SailorStar9: I've neglected this fic long enough, this is Chapter 3. Read and review people.
P.S.: Words in italics refer to mental conversations, flashbacks and thoughts.
Chapter Summary: A flashback chapter going back to four days before the Harvest Ball.
Chapter 3: The Harvest Ball
Where we last left off…
"Hrm, when have we been in this position before?" he inquired.
"The Harvest Ball." Amy answered, flushing at the close contact.
"Hrm…" Carl muttered, thinking back.
Flashback
It had been three weeks since Carleton Fisher pestered her and Amy was settling quite comfortably in her new school with the help of her new friends.
"Remind me again why we're taking Literature this semester?" Dizzi groaned.
"This is our last year Diz." Amy told her simply, opening her locker.
Dumping her Literature books in her locker, Dizzi winced, "Oh yeah, thanks for reminding me."
"You asked." Amy shrugged.
Slamming her locker shut, Dizzi muttered, "Uh oh Fisher trouble."
Amy turned her head and truth to be told, Carleton Fisher was heading their way.
"Where's Johnny and Carl when you need them?" Dizzi mumbled.
"You called?" Johnny's voice sounded behind the girls as he and Carl approached them.
"Yeah, Fisher." Dizzi spat.
"He doesn't know when to give up, does he?" Carl shook his head.
"Johnny, may I borrow your Advanced Physics textbook?" Amy asked sweetly.
Johnny blinked and handed her the thick book.
Armed with Johnny's book and her file, Amy ignored the protests from the three and walked towards Carleton.
Carleton smirked when he saw the object of his obsession walk towards him.
Giving his team-mates a smug look, he sized up to the blue-haired girl, seeing it as an opening to lay on the charm. "You got my messages, beautiful?"
Amy continued to frown at him, Dizzi was marveling on how tightly she kept her cool.
"What messages?"
His smile faltered slightly, but he did not let it show or slow him down.
"The notes I taped to your locker for the last two and a half weeks of school." he replied.
"Ah, so that was you." Amy nodded.
The proud smile returned full force. "You read them all, yes?" and he shot a confident smirk to his team-mates standing across the hall from them.
"Actually, no, I just threw them out as I found them." Amy told him flatly.
Carleton's head snapped around to face her, his expression one of shocked disappointment, noting how Johnny was trying his best to stifle his laughter.
"You… you what?" he demanded.
"I threw them out. They weren't worth my time." Amy shrugged.
Dizzi laughed outright, desperately wishing she had her camera with her to record such a precious moment such as Carleton's expression of pure surprised shock.
"Oh yes, by the way Fisher." Amy added, smiling sweetly.
"Yes my pretty?" Carleton asked smugly, certain that now Amy was finally responding to him.
"This." Amy retorted, her smile disappearing as she dropped Johnny's textbook and her thick file unceremoniously onto Carleton's feet.
Carleton let out a howl in pain, sliding his feet from under the thick pile of school assessments and hopping about on one foot.
Retrieving Johnny's and her school notes, Amy headed back to her group.
Dumping Johnny's textbook back to him, she quipped mirthfully, "Folks, this goes to show that school books are not only meant for studying, they can also be used to get persistent stalkers off your back."
At that point, Dizzi was laughing her head off, unable to contain her laughter anymore, Johnny was snickering at Carleton's demise and Carl was shaking his head in amusement.
A while later, the quintuple were heading to their usual table.
"Man that was hilarious." Johnny commented.
"Agreed." Dizzi nodded, wiping tears away from her eyes.
Never knew you could do that. Carl told her telepathically.
You never asked. Amy replied.
I should've known you'll say that. Carl sighed.
Their mental conversation was broken by a cough from Dizzi.
"Is there something we ought to know?" the tomboy of the group rose an eyebrow.
We got carried away. Amy remarked.
We did. Carl nodded.
Taking her hand, Carl then bashfully announced that the both of them were dating for the past one week or so.
"About time!" Dizzi whooped.
"An underground romance and I never knew about it?" Johnny accused his best friend teasingly.
"Johnny…" Carl muttered, blushing.
"Seriously I have to admit, that was one tough Math pop quiz." Amy confessed, once everyone had settled down.
Dizzi's shoulders dropped with a look of horror crossing her features. "I knew it! If you, Miss Math Genius, thought it was hard then it's official. I failed!"
"You didn't fail. Remember all those revisions we went through together?" Amy tried to soothe.
"I did. I know I did." Dizzi protested.
"You did not." Amy assured her.
