There's no Place like Home
Chapter Nine
My brain was on overload. So many people were talking to me and complimenting me on my voice that I couldn't keep track of who was who and who said what. Finally Raphaelle took pity on me. I was talking to an alien woman who resembled a frog and her young daughter when my friend strolled up behind me.
"If you don't mind ma'am," she placed her hands on my shoulders, "I have to steal my friend here. Is that alright?"
"Oh but of course dear! What a wonderful job you two did tonight!" We thanked her before making a beeline for the kitchen. My throat was begging for a glass of water and my ears were ringing from all the noise.
I was hoping for some peace and quiet, but unfortunately for me, the gang was chilling in the kitchen ready to pounce. I'm fairly certain they were complimenting the two of us, but I heard none of it; I simply nodded and gulped down a glass of water in less than ten seconds.
"And you!" Slowly I turned around to come nose to nose with a certain green scaly figure.
I blinked, "yes?"
"You said your voice got all squeaky and you didn't want to sing, but what was that!?"
"Um…"
"I'll tell you what that was!" Nerita was almost yelling in my face; I was too surprised to do anything about it. "That was amazing!" Before I knew what was happening I was enveloped in a hug. I stood shock still, arms straight at my side, "You need to sing here more often!" Everyone else voiced their agreement. The little pink blob was nodding his opinion as well.
"I mean look at this!" Jen walked up behind me with something small and silver in her hand. She turned to Raphaelle, "How does thing work again?"
The strawberry blonde took the silver, rectangular cube in her hand and pressed a button before showing me the screen. I was too busy staring at the device to notice what (or who) was on the screen.
"Where did you get my camera?!" I took it from her and flipped through the pictures. There were two videos from that performance; other than that there was nothing new. Just old pictures and videos of my family and friends.
"Your bag."
"You didn't look at these did you...?" I asked, referring to the other photos and videos.
"Maybe." I must have looked embarrassed or something because the next words out of Raphaelle's mouth were, "and you and friends are very beautiful so quit worrying."
That made me laugh, I flipped through the pictures laughing and smiling at them. I hadn't taken out the camera since I'd gotten there; I was surprised it hadn't died yet.
"Girls!" Sara burst through the door, "the guests aren't done congratulating you yet!"
"Well," I handed my camera to Jim and looked at his wife, "back into the fray!"
Twelve different people and creatures complimenting us later, I found myself slumping against the wall; Raphaelle joined me. We felt exhausted. Finally I sighed and looked up.
"Who. Is. That?!" I breathed. Whoever he was, he was cute! He was tall, a few inches taller than I; his dark brown hair was an inch long and combed slickly back. He wasn't stick-skinny but he was lean; he wasn't buff either, but he did look strong. I couldn't tell you exactly what it was, but something about him screamed cute. I couldn't look away, not even when Raphaelle answered my question; the one I didn't realize I'd spoken aloud. "I don't know. But there's something about him that I don't like."
My eyes flickered to her for only a second, "Warum?"
"Pardon?"
"Why?" I translated, "I mean, why don't you like him?" This time I tore my eyes away long enough to watch her shrug.
"He's …" she thought for a moment, "sketchy. Shifty. I don't know … I just don't trust him."
"Do you know him?" I felt my body tense in defensive; the edge of my voice hardened.
"No but-"
"'Kay then." I stood up straight.
"You don't know him either." Her voice had hardened as well.
I took a few steps forward before looking back at her over my shoulder, "how 'bout I go and find out what he's like?"
She gave me a you-have-to-be-kidding-me look, "he just doesn't seem to be a good guy."
"And?" I turned to face her, crossing my arms over my chest, "Jay's not the best either …"
"Better than that shady guy over there…" she muttered under her breath, but I still heard her.
I snorted, "So what?" Then a thought occurred to me, "It's like you want to set me up with Jay or something!" She said nothing, "Oh my God! You're not trying to-!" But it all made sense; pairing us up together, leaving us alone together, having him bandage my hand … they were trying make us a couple!
"Kisa…" she reached for my hand but I jerked it away.
"He's a jerk most the time, Raphaelle!" I snapped, "He's just so … so … so annoying! I am not going to end up with the likes of him!" I stormed away, not really caring where I was going. I was just getting away before it turned into a full-blown argument.
"Hey," I spun on my heels; the voice had a husky tone to it, like it belonged to a certain cute boy. I was happily proven correct, "That song … you sang … you were amazing tonight."
I felt my face redden; I felt so small and not only because of the height difference. "I, um I… th-thank you." I stammered; how embarrassing!
