It was at that moment, when Beren and Melon were talking about nothing, sitting on a blanket on the floor in their house, no, their 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦, that Beren realised something.
He had started to see Melon as family.
Beren: Not bad. It's much cosier than sitting on a chair.
Melon: It also has the perk of not being a bed, so it is easier to clean in case you spill something on it.
Beren: You're quite good at coming up with solutions.
Melon: Would it not be more cosy to have a sofa to sit on while you drink hot chocolate?
Beren: Where would we fit a sofa?
Melon: Good point. How about I come up with another solution?
Beren: Such as?
Louise: Your neighbours are so friendly. I'd love to get to know them better. Do you think the invitation to play basketball was for me too?
Andrew: Sounded like it, otherwise I'll bring you anyway.
Louise: Do you still like ball sports?
Andrew: Absolutely.
Andrew: I'm sorry for being bad and not fun to play with.
Chad: What? Of course you're fun to play with!
Danny: But we could do something else the next time we hang out.
Chad: Yeah, we could play basketball. Danny loves basketball and I'm really bad at it, but it's still fun to play with friends.
Andrew: [Profanity filter]. I'm just falling off the track! These [Profanity filter] tree trunks are [Profanity filter].
Louise (thinking): I had forgotten how much of a sore loser he is...
Danny: You hit me, great shot!
Chad: What are you talking about? A shot like that is what you'd expect with a green shell, not a red one.
Danny: Still a hit!
Danny: Oh, ouch.
Chad: Oh my Watcher, Louise, what was that?
Louise: I'm sorry.
Chad: No, no, I wouldn't have said it like that if I couldn't tell that you're good.
Andrew: Um... I've never played this before, how does it work?
Louise: A to accelerate, move the stick to steer, L to use items and R to drift.
Andrew: Drift?
Louise: You lose traction to get around corners at high speed. Focus on steering if it's too much.
Danny: Maybe you could take off your sunglasses?
Chad: They're prescription. And I couldn't find my regular glasses.
Danny: Did you look in the hamper? That's where I found them the last time you lost them.
Chad: Oh, good point.