SK   WHOO!

SK   GOOD )MORNING,( CAPRI HEIGHTS! CAN YOU FEEL IT?!

You do a lap around the field, whooping and hollering all the way.

SK   THE SKY IS )CLEAR,( AND THE WINDS ARE )HIGH!(

SK   AND I'M FEELING IT!!! THE )SUMMER BREEZE!!!(

SK   AAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

You attempt a series of cartwheel-backflips, though you don't quite execute the third sequential one. But when you fall, you're too busy enjoying the feeling of soft grass on your skin. Even if the wind is knocked out of you for a moment.

SK   (huff) (cough) (huff)

SK   Ciel... (cough) throw me my water!

CE   It's not going to make it that far.

SK   Just do it!

You hear it land on the other side of the field.

SK   Dude. Did you even try?

CE   Do you want the answer to that?

SK   (cough) Fine, chicken bones.

You stand up and walk over to him, picking up the bottle along the way. You're half tempted to pour some of it on him, just to wake him up, but he's got his nose in a book. Wouldn't be nice to ruin it.

CE   Don't.

SK   I would never.

Damn that twin sixth sense. What is it? ESPN? Whatever. You peer over at him and that textbook he's holding.

SK   What'cha reading?

CE   Textiles. 1st edition.

SK   Sounds mind-numbingly intellectual.

CE   It's not that complicated.

CE   Did you know that silk farming is called sericulture?

SK   Why? What does 'seri' mean?

SK   Serrr...ilk?

CE   The Late Latin sēricum. Chinese goods.

SK   So I was sort of right.

CE   (sniff) More like it's as simple as it sounds.

SK   Sounds like you're allergic.

SK   To giving me credit. Butthead.

CE   I'll give it when it's due.

You take a hearty swig of your water, looking out to the field.

SK   You can't sit there all day, y'know.

SK   Don't make me drag you out here.

CE   You've already dragged me out here.

SK   Gosh, I know! Imagine not wanting any of this!

You spread your arms out and do a little spin.

SK   You and Akhi are two boring peas in a pod.

CE   That's not true.

SK   Oh yeah? Then why do you look just like him?

SK   Bookworming it up over there.

SK   You know what they say about the early bird?

You approach him with increasing speed. His eyes widen.

CE   Sky. No.

CE   Not on the grass.

SK   Ha ha. I'm feeling peckish!

SK   Cheep cheep.

He jumps off the bench and scampers to the center of the field.

CE   Stop! I mean it!

CE   Do you know how delicately this fabric has to be cleaned?

SK   Grass stains build character!

CE   No stain is worth character!

CE   And (sniff) the pollen is really bad this season!

SK   It's summer! The pollen's gone, already!

CE   That's )not( how nature works!

You end up chasing Ciel a lap before you decide that he's got his exercise's worth. Plus, if he's too stressed, he starts crying, and that would kind of ruin the morning.

But he's still all sniffly and pouty, so you hand him your bottle.

SK   Here.

SK   It'll all feel better after a drink.

Shooting you a sour look, he takes it and drains it for all its worth. But not before taking a strangely small sip for the last amount.

SK   Aww, you feel better, baby?

He spits the water at you. You shriek like a banshee.

SK   EWW!

SK   That was )SO( uncalled for!!

He has the audacity to mimic your mocking voice, grinning smugly.

CE   Doesn't it make you feel all better?

SK   I'd rather eat grass than your nasty spit!!

CE   Ha ha! What if it builds character?

SK   That's not even funny. You're so dumb.

SK   Oh my gosh, and I saw you gargle that, too!

CE   I was carbonating it.

SK   You. Are. Awful.

CE   That's what you get.

It's just a week until the end of summer break. You can't wake up early and mess around in a field to start the day, anymore. You're going to have to wake up early to go back to classes, tests, and sit-down talks about the future. To the cold reality of adulthood. Then, Ciel's the one who's going to be dragging you there, with an enthusiasm you can't quite muster. But... at least he'll be there.

And when it's warm, you'll be there to drag him back outside again.