Sorry it's so short! I really wanted to start this fic and approach the whole scenario. I've always had Chal and Brainy's romance on the back burner, and every time I've approached it, I was unsatisfied with it. Until I got this idea that it :P So cheers and all that to my fellow fans of Jane Austen! Let's see if you can guess who's what in this story: Pride, Prejudice, Sense, and Sensibility, and how those four evolve and react with one another :)
Act I: The Bartletts Are Coming! [1]
The sun beamed over the aging neighborhood as it rose to the occasion. The morning had been thick with rain, and the humid air caused a mist that glistened against the creamy caramel skin of the young woman crossing the street. Her chartreuse orbs dancing as she neared the closing sentence of her favorite piece. Growing up in the jungle of San Lorenzo, Chaltiquel Shortman hadn't had much literature to dive into on a lackadaisical afternoon, so she was always grateful to receive new books. After years and years of borrowing her parents and the libraries, she had come across the treasure: Pride and Prejudice. She had been quick to borrow Helga's copy time and time again, and after a little hissy fit thrown by the blonde to get her own, the two had exchanged gifts that past December, indulging on the splendour that is Jane Austen. Chal had managed to find a paperback copy of Sense and Sensibility, and was able to get a custom made pink leather cover for it. Helga had smiled brightly and was quick to give her a rich chestnut book with Pride and Prejudice engraved in golden script across the front. The corners were encrusted in a rich, golden design and she was quick to hug her best friend, who immediately threw out Arnold's name as the initial cash carrier in the hopes of being let go.
She smiled as she closed the book, the thin forest green ribbon attached being set against the final page. She hummed as she made her way up the steps of Sunset Arms, smiling as she watched Grandpa Phil arguing with Grandma Gertie, yelling something about sabotaging his sandwich, as Miles laughed at the display. She walked down the hall and entered the kitchen, smiling as Helga and Stella chatted about, discussing the events of the day with her brother and Suzie Kokoshka.
"Hey, guys!" Chal smiled, snatching up a carrot from Arnold's cutting. He gave her an unimpressed stare.
"And where have you been, missy? When I asked both of my children to help with dinner. I fully expected more than just Arnold." Stella smiled, wiping her hands on her apron.
"Yeah, Freckles, get to it, and quickly, that apron does not work for the Football Head in any way." Helga grinned, chuckling at the pointed glare Arnold sent her.
"Friendly reminder, don't upset the cook holding a knife, Helga." Arnold rolled his eyes before chopping away at the vegetables.
"Sorry, I wanted to finish this and Oskar started reading aloud to Anya, so…" Chal gave a sheepish grin, shrugging a bit. Ever since Anya Kokoshka had turned three, and started showing an interest in books, Mr. Kokoshka had taken it on as a father's duty to teach his daughter to read. In a small way, it was sweet. The awkward man had been wary at first, with the idea of adopting a child. Suzie was unable to bare children due to a cancer scare, and was very eager at the opportunity to finally have one safely. Surprisingly, Anya and Oskar took to each other quite well, and were soon inseparable, however, she was also loud like her father, and the two together was enough to make anyone go deaf.
"That Oskar, I swear. You think he'd realize that you don't have to yell to sound enthusiastic about reading. I'm so sorry, Chal!" Suzie shook her head, pausing as she looked over her documents.
"Its all good, it wasn't raining too bad, and Mighty Pete isn't too far off." Chal smiled as she shrugged off her jacket, "Though it amazes me how often you guys get so much rain! Even in San Lorenzo we can monitor the weather better."
"Speaking of which, have you decided if you were gonna go with us, Helga?" Stella smiled, pulling some olive oil from the cabinet.
"Oh, yeah, maybe. Miriam is going to be working the majority of the week, and with Olga visiting, I don't have to stay home and take care of Bob." Helga sighed, stretching at the table.
"Did he pull his back again?" Stella gave a worried look.
"Yep, same old Bob, same old pain in the ass." Helga rolled her eyes, a scowl across her ruby lips.
"Language!" Arnold frowned, giving her a disapproving look.
The blonde chuckled as she took a long drink from her Yahoo! Soda. Though it had been years since they had started their on again, off again relationship began, the two still clashed every now and again. Chal eyed the two amused. Helga was laughing up a storm as Arnold tried to defend himself for his outburst. [2] It was a wonder the two hadn't been married yet. She remembered the weddings of some of their old friends; Harold and Patty had gotten engaged and married not long after they graduated from high school and had given birth to their daughter Francine about a year ago. Phoebe and Gerald were married the following year, with Gerald declaring it'd be unfair not to be able to drink at his own wedding, and Curly and Rhonda refused to be outdone, holding a wild and extravagant ceremony just last year. She rolled her eyes, as laughter filled the room. THe joy was broken by the echo of the doorbell, and a call from Miles, claiming he'd get it.
Smiling, Miles opened the door, startled and confused by a panting Rhonda Lloyd-Gammelthorpe. She stood with her hands on her knees, her purse hanging loosely on her arm. She looked up with a sharp, determined glint in her eye, causing Miles to jerk in surprise.
"Oh, um, hello...Are you okay, Rhonda?" He scratched at his chin nervously.
The raven haired beauty quickly straightened up, "IS CHAL HOME?!"
"Uh, yeah, she's in the kitchen, I'll go-" He barely finished when she sped past him, black locks flowing past him and with the speed of a cheetah chasing down an unsuspecting giselle. He gave a wide eyed look before shaking his head and closing the door, "You know what, go ahead, come on in, afterall, I don't own the place."
