The next day Kuki decided that she had to get all of her work done before she was back at school the next day. After she had been downstairs to have her breakfast, she got dressed and snapped on her laptop then sat down to open up the emails that had been sent to her. She sat patiently as she waited for it to load up. When it did she clicked onto her internet tool and waited. She received an error message.
Kuki sighed and clicked refresh, receiving the same message she stood up and headed out of her room and over to Mushi's room, where she knocked the door.
"Yeah?" Mushi shouted from the other side of the door.
Kuki placed her hands on the door and listened as she spoke. "Are you on the internet?"
"No why?" Mushi replied.
"I can't get on it." Kuki called.
There was a pause. "Let me try my tablet. Come in."
Kuki entered. Mushi was still in her pyjamas, she had the television in her room on which was obviously keeping her busy on this lazy morning. She took out her tablet and tapped it a few times. Then shook her head.
"No, not working."
Kuki sighed. "Thanks."
She walked out into the hallway and shouted down the stairs. "Mom?"
"Yes honey?" Genki called back.
Kuki replied to her. "Is the internet on? I can't get my homework without it."
She heard her mom stand up and walk over to the internet router. "It should be...how do I know if it's on?"
Kuki sighed. "Are there lights on it?"
A pause.
"Yes. A red one." Genki shouted back.
Red? Kuki headed downstairs and looked at it. Sure enough no green lights showing that the internet was in working order could be seen. Just a large red light. Kuki tried switching it off and on again. The red light came back. Kuki shook her head.
"Great! I knew I should have gotten it done earlier." Kuki groaned. "Now what am I going to do?"
She pulled her phone out and called Abby.
"Hello." Abby answered merrily.
Kuki smiled. "Hey, are you at home today?"
Abby paused slightly then answered. "No, I'm out...with Hoagie."
When Abby said 'with Hoagie' Kuki had to smile, Abby wa obviously trying to ontain either embarrassment or excitement.
"Oh, okay don't worry." Kuki replied. "Have a good time."
"Later girl."
Kuki closed her phone. Now what could she do?
She shook her head, not believing that she was doing this, but she didn't know what else to do. She dialed in another number and listened until the dial tone was answered.
"Hello?" Wally's accent was still enough to make Kuki melt over the phone.
She bit her lip. "Hi, are you...at home today?"
"Yeah why?"
Kuki sighed. "I feel really bad asking you but my internets not working and I need to get my work done. Can I come over and borrow yours? I'll give you money for the electricity?"
She heard a laugh over the phone. "You don't need to give us any money! Sure, come over whenever you need."
"Thank you so much!" Kuki exclaimed. "I'll be right over."
She hung up the phone and headed upstairs to get her laptop. She shouted goodbye to her parents and walked over to where Wally had always lived, a few blocks away. She knocked on the door. It only took a few seconds before Mrs Beatles opened the door. Her face lit up when she saw Kuki.
"Kuki darling!" She screeched. "It's been so long! How are you?"
Kuki gave a smile. Wallabee's mother's accent was even stronger than his.
"Hello Mrs Sanban." Kuki greeted. "I called Wally, he said that it was okay if I…"
"Yes of course Kuki! He told me all about it, come on in and make yourself comfortable! I sent Wally over to the shops to get me some ingredients. He'll be back soon." Mrs Beatles exclaimed merrily, ushering Kuki into the house.
Kuki stepped in and followed Mrs Beatles into the kitchen.
"Shall I just sit here?" She asked politely. Pointing at the small table in the kitchen
Mrs Beatles beamed. "Sit wherever you want m'lovely."
Kuki smiled and sat down. she opened up her laptop and waited for it to load.
"Mrs Beatles, could I please have your wifi code?"
"Of course darling!" Mrs Beatles smiled. "And you know that you call me Tracey sweetheart!"
"Oh, thank you." Kuki giggled. Tracey handed her a card with the wifi passcode on and Kui thanked her.
She finally had internet access.
Kuki groaned when she realised her workload, she then got going with it straight away.
"Can I get you a drink Kuki? Milkshake? Juice? Tea?" Tracey chirped.
Kuki nodded. "Actually, could I have a coffee please?"
