Author's Note: Sorry for cutting this update so close to the deadline, but I've had a LOT of deadlines this week. Don't worry I didn't forget about you lovely people. I hope you enjoy.
Monday
Angelica took a deep breath as she walked up to the Finster house. She was trying to puzzle out what would be going through Chuckie's head. He was probably grounded for life. He would probably never want to talk to her again; after all it was her fault that he got involved with McNulty. That seemed to be the most likely scenario. Releasing her breath she knocked and waited.
To her surprise the door flung open to reveal a happy, albeit bruised, Chuckie.
"Hey Angelica," he grabbed his bag and closed the door behind him. "Let's go."
She stared after him for a moment then shook her head and followed him to her car. He was holding her door open for her and smiling like nothing had happened. It was a little weird.
She sat down and glanced across the car while Chuckie climbed in.
"So how was the rest of your weekend?" She asked as she started the car.
"Not bad," he smiled. "Mr. and Mrs. Deville told Tommy to close up the store and came over to check on me. Betty was actually proud of me! She convinced my parents that having to pay for new frames was punishment enough."
"Really?" She asked skeptically.
"Yeah!" He was grinning ear to ear. "Fortunately the place I go is open Sundays and had my frames in stock. It's the lenses that take weeks to get replaced. I was in and out in about 30 minutes. Down a hundred dollars, but I got to punch Timmy McNulty, so I'd say it was a net gain."
"That shiner is going to get you some serious street cred too." She couldn't help but laugh, and Chuckie joined in almost immediately.
They continued joking the entire way to school. They had laughed so much that by the time they parked Angelica had a stitch in her side that twinged when she reached around back for her purse. When she turned around Chuckie was standing at her side with her door open and his hand held out for her. She couldn't help but smile as she took it, and as soon she was on her feet he laced their fingers together.
Chuckie started laughing again.
"What?"
"I was just thinking how weird this last week has been. Who would have ever thought that I would start a fight and the two of us would be laughing and hanging out together?"
Angelica frowned as the words sunk into her brain. She and Chuckie were walking hand and hand to school. They were laughing and talking like friends. She felt her stomach start to churn.
This isn't supposed to happen! This isn't real, we're just pretending.
"Well Finster you have become much more tolerable in the last few years, so I suppose it shouldn't be too surprising. And I guess I owe you one for decking McNulty on my behalf."
"Yeah." The laughter was gone from his voice and Angelica began walking faster, wanting to meet up with her friends, needing an excuse to let go of his hand.
Finster. Chuckie didn't have a problem with his last name, but somehow when it came out of Angelica's mouth it sounded like a swear word and felt like a stab to the heart. His free hand went up to his eye, which was no longer swollen, but still hurt like hell. What did I expect? I beat up the bad guy—though I'm pretty sure I came out more beat up than he did—and she falls into my arms? This isn't a chick flick.
As soon as they reached Angelica's locker she pulled her hand away from his and didn't bother taking it back. He couldn't help but watch her and wonder what he had done wrong. One minute they had been laughing and the next she was cold and distant again. Just because you love her doesn't mean she loves you back. He reminded himself as she hugged all of her friends. She wants McNulty off her back and you are getting a laptop in exchange.
The bell rang, startling him out of his melancholy and Angelica's friends started going their separate ways.
"See you at lunch," she said in his direction, not even bothering to look him in the eye before hurrying off down the hall.
"Yeah," he said, though she was out of hearing range, "lunch." He turned around and began walking toward his class on autopilot, staring at the floor as he went. Someone rammed into his shoulder far too hard to be accidental and he looked up.
Timmy McNulty was walking away while glaring back at him. His bottom lip was split open and he had an ugly bruise on his cheek. I did that? Chuckie thought in disbelief as the older boy turned back around. He started down at his hands and smiled.
Friday
Angelica looked up at the clock as she waited for her math teacher to finish his lecture. She felt like the longest week of her life was finally at an end. Her interactions with Chuckie had been even more awkward since Monday and she was glad they could finally stop their ridiculous game of make-believe. She still had her recital to worry about, but after lunch today, Finster would be out of the picture and her life would go back to normal.
"We have five minutes left of class so I'm going to call you up and hand back your tests, when you get yours feel free to leave, or you can stick around if you have any questions."
Angelica frowned as Mr. Evans began calling students up. With a depressed sigh she began gathering up her stuff and preparing herself for the worst. Mr. Evans had let her turn in her late assignments for full credit, so her grade was going to get a little boost, but she was sure this test would take her back down to failing. There was no way she had passed with how tired and stressed out she had been the previous Friday. Stupid Finster! This whole thing is his—
"Angelica." She grabbed her backpack and trudged to his desk. He handed her back the test and smiled. "I'm really impressed with this sudden improvement. Have you been working with a tutor?"
She glanced down at the paper and couldn't help but smile at the B- written on the top. Her eyes snapped back up to Mr. Evans.
"My boyfriend actually, he's a math genius!" She couldn't stop smiling.
"Well, keep up the good work."
She hurried out the door and stood in the spot where Chuckie usually waited for her. She couldn't wait to show him how well she'd done. After what seemed like an eternity the bell rang and people began pouring out of their classrooms. Angelica stood on her toes to try to get a glimpse of Chuckie. She spotted him at the very end of that hall walking toward her. Without caring who saw her or what they thought, she bolted through the crowds of people.
