I am so super duper sorry for the long wait! :( I'll try to get back to you faster, but my next update will probably be at the end of May - so sorry! Exams are a pain :(
BUT ANYWHO, here ya go! :)
CHAPTER FOUR
Tecna followed the girls out of the library after returning the book in its rightful place.
"Girls, I'll do it," Tecna nodded.
"Do what?" Musa asked walking beside Tecna on her right.
"The Winx Test," Tecna closed her eyes and gave a small nod.
"But, Tecna—" Flora objected as Tecna interrupted.
"No Flora. I need to do it. I need to prove to you guys that—" Tecna began.
"Tecna, you don't have to prove anything to us," Musa told her. "We love you, Tec. You have already proved to us that you're a great friend to us,"
"Really?" Tecna whispered as they stood outside the sophomore student area.
"Really," Flora agreed opening the door.
"Hey," Musa waved to me. "So, how'd it go?"
"Great. They were having a sale at the electronics section, so I got the CD half price and—"
"What? No, I mean the lift! How was the lift?" Musa asked sitting on Riven's lap.
"Oh! That, right well it was fine! Nothing happened," Timmy explained looking a bit embarrassed.
"What's she doing here?" Riven asked pointing to Tecna who was on Stella's phone again.
"Riven!" Musa warned.
"Yes, Musa," Riven huffed monotone knowing where this was going.
"Good boy," Musa patted him on the head.
"And?" Bloom asked.
"What?" Riven asked pretending to be oblivious.
"Dude?" Helia pointed to Tecna who was still muttering 'Delete.'
"Oh, right," Riven stood up pushing Musa off his lap and bowed down to Tecna. "Oh, great one –"
"Riven!" Brandon half-yelled earning more glances at the people on the neighbouring tables.
"Fine fine!" Riven surrendered. Tecna put the phone on her lap and folded her arms with her eyebrows arched. "Tecna, I'm sorry for my despicable behaviour. Will you please forgive me?"
"Woah, Riv. An actual apology, I am so proud!" Musa clapped in delight as Riven huffed and flopped down back into his seat.
"I guess you're forgiven," Tecna shrugged and went back to Stella's phone.
"So, you got the CD?" Bloom asked fluffing her red hair.
"Yeah," I piped up clutching the Sainsbury's bag in my hand remembering that 'I' mustn't break it again.
"So, when's Tecna doing the thing?" I changed the subject.
"She's not doing it," Musa announced. "She doesn't need to. She's already proved to us that she's a great friend,"
"When?" Sky wondered aloud.
"When she backed up Stella against the wicked-witch-of-the-west: Grizzly Bear," Bloom smiled at her new friend who smiled in return.
"Grizzly Bear?" I sniggered.
"Yup, that's Griselda. We hate her guts so much, man, it's totally unreal," Nabu explained leaning back on his chair.
"She's not that bad," I defended her.
"Dude, she had a go at me for my clothes," Gardo began. "She always figures out some way to put Riven, Nabu, Mustache and Ava in detention and she hates Fiona because she's too sweet,"
"Mustache?" Musa wrinkled her nose. "Who's that?"
"You? That is your name right?" Gardo asked as we all sniggered.
"Uhh, no! My name is MUSA!" Musa roared balling her fists.
"Oh, right. I knew that," Gardo whispered sheepishly.
"I'm Aisha! Not Ava," Aisha added as Flora piped up in her sugary sweet voice.
"I'm Flora,"
"Ooops," Gardo looked down back at the table as Riven was still laughing at 'Musatche.'
"Mustache! That's the best," Nabu agreed.
"Yeah, and she totally has one!" Riven erupted with laughter as Musa slapped him across the face. "YOWIE!"
"It's peah fuzz! And it's cute," Musa huffed and folded her arms annoyed.
"Yeah, 'peach fuzz,'" Musa's magenta-haired boyfriend whispered sarcastically.
"Anyway!" Stella began changing the subject once more. "So, a makeover!"
