AN: My first Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends fanfiction. Hopefully I didn't butcher the characters too much!
Disclaimer: I don't own Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, but I do own the 'mysterious teenager.' Lame, yes, but that one is mine, everything else, including the lyrics both in English and further down in Japanese, belongs to Ayumi Hamasaki from her song 'still alone.' Enjoy!
Twisted
But even so, why?
But I...
I remember your promise.
I remember every day.
still alone
Hamasaki Ayumi
"C'mon, Frankie." Mac pleaded.
"Mac, please." Frankie frowned down at him, but soon her brows shot up as she gazed at him thoughtfully. "Man, you really are shooting up like a bean sprout."
"You really think so?" Mac asked excitedly as his entire face lit up.
"Yeah, I think you've got a good three, no, four inches on you!" Frankie smiled. "You'll be a big help around the house, not saying that you weren't before."
"Yeah?" Mac straightened his posture, puffing out his chest in a moment of self-confidence. "You know, mom's been actually saying the same thing. I can even outrun Terrence."
"I bet you're the fastest on the track." Frankie smirked as she stirred the contents within the large pot simmering on the stove; a simple spaghetti lunch was on the menu.
"Well, we're actually finishing flag football and moving on to soccer--wait." Mac looked at Frankie sharply, realizing where the conversation was leading to. His eyes narrowed. "Don't change the subjec--"
"Try this!" Frankie all but shoved the wooden spoon into his mouth.
Mac nearly gagged on the utensil as Frankie let go to retrieve a ladle to resume her stirring. He pulled the spoon from his mouth, glaring at her.
"Great, isn't it?" Frankie smiled as she added seasoning to the pot of spaghetti sauce. She then flicked back her bangs with an air of arrogance, speaking in the best French accent she could muster. "I may not be the head chef at the Le Ritz de Paris, but I can make a mean spaghetti and meatball lunch, if I do say so myself."
"You're re-heating the tomato sauce you bought from the grocery store." Mac said flatly, reluctant to agree that her sauce was, indeed, tasty. It was well passed noon on a Saturday, it could have been because he was hungry and that anything, even a stale bagel would have tasted like a doughnut made from the finest bakery in town.
"With a few refining touches that make it more than just generic, out of the jar, grocery store bought tomato and basil sauce!" Frankie countered, stirring the sauce with flourish as she flicked her bangs from her forehead once more.
"Frankie!" Mac brandished the wooden spoon at her. "Seriously!"
"I kid you not, my dear boy." Frankie nodded as she snatched the spoon from his grasp. "No need to point utensils at me."
"Frankie." His voice took on a hint of exasperation.
"Mm." Frankie hummed in response as she tasted the sauce for herself. "Not bad, not bad at all."
"C'mon." Mac frowned as he backed over to the counter, sitting on one of the stools as he watched Frankie continue to make lunch. He briefly noticed how it took a slight jump in order for him to seat himself comfortably on the stool, but it was progress from when he had to actually climb up to seat himself by the counter. "Why won't you tell me? Don't you trust me, Frankie?"
"First of all, I've told you before. There's nothing left to tell. And to answer your second question, sure I do, pal." Frankie said absently, covering the simmering pot of sauce to check on the spaghetti noodles. Her findings satisfactory for the moment, she moved over to the oven, but her hand hesitated over the handle. "Whoops."
Frankie turned to the cupboards, opening each one, only to close it with a slight noise of disappointment.
"You can't be serious." Mac said as he pulled the small container of sugar to him, pulling off the lid to stir its contents. Sugar still put him on quite a level of euphoria, to put it nicely, but now at age ten, closing in on eleven, the effects have dulled, even in the slightest. Still, he wouldn't be one to chance it. Mac replaced the cover and pushed it away with a slight look of disgust.
"I know!" Frankie exclaimed, surprising Mac as she slammed the cupboard far at the other end of the kitchen.
"Really?"
"I'm serious, Mac!" Frankie moaned, heading over to the fridge. She opened the doors, and then sighed. "Completely and totally."
"Really?" Mac's brow raised in surprise at her sudden change of heart. "So that means..."
"You got it, pal." Frankie had shut the door to the refrigerator, leaning against it as she cast him a solemn look.