He chuckled; that smile! God he's even cuter when he smiles! "I like you!" he laughed, "Come and have seat with me?" I nodded dumbly as I followed him to a small two person table in the back. What do I say? What do I do? I really hope I look okay- I tried not to slouch in my chair; he was sitting back, relaxed. I decided to give it a try; I slouched my shoulders and leaned on the table, trying to match his air of relaxedness (it's a word in my book!).
"So I heard Raphaelle writes all of her songs," he started, interrupting my thoughts, "but who wrote that one? The one you just sang? I must say, it's my favorite song I've heard in a long while."
I could feel my cheeks burn, "Well, um … I-" I swallowed, finishing with more confidence, "I wrote it."
"Well," he leaned forward and rested his chin on his hand, "I loved it." He smiled again, showing off his perfect white teeth. I was sure I was blushing. "Name's Andy by the way."
I smiled, "Kisa."
"I know."
I blinked, "Wha? How?"
He chuckled, "Um, 'cause Raphaelle introduced you? Were you not paying attention or what?"
"I was!" he gave an uh-hu-I-know-better look; I chewed on the corner of my bottom lip, "… not …"
"Why not?" he asked, chuckling a bit when I chewed on my lip.
"I was nervous! I've never sang in front of that many people before! Never! Ever!"
He laughed.
"I'm rambling, aren't I?" I asked.
"Kind of, but hey that's cool."
"Really?" Watch him say no, laugh in my face and leave ….
"Yeah. My younger sister rambles a lot as well. I'm used to it; it doesn't bug me. And it doesn't hurt that I'm a good listener too." Could this guy get any greater?!
"You know, it's kinda stuffy and crowded in here. How 'bout we meet tomorrow night at this little restaurant in town that I know?" He offered.
"Like a date?" I asked, thinking it was too good to be true.
"Yeah. What do ya say? Wanna go on a date with me?" He flashed that amazing smile at me again. That smile! I just wanted to melt.
"Ye-"
"Hey Kisa." An arm draped around my shoulders and a head appeared next to mine. "What's up?"
I clenched my teeth; not now! "Go. Away. Jay."
"Ha," he chuckled, "Away and Jay, that rhymes!"
"Leave Jay." I growled.
"What are you two talking about?" Jay asked, as if he cared.
Why is he acting so weird?
"Well I was just asking your friend here on a date for tomorrow night." Andy stated casually.
"And I said yes." I stated, trying to match my tone with Andy's.
"You did what?!"
"I agreed to go on a date with him tomorrow night; why do you sound so surprised? I can get a date you know!" It took all I had not to stick my tongue out at him.
Jay said nothing.
"Well then," Andy stood, "I'll pick you up at six?"
"Yes." I nodded and smiled at him.
"Maybe," Jay contradicted. He pulled me to my feet and began to drag me away.
"Hey!" I smacked his arm but his grip stayed firm. I turned to Andy, "bye!" I waved with my free hand, smiling from ear to ear, "I'll see you tomorrow night!" Jay continued to pull me through the thinning crowd of people. As soon as Andy was out of view I turned and snapped, "What the hell! Can't a girl talk to a cute guy in peace?"
"Nope." His voice was tight. He was mad.
"And why not?" So was I.
"Because."
"Not an answer."
"It is in my book."
"Did Raphaelle set you up to this?" I snapped at him.
"No; I just don't like him. He's-"
"Sketchy? What is it with you and Raphaelle?! He's seems fine to me."
"Kisa," he stopped, causing me to run into him, "if multiple people don't like him then he's probably bad news." He was looking down at the floor, though his eyes were shut, and his jaw was clenched.
I snorted, "Or you two just don't want me to have fun." I pulled free of his grip and headed upstairs. He didn't say a word to stop me.
"You look lovely tonight." Andy smiled at me.
"Thanks," I could feel my blush coming on. Again.
I was wearing a dress Adelaide let me borrow; she didn't press for details about my date. The dress was simple; light pink, shin length, pleated at the waist, the top was tighter, and the straps were an inch thick. Adelaide had draped a black cloth shawl-scarf over my shoulders. She even had a pair of black ballet flats that went well with the dress and scarf. I wore the oval starburst-angel pendant and my Earth jewelry.
"Shall we?" he asked offering me his elbow. I hesitated for a mere moment as I thought of Jay's advice. Before I descended the stairs to meet my date (it thrilled me to say that), Jay had stopped me, telling me to be weary of Andy. Why would he say that? I thought. Then I realized I shouldn't care what Jay thinks, it was time to have fun on my date!
