I'm beginning to update faster, and yet, I'm busier than I was before. I find this funny. (: I always did have bad timing and a nasty habit of procrastination. Perhaps this isn't a good introduction to a chapter. Just another reminder- I have a poll on my profile asking what I should write next. I want your input to help me decide. I've got a few one-shot ideas tossing around in my brain, and I might make one for iCarly, so you might want to subscribe to my author alert. Sorry for yakking so long… Let's go forth with the story!
"Okay, I have a helluva lot of questions." Reyna said.
We were sprawled out all over her living room; Sam on the cushy floor, and Reyna and I taking up her two couches.
"Well then, get on with it." Sam muttered. I had to get that thought out of my head that they would eventually be friends… It just wouldn't happen.
"Alright. Well first, Sam, how the hell do you remember what happens to Freddie?"
"Um… I actually don't know. I just… remembered. Well, then again, according to Freddie, he tried to explain it to me, what, three, four times? So maybe it sunk in my brain… that's Fredlumps theory." Sam replied thoughtfully.
"Hm… that's never happened to me before. But then again, I gave up after my older sister didn't believe me the two times I tried to tell her. Obviously you believed Freddie… Huh. I would never believe something like that, but I guess you were smart enough to not dismiss the idea so easily because it went against human nature. I guess you got your proof."
"Ha, well, I could tell." Sam snorted.
"You must know him well."
"You know, I'm right here…" I reminded them.
"Mm-hmm. Onto my second question. Do you remember the things that happen to me?" Reyna asked.
"No… But nothing bad happened to you in front of me I don't think." Sam answered.
"Nah, she got stuck in the elevator before she left. When the power went out." I said.
"What?"
"Yeah…" Reyna confirmed.
"That didn't… I mean… whoa. Weird." Sam said. Reyna chuckled.
"That's a definite no then. So, I really don't want to ask this. But I want to clarify as to avoid awkward situations. Um… are you two dating?" Reyna asked sheepishly.
I sputtered on the soda I was drinking. That question… it had been asked so often, and yet it surprised me every time. Why? Was Sam used to it? God, I needed to get over it.
"No." Sam and I said in unison. We tended to do that a lot.
"Okay, sorry. Just a few more. When we go to my grandma's… If we find answers and break this curse or whatever the hell it is… Will we still be friends?"
I opened my mouth, but then closed it, pondering. The automatic response to this question would be a yes. But I'd never thought about it. My only connection to Reyna had always been about the bad luck. I didn't even know if we had anything in common. I barely knew her, as a matter of fact.
As for Sam, things wouldn't change all too much between us. If at all, it would just bring us closer, as stupid as it sounds. We'd still hang out just as much; still have our adventures between us and Carly. Sam would still berate and abuse me, and we'd still bicker. I'm sure we would joke about this somewhere along the way.
Thinking this made me realize something- I was sure that I'd get out of this.
"Sure, I guess…" I answered, even though I wasn't all too positive.
Reyna nodded but looked reluctant, and got up from the couch. "I understand. I'm going to go tuck my sister in for bed."
"Reyna, wait! I didn't-" But she was already heading up the stairs.
"We have school tomorrow you know." I stated.
"Clearly."
"Don't you think we should head home? I could go talk to Reyna…"
"Sure, whatever." Sam said, sounding bored.
I said nothing but instead turned heel and walked up the stairs. It was just as tidy as the downstairs. I opened my mouth to call Reyna's name, but instead heard a faint sound drifting from a door to my left. I turned and walked toward it.
"I wish I could cross my arms, and cross your mind, 'cause I believe, you don't fold your paper heart and wear it on your sleeve…"
I swore I'd heard this song somewhere before. I could tell that it was Reyna singing it. Perhaps to sing her sister to sleep?
"…All my life I wish I broke mirrors, instead of promises. 'Cause all I see, is a shattered conscience staring right back at me. I wish I had covered all my tracks, completely, 'cause I'm so afraid, is that the light at the far end of the tunnel, or just the train?"
I'd heard this song before… was it on my iPod? I liked it… but I hadn't heard it in forever. If I could only put my finger on it…
"…Lift you arms, only heaven knows, where the danger grows. And it's safe to say, there's a bright light up ahead and help is on the way… Help is on the way. I forget the last time I felt brave, I just recall insecurity, 'cause it came down like a tidal wave, and sorrow swept over me…"
That's it! Tidal Wave by Owl City! I did like that song. It was on my iPod. I hadn't listened to it in forever. I didn't dare interrupt, this was too personal. Instead, I leaned against the wall and settled in to listen to the rest of the song.
