Author's Note: Hello all! Well, it's just over a week since the story's been published and I thought you all needed an update right about now so, here we are! Thank you to those of you who checked this story out as well as those who reviewed it (yes, theblindwriter95 and Sofia2017 planning, that means you two!) it really means a whole lot to me. I really do hope you're enjoying it as much as I am writing it.
Anyway, here is the second chapter now completely Peanuts-centric! I've been waiting to introduce them to the story and now, here they are! Also, it's funny that I find writing for Madeline more challenging than writing for Peanuts...is that wrong? Maybe it's because I'm not that great at French, or it's been a while since I watched it...either of the two.
Well, I hope you enjoy this second chapter! It's much longer than the first chapter (and quite honestly, easier to write than the first one...don't get me wrong, it was not by any means easy) and the characters from both universes don't meet just yet. I suppose we'll have to wait 'til chapter 3. Also, please leave me a review and let me know what you think!
Thank you all!
~ASianSuccessor2012
Chapter #2: Cheer Up!
CRACK!
As one fateful hit of the wooden bat struck against the corked rubber ball, the players of each rivaling team at the Little League stood awestruck and wide-eyed at this unbelievable sight of the baseball flying almost to the sky's height. On the other hand, the bearer of the bat, Charlie Brown, who refrained from his usual role as pitcher, stood just as dazed as the others but seemed more distracted than his teammates, his eyes often shifting about without a sense of focus .
"CHARLIE BROWN!" yelled a shrill voice coming from the steel bleachers nearby belonging to a girl in a blue blouse and lightly curled raven black hair, "What do you think you're doing you blockhead?! RUN!"
The shrieking tone snapped the boy back into his senses as he began dashing as fast as his short but nimble legs could carry him from base to base. Though running as fast as he could, what he couldn't do was keep his thoughts together. With his mind working faster than his legs did with thoughts of anything but the baseball game, trying as he might to brush the distractions off, he failed at his attempt therefore causing his legs to slow down at every last step he took and his chest to tighten. Why of all times did this have to happen in one that mattered the most, just at the brink of winning the game? Charlie Brown could only wonder to himself. Then again, he remembered who was put on the spot. Him. That's why this was happening. That sounded about right...though of course, it felt quite wrong.
"Story of my life, I guess," he thought to himself as he trudged past the third base.
"He's almost there! He's almost WINNING!" Lucy van Pelt, the proud owner of the shrill voice exclaimed, leaping up and down excitedly upon the bleachers alongside her other teammates,
"I can't believe it. Charlie Brown WINNING?! But that's what I'm seeing! That's what's HERE! I can't believe it!"
"Well, you better believe it because he's about to take us to the HOME PLATE!" her brother and Charlie Brown's best friend Linus chimed in response.
"Come on, Charlie Brown! ALMOST THERE! YOU CAN DO IT CHARLIE BROWN!" the team called out in unison cheering their faithful manager on.
Still with a hazed state of mind and a speed gradually slowing down, it didn't take Charlie Brown very long to realize that he was just inches away from the home plate. In sight of the base, his eyebrows raised in shock and his legs started to regain its fuel once more as soon as he closed his eyes and dashed towards his impending victory. With his eyes shut tight, he could sense that he running shoes were carrying him closer and closer to the home base until he heard the umpire yell "OUT." His shoes then screeched to a halt just before he touched the base, his eyes bursting open as he came face-to-face with his friend yet baseball rival, Peppermint Patty, who caught the ball much to he and his teammates' dismay.
"I'm sorry, Chuck," Peppermint Patty turned to him apologetically though retaining a smug smile she simply couldn't hide at the glee of her team's success, "Better luck next time though, if you have one."
"AUGGGGHHHHHH!" Charlie Brown and his teammates echoed in unison as he hung his head in shame, forcefully yanking his baseball cap off his head in disappointment and frustration.
"Hey Chuck," Peppermint Patty approached her friend with a gentler tone, placing her hand on his slumped shoulder, "When I said 'better luck next time,' I meant it."
"Then again, it's no surprise we lost," he shrugged her hand off, storming off the baseball field without looking back, "And it's all because of me."
