Summertime

We're saying our goodbyes to Jeff and Cheska right now. Having them visit us was wonderful, and they were model guests. We're sad to see them go, but they have places to go and asses to kick. We're sending them home with hugs and some vegemite and hopefully some good memories. Something to hold onto when things get shitty.

Today is my favourite kind of weather. Sunny, yes, but really windy. The sort of wind that tears at your hair and clothes, rips leaves from trees and sends them dancing through the air. There's a window on the second floor tall enough for me to stand in, so I just stand on the sill, grab the frame and stand there. There's a deck/balcony thing outside (the next room has a door out onto it) so if I slip no harm done, but it's an amazing views. Streets, trees, houses, a sprawling city of 1.4 million people going about their everyday lives, unaware of the undercurrent of destruction in their everyday lives. It's influence, stripping people of any identity they have other than in relation to It.

I've done this before and I'll do it again.

Assertion. Thank you, Jean.

My name is Genevieve Marianne Sullivan. I am twenty years old. My favourite colours are blue and green. My parents are Marianne O'Flaherty and Benjamin Sullivan. I have an older brother, Jonathan, and a younger sister, Elaine. I was born in Rotorua, raised in Auckland. I work as a cook in a restaurant. I'm a college student, just about to enter my final year. I love cats, always have, can't comprehend life without them, not really a dog person. I had a shitty time at school until about halfway through middle school when I plucked up the courage to make some friends. High school was awesome and I have fond memories of it. I'm in love with   a guy I found trekking to school a while after the start of term covered in mud and looking like the most lonely person in the world nearly five years ago. I read, write godawful eldritch poetry, dance, and cook in my spare time.

(My name is Chester Matenga-White. I don't have a middle name. I'm nearly twenty-one. My parents are Janine Matenga and Lucian White. I'm an only child, and an Aucklander through and through. I hated school until 5th Form, when after nearly 16 years of reaching out someone finally reached back for me. I met a bunch of people who weren't stupid, weren't rascist, and had the same interests as me. I work as a waiter at the same restaurant as Vivi. I love science, I have a massive collection of science documentaries, although my love for science is closely contested by my love for the performing arts. I'm not afraid of the unknown, because all there is to combating it is to have curiousity, which I have in spades.)

You can't take this away from us.

This is why were aren't running. If we run, fleeing from It will define our lives.

Chester and I went into work today. Tried to keep things fairly normal.

(Everyone noticed something was up with Vivi, at least, if only because her being stoic is a very odd occurrence so naturally something was up.)

We told them as close to the truth as we could- that a good friend of mine had passed away. They were very nice about it. Even Max, who doesn't like me very much, joined in the group hug.

I love my friends.

I think today did me a bit of good. Fizzbomb is gone, but the rest of the world isn't. While she was alive she was a good friend and someone to look up to, and I will miss her. When I was feeling down, once, she sent me the song "Lean On Me."

I have that song on my iPod now, and every time I listen to it I will remember her.

Everyone stay safe.

--Vivi