"Depression, please cut to the chase, and cut a long story short. Oh, please be done, how much longer can this drama afford to run? Fate looks sharp, severs all my ties, and breaks whatever doesn't bend. But sadly then, all my heavy hopes just pull me back down again…
"I forget the last time I felt brave, I just recall insecurity, 'cause it came down like a tidal wave, and sorrow swept over me. When I was given grace and love, I was blind but now I can see, 'cause I've found a new hope from above, and courage swept over me… It hurts just to wake up, whenever you're wearing thin, alone on the outside, so tired of looking in. The end is uncertain… and I've never been so afraid. But I don't need a telescope to see that there's hope and that makes me feel… brave."
Reyna had a very… melodic voice. Sam was wrong. I could see how she could assume that Reyna was perfect, but I saw otherwise. That song sounded like it could represent her feelings about her parents, but I could be mistaken.
"Oh, you're asleep already. Alright, goodnight Jenna." Reyna murmured. I scrambled up but fell in the process and had just got to my feet when the door opened.
"Freddie? How long have you been standing there?" She asked, closing the door behind her.
"Uh… A while."
"Oh… did you hear me…?"
"Yeah… sorry. You're very good." I said quickly.
"Thank you. What are you doing up here?"
"Just… uh…"
"You want to go home, don't you?" She asked, her eyebrow raised.
"I-It's not like that!"
"It's all good. You guys can go. My sister will be home soon anyway, and I don't really want to hold you hostage." Reyna said with a laugh.
"I-" I started.
"Go. Goodnight, Freddie."
"O-okay…" I said, turning around and hobbling down the stairs.
"So…?" Sam greeted me.
"Let's go."
-Break-
I woke up the next morning to an alarm blaring in my ears. Ouch… No… sleep is good… need sleep…
When I next surfaced from the deep comfort of my slumber, I shot up in bed. I snapped my head around to look at the clock so fast, I swore I'd given myself whiplash.
10:51.
I never slept this late! What the hell! I went to bed at 10 the night before!
"Shit!" I exclaimed, jumping up. I ran to check that my mom wasn't home, and once I confirmed that she wasn't, I hurriedly got ready. I showered, threw on clothes, brushed my teeth, and shoved my homework into my backpack, which I chucked over my shoulder. I grabbed my keys and ran downstairs, jumping into my car and starting it.
I was speeding down the road when I realized that I was already late and I had no reason to rush. I calmed myself down and eased off the gas petal.
I arrived at school to find that I was in Briggs's class. Lovely. I walked inside and she stared at me.
"So glad you decided to join us, Fredward Benson. What kept you?" She said snidely.
"Um… I overslept." I said, knowing I couldn't come up with a lie on the spot.
"I see. Well, next time, don't go thinking your rest is more important than my lesson. It's not." A few snickers from that. "It's not! Now, I want an 800 word essay from you by tomorrow, got it?"
"On what?" I asked, disbelieving.
"Figure it out!" She snapped. "Now take your seat."
I sighed and slid into my assigned seat next to Gibby.
The rest of the day was hard to get through. I was so anxious and excited for answers from Reyna's grandma that time seemed to move slower than a tortoise- full grown.
When it finally did get out, I literally ran out of my last period, attracting stares from other students. I reached the doors and threw them open, hurrying out to my car to wait for Sam. We had agreed to go pick Reyna up straight after school. Reyna's school got out at the same time as ours, and her sister drove her home, so I figured she'd be there by the time we arrived.
When Sam finally got in the car- after what seemed like an eternity- I started driving right away. I beeped outside of Reyna's house and she ran out to join us. Sam scooted into the very small middle space and Reyna sat in the little space left.
"Sorry for the lack of room…" I said.
"It's to be expected from your car, Benson."
"Nyeh, Sam."
"Nyeh."
"So, Reyna, where's your grandmother's house?" I asked.
"About an hour from here. I have a map with me." She replied, handing it over.
The ride only took 45 minutes, due to my speeding, and the three of us chatted along the way. It wasn't all that unpleasant, despite how tightly packed we were together.
