Jojo had anticipated it. He kept telling himself it would happen any minute. But that still didn't keep him from jumping slightly when the doorbell downstairs rang. And it didn't just catch his attention. While trying to busy his mind, the entire McDodd family had woken up. And when he was actually home the dark who was greeted with almost ninety-eight 'good mornings'. All of them from his sisters who could talk some or completely and both his parents. Like usual though he simply nodded to show he had heard.
Of course the unusual was the visitor at the front door. What was even weirder than that was the fact that it was a visitor for Jojo. And when Jojo was making his way back down the stairs he couldn't help but notice his sisters giggling, whispering or staring aw struck at their only brother who had never had anyone over before. They all already knew about it. But most of them were either in the middle or elementary school and hadn't seen the new who of the high school. And those of them that were in Jojo's school had different classes in the building. So their hadn't been much chance for them to have seen anyway. So now most of them were crowded around corners waiting for Jojo to get to the door.
But Jojo didn't really care. What he did care about though, was his sisters acting exactly like the other Who's from school yesterday. He didn't really appreciate how they had stared at him and Danny. He had enough of that daily from the girls and a few guys when he helped save the town. They weren't really interested in him. Just what he did. From then on he hadn't been left alone for even five minutes for a few months. Then girls would come up and ask him to sing or wonder if he wanted to go out. But Jojo had either ignored or hid from them until things really died down. Again he some what praised his short stature. He was able to hide just about anywhere and the girls had been none the wiser.
So when the small who had reached the front door he turned his head and as nicely as he could stand mouthed 'go' towards his sisters. But they all giggled and shook their heads.
" I guess they wont be satisfied until they at least see him." Jojo thought while rolling his eyes. So with a shaky breath Jojo pulled on his usual look and opened the door.
And their stood Danny with his now already well known grin and neon green iris shining mostly with what Jojo could figure was happiness or excitement. He stood tall with arms relaxed at his sides and hands hidden in furry pockets.
"Morning Jojo." The white haired who said while bringing up a fingerless gloved hand to wave hi.
Jojo just waved back. He still wasn't used to talking a lot. Especially around Danny. He could already feel his cheeks darken a little.
The darker who ignored it and moved away slightly to gesture that Danny come in. Danny happily obliged.
While closing the door it caught Jojo by surprise to hear a loud whistle with the tone of being impressed. He turned to see Danny looking around amazed, like he was in the most fascinating place in the world.
"Wow Jojo I thought your place looked big on the outside but jeez dude. It's huge. What do you do with all this room?"
Jojo couldn't help but smirk slightly and raise an eyebrow. "Is he impressionable or what?" The small who was about to answer when a loud fit of giggling had him and Danny turn their heads towards a corner to a near hallway. Jojo realized he had almost forgotten about his sisters.
They were all occasionally peaking over the side and staring with their hands over their mouths trying but failing not to laugh. "Hi Danny it's very nice to meet you." All ninety-six girls sang happily.
With Danny's back turned Jojo smacked himself in the head and sharply dragged his hand down his face. "Why do girls have to be such nuisance's." He thought irritably. Jojo figured they would come over and Danny would most likely find them a bother. But that wasn't the case. He looked up when he heard the taller who laugh.
"Hey." Danny's head turned and Jojo straightened up. "You didn't tell me you had sisters Jojo. Ha. I guess that would explain why you have such a big house. I'm an only child cause my mom loves kids but she could never imagine having so many."
When he turned around to greet Jojo's sisters Jojo stood speechless. Which wasn't abnormal for him. He just found it odd someone could be so kind or open or even seem to like Jojo for what he truly was. Of course every who in Who-ville, excluding himself, was always eager to be nice and help. Which for the most part he couldn't help but find annoying. But then they all at some point could be egotistical, rude, or just plain only care about their own well being. And when it came to the small dark who he was considered an outcast. Someone who just didn't belong with or around anyone. And for the most part Jojo never truly cared. But when he really thought about it his insides would twinge and sadness would come and rear it's ugly head. Just thinking about all of this made Jojo start to wonder if Danny was real or someone only wanting to be friends for his own gain.
"Maybe he already knows who dad is. Maybe he's just like everyone else who would want to get in with the mayor's son so they could get in with the mayor." Jojo was starting to feel irritable.
