Hey :^) I hope you enjoy my ficlet series. This first part is Lee-centric Friendship/Drama and starts right after Lee's rainy birthday in The Tag-Along. Featuring Lee/Tina and some hinted Chaz/Stepak.
The sun was going down and Lee was still at the skatepark. Watching the sunset in between a few kickturns. Oh, and it was his birthday. I guess it should've stood out since it was the first time since The Prank his mom had let him hang out with Cam and Holg instead of getting in the car for a fast (and furious) drive home followed by a long night of homework. They spent some time at the arcade kicking virtual space zombie butt and eating way too many nachos (turns out Holger had brought three flavours of dip). Of course Camillio bet an insane amount of tickets that he'd win.
"Guess you didn't learn anything since I schooled you last time." said Lee, putting two tokens in the slot. The game started up with its intense intro theme.
PLAYER 1, READY!
"Yeah right, get ready to taste defeat!" said Cam, putting two in the next slot and cracking his knuckles.
PLAYER 2, READY!
"But we have already scented Cam's feet of bad-smelling- Holger no want to taste them too!" panicked Holger.
"Dude, it's just an expression! And no talking bout the inking-stay in public O.K like comprende there are girls around." a ticked-off Cam spoke rapidly.
"Oh! Holger is sorry, Holger use inside voice." he said, cupping his hands to his face.
"You walked right into that one." said Lee, with his thumb over the accelerate button.
GET TO THE BASE BEFORE THE SPACE ZOMBIES MELT YOUR FACE
"El Cam doesn't walk, he cruises- riiiight into the victory zo-oh-one!" he hit the button the same time as Lee and they were off. Zooming ahead past asteroid obstacles and the repeating background of stars.
"Cruising is right, my mom could fly circles around you." said Lee, swerving his ship in front of Camillio's.
"It is true, Lee Ping's Mom is greatest at driving in many directions in the same time." said Holger. "Scary!"
"Scary's the word, man." said Cam, nodding. Lee's ship hit a rogue comet which slowed him down long enough for Cam to skip him.
"Hey- she's not that bad-" said Lee.
The first fleet of space zombie ships swooped in from behind and Cam fired his lasers seven times.
"Why aren't you using your launchers? You're short on plasma fuel. Like- waayy short."
"Hey man that better not be some kinda wisecrack about my small(ish) legs" said a ticked-off Cam "cuz-"
"No, I mean seriously- you're going down fast." said Lee, aiming a bright blast at a cluster of ships. "Use the launchers- the blinking neon things."
"What? I thought those were like…rims, yo" said Cam. He squinted at the screen.
"Hang on, why'd they need wheels on a space ship?" said Lee, risking a quick skeptical grin in his direction.
"I don't know! Maybe its for smooth landings on, you know- uh the really cool planets and stuff."
"Being chased by a zombie space fleet- pshh..whatever, where the party people at?" said Lee sarcastically.
"Oh no, fancy lights attract…Space Bugs!" said Holger, pointing at the screen. A huge fleet had showed up but neither of them were paying enough attention to notice it. Lee jammed hard on the launch button, even though his aim wasn't so good he managed to wipe out the closest ones just in time. Cam however was struggling to attack the cluster of approaching ships, firing rounds of lasers and picking up every available recharge pack.
"Which button do I press?" he said, looking around as they advanced on him.
"Z button, push z button before you go KAFLOUFFERSHOUP!" yelled Holer throwing his arms up like a mushroom cloud.
"What? You're not making any sense dude! I'm pressing it!" said Cam, balling his hand into a fist and repeatedly banging the shooter.
"What's wrong, does Camillio need Holger to hold his hand for him?" teased Lee.
Cam shook his head, flustered- regaining his composure after a glance at the screen.
"Oh no way, homes. I'm in the lead." he said, picking up a booster and zooming to the top.
"Heh, how bout were in the lead." said Lee, launching his blaster at a comet and using the recoil to propel him forwards.
"Agghh!" said Cam when the final fleet panned in and surrounded him from both sides.
Lee maneuvered in a zig-zag, narrowly missing one ship and sustaining major damage from another. Camillio's was faster but he couldn't fight off the swarm fast enough with the lasers- which were running out fast.
He tried to snag a powerup from between two ships but missed. Meanwhile the ship knocked out the one on Lee's tail and he was able to sail forwards.
"Nonononono come on this is mucho uncoolness" said Cam as the ship spun out of control and crashed fantastically into an asteroid.
