a/n: short chapter because it's more of a filler? I don't know what I'm doing anymore D: I have a plan for this but I haven't been able to work on it for a while and the flow's all gone because I haven't' seen KND in a while! So gotta refresh my memory soon xx
Anyway this is unedited as well :( I kinda rushed it this time.
DISCLAIMER: I will never own KND.
Chapter 11: Operation S.A.B.O.T.A.G.E
"What?!" Wally jerked back as if he had been struck by lightning and stared at Kuki who looked at him, just as shocked as him.
She's observant, I'll give 'er that! But...how did she know!? Did I tell 'er in ma sleep or somethin'!?
"I was just asking, geez," she exclaimed, her eyes wide as an owl's. Wally chuckled sheepishly and rubbed the back of his neck.
"R-Roight, but why would ya say somethin' like that, anyway!? How dumb can ya get?!"
"Hey, don't call me dumb! You two have just been really cosy lately, that's all," Kuki said, hmphing a little to herself as she shrugged casually.
Wally narrowed his eyes at her. He crossed his arms, slouching a little, wanting to hole himself up in his room.
"We haven't been 'cosy' or nothin'! You're just imaginin' things as always," Wally grumbled, avoiding her pointed stare.
His chest tightened and for some reason, fear began to creep up giving him a sick feeling in the stomach. He had hoped that no one really noticed him staring at Abby too much.
"Why aren't you looking at me, then, Wally, huh huh?" Kuki asked, a pout framing her bow-shaped lips. Wally felt the urge to run away from her scrutinising eyes - for once, she was intimidating him!
"Uh, n-no reason!" he said, chuckling as if he was trying to cover something up.
Which he guessed he was.
Kuki narrowed her eyes as she watched his face turn tomato red. "Suuuuuuuure," she said, dragging out the syllable.
Wally growled under his breath as he looked at her, furious at her doubtfulness. "Whaddya mean 'suuuuuure'!?"
"I'm just saying!" she shrugged before coughing out: "You're a bad liar."
"Oi! Who are ya callin' a bad liar?"
"You!"
"Ugh, c'mere, you-"
He leapt over his seat to grab Kuki, but before he could do anything, she jumped away and ran. He growled under his breath in frustration as he went after her. He could hear Kuki giggling and though the scowl was replaced by a silly grin, he knew things had shifted between them.
He didn't feel the same way he did before. There were no butterflies or sweaty palms when it came to thinking about Kuki or being around her.
That space was occupied by another girl.
But this time, it was a certain African-American girl that had found its way into his heart and it confused him. He had never seen her in that way before, but here he was, struggling with his weird feelings for Abby.
Abby.
He didn't know if he wanted to shudder or grin stupidly.
"Uh, Wally?"
He looked up to see Kuki staring at him from a fair way away, hands on her hips. She had her head tilted to one side, and he could tell that even from where he was standing that she was scrutinising him with her large, doll-like eyes.
Wally cracked a forced smile in her direction. "Yeah?"
"Aren't you gonna chase me?"
"Huh?" It was as if something had clicked in his brain because he jolted in his spot. "Oh! R-Roight, yeah!"
It was strange because even though just a few weeks ago he would have been happy that Kuki was paying attention to him again, now, he didn't feel anything.
"Numbuh 5!"
Kuki's screech caught the attention of everyone lounging around. Abby took off her headphones and raised an eyebrow in the direction of the Asian girl, bouncing up and down, a wide, almost mischievous grin on her face.
"Guess what?" she sang, hearts practically in her eyes.
"What?"
"I've set you up on a date!" she squealed, clapping her practically invisible hands. Abby's eyes widened and Wally choked on his own spit as he whipped his head in the direction of the girls.
"Date?!" He stood up, knocking over whatever gimmick Hoagie was working on causing the boy to groan.
"Hey! Wally, watch it!"
The blonde boy ignored Hoagie as his attention was focused elsewhere. Kuki raised her eyebrows and shrugged.
"Well, yeah. There's a boy that likes Numbuh 5 and he wanted me to help him, so I did!"
Abby sighed. After that fiasco with them trying to set her up with Numbuh 2, she had had enough.
"Numbuh 5 doesn't wanna date anyone."
With that, she turned back to her magazine, face unreadable. Her words contradicted what she was feeling though; her heart began to race at the thought of going out with a boy. Especially if that boy was Wally.
Abby shook her head furiously.
What's Numbuh 5 thinkin' about?! she thought, annoyed. There was no possible way that could happen. She couldn't think about him like that. He was her teammate. And besides, Wally was practically in love with Kuki, anyway.
He could never like her. Though the thought was disheartening, she crushed the feeling of disappointment down and her mind drifted to what Kuki had said. The set up didn't sound so bad.
