioning food was a trigger, a stomach growl surfaced itself aurally. “Aha… I guess you caught me! I was a little nervous about the trip and I uh… Forgot to pack snacks.” Bashfully, the younger of the girls put a hand behind her head as she giggled awkwardly.
“We both know that I’m not getting any bigger any time soon. Hey, we both know I probably won’t get any bigger at all! You definitely won that gene in our family.”
Eyes lit up at the sight of the cow, her heart almost taking the lead and moving her body without permission. Katie moved quickly towards the nearby fence, her steps moving from a regular walking place to almost a skip. Standing herself up on a nearby fence, eyes peered over at the animal that couldn’t help but find absolutely adorable. “Cows! Aren’t they just the cutest things ever! We got a few farmers that moved into Flowerbud, and they have sooo many cows! And sheep! And some little pigs too!” Katie began recalling. Flowerbud was such a big place that every district had their own farm. Sometimes she would sit by the fences and read her books next to the animals. Yet, there had been a few times where she had seen the farmers approaching her and she ran. Didn’t wanna get caught being reckless afterall.
Yet, in comparison, Flowerbud kept getting bigger. Castanet however, it just seemed to be the same, quaint town that she had known as a kid. To some people, maybe that was a bad thing. Yet, to Katie, it was the familiarity that made her feel like she was coming home after so many years. Not having felt at home since her parents, it was nice. It felt good to feel at home once more.
“Ah, you should know me by now, I’m not that exciting! I still waitress at most of the cafes in Flowerbud, I live by myself now. I was living with Grandfather Wallace up until I turned eighteen a year ago, but it felt best to spread my wings and move out on my own, y’know? It’s been really goo-”
Her heart skipped a beat, embarrassed by even the mention of a boyfriend. Hands shielded her blushing cheeks as she turned to Maya exasperatedly. “Boyfriend? What do you mean boyfriend? Me? Have a boyfriend? That’s got to be insane!”
Katie’s tone softened a little, her voice still holding a slightly embarrassed tone. “Why would I ever let a boy come between us, Mai? If I had a boyfriend you’d be the first to know! That’s a promise.”
The two of them were now standing out front of the inn, as if the time had flown by. Despite the path itself being so long, Katie felt that time always passed too quickly with Maya. Life was always fun with her around, and it was moments like this that made her realise that she was one of her most cherished and best friends. Of course, she was her cousin too which was honestly even more of a bonus!
“Besides, we all know you’re the one who’d get a boyfriend before me! Is that why you’re bringing up boys? Mai has a boyfriend?”
Katie giggled and began to tease her cousin playfully. “Maya’s got a boyfriend, Maya’s got a boyfriend!” She stuck her head in the door of the inn, looking for someone who may be working. “Excuse me? Can anyone tell me who the lucky man is that’s dating my cousin?”