"Sam, your hair's tickling my arm."
Sam then deliberately took a strand of her hair and ran it up and down my arm.
"Stop! You're going to make me swerve off the road!" I exclaimed.
She then lifted it to my face and began to move the tips against my cheek. I laughed pushing her away.
"Hey, we're here!" Reyna said, pointing to a house covered in ivy at the end of the dirt path we were cruising on.
The house was huge, painted white, with a black roof and shutters. The lawn consisted of grass only, with no gardens, unlike Reyna's extravagant front yard. The home had to be three stories at the least.
Reyna immediately hopped out of my truck and ran over to ring the doorbell while Sam and I stared. Then I looked down at Sam and cleared my throat.
She snapped back to attention and got out Reyna's way. I got out as well and locked my car, jogging to go catch up to the girls. The door opened and I saw a woman still in her early sixties. Young for a grandmother, and I could tell she was a beautiful woman when she was young.
She had very long, shiny silver hair tied back in a neat braid, and her eyes were a twinkling green.
"Gramma!" Reyna exclaimed, propelling herself into the woman's arms.
"Heather! Oh, sweetie, I've missed you!"
The two embraced for a few more seconds, then released each other.
"You're just as beautiful as ever." Reyna's grandma said. I don't think she'd noticed us at all.
"As are you. Oh, oops! These people are a nice couple on their way to Montana who gave me a ride! Meet my grandmother, you guys!"
"W-what?" I asked, completely flustered.
Reyna took one look at her grandma's face and burst out laughing.
"Just kidding, God! These are my friends, Sam and Freddie. We've got some stuff we want to discuss with you. Is grandpa home?"
"Alright… any friends of Reyna's are friends of mine. And no, he's out buying groceries right now. Come on in! I'm Susan, by the way."
We walked inside and Susan hustled off to the kitchen to 'make some tea.' Everything was old fashioned. The pointy black hanging light overhead, the vinyl couches, the long, thick drapes over the windows. We stepped across the decorated tiles and sat in the vinyl chairs. Reyna sunk into one with a content sigh and put her feet up on the ataman.
Susan then returned with the tea and handed us each cups. Reyna sipped hers happily. Sam looked at it, making no attempt to hide her distaste. I had never tried any tea but iced tea. I sipped it. Blech! Wait, hm… I sipped it again. Not bad.
"So what is so important that you went through all the trouble just to come visit?" Susan asked.
"Well… Remember how we were writing and ended up talking about how I was stuck in the bad luck vortex?" Reyna said.
Susan glanced form us to her, surprised. "Yes, dear. And?"
"Freddie's stuck in it too. I told you I'd come visit so you could tell me how to get out, so I brought these two as well."
"And Sam?" Questioned Susan.
"Ah, she remembers everything that happens to Freddie, but not me. Before, during, and after his events."
"Oh goodness…" Susan's color slightly drained. "I'll need to talk to you all separately. Reyna, you first. Then Sam. Then Freddie." She finished, her eyes locked on me.
To tell the truth, Susan's actions were scaring me. Was something wrong? Were we going to be unable to escape? Damn! Why did we have to speak to her separately? Why did I have to go last?
Now I had to wait in anxiety, with curiosity biting at me. I was just itching to overhear Reyna's and Sam's conversations with her, but Susan closed the doors firmly, and there were no windows. I couldn't hear through the door, and there were no other entryways to the room. I sat with Sam outside on the floor.
"I'll tell you what she says to me if you tell me what she says to you." I offered.
"Okay. God, I can't wait for this long!" Sam exclaimed.
"Patience is a virtue."
"Patience is an asshole!" She groaned. I laughed.
"I think there's a way out of this." I said.
"Well, obviously. Reyna's grandma got out."
"Yeah, but… I can just tell that I'll get out. And that makes me really happy." I confessed.
"This ain't a soap opera, Freddork. Go share your feelings with your AV club."
"I'll get right on that." I said sarcastically. I bounced my knee as I waited. I could barely take it.
Then Sam placed her hand on my knee, stopping it, most likely annoyed. I looked at her and… something happened. I just stared at her face and for the first time took account of her… I won't say it!
There was something- a spark? - passing between our eyes. We didn't lean, no. We didn't get closer. We didn't do anything. Just stared. I think about it now and realize how weird it must've looked.
