I don't own Pokemon!
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Chapter 11: Something Horrible...
Wednesday, October 1st
I fell asleep in the nurse's office that morning, and Mitchell stayed with me the whole time. The nurse eventually made us leave though, and for lunch I hung out with my friends. Mitchell sat with his friends, unusually close by, and kept glancing at me all throughout lunch.
The topic for lunch that day only made it worse. Homecoming was this Saturday, and the game was on Friday. All of my friends were going, but since I was planning on relaxing, I stayed out of the conversation. It was supposed to be cold, A.K.A miserable during the football game, so I wasn't very interested in that. Then the dance just seemed like a hastle... I'd have to ask for money, I didn't have a date and didn't care to have one, and then most of the music at those kind of things make me sick. My other friends though, they seemed to be very excited.
Felicity had just gotten a beautiful brown and white dress which came a few inches below her knees. Rocky was going to the dance too, but she seemed to be a lot more excited about the game. V.V had gotten herself a bright purple dress, and even a date with a junior named Matt who was a recently evolved Gliscor. Then there was Athena. Although she'd rather stay home and read a book, or according to her, do something more useful with her time than go to a dance, Athena concluded that since high school is supposed to be fun, and you only get so many dances, that she should go and enjoy herself. And she'd also been asked twice already.
"You didn't say yes to either?" Felicity asked incredulously when Athena told us. She nodded silently, taking another bite of her sandwich. "And you didn't even tell us about it?!"
"I didn't see the use, since I decided not to go with either." As we waited for more of an explanation, Athena continued her meal, seemingly unaware of our staring.
"Well who asked you!?" Rocky finally shouted. Athena looked up agonizingly slowly, before taking a couple more chews and a swallow and then answering us.
"Well, first it was Hayden Ellson-" I was reminded of the Electabuzz sophomore who had told Mitchell and I's gym teachers about our earlier situation. It had been the same boy. "And then on Monday, Ivan asked me."
Ivan Prothero was a freshmen in our class. A Misdreavus actually. I didn't know too much about him to be honest. He was a bit quiet. He read a lot, and I thought that he was a pretty average battler. He did his homework and was always listening to music, and wore darker clothes most of the time though I would never call him goth or emo. I was really surprised actually that he had asked Athena. I didn't know that they'd ever met. He had dark navy blue hair with natural streaks of purple in it, and was a bit long but somehow kind of endearing. His eyes were a shiny red.
"On Monday?" Rocky questioned. Athena nodded, her straight green hair falling forward. She quickly pushed it back before answering.
"He and I are in the same English class, we have been for a couple years. Sometimes we study together." When none of us said anything, and only continued to stare at Athena, she rolled her eyes and continued to speak. "You know, at each other's houses. We don't know most of the people in our class, since it's college level at this point, so we partner up all the time." We all nodded in understanding. Athena is crazy good at school, and has been taking a crazy high level English class for the past couple of years. Apparently Ivan was also in that class.
"So how did they both ask you?" I didn't glance at Athena as I asked. I didn't care a whole lot, it was the others that really wanted to know.
"Hayden approached me on Friday just before my study hall. He simply asked if I wanted to go to Homecoming with him, and gave me a very nice red rose."
"And what did you say?" Felicity could barely contain herself. Her fluffy brown tail was going crazy behind her, and the Eevee was leaning so far over the table that her long brown sleeves were about to drag through her food. I stuck my arm out to push her back, but she was still immensely excited.
"I told him that I was flattered, but I planned on enjoying at least my first high school dance with my friends. A boy would be a complete distraction."
"That's the whole point Poochie!" Rocky exclaimed. She looked as if she were about to tear her hair out. Athena only raised an eyebrow, then told us about Ivan.
"Ivan came to my house on Monday with a lovely poem and a particularly large bouquet of many different colored roses. It was very romantic and creative, he even picked each rose carefully, knowing the meaning behind each color."
"Okay, even I'm confused as to why you said no to him Athena." I butt in, focusing mostly on the riddle on my chocolate milk carton. Athena shrugged again, and having finished her lunch she began to gather her trash to dispose of.
"Like I said, I'd like to experience a dance with my friends only at first. Next time though, if Ivan would like to ask again, I would obviously consider him."
"Oooh," Felicity cooed her eyes fluttering open and closed suggestively. Rocky caught on quickly, and elbowed Athena, who shot the Snubbull a particularly dirty glance for Athena. I snickered, and Athena suddenly whipped her head towards me.
"What about you Subaki? What are your plans?" Everyone looked at me smiling. I barely managed a lopsided, stressed out grin.
"No thanks." There was silence around the table.
"What do you mean 'No thanks'?" Felicity asked, her brows furrowing. With a shudder I realized that I had told my friends almost nothing about my weekend. They only knew that I had gone stargazing. I hadn't told any of them about Tony and his friends attacking me, my fight with my dad, and definitely nothing about Mitchell's large part in all of it.
