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)

CE   ...

SK   Ciel! 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. You sit up incredulously.

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.

CE   Don't.

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

CE   Did you know 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. To giving me credit. Butthead.

CE   I'll give it when it's due.

SK   That's a lie. You've never given me credit.

CE   I said what I said.

Ignoring the urge to dump water on him (again), you take a hearty swig from your bottle instead. When you look out to the field, the early morning mist fading into a daylight sheen, you feel re-invigorated. How can he take such a view for granted?

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   That doesn't count. I mean, on the field.

SK   Can't you at least do a lap or something?

CE   Why?

SK   Geez!

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

You spread your arms out and do a little spin. Meanwhile, Ciel's face grows sour.

CE   That's not true.

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

CE   Genetically, I look more like you.

SK   But you've got your nose in books, which is definitely not in my DNA.

SK   So, some Akhi must've snuck in there.

SK   Nerd cells. Stuffy scarf cells. Ha.

CE   ...

CE   I'm not like him.

You shrug, hoping to alleviate some of the tension. Ciel acts like just because he's gone, you can't bring him up at all. But doesn't he know that doing that is way weirder? Being casual about it means it hasn't affected you as much.

SK   Whatever.

SK   Point is, you're a big ol' bookworm.

SK   Bookworming it up over there.

SK   ...

SK   And you know what they say about the early bird?

Your mouth starts creeping up at the corners. His eyes widen.

CE   Sky. No.

CE   Not on the grass.

SK   Ciel, I'm feeling peckish ~!

SK   Cheep cheep.

As you approach the bench, he jumps off and scampers to the center of the field.

CE   Sky, this isn't funny.

SK   Cheep cheep cheep.

CE   Stop! I mean it!

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

SK   Laundry tags are for nerds!

SK   Grass stains build character!

CE   No stain is worth character!

You're slowly building up speed, relishing in the apprehension behind his eyes.

SK   I know those skinny legs are good for something!

SK   Rev 'em up, bookboy!

CE   Sky...!

CE   (sniff) The pollen is really bad this season!

CE   You're going to make me sick!

SK   It's almost autumn! The pollen's gone, already!

CE   That's )not( how seasons work!

SK   Raahh! Gimme that silkworm grub!

You end up chasing Ciel a lap around the field before collapsing into a coughing fit, retreating to your bottle. Still wary, he lingers a distance away from you as you recover. Eventually, both of you return to the bench. You can never play around with him for too long, because there's only so much he can take. Plus, if he's too stressed, he starts crying, and that would kind of ruin the morning.

SK   Wasn't that great?

CE   (sniff) Now I'm all sweaty.

SK   That's on you for layering up.

SK   I could wear a tank top in this weather!

CE   That's because you're a freak of nature.

SK   Ha. At least I'm a part of it.

SK   You only bother with the outside when it's sad and cold.

CE   That's nature too.

SK   Barely.

CE   You don't get it.

CE   The way bare trees look all skeletal, almost resembling their roots...

CE   And the sensation of seeing the first snow of the season.

CE   Gentle, but all-encompassing, blanketing the world.

CE   It's nature. You can't deny it.

SK   Bleh.

SK   Just because you can come up with fancier words doesn't mean you're better.

CE   I'm not saying it's better.

CE   It's just another kind of it. The other side.

CE   And I prefer it to all this. (sniff)

You hand him your bottle as he sniffles.

SK   Here.

SK   It'll all feel better after a drink.

Shooting you a glare, he takes it and drains it for all its worth.

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.

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.