"Ah, you're a coffee drinker now?" Tracey beamed. "I'll get my tassimo machine out! What do you like Kuki, I've got lattes, macchiatos, cappuccinos...please don't ask me the difference!"
Kuki giggled. "Macchiato would be great thank you Mrs...Uh, Tracey."
Tracey beamed and set to work on her tassimo.
"I can't believe how much you've grown up Kuki! Last time I saw you, you were a pretty little thing in an oversized jumper. Now look at you...You're gorgeous!"
Kuki giggled. "I still have my oversized sweater. See? I stopped growing in eighth grade."
"Don't be putting yourself down like that Kuki." Tracey tutted as she brought the coffee over and placed it in front of Kuki, handing her the sugar. "You're fun sized. That's what I always used to say to Wallabee before he shot up."
Kuki laughed. "We found an old photo the other night. I think that we were about ten in it. I'd forgotten how short Wally used to be."
"I know, I keep looking back and wondering when it was that he actually grew...he's taller than me now." Tracey laughed.
They heard the door open. Wally then appeared with a bag in his hand. He saw Kuki and smiled.
"Hey." He said, walking over to her.
Kuki beamed back. "Hi."
"I'll get on and make these cookies for you both now then." Tracey beamed when Wally gave her the bag.
Kuki looked back a Wally with a questioning look. He answered before she could question.
"I told her that you were coming and she decided to make cookies. She wouldn't take no for an answer. All hell nearly broke loose when she realised she didn't have any flour or chocolate chips."
Kuki giggled. Wally shook his head. "Let's go into the dining room where she won't keep asking you questions."
Kuki smiled at Tracey and then picked up her laptop. Following Wally into his dining room. She took a seat and continued to work.
"I can't believe the amount of work all of the teachers have given us." Kuki sighed as she typed on her laptop.
Wally folded his arms on the table and rested his head on them. "Why? We got a lot?"
"You haven't even looked?" Kuki questioned. Wally gave a shrug, Kuki sighed. "Wally! You need a decent GPA if you want universities to even look at you for a medical degree."
"Right mom!" Wally said sarcastically. He then looked up to check that Tracey hadn't heard. "And keep your voice down! She doesn't know that I wanted to be a doctor."
Kuki blinked. "Why? She'll support you."
Wally shrugged. "I don't want to disappoint her when I don't get in."
"Oh Wally!" Kuki sighed. "Come on, I'll help you with this homework, we'll get your grades up and make sure that you get in. Where have you applied for?"
Wally looked at her. His expression told her all that she needed to know.
"Wally, you haven't even applied? Applications end in like a week! It's exams next week."
"I'm not going to get in anyway. Why bother."
Kuki shot him a glare. "Okay, come sit here. We're going to do your applications."
Wally shook his head. "Why?"
"Because Wally." Kuki snapped, "If you don't get in, fine, not an issue. But if you don't even try you'll never get to be a doctor and always wonder if you'd have had the chance. Is it really going to hurt you to apply?"
God, I sound like my mom! Kuki thought to herself.
Wally sighed. "Fine, jeez. Girls...pain in my ass!"
Kuki glared at him and then moved over as he pulled a chair over to see the screen.
They worked on Wally's application for over an hour. Tracey walked in at some point with a plate of freshly baked cookies and Wally quickly reached up and pulled Kuki's screen down before his mother could see it. Kuki gave him a cold look then thanked Tracey.
When Tracey left Kuki decided against another argument so they continued with the applications.
The application were finally done, so Kuki moved onto her math homework so that she and Wally could work together on it.
They heard a squeaking noise, followed by Tracey's scolding about sliding down the stairs.
"Wally did mom make cookies?" Joey asked as he walked in. Kuki turned to see him she nearly squealed with excitement.
Joey was almost the image of Wally when he was nine years old. He was a little more slender than Wally used to be. Where Wally used to be fairly bulky in his youth, Joey was just skin and bone, Joey had obviously inherited his father's build and Wally had his mother's more voluptuous physique as a child, never fat, not even chunky, just a little bulky. Joey also stood taller than Wally was at that age. He was more the height of age 9 Hoagie.
Joey wore a white t-shirt with what looked like Wally's old, hand me down jeans. He even had Wally's old bowl hair cut. He looked adorable.