Just the thought of someone liking her got her hopes up. She was never the first choice, after all, and maybe it was a good way to get her mind off of Wally.
Maintaining a neutral expression, she went to put her headphones back on when Kuki wrapped her arms around her neck from behind, in a tight hug.
"Pleaaaaaseeeee, Numbuh 5? I promised him that you would go on a date with him!"
Abby gave her a blank stare but Kuki wasn't giving up.
"Please, please, please? For me?" She gave Abby the biggest puppy dog eyes she could manage and Abby gritted her teeth in frustration. Even she couldn't resist the look.
"Ugh, fine! Only one date. Then Numbuh 5's comin' right back here, understand?"
Kuki squealed and nodded. "YAY! I can't believe it, Numbuh 5's gonna go on a date, everyone!"
Wally found himself shaking with anger, fists clenched and green eyes narrowed from under his bangs as he watched the two girls talk in hushed whispers. He tried to take a deep breath to relax but it didn't work.
He looked around, wondering why he was the only one bothered and found that Hoagie was minding his own business, tweaking some gadgets whereas Nigel leaned back in his chair with a phone – most likely talking to Lizzie.
Am I the only one who's bothered by this?!
"Seriously, no one else thinks this is a little fishy?" Wally found himself saying.
"No," they all instantly replied in unison. Wally groaned loudly in irritation.
"You're all just a bunch of cruddy noobs if you can't figure it out!"
"Figure what out? It's just a date, Wally," Kuki said, crossing her arms and staring at him as if she knew his secret. He looked away, but he wasn't ashamed of his feelings anymore.
He even stopped hanging around with Kuki a lot, too. Her hugs didn't make him feel shy and blush anymore. Nor did he want to endure the dumb girly rides for her.
Wally didn't want or need to impress Kuki because he didn't like her anymore. It was so weird how things had changed between them in a span of a few weeks.
Now, Abby was the one he liked, and he was jealous. Of whoever it was she was going to go out with.
Foine. Whateva. So what if I like 'er? That gives me more reasons to not let 'er go on this dumb date with a random kid!
A smirk grew on his face as he thought of an idea. He knew exactly what to do to stop the date.
It meant sabotage.
As Abby got ready for her date, Wally waited outside the treehouse, hoping to go unnoticed. Even as she began walking down the street to wherever it was that Kuki had directed her to go, he followed her in a sly manner.
He hid behind poles and trees and bushes whenever she looked around or was about to turn back.
Wally poked his head out from behind a pole as he watched Abby approach a short, skinny boy with orange hair and freckles. He was wearing a white and blue checkered shirt tucked into khaki shorts and the Australian boy couldn't help but grimace.
The kid looked like he was going to cruddy military camp.
For nerds.
He snickered at his own thought but it instantly vanished as Abby began to laugh joyfully at something the dumb kid had said. It was weird because he hadn't seen her this happy in ages.
I don't even make 'er happy like that...
The thought caused his jaw to clench. His eyes narrowed and he fished the slingshot that he had 'borrowed' from Hoagie, out of his pocket.
As he followed them, keeping a good distance between them, he grabbed a little stone and slung it at the kid. Wally heard him yelp and whip around, but before he could get caught, he flung himself in the bush nearby.
He held his breath. There was silence for a few seconds before he heard their footsteps retreat, again.
Wally snickered to himself and got out, tip-toeing behind them. His sabotage was going well so far but seeing them so cosy together made him sick.
It angered him.
Before he could even think, he found himself rushing over to the two when Abby was distracted. In a split second, the kid's underwear was covering most of his head. Just as Abby was turning back around, Wally threw himself back to a new hiding spot.
He was shocked at how quickly he had wedgied the kid but was also partly proud of himself. He sniggered as he watched the kid flail his arms around, causing Abby to rush to his aid. Her eyes were narrowed in suspicion as she looked around.
Crud, is she onto me!? he thought, suddenly panicking.
He hadn't thought of what he would do if he had gotten caught.
Wally bit his lip. He had to be more careful. Wedgies were something he did often so he was good at it, but Abby knew that was his thing with noobs. If he kept it up, she'd catch onto him.
He ground his teeth together, his jaw aching as he watched the two buy ice cream and exchange it with each other. Wally tried to find other ways to annoy them since the slingshot was quickly getting boring.
Abby and the dumb kid were getting annoyed and looking around but still kept hanging out with each other. It didn't stop them whatsoever. It was when they were under the bus shelter where barely anyone went that he was on high alert. He could see that the boy was leaning in to kiss her.
I ain't gonna let that little nerd kiss 'er!
Before he could even blink, he had found himself sandwiched between them.