"No!" I waved my hands in front of me and my eyes went wide. "No way!"
"Yeah way! Come on," Stella stood up, yanked me by the tie I was wearing and pulled me over to her locker with the Winx and the Specialists hot on our tail. She opened her locker and pulled out a mirror. "First, the clothes,"
"My clothes? They're fine. Don't touch my clothes!" I took a step back as Stella let go of my tie and quickly re-adjusted it into its normal position.
"Tie off!" Stella ordered. She's not gonna make me get changed in front of everybody, is she?!
"What, I like this tie!" I whined.
"Off!" Stella warned.
"Don't mess with her, Tim," Brandon told me as I just sighed. I took off my tie and handed it to Stella.
"Blazer, off," Stella said again holding out her hand. I took off my black blazer and stroked the material making sure it had no creases.
"There," I handed it to her as she began to experiment with my white shirt.
"Let's do this," Stella undid the top three buttons of my shirt showing a bit of my chest. I felt HUGELY uncomfortable.
"I think it's fine with it all buttoned up…" I removed her hand and started buttoning my shirt again to the top when Stella yanked my Harry Potter style glasses off my head. "Hey, I need that!"
"Heard of contacts?" Stella asked me and handed my glasses to Brandon.
"I can't see!" I complained holding out my arms trying to feel my way around.
"You'll be fine," Stella waved her hand like it was not biggie and started unbuttoning my shirt again.
"Stella!" I warned as she handed me back my glasses… which weren't mine? "These aren't my glasses,"
"Yeah, they're spare," Stella gave a short answer as I gave her a confused look.
"How'd you know my number for my glasses?" I asked her cautiously.
"I have every single number of glasses there could be in this drawer, see," Stella pointed to a long draw which was furnished well into her locker. "And I just found a pair with the same number as you, only cooler,"
"Oh," I thought. "How'd you get all the numbers when you don't wear glasses yourself?"
"Riven," she explained simply as Riven gave me the thumbs up. He probably stole them or something with the help of Dalton and Gardo. Now, the pants,"
"But first the belt!" Brandon sniggered pointing to my Batman belt.
"Yu-huh!" Stella agreed taking the belt off me as I stood there embarrassed holding my pants up.
"Keep 'em up, we don't wanna see your Batman underwear," Nabu smirked as I blushed.
"Nabu!" Aisha scolded. "Just ignore him, Timmy,"
"I will," I gulped as Stella handed me a black leather belt which I quickly put on.
"Perfect!" Stella yelped with glee. "Pants, now," Stella noticed how big they were for me, so she scrunched them up at the bottom giving them a 'bad-boy' look as Riven and Nabu would say.
"Trainers?" I asked knowing the answer.
"Yup! Put these on," She handed me a pair of black shiny, polished shoes which I quickly out on.
"Hair," Brandon pointed out as soon as she had finished and I gave him a huge glare.
"Don't remind her!" I hissed as Brandon scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
"Oh, yeah. The hair – I almost forgot!" Stella announced messing my hair up as Nabu sniggered.
"Don't touch the hair!" I half-yelled as Stella began to 'work her magic.' Stella took out a small comb and ran my hair through it gently. She fluffed up the middle and reached for something shiny in her locker. "What's that?"
"Look away," Stella told me as I panicked.
"What are you gonna do?" I asked scared.
"Look. Away," Stella told me harshly as I quickly shut my eyes and looked to the right of me. I heard Stella sigh and something… snipping? IS SHE CUTTING MY HAIR?!
"Wha-?" I began as I turned to face here finding a pair of red scissors in her hands. I looked down to see my hair all over the floor, and then looked back at Stella with fire in my eyes. "Stella!"
"What?" Stella shrugged. "It looks better now than it did before,"
"She's not wrong," Riven shrugged.
"Take a look in the mirror, Timmy," Flora pointed to the mirror in Bloom's hand. Bloom walked towards me and handed it to me with a smile and took one step back.
