A/N: Hey everyone! I have to say first that I am totally in love with the Ralphoebe bandwagon. They are too cute! This was intended to be several parts, but I feel like I have lost inspiration to continue it, so if anyone has any suggestions, feel free to let me know. Read and Review, just to be kind!
I do not own the Magic School Bus or the gang. I merely wish my school was as cool as theirs. That's all. Enjoy!
Phoebe sighed and pulled her arms tighter around herself. She looked down on the empty football field, strewn with confetti and ribbons and the memories of the game. She was alone in the bleachers, the cold metal biting into her thighs and empty cups rolling around at her feet.
"He shoots….He scores…" she whispered quietly into the night air, the faint sounds from the party in the parking lot drifting back to her. A faint chuckle jolted her from her trance and she stared wide eyed around the supposedly empty bleachers.
"Wrong sport Pheebs. Sorry to burst your bubble" Ralphie slowly emerged from the shadows, a lazy grin twisted around his lips, his brown eyes sparkling with mirth. Pheobe grinned back shyly as Ralphie took a seat next to her on the bleacher, his jean clad thigh brushing hers.
The years had been kind to Ralphie. His old baby fat had filled out his 6 foot frame nicely, creating a body that was not overly thin and not overly muscled. His eyes were still round and brown, but he had a defined jaw and when he smiled, his cheeks revealed dimples that had not been noticeable before.
He had taken up many sports upon his induction into high school: soccer, baseball, and football, among others. Tonight his letterman jacket was representing Walkerville's high school football team, which had just won the State championships. His passion for sports has not only got him onto several teams but also increased his confidence, which made Ralphie far less cowardly then he used to be (although he was still a notoriously slow mover when it came to girls).
The party in the parking lot was raging with underage drinkers and garbage cans of fire. Loud music was playing from one of the cars, and judging by the Spanish beat, Phoebe was willing to bet money that a certain Ramone had opened up the doors on his blue Camero.
"Wha'cha doing sitting around here Phoebe? Trying to absorb as many football tactics as possible before next year? Think you're going to trump us all next year and come out to play on the college football team? Touchdown Terese. Has a nice ring to it" She laughed quietly into her hand and nudged Ralphie's side with her elbow. He grinned and pulled her hand away from her face.
"Ah, don't hide behind your hand Touchdown, you've got such a pretty smile" Phoebe blushed and let Ralphie pull her hand down between them. She let it hang awkwardly between them after he let it go, not quite sure what she was supposed to do with it. She automatically brought it up and wrapped it around the opposite forearm.
"What are you doing here Ralphie? I thought you were supposed to be over there beer bonging and partying with the rest of the football team….and the cheerleaders." She couldn't help but add the last part without sounding slightly bitter.
Cheerleaders were the epitome of everything that she was not. Short and blonde to her tall, auburn frame. Fit where she was just thin and more importantly popular where she was not.
She was Phoebe, DA's study partner, or Carlos' shy friend that was pretty alright at soccer, in case there was a pick up game. She was Wanda's dress-up doll (which was really not as fun as it sounded) or Keesha's sounding board. Tim's sketching model, or his fervent admirer. Ralphie's number-one cheering fan and Arnold's patient listener.
High school had passed as a blur of make ups, break ups and discovery. Drinking, drugs, and the opposite sex. As a group, Ms. Frizzle's old third grade class had collectively been through it all.
"Ah, I was over there, for a little while, but Floosie was starting to get on my nerves, and I had to get away. But you still haven't answered my question Phoebe Terese. What exactly are you doing out here? I find it hard to believe that it's for the view, seeing as how there isn't much of one" He grinned lopsidedly at her and watched her from the corner of his eye.
"Oh…I just…needed a little but of air, you know, and the air is really clear and fresh out here, have you ever noticed? I thought it was because of the winds that are blowing in from the north, they always say that it helps clarity of thought and….uh….never mind" Ralphie raised an eyebrow and just shook his head at the typical Phoebe answer.
"Thinking about anything in particular Pheebs? Or just anxious over life in general?" Phoebe tilted her head back and giggled.