"Oh, hey guys! Didn't know you'd be 'ere too!"
Abby gave him a stare that meant she knew he was up to. He let out a short, nervous laugh.
"Why are ya on a date with this little nerd?" he pointed down at the kid who looked like he was about to cry.
"I'm not a nerd!"
Wally rolled his eyes, unfazed by his little tough act. "Sure, nerd."
"Wally," Abby hissed, grabbing the back of his hood and bringing him closer to her. "What do ya think you're doing, boy!?"
He shrugged. "I'm going home with ya."
"You know that Numbuh 5's on a d-"
Wally scowled, not wanting her to repeat the disgusting word. "Yeah, yeah I know, alroight? Yer on a date with the little nerd, I got it."
"My name's Kevin!" the little kid cried, glaring at Wally as if he was gum stuck on the back of someone's shoe.
"Oh, shuddup, will ya?"
"Would ya stop being so rude?"
"What? I ain't sayin' anythin' rude. I'm just makin' sure he's not doin' anythin' he's not supposed ta. Ya know, cos we're kids."
Abby facepalmed as Kevin's face turned beet red. His jaw clenched and his brown eyes that were almost flooded with tears met with Abby's charcoal ones that held worry.
She immediately grabbed Wally's ear, pinching on the fleshy area of his earlobe. He instantly yelped and batted at her hand.
"OW, OW, OW! Abby-what are ya doin'?! That cruddy hurts!"
"That's why Numbuh 5's doin' it! Now apologise to Kevin befor-"
"It's okay, Abby." Kevin shook his head. "You don't have to do that. I'll just go now."
"What?" Her grip on Wally's ear loosened and she ignored his angry grumble and the glare that he directed at her as he rubbed his now tender and sore ears.
"No, Kevin, sparklebutt over here was just being stupid! He doesn't mean anythin' he said," she glared at him, chopping him up with just her gaze as she continued, "right, Wally?"
Wally reached up and flung his hood on as he slouched.
"Yeah, whateva. I didn't mean nothin' I said," he muttered in a robotic voice.
Kevin shook his head. "That doesn't sound very genuine." He sighed and then looked at Abby. "I'm sorry, Abby. You seem like a nice girl but this entire date, I've felt like there was something off. You didn't seem interested and you just weren't who I thought you were. I guess it's goodbye."
Without any further explanation, he walked off, leaving Abby to watch his retreating back. Since her back was turned to Wally, he couldn't see the expression on her face, but he knew it wasn't a good one.
Now, he felt like a downright butthead for doing what he had done. Wally winced as she turned around, anger emanating from her figure and aimed only at him.
"You."
"Look, I didn't mean ta sabotage yer da-"
"Sabotage? So you were planning to sabotage Numbuh 5's date this entire time?!"
He hung his head, his blonde bangs covering more of his face. It didn't help in covering the shame he felt on the inside though.
"I was only slingshotting the rocks 'cos I was bored," he said in a small voice.
"That was you? Boy, I bet it was you that gave that poor kid the wedgie too, huh?!" He winced.
Oops.
"Why, Numbuh 5's oughta-"
"I didn't mean ta, Abby! I was just..." he trailed off, not wanting to tell her the truth.
He glanced up and met Abby's gaze. Her eyes were blazing with fury as they stared into his own and he pushed down the urge to gulp in fear. She was one intimidating gal, but he knew not to take it to heart.
Except in this instance, he deserved it. He was just being dumb and he knew that, but he couldn't help it.
"Just what, Wally? You bettah speak up and tell Numbuh 5 what's goin' on, boy," she demanded, her voice barely containing the rage.
He shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked back and forth on his heels.
"No reason. I ain't sorry though. You deserve bettah than that nerdy kid."
"His name is Kevin, fool."
"No one cruddy cares," he grumbled.
"I can't believe ya! How could ya do this? Numbuh 5 thought Kevin was a good guy."
Wally's eyes slid to the side and at the girl who suddenly looked crestfallen. The anger had evidently vanished from her, the tense muscles all loose and relaxed as she stared at the ground with a frown.
He felt bad for her, but it wasn't like he wanted to comfort her. Not about Kevin, anyway. He didn't want any other disgusting boy hanging around Abby like they were her boyfriend or something!
Should I say somethin' noice or nah?
He looked down at his feet.
"Sorry, Abs," he muttered.
"Numbuh 5 knows ya not sorry, Wally."
"Yer mad at me, now aren't ya?"
"What do ya think?"
"Well, whaddya want me to do?! I already apologised to ya," he said, grumpily, a frown framing his face.
"Numbuh 5 just wanna know why you were spying and sabotaging her date!"
His lips were set in a thin line and he shrugged.