But then a small reassuring voice made it's self known. "Or maybe he really is someone who shares your interests. Someone who actually wants to be your friend. A once in a life time chance for you. And you won't know whats real and whats not until you try it." Jojo actually felt a bit better. "And if it isn't real, well then you can just keep going with not talking to anyone until the day you die."
That last part actually sounded some what cynical. Jojo cringed a bit at the idea. He never figured that he wouldn't talk to anyone ever in his life. To him it honestly didn't sound like a completely horrible thought, but in a way it was a little messed up. But he couldn't continue his recently deranged and conflicting emotions and thoughts because another voice caught his attention.
"JOJO!" Jojo jumped and nearly yelped at the shout of his name. He looked up some what panicky to see Danny with all of the small who's sisters standing behind. The white haired who looked down at him with a look of concern along with most of his sisters, while some just stared at him oddly.
Jojo looked at them as if they had gone crazy.
"Are you okay Jojo? I asked if you wanted to go but you didn't answer. You looked like you were freaking out."
The dark who realized he must have been thinking for some time and hadn't heard a word of what Danny might have said. His cheeks turned pink and his eyebrows pushed together. Jojo mouthed a small sorry. He didn't want to have to explain what was wrong.
And Danny was about to ask why Jojo wouldn't speak, when he realized the siblings he had just met were watching right behind them. "Oh he must not want to talk around them." Danny figured.
So to Jojo's surprise Danny grabbed his hand turned to the girls said "It was nice to meet you ladies." And then high tailed it up the stairs.
The girls watched them turn the corner, leave and then they giggled.
"He was so cute wasn't he?" "Jojo found a hot friend." "What was wrong with him anyway? He looked like he was having a mental breakdown." "I don't know but do you think Danny might be able to like one of us?" "I'm not sure. Did you notice how he looked at Jojo?" Which ever sister had asked it the other girls caught on to what she meant. Some of them who thought a little deeper turned pink, some awed sadly at the chance they didn't have and most of them just giggled again. Jojo's sisters were smarter than they looked.
…...
When Danny and Jojo had finally turned the corner to the upstairs hallway Danny had to stop to catch his breath. As thin as he was it didn't mean he could stand hauling but up a ridiculously long set of stairs. As his heart evened out he realized Jojo was extremely quite. He turned to the who to see he was staring at the ground with one hand holding his head. As if he was trying to figure something out.
"Jojo?"
The raven haired teen looked at Danny yet again with surprise. Only his cheeks were bright red and his chocolate irises were wide with confusion.
Danny felt his own cheeks darken slightly. Just seeing Jojo like that made his heart speed up again. Danny had never had someone effect him so much. And he wondered if it meant something that Jojo was blushing. Or maybe he was just exhausted from the sudden five second hike up the forty foot high stairs. It was hard to tell.
"Are you-uh okay?" Danny mumbled.
Jojo simply nodded his head. But he seemed to be occupied with looking down at something. When Danny looked he noticed he was still holding Jojo's hand. He flushed for a second before quickly pulling away. "S-sorry, forgot. I saw you looked like you didn't want to talk around your sisters so I thought I'd hurry up so we could do what we planned." Danny let into his impulse to sheepishly rub the back of his head. It was a habit when ever he was nervous.
Jojo looked at him with appreciation and nodded. He seemed to be acting like himself again when he spoke. " Thanks. And sorry. If you haven't really realized it yet I've never been much of a talker. I've probably talked more today and yesterday than I have in my life."
"Why?" Danny blurted it out before he thought of it.
Jojo looked down and it made the white haired who unsure if he would answer. But it was only a few moments before he spoke up again. "I-I just don't like to talk. I've more or less been a mute for the past few years. Up until the Horton incident. Then I stopped again till now. Others don't care much for me and I don't care for them. Not until I helped save their lives and my usually quite peace was broken by those who just wanted to have the glory of hearing me talk." Jojo said the last part while he rolled his eyes with an uncaring nature.
But as far as Danny could tell the deep brown orbs were also swimming with anger and sadness. Among other small things he wasn't quite sure of. And even though Danny had only met Jojo yesterday it didn't keep him from feeling horrible for not knowing these things. This horrible feeling was also making him feel the shift of blue into his usually happy eyes. And this sudden confession definitely answered why Jojo didn't seem to have any other friends. Danny wasn't sure on what to do or say. He wanted to hug the little raven who. Not just because he already liked him a lot but because he wanted to comfort him. Mostly as a friend for the moment. But he wasn't sure if he should so Danny thought of what he could say.
