A/N: ANother long update, I know. But I'm really satisfied with it. This is for Forestwater and to all my loyal reviewers! Your eagerness to read this story makes me want to write it even more!
Diane stared at the computer screen sadly and then walked into the kitchen. Maybe some ice cream would make her feel a little bit better. No sooner had she taken a scoop of Mint Chocolate Chip, the sound of the garage closing could be faintly heard. Then, her father entered the room, finally home for work. He usually left before Diane even got up for, but he always managed to make it home a couple of hours after dinner.
"How's my Diana Banana?" he joked, ruffling her hair with affection.
"Not too great. And my name's Diane," she replied moodily.
"I know that, it says so on your birth certificate" Mr. Bontecou chuckled. Then, his tone of voice changed, "How come you're upset?" he asked, concern glazing over his eyes. As Diane was explaining her problem, he was microwaving the leftover meatloaf her mother had cooked for dinner.
"I can see you want to go Disney with your friends Diane. But as your mother said, we're a little tight with our budget this year," he said sadly.
"Do you think I'll be able to qualify for financial aid? Because Maggie and Elaine were mentioning it on IM not too long ago." There was a loud dinging noise, signaling that the meatloaf was ready.
"You can ask the school tomorrow and see what they say," her dad offered. As he began to dig into his meatloaf, Diane began to notice her ice cream was beginning to melt.
"Well, I'm gonna go back on the computer," she said, shuffling back to see if anything interesting happened. As it turned out, Steffanie was still online.
PrincessD: Hey! I didn't know you're still online!
((FrolloFan has gone idle))
PrincessD: No! You can't go idle! ((prepares to do CPR))
FrolloFan: Oi! I'm NOT losing my lip-virginity to a girl!
PrincessD: Technically I wouldn't be kissing you, I'd be saving your life. There's a difference.
FrolloFan: Not to my mom. She's a complete homophobe after all. It's a sin apparently if a girl does CPR on me, but if a guy does it its perfectly okay! Sheesh! She'd should be grateful that I'm alive!
PrincessD: Well, I didn't give you CPR, virtually or in real life. And I hope I won't have to. But when I have to, I will.
FrolloFan: Aw, thanks! But my mom was going on and on about how sinful my outfit was today. And that's why I can't go to Disney.
PrincessD: WTF? She won't let you go because of THAT? That's a load of bull. Your outfit was far from slutty. She should see how Clarissa and her cronies dress!
FrolloFan: Knowing my mom, she'd probably get diagnosed with every terminal disease if she saw what they wore.
PrincessD: Yeah, you're right.
FrolloFan: Hey! Did you notice that Maggie got really flustered when we mentioned Kenny today at lunch?
PrincessD: Sorry, too busy wallowing in my pool of misery. I WISH WE COULD GO TO DISNEY!
FrolloFan: Me too! How bought I drop in that pool of yours? We could have a canon ball contest. Or wait! I know! We could go skinny dipping!
PrincessD: OK, now you've gone too far. I'm not literally in a pool. But yeah, I did notice the whole MK situation
FrolloFan: They'll probably end up going out, and get MARRIED TOO! And we can all be the bridesmaids. Can you imagine Kenny in a tux?
PrincessD: Oh no.
FrolloFan: What? Kenny wouldn't look bad in one.
PrincessD: True, but you're about to go on one of your fantasies about how we're all going to live together with our boyfriends, get married, move to a tiny suburb, and raise our kids together.
FrolloFan: I can see it happening.
PrincessD: Me too, but I just don't think I'll ever be ready for that kind of commitment.
FrolloFan: Well, you're only 16, so best not to worry about it now. I gotta sign off though. See you tomorrow!
PrincessD: Adios, Steffanie!
((FrolloFan has signed off))
Diane was still feeling pretty sad as Steffanie signed off. But at least she wasn't the only one out of the group who couldn't go. Logging off the computer, she went back upstairs to read The DaVinci Code a bit more. Around 11 pm, she began to drift off to sleep.
The next day at school, Diane began to stare nervously at the clock. She was waiting for the end of the day. Her plan was to talk to the principal, or whoever could tell her if she qualified for financial aid, and then her mom was going to pick her up. It'd be simple as that. At long last, the bell rang and everyone swarmed to their lockers.
"Are you sure you don't want us to wait for you?" Maggie asked as they struggled through the crowded hallways.