"You'll tell me?!" Mac exclaimed excitedly just as Frankie made her statement.
"We're out of garlic bread."
"We're out of garlic--wait what?" Mac's excitement drained away to confusion as he stared at Frankie incredulously.
"I know! What kind of spaghetti meal has no garlic bread?" Frankie shook her head in disapproval. "Nope. I can't have that."
"Wait. We're out of garlic bread? That's what you were talking about?" Mac repeated, still in a state of confusion.
"Yep. Not a single loaf in the kitchen. Can you believe that? Well," Frankie paused, raising a finger to her lips in thought. "I guess that wouldn't be so unbelievable in this house."
"Were you even listening to a word I said?" Mac demanded, pulling Frankie back from her thoughts.
"Yeah, sure. You were making fun of my sauce." Frankie crossed her arms over her chest, eyes narrowed. "Like I'd let that slip."
"Frankie!" Mac groaned in exasperation, letting his head fall onto the counter with a dull thud.
"Sheesh, no need to lose a few brain cells over it. You don't have that many to spare." Mac gave her a dry look and Frankie giggled in response, giving him a wink as she walked over to him, grabbing his shoulders to give them a quick, affectionate squeeze. "I'm just kidding, Mac. Now, how about doing your dear, sweet Frankie a favor?"
"Will you tell me if I do?" Mac asked hopefully, straightening up as he tilted his head to see her expression.
"So the grocery store is only a few blocks away," Frankie said as she ignored Mac's question. " I'd go myself but I've already started everything. Thanks a bunch."
"But--"Mac tried to interject.
"I know," Frankie beat him to it as she pulled out a small wad of bills, placing it in Mac's hand. "You might need some help. I'm sure Wilt or Eduardo would be happy to help. I'd suggest Bloo, but, you know."
"Frank--"
"Thanks, buddy!" With that Frankie had pushed Mac out the kitchen, giving him one last smile before she shut the door in his face.
Mac's mouth hung open as he stared at the closed door, unable to come up with a response to her impromptu decision to make him her errand boy. Feeling indignant, Mac made to raise his hand and throw the money to the floor, but instead, he let it drop to his side, pocketing it with a mumbled promise under his breath as he shuffled off in search of his friends.
Bloo really wasn't the best choice to help Mac, but he was his best friend and under different circumstances, it would have been Bloo that would walk with him to the nearby grocery store and most likely turn a simple errand into a chaotic adventure. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately enough, Bloo was currently busy with his own escapades.
"Gottahide gottahide gottahide--oh hey, Mac." Bloo's expression of fear fell at the sight of his best friend and creator.
"Hey." Mac said half-heartedly, earning a look from his friend.
"Is that all that I get? What is that?" Bloo snorted, waving his hands in the air. "Never mind, enough about you. Right now my life's in jeopardy and talking to you at this very moment decreases any chance of survival I may have."
There was a moment of silence.
"What?" Mac let confusion reign over his expression. "Look, do you want to come with me to the grocery store and pick up something for Frankie?"
"Why can't she do it herself? I tell you, that girl gets lazier and lazier every day." Bloo said with a slight shake of his head. "Really, you'd think that--"
"CO CO!"
Bloo and Mac froze at the cry that echoed throughout the hallway along with the sounds of bare feet slapping down against the hardwood floors.
"Gottahide gottahide!" Bloo's face now a picture of pure panic and fright as he darted past Mac and to the main staircase and out of sight.
Coco appeared just seconds after he disappeared, her eyes burning and the leaves that were created to be her hair was swaying rapidly around her head, her beak twisted into an angry snarl as she marched over to the startled boy. Mac nearly stepped back, but reminded himself that she was angry at Bloo, at least, that's what he could conclude at his friend's sudden disappearance at Cocos war-like cry.
"Coco co coco co?" Coco demanded with her usual one-worded vocalization, stomping her foot for emphasis as she bore her angry eyes into Mac's own timid gaze.
"Bloo? What's he done now?" Mac frowned.
"Coco! Cococo coco cococo co co!" Coco snapped, her eyes narrowed.
"No!" Mac looked at her horrified.
"Coco!"
"He didn't!"