I clutched the mirror tightly in my hand with my eyes closed expecting myself to be bald. But that wasn't the case. I mean, seriously – I looked awesome! My hair was a bit poufy at the top and I had some awesome black glasses fitting me perfectly. I actually looked better than I felt! (A/N Check out my profile for the hairstyle!)
"Thanks, Stella," I thanked the blonde as she whisked the mirror out of my hands and back to Bloom.
"You look great, right Tec?" Musa looked around for her friend. "Hey, where'd she go?"
"Good riddance," Riven muttered earning a slap from Musa.
"Shut up Riven!" Bloom raised her voice.
"She must be around somewhere. She can't have gotten far," Flora reassured us all.
"Hey, guys," Gardo ran up to us and began panting. "You know your *gasp* smart-ass *gasp* annoying *gasp* friend?"
"Tecna?" Riven asked.
"Yeah, *gasp* I just *gasp* Oh, one moment!" Gardo sat on the floor leaning his back against the lockers. "There are too many stairs in this school!"
"What happened? Is Tecna alright?" I asked Gardo ignoring the glare he gives me for making him speak when he's tired.
"She went," Gardo shrugged.
"Went where?" I pressed.
"Lift," That one word sent me panicking. I remembered Nabu saying that the whole lift almost broke when he was in there. To be honest, I wasn't so truthful when I was in the lift. Yeah, I kinda lied a bit to you guys, sorry! Wanna know what REALLY happened?
FLASHBACK
As the elevator doors closed, I felt the lift going down as I looked around nervously: the shaft was rickety and looked very old, why would the teachers not sort the lift out? But right now, that was the least of my worries. I looked around the small claustrophobic lift and took deep breaths just before the lift fell to a stop and shook violently. It stopped. I looked around nervous; hey, at least the electricity hasn't gone off! Whoops, spoke to soon… I held onto the back railing of the lift and shuddered.
The lift dropped again at least a couple of meters and came to a harsh stop. I looked around scared and frightened as I reached over towards the lift buttons and frantically pressed 'down.'
"Come on," I muttered as I pushed the button repeatedly. As soon as I realised that it wasn't going to work, I carefully edged towards the door and tried to pull it open. I'm not so strong so I ended up pulling a muscle in my arm. Smooth, Timmy. Smooth.
"Oww!" I clutched my arm scared to death. I looked up for any other possible escape route, and noticed a large panel hanging loosely off its hinges. If I can find something sharp and pointy, maybe I can yank it off and climb up the shaft! I searched the floor in darkness and felt for something sharp carefully. I found a piece of scrap metal and began picking at its hinges.
After at least five minutes, I was able to take off the panel and clambered up to the top of the lift. I looked around carefully, making sure to not put my foot in a dodgy place which could, theoretically, send me to my death.
"THE RAT IS IN THE CAVE!" I shouted at the top of my lungs. "THE RAT! THE CAVE! HELP!"
Yeah, I probably sounded quite stupid and amusing.
"WHERE ARE YOU?" I heard a voice.
"Top of the lift!" I shouted back at the voice. I heard some indistinct muttering.
"YOU TIMMY?" Another voice asked me in a scary tone.
"Y-YEAH!" I trembled scared stiff.
"JUMP!" I didn't know what he meant by that – jump off the lift, or jump as in on the spot? If I did, the whole lift will fall to the floor, possibly crushing the people below me and me ending up dead. Dead. Dead as a Dodo.
"WHAT?!" I asked in disbelief.
"JUMP! NOW!" Ok, maybe I didn't need to be told twice. I did a large jump on the spot causing the lift to gurgle below me. It crashed to the ground with me gripping onto the side of the lift for dear life.
Then it stopped. On the ground? No. In mid-air? Yes. I think the bottom of the lift had caught onto something strong and heavy, causing me to hang lopsided on the lift.
"GAAH!" I yelped still gripping tightly onto the rim of the top of the lift.
"Dude? You can let go," I heard a gruff voice with a hint of amusement in the voice. I opened my eyes to find myself hanging a foot off the ground, so I hopped down.