"Yes!" shouted Lee, while the screen flashed and tickets poured out.
"Whatever man, mine's totally busted." said Cam glaring at his YOU LOSE screen.
"No it wasn't," stated Lee, crossing his arms. "Holger coached you and you still didn't launch your rockets. You could've creamed me."
"Mine didn't even have that move- stupid arcade." he grumbled, kicking a bottlecap across the floor.
"What do you mean, it was just double Z button." said Lee.
"Ohhh…" said Cam, looking closer at the small white button with red lettering. "Heh- muy loco moment there- I thought it was your accent, dude." said Cam shrugging at Holger.
"What? 'Ze' is like..French or something." Lee laughed. "So pay up."
"Holger accepts apology cake- maybe give Holger tickets for buying the ring of moods?" said Holger excitedly pointing at the prize counter.
"A mood ring? They still make those?" asked Lee.
"Totally retro, man." said Camillio, leaning on the glass. "But they're his tickets." he pointed his thumb at Lee who took his chance to brag.
"That's right. Who's the reigning champ of Space Zombies 2? Hint: it rhymes with 'King'."
"Oh! Holger make guesses…mmmm…maybe...'onion ring'?" suggested Holger raising his hand.
"Yeah…try again." Lee said flatly before Cam swooped an arm around his neck like he always did when he was going to give him chiquita-tips.
"Yo, those tickets could be your ticket out of bad vibes town with Tina-bo-bina, and into-"
"Vacation resort of kissy-times" said Holger drawing a heart shape in the air.
"Yeah, what he said. If there's one thing the Camster knows about chicas is that they dig presents, like a lot. Doesn't matter how far you sunk it ese, its like a..like a life boat!"
"Wait, you're saying you only know one thing about girls?" said Lee, half joking- half trying to change the subject.
"Bro, I'm muy serious here." said Camillio.
"I dunno…" Lee said, sighing and looking at his shoes. "I know she couldn't of like- liked me liked me, but at least she could stand to hang around me before… I totally blew it." He could tell Cam was looking at him. He wasn't usually this quiet. Probably thinking of what to say to deny what Lee already knew was true.
"Yo..I don't think-"
There was a loud beeping ringtone from Lee's cell. The one he chose to alert Mrs. Ping's calls. It was the same as the school bell because both meant he had to stop whatever he was doing and get moving.
"Hang on, it's mom."
She was calling to remind him he needed to be home soon. Actually, he had an extra hour but he knew Holger and Cam would just try cheering him up, when all he really wanted to do today was think these thoughts away. Thoughts about Tina, bout the Prank…he just needed somewhere to think before he had to go home. Then he could crash on his bed and sleep. Before he wouldn't have given up a chance to hang out with his best dudes on his birthday, but he'd probably just kill the mood anyways. They could go have fun without him, that was how it was going to be now since it looked like he wasn't getting out of detention any time soon.
"Gotta go." he said, handing Cam the tickets. Cam just kept staring at him like he still wanted to ask if Lee was OK.
"Well…catch ya later homes- Happy B-day!" he rushed while Lee headed out.
"Many Happy Birthday times Lee~!" yelled Holger, waving.
"Hey thanks guys, catch ya tomorrow."
Lee waved back before the door swung shut.
After that he went to the skate park. Even though Lee felt better when he was hanging out with his friends, his mind was always clearer when no-one was around..maybe that was why Biffy liked being a loner so much…
Suddenly he felt a creeping up his neck, he knew that feeling by now…like someone was watching him. There was a sound like something creeping in the bushes. A twig snapped.
"Oh hey, didn't see you there." he said, up on my feet and face to face with a guy he'd seen usually seen hanging around Tina with a camera in his hands, like now.
"Ah it's alright, I'm just getting some shots." said Stepak…yeah…at least Lee thought that was his name…
"Just getting some footage tests, got a new camera and I'm checking out the specs. Light's best this time of day." he said nodding towards the sunset. You could see his street from here. He wondered when his mom'd be home…
"You don't skate?" asked Lee.
"Nah, taped a cam to a board once, got some nice shots- but it broke." he asked- tearing his eyes away from the view and pointing his lens at my board.
"You do." stated Stepak.
"Yeah." said Lee. "Been a while. Me and Zed go back."
"Well yeah, everybody knows you ever since the Prank. Tina says you're up for an interview, but we never did it."
"Oh. yeah.." Lee remembered his latest messing up of his chances with the girl he'd been daydreaming about since Seventh Grade.