No way am I tellin' her why I was followin' her. What does she take me for, an idiot or somethin'!?
Wally scoffed.
"Fine. If you ain't gonna tell Numbuh 5, then Numbuh 5 ain't gonna talk to ya."
And she wasn't lying.
The entire way home, she refused to talk to him. Wally tried to apologise again and even begged on his knees, but she still didn't look at him. He knew that she wanted him to tell her why, but he couldn't think of a good enough excuse.
She wouldn't believe anything he would say anyway and joking about liking her would be too dangerous. He didn't want to play around with that, in case she did take it seriously.
He wasn't in the mood to be rejected when he had just figured out his feelings for her.
The hands that were in his pockets, clenched as they now walked silently to the treehouse.
Both Hoagie and Kuki appeared out of nowhere, gathering around them like hawks once they walked in.
"So, how was the date!?"
"Did you two kissy kiss?" Hoagie asked, making kissy faces at Abby who crossed her arms.
"No."
Kuki's smile disappeared. "Really?" she pouted. "What kind of lame date was that?!"
"Numbuh 5 didn't do nothin' because the date was sabotaged by a certain someone."
She didn't really need to explain further as all eyes were on the blonde boy who had hidden further in his hood at the accusing gazes.
"What're you all lookin' at me for!?" he exclaimed. "A certain someone could be someone else!"
"We all know it's you, Wally," Hoagie replied in a monotone voice.
"Whateva," the blonde boy sulked. Kuki watched him with a small frown; she was beginning to notice his strange behaviour. And she was pretty oblivious so that was saying something.
Whenever Abby was involved, Wally was extra alert. It was the way he always acted around her, even though she didn't know why he acted the way he did most of the time.
Abby sighed. "Numbuh 5's goin' to her room to take a nap."
"Bye, Numbuh 5!" Kuki exclaimed, enthusiastically.
She watched as Abby slowly retreated to her room, glancing to the side to see Wally doing the same, not taking his green eyes off of her retreating figure.
His eyes were downturned and filled with remorse and Kuki resisted the urge to sigh. When his eyes met hers, he jolted as if he hadn't expected her to be staring at him, instantly looking away from her suspicious gaze.
Kuki leaned in closer to Hoagie.
"Do you smell something fishy, Numbuh 2?"
"Fishy?" he responded. He sniffed the air before lifting up his arm and sniffing his armpit. "Maybe it's me? I took a shower in the morning, though."
Kuki scrunched up her nose in disgust. "Ew, no! I'm talking about Wally and Numbuh 5!" she yelled. She then brought up a hand and placed it on her chin, stroking it as if she was some detective. There was a strong urge to frown, but she pushed it down; she could sense there was a shift between them as things were more friendly and kind of awkward too, but she didn't know why.
Now, things were starting to become a little more clear.
"Isn't he acting weird?" she asked. "Why did he sabotage her date?"
Hoagie shrugged as if he couldn't care less.
"Maybe he's jealous or something?" he said. Realising what he had just said, he let out a huge gasp as if he had just uncovered the biggest secret in the world.
Wally stared at the two loudly chattering amongst themselves.
"Ya do know I can hear ya guys, roight?" he said, with a vacant expression. "I'm standing roight 'ere!"
"Do you like Numbuh 5?!" Hoagie randomly yelled, his voice bouncing off the walls of the treehouse. Wally's eyes widened as large as saucers and in an instant he was on top of Hoagie, covering his mouth.
"Shut yer trap, will ya?!" Wally hissed, eyes darkening in irritation.
He waited for a few seconds, making sure that no one was coming out to check what the ruckus was about. He hoped Abby didn't hear what he had said and his heart was pounding against his chest like a racehorse just at the thought.
Kuki forced a giggle out. "Waalllyyy," she sang, rocking back on forth on her heels. "Is it true?"
He found himself shaking his head furiously. Weirdly enough, he watched as her shoulders relaxed. The smile on her face was slightly wobbly but he didn't really think too much of it. He did feel slightly bad for confusing everyone and himself about his feelings, but he was glad that he found out who they were for, exactly.
Kuki had just been a little too late.
"N-No I don't like Numbuh 5!" It was tempting to come out and tell her that he still liked Kuki - even though he didn't, anymore - just to cover things up. "We're just good friends, alroight? I sabotaged her date 'cos the kid was bad news. I didn't like 'im."
Hoagie grabbed Wally's hand and removed it from his mouth. He chuckled teasingly.
"Suuuuuuuuure, just 'good friends', pfft!"
Wally glared down at the chubby boy. "I'm tellin' the truth!"
"Uh huh, and we totally believe you, right Numbuh 3?"
"Huh?" she blinked, shaking her head as if she was lost in her