A/n: Behold the thrill of the Beta Read-ness!
Disclaimer:
I don't own Animorphs, as it is copyright of K.A. Applegate.
Credit: A big thank you to LuciaBoveri for Beta Reading this chapter.
Chapter 10
Morning – at last it had come. The night had seemed so long, so endless. I had lied in bed sleepless, staring at the ceiling, jumping at every sound I heard. Waiting for that demon I had seem to expect to come back. It never did. Maybe because of all the scripts I had stuck around the room. Maybe because I was going insane and this whole thing was just one big hallucination. But no, surely that was not the answer. Why was I finding it so hard to believe it? Believe that aliens existed and all that I was taught by my parents was only the half-truth? Or were they unaware of it, like me?
There were so many things remained unanswered for me. But then I remembered what my mother had told me when I was little. The words drifted through my mind as if they were being said there and then.
"Some things are better left unknown," she had said. I saw truth in that. I had lived by that moral almost all of my life. But now everything had changed. This war that was going on, the war that was ever so silent as a leaf landing on a ground, was indeed reality. So many people didn't know about it. Even though I could only imagine the consequences of it being revealed at the problems that would be sparked, I knew that one day, at the right time, it should be known. It will be known.
And so here I was now. Morning. Tapping my pencil impatiently on my desk waiting for boring period one to start. Science I think. To be honest I wasn't paying attention to whether it was Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. A matter of fact, I honestly didn't care. My mind was occupied by far greater issues.
"And therefore the answer equals m," the teacher blabbered on. I continued to stare out the window, not really caring about science at all.
"Now, who can tell me the different between velocity and speed? How about you Tedahko?"
"Wah?" I gaped, snapping out of my absent-minded window-gazing daydream. The class laughed at this and our science teacher got ticked off.
"I won't tolerate my students staring out the window Tedahko," he said angrily. He clenched his metre long ruler and tapped it angrily on his desk.
"But sir -"
"BUT! I hate that word! But... But... But!" he replied. The class thought the teacher saying the word 'But' repeatedly was highly amusing and all cracked up.
But no one found it as funny as Marco. "Betcha' like that word sir!" he mocked.
"That's it! I've had enough of your behavior! To the principals office!"
I got up from my chair, letting out a "Pfft" sound as I went. Damn science teacher. I bet if he had a demon in his room the night before he would be in the exact same mood.
"Bad luck eh Tedahko?" Marco called out.
"You can go with her Marco," the teacher said.
"But sir -"
The teacher made it very clear and pointed directly to the door. Marco said something under his breath that wasn't polite and walked out to door to where I was standing. He shut the door quickly.
"Sorry," I muttered.
He shrugged, "Not your fault. Mr. Morrison is like that to everybody. Cranky old fart."
I laughed, "Yeah. Besides, I had spent the night placing Kanji Scripts all around my room. Wasn't exactly fun."
He looked at me like I was some kind of weirdo (which I guess in some ways are true) and raised his eyebrow.
"Jeez you're so slow," I said with a laugh, "still haven't figured it out yet."
"Figured out what?"
But by the time he had said that sentence I was already at the Principal Chapman's office. I knocked and waited patiently.
"Come in," the voice (presumably Mr. Chapman's) said. I walked in to see Mr. Chapman sitting at his desk. Hence the most boring speech of my life. Chapman didn't tell me off but instead lectured me about The Sharing and how it helps 'troubled kids' to find there place in life. Chapman also brought my parents into it, saying how there had people there that had gone through the same experience. I swear I felt like pinning that piece of filth to the wall. How dare he bring my parents into this! That low life piece of...
"So what do you think?" he asked, "Its really good fun, and you can meet lots of people you can see connections with!"
Yeah, I thought, It what you mean by good fun is getting a Yeerk stuffed in your ear, then sure.
"Mr. Chapman," I said, trying to fight my urge to pound his head in, "sorry, but I'm just not into that sort of thing. I am already quite aware of my place in this world."
To take you down, I thought to myself. I accidentally let a huge grin of satisfaction sweep across my face. I wiped it away quickly, but Chapman had already noticed.
"Why did you just smile?" he asked.
"Erhhh..." I said.
"Boy issues? The Sharing can help with that too!" he replied.
"What the -" I had to stop myself from saying something very impolite. "I have to go." Making a dash out the office door I stood in the hallway.
"That was too weird," I said to myself.
"What was?"
I turned around to see Marco sitting on a chair near the office door, waiting his turn patiently to be scold at.
I shook my head. "Oh nothing! Nothing at all!" Making a very wise move, I made a run for it.