With his head on one head, Carl added, "You know, you really shouldn't worry so much about that test. You studied so hard these last two weeks that I wouldn't be at all surprised if you aced it."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence." Dizzi mumbled.
"Say, the Harvest Ball is in four days right?" Johnny asked, changing the subject.
"Yeah. So?" Dizzi prompted.
"Well, it's obvious that these two," Johnny said, jabbing a thumb at Carl and Amy, "Are going together. So it leaves the two of us dateless."
"You still have your precious Carmen." Dizzi murmured.
Johnny winced.
"Don't remind him, Diz. Carmen turned him down earlier today." Carl told the two girls.
"Really? When?" Dizzi pressed.
"Ad Chem." Carl replied.
Someone's a little over-zealous. Amy remarked mentally.
Ya think? Carl rose a brow.
Eventually, Johnny and Dizzi ended up going with each other for the Harvest Ball.
Two days later, Dizzi and Amy were out shopping for their Harvest Ball dresses.
Given Dizzi's body form, it was not easy finding a correct dress for her, but eventually their patience paid off when Amy spotted the perfect gown for her tomboy friend.
"THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO WAY I'M COMING OUT AMES!" Dizzi hollered hotly behind the dressing room.
"Come on Diz, it can't be that bad." Amy chided.
"DRESSES AND I DON'T MIX!" Dizzi protested.
"Diz, there's a first for everything." Amy reminded her friend.
Now I know how difficult it was for Michelle to get Amara in a dress. Amy wondered.
"Fine!" Dizzi huffed and threw the door open.
"I was right." Amy squealed. "This is perfect!"
"We'll take it." she decided, before Dizzi could raise any objection.
"Diz finally got a dress? Miracle worker you are." Carl breathed in awe after Amy accounted their shopping trip the previous day.
Right now, the couple were in the basement of Carl's house, studying.
"Yeah, now I know how difficult it was for Michelle to get Amara in a dress." Amy nodded.
She had told him about her friends over in Japan, leaving out the fact that they were Sailor Scouts.
"But hey, you did manage get Diz to wear a gown, an evening gown nonetheless." Carl reminded her.
"I'm surprised she actually agreed." Amy admitted.
"Goes to show how much she likes Johnny, despite the fact that they squabble all the time." Carl added.
"Squabbling like an old married couple huh?" Amy joked.
"Got that right." Carl laughed.
Amy took a sip of her juice and went back to her work.
"You haven't told me about your dress." Carl prompted hopefully.
"It's… a… secret." Amy gave him a teasing wink.
"Nuh…" Carl breathed, tickling her neck.
"Carl…" Amy muttered, trying hard not to give in to his otherwise deliberate gestures.
"Come on, you can tell little old me." Carl pouted.
"No!" Amy replied firmly.
"Hrm, guess this calls for desperate measures." Carl mumbled.
Before what Carl meant registered into her head, Amy found herself pinned to the wooden floor of the basement, with Carl hovering above her.
Noting the glint in his eyes, Amy frowned slightly.
"You promised." she reminded him.
"Yeah, yeah. Not making out during study sessions." the physic muttered.
"Glad you remember that." Amy mumbled.
"Now get off!" she hissed.
Carl mock pouted and climbed off her.
"You're no fun." he complained mildly, as Amy pushed herself up.
Amy chuckled and gave him a quick peck on the cheek before hitting her books.
Saturday night finally came and Carl was waiting for his date outside the foreign student's hostel.
The door eventually opened and Carl could only gape at his date.
Amy was dressed in a breathtaking blue gown, fit for a ballroom dance. On her feet, she donned on matching blue high heel shoes.
"Close your jaw dear. Otherwise a fly would get in." Amy joked.
"Yes, yes, yes." Carl muttered, flushed in embarrassment.
Offering his arm, he asked, "Should we?"
Amy hid a giggle as she took his offered arm. Together, they headed to the gymnasium where the Harvest Ball was to be held.
"We're early." Carl commented once they arrived in the gymnasium.
"And the theme of the dance is..." Amy's voice trailed off as she blinked at the numerous
pink and red hearts that were plastered all over the walls.
"Valentine's Day." Johnny winced, finishing her sentence.
"Hey Johnny." the couple greeted their dismal friend.
"At least he could act enthusiastic about this." Dizzi complained.
"Do I even want to know what happened?" Amy asked after some time.
"No you don't." both Johnny and Dizzi chorused.
Now they're even talking alike. Amy commented to her boyfriend mentally.
Don't I know it. Carl sighed.
"So you came with him." came a sneer.