"So, you up for it? right in front of the graffiti'd be good, then you'd be half in shadow."
"Uh..well actually I don't really-" started Lee.
"No, man. It's fine. Nothing dramatic or anything."
"It's not that, I just mean-"
"Aha!" came a familiar voice. "I knew I'd find you here Stepak, or should I say Step-in-and-steal-my-spotlight!"
"Oh no, you caught me." said Stepak, holding his hands up in mock surrender.
"You'll bet I caught you!" he answered, prodding Stepak in the chest. "Nothing gets past the Chaz." he closed his eyes to appreciate the sound of his own name.
"Nothing gets past a brick wall either." mumbled Stepak, rolling his eyes.
"Hey!" said Chaz "That's not-"
"Let me get a shot of you," said Stepak quickly, with a disarming softness in his voice. "Your tan looks great in this light." said Stepak directing him out from the under the tree's shade. Chaz blinked, easily caught off guard by the flattery.
"Oh yeah? I mean -well yeah, maybe tomorrow I'll run a special on how I polish my coiff!" he said patting his pompadour. Just then he eyed Lee just when he was trying to back away.
"Lee Ping. Care to give me, Chaz Moneranian, the 411 on your latest greatest Big Prank on the entire A. Nigma High population? Any bad-boy trade secrets? Is it true you and the D.o.D are coming out with a duo album? Why'd you go with green paint- (a colour that obviously clashes with your dye job)? Aaand most importantly-"
"What are you doing here?" came a voice from behind the detentionaire. He turned-
"Tina!" Lee accidentally said aloud and a little too happily…she ignored him and kept glaring at Chaz.
"You said you were just going to get some new film," she pointed at Stepak before turning back to Chaz "-and you said you had a dame to meet."
"Well! I can't possibly keep up with all my admirers…" he started explaining.
"Wait a second Miss-Messy-Split-Ends-I-Could-Die-of-Second-Hand-Embarrassment. What are you doing here?"
"I got a memo about the Skaters entering the 360 Stunt-athon courtesy of Green Apple Splat." she answered.
"You did?" asked Stepak "I didn't get one.. dangit, it's cause I'm the camera guy isn't it-"
"No it's not…" her expression changed as she awkwardly tried to fix what she'd said. "They probably just-"
"Uh- yes it is Tina," interjected Chaz, "C'mon tell the truth little Miss…truthy!"
"Is that the best you can think of or did you accidentally shampoo your brain?" snapped Tina.
"Ouch, that burns Tina- it really does- almost as bad as your straightening iron- I mean that is what happened right? Cause split ends like that don't happen like magic." said Chaz smugly.
Tina growled and stepped towards him aggressively.
"Play nice, ladies.. we have company." said Stepak making the sign for cut.
"Oh! Lee…" blinked Tina, suddenly noticing he was there. Lee smiled and gave a shy wave before mentally punishing himself for looking like such a dork.
"Uh hello?" Chaz's voice interrupted. "I'm a guy!"
"Mmm but you're such a pretty guy." said Stepak in a voice that made Lee wonder if he was being sarcastic.
"Hmph." said Chaz with dramatically folded arms. "That's not going to work on me I- how pretty?"
"Ahem. " said Tina, "Well, seeing as the Skaters aren't here yet..Lee, would you like to do that interview now? Or.."
But Lee was already on his board and heading down the sidewalk.
"Sorry, gotta go!" he called to her apologetically. "-I'll check you later."
Tina slumped her shoulders.
"Ooh" said Chaz, leaning over her. "That's kisses: zero, disses: two- tune in next time on-"
"Cann it, Chaz." said Tina, before heading off to catch a bus home.
Tina had been distracted all morning- Stepak noticed she hadn't laughed when he nudged her and joked about Chaz's tone-deaf vocal exercises. She looked like she was reading the same line over and over again on the news copy.
"You okay?" he asked. "I could check my filter but you look a little blue…" She smiled weakly at his lame joke.
"It's just…" she began with a sigh, "What do you do if you really want this one …story- but that story keeps slipping away from you before you can get to know him- um...I mean 'it'-"
She looked away from him and fidgeted with the stack of papers. Just then the red light came on, signalling for them to get ready to go on air at the start of Homeroom. Chaz stole one last look at himself in the mirror before rushing to get to the desk first. Stepak picked up his camera and Tina got up from her seat- she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"(Just ask him out already.)" said Stepak, with a little bit of a grin.