"I mean, I was really busy last weekend, going stargazing and all, and you guys all know that dances aren't really my thing, so I was just planning on having a quiet, relaxing weekend." Despite my great effort into making a valid excuse, none of my friends looked very pleased. Felicity was just about to say something, when thank Lord Arceus, Nyota swooped in.
"Hey guys! Uh..." Nyota looked alarmed at the sour faces all focused on me, and I saw it in his eyes that he was about to leave. At the last second, I grabbed his arm and dragged the Staraptor back.
"Hey Nyota! You know, we don't hang out nearly as much as we should anymore!"
"Um, yeah, I agree... Is something going on here?"
"No." I said firmly, nodding my head and making a point to look at each and every one of my friends, who gave various responses of sighs, mumbles, and head shakes.
"Okay... Anyways, any of you guys going to the game?"
"All of us except Subaki." Rocky told him, still glaring at me.
"No Pups? It'll be so boring!" I gave Nyota a grin.
"Sorry, but I've got to catch up on some sleep. I was pretty busy last weekend."
"I hear that, my brothers and sister would not shut up. But there's only two home games left, you know. Plus I hear it's supposed to be unusually warm this weekend, so good weather."
"Right. What about you Nyota? Are you going to Homecoming?" Athena cut straight to the point, and I was nearly positive that they weren't ever going to stop talking about it.
"Ah, I was thinking about it..." Nyota rubbed his head, displacing his white blonde hair with the red bangs. "I don't have a date though, and there's not really anyone I'm interested in asking..." By chance, I took a sideways glance at Felicity next to me, and I knew instantly what that sparkle in her eyes was. She spoke up before I could strangle her.
"Why don't you and Subaki go together? She doesn't have a date either! Only as friends, of course." The Eevee added quickly afterwards. I gave Felicity a glare, but whipped my head back around towards Nyota when he shrugged.
"I might of, but I can't." There was a smile tugging at the edges of the Staraptor's lips, and I knew he was hiding something. I narrowed my eyes and bit.
"Why not?"
"You didn't hear this from me, but someone's already got their eye on you Pups." Nyota winked, then spun on his heel with his hands in their pockets and left us.
"I can't believe it! Subaki, someone's still going to ask you!" Felicity clapped her hands excitedly.
"Whoever it is might be waiting a bit long, but hey, Subaki's got a da-ate!" V.V. giggled when Rocky sang to me, yet I sighed and rolled my eyes. "What?"
"I already told you guys, I'm not going, no matter who asks me." I crossed my arms stubbornly, and all of my friends pouted. As the topic of conversation moved on from homecoming to something about a beach trip in the Unova region, I remained silent.
Who would ask me to homecoming? I mean, I'm not hated by everyone, and I do have a lot of friends... But still... Suddenly a deep laugh made me glance over to a neighboring table. That brown hair and those blue appendages on his head were unmistakable. No way... It wouldn't be Mitchell. No way! I shook my head violently, crossing my arms, refusing to believe that Mitchell was the one who would be asking me to homecoming.
The rest of the day went by quietly, and thankfully nothing happened with the whole homecoming thing. Since the dance was only three days away at this point, with only two school days left, I was pretty confident that no one would be asking me to the dance.
That night, I lie in bed staring at the ceiling, throwing a ball up and down and pretending not to have homework. Just as I caught the ball again, my cell phone beside me began to buzz and vibrate on my bedside table. Blinking, I slowly turned my head towards it, sighed, and reached for the phone. The number was one I'd never seen before, obviously, since there was no caller ID. I dragged the green button across the touch screen and answered.
"Who is this?" The deep voice that answered was familiar, and surprised me.
"Subaki! Glad to hear your voice."
"Mitchell? How did you get my number?" I sat up in bed, curious. He had asked me a few times before, pouting each time when I firmly said no.
"I got it from your phone when you were sleeping." I sighed, rolled my eyes, and flopped backwards onto my bed.
"What do you want?"
"Just wondering how you are, if your hands are feeling alright, you know?" I swallowed, immediately regretting that action, though I couldn't quite figure out why. I held up one of my fists in front of me, examining it. I had taken the bandages off a while ago, to let it scab up.
"They're alright. They'll be fine in a few days."
"Just go easy on the punch bags the next few days, alright?" I shrugged and nodded my head, before remembering that I was on the phone.
"Okay."
"Good, then, see you around."
"Bye." He didn't hang up. All I could hear was our breathing, all else was silent. Why won't he hang up? Why won't I hang up? It was like that for another minute, and I jumped suddenly when Sandra called me. "I um, have to go." And I didn't wait for a response before I hung up.
The next day was just as boring as the day before, until lunch came around. The homecoming conversation from before had been dropped. Well, sort of. The conversation had moved from boys and homecoming to getting ready. My friends were talking about how they should do their hair, what their dresses looked like, where they were getting their nails done, that sort.
