Some days, snow days.

by CyanideArctic

Summary:

Ocean should have been at Constance's place by now. Without her friend to spend the time with, Constance has nothing but time to realize something very important, and not quite that shocking.

Notes:

Day TWOOOO of Blackrose week 2024

Realizing feelings!!

Constance stared out her bedroom window. The snow fell thick and coated the backyard in a white wonderland. Ocean was supposed to be over an hour ago, and with how hard the snow was coming down, it was no surprise she wasn’t there yet.

Maybe Ocean would not be coming over at all. If that were the case, there should have been a message from her, or a call confirming her absence. Ocean always made it a habit to be precise and if she wasn’t able to make it, she at least gave notice.

With the coming snowstorm, it was looking like Ocean stayed at home, likely shut away in her room with no one to spend the time with. Constance picked at her nails, a habit she had stolen from Noel after years of being around him. Nervous habits aside, Constance hated the thought of her best friend missing this day. Of all the days, this was the one she wanted Ocean to be there more than anything.

It was silly of her to think, but Constance had hoped that Ocean would show up and it would be a perfect day.

It was only a family dinner, nothing special besides the fact her mom had made Ocean’s favorite meal. Or that there was a whole pile of pillows and blankets on Constance’s bed, ready for a slumber party. They had planned everything, and Ocean wouldn’t be there to enjoy it.

Constance wanted to spend the day with Ocean before leaving for their annual family weekend away. But, this year she wanted to invite Ocean, to show that she was just as much a part of the family as Constance was.

Her dad had brought it up, suggesting Constance bring someone with them that year. His eyebrows wiggled and his wife giggled beside him, as he seemed to imply something Constance wished to ignore.

In the end, Ocean had been her choice. No surprise to her parents. It almost seemed like that was exactly who they wanted to join, anyway. Of course, Constance had made it a whole thing and said she’d ask if her parents made it a special day, just so Ocean would say yes.

Constance never knew if Ocean would say yes to something, especially if it was just a boring day and there wasn’t anything to do outside of her favorite pastime, studying.

“Hey Cupcake, any word from Ocean?” the voice of her dad at the door took Constance out of her thoughts. She turned to look at him. Her shoulders dropped, and she sighed, concluding that Ocean wouldn’t be coming.

“No, she’s been radio silent since this morning.” The fact Ocean wasn’t answering worried Constance to no end. If she was crazy, she’d march over to the O’Connell-Rosenberg house and figure out exactly what was going on. Fortunately, Constance didn’t want to put herself in danger by going out in the almost blizzard-like snowstorm. The idea Ocean had gone out while it was light snow and was now caught in the storm crossed her mind, and the worry from it ate at her until she looked at her dad and saw him observing her.

“I’ll call her parents.” Her father looked like he would rather do anything else than talk to them, but Ocean was Constance’s best friend and some discomfort would have to be faced if he wanted to make his little girl happy.

“Thanks, papa.”

He went off to make the call, leaving Constance to her thoughts and feelings of worry. The smell of corned beef and cabbage filled the house, leaving Constance with more reasons to think of Ocean.

When am I not always thinking of Ocean?

Her days started with the thought of Ocean. Usually wondering how her morning was, and if she would come over after school.

Of course, Constance wasn’t obsessing over her thoughts, but the simplest things made her think of Ocean, and it had been like that for months now. Something had shifted, the smallest shift that Constance was only now noticing.

Had her parents noticed before she had? Was that why they suggested she bring someone with her for their family vacation? The wiggled eyebrow, and smirk that implied she should invite a special friend.

Constance looked back out at the snowfall, the creeping realization of what her thoughts meant, and how obvious she had been to everyone but herself.

Had Ocean realized too?

No, Ocean couldn’t possibly know.

Constance stood up and paced from the window to her desk. The constant thoughts, warm fuzzy feelings, and overwhelming need to be close to Ocean… it hadn’t been clear before, but now that she wasn’t able to run away from her worry, it hit Constance immediately.

She was in love. She wanted Ocean to join the family trip. More than anything, she wanted Ocean to always be a part of her family.

Oh, that’s what dad was implying.

Clearly, her parents had been scheming. If only Ocean was there to experience the day the Blackwoods planned.

“Cupcake?” Constance halted and turned to look at her father. He was frowning, creased lines on his face, worry worn in his eyes. Something was wrong.

“Yes? What’s happened? Is Ocean okay?” Questions swarmed her mind, but only a few could get out of her before she was rushing over to her dad with a frightened look in her eyes.

“Constance, Ocean left home an hour ago. Her parents haven’t seen her come back…”

All-encompassing dread leeches its way into Constance. It was a twenty-minute walk from Ocean’s house to hers. If she left an hour ago, Ocean should have been there a long time ago.

“Papa…we need to go find her!” Maybe Constance was crazy, but she wasn’t going to just sit around knowing her best friend was out in a storm, possibly freezing to death.

“Okay, Sweetheart, okay.” Her father was clearly already ready to get out and search for Ocean. Constance hadn’t noticed, but he had his keys in his hands and a determination in his stance that brought some comfort to Constance’s panicked mind.

Constance followed her dad as he turned away down the hall, yelling to his wife in the kitchen, “we’re going to go find Ocean. Throw a pair of pajamas in the dryer and brew up some tea for her, please!”

“Oh my, I’m on it, Honey!” Her mom came out from the kitchen, oven-mitt coming off, thrown onto the armchair as she rushed to Constance’s room, likely going to grab pajamas Ocean left for sleepovers.

Constance watched as her parents went into action, both adults doing the most for Ocean as if they had raised her themselves. They had, in a way. Ocean was always there, and it was a surprise she had never gone on a single family vacation with them before, but then, Constance never asked and Ocean never made the impression she wanted to go.

God, please let Ocean be okay.

Her dad shoved two jackets into her hands and told her to get her snowshoes on. One jacket for her, and the other for Ocean when they found her.

Please, I can’t lose her now, not after…

Constance shook her head and hurried out the door with her father. She didn’t have time to think about her feelings, not while she should be looking for Ocean.

Constance’s father started the car, but before pulling out of the driveway, he looked at her and gave a reassuring smile. “We’ll find her, I promise.” and he meant it, because her father never broke a promise.

 

Notes:

cliff hanger!!

i promise day three is a continuation!

Peace and Love on planet earth! <3

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 2 of Blackroseweek 2024