"We shall!" I hooked my elbow in his and smiled at him, than we headed into town.
Which restaurant did he bring me to? You guessed it; the little one where I first met Jay. This will be an interesting night …
My eyes lingered on the kitchen doors. Of course, Jay never waltzed out of them, but that didn't stop my daydreaming. I couldn't stop thinking of him; he involuntarily popped into my head at every turn in the conversation. I finally decided it was the place; too many negative memories surrounded it.
"What's that you're playing with around your neck?" Andy asked at one point when I was staring at the kitchen doors again.
I looked down at the necklace I hadn't realized I was touching.
"Oh, this?" I said, holding it up so Andy could see it better. "It's just something Jay got for me."
"Oh, so are you two like…a thing?" he asked, looking somewhat disappointed.
"Eww No! We're just-" I stopped in the middle of my sentence. "No, we aren't even friends. He annoys me. And frankly, he just confuses me. One minute he can't stand me, the next he's being all nice and friendly, and then he's back to hating me."
I looked up at Andy, since I had been staring at a random spot on the table.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to vent," I apologized, hoping my blush wasn't too evident.
Andy just smiled at me.
"No, don't worry about it. He sounds like a nightmare. Guys who flip-flop about how they feel are stupid. When I like someone, I go for it and let them know exactly how I feel," he said in a low husky voice, staring directly into my eyes.
I would have blushed, but one thing he said stuck in my mind.
"You think he likes me?" I asked, the thought never having occurred to me.
"Well, who wouldn't? You're beautiful," he smiled again and gave me a wink.
I blushed again and giggled, staring down at my lap and smiling.
"Come on," Andy said after he paid the check, "I have a surprise for you."
"A surprise? Okay." I stood and he led me out the door by my elbow. We walked down the dark lamp-lit street; the night air was crisp. "Where are we going?"
"You'll see."
What is this nervous feeling?
"We're here." He stopped in front of a dark alleyway. Fearful butterflies were banging around the inside of my stomach, sending up red warning flags in my head.
"Where's the surprise?" I tried to keep my voice from squeaking. I failed.
"In here." He began to move toward the alley but I jerked back, freeing my elbow.
"No. I'm fine out here."
"Come on." His voice had a slight edge to it; he was getting frustrated.
This is bad, this is bad, this is bad! This is really, really, really bad! I turned to run; I had to get away. I opened my mouth to scream, but no sound ever escaped my lips, for my scull suddenly erupted in pain and my vision went fuzzy. Ah shi-
But I never finished the thought. I hit the ground and darkness overtook me; I was out cold. And there was no one around to save me.
Author's Note:
Dun dun duuuuuuun! (Sorry I kinda like cliff hangers ... )
So moral of story (er ... I mean chapter) listen to your friends and/or double-date if you're going on a date with a random person. (I guess ...) Just to be clear nothing like this (getting kidnapped by a date) has ever happened to me and *knock on wood*hopefully it never will. (I hope the same for all of you!)
I kind make myself (well at least Kisa) sound really ... I don't know, shallow in this. Just to be clear I'd (hopefully) never go with some random guy that no one trusted.
This chapter was really dramatic ... did you like it? (Leave a review saying why or why not please! I'm not going to change it but I'm curious to know what y'all think!)
I don't know, I guess this chapter is kind of dark but I still think the other one (chapter five) was darker. But you can be the judge of that.
I won't have any pictures of the dress Kisa wore on her date up on deviantART because I made it up. I don't own a pink dress.
PartofYourWorld-ArielMermaid helped with some of the dialog to make it better. She actually put in the part where Kisa was fiddling with her necklace on her date and I was like, "omg I do that all the time! xD" I thought it was a funny coincidence.
Well that's all for this chapter. Keep an eye open for the next one later tonight. :)
I love reviews so please leave one! You can critique my work as well but please no flames.
Jim Hawkins, Mrs. Hawkins, BEN, Captain Amelia, Doctor Doppler, Morph, Silver etc. belong to Disney
Raphaelle, Nerita, Jennifer, Angela, Gabriel, Austin, Iris, Adelaide, Alex, etc. belong to PartofYourWorld-ArielMermaid
Kisa, Rebel, Marda, and Andy belong to me.
Jay was a collaboration of both PartofYourWorld-ArielMermaid and me.
Written by me
Revised, Edited, and Collaboration by PartofYourWorld-ArielMermaid