Eyeing the regretful sight of the dejected team manager, Peppermint Patty sighed and walked off the baseball field following the rest of her teammates to celebrate their victory. As for the rest of Charlie Brown's teammates, their mood (and the atmosphere, for that matter) was no better either. The remainder of the team hung their heads low while Lucy, on the other hand, was steaming furiously, her fists squeezing themselves in anger and her face burning a bright red.
"I KNEW IT! I JUST KNEW IT!" the raven-haired girl screamed, startling the rest of the team and snapping them out of their dejected slump.
"Knew what?" Schroeder turned his head as he dismantled his umpire attire.
"I knew we'd lose the game! You know why? I don't think you even need me to tell you why! It's practically a given!"
Linus' eyebrows furrowed and his palms met his face as he anticipated the words about to escape his sister's mouth.
"Now don't tell me…"
"Uh-huh! That's exactly it, Linus! I don't need to tell you, but I'm gonna say it anyway..." she carried on with her conclusion, clearing her throat before continuing, "If that blockhead Charlie Brown hadn't been up to bat, we NEVER would have been in this mess! And we were this close to winning! Of all the people that could've stepped up on THAT plate, why oh WHY for crying out loud was it stupid old Charlie Brown?!"
"You said it!"
"Here, here!"
The echoes of agreement coming from the rest of the team made Linus' head turn from one direction to another and suddenly made his blood boil with anger then and there. His fists and teeth clenched upon hearing the team talk down on their team manager and his best friend once more, one of which wasn't the first time and probably wouldn't be the last for as long as they were playing in the Little League. Why was it that everytime they lost a game, they would blame everything on Charlie Brown? Simply for being Charlie Brown? That was a reason far from legitimate and was utterly uncalled for...to him at least, and perhaps everyone with at least an inch of respect left in them.
"Alright, you all KNOCK IT OFF!" Linus yelled loudly, slamming his blue blanket to the ground in frustration loud enough for everyone to hear, causing them to turn their heads towards his direction.
"Now listen up; if there's anyone on this team who should be ashamed of themselves, it isn't Charlie Brown! It's all of you!"
Lucy's eyes widened at her younger brother's accusatory comment and she suddenly strided calmly, slyly and confidently towards him though still baffled at his abrupt shift in attitude.
"Linus, get a hold of yourself!" she chuckled proudly without a hint of remorse, "Now what makes you think that anyone on this team would have the nerve to be ashamed of oneself besides Charlie Brown? Everyone here knows he's the epitome of shame on this team. I'm almost ashamed to admit he's our manager. NO WAIT―correction―I'm way past ashamed to admit he's our manager. It's laughable to even admit the capabilities he thinks he has!"
Upon hearing Lucy's harsh choice of words, he never felt angrier than he had, probably in his whole life. For years now, Linus has grown used to his sister calling Charlie Brown out for every move he made, criticizing his every course of action and making his every shortcoming known as if it was a headline on National News. He thought he heard worse but this was it. The worst of all. He decided then and there that this was the last straw and not even their teammates had the nerve to laugh or even show the slightest hint of agreement.
"This time I really think you've gone too far," he said monotonously yet with an intense glare at Lucy, "You don't realize how much he's hurting right now, do you?"
Even the last statement didn't seem to faze Lucy at the slightest.
"And I suppose you don't realize that he hurts all the time and always finds some sort of excuse to claim he is, do you?" she retorted with a slight glare, "He should be used to it by now!"
"Yeah, but this time is different," Linus reasoned. Still, Lucy's conscience didn't care to budge one bit.
"Well, I think it's just the same. Charlie Brown's all wishy-washy, mopey and miserable and just like that he loses a game for us. I just think it's the same old routine over and over again."
"Well, I don't think you understand," her brother simply sighed, clearly fed up with the brashness of her attitude, "And don't you think about running that psychiatry booth of yours today. He doesn't need that negativity right now."
"Why shouldn't I run it? The rest of our team needs enough counseling already as it is," Lucy turned to the rest of the still dejected teammates, suddenly turning her eyes flirtatiously at the blonde-haired boy next to her, "And maybe some therapeutic relief with some sweet music by Beethoven would make me feel better."
"Good grief," Schroeder thought to himself as he rolled his eyes at one of her many endless advances at him.
"Fine," Linus sighed as he turned away from the baseball field and walked on his way, "You go run your ridiculous psychiatry booth and I'll go talk to Charlie Brown. At least I listen to him anyway."