&
Drama. Never my best subject. At least I don't think so. My new drama teacher however thinks I'm pretty good. Of course, I have to think otherwise. This was one of my more favorite classes. Mainly because it isn't as boring as the other classes because Erek is with me.
Our drama teacher, Miss Cruz, was attempting to teach us how to add extra expression into our speech.
Realizing nobody was really interested by this, Miss Cruz moved on to another topic.
"Now class, soon we have an upcoming school play of Romeo and Juliet!"
Oh, how I got ever so bored of hearing that phrase. It seems to be the most over-used play in schools across the globe.
A group of boys high-fived each other.
"But after the 'incident' last year, I shall be picking who plays who," Miss Cruz said.
The boys let out a disappointed 'Awwwwww' sound.
"What's the 'incident'?" I whispered to Erek.
"Trust me," he replied, "you really don't want to know."
"And now to the parts," Miss Cruz said happily. The list of parts was so long it took about ten minutes for her to read through the whole thing.
"And now to the parts of Romeo and Juliet," she said. I yawned, being in a pretty unmotivated mood. I got out my drink bottle and let the cool, clean water flow into my mouth.
"For Romeo we have Erek," she said, "and for Juliet, Tedahko."
I spat out the water.
&
The second time in one day. Good grief. This stupid stuck-up brat of a girl called Britney or something like that started making a big deal about me spitting water all over her. For crying out loud, would I honestly care? Its not my fault if what's-her-name can't get over it.
Anyway, just my luck Miss Cruz had to leave the room to teach another class, therefore leaving us with Mr. Morrison. Drama and Science? Unlikely and unfortunate combination. And of course, since he hates me so much, he had to send me back to Chapman's office.
I walked up, approaching the door. Marco was sitting on a chair next to the door. Obviously Chapman was occupied. I sat down silently next to Marco, praying this whole thing would be over quickly.
"Well well well, back so soon?" Marco asked with his usual sense of cockiness.
"I spat water over that Britney girl in drama. You?"
"Home Economics. I swear, that blender has it in for me," he replied.
Silence.
"I've figured it out," he said. Well, it was about time too. Seriously, it doesn't take that long to figure out who is who. Though he could be a pain, Marco might actually be the smart one of the group.
"You're from Japan aren't you?"
I take it back.
"Uhm..." I said.
"You know, 'cos Kanji is a Japanese dish? Or something?"
"Sure. Whatever floats your boat."
"Next!" a voice from inside Chapman's office called.
"Well, this is my turn," Marco said, "See ya."
"Bye."
Marco walked into Chapman's office.
I waited there patiently there for the next ten minutes. I could here Chapman giving Marco the exact same lecture I had gotten on my previous trip to his office. Of course, there was no way Marco would ever join The Sharing. The idea somewhat amused me really. Two people, mortal enemies standing face to face. Though Chapman doesn't know it. Hopefully it stays that way.
Marco exited Chapman's office, closing the door behind him.
"Have fun," he said. He walked back to his respective class. He seemed slightly worried. Maybe it was because he thought Chapman might persuade me to join The Sharing. Who knows?
Lecture number two. Two for twice as boring. It was all about The Sharing sure enough. He decided to take his time to pick out every fault in my life, shove it in my face, and tell me how The Sharing could help me. I was glad when it was all over.
The rest of the day went by pretty quickly. I sat with Cassie and Rachel at lunch. I had learned quite a bit about them since I had started sitting with them. Rachel was quite a tough girl who didn't give a dam about what anybody thought of her, yet she was totally glamorous. She could walk through a hurricane and still look like a model.
Then there was Cassie. Rachel's best friend, yet complete opposite. I don't know that much about Cassie. She could be quite sometimes, but seems like a pretty kind person. She was wearing overalls today – covered in bird poop. There was something about Cassie that was slightly unusual though. I can't describe it really. It was just this vibe she gave off. In some ways it didn't seem human, in some ways it did. I was probably just imagining things.
Anyway, I was glad to be sitting with Cassie and Rachel. I wanted to avoid Erek for as long as possible. I didn't really want to come to terms about the issue in drama. Miss Cruz is now on my list. My list of people who annoy me, embarrass me and/or just damn right make my life misery.
Besides, as if I would play Juliet. The role doesn't even suit me. I'm sure Erek would agree. Then there was that kissing scene. Yeah, I can't be Juliet. I mean... I can't kiss Erek! He's my friend. I can't...
"Tedahko?" Rachel waved her beautifully manicured hand in front of my face.
Cassie laughed softly, "No wonder she got in trouble in Mathematics."
"Wah?" I asked nonchalantly.