"Oh my gosh! This is Joey?" Kuki gasped. She looked at Wally, who nodded.
Joey gazed at her in confusion. He gave a frown, took a cookie and headed out.
"He looks just like you used to!" Kuki exclaimed. "He's so cute!"
Wally gave a laugh. "He acts just like I used to too. He's taken to sliding down the stairs instead of walking down them. It drives mom crazy."
Kuki laughed. Wally continued. "He plays that game that we all used to play too. He acts like a secret operative when he's in his room, I can hear him jumping about. Kicking stuff and yelling."
Kuki gave a laugh. They moved onto history homework and were done after another hour. Kuki decided t check on her facebook while she was there. She'd received a message from Maddie.
Hi Kuki, are you busy today? I thought maybe I could come over and we could work on that science homework for tomorrow?
My number is 614-679-1120 . Give me a call.
Kuki pulled out her cell and typed in Maddie's number. She then decided to text her.
Hey Maddie,
I'm out at a friend's house right now because my internet isn't working. I can text you when I'm on my way home and we can work on it then if you like?
Kuki
She put her phone in her pocket.
"Want to go to the living room and have your as beaten on video games like old times?" Wally grinned.
Kuki narrowed her eyes at him with a sigh. "I always beat you with my eyes closed."
"We'll have to see about that!" Wally tested.
He stood up and headed upstairs to his bedroom. Kuki followed him.
What do I do? What do I do? How can I flirt with him when I'm sat in his room? He still hasn't got the hint!
She walked into Wally's room. Where he was already setting up his Xbox. He picked up a few of his games and threw them to her.
"Choose what you want." He told her.
She sat on his bed and flicked through them. She smiled when she found an old favorite of theirs, a racing game that was developed by Maximouse- the creator of rainbow monkeys and also one of Wally's favorite comics, the LadsJam. She and Wally would love playing this game for hours when they were younger.
"This one!" Kuki smiled, handing it to him.
She then picked out her phone and text Abby.
Playing video games with Wally...what can I do?
She put her phone down and smiled at Wally as he came and sat next to her, waiting for the game to load. Abby's reply came back shortly, via phone call.
"Hang on." Kuki excused herself. "Be right back."
She walked out of Wally's room and onto the landing, then went into the bathroom and locked herself in. She perched on the bath as she answered the call.
"Hi."
"Hey girl." Abby chirped. "Soooo you're at Wally's?"
Kuki rolled her eyes. "My internet went weird and I had to do my homework so I came to his to get it done."
"Right." Abby laughed. "So you're playing video games now?"
Kuki nodded. "Yeah, what shall I do?"
"Girl, Numbuh 5 figured out why you can't do any of this stuff when you try." Abby told her.
"Why?"
Kuki heard Abby chuckle on her side on the phone. "She saw you both the other night when you stayed over here. You can't flirt because you do it naturally without thinking!"
"What?" Kuki said with a raised eyebrow.
"Numbuh 5 watched you both the other night, you just flirt with him without knowing it! Any time you actually try you go wrong so just be yourself." Abby told her. "Anyway, got to go. At the movies with Hoagie and Numbuh 5 thinks she hears it starting. Later."
"But Abby…" Kuki tried to continue talking but Abby had already hung up.
She gave a sigh. Maybe she should just do as Abby said and not worry about trying to flirt with him...she didn't do it without knowing did she?...she didn't do it to other guys too without knowing?...She had to speak to Abby soon.
Kuki quickly looked in the mirror and fixed her makeup before heading back into Wally's room. As she approached the room she heard Wally's voice, he was speaking fast, in an excited tone.
"...and shortstop makes a swing for muscles but muscles dodges it and takes a swipe...right in the kisser...But shortstop's not done yet…"
Kuki peeped her head around the doorframe of Wally's room, what she saw made her give a smile.
Joey had walked into Wally's room while Kuki was on the phone and the two were now having a play boxing match. Wally was sit sat on his bed, where Kuki had left him. Joey was stood in front of him. Beaming and he jumped up and down in a boxing stance, hurling light punches at his brother.
Kuki gave a small chuckle, seeing how cute the two brothers relationship was. She folded her arms and rested her head on the doorway and continued to watch the two. Not noticing that she was present, Wally grinned at his brother as he continued to narrate the play fight.
