I Fell in Love with Hope - Lancali

Hikari sits against the stone wall, a little black ball of fur in her arms.
Sony’s cat climbs onto C’s stomach, purring as she scratches her
head against the stubble on his chin.
C doesn’t talk much today. Blood pools beneath his eyes in purple, a
pellucid shade on his lips. Hikari brings up blankets for us to cuddle
under while we contemplate the gray skies and relish in a little
music.
Neo and Sony come up later, stolen beer and candy in their arms.
We lap at the foam and smell the fetid liquid. C shows bottle’s rim to
Hee, earning a gag and a sneeze from the feline. We all chuckle,
chewing on tart, sour, and sugary gas station sweets.
“We’re escaping so soon,” C says, his voice too rough to be his.
Neo cuddles him, nuzzled into his chest, legs tucked. He burrows
under the blanket, face squished. Old albums stream from C’s phone
while Sony slow dances with Hee.
“We still have to decide where we want to go,” Neo says.
“Everywhere,” Sony laughs. “Let’s go everywhere.”
“You have an every addiction, Sony,” Hikari says.
“I want to see everything before I die,” Sony whispers, leaning down
and pressing her forehead to Hikari’s.
“You will.” Hikari tucks bright red strands behind Sony’s ear.
“Neo.” Sony releases the cat back to C’s care. She reaches for the
little writer, only just peeking out. “Dance with me.”
Neo crawls further into the blanket. “I don’t dance.”
“You dance all the time.” Sony rips the blanket off and snatches Neo
by the wrists. “Physical therapy time.”