"Coco!"
"He's upstairs." Mac pointed up the staircase. Coco gave him a short nod and began heading up the steps. "Oh, wait. Do you know where Wilt and Eduardo are?"
Coco answered with a jerk of her head towards the way she had come before disappearing up the steps herself. Mac called out a word of gratitude, despite the fact that she probably wouldn't hear it, before heading down the hall.
Upon reaching the end of the hallway, he found a room with the door slightly ajar. Wilt and Eduardo both glanced up, pausing in their cleaning to offer him a greeting.
"Hey, Mac!" Wilt said cheerfully as he picked up the plastic eggs and tossed them expertly into a woven basket at the far end of the room.
"Hola, Señor Mac." Eduardo greeted with a toothy smile, his thunderous steps echoing in the room as he turned a chair back onto its legs.
"So Coco wasn't kidding." Mac said, his voice expressing his amusement as he surveyed the room. Wilt sighed and Eduardo shuddered.
"Sí, Señorita Coco was muy upset."
"I could tell." Mac smiled. "Anyway, I wanted to know if you guys wanted to come to the grocery store with me. I need to pick up garlic bread for lunch."
"Sure thing, Mac." Wilt agreed at once, his smile widening. "Just let us finish up here and we'll be on our way."
"Garlic bread?" Eduardo questioned.
"Yup. Frankie's making spaghetti." Mac said as he helped clean up the room.
"With meatballs?" Eduardo asked.
"I think so." Mac paused as he tried to recall.
"Muy bueno! And potatoes?" Eduardo asked hopefully.
"Um, I don't think so. Sorry, Ed." Mac gave the furry imaginary friend an apologetic look as he picked up the last of the plastic eggs.
"Oh. Is okay. Lunch still sounds muy bueno." Eduardo grinned.
"We better hurry if it's for lunch." Wilt said as he glanced up at a nearby clock.
"Right. Sorry for bothering you guys," Mac added as they left the room.
"It's no problem, Mac." Wilt waved off as they headed for the main entrance. "We're happy to help."
"Sí, is no problem Señor Mac. Maybe we can add potatoes to lunch as well!!" Eduardo said.
"You'll have to ask Frankie about that." Mac said as he opened the door. "I was going to ask Bloo, but--"
"She's crazy!"
Mac, Wilt, and Eduardo could only watch as a blue bur ran by, screaming as an angry imaginary bird-like friend followed close at his heels. The other imaginary friends enjoying the rest of the day outside on the front yard continued to go about their business as if nothing out of the ordinary was occurring.
"Well, let's go." Mac said absently as he closed the door behind them.
"Okay, remember guys, we're only here for garlic bread."
Mac readjusted his backpacks shoulder straps as they stood outside the automatic doors of the grocery store. He wasn't sure why they were hesitating to step in, but since they were he thought it was best to restate their purpose. Often times they were distracted or they were just plain unlucky and things happened to get in the way. Whatever the case was, Mac believed things would go smoothly without Bloo with them.
"Got it." Wilt saluted.
"Sí, comprende." Eduardo nodded with a smile.
They entered the store, Wilt having to bend down in order to fit through the doorway.
"I think it's--"
"Potatoes!" Eduardo shouted as he pointed to a section of the store.
"Ed, wait!" Mac shouted after him in exasperation.
"Hey, there's a sale on laundry detergent and milk. We do need to restock." Wilt said thoughtfully as he headed over to the bulletin board that had the ads spread out and pinned, showing the sales for that week.
"Wilt, we only need garlic bread right now." Mac reminded him.
"We could pick up a few more things. Think of it as killing two birds with one stone. Well, not literally. I mean it'd be really bad and pretty pointless to just throw a stone and happen to kill two birds with it. That would be horrible." Wilt stopped himself, realizing he was getting away with his thoughts and turned to Mac with a sheepish smile. "Sorry, does that make sense?"
"Wilt..." Mac began, but said friend was already turned back to the adds.
"Sorry, is that okay?"
Mac opened his mouth to argue and tell him that it wasn't okay, but opted to sigh instead. It seemed that he would have to retrieve the bread himself after all. He shoved his hands in his pockets and stepped forward. The breath was knocked out of his lungs as the straps on his shoulders jerked him backwards, sending him stumbling back. Mac opened his mouth to let out a cry of surprise, but a hand effectively muffled his cry and he found himself being dragged out of the stores entrance and around the corner towards a more deserted area.
"Hey, little brother."
"Terrence." Mac mumbled behind the hand, glaring out of the corner of his eyes.
"What's that?" Terrence grinned as he pulled his hand away, but instead of giving Mac a chance to speak he jerked his brother around, grabbing him harshly by the shoulders. "Still with your weirdo friends."
"What do you want?" Mac grunted as Terrence tightened his hold. Mac had grown taller and picked up a few things to help him avoid a beating from his brother, but as he changed, so did Terrence. Terrence still towered over him and if he thought that Terrence's immaturity might have lessened to spare Mac a few poundings, Mac found himself proven terribly wrong as it seemed Terrence had seemed to grow even more ruthless than ever before. It could have been from the fact that Terrence, no longer sneering at him with his crooked teeth was now snarling at Mac with a mouth full of metal. His acne had gotten worse and so had his temper.
"Now, now." Terrence grinned at him, his lips cracked from the dry heat of the summer sun. It looked painful even to Mac as he suspected Terrence had most likely cut his mouth more than once from his braces. "Is that any way to talk to your older brother?"
Before Mac could reply, he was slammed into the stone wall of the grocery store just near the corner. Mac let out a low groan as he felt pain shoot up his front. His head throbbed from impact against the wall, but he managed to avoid hitting his nose. He didn't want to have to deal with the mess of a nosebleed. Nosebleeds left evidence if they weren't dealt with quickly and evidence would lead to the conviction of his older brother, which could only promise a more painful pounding sooner or later.
Terrence snorted with laughter and Mac tightened his hands, remembering they were in his pockets. His eyes widened slightly as he felt the money Frankie had entrusted with him clenched tightly in his hand and forced himself to relax. If Terrence found him with the money, he would most likely take it. Whether or not it belonged to Mac or someone else, it mattered little to his older brother.
"What's in your pocket?"
Mac tensed, his thoughts going wild as he gave into the insane theory that his brother could read his mind, but soon pushed it aside as Terrence stared at his arms shoved deep into pockets. The awkward position would have caught any idiot's attention, especially after Mac had failed to fight off Terrence's assault.
"I've got things to do, so just leave--"
Terrence ignored him as he grabbed one arm, unfortunately the one that was holding the money tightly in Mac's pocket, and yanked it from the material of his pants, holding it high in the air for a moment before he twisted it behind Mac's back. For Mac's worth, he didn't cry out, but there was a sharp intake of breath as he clenched his eyes shut, gritting his teeth to keep his hand from opening.
"Woah!" The exclamation and the weight removed from his hand told him he had failed in his efforts just before he was shoved to the ground.
"What're you doing with this much cash? A little gift for you brother, huh?" Terrence snorted.
Mac scrambled to his feet, his cheek scratched and dirt covering his front as he whirled around to grab the money back from Terrence. Expecting the act of retaliation, Terrence grabbed Mac's lunging hand by the wrist and once again twisted it at an awkward angle, bringing Mac to his knees with a shout in a mixture of shock and pain.
Terrence laughed above him, tossing the wad of money up and catching it with an air of arrogance. Mac felt his breath coming out in short gasps. Wilt and Eduardo were still in the store and the parking lot was empty save for a few people possibly walking along the sidewalk way on the other side of the parking lot, or even waiting with their backs turned as they sat at the bus stop. Mac clenched his eyes shut, struggling against his brother's hold even as pain shot through his arm, making him gasp. It wasn't his money to be stolen, it belonged to Frankie, no, Foster's!
Mac could hear Terrence's laughter thundering in his ears as he gave a final twist and pushed Mac to the ground once more. Mac laid there for a moment before pushing himself up with his good arm, glaring at Terrence through one of his eyes, the other still clenched shut as it teared from the dirt that had managed to seep in. Terrence offered his metallic grin and waved the money above Mac's face.
"Thanks for spotting me, bro!" Terrence snickered as he took a step back.
Mac felt his body shaking as he watched Terrence start to back pedal, relishing in his temporary victory over his little brother. Mac was up on his feet as he stared at the money waving in Terrence's hand and knew he couldn't let his brother get away with it. There was no one to save the day and Mac knew that it would be he and he alone that would be able to retrieve that money.
"Haha--urk?!" Terrence stumbled the same moment Mac chose to lunge at the teenager. Mac's eyes clenched shut as he let out a battle cry, charging his shoulder into his brother. Terrence's hands flailed out at his sides, catching something with his right hand as both he and Mac hit the ground, Terrence taking most of the impact of the fall as the air was knocked from his lungs. Mac winced as something small smacked him on the head with enough force to disorient him for a few seconds. As he regained his bearings, Mac's eyes focused on the money Frankie had given him. His eyes widened as he saw it lying a few feet from Terrence's head, realizing it must have been tossed away when they fell.
Mac felt his spirits rise as he scrambled off his brother, reaching for the money only to have his foot snagged by the ankle and a bone chilling voice that stopped him completely in his tracks.
"You're dead, dork!" Terrence snarled as he dragged Mac back across the pavement, rubbing his palms raw. Mac flipped over onto his side to get better control of his legs and in order to aim when he kicked, but he froze when he saw Terrence wind his arm back, his hand clench into a fist. Panic taking over, Mac could only throw his arms over his face as he braced himself for the impact.
Instead, he heard Terrence's grunt of confusion followed by a small cracking sound. Terrence yelped in pain and the grip on Mac's ankle disappeared. Confused about what just happened, Mac wondered if Wilt and Eduardo had found him and let his arms fall to the side as he looked up hopefully.
Terrence was clutching the side of his face near his eye with both his hands, sitting on his rear as he grit his teeth in pain. On the ground lay silver colored plastic pieces as well as a long cord connected onto what seemed to be a pair of earphones. Mac slowly followed the line of the wire and his eyes widened in surprise as he saw figure standing just a foot away from Terrence.
It wasn't Wilt nor was it Eduardo. From what Mac could tell, it wasn't even an adult. Their face was obscured by the hood of their gray sweater that even caused sweat to break out across Mac's forehead. From the depths of the sweater hung the dull, silver colored wire that connected to the two ear pieces that were strewn on the ground, held together by the same wire. From the baggy jeans that covered sneakers almost completely from view and they seemed to have been dragged across the ground considering how it was frayed at the ends, Mac guessed it was a teenage boy about Terrence's age.
For a moment Mac could see the expression on the stranger's face. The corners of his mouth was turned down into a frown, lips pressing together to form a thin line. The action had Mac believing that he's savior may have been regretting his reactions.
He probably did if he wasn't prepared to fight. Or even worse, he couldn't fight. But then, why would he risk interfering if he was only end up taking a beating for Mac?
However, Mac could not continue his thoughts. Terrence had snapped out of his trance and was up on his feet, grabbing the boy by the shoulders to face him. Terrence probably had a few inches on the other boy. Mac felt his hopes sink as he looked between the two teenagers and could only wonder about what things could escalate to. It was one thing for Terrence to beat on Mac. It was another to see him fight someone that seemed to actually stand a chance. Or so Mac hoped.
"Ter--" Mac began, but Terrence ignored him.
"What's your problem, punk?" Terrence snarled through his braces.
Silence was Terrence's only response as the boy looked at him calmly from out of his hoodie. With little patience, Terrence pushed the boy back against the wall. Aside from the slight wince crossing his expression, the boy didn't react.
"Aren't you going to say anything?" Terrence glowered.
"I'm sorry."
Both Terrence and Mac could only stare at the newcomer in surprise at his quiet apology. Neither had expected such a response, but soon Terrence got over the initial shock and Mac feared for what was to come.
"Sorry?" Terrence repeated incredulously. "You think you can just say sorry and, just like that? You're stupid earphones nearly took out my eye!"
Terrence pointed to the bluish, purple mark that was forming at the corner of his left eye, causing him to squint and making him look more like a deranged lunatic than threatening air he was trying to convey, which in itself was disturbing enough. The stranger matched his gaze, unwavering, but for the briefest moment his eyes darted towards Mac and toward the path behind him, before meeting Terrence's glare once more.
The stranger tilted his gaze, away from Terrence as he moved his hand toward the messenger bag on at his side. He raised the hand closest to it, or at least the sleeve of his long sweater, shaking it in order to free his hand from the confines of the material. Terrence however, tensed at the movement and slammed him against the wall by giving a quick, hard shove to one of his shoulders. The other teenager stilled in his movements, wincing at the unexpected reaction.
"What're you think you're doing?" Terrence demanded.
The teenager slowly raised his gaze to meet Terrence's, but once again he looked over at Mac. Mac could only stare as the other boy's eyes held his for a moment and again, Mac noticed the slight movement of his gaze that seemed to go beyond Mac, before quickly meeting Terrences impatient glare. Mac glanced over his shoulder in slight confusion. His eyes widened in understanding as he snapped his gaze back over to his brother and the other teenager.
He wants me to run, Mac thought with sudden clarity. He wants me to run while he keeps Terrence occupied.
"I'm terribly sorry." The teenager said in the same quiet voice. "I was trying to--"
"To catch me off guard with a sucker punch?" Terrence supplied, his lips pulling back to reveal a metal snarl. Terrence's hand slid from the other boys' shoulder and moved to grasp the excess material of their hoodie and raised the boy high enough that Mac could see him shuffling to keep balance on the balls of his feet. They could hear the boys' sharp intake of breath. With a sinking heart, Mac could see his expression was blank, except for the slight trembling and the bead of sweat that made its way down the side of his face that even Mac could see visibly from where he stood.
Terrence raised his arm, pulling it back as his hand clenched into a fist. His snarl turned into a sneer. Mac felt his mouth go dry as he looked to the other boy, almost in desperation.
However, it seemed the other boy was not going to fight back, nor even attempt to stop him.
"Terrence!" Mac shouted without a second thought, charging until he slammed his elbow into his older brother's side. Terrence doubled over his knees as Mac pulled away, his chest heaving as he stumbled back. Terrence looked up at him sharply, wheezing as he held the side Mac had struck. Mac was too horrified at his own bravery (and stupidity) to think about anything else, including the stranger he had just 'saved' as he looked into Terrence's eyes, now burning with hatred meant for him and him alone.
Ah, brotherly love.
"When... I'm through with you--" Terrence wheezed as he struggled to his feet, one arm still holding his side as he grimaced with pain.
The hair standing on the back of his neck, Mac took his chance as Terrence took a moment to control his breathing. Mac whirled around, pivoting on his left foot as he lunged for the money on the ground. He paused, for the briefest of moments to shove it deep into his pocket, but that moment was all Terrence needed as he looked up to see his brother with his back turned to him. Like an enraged bull, Terrence bowed his head in the slightest and gave a primal cry as he charged toward his little brother.
However, Terrence failed to take notice of the wire that still lay at his feet and the face that the other boy was still there. Without thinking, the other boy took both ends of his earphones and pulled hard just as Terrence's foot was caught, sweeping him off his feet and landing with a very noisy face plant onto the pavement.
Mac had stumbled to his feet and was attempting to make his escape, but couldn't help but glance back over his shoulder at the strange outcry. His eyes widened at the sight of Terrence once again flat on his face, the stranger standing the same distance away as when Mac first saw him, his fingers curled around the wire of his earphones now pulled taunt. Mac's eyes widened as he made to turn around, but he was stopped as he hit something, causing him to stumble back. Mac would have just about mimicked Terrence's current position had it not been for a hand that had reached out and steadied him by his outstretched arm.
"Woah! There you are Mac."
Mac blinked and tilted his head back to see Wilt with an expression filled with relief. Mac blinked before twisting around and lowering his gaze to find Eduardo standing behind Wilt, his face filled with concern.
"Wilt! Eduardo!" Mac gasped.
"We searched the whole store for you. You just disappeared!" Eduardo said with a frown.
"Yeah, what happ--Oh." Wilt answered his own question as he took his eyes off of Mac.
"Oh, yeah. It's no problem." Mac said as he pulled his arm from Wilt's grip, He waved the money at them with a smile. "Nothing I couldn't handle."
"I see." Wilt said with a hint of amazement. He shook his head once then looked at Mac with a frown. "Still, I'm so sorry Mac. We had no idea--"
"No, it's okay." Mac waved off the apology. "That guy over there came by and--"
"What guy?" Eduardo interrupted.
"What do you mean? He's right... " Mac trailed off when he finally turned to point at his savior only to find Terrence sitting on the ground, holding a hand to his face.
"By gnose!" Terrence was mumbling through his hands, gaining their attention.
"What?" Mac said in confusion as he stepped towards Terrence, his eyes roving the area.
"By gose, you 'ork!" Terrence shouted in a nasally tone, but Mac ignored him as the question hadn't been directed to him. Where had the other boy gone?
Something white caught Mac's eye next to Terrence's foot. He hurried over, kneeling down to pick it up. Wilt and Eduardo could only watch in bewilderment, still stunned at the sight they were greeted with. Even Terrence had silenced his complaints to see what had caught Mac's attention.
It was a small bottle no bigger than the size of his palm. He wondered if it had always been there, but it looked relatively new. As he picked it up, something else caught his eye, causing him to divert his attention to the new object.
It was the the plastic pieces from the earphones.
Mac looked up again, scanning the area as far as he could see, but he was only met with a parking lot devoid of any life except for a few sparsely parked cars. Slowly, he looked back at the ground and reached for the object that had caught his attention in the first place.
"Mac?"
Mac blinked and slowly looked up to see his friends faces. He could see the questions in their eyes, but he only shook his head, his own questions filling his mind.
"It's a bottle of aspirin." Mac said, shaking it for emphasis. The tiny pills clattered together inside the bottle noisily. He looked at Terrence out of the corner of his eyes to see a dumbfounded expression on his face.
"Mac?"
Mac looked up at the uncertain expression on his friends faces. He offered them a weak smile. Then he turned to Terrence sharply. Terrence looked back at him, his hand still hovering over his nose that wasn't even bleeding. It seemed to be fine except for a small scrap that could be seen on the bridge.
"Here."
"Wha?" Terrence gaped at him for a moment.
"Take it!" Mac insisted in slight annoyance.
"I don't have a headache, stupid!" Terrence said more understandably, his nasally tone fading as he removed his hand from his face completely.
Now in the presence of his friends and Terrence's pride wounded, Mac was no longer apprehensive of his older brother, only irritated by his ignorance.
"It's for the pain!" Mac explained shortly, shaking the bottle in his face.
"I don't need it." Terrence growled back, knocking it from Mac's hand. "I don't need your stupid aspirin!"
Rather than feeling indignant, Mac let his arm fall to his side, shrugging.
"It's not mine." Terrence stared at him in surprise as Mac turned his back on him.
"We better hurry, Frankie's probably wondering what we're doing." Mac said cheerfully as he adjusted the straps of his backpack against his shoulders.
Wilt and Eduardo exchanged glances as Mac walked passed them and around the corner, motioning them to follow him. They started to turn around, but made sure to give Terrence one last look before heading after him.
Terrence sneered as he heard the sound of the tall one's squeaking sneakers and the hairy ones thunderous steps fade away as they entered the store. He looked at the ground, frowning as he hesitantly reached up towards his nose, hissing in pain as it throbbed in response to the light brush of his fingers. He growled, catching sight of the plastic pieces of the earphones belonging to the punk that did this to him. He picked it up and tossed it as hard as he could at the wall, only to have it bounce back and clip him in the same spot the earphones had hit him earlier.
Howling in pain, Terrence clutched the bruise, only to jerk his hands away as the pressure brought only more pain. Tears pricking the corners of his eyes Terrence looked down to see the bottle of aspirin lying at his side from when he knocked it out of Mac's hand.
"Stupid bottle!" Terrence snarled as he scrambled to his feet, raising his foot to stomp the plastic insult to his pride out of existence.
Then slowly, he put his foot down and picked up the bottle.
どうしてそれなのに私は。。。
だけど私は。。。
約束を覚えているの
忘れた日はないの
AN: I hope it wasn't too bad. Comments and reviews are greatly appreciated :D emails too! I hope you enjoyed the beginning of my new project :)