Awkward.
"I'm Gardo," One with red spiked up hair helped me off the ground.
"Dalton," The other with a gruff voice and a Mohican hairstyle leaned against the cold, damp walls.
"Timmy," I grumbled blushing slightly at the embarrassing moment that had just occurred.
"We know who you are. And we're guessing to never mention to anyone what just happened?" Gardo smiled taking his green headphones off his shoulders.
"You got that right," I nodded as Dalton lead me the way to wherever as I followed him, shivering.
PRESENT
I quickly snapped out of my thoughts. Time is running out! Gardo told me that he'll fix the lift for when I get back, but who knows how long that'll last for? I quickly rushed towards the Janitors Closet for a ladder.
There! I quickly grabbed the ladder - oh no, can't lift it!
"Oww!" I moaned remembering that I may look cool and strong, but I'm not… totally not.
I looked over to my right to see a rope on a shelf and snatched it. I ran out the closet bumping into the Janitor on the way.
"Vatch, it, vill you?" He yelled in some foreign accent.
"Sorry!" I yelled back hurrying towards the lift, in which the door was open. I peered down below to see the lift stuck. "TECNA!"
"HELP!" I heard a shout as Sky skidded beside me.
"Tecna I'm coming!" I shouted prepared to jump after her.
"Timmy, no! I'll hold the rope, you climb down. Be careful, man!" Sky warned me as I nodded.
"WATCH THE CLOTHES!" Stella screamed after me as I slid down the shaft on the rope.
"Tecna, I'm coming!" I shouted.
"Timmy?" Tecna asked.
"Yeah, stay calm, I'm coming for you!" I reassured her as I slid down further.
"There yet?" Sky called from the top just as I jumped onto the top of the lift platform.
"Yup," I called after him, letting go of the rope. I noticed the panel was still lying on top of the lift. I peered down to see Tecna in the corner scared stiff.
"Timmy?" She asked me partially confused. I held out my hand, and hesitantly she took it and I pulled her up with all my strength.
"Come on. Hold on tight," I told the purple-haired beauty as she wrapped her arms around me tightly as Sky and Brandon pulled us up using the rope which I was now holding onto. We reached back to the top in a couple of seconds.
"There you, Tec!" Musa ran towards Tecna embracing her in a hug. "I thought you were a goner!"
"I'm fine, Musa. I promise," Tecna reassured the musical genius as tears escaped their eyes.
"Timmy, are you okay?" Flora asked me with Bloom by her side.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I just didn't know I had the courage to do something like that!" I sighed.
"You were amazing, Timmy. You saved her life! That's the most courageous act I've ever seen," Bloom smiled at me as Brandon gave me a slap on the back which caused me to jump.
"Timmy?" I turned around to see Tecna, still shaking.
"Yeah, Tecna?" I asked her as she stepped forwards.
"Thank you for saving my life. I don't know how I can repay you," Tecna looked up at me with tears building up in her eyes. "I'm also so sorry for the way I acted. It was stupid, and senseless and a completely illogical argument. I'm sorry for making you risk your life for me,"
I was taken back. Not by the fact that she was thanking me, but because she isn't a robot. She has feelings like anyone else and to be honest, after the argument, I was beginning to doubt her and thing very little of her. She is sweet, caring and kind. I guess we just got off at the wrong foot.
"It's okay, Tecna," I wiped her eyes from tears with my thumb as she blushed. "You don't have to be sorry. I'm just glad that you're okay and safe. That's all I could ever ask for."
Woah, woah, woah! Hold up there, mate! Am I going too fast? I mean I just met her this morning! I can't possibly be having feelings for her!
"THIS IS SO ROMANTIC!" Stella squealed clutching Brandon's arm. "Will you save me if I'm ever in trouble, Snookums?"
Snookums is Stella's nickname for Brandon, and in my opinion, it's pretty creepy…
"Sure thing, gorgeous," Brandon gave her a kiss on the cheek as she smiled happily.
"So," Riven began breaking the 'love' in the air. "Our frees are over, wanna go to class?"
"Riven!" Musa gasped. "You actually WANT to go to class for a change?"
Riven looked wide-eyed. "Holy crap, school's changing me, man!"
"And it's not pretty," Nabu smirked taking a step away from Riven causing us to all laugh.
"Haha, very funny," Riven began, but to be honest with you, I didn't listen to the rest of the conversation. All I saw was Tecna. Beautiful, beautiful Tecna; those big purple eyes, exactly twelve freckles under her eyes, what looked like soft plush lips and she looked great in the light.
I was in heaven.
Until someone coughed, that is.
"Dude?" Nabu smirked earning a punch in the arm from Aisha. "Stop staring at her!"
I looked back at Tecna who was blushing furiously.
"I, uhh. Ummm, you know, I… err…" I stammered trying to think of a good excuse.
"It's okay, Timmy. See you in English," Tecna began to walk away, and then added, "That is if you're in my class,"
"Aww, someone's in lurrve!" Riven snickered and slung an arm around my neck as soon as Tecna had disappeared.
"Shut up," I mumbled and trailed after her to English, leaving everyone behind me.
"Aww, love at first sight!" Stella sighed dramatically as Bloom giggled.
"They're so cute together, don't you think?" Flora asked everyone.
"Definitely," Bloom nodded.
"You got that right," Aisha agreed.
"Totally," Musa gave everyone the thumbs up sign.
"We should get them together!" Stella exclaimed making everyone talk over each other in denial. "What? Why not?"
"We shouldn't interfere with their love life, Stella," Flora told her peppy blonde friend.
"Yeah, but we helped you and Helia get together!" Stella retorted pointing at the couple.
"True, but you have to remember that Tecna isn't the easiest person to talk to," Helia began.
"What do you mean?" Bloom asked hands on hips.
"You know, how she's kinda aggressive," Brandon told the girls.
"Musa and Aisha are waaay more aggressive than Tecna! Tecna's sweet," Stella explained.
"What, so you're saying that she's as sweet as Flora?" Nabu retorted.
"Uh, no!" Bloom started. "She's different and cool. Lay off her, will you?"
"Us? She's a nightmare!" Sky tried to explain, earning a glare from Bloom.
"Leave her alone, she's our friend!" Musa shouted at the boys.
"Friend? She's the DEVIL!" Riven spat causing Musa to gasp.
"Guys, let's calm down here, and—" Flora began but was cut off by Nabu.
"No, come on! Tecna's a disaster! Timmy could've DIED down there saving her. He should have just left her,"
"SHUT UP!" The raging Stella stomped off dragging Bloom by her hair.
"Ow hair, ow hair, ow hair," Bloom said as she was tugged by the hair by Stella.
"Come on, guys. It seems like these girls aren't smart enough to see sense," Riven told the other 'Specialists,' and rudely left the girls.
"What just happened?" Aisha asked dumbfounded.
"I have no idea," Musa whispered shocked that her and Riven could be on a break… again.
"Don't stress about it. They were being horrid to Tecna, so we need to prove to them how awesomely cool she really is!" Flora spoke up happily.
"Woah…" Aisha began.
"Do my ears deceive me?" Musa added.
"Did she…?"
"I think she did,"
"What are you guys talking about?" Flora asked confused.
"You were practically, kinda, sorta, maybe talking about revenge!" Musa smiled deviously thinking of a plan.
"What? No I wasn't, sweetie. You know me, I don't like revenge. You'll just be sinking as low as them," Flora smiled. "And I was just saying that we could do some fun stuff with Tecna to prove to the boys that she is fun and—"
"Nah, revenge is better," Aisha agreed with Musa. "Come on, let's think of a plan," Musa and Aisha walked off muttering about their plans.
"Oh, no…" Flora whispered and headed to class, thinking about Helia on her way.
FACT: Did you know that Tecna on Winx Club was influenced by the singer/songwriter P!NK? Cool, huh? :)