I vaguely noticed an acoustic song beginning to play, but I didn't think anything of it at first. It's not uncommon for someone to play a song during lunch. It was odd however, when the noise level in the cafeteria begin to diminish and heads started to turn. I turned around as well, wondering what could cause the chaos in here to subside.
My jaw fell when I saw Cole Airiko the Kricketune, smiling nervously at me. His cheeks were red, and the guitar I had been hearing earlier was in his arms. He was expertly plucking the strings to make a pretty amazing melody. But then he began to walk towards me and sing, his dark brown eyes boring into my yellow ones.
"In your ocean, I'm ankle deep
I feel the waves crashin' on my feet"
I shuffled uncomfortably. There was nothing I could do to hide my awkwardness, and I tried to look anywhere but Cole and the many onlookers. That though, was nearly impossible.
"It's like I know where I need to be
But I can't figure out, yeah I can't figure out
Just how much air I will need to breathe
When your tide rushes over me"
The song was vaguely familiar to me now, something I used to listen to a year or two ago, but no longer cared for too much. I could hear everyone around me whispering and see them pointing with smiles on their faces.
"There's only one way to figure out
Will ya let me drown, will ya let me drown
Hey now, this is my desire
Consume me like a fire, 'cause I just want something beautiful
To touch me, I know that I'm in reach
'Cause I am down on my knees, I'm waiting for something beautiful"
There was a pause in the music, and Cole strummed his guitar with a few strong, loud chords.
"Oh, something beautiful
Oh-Oh! Oh-Oh!
Something beautiful!"
I swallowed hard as Cole kneeled down in front of me, swinging his guitar around him to get it out of the way. I suddenly knew that my face could get no deeper shade of red. I was horribly reminded of someone kneeling down to ask their significant other to marry them.
Cole took my hand where I had been tightly squeezing it in a fist, and he looked up into my eyes.
Oh Arceus... How the hell am I supposed to say no when he looks like that?! I don't know what to do... I don't like him, I don't want to be an asshole in front of everybody, I don't want to go!
"Subaki, will you be my something beautiful, and accompany me to the Homecoming dance this weekend?"
Oh shit shit shit! I never thought he'd actually grow a pair and ask me out! Oh no, what do I do, what do I do?! My heart felt like it was beating about a million times a second, yet the feelings were all wrong. I felt so uncomfortable, and so awkward. It didn't feel like just me and him in the room with a spotlight centered on us; I could feel every eye in the whole cafeteria on us. I wanted to run out screaming. I wanted to be anywhere but there. To make the feeling worse, the song by Mayday Parade, Anywhere But Here, started to play in my head. I couldn't even look to my friends for help, for fear of tearing out this poor boy's heart...
"Subaki?" Cole was now giving me a questioning look, and I realized I'd been sitting there for quite some time.
"Um... I, uh... This is really cool Cole!" I stammered out, and he smiled.
"You think so? So Subaki, what do you say? Will you go with me?" Oh God, he has hope in his eyes, rrrrmmmm! I literally made that sound in my mind. Seriously. I didn't know what to do!
"Right, right... Actually, I... I already have a date!" My hands moved of their own accord, slapping over my own mouth. What the bloody hell have you done now Subaki?!
I heard a collection of gasps, from my table and from the onlookers. Honestly, I felt no better about this than I did about wanting to say no. His face still looked so broken... At least now you have a reason for saying no...
"Who." His voice was hard, and Cole actually looked angry.
"Uh, what?"
"Who. Who asked you to the dance? Who are you going with?" Cole stood up. He wasn't the tallest person in the world, but even if I had been standing up, he still would have towered over me.
My eyes darted nervously from side to side. Who, who, who?! I saw Nyota off to the side, and Aaron Duncan, but he wouldn't do, he was Cole's best friend, and Nyota wouldn't want to get in the middle of this...
My yellow eyes caught on the face who I would have least wanted to do this with. He was leaning forward though, and his face was twisted with some foreign emotion that I couldn't figure out at the moment, not with the way I was feeling.
"I... It's kind of a secret. We weren't going to say anything until the dance..." Cole narrowed his deep brown eyes, crossed his arms and spoke up again, his voice stronger than I'd ever heard it.
"Fine then. I'll be there too, and I'd like to meet this guy Subaki. I want him to know what he's up against." Then Cole spun around, and stalked away. I had never seen him so upset before...
I sighed as I spun around in my seat, and the chatter around the cafeteria began to start up again. But when I looked up at my friends, they all had their mouths open in shock, and I couldn't sit through whatever onslaught was about to happen. I stood up, grabbed my backpack, and went to class early.
Thursday, October 2nd
The song sung by Cole is Something Beautiful by NEEDTOBREATHE! I do not own it or the other song mentioned, Anywhere But Here by Mayday Parade! Thanks for reading!