Not him please! Please tell me it isn't who I think it is. Amy silently begged, shivering in disgust at the very familiar voice.
Unfortunately love. It is who you think it is. Carl told her, grinding his teeth in anger as he turned to the unwanted intruder.
"Fisher…" he growled.
"Tsk, tsk. Quite unlike you, Jenkins." Carleton shook a disapproving finger.
"How many times do I have to tell you to leave her alone?" Carl hissed, his gentle features marred in a deep frown.
"Too many times I lost count." Carleton shrugged.
"But I'm not giving up just yet, my pretty. You'll be mine, sooner or later." he leered at Amy.
"I'm not a prize for you to lay claim on Fisher. Keep that in mind." Amy snapped.
"You'll regret that Anderson. Just you wait." Carleton jeered, before leaving with his group of friends.
"Hey, Fisher's a jerk. Everyone agrees on that." Dizzi snorted.
"Ditto." Johnny nodded.
"A little overprotective Carl?" he teased.
The sandy blond psychic blushed.
Thank you. came Amy's relieved sigh in his head.
You're totally welcome. Carl replied, giving her an assuring kiss on the cheek.
Aside, Carleton growled in annoyance, ignoring the teases and jokes from his so-called friends as Amy Anderson shunned his advances yet again.
How could she? he growled inwardly. Every girl in the school is dying for just one of the chances I'm giving her. She'd be the most popular and envied girl here. How can she refuse the offer?
The soccer star and team captain chose his prizes carefully from year to year, choosing only the most exceptional of girls, and for his senior year the girl of his choosing had to be extra special. A prized trophy. There were other girls who were certainly more lovely than the gentle ice magician, but she had a certain innocent appeal, a quality about her he could not quite place but that he found alluring in the strongest of ways. Carleton wanted her and he usually got what he wanted.
The Harvest Ball officially begun with the start of the music that signaled the first dance and Dizzi had already dragged Johnny to the dance floor.
Carl blinked in surprise at how fast Dizzi moved while Amy burst into giggles.
Carleton loved the sound of her laughter. It was always so crystalline and pure, never faked, and it was addictive to all those within earshot. She was very special indeed. He frowned at the fact that her two other friends had run off though. This left the lovely Anderson and the brat Jenkins alone together. It was bad enough that both Rico and Flores had protected the two.
No.
He could not allow that to happen.
She was his girl, not the brat's.
Carleton's frown deepened when he saw Jenkins whisper something into Anderson's ear and the girl blushed heavily.
Carleton's rage finally exploded as he stormed over to the embracing couple. He would make Jenkins pay dearly for stealing Anderson away from him.
The blonde psychic heard the sound of rushing feet and saw the look of fear on his partner's face warning him of the arriving danger. He let his instincts take over. A subtle sensation in his mind told him to duck. He obeyed the feeling, the punch aimed for the back of his head barely missing.
Carl quickly leapt to his feet and whirled around to face his opponent, instinctively standing in a battle ready stance in front of Amy. He frowned in annoyance when he saw who it was that was attacking him.
"You?" He stood up straight and scowled at his opponent, carefully circling his foe to place some distance between the impending attack and his beloved ice sorceress.
Carleton Fisher did not answer, merely rushed him again. Amy held back her gasp of concern for her love, not wanting to accidentally distract him. For his part, Carl just sidestepped out of the way of the lunge.
"You have no claim on her, brat!" Carleton shouted as he struggled to regain his balance.
"My, my. In a jealous rage, are we?" the psychic taunted.
Carleton lunged again. "She's mine!" he raged.
"And by the looks of things Fisher, it would seem as if she is anything but yours." a voice interjected.
Higato Allan stood behind the group, arms folded and glaring at the German.
"Allan…" Carleton hissed, enraged that he was denied of his prize once again.
"Thank you." Amy heaved in relief as Carleton stomped off.
"No prob. Anything for a fellow countryman, or in your case, woman." Allan grinned at the frail Japanese girl.
"And Carl, take care of her." he patted the blonde on the shoulder and walked off.
Carl could only nod in Allan's direction.
"What happened?" Dizzy asked once she and Johnny exited the dance floor.
"Fisher came by." Amy replied.
"Him again?" Johnny raised an eyebrow.
Carl nodded.
"I have an idea." Dizzy interjected. "Lose that loser on the dance floor."
"You know Diz, that isn't such a bad idea." Carl remarked and dragged his girlfriend to the dance floor.
"You didn't even let me protest." Amy muttered.
"It doesn't look like you want to." Carl grinned, pulling her close as a slow dance number came on.