"So shortstop makes the bad mistake of leaving himelf open!" Wally said this as if pointing out and almost scolding him for doing so. His tone then changed back to playful. "So muscles goes in for the kill. He grabs Shortstop and holds him in a headlock until he gives!"
As he said this he grabbed Joeys arm, yanking Joey so that he fell onto the bed. Then, quick as a flash he wrapped an arm around his brothers nec and held him up. Laughing at his poor brother trying to get loose.
"Until he gives." Wally repeated, hinting to Joey with an evil laugh.
Joey, obviously not happy with his loss was pulling to be freed. He still had a hint of a chuckle in his tone. "Wally! That's not fair! You're cheating! Let go!"
Wally only tightened his grip. "Give!"
"No!" Joey chuckled, still trying to break free.
"I can sit here all day buddy." Wally laughed.
Joey struggled a little more before giving up. "Okay, okay! I give!"
His accent, unlike Wally's had a lot more of an American tone to it, there was still a hint of Australian in certain words.
"Who's the strongest?" Wally asked with a grin.
Joey sighed, seeing what was coming next. "...you!"
"Who's the smartest?" Wally asked.
"You!" Joey replied a little louder.
Wally laughed, sensing his brothers tournament and enjoying every minute. "Who's the most handsome."
Joey gave a groan. "Don't push it Quasimodo! Now let me go! I gave!"
Kuki gave a light chuckle at Joey's comeback. He certainly had young Wally's unpredictable temper and quick comebacks.
Wally shook his head. "Well that's just got you back to stage one hasn't it bro...you now what comes next right?"
"Don't even think about it. Wally this isn't even funny anymore! I'm getting mad!" Joey started to shout.
This only made Wally laugh more. "Noogie!"
He held his grip around Joey's neck and rubbed his knuckles over Joey's head wildly. Joey began to curse and shout as he struggled ever more to get loose. This only made Wally tighten his grip and laugh more. Wally began to lean back, pulling Joey further down onto the bed to make him lose more strength.
"No!...No!" Wally shouted over Joey's shouts and threats. "You abused my authority and now you suffer the consequences kid!"
He laughed. He was disturbed by Tracey bellowing up the stairs. this also made Kuki jump.
"Boys! You'd better not be fighting up there! What on earth will poor Kuki think?"
Wally looked at the doorway, almost to check that his mother was not stood right there. Noticing Kuki he gave a small smile and slowly let his brother go.
Joey scoffed as he stood up, giving Wally a glare before thumping him hard on the arm and storming out, giving Kuki a look as if he were trying to read her as he passed.
"Ow" Wally said with a light laugh, rubbing his arm. "Sore loser! that's what you are Josephine!"
"Bite me Wally!" Joey called back, just before slamming his bedroom door.
Wally laughed. "Squirt's got attitude. Always starts it and gets mad when you finish it."
"He's got your temper." Kuki shook her head with a smile as she came in and sat down. "He has no idea who I am does he."
"Nope." Wally replied, shaking his head as he turned his attention back to the TV screen to upload and start the game, as he was doing before he was interrupted by his brother's ambush. "The last time he saw you he was like, two years old though."
Kuki nodded. "Yeah, I guess."
"Anyway, let's see how good you are now." Wally gave a grin as he handed Kuki the second control.
Kuki took it with a grin. Knowledge how to play the game came flooding back to her. She chose the rainbow money cart that she always used to and accessorised it to make it her own. Wally was a character out of LadsJam. a large, orange, troll like creature that would always carry a huge pair of nunchucks, made from wood.
They began to race. Kuki grinned. She was beating him with ease. Wally was getting extremely frustrated. She could tell by his grunts, shouts and groans. She gave a giggle as they approached the finish line and crossed it with ease.
"Oh yeah!" Kuki shouted, doing a little victory song and dance.
Wally opened his mouth in a frown. "Cheat! I want a rematch!"
"Fine! I'll still beat you!" Kuki laughed. "Face it, you've always sucked."
"You've been playing this recently! You knew all of the power mixes!" Wally accused with a smile.
Kuki shook her head and raised her hands in the air to show her honesty. "I have not! The last time I played it was that time that you knocked Nigel's door in this treehouse down in a temper because I won!"
the memory came back to Wally and he gave a laugh. "I forgot all about that. Yeah! He made me spend my weekend making him a new door!"