Then the door opened and we both jumped, scooting away from each other even though we weren't even that close, and stared at the figure that stepped out.
"You're up to bat, Sam." Reyna said weakly, back and forth between Sam and I. I wasn't sure which one of us she was thinking about. Sam disappeared inside, the door closing behind her.
Reyna took her seat next to me and I gave her a small smile, but all I was thinking was –What was that? What just happened with Sam?
Just a look, right? Yeah. Ha, what else would it be? You were just looking at each other. That's all. Normal for friends to do. Completely.
Not really.
"So!" I squeaked abruptly as the thought came to mind. "What happened in there?"
"You'll find out."
"I will?"
"Yes." Reyna replied.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm… fine."
"Mmkay…" I muttered. We didn't talk at all for the rest of the wait. When the door opened I jumped to my feet.
I raced in after Sam stepped out, only glancing briefly at her befuddled face. I shut the door tightly behind me and spun around, strode forward, and plopped into the chair in front of Susan.
"A little eager, hm?" Susan asked calmly, sipping what was left of her tea.
"Tell me, please, ma'am. I need to know. Can I escape from this vortex?"
"…Yes."
I nearly whooped with glee. The overwhelming sense of relief and calmness that flooded through me couldn't be explained through words.
"I'll do anything!" I exclaimed, but she held up her hand.
"Let me finish please. Let me first tell you how I became free. See, I had a friend, a boy, who was the only person that I knew who would believe my story. He began remembering everything right after he fully believed me. He did his best to help me, and I was stuck in the vortex for about three weeks before I realized that I loved this boy. Not long after, he confessed the same. That's how.
"See, it's more of a fairy-tale type of thing. Not just love, but trust, honesty, and connection are the key to this. Whoever believes you- well, let me be frank. If they don't already, they will come to love you, and the feeling will be mutual."
"Wha- H- N-n-no! See, Sam and I… we're not- I mean, we're just f-friends." I stammered.
"For now. I have no doubts about these truths. But something has gone wrong. There are two girls who remember your events. Not even others stuck in the vortex are supposed to recall your bad luck proceedings. This could mean many things. As I have never been in this situation before, I'm dissecting the situation to try to find possibilities. One could be that you must choose between the two, another could be that they could both be meant for you, and one other could be that they both love you at this moment."
"Huh? No! Neither of- I mean, Reyna and I have nothing romantic going on. Neither do Sam and I. They don't like me, let alone love me. Trust me." I insisted.
"It is very uncommon to have two vorticies in the same city." Susan continued. "Very uncommon. It has to mean something."
"Vorticies?" I asked
"Humans stuck in the vortices. I call them vorticies to shorten it up."
"How do you know so much about all of this?" I questioned.
"I have multiple websites, and a blog. Normal citizens assume that my cites are fantasy online games or run by a crazy person. Others try to mock me. People fake it all the time, but I can drag out the ones who are for real. Then I give them my address, tell them what's going on, and let them go to escape. I do it for free. I've learned very much from it, and have notebooks with every page filled with notes, observations, etcetera. If you'd like to study them, give the word. That is all."
"'That is all?'" I asked.
"Yes."
"That's all I get. Oh, you're best friend and a girl you just met may in love with you, and you will be in love with them too. You'll have to choose between them, possibly. They could both be meant for you. This gives me no answers!"
"I'll tell you as soon as I find out, but as for now, just know that you will end up loving one of these girls, and they will love you. I most definitely would never persuade you to pick my daughter. It is your choice, and I in no way intend to interfere will the laws of nature."
"Laws of nature barely exist any more." I mumbled.
"What was that?"
"Nothing. Fine. But what did you tell the other girls? Not the same thing, right? Nothing about the love?" I asked desperately.
"Not the exact same thing, but yes, they know about the love. But be aware that I have told each of you something that none of the others know, so don't go discussing it or it'll make for awkward conversations."
"B-but-"
"No buts. You go get comfy in the TV room. Wait until my husband comes home. I think you'd enjoy meeting him. You might want to talk with him too."
I sighed, walking to the door with defeat. So many questions rang through my head. Aw, man. I thought this would resolve my problems.
But it only arose so many more.
A/N: So, there you have it! The secret to how to escape the vortex! Sorry if it's cheesy! I liked it… This is the longest chapter I've had I think. Anyway, tell me your thoughts! Review!