[2] 𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐑𝐘 𝐁𝐀𝐁𝐘 ― l.valdez ✓

021.

「021. how to commit theft」

CHERRY TRIED not to listen in on piper's conversation with her dad. she didn't exactly want to impose. so instead, she sat patiently in the back with leo and jason whilst barbie, piper and mr mclean sat more at the front with coach hedge conked out in between. her head was still killing her, and her hands hadn't stopped shaking since she'd collapsed. it was a frightening feeling knowing that gaea, mother earth- queen dirtbag herself had felt so close. whilst cherry had tried to stop the giant, she'd felt gaea's presence all around her. and the voice in her head grew stronger whilst she used her powers. it was terrifying, and perhaps that was the reason her hands hadn't stopped shaking.

"hey," leo spoke, smiling at her warily, "what's up with the shaking hands?"

"won't stop shaking," cherry spoke, placing one of her hands on the other, trying to stop it shaking, "i..."

"are you scared?" he asked, "i mean- is it the heights?"

"i..."

she watched him. he was analysing her carefully. his hair was tousled and his face was mostly clean except for one large dirt stain going down the side of his face. his clothes were basically beyond repair. his shirt was slightly ripped at the sleeves. and perhaps after a few washed, the maroon checkered trousers might have gone back to what they were before. but he looked tired, stressed and was bundling a lot of things. she didn't want to put more pressure on leo or any more worry. even if he was a close friend, she didn't want to burden him anymore than he was. and plus, cherry was pretty sure leo wouldn't want to hear all about the crazy dirtbag in her head.

"yes," she mumbled, lying through her teeth, "it's freaking me out."

"well," leo spoke, looking a bit awkward as his face reddened slightly, "if it helps-" he grabbed both of her hands and held them in his own, "perhaps this will stop this shaking." for some reason, he looked terribly embarrassed at the action, but she did feel a few odd butterflies as he squeezed her hands.

"you're a good friend, leo," she spoke, smiling slightly.

"y-yeah," he nodded, his cheeks still bright red, "good friend.... best friend?"

"sure," she grinned.

air traffic control didn't like that an unschedule helicopter wanted to land at the oakland airport- that was until barbie got on the radio. cherry was glad to see her back with her powers, she seemed more alive with them. although cherry suspected that was only because barbie perhaps still wasn't confident with herself as just barbie- no jerald to help. but just barbie. she sighed slightly, looking down at her hands. they were still being held by leo. she didn't mind that, in all honesty. it felt nice, like a little bit more comfort. her hands had stopped shaking a while ago, but it was the feeling of leo occasionally drawing circles, or squeezing her hands that kept her okay. he hadn't looked at her once, and was a bit stiffer and more awkward than usual, but she didn't question it. perhaps he didn't like the landing part of planes.

they unloaded on the tarmac quickly, and almost all of them looked to piper.

"what now?" jason asked her.

piper looked at them, a bit uncomfortable. cherry's headache had subsided now, so now she could actually concentrate one what was happening- which also made her very aware of the fact leo was still holding her hand- even if it wasn't both.

piper took in a deep breath, a conflicted look on her face, "first thing... i- i have to get my dad home. i'm sorry guys."

cherry's face fell- all of theirs did. but nobody looked as sad as barbie.