The City of Ionia

The bonfire emerged to warm the air and to brighten up the night that was more acclimated to the winter frost. The fire spread within logs as it illuminated each face. People chatted, drank, danced, basically doing anything to pass the time as they waited for Harley and the others to return.

“Wanna dance?”

“I don’t know how.”

“It’s pretty simple. Just don’t step on my foot, and you’ll be fine,” Jeremy said.

“I’ll pass.”

He got up, stretching with a yawn. “Boring.”

“What?”

“I wanna do something besides sitting.”

I insisted he bothered Ruby instead, leading to a hissy fit.

“I don’t bug her. Why does everyone keep saying that?”

“Because you do.”

“Ya right. You’re just jealous she spends more time with me.”

“Is that so?”

I didn’t bother pursuing the conversation anymore. Why would I be jealous? We’re all close comrades. It’s only fair we’re with each other.

But why did his words tingle my stomach?

“...llo there. Jill—oops! Didn’t mean to startle you. You spaced off into a different universe.”

“Did I?”

“What’s with the moody tone? Cheer up. Your bestie is coming back.”

“Bestie?”

He pranced towards the miniature sun. “Don’t be clueless.”

Right when he said those words, cheers erupted around the fire.

“Welcome home!” Said someone in the crowd.

I quickly flung myself up and headed towards the celebratory crowd. Jeremy followed my lead as we slipped through everyone. It felt like Ulm all over again.

Someone shouted my name from behind. A voice I hadn’t heard in a while. Only a week had gone by, yet it felt so much more.

“Harley!”

She ran towards me, shouting my name with content. She jumped onto me like a heavy child, toppling me to the ground.

“I missed you! Jill, that one week felt like seven years!”

“You’re exaggerating. Now, please get off my stomach.”

She pushed herself off the ground, offering a helping hand. I accepted it, glancing over at Jeremy, who chuckled sinisterly.

“Girl on girl act—ow! Ow, ow, ow, ow!”

“Would you care to repeat what you said, Mr. Pervert?”

“Please let go of my ear.”

She did just that and crossed her arms with one leg ahead, taking on a defensive stance.

“You just had to say something perverted. Couldn’t you acknowledge my return a bit better? Maybe say something along the lines of… ‘Hi Harley, I missed you. How was the village? Everyone good over there?’ Something like that.”

Jeremy wore a cocky smile. “Awwww, how sweet. You wanted me to miss you—Ow, ow—my ear!”

“Say something stupid like that again, and I’m twisting it off.”

They went back and forth with one another, and I couldn’t help but crack a giggle. They dropped their argument to admire my smile.

“It’s good to have you back, Harley.”

She looked to be on the verge of overflowing happiness. “Awww, You’re so cute when you blush.”

“A-Am not!”

“Look, Jeremy, she’s hiding her face.”

“Th-that’s because you—you’re looking at me funny.”

Seriously though, I couldn’t tell whether I blushed or not.

“Anyhoo, where’s Ruby? I assumed she was going to be the first person I saw.”

“At her place,” said Jeremy, who got up, rubbing his ear lobe.

Harley scrunched her face together. “Well, why the heck she’s inside? She’s literally the first person who should welcome us back, yet she’s not out.” She groaned, saying, “I’ll get her.”

“Ma-Maybe not. I’m sure she will turn up in a few.”

“Let go of my arm,” Harley hissed as he swung her arm with force. “Jill, wanna come and fetch Ruby?”

I shrugged. “Why not.”

“Jill, Harley, I swear she’ll come. Just give her a few more—”

“Quit flapping your mouth. I’m sick of hearing your whiny voice. I want to see Ruby, and that’s exactly what I will do.”

Jeremy stood in the way of Harley, arms out, acting as a barrier. “If you want to get to Ruby, you’re gonna have to get passed—!”

Harley flipped Jeremy to the ground using her shoulder. He didn’t have a chance to react to her swiftness.

“C’mon Jill. Ignore the pathetic gatekeeper.”

Jeremy followed us to Ruby’s cabin. He kept his head low, almost like he was disappointed with himself. I didn’t care enough to question.

When we arrived at her front door, Harley barged in without a knock. Jeremy looked away, whistling as if nothing happened. I did the same, though my whistling needed work.

“Ruby! You—oh, Ruby!”

“Harley? Wh-Wh-What are you doing here?”

“I could ask the same for you. Why are you not celebrating our arrival? You should’ve been the first person to greet us. And what’s with all these boxes? Are you smuggling illegal contraband?”

Ruby quickly tried to spout anything out of her mouth besides stutters. Her hands waved in the air, almost like she was playing charades.

“Allow me to speak on Ruby’s behalf,” Jeremy said with his chest out.

“No.”

“At least hear me out, Harley. The reason why she didn’t come out was because she was preparing gifts for you.”

Harley’s eyes sparkled brighter than the moon on a clear day. “Gifts? Where’s mine? Let me see!”

“Harley, please stop touching everything. Har—no! Don’t shake that box! Harley!”

I whispered into Jeremy's ear while they had their own share of chaos. “You were trying to stall for her, right?”

“Ruby asked me to. She wanted to surprise all returners with presents. She could’ve and should’ve wrapped them earlier, but procrastination is one hell of a disease. Besides, by the looks of it, she would’ve been done in ten—no—maybe five minutes. Kinda a letdown.” He said, returning the same tone of voice but with a hint of sadness.

“I would’ve distracted Harley if you told me.”

He shamefully chuckled, stretching his head. “Ya, that’s my mistake.”

It wasn’t something he should be ashamed about. I wanted to say that, but my words quickly halted when Harley screeched like an excited toddler.

“It has my name on it! Is this for me?”

“Please don’t open it yet, Harley.”

Harley showed some sympathy and put the tiny square box on the table.

“I have my own way to give your gift,” Ruby said, holding the box. She extended both arms and held the gift. “Welcome back, Harley.”

Harley stretched her face with a smile, so much so that her facial muscles could tear. She gently grabbed the box and opened it.

She gasped in shock. “No way.” She held a bracelet up, spinning it around. “Jill, look, it spells my name with mini knives!”

I was in too much awe to say anything. As the light caught the sparkling bracelet in her hand, it glimmered and shone like a tiny galaxy of stars. The delicate chain, made from silver, its head adorned with a cluster of diamonds that seemed to dance in the light.

“Thank you so much, Ruby.”

“No, thank you for helping the village set up.”

“Group hug! Come on, Jill. Get in.”

The three of us hugged it out, our arms wrapped around each other's shoulders. It was more like a huddle than a group hug.

Harley poked her head up. “You too, Jeremy.”

“R-Really?”

“Only because of your lonely puppy eyes.”

Jeremy joined the hug without commenting on the semi-insult. I guess he was happy he wasn’t left out. Who could blame him? I would never want to be left out of this group, either.