A/N: So sorry for letting you wait so long. I worked on this a while. I had a lot going on. First, since I live in Georgia, our big test at the end of the school year is called the CRCT. I got my scores back. I was on the verge of dying. I had never did this before. This is what I was like :O My mouth was open and I promise you I had never ever done this before. I exceeded in all of it! I'm going to the 8th grade! Woo hoo!
Second, my cousin, you know the Mexican? Well, he was riding on my electric scooter. He was riding it on his friends driveway and when he came out he flew off and bumped his head. (Kinda funny since I call him a monkey sometimes. "One fell off and bumped his head." Anyway…) I wasn't there but everyone told me. So, after he left with his mom, a few hours later he had to go to the hospital because he was vomiting. My grandma thought he had a concussion. Turns out he did and a fractured skull. He was kept at the hospital all day yesterday and the day before. He got to come home today. But he's still throwing up.
And lastly, I had major writers block. I kept going back to work on this but with all this mess with my cousin and my excellent grades, I just didn't feel like writing.
So I hope you enjoy my longest chapter ever!
Hoagie clicked away at the keyboard. He moved the mouse quickly as he found what he needed to click on. Abby and I were hanging over him watching what he was doing. A video popped up when the little curser pointed to the video and clicked on it. It was a dancing banana. But it was a cartoon banana with large eyes and round hands and feet. It was dancing to a song that made no sense but everyone I knew had heard of it. Even my friend Benny had started singing it outside when we played with all of our friends.
"It's Peanut Butter Jelly Time. Peanut Butter Jelly Time. Peanut Butter Jelly Time. Where ee at? Where ee at? Where ee at? Where ee at? Now dare he go. Dare he go. Dare he go. Dare he go. Peanut Butter Jelly. Peanut Butter Jelly. Peanut Butter Jelly. Peanut Butter Jelly."
Hoagie grinned up at us when the song started singing.
You can find anything on Youtube. And here's one thing you can find.
We listened to the stupid song for a little over a minute with our heads bobbing up and down playfully.
I looked over at the clock that was on the corner of the screen.
3:31 P.M.
Hoagie clicked the video away and looked at the ones on the side of the screen. He then moved the mouse over to it and clicked on a picture of Justin Bieber.
"Your world is my world. And my fight is your fight. My breath is your breath. And your heart. And girl you're my one love, my one heart. My one life for sure. Let me tell you one time. Girl, I love, girl I love you. I'mma tell you one time. Girl, I love, girl I love you."
I looked at the video.
Justin Bieber.
How old was he? I forgot but he sure is kind of short. Don't yah think?
The song ended. I walked a little toward the stairs. Hoagie and Abby turned their gazes at me. Hoagie clicked the internet off.
"Where yah goin' Starr?" He asked me as I lifted my crutch to walk up the steps. I turned around quickly and turned back around. I lifted the metal medical helper thing, okay, the crutch. It positioned itself on the carpeted stairs. Hoagie and Abby stood behind me. Abby held my arm on the right. Her right. And Hoagie the other. "So, where are you goin'?" Hoagie asked again.
"I wanna go upstairs." I told him.
"Well, I can see that. But why?"
I thought a second.
"Dunno. Just want to go upstairs." I stated. He shrugged and the two pulled me up. When I entered the kitchen at the top of the steps someone was in there. Who's that? I looked at the boy. He was shorter than me, looked a little similar to me, had brown eyes like me but had his hair in the way that those boys wear. You know those hair styles were it's swished to one side and it's cut to look pointed at the end?
The boy was telling my mom something.
I smiled and I duck-walked over there.
His pupils expanded, almost covering his dark orbs.
"What. Happened?" he said slowly.
My face warmed up.
"I got hurt in the leg while I went to Cleveland. I had gotten an operation over there. And when I got home something messed up and the bone stuck out. The doctors here fixed it and now I gotta wear this bulky cast."
He moved his head upward and brought it back down in a nod.
He looked at my Kids Next Door friends.
"Who are they?" He whispered to me.
"Oh, that's Hoagie and that's Abby. They're my friends from Cleveland. They came to visit me." I smiled at them. They gave a shy wave toward the boy.
I grabbed his shirt.
"And this is Trevor. He's my half-brother." I told them. My brother was only thirteen. He was born December 5, 1996. I was born a little over a year later on March 10, 1998. I was taller than him. I was taller than a lot of people I know. While my sister, Jade, looks like my grandmother; my baby sister, Tia, looks like my mom; Trevor looks like his mom's brother; and I look like my dad. You could definitely tell us apart from each other. Since me and Trevor have different moms, he has a little brother that looks like their mom. We're not related to his brother though, only him. Tia is mixed and none of us are, but she's not related to my only brother. Is this confusing? Well, families can do that.
"Hey." He said, shoving his hands into his jacket's pockets.
My mom came up. She had a cell phone in her hand. Trevor took it and pushed it into his pocket. "Thanks, Kari."
She smiled.
"No problem. Now why don't you kids go outside. I need to clean the house before mama gets home." I rolled my eyes. I looked at my mother. She's always cleaning. Every time she's over here at my grandmother's house, she cleans.
"Such a neat freak."
She glared at me.
"Well, at least I'm not a brat."
"I'm not a brat. And if I am I got it from somewhere."
"Yeah. Yo daddy." She said, her hands on her hips.
Abby was holding her mouth trying not to laugh. Hoagie just smiled and looked back and forth at us. Trevor was jabbing his fingers on his Nintendo DS.
My mom opened the side door for us.
We all walked out.
Abby was holding me up as we walked.
"What was all that about?" Hoagie asked.
"What? Oh that? We always do that. Sounds like we're sisters don't it? Well, she's only sixteen years older than me. She's old enough to be my sister. But one is enough."
"I thought you had two?" Hoagie asked again.
I nodded.
He looked at me confusingly.
"Yeah. But she can't do nothing. Jade is just annoying. Right, Trevor?"
He looked up from his game.
"Huh? Yeah. Whatever." He turned his gaze back to the electronic.
"What're you doin' here anyway?" I questioned my older brother.
"I came to see you guys. I'm spending the night."
I rolled my eyes.
"Kari called Mawmaw and said I wanted to stay. She said it was okay."
I leaned up against the wall of the house.
I moved my crutch and smacked myself. It takes a lot of effort to do this when you have crutches up under your arm.
Trevor turned around and went back inside.
Abby stared after him.
"Um, nice bro of yours..." She said slowly.
I shook my head and shrugged the best I could.
Then the three of us walked over to the S.C.A.M.P.E.R.
Hoagie helped me on and we all sat in some seats. Hoagie in the pilot's chair, Abby at her station and me in Nigel's leader chair. I sat my metal supporters next to me. I clicked up a switch and the leg rest popped out of the chair. I relaxed.
"Where are we goin'?"
I sat there wondering, "What's going on? Why are we at the Moon Base? And, how many operatives does this organization have?" I mean come on! Look at all these kids! There's thousands of them. How does everyone remember them all? Especially Rachel.
Speaking of the blonde, there she was right there.
She was standing in front of everyone on a low stage. She had a kid-made helmet on. She had an orange striped sweat shirt, light blue shirt and light blue jeans on. She looked like her old self. Just two years older. She held up her hand.
Fanny, in a green shirt and blue jeans and a helmet that said '86' on it, clenched her hands. They were in tight fists.
She closed her iris eyes and screamed, "SHUT UP!"
The entire stadium grew quiet. I probably could've heard crickets if they were up on the moon.
Rachel thanked Fanny and Fanny stepped beside her.
"Now. I'd like to report some news. As you may know one of our operatives has a relative in the Arctic Base prison. Well, I, Numbuh sixty and Numbuh eighty six have decided not to hold her there anymore. We have all turned her over to the real authorities. The crime she has committed is too big for us kids to handle. We cannot do anything the adults can to their prisoners. So, Numbuh eighty six's uncle, who's an officer, has listened to our story. All he needs is proof. Then she'll be released in his care. It was a hard decision but we need the adults' help."
Everyone gasped.
A boy with a winter hat, furry boots, shorts, goggles and a flowered shirt stood up. He waved his hands in the air to get Rachel's attention. She looked over at the operative.
"Yes, Numbuh 30c?" She asked.
"How can we get help from adults? ! We fight them. Not get help from 'em!"
She rolled her eyes.
"Not all adults are evil, Numbuh 30c. We fight evil adults. And this adult is related to one of our most loyal operatives. If it was dangerous, I'm sure she would call it off. Right now I'd like you to sit down and no more comments."
He sat down roughly, crossing his long arms.
She then turned her attention back to the entire crowd.
"Now can Numbuh three ten please join me up here?"
All the kids in the bleachers looked around. They had never heard of me because… wait for it. I'm a loner.
I stood slowly. Abby helped me up and she and Hoagie led me to the podium. Everyone stared at us. My leg started aching from climbing all the stairs that led to the podium up on stage.
Fanny grabbed my arm gently and helped me up as we reached the stage.
Patton was standing on the opposite side of her, helping me along with Abby and Hoagie.
"Thank you Numbuh three ten." Rachel said.
I nodded. "What is it Rach- I mean Numbuh three sixty-two?"
She looked towards the crowd.
"Numbuh three ten we need you and Allen to show Numbuh eighty six's uncle your injuries for proof." Her brown eyes floated to me. "Will you help us?"
"Are you kidding? ! I'm a Kids Next Door operative and would do anything I can. Of course."
She smiled.
She turned back to the audience.
"Kids Next Door Rules!" She pumped up her fist and screamed.
Everyone rose their fists into the air and shouted, "Kids Next Door Rules!"
I shouted but I couldn't put my fist up.
Then all Kids Next Door operatives exited out back to their tree houses and duties. Nigel, Kuki and Wally met up with us on the stage. Wally was chewing on a coconut log. Kuki eyed him carefully.
"Boy, are you eating a coconut log? ! You know you're allergic to coconuts!" Abby screamed, swatting the candy from his hand.
He glared at her.
His lips then became all pink and puffy. You could barely see his face through how huge his lips became. Kuki screamed.
"Calm down Numbuh three. Numbuh eighty six can you please take Numbuh four to the medical facilities? Call his mother and ask how you get the swelling to go down, then return him to his sector." Rachel instructed Fanny.
Fanny nodded and led Wally away.
"Why does he eat coconut logs if he's allergic to the main ingredient?" I asked Abby.
"Because he's stupid. He says he likes them too much and he don't care if he's allergic. He's gonna eat 'em." She told me with her arms crossing across her chest.
I rolled my eyes and shook my head.
"So, how was the visit so far? I know you just arrived at Numbuh three ten's house today but what did you do when you got there?" Nigel asked Hoagie and Abby.
"We just hung out." Hoagie said.
Nigel nodded.
"When's Numbuh three ten's cast gonna come off?" He asked them.
I wobbled up to him.
"In about three more weeks. The bone and skin were moved pretty bad from their original places." I said to him.
"Understood." He said, putting his hands behind his back and stepping back a bit.
Kuki bounded up to me.
"I got you something Numbuh three ten!" She pulled out a Rainbow Monkey. It was no regular one either. It was like those realistic plush toys at Toys 'R' Us. With soft fur and beautiful colored eyes. The toy she got me was black with crystal blue eyes. It almost looked like it was blind in a way. I took it gently with my hand. I hugged it close to me. I smiled at her.
"Thanks Kuki!"
She blushed and took out something else.
"Here. I made you a card too." She handed the hand made card.
I opened it up.
~Dear Starr AKA Numbuh 310,
I hope you feel better soon. I'll miss you being here with us at our sector.
Lots of Rainbow Monkey hugs,
Kuki. XOXOXO~
The card had a picture of me and Kuki holding hands. Wally, Nigel, Hoagie, Abby, Rachel, Fanny and Patton were all on the card in different spots. Rachel and Fanny were on the back with Nigel and Patton. Wally was in the middle of Hoagie and Abby on the cover.
I tucked the crayon plastered paper into my pocket.
"Thanks."
She grinned.
"No problem. Anything for a friend!" She then skipped up closer to me and hugged me carefully. To be honest I'm not all up for it when it comes to hugs and kisses. But of course I will hug someone if they did something nice for me or they're just a good person to me.
Everyone was smiling at the scene when we broke apart.
"Anyway," Patton began. "We need to get Numbuh three ten to Officer Fulbright so Hoagie's grandmother can go to the right type of jail."
Hoagie turned his head away.
I put my hand on his shoulder.
"It's not your fault Hoags."
He smiled at me.
I turned back to the others.
"We have to go pick up Allen, right?" I asked Rachel.
"Yes."
I frowned.
"What did I do to deserve this?"
Abby smirked.
I frowned at her. "What now? !" I yelled at her. She rolled her dark eyes.
"Why is it when I say something about that demon Mexican, or we start arguing, that you start smirking?"
"'Cause it's funny how you two hate each other but still like one another."
I looked at her confusingly. "What the heck does that mean?" I questioned the French African American twelve year old.
"That means you two like each other but hate the thought of it." She smirked at me. Everyone turned to look at my red face.
I glared at her.
I stormed off the best way I could.
"I DO NOT LIKE ALLEN CHAVEZ!" Then I wobbled to the S.C.A.M.P.E.R.
Wally was standing near the door to the S.C.A.M.P.E.R. He looked at me. His lips looked like they were back to normal again.
"What are yah doin' in here?" He asked me.
I just crossed my arms. I was sitting in Nigel's chair once again. My crutches sat next to me. Wally boarded the ship. He sat in a chair not far from mine. He looked at my red face. All the redness was from the anger that was building up inside of me.
"What's wrong?"
I faced the stubborn Australian.
He nodded as I explained what happened after he left with Fanny. His eyes grew wide. He covered his eyes with his orange hoody. "Maybe yah do like 'im." He said. I shook my head. He looked at me. I examined the arm chair.
"I don't like Allen. He gets on my nerves. But some things he does gets me thinkin' sometimes." My eyes set on nothing in particular. I was day dreaming again. I thought of all the times Allen did something kind for me. Wally then stood next to me. I snapped out of my trance. "I know I don't like him. But I don't know if he likes me." I looked at he Aussie once more. He lifted his hood down. His dark forest green orbs connected to mine.
"Ah gotta secret. I know since yah live in a different state in all that you wouldn't tell no one 'cause no one would know meh there." He blushed and sat back down.
My ears opened to hear the blonde speak.
"Ah like-"
"Kuki."
He looked at me, his eyes wide and his face blushed over.
"How'd yah know?" he asked.
"I figured you liked her. You're always with her, getting angry at any boy that'd talking to her except for Nigel and Hoagie. Now I know for sure." I smirked at him.
He smiled weakly.
Then a petite hand opened the metal door to the S.C.A.M.P.E.R.
A Japanese, violet eyed, black haired, girl stepped in. She was followed by Abby, Hoagie and Nigel. Outside the ship were Rachel, Fanny and Patton.
"Hey Kuki."
She beamed at me. "What happened Starr? Why'd yah run off?" Her purple orbs expanded as she looked at me. Hoagie stood behind my chair. Nigel and Abby were standing near the door. I didn't want to face the Asian friend of mine or either of them for that matter. Wally was really easy to talk to. He helped me out. I told him what happened but I didn't want to deal with the aftermath of the situation. Abby lifted the brim of her red cap up. Her chestnut eyes floated toward me.
"So?" She spoke.
I sighed.
"I ran off because I hate, just absolutely hate, when people assume that Allen likes me. I just don't think he would. End of discussion." I swayed my hands in the air to suggest I was finished.
Nigel then spoke.
"Well, those questions do hit nerves sometimes. Now come on. We need to pick up Allen so we can settle this matter." His black glasses shone in the dim light of the Kids Next Door ship. I nodded. He smiled and exited the ship. Abby sat at her post, along with Wally and Kuki. Hoagie just stared at me and slowly made his way to the pilot's seat. Nigel was chatting with the other three operatives outside the ship. All four entered and took seats in extra chairs. The door closed and the S.C.A.M.P.E.R sprung to life. Hoagie looked back at all of us. He gave a goofy grin.
As the ship lifted into the sky and started shaking from driving he shouted, "HOLD ON TO YOUR UNDERWEAR!" He laughed and Abby smacked herself. A smile formed on her light face. I smiled too.
Wally rolled his eyes along with Nigel.
Kuki giggled and began pressing buttons.
Rachel and Fanny just yelled at Hoagie to stop fooling around. Patton smiled and his grin disappeared when Fanny glared at him.
Okay.
Here we go.
A/N: Thank you. *takes bow* Worked on it for forever.
Now REVIEW!
Until we hear from each other again,
Farwell, and remember to R-E-V-I-E-W. What's that spell? REVIEW!