"You were blushing," Rachel said, "Thinking about something?"
Her face turned into a meddling grin, "Or someone?"
"What! No!" I claimed angrily, "Don't be ridiculous!"
Cassie and Rachel both looked at each other and smiled. As for me, I put my hand in my face and sighed.
"Hey shouldn't we be focusing on getting Cassie and Jake on a glamorous dinner date before you two try to hook me up with someone?"
Cassie and Jake have a thing for each other according to Rachel. Though neither will admit it. Cassie withdrew back into her quite, usual self.
"Oh yeah! Good idea!" Rachel said. It was now Cassie's turn to look damn embarrassed. She looked up with me with pleading eyes, begging me to change the subject.
"This tomato surprise is pretty horrible, huh?" I said, poking at my lunch with my fork.
"Oh c'mon Cassie," Rachel said, taking no notice in what I had just said, "You have to go on a date eventually."
I shrugged and smiled at Cassie, indicating I had done all I could. Heck, I was just glad the subject was off me.
&
I was walking home alone this day. Actually, I kind of just ran out of school as soon as the bell rang. I decided to spend the rest of my afternoon dawdling around. Besides, I don't really want to have any awkward conversations with Erek. Which is why I kind of ran out of school really, really fast.
Anyway, I was walking down the street (which was basically deserted) past the abandoned construction site. The same one Erek had mentioned. The place where five kids met a dying Andalite prince. I tried not to look at it. I could tell someone had died there. It was cold. I shivered to myself and quickly dug through my bag, looking for the snack bar I had packed earlier. Eventually I found it, and started walking along again.
As soon as I had opened the wrapping, I noticed a homeless women sitting on the side of the road. I could tell she was homeless by the clothes she was wearing. They were pretty dirty. I felt sorry for her. It must be horrible to live on the streets.
I walked over to her and handed her my snack bar. "Here, take it."
She smiled kindly, "Thank you! That's so kind of you!" She took the snack bar gratefully but then stopped to examine me over.
"You're Tedahko aren't you?"
Great. Everyone knew my name. Even the homeless people knew my name. Just great. This was disturbing.
"Uh yeah. And who exactly are you?"
"Oh sorry. I didn't mean to startle you. My name's Lourdes. I'm a friend of Erek's."
"Ah uh, okay!" I said. Erek friends with homeless people? There was something new.
"Are you -"
Lourdes finished off exactly what I was saying, "Yes, I am a Chee."
I kind of breathed a sigh of relief. If this was somebody Erek knew from The Sharing and I had said that, the whole of the Chee would have been dead meat.
"Just curious Lourdes, but you can be anybody you want. Why did you choose to be a homeless person?"
Lourdes laughed, "The Chee need people on the streets too. Besides, I was a movie star in my last life."
"Mm. Guess that's fair enough," I said.
"Besides, I don't really mind it. I've lived a lot of worse lives that this."
Lourdes and I said our goodbyes and I kept on walking along. I had hours to waste, and I had never really thought about how I was going to waste them. And then I had a good idea. Maybe it was about time I paid a revisit to Mr. Hawk and the blue centaur.
&
The woods. Home to squirrels, birds and mice and heaven knows what else.
"DAMN!" I cursed as I stepped into a puddle of mud, "These were new shoes..." Of course, nobody could hear me. But talking to myself made me feel safe. I stepped out of the mud puddle quickly, mourned over my new shoes, and continued walking.
The woods were noisy with the cheeping and squawking of some very loud birds. In fact, they were giving me a headache.
"Why on earth did I come back here again?" I asked myself.
"Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time!" I replied to myself.
"Stop talking to yourself!" I scolded myself.
The bushes rustled. I turned to my left as fast as I could, just in time to seem a flash of blue. I got out my two knives and held them in front of me, ready to face whatever was going to attack me. Rustle in the bushes behind me. I spun around again. Then I felt something hit my head. Hard. I got knocked out.
...
(Tedahko? But why was she wondering through the woods again?) said a voice.
(I am not sure. But I knocked her unconscious with the flat side of my blade just to be safe,) replied another voice.
(Okay Ax-man. I'm going to get Jake. There are a few questions he wants to ask her.)
I could here the fluttering of wings and then silence. I moaned with not much enthusiasm and rolled over to my side.
(Do not move,) said a voice.
Oh crap, I thought.
Not this guy again.
A/n: Tedahko's ideas never exactly turn out how she expects. Thank you to my awesome reviewers, alerters and favoriters. You make me happy. Heh. I shall update as soon as I can. Another thanks to LuciaBoveri for her Beta Reading.