They both laughed. Wally smiled at Kuki who gave a small grin back.
Wally lifted up a hand and pushed Kuki's fringe out of her eye.
"You don't want that blocking your view. That's the only reason I always used to lose!"
"Oh, yeah right!" Kuki gave a laugh. "What's your excuse today? Control broken."
Wally shrugged. "Something like that."
He began to move closer to her. Kuki took a deep breath. She closed her eyes and breathed slow, trying not to make it too obvious how scared and excited she was. She could feel Wally's breath drawing closer to her lips and…
SCREECH...BANG!
The pair jumped and looked towards Wally's door to find out the source of the noise.
"Oh my god! Wally! Quick! Help!" Tracey's screams of fear were heard.
Wally looked at Kuki, almost as if he were figuring out what had happened. "Joey."
They both jumped up and ran to the top of the stairs. Looking over the landing to see Tracey sat at the bottom of the stairs, her hands over her mouth. She was in a blind panic. Joey was lay under her, unconscious.
They both ran down the stairs. Wally immediately lifted his brothers top half of his torso up, shaking him to try and wake him up.
"Wally, what do I do? What can we do?" Tracey weeped hysterically.
Kuki knew that everyone was too panicked, she had to take control.
"Mrs Beatles!" Kuki said loudly, standing in front of her and placing a hand on her shoulder.
Tracey looked up. Kuki then spoke loudly and clearly to her. "You need to call an ambulance. Tell them what happened. Then call Mr Beatles! Okay?"
Tracey nodded and shot up, running into the kitchen to retrieve the phone.
Kuki then knelt down next o Wally, who was simply holding his brother now, having given up with the shaking method.
She placed one hand on Wally's shoulder, trying to keep him calm. She used he other hand to tap Joey's face.
"Joey." She called. "Joey, this is Kuki. Can you hear me?"
Joey gave a small grunt and his eyes flickered.
"Good, Joey I need you to open your eyes. Can you do that?"
Joey's eyes flickered a little more then slowly then they slowly opened to look at her.
"Well done." Kuki smiled. "Just keep your eyes open for me Joey. Can you tell me where it hurts?"
Joey gave a small whine as he stretched his arm to touch his head, followed by his left leg.
"Okay." Kuki said calmly. "you're going to be okay. We're going to look after you."
She looked at Wally. "Take him and put him on the couch. Keep talking to him and don't let him close his eyes or fall asleep."
Wally nodded and did as she asked.
Kuki walked into the kitchen. Where Tracey was sat at the counter. One and holding a phone to her ear. The other was propping her head up on the counter. Her fingers spread throughout her golden hair. She was on the phone to Mr Beatles, telling him what had happened and to meet them at the hospital ASAP.
Kuki quietly walked past her and lightly put her hand on the kettle. It was still hot. She found a cup and made a tea with two sugars and lots of milk. Tracey finished the phone call as Kuki walked over to her.
"Is he okay?" Tracey asked with a panic.
Kuki nodded, placing the cup in front of her. "He's awake. Wally's keeping him awake in the living room. Here, it'll help with the shock."
Tracey took the cup gratefully and took a small sip.
"Kuki, you're such a little darling. You always have been. Thank you so much."
Kuki gave a small smile and sat down next to her. "Are you okay?"
Tracey nodded.
There was a knock at the door. Kuki stood up and rushed to open it.
Three paramedics stood a the door. She gave a sigh of relief.
"Hi, come in, he's on the couch! Through here." Kuki told them, leading them into the house.
"I think he fell from the stairs and hit his head. He says his leg hurts."
They tended straight to Joey. Wally stood up and backed out of their way. Not being able to see Joey he walked quickly to the back of the couch and looked over. He was soon joined by Tracey.
The paramedics didn't take much time getting Joey onto a stretcher and getting him into the ambulance. Tracey rushed in with him. Wally went to follow and then turned to Kuki.
"Are you okay getting home?"
"Yeah." Kuki nodded. "Don't worry about me. Just let me know how he is."
Wally gave a smile and then closed the ambulance door behind him.
Kuki watched it drive away before walking home slowly.