(pfp art by Annisteen on YouTube)

brightney was organizing some books that were pulled from the shelves for book club. The Gardenview library was empty now since the club ended and her friends left. Brightney sighed, wishing that some of them had stayed to help her out. Since the facility had shut down, no toon handlers were around to clean help, either.

She reached for another book on the stack she was sorting, but her hand touched someone else's. She looked up and saw Scraps, who had left the library not long ago to say 'hi' to her brother, Goob. Brightney released her hold on the book and let Scraps place it on the shelf instead. Scraps smiled at her. Her expression was warm.

"Hey again, Brightney", she greeted. She leaned against the shelf slightly, eyes still fixed on the lamp toon. Her tail flicked, the plastic cup at the end lifted in a friendly gesture.

Brightney nodded at her, also friendly.

"Hi, Scraps! Are you here to help?" She glanced at the book pile, which Scraps was now observing. Scraps looked back at Brightney, nodding in confirmation.

"Oh, yeah. I can handle this. Say 'hi' to Flutter for me if you see her!" She called when Brightney turned away, ready to leave. Once she had gone, her gaze flicked across the room, eyes narrowed now.

"Connie..? Are you here?" After a few moments, the figure of Connie, the ghost toon, faded into view. She sighed and crossed her arms, clearly unhappy to have been caught watching. She had been there for a while, admiring Brightney.

Scraps stepped forward and grabbed the color of Connie's white shirt. Now that Connie was visible, her form was physical. Scraps let out a hiss, unhappy now.

"Can you stop watching her?? Stay out of my way." Connie's eyes were widened now. She had a slight blush on her cheeks, but Scraps ignore it. Connie scoffed and pulled away, crossing her arms.

"Same for you. I won't give up on her." Scraps rolled her eyes and walked away, leaving Connie alone. The two had become rivals of sorts and the conflict had evolved from just friendly banter. Still, Scraps' heart was racing for some reason...

The next day, Brightney was sitting on a bench in the Gardenview lobby, ,finding her own business.

[YOU MAY BE BRIGHTNEY, CONNIE, OR SCRAPS.]