(Pre-bfb 13 sbflpdjz

Also Lollipop's ooc hhhhh

Edit: Okay guys? Guys? This isn't promoting anyone to go back to their abusers or something because someone begged you not to. Okay? That's not the point of this oneshot. If someone is abusing you, leave their asses as soon as you can, okay? We good? Please don't start discourse hhhh)

Taco tried her best. She really did. She tried so hard, but everyone just treated her like a ghost. "Was that the wind?" was a common saying. She knew she deserved better. If her team wouldn't give her the respect she deserved, she'd find it elsewhere. Outside the team. Outside the show.

She just didn't want to be here. Her enthusiasm for the game? Gone. The possibility of making new friends? Gone. Her patience? Gone.

And Taco knew if she walked far enough, she'd eventually exit Bfb. At least, she hoped so. The show couldn't possibly extend that far. She shook her head of the thought.

Even if the show's boundaries went on forever, Taco could essentially just let herself disappear. She'd go back to her hometown and live with her family. They would understand why she left; they've always been supportive of her. Taco smiled. She was lucky like that.

Homesickness dragged at her heart. It had been a long time...what if they forgot about her? What if...they didn't care about her anymore? What if they got mad at her?

No. She couldn't let herself think like that. Taco would cross that bridge when she got to it. Besides, she was very adaptable. She'd find her place in the world regardless.

She hoped so, anyway.

Footsteps. Great. Taco's whole body sagged as she sighed. "What-" she turned around.

Lollipop. Even greater. At least it wasn't Book.

Taco and Lollipop faced off, remaining wordless. The tension between them could be cut by a knife. Lollipop's fingers twitched at her sides as she held Taco's stony gaze.

"Look, if you're not going to say anything, I'll just-"

"Wait."

What was Lollipop's problem? Taco stopped halfway into a turn, glancing at Lollipop's outstretched hand. "Yeah? What do you want to say?"

Lollipop cleared her throat, returning her hand to her side. "Don't...don't go."

How cliche. "That's nice, but I've made up my mind. If you guys are just going to pretend like I don't exist, I might as well leave."

A begrudging grunt from Lollipop. "The others are starting to mend their ways. Just give them time."

"What about you? Book? You saw how she freaked out, even though switching places was part of the challenge.." Taco grumbled.

"If you must know, I was the first one to-"

"I don't care if you were the first to do anything," Taco snapped. "Your effort is appreciated, but it's too little, too late, okay? You were part of it too, so you don't get to act like some sort of savior. I was fed up with being treated like garbage! Teammates don't do that to each other! Thanks for being sorry, but I'm done." She spat the last word, and turned with a huff.

God, that felt satisfying. And for the first time, Lollipop seemed utterly speechless. Maybe she could finally go.

"Ugh. I-...I'm.." Lollipop struggled. The words wouldn't leave her tongue, and she fumbled with her hands, distressed. "I-I'm s-" Lollipop groaned. It would've been funny, had the situation been different.

"I'm sorry," she finally said. "I just don't want you to leave."

That was new. "What do you mean? We barely even know each other.." The words stabbed Taco right back in her gut. She only knew Lollipop because Saw was friends with her. Outside of that, they rarely talked.

So what could Lollipop possibly be feeling?

The object in question gripped her arm, blushing. She was getting sticky from the heat. "You..inspire me. You've proven to be quite the doer, even if you are reckless. We most likely would've lost episode six, had it not been for your quick thinking. It wouldn't be the same without you."

Taco froze. Lollipop had never been that heartfelt before. Was that what was lying under her usual sour, snooty attitude? Sure, there were those eulogies, but this was..different.

Now she didn't know what to do again.

Should she give them another chance? It was risky. Who knows what Book would do if she saw this attempt at leaving as another "abandonment".

Taco glanced at Lollipop again, with her downcast gaze and tightly gripped arm.

Oh, what the heck.

"Yeah.." Taco trotted to Lollipop, playfully elbowing her. "I guess I'll come back with you. Where would you be without me, right?"

"Eliminiated," Lollipop snorted. Taco smiled. She hoped she made the right choice.