Thanks to everyone who has reviewed.
Disclaimer: I don't own Alias…
Previously on Mickey
"Well," Will said biting his lip. "There's this guy in grade eight who's telling everyone that Weiss was peeking over the door of his shower last night. He's told all these people, and most groups are talking about it. And apparently you two were both overheard this morning discussing it and yeah, that's all I've heard as yet."
"Are you serious?" Vaughn asked Will. "That's hilarious! Isn't it Weiss! Weiss? Eric?" Nudging him slightly, Vaughn tried to pull Weiss out of the silent state he'd now gone into. "I think he's in shock," Michael told Will. "But if people talk to you about it, can you just simply deny it all please? It's all a little bit of a misunderstanding."
"Ow… What was that for?" Weiss asked, reeling backwards out of his seat after a push.
Sitting down in the seat next to him, Vaughn sent Weiss a mocking look. "I've been talking to Will for the whole spare on the other side of the room because you've ignored me."
"And that was a problem because…?" Climbing to his feet, Weiss sat back down in his chair with force. "Dude, the whole world doesn't revolve around you, you know. I was quite happy sitting here by myself."
"What's up your goat?" Vaughn asked with a furrowed brow.
"Uh, like you care. You never tell me about your problems and I always share mine with you."
Vaughn scoffed. "No you don't."
"Yeah I do. Remember when uh," Weiss tried to recall an incident. "Remember when Alan pissed on the living room floor?"
"That was your dog," Vaughn pointed out.
"Yeah I know, but I let you know how upset I was. It's been years since he was alive, and the only thing I have left to remember him by is that pee stain." Weiss took a deep breath, as if the thoughts were still so unbearably full of sadness. "So here's a thought."
"What?" Vaughn said looking sceptical.
"Never ditch a mate in need," Weiss said, attempting to look wise.
"Why is everyone staring at you dude?" Weiss asked as he walked towards the tuckshop line at morning tea that same day.
"I uh, don't think they're looking at me…" Vaughn bit his lip. "I think they're watching you."
"So they are! Hey! This is awesome!" Weiss waved to the people. "I must have really impressed them on the weekend at the game or something… Hang on a second, wait a minute... I didn't play on Saturday! This can't be about- no way!"
"Hey Eri-ca!" A girl called as she walked past the two of them.
"Oi!" Weiss called after her, "the name's Eric. Eric Weiss."
"Whatever, Eri-ca!" The girl laughed.
"Just ignore her Weiss, c'mon." Vaughn jerked his head in the direction of the line. "I'm hungry."
"Wait. There's something I need do." Not waiting for Vaughn to even ask what, Weiss climbed up onto the nearest table and loudly cleared his throat, gathering the attention of everyone in the crowded tuckshop area. "Excuse me!"
"Weiss!" Vaughn hissed. "Get down now!"
"No!" Weiss sent a dirty look at Vaughn. "It's your fault I'm up here in the first place. If you were in that shower and hadn't of nicked off, I wouldn't have to do this." Eric turned his attention back to the crowd. "I've heard that some twerpy little try-hard of a kid is spreading rumours about me in relation to an incident in the showers. Ladies, don't worry – I'm still yours – 'cause these are just rumours and there's no truth behind them what-so-ever. The little twerp is lying."
"How do we know it's not you who's not lying?" Someone called out from the crowd.
"Well," Weiss thought the question through carefully. "You um, don't but-"
"He's telling the truth," a voice piped up.
"What?" Weiss called, trying to find the voice's owner.
"Weiss isn't gay."
"Hey Syd!" Weiss jumped up and down on the table, causing the legs to creak and groan. "Tell everyone again!"
Walking forward, Sydney moved to the table where Weiss stood and faced the tuckshop area. "Eric Weiss isn't gay. He's telling the truth."
"And you know that because…?" A boy at the next table asked.
"Because…" Sydney paused and thought for a moment. "Because he's my boyfriend."
"He is?" The crowd asked in unison.
"I am?" Weiss exclaimed. "I mean, I am!"
Shaking her head, Sydney smothered a laugh.
"How about a little sugar!" Weiss said, jumping down from the table. Wrapping Sydney in a friendly bear hug, before whispering, "thanks so much for rescuing me."
"You're welcome," Sydney whispered back, smiling into Weiss' shoulder.
"That was really nice of you, you know?" Vaughn told Sydney after Japanese that day.
"Yeah?" Sydney asked, tilting her head at Michael. "Well, Weiss didn't deserve all that crap everyone was giving him before so I thought I could help him out."
Vaughn laughed. "You realise he's like, indebted to you for life now? He's going to try every which way he can to get you to go out with him."
"And that would be bad because…" Sydney jokingly said. "Seriously, I wouldn't really mind. But I doubt he will pester me. He's a good guy Weiss, and I'd be glad to be his friend. I told him so at morning tea today."
"Do you want to remain just friends with him though? Or would you want more?" Vaughn asked her, careful to watch her reaction.
"I reckon friendship is good enough for me right now - I've only just met him… If I wasn't leaving though, I'd have loved to have had the chance to get to have known him better – maybe not as girlfriend/boyfriend but maybe just as really good friends. If that makes sense at all…" Sydney said, hesistantly.
"Yeah, it makes perfect sense," Vaughn said happily, his walk now resuming its usual spring.
"So um, I've talked with Will and with Marshall, and they've agreed to meet with us now for lunch to organise the list," Vaughn told Weiss.
"List? What list?" Weiss asked.
"Gawd Eric! Concentrate." Vaughn let out an exasperated breath. "This is the last time I'm going to tell you this, ok! Sydney told me last night her dad wants to send her to a boarding school. Except she's sick of moving schools and would prefer to stay here so I was thinking we could write a list of reasons for her to stay."
"A list of reasons? How could that help her!" Weiss said, laughing at Vaughn's idea.
"Don't laugh Weiss. It's the only good plan we've got."
"Good plan? Nuh-uh, I bet I could think of an even better plan," Weiss told Vaughn.
"Like?"
"Um…"
"Yes?"
"Uh…" Weiss rubbed his forehead. "Maybe we should stick with the list.
"Just as I thought. But as silly as it sounds it could work, you know? Her dad gave her one condition: if she can list thirty reasons to stay then maybe she can," Vaughn said, smiling a small smile.
"Maybe? A maybe isn't a certainly!" Eric pointed out.
"Yeah, I know that but if we make a list not only can we show Sydney that we want her here but her dad can see that she's happy with the school, and that may convince him to let her stay."
"But what happens if it doesn't work?" Weiss asked, looking doubtful. "I mean, we'd have gone to all that work for nothing."
"Weiss! This is one of our friends we're talking about. She saved your backside today! Sure, if it doesn't work – it doesn't work. But at least we can say that we tried."
"I'm in for it. So can we start now? I mean, Sydney's not here, she's running isn't she?"
"Yes! Gosh Weiss - you're like talking to a brick wall!" Michael said rolling his eyes. "We're waiting for Will and Marshall to arrive so we can start."
"Will? And Marshall? As in Marshall-Marshall?"
"Oh gawd," Michael said, burying his head in his arms.
A/N: Thanks for reading :)
dandan: Cheers mate! Your reply was quick as :P
nelope: Yeah I'm Aussie!Thanks heaps for ya review!
specialfrog: Was this one worth the wait...? I hope you liked the latest chapter.
kiz-aliasrox: lol hiya! Thanks for your kind words :)
Next time: Sydney faces another confrontation, and the boys together with an unexpected person make a start on the list