"I think anxiety's more Arnold's thing then mine really." Ralphie laughed loudly, startling Phoebe who jumped slightly.
"Remember that time when Ms. Frizzle brought us on that field trip…" Phoebe raised an eyebrow (something that Wanda had insisted she learn) and giggled again (what was with the giggling?? She wasn't Floosie or anything!).
"Which field trip? You're going to have to be specific Tennelli!" Ralphie grinned back and shrugged, leaning his elbows back on the bench behind them.
"Ah, I don't know Phoebe, I can't decide which one I should talk about. There's too much Arnold neuroticism and abnormality to really capture in just one memory." Phoebe grinned back and nodded, turning to face the field once again.
She shivered in her seat, and Ralphie was quick to shed his jacket and throw it over her shoulders. It swamped her, but he couldn't help but think that she looked pretty cute decked out in her jean shorts, red t-shirt and his white and red letterman jacket. She quietly murmured her thanks, her pale, slightly freckled face blushing.
"Red looks good on you" he murmured to her quietly, to which she flushed anew.
"You played well tonight, by the way" Phoebe answered just as quietly and Ralphie grinned to himself at the obvious avoidance of what he had said.
"Thanks. Everyone played really well tonight. We really deserved this game" Phoebe nodded in accordance, remembering how many times Ralphie had been stuck after school at practice, while they had all been out and about.
They sat in silence for a while, Phoebe staring over the field and Ralphie sneaking subtle glances at his elementary school friend from the corner of his eye.
"Ralphie-" Phoebe started and then stopped, flushing and shaking her head slowly.
"Phoebe Terese. How long have I known you?" Phoebe looked over at Ralphie in shock, green eyes wide with surprise.
"Um….almost…10 years?" Phoebe asked slowly, looking rather confused at Ralphie's serious face.
"Yes. And I think I should know by now what's bothering you. No, Carlos will not get injured during a keg stand attempt, DA and Keesha will make plenty sure of that. Yes, I made sure Tim and Arnold were both having a good time before I left. Tim has his hands full with Janet of all people and Arnold's….rather busy with Wanda at the moment" Ralphie grinned like a shark, white teeth flashing in the dark, and Phoebe found herself blushing at the insinuation.
"DA's books are currently MIA thanks to Carlos and myself, and Keesha is having a good time. Babysitting Carlos is something she rather enjoys doing, I think. Wanda came pantiless tonight, in order to avoid her underwear hanging up the flag pole again, but just in case, all of her clothes have 'Florrie' written on the tag. Floosie won't know what hit her" Phoebe laughed out loud at that, and Ralphie quickly indulged her in his impish grin.
"No, I did not hurt myself during the game, and I am not disappointed that I didn't get scouted. Well, maybe a little, but I'm not too bothered by it" He added hastily at her look of incredulity.
"Yes, Floosie is well on her way to being trashed, which we both know can lead to some pretty amusing videos, and, thanks to the few beer she has consumed, Janet is relaxed enough to love even you. Trust me. She loves everyone right now" Phoebe rolled her eyes, and gave Ralphie a slightly exasperated look to which he grinned again.
Suddenly serious, Ralphie grabbed her and forced Phoebe to look at him, using his hands to guide her chin to face him. His large, sports calloused hands cradled her delicate face and he realized for the first time, just how fragile and beautiful Phoebe looked in the moonlight.
"And no, Phoebe, college is not knocking on our front doors just yet. We still have time to be kids and enjoy each others constant company inside the corridors of Walkerville high school. And no Terese, we will not forget you, regardless if we all go to separate colleges, which may or may not happen. We are friends, and have been for a decade. Just because our Magic School Bus days are coming to a close, doesn't mean the fun has to stop. College will be fun, and so will the years after college" Phoebe blushed intensely but kept her piercing green gaze on Ralphie.
"You don't need to worry so much about the future Phoebe. It's something you can't change or slow down, whether you're ready for it or not. We'll be here, if you need us. All you have to do is ask. I will be there for you Phoebe. Just stop being afraid of what will be, and appreciate what is" Ralphie finished softly, still holding her face in between his hands. Phoebe smiled genuinely this time and lowered her gaze only slightly, peering up at Ralphie from between her long lashes.