With that, he walked away without turning back, rushing towards the brick wall where he and his best friend usually meet to talk about life and other things that came into mind. He didn't care in the slightest that his big sister looked down on him for supposedly giving Charlie Brown "false hopes that made him feel better about himself." All he knew was that his best friend needed him right now, especially at a time like this when it mattered most and especially when he felt the whole world was crumbling down on him piece by piece (which in his view looked like it was crumbling all at once). He knew that Charlie Brown was hurting and he made it a point to be there for him no matter what; except, the hurt he was feeling had to do with reasons very different than that of the loss of the baseball game.
Meanwhile, a thoroughly miserable Charlie Brown stared plainly at the grains of of rubble that encased the brick wall. Never had he felt as disappointed in himself than he had, maybe in his entire life. After all, this was the first time in his life that he managed to hit a home run out of all the times that he played and once he had the opportunity and watched it like a hawk, protecting it from all opposing forces around it, just like that, it was snatched away from him. Was there anything he could have done? Certainly not. The game was played fairly. The opposition won fair and square. Above all, he was at the center of attention and the entire team depended on him for the victory that could have been theirs and theirs alone.
Because of how things played out, there clearly wasn't anything he could have done. WRONG! There was something he could have done…something he should have done, even...something he shouldn't have done too! He should have kept his mind on the game and the game alone letting nothing or nobody cloud his mind and strip him off of his focus and what he shouldn't have been was lost in his thoughts. As sure as the sun rose and set in each day, such was his habit of thinking too much during a baseball game in the most inappropriate time and setting. That in itself was the very cause of his team's losing the game. Right then and there, he knew there was no denying that he could justify his responsibility for the team's loss of victory. It was his fault and he knew it. His fault as usual. That didn't feel the slightest bit comfortable every time he repeated the notion to himself but he knew he had to accept it. Still leaning upon the old brick wall, he remained lost in thought until he heard a familiar voice calling out to him from the distance.
"Hey, Charlie Brown!" Linus called as he approached his best friend, "I knew I'd find you here."
Charlie Brown didn't bother to turn his head or even bother to make eye contact with Linus. If he had to prepare himself to hear something he didn't want to, so be it. He felt he deserved it anyway, even if it meant it would belittle him beyond comprehension.
"Go ahead, Linus. Tell me it's my fault. Tell me I'm responsible for losing the game. I won't tell you you're wrong. I'm used to it anyways…"
"Well, there's one thing I can tell you and I can assure you it's not any of that," Linus perked up, managing to smile even in the midst of their defeat, "All those things you said? It's Lucy talking, not Linus."
"So what were you gonna tell me, Linus? Just spit it out," Charlie Brown finally turned his head to his friend, still keeping the downcast expression on his face.
"For one thing, you shouldn't have been up there on the plate batting," he simply stated. Charlie Brown's head shot swiftly towards his direction as he stared at Linus intensely.
"What's that supposed to mean? Aren't you thankful I hit the home run…" he raised his voice and calmed down before continuing, realizing what he just said, "...and failed miserably?"
"What I mean is, Charlie Brown, Lucy shouldn't have made you step up to the plate," he corrected himself, "She knew you weren't in your right mind all day and she didn't care. She just wanted to find herself an excuse to blame you for losing the game. She does that all the time!"
"I guess you're right…." Charlie Brown sighed, "In fact, I didn't even feel like playing today. Not that I'm sick or anything, but I can't stop thinking too much. I'm just not in my right mind today, but then again, when am I ever?"
Linus turned to his friend knowingly, knowing very well exact what or who, rather, he was thinking about.
"Is it about her, Charlie Brown?"
"Augh! I can't help it, Linus!" he exclaimed as he stretched his arms out, "I mean, the Little Red-Haired Girl, Heather and I finally started talking and we became friends just like that! You don't understand just how much she kept me sane throughout the year, making me feel good about myself when I thought there was nothing and giving me hope when I had none and right after Spring break, she just had to leave for an exchange program for one month! That's long! I don't know how much I can keep up with her absence, Linus. I feel like ever since she left, I've lost my purpose."
Upon hearing Charlie Brown's last statement, Linus couldn't help but give off a chuckle. There was no one else he knew who lamented over the absence of a friend (whom he was in love with) for one month but Charlie Brown.