"Chuckie," she called as she ran up to him. "I did it!"
He stared at her with wide eyes so she shoved the paper in front of him.
"I passed my math test!"
He took the paper out of her hands and looked it over. His smile was almost as big as hers. "You did more than pass Angelica! You did great!"
"I know!" She wrapped her arms around him then just as quickly pulled herself off. She took a step back then smacked him on the shoulder. "It's all thanks to you, you big goofy math genius." She watched his cheeks go red and they held each other's gaze for a few seconds too long. She could feel her heart start to speed up and snatched her test out of his hand. "I'm starving. Let's go get lunch!"
She busied herself with putting her test into her backpack so her hands would be busy as they walked. My boyfriend. Not tutor, not friend, not lackey. Boyfriend. I didn't even hesitate. She bit down on her lip. It's Friday. She reminded herself. After school this whole thing will be over.
Angelica ignored the odd tightness in her chest and followed Chuckie to the salad line.
"You're waiting with me?" He asked as if she had grown a second head.
"It's better than waiting alone at the table."
"Oh." Angelica watched his gaze flicker over to the much shorter "hot meals" line where the lunch ladies were serving spaghetti and meatballs. She rolled her eyes and sighed.
"Just go."
"Really?"
"Yeah." We're over anyway.
Chuckie didn't need to be told twice and hurried off. Angelica pulled out her cellphone and began checking her messages while she waited. There were three from Brittany telling her how bored she was in her English class and one from Denise informing her about the latest fashion faux pas she had seen. Once at the front of the line she grabbed a tray, put her cellphone on it , and grabbed her food. She got another text message as she was walking back to her table.
She frowned when she saw it was from her mom; she knew it was bad news before she even looked at it.
All flights canceled. Won't be home for your recital. Break a leg.
She read and re-read the words on the screen, as if re-reading them would make them say something different.
"What's wrong Angelica?"
She slipped her phone back into her pocket. "My mom's flight got cancelled," she informed him as she opened her packet of ranch dressing. "Of course she's halfway across the world, so she won't be home in time for my recital."
"Oh. I'm sorry. At least your dad will be there though, right?"
"No." She kept her voice neutral, emotions locked down. She wasn't going to get upset about this. "He's at a conference in Ohio. He doesn't get home till Sunday."
"So, no one is going to be there to watch you?"
"Nope." She stabbed her lettuce with a little too much force and sighed. "Don't worry Finster, this isn't the first time and I'm sure it won't be the last."
Angelica had been silent through lunch, her "friends" hadn't seemed to notice, but Chuckie knew she was way more upset about her parents missing her recital than she was letting on. He mentally kicked himself as she told him goodbye when lunch was over. Tommy always knew exactly what to say and do in these sorts of situations, but Chuckie was useless.
He felt the knot of dread growing in his stomach the entire day in anticipation of the inevitable break up. He waited for Angelica by her locker after school and watched as she walked toward him. He frowned. She looked devastated; he kicked himself again and began frantically searching his brain asking 'what would Tommy say?' as is it would somehow provide the answer to Angelica's dismay.
"Let's go," she said with a nod in the direction of the doors, not even bothering to take his hand. He felt his throat tighten and followed her. This was the beginning of the end.
They drove in complete silence the entire way to Chuckie's house and it wasn't until Angelica's car pulled into his driveway that she looked at him. He immediately looked away. He didn't want to see her face when she broke up with him.
"I guess this is it Finster."
He nodded.
"Thanks for all your help. You really went above and beyond. McNulty is out of my hair for good thanks to you."
His hand absently touched the faded bruise on his eye.
"So . . . I . . . just let me know when you decide what it is you want from me."
"Thanks for the ride." He said quickly, wrapping his hand around his backpack and hurrying out of the car.
"Chuckie?" He turned around and looked down at Angelica. She was staring up at him with an odd expression; she looked hurt.
"Angelica?"
She blinked twice and it was gone. "Two thousand is my limit." He nodded, feeling like he had been punched in the stomach and walked as fast as he could to his front door. He stepped inside, tossed his backpack on the ground, and ran up the stairs slamming his door behind him. Chuckie sat down on the edge of his bed and put his head in his hands.
His door immediately opened and he looked up in panic. Kimi was standing in his doorway with a red nose and a blanket draped around her shoulders.
"Chuckie?"
"S—sorry Kimi, I didn't know you were home."
"I'm not feeling so hot," she informed him with a sniffle.
"Sorry," he said again before resuming his position. "Do you mind?"
"She dumped you didn't she."
Chuckie only sighed in response.
"Don't worry big brother, you can win her back."
"You don't get it Kimi. She doesn't need me for anything. There is nothing I can do for her that she can't handle herself."
"I don't believe that. Everyone needs somebody. I mean even I need a shoulder to cry on now and then, and it's not like you, Mom, and Dad are always around."
Chuckie sat up straight and looked up at Kimi. "You're right! She has a recital tomorrow!" He could feel the excitement building within him. "Her parents are both out of town and won't be back in time. So I should go right?"
Kimi's cheeks were red, and not from her cold. "And bring roses." She cooed.
"What if she's mad that I'm there?"
"She won't be."