"I'm sorry Jojo. I didn't realize. Should I not have asked?" With that question Danny mentally smacked himself. "Of course I shouldn't have asked! God whats wrong with me. Could that have sounded any stupider?" Danny was trying to think of something else he could say. Maybe something far more sincere because in his mind he thought it wasn't. But once again Jojo spoke up.
"D-don't be sorry. It's okay. It's how I live my life and I like it. So don't be sorry."
As reassuring as Jojo was trying to make it it certainly didn't reassure Danny. And he could tell it wasn't making Jojo himself feel any better. Even though he pulled a small smile.
The tall who could definitely feel his eye's weren't green anymore. And they were only just completely blue, but now he was sick of the sad feeling. He never really tolerated being depressed. Not to say he always liked being happy. But that didn't mean he didn't enjoy it most of the time. So he quickly decided what he thought was the best solution. He grabbed Jojo by the shoulders and pulled him into a hug. Of course he figured it might make the smaller who uncomfortable. After the incident at lunch yesterday, Danny wasn't entirely sure if Jojo liked other who contact. Maybe that just went along with him not liking to talk.
But at the moment Danny didn't completely care. What he did care about was making his new friend feel better and as happy as possible. So with the small warm and slightly startled body pressed against him, he chose his words carefully.
"Well if it's any consolation Jojo, I care about you. And I don't think it's okay . But if at least I'm around, will you talk? I want to know you and be a great friend." Then Danny pulled away, with his hands still on Jojo's shoulders and smiled down at him warmly. "So seriously dude. Please cheer up."
…...
Jojo wasn't entirely sure on what to say. He just received yet another hug from the guy he just made friends with and now he told him that he really does want to be his friend. Besides the hug Jojo's heart beat had increased in speed and felt like it was going to give out. It took everything he had just to suppress the blush that wanted to crawl over his cheeks. And as happy as it made him to hear someone say what Danny said, Jojo just couldn't handle all of these emotions. Most of his life he only ever dealt with anger, sadness or the suppressed happy feeling of making another invention. All this other crap that he didn't know heads or tails of what it was, was killing him.
So he did the quickest thing he could think of. He pulled away from the taller who's hands, uttered a quick "Th-thanks Danny! I'll be fine, so we should go." And ushered for him to follow down the hallway. "The sooner we just get over this the better, right?" Jojo thought. The small who couldn't even turn to look Danny in the eye. It had taken a few moments before he heard Danny actually move behind him and it made Jojo's insides twinge a bit again. Like that really wasn't the best possible thing to do. And that Danny might have been disappointed for some reason Jojo couldn't figure.
"If somethings wrong then he'll probably bounce back in no time. I've seen him do it once already. I just can't handle anymore of this today." So Jojo continued to walk with out much of a word until both he and Danny reached his room.
Jojo was about to say something when his hand landed on the doorknob and actually look at Danny when he heard his name again. He looked to see both his mother and father coming down his and Danny's way.
"Hey J-dawg whats up?"
Jojo couldn't help but pull his usual demeanor back and roll his eyes at the nickname his father thought was cool.
When both his parents finally stopped to talk, Jojo noticed their eyes immediately lock on Danny.
"Oh is this Danny?" Sally questioned happily. Jojo just nodded his head. "Welcome to Who-ville Danny. It's great to finally meet you." Ned grabbed Danny's hand and shook it with obvious excitement.
Jojo turned his head to see Danny's expression. He seemed to be fine. His eyes were their normal color but he looked just a little rattled from the sudden energetic hand shake. Jojo tried to keep a small smile hidden at Danny's need to regain his balance.
But it didn't go unnoticed. Danny's close vicinity had helped him see that smirk. His green eye locked on Jojo and he smiled himself.
When Jojo noticed he was caught he decided not to look the other way. He just gave a Danny a look that said "Have fun dealing with them for a few minuets". Then Jojo regained his composure and looked up at his parents.
"It's great to meet you to Mr. and Mrs.-uh" When Danny stopped short Jojo laughed on the inside. "It seems someone hasn't learned my last name."
"McDodd." Jojo's father finished "But you can just call me mayor or Ned. Anything's fine." "And just call me Sally or whatever." Both parents were obviously trying to make a great impression.