"Well, she's not gonna be gone forever, you know," he assured his friend. Still, this didn't seem to change his mind one bit.
"I know that, but I really don't know what I'm gonna do without her," Charlie Brown admitted amidst a sulk, "Ever since we've started talking, I felt like I knew myself more than I ever had before and the kids in school have shown me more respect than I usually get...even Lucy! France is so far away, Linus. She probably won't have the time and money to write to me. One month's gonna go by so much longer than I want it and I'll probably be done for before then."
"Don't think that way, Charlie Brown!" Linus assured him once more, "One month isn't that long. Besides, she wouldn't want you to feel this way with everyday that she isn't here, right?"
"Mhmm…" he responded monotonously, still unconvinced.
"Just think of all the wonderful things she could be experiencing right now and places to see! I bet she'd send you a postcard of the Eiffel Tower once she gets the chance," he continued optimistically.
"You wish…"
"Oh, and speaking of Paris, Charlie Brown, coincidentally…" he paused for a moment to recollect what he had to say, "...while you stepped out of class for a while, Miss Othmar gave our class a bit of news."
"Yeah? And what's that?" he asked, still unmoved despite Linus' cheeriness.
"Next week, our class is expecting visitors from France! Twelve students from a boarding school and their teacher, Miss Clavel, will be staying in the country and studying with us for a month! Isn't that exciting, Charlie Brown?"
"Well, I guess so…" Charlie Brown simply nodded, his words not sounding the very least convincing.
"Come on, Charlie Brown, cheer up!" Linus gave him a friendly slap on the back, "Consider this visit a golden opportunity not just for our class but for you."
"Me? Why me?" his befuddled friend questioned.
"Well Charlie Brown, this just might give you a chance to make a good first impression like you always wanted and besides, it just might keep your mind off of Heather for a little while."
Charlie Brown's eyes grew with worry upon hearing Linus' last statement.
"B-but, but, I don't want to keep my mind off of…"
"Now listen here, pal, if you really wanted to make a good impression on visitors from a foreign country, they wouldn't want to see you moping about, being lovesick and feeling sorry for yourself all the time, now would they?" Linus stared intently and firmly into Charlie Brown's eyes.
"I suppose not," he shrugged, leaning against the brick wall once more.
"Good! Now, what do you say, Charlie Brown? Are you willing to give it a shot?"
There was no answer from him, except a response with raised eyebrows and an expression that read, "Are you sure about this?"
"If you can't do it for me, do it for yourself," Linus said simply, looking his best friend in the eye, hoping that his act of affirmation empowered him at least a little bit and knowing he tried as best he can to help him out.
Without so much a smile, Charlie Brown turned to Linus, his expression softening and gave him a nod.
"Might as well," he said, "I don't know what good it'll do but there's nothing better for me to do anyway,"
Although Charlie Brown lacked the enthusiasm and optimism he had hoped for, he was at least thankful that he agreed to hold his head high and cooperate, if not for his own sake, then for the visitors.
"That's the spirit, Charlie Brown!" Linus then smiled as they walked away from the brick wall, towards their respective homes.
As they were heading home, Charlie Brown and Linus could have sworn they saw Snoopy from a distance, wearing one of his many hats he reserved for special occasions, this time a beret with a royal blue shade, and practicing his gentlemanly etiquette. One could say he behaved more like a man than dog and it wasn't something that anyone (except perhaps Charlie Brown and his friends) would see everyday.
This was one of the surprises the visitors from France had in store, but what they didn't know was that they'd be faced with many, many more.
Author's Note: Well, here's that Charlie Brown-centric chapter for you all! What do you guys think? Please let me know in a PM or review!
Also, can't we just agree that Charlie Brown and Linus are absolute friendship goals or a Brotp, even? No matter how much everyone around him puts him down, Linus never stops being there for him. That's what best friends do, after all. That's something I've always pinpointed while watching the Peanuts cartoons and I thought it would be really cool to play that out in the story. I have to admit, even the bits with Lucy yelling were the ones I really enjoyed writing. No matter how discouraging she is, what story doesn't have its "ups" and "downs" right?
Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed it and stay tuned for Chapter 3...will these two worlds collide yet...or not?
We'll find out!
Cheers!
~ASianSuccessor2012