"You're damn right ya don't!" Grandpa yelled from the living room, cackling a bit with his wife as Miles gave the ceiling a long, annoyed glance in exasperation.
Back in the kitchen, the group was startled as Rhonda came wiping around the corner.
"Whoa, princess, what do we owe the dishonor of your presence?" Helga snorted, smirking at her childhood friend.
"Puh-lease, Pataki, you love me! But-oh my God, Arnold, what the hell are you wearing?!" She gasped, jaw dropping at Arnold's frilly pink apron with a puppy on the chest.
"Arnold! Rhonda said a bad language word." Chal smirked, pointing accusingly at Rhonda.
"Chal, please, stop." Arnold groaned, "What did you need, Rhonda?"
"I just heard the most unbelievable news! I tell you, I was absolutely shocked!" Rhonda said, quickly seating herself, "You'll never believe who decided to show back up in town!"
"Who, Rhonda?" Arnold sat down himself as Chal made her way to the skillet, tossing in the veggie mixture and opening the bottle of oil.
"Brainy Bartlett!" She threw her hands into the air, dramatizing the situation. Before they could speak, Chal let out a startled shriek as a large flame shot out from the frying pan. Stella quickly went to her aid.
"Brainy? As in, wheezy, creepy, Brit Brainy?" Arnold's eyes went wide, as Helga shook her head with a smirk on her face.
"So the ol' Brainster's finally tired of the motherland, eh? It's about time he brought his butt back to Hillwood. You'd think fame went to his head!" Helga grinned, her cerulean eyes dancing in amusement.
"I know right! Well, you couldn't possibly imagine my surprise when Thad told me he had called! Apparently he and his parents are due to arrive in Hillwood tonight! Not only that, but he's accompanied by his cousin, Rex and Milly Smythe-Higgins!"
"Oh gross! That pompous jerk that use to crap all over us for being city kids?" Helga groaned, running a hand through her bright locks.
"Yes! I know right! Besides, old money is so out these days! Anyways, they'll be staying with us at Lloyd Manor until they take up their leave! And I heard that an oh-so-certain-someone that his parents desire for him to become engaged before then! Doesn't that sound great, Chal?" Rhonda grinned, laying her chin upon her slender hands, her mischievous violet eyes glimmering with enjoyment.
The room turned to the Green-Eyed princess, unsure of what to expect. It was well known around Hillwood that there had always been something or another between Chal and Brainy, even the ever so oblivious Arnold had caught onto it (with the help of Helga and Gerald, of course). Maybe it was the way the two were always seen together, or the way they always knew what the other was thinking, or it could be the way Chal had constantly joked about it. No one was sure when it began, or how the friendship had ended, but they certainly knew that those two held an unmistakable tension when around each other. They had only seen each other three times since his family moved back to London; the first at a summer retreat with the gang and Mr. Simmons, where Chal had questioned his actions and he responded with ignorance and a distant disposition, the second, oh how her blood had boiled, and yet her stomach fluttered, for he had argued with her constantly during the time of Phoebe and Gerald's wedding on the subject and had left her with a smouldering kiss she would never forget; the last was at Rhonda and Curly's, where he had been the best man. He didn't even look at her.
She could definitely pin down her interests in him after that. If she wasn't worth looking at, he wasn't worth pursuing, even after 13 years of patience.
She rolled her eyes at her friends, "Oh certainly! After all, everyone knows that it's a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife." [3]
Rhonda smirked, a slight chuckle coming from her cherry lips, "Mock me all you want, Chal, but his parents seem very keen on marrying the little nerd off. As a matter of fact, I wouldn't be surprised if they try to find someone at my party tomorrow."
"He's gonna be there?" Helga raised an eyebrow, sharing a nervous look with Arnold.
"Are you sure that's such a good idea, Rhonda?" Arnold frowned, casting a glance at his sister, who seemed to be listening in, despite not looking in their direction.
"Of course! The two will have to cross paths again at your and Helga's wedding anyways, right?" Rhonda waved her hand nonchalantly as if swatting away a fly, ignoring the startled and equally embarrassed expressions on the two blondes. Helga had started up a coughing fit, after being caught off guard mid drink, and Arnold was quick to pat her on the back.
"Rhonda!" Helga glared.
"What? Oh, look at the time! I've gotta go meet up with the hubby, but I'll see you all tomorrow at my wonderful party! Don't be a stranger, 'kay! Bye darlings! Kiss, kiss!" she smirked and quickly made her way out of the kitchen.
"I swear, that woman is exhausting!" Arnold groaned, rubbing his forehead in aggravation.
"Awe, you know our lives would be less dramatic without a little bit of Rhonda Lloyd," Helga grinned, patting him on the head, "besides, there'll be free food, and you know I'm not missing out on free anything!"
Arnold shook his head and sent a loving smile her way, "Yeah, yeah, I hear you."
"You can even wear your apron." Helga smiled, winking at him. He blushed heavily, giving her a half lidded frown and untying it. Stella laughed loudly as he tossed it at his girlfriend, with Suzie trying to comfort him with words of encouragement.
Chal smiled and took her leave, heading upstairs to her bedroom. She definitely had more to think about than she ever expected. She let out a deep sigh as her body collided with the mattress; so much for a lazy afternoon.
So shooooort! I'm excited to see what you guys think! And of course, art is on the way! I love domestic!HxA! Sorry, not sorry! There will be a little more insight on Brainy and Chal's dislike for one another later on! See ya soon!
[1] - A terrible play of words I should be shot for using :P [2] - If you haven't seen Age of Ultron yet, do it. JUST DO IT.
[3] - The opening of Pride and Prejudice (there will be many Austen quotes so beware!)
-KT