"So Danny what do you think of Who-ville so far, hm?" As the mayor Ned was trying to find that his only son's friend liked where he now lived.
"Oh it's cool. I haven't seen all of it but I'm pretty sure I'll like anything about this place. It's even better that I have Jojo as a friend."
Jojo chose to smirk on the inside this time. Danny sure knew how to make a good first impression. His parents were just beaming at this. But the dark who was getting tired of just standing and not going any where. So he let out a cough that got his parents attention. He gave them a look as if he said "Can we go now?"
When they realized their son had places he wanted to be they gave in. "Well again it was great to meet you Danny. And don't be a stranger, you can come over any time." His mother said sweetly. And even though Ned looked disappointed as if he had more he wanted to say he just nodded in agreement with his wife. So they both waved goodbye and headed their way to the stairs.
With everyone gone down stairs Jojo looked back to his white haired guest. He was surprised to see Danny looking down in a sad sort of manner. "Um Danny are you okay?"
Danny quickly looked back at him. Jojo noticed his eyes were still green but something was off. "I-I'm fine but are sure your okay? I'm sorry if what I said didn't make you feel better. I just didn't want you to be sad."
Jojo felt his cheeks start to burn and his insides twist. "You-you thought I was like angry at you or something?" Jojo was startled at this realization.
When Danny just nodded his head Jojo nearly face palmed. "J-Jeez no dude. I'm not angry at you. What you said did make me feel a lot better. I'm just not familiar with stuff like this. I wasn't sure how to react. I'm sorry I made you think that."
After having had said this Jojo saw Danny definitely bounce back. He looked happy but he still asked, "You sure?"
Jojo smiled. "Yes I'm sure. Now come on we haven't done anything yet today. It's aggravating." The dark who made to look irritated but it only came out as looking half serious and this made Danny laugh. Not only did Danny seem relieved but Jojo felt better to. So he finally turned to his room and told the taller who to come on.
…...
After finding out Jojo wasn't mad Danny felt a huge weight lift off his shoulders. In only a few minuets it felt like the fear was killing him. But knowing he wasn't going to die from it and finally seeing the small who's room made him feel like himself again.
When they walked in Danny was once again in aw.
Jojo's room was fantastic. The wall's were different shades of gray's and midnight black. And they were either covered in posters of different Classical, Alternative, Gothic and some Metal rock bands or sketched out ideas for musical inventions. A bed with a few checkered things but mostly black was off to the far corner next to a very tall, opens like a double door window at the very end of the room. A night stand sat between it and the window and a large closet next to a shelf of many books was on the other side.
What really caught Danny's attention was the long curved working desk, set against the wall at the end of the bed. It, like his own had a few bendable lamps and magnifying glasses attached to the sides. Even more paper seemed to pile up on this desk, but their was still enough room for someone of Jojo's size to sit between and work. Their was even some sheet music thumb tacked to the wall surrounding it. That especially had him wondering if Jojo wrote music.
"Wow Jojo your room is awesome." Danny noticed Jojo twitch a smile at the compliment. When he chose to walk over to the desk and take a glance at the music, he could already imagine how it sounded. Danny himself wasn't a music genius. Nothing of the sort. But that didn't mean he didn't know how to read it or know musical scales and notes. Out of boredom and some inspiration he'd actually written a few tunes. Nothing mediocre but not exactly superb. Danny actually liked to write stories or poems. Rhyming words were something he especially enjoyed. Back where he used to live he never had anything lower than an A in who-English. He really liked to read and understood extremely detailed or meaningful short stories and poems.
"Jojo do you write your own songs?" Danny finally asked.
When Jojo's cheeks turned a slight pink Danny found his answer. "Um yes a little. Nothing great though."
The white haired who just looked at him a laughed lightly. "Nothing great? Jojo these songs are genius. Their really creative. The music flows really nicely. I'm not much of a music writer but I can tell that you have great skill with this." When he said this Danny took notice to Jojo fidgeting slightly with his eyes downward. He was smiling but Danny could tell he was sort of overwhelming the small who with a barrage of nice. It made him laugh on the inside, though he felt a bit of guilt. Danny just couldn't help but like being the one to be so nice to Jojo and get to see his reactions. Saying they were adorable was an understatement. So the tall who continued with something else but closely related to the music. "Do you sing any of them?" That was one thing Danny really wanted to know.
"Uh not really. I haven't really sung much since the Horton thing."
That was something else that Danny was curious about. Jojo had mentioned some 'Horton' thing a few times and Danny had no clue what he was talking about. So he went back to the smaller who and decided to ask one more question. "If you don't mind my asking another question Jojo, what is this Horton thing? You've said it a few times and I'm not sure what you mean."
When Jojo looked at him like he was insane, Danny felt a twinge of embarrassment.
"You really don't know?" He asked amazed.
"Um I don't think I do. Was it something really important?" Danny felt stupid. Who or what was a Horton?
"Uh kinda yeah. Your the first I've heard that doesn't know about it. A few months ago my dad found out, after talking to a giant elephant that our world is a speck on a flower."
…...
After a few silent moments Jojo realized how crazy that actually sounded. And Danny was looking at him as if he was the looniest who in the world. He sighed and chose to just tell the whole story.
"What I mean is a few months ago my dad heard a funny sound. And he had noticed our towns weather was acting really weird. But no one would believe him when he said that we should cancel the WhoSentanial until it was figured out. Every one thought he might have been going crazy. Even I thought it. Especially when he would choose to ramble about me being a mayor and he would never notice my discomfort about the thought. Their was even this one time he came home with his arm extremely wonky and limp and he told me to take everything fragile off of high places. Anyway one day he finally told everyone that our world is simply a speck on a flower in the world of giant animals in a jungle called Nool. And that he had been talking to an elephant named Horton, who was trying to save us from being destroyed by the other animals, who thought we didn't exist. So we made as much noise as possible and I started all of my musical machines. And when I finally yelled through a horn they heard. And Horton was able to put our world in a stable area, on a flower in mount Nool. Their was uh also some singing that took place after wards."
The thought of 'Baby I can't fight this feeling anymore' and Jojo piping up at the last minuet to sing a perfect ending made his cheeks turn warm. When he looked to see Danny's expression on the whole thing he just looked surprised.
Danny's one visible orb was just wide with tints of orange and his mouth hung open a little. He looked puzzled and shocked. "Wow" He finally spoke. "When you said Horton I wasn't sure what you were talking about. But the noise and stuff I remember that. Our town could hear all of it. Most thought something crazy was going on. And when it stopped everybody just sort of forgot about it. I didn't think any of that had happened. And you pretty much saved everyone Jojo."
"N-Not really." Jojo protested. "I just wanted to be heard. And like everyone else I definitely didn't want to be boiled in Beezelnut oil."
"Well I think it was great that you did what you did. If you hadn't I wouldn't have been able to move here or meet you."
Jojo had to hide the blush trying appear again. "Does he have to say it like that?" He thought.
"Um thanks. I just try not to think about it to much anymore. So how about we just go to the old observatory and I can show you my inventions?"
"Okay!" Danny said happily. "But that doesn't mean I'm going to forget about you singing. When ever you finally want to I really want to hear."
Jojo just rolled his chocolate orbs and smirked. Well you'll probably be very old by the time I decide." He said humorously.
Danny smirked back at the comment." "I hope not."
With it finally decided Jojo went to his window and opened both sides. Then he hopped up on the ledge and jumped to the twisting try outside. His hands caught on to one part that curved perfectly and he fell down to another branch. Then he swung from that branch to ground. When Jojo looked up he couldn't help but smile again at Danny just looking down at him. Obviously the who hadn't expected it. So with only a little unease he did the same.
Now that both teenage who's were safely on the ground They started their way to the observatory. Jojo pulled out his WP3 player and put only one head phone on so he could hear if Danny wanted to say anything. But the taller who seemed content on just walking. He did ask one more question though.
"Hey Jojo do mind if I listen? I left my player at home and were going to opposite way." For some odd reason he seemed worried about asking. But Jojo didn't mind it to much. If they kept at the same pace it wouldn't bother him to share. So he lengthened out the the other ear piece to reach the taller of the two and handed it to Danny.
"Thanks." Danny said gratefully.
Jojo just nodded. His heart beat had increased a bit at knowing that Danny would have to be close for them both to hear. But just being able to walk with his friend and not really talking to much was keeping him from noticing.
So with a bit of humming and music only the two of them could hear Jojo and Danny walked peacefully to the place Jojo loved to spend his life.
