Becoming a Man
an All Grown Up Fanfic.
When a boy and a girl spend a massive amount of time together, whether forced or by choice, they usually end up falling in love.
Chuckie Finster has heard this before, but based on the way milk spewed from his nose when his best friend Tommy said it, it's fair to say that he was skeptical in the least.
The Beginning
"Hey, Finster. Get off your lazy butt and make me a smoothie!"
As always, the screeching voice of one Angelica Pickles makes Chuckie cringe. But the orange-haired boy doesn't bother to lash at Angelica with his own rebuttle, or even to point out that he's not on his butt at all. He's actually in the middle of making two expressos for two very sexy girls eyeing him from across the room. (Because, yes, some girls are seemingly into nerds). Even so, Chuckie sets the expressos aside, and quickly throws together ingredients: bannana, orange-juice, ice cubes, strawberries, and a scoop of low fat yogurt (because if he used regular yogurt Angelica would probably kill him). He tosses the mixture into a blender and sets it to frappe'.
Two minutes later and Angelica is happily sucking on a fresh-made smoothie, meanwhile, the two hotties that were eyeing Chuckie are now glaring as their expressos have been served to them luke-warm. Angelica seems pleased but her eyes, cunning as a cats, seem wary. Something's bothering his long time tormentor, Chuckie can tell; and he knows damn well that she hasn't walked all the way from her parent's posh, uptown apartment on a hot day just to get a smoothie.
The blonde temptress doesn't say much though, just sits on one of the faded leather stools and stares, watching him with the wide-eyed innocence of a child as the only noise is her sucking ice through her straw and him wiping down the tables. He knows that the innocence is nothing more than an illusion, and behind those crystal blue eyes wheels are turning in her head, trying to figure out exactly what tactic, what formula; would get Chuckie to bend to her will and do exactly what she wanted.
He didn't want to fall for it, but lately, he didn't have anyone else. Tommy, his best friend; had run off with none other than Chuckie's sister, Kimmy. Well, "run off" may have been the wrong word : in all honesty, Kimmy had gone off with Tommy, Phil, and Lil on a trip to a film festival. Lil was going because she had coerced her mother into letting her use the family station wagon, Phil was coming to protect his sister. Kimmy had been invited because Tommy had an extra guest pass ( he being nominated for the "Best Young Director" award), but Chuckie had assumed that he, as the best friend would be the one invited, and had to admit that he was a bit hurt. It was plain to see the unsaid love blooming between Tommy and his sister, but it still hurt to think that another may take his place of number one in Tommy's eyes. Chuckie had gotten used to being the sidekick, the Robin to Tommy's Batman, the milk to the proverbial cereal. Without Tommy, he felt as if he was losing his identity.
Yet, in the midst of all this, one person had been constant: always around, always taking him on random adventures, or visiting him to talk, and that was Angelica. She had been coming around more and more lately, and; although Chuckie was sure it was for some sort of devious, ulterior motive, he sadly had to admit that he was glad of the company.
Angelica looked up from her drink, a tiny bit was pooled in the bottom, around her straw and half-melted. She looked tired, Chuckie noticed, he could see where she'd dabbed concealer under her eyes to hide bags if he looked closely, but no makeup could fix how bloodshot her eyes looked, that's what gave her away.
"Angelica? Are you alright?" He asks hesitantly, absently wiping a glass out with a cloth, it's clean already, but he likes to keep his hands busy - especially when he's nervous.
She shrugs. "Fine, I'm fine." And looks down at her smoothie, not even drinking it anymore but just digging through the remains with her straw.
He stares at her, and for once to him she looks almost weak, almost, it as if he suddenly has a glimpse of the real Angelica hidden inside.
She notices him staring and looks away, quickly.
Chuckie swears he sees an almost red tint to her face and reaches out suddenly, he's not even sure what makes him do it - and, like a spirit possesed, he gently rubs his thumb and the back of his fingers across her smooth cheek. It's terribly soft, smooth as porcelain and just as flawless, he can feel her trembling under his touch. He feels lightheaded almost, dizzy - he wants to kiss her - and he's suprised that he wants to kiss her; so suprised that he drops his hand from her skin, quickly, as if she were made of ice.
Angelica leaves quickly after that, doing up the clasp on her Gucci bag and flinging the empty plastic cup across the room to land in the garbage can. Perfectly manicured fingers raising to wave him a shaky goodbye and pink strappy sandals out the door.
Chuckie wonders if it's maybe something he said, and the store seems oddly lonely as he closes up for the night, with only the breeze to whisper him a far off goodbye.
Parker: well, that's it for this short fanfic. I may add to it later, but for now I think it's finished.
Reviews would be lovely.