"Who knew Mr. Football had such encouraging words to say. And here we were thinking you could only throw a football" she teased lightly but reached out and squeezed his knee lightly to let him know that she had appreciated his words. He grinned back, feeling slightly dazed and slowly let go of her face, his fingertips trailing their way around her cheek and down her jaw line. She flushed under his touch, his finger leaving a trail of liquid fire under her skin and she trembled from the intensity in his gaze.
"I think there are a lot of things about me that would surprise you Pheebs" Ralphie said, his voice, Phoebe noticed, much lower then usual. She shuddered and sucked in a quick breath that made Ralphie grin his lazy, impish grin, but the tell-tale blush stained his cheeks as well, indicating that he wasn't as unaffected as he appeared. They stayed in that position for a long time, neither moving and neither saying anything, their breath coming out shallowly between them.
"I think…maybe we should go back?" Phoebe questioned quietly (and rather breathlessly, much to her chagrin). Ralphie jerked back quickly and dropped his hands beside himself, tugging nervously on his evergreen t-shirt.
"Right, right, you're right." He sucked in a deep breath to compose himself and stood quickly. He dropped his arm and grinned down at her with a wink.
"Coming my fair lady?" She giggled and took his arm, the sleeves of his letterman jacket falling just above her fingertips. He tucked her into his side and threw his arm around her slim form. She smiled up at him and snuggled into the warm and slightly musky scent that was Ralphie Tennelli.
They walked slowly away from the bleachers and towards the orange glow of the party. Judging from the T-Pain remix that was being played, Carlos' Spanish beats had been replaced.
They met the fringe of the party, Ralphie moving to walk in front of Phoebe and taking her hand to help her trail after him through the crowd.
As they rounded the corner, Phoebe noticed their friends sitting around Carlos' car, laughing and talking. Carlos stood in the middle of the group, both hands up in the air gesturing wildly, swaying slightly on the spot. DA and Keesha were leaning against the hood with disapproval on their faces, but their true amusement shining through their tiny smirks (although both looked ready to jump up and catch Carlos at any second, should he fall over).
Tim was leaning against the right side of the car, head turned to look at Carlos, but his eyes were trained on the red headed figure in front of him who was laughing uproariously and had both hands on his chest.
Wanda and Arnold were sitting beside DA looking fairly contented, with Wanda's hair looking little better then a bird's nest and Arnold's looking even worse. Phoebe blushed for them as Wanda slyly grinned up at Arnold when she thought no one was looking and he shyly grinned back.
Ralphie lifted his hand high in greeting as they neared and DA and Keesha both lifted their heads in acknowledgment, smiles flitting across their faces. Carlos turned around quickly and high fived Ralphie before winking at Pheobe, which caused her to blush anew, and Ralphie to pull her closer to him, shooting a disapproving (and slightly jealous) look at Carlos.
Tim and Arnold waved from their seats and Janet and Wanda giggled and winked back at them.
Phoebe and Ralphie joined the group, as Ralphie leaned against the left side of the car, and engaged in some discussion with Wanda and Arnold, pulling an uncertain Phoebe to him, so that she settled herself comfortably against his broad chest. Phoebe blushed and smiled up at him before sighing contentedly.
If this was appreciating what is, then Phoebe Terese wasn't going to be one to argue. Life and college had to happen. And if they had been friends for this long already, they defiantly wouldn't give each other up without a fight. At least Phoebe knew she wouldn't.
The Magic School Bus days were coming to a close, but that didn't mean that the adventure stopped here. They had years more of adventure to experience together. And Ralphie would be there for her; Phoebe certainly thought that that was a comforting thought (and then proceeded to blush intensely). Looking around at all of her long-time friends, Phoebe Terese knew that she was uncertain about where life would lead them, and that was okay. Let life and relationships come: she was ready (or at least she thought she was, should whatever was happening with Ralphie actually happen).
One thing was for certain however….she had never been to a party like this at her old school!