"Yeah. My mom's going to pick me up, so no worries," Diane said, reaching her locker at last.
"See you later, then," her friend waved.
Within five minutes, the hallways were starting to thin out. A few kids were running, hoping not to miss the bus while others started to go to their extra curricular activities. It took Diane a few minutes to find where the Principal Clergy's office was located. But eventually, she was there. The secretary was typing on the keyboard, while irritably conversing with an anonymous person on the phone. Not wanting to interrupt her, she sat on a chair that was made to fit in a doctor's office. It was quite deceiving too; it looked comfortable, but it was far from it.
"Who are you looking for?" the secretary asked, finally noticing Diane.
"Principal Clergy. I wanted to ask him a question," Diane mumbled.
"I'll be with you in a minute," she said. After saying some very rude words into the phone, she slammed the receiver down.
"Sorry about that. What's your name?" she asked, getting ready to scribble it down on a Post-It.
"Diane Bontec-HIC!"
Diane clapped a hand to her mouth. She hated it when she got the hiccups at random times.
"Diane Bontechic? Never heard of that one," the secretary mumbled, writing it down.
"No! I mean its Bontecou-HIC!"
"Make up your mind already! You should know your last name by now!" snapped the secretary.
"Sorry, I've got the hiccups," Diane apologized, blushing with embarrassment.
"Tell you what. Why don't have your parents call Mr. Clergy's office tomorrow? Here's his extension."
And with that, she handed another Post It to Diane and went back to her business. Diane stared at the number grumpily, stowing it in her jean pocket. So much for that she thought. And even worse, her hiccups were starting to become more frequent and louder. Slipping out of the office, she wandered into the hallway. Her hiccups echoed off the metal lockers as she approached a vending machine. Inserting a dollar, while still hiccupping, she pushed in the plastic button. Suddenly, someone clapped their hands on her shoulders and shouted "BOO!"
Diane let out a high-pitched shriek, turning around so quickly she elbowed her attacker in the jaw.
"Ow!" he shouted, falling to the ground.
"Don't scare me like that! You practically gave me a heart attack!" Diane accused, clutching her heart. A loud clunking noise signaled that her water was ready to be taken out of the machine. As she bent down to get it, she realized the boy who scared her was still on the ground.
"Oh my God! Are you okay?!" she cried, coming to her senses and getting down on her knee.
"Well, aside from the fact you could've broken my jaw, I'm quite alright," he grunted, getting to his feet. Diane could make out a bruise that was starting to form.
"I'm really sorry! I just get scared really easily," she mumbled, blushing with embarrassment as she stood up.
"I can see that. But I was always told scaring people was the best way to get rid of hiccups."
"No, that's not true!" Diane said defiantly. But then she noticed her hiccups had gone away! This guy had gotten rid of them!
"They're gone now! Thanks a bunch!" she grinned, but then she became humble again, "and I'm really sorry about your jaw. Are you sure you're going to be okay?"
"Yeah. It'll be a great souvenir when I go to karate class," he chuckled. Diane noticed that he had an adorable smile. He seemed like one of those guys who managed to make everyone laugh. She liked this, and proceded to converse with him more.
"What kind of belt are you?" Diane asked. She didn't know a lot about karate, but it looked interesting. However, henever she saw it on TV, she just saw people making weird noises as they kicked the crap out of their opponents.
"I'm a blue belt. It'll be a while before I get my black belt though. By the way, my name is Cody Landrigan," said the boy. Diane finally was able to have a good look at Cody. He had short blonde hair, hazel eyes, and a lot of freckles dotted his crooked nose. He had the look of a kid who wanted to romp around outdoors.
"I'm Diane Bonetcou," she smiled. Suddenly, she hear a loud noise of someone's car horn being honked.
"Aw, that's my mom," Diane groaned, eyeing the blue SUV with disbelief. She wished she didn't have to go so soon.
"So I guess I'll see you around then?" he asked.
"Yeah, and thanks again for getting the hiccups!" Diane said gratefully as she hurried toward the door.
"No problem! See you later!" Cody called.
"Bye!"
A/N: Just an FYI for everyone, it took me FOREVER to name Diane's eventual crush. But I'm satisfied with my choice. And my BIRTHDAY IS TOMMOROW!! w00t! So that was my little gift for you guys. Please review!