"Why do I even bother?" Amy sighed, leaning her head on her boyfriend's chest.
"Point made." Carl's grin grew wider.
Aside, Carleton growled in frustration when Anderson rejected his advances yet again. And to make matters worse, for the upcoming annual school play which the class would be performing Shakespeare's famous 'Romeo and Juliet' had Jenkins cast as Romeo and Anderson as Juliet. The drama teacher can decided that since Jenkins and Anderson were already a couple, they were given the main roles.
"How's your progress pf the play going??" Carl asked.
"Memorized my lines from back to back." Amy replied.
"You and your photographic memory." Carl sighed/
"Not everyone has a brain as good as mine. So sue me." Amy stuck out her tongue.
"Don't do that unless you want to use it." Carl whispered huskily into her ear, causing Amy to shiver.
Cal smirked as he leaned in for a kiss which Amy happily responded to.
The couples surrounding the pair stopped dancing and clapped at the sweet gesture, causing Amy to break free and blush heavily.
"Wow, I never knew Carl to be so bold." Johnny remarked.
"Me neither." Dizzy nodded.
Carleton's growl deepened at the tender gesture the pair displayed; it was as if they flaunting the fact that they were together.
"You do know Fisher's going to kill you if he sees." Amy raised a brow.
"Let him. It isn't as if there's anything he can do." Carl shrugged.
"You're evil." Amy teased.
"Am not." Carl mock-pouted.
"Are too." Amy teased.
Carl immediately shut her up with another kiss.
The dance was declared over as night fell and Carl, having invited Amy over for the night, was walking home with her.
"Mum, I'm home!!" the blond called out to his mother.
"Carl, you're home honey?" Mrs. Jenkins answered the door.
"Mum!" Carl protested, blushing as Amy giggled.
"I see you brought your girlfriend home." Mrs. Jenkins noted, looking over to Amy.
The blue-haired girl bowed politely at the older woman.
"Ho, ho, ho, such a well-behaved girl." Mrs. Jenkins chuckled.
"Mum…" Carl's blush deepened.
The older woman chuckled some more before letting the two in.
"Your mother is… interesting." Amy remarked, once the pair were left alone in Carl's room.
"More like frustrating." Carl muttered.
"Here. The bathroom's at the end of the hallway." He handed her a spare shirt and a pair of shorts.
Amy nodded, giving him a quick peck on the cheek and went to the bathroom to change.
Carl smiled as he took out a spare set of clothes and proceeded to change.
:Do you need anything, my dear?" Mrs. Jenkins called out to Amy.
"Er, actually yes." Amy replied softly.
Peering out and blushing in embarrassment, she asked, "Mrs. Jenkins, do have that… er…"
Mrs. Jenkins smiled at the girl, understanding what she needed.
"I'll be right back." She ensured.
Minutes later, Mrs. Jenkins came back with two items.
Amy took one of them and thanked the kind woman and disappeared in the bathroom.
"So she uses a tampon." Mrs. Jenkins mused. "Must be a sporty type. My son has taste. Ho, ho, ho."
In his room, Carl sneezed.
"Mum must be talking about me." He muttered.
"Talking to yourself?" Amy teased.
"Very funny." Carl mumbled..
"Nights out, you two. And no hanky panky!" Mrs. Jenkins poked her head into Carl's room and told the pair.
"Mum!" Carl shouted in protest, blushing at the last statement.
Amy giggled.
"Ho, ho, ho." Mrs. Jenkins chortled and exited the room.
"Mothers." Carl shook his head.
"Hey that shows she cares." Amy told him.
"Yeah, in a weird kind of way." Carl added, as he turned off the lights
With the lights off, the moonlight shone through the window.
"You know, this is the first time I've actually seen you under the light of the moon." Carl admitted.
"Beautiful." He muttered, caressing Amy's cheek.
The girl blushed heavily as she leaned against his touch.
"It's a tight squeeze. But we'll manage." Carl noted, looking at the doubles bed.
"Should we?" he took Amy's hand and pulled her onto the bed with him.
"Are you sure?" Amy asked, somewhat uncertain.
"Positive." Carl smiled, pulling his girlfriend closer against him.
Amy moaned softy as their legs rubbed against each other, skin against skin as they leaned against the head board.
Then, she stifled a yawn.
Carl looked down at his exhausted girlfriend and smiled.
It was not long before they turned in for the night, still wrapped in each other's embrace.
End of Flashback
SailorStar9: Phew this chapter is way overdue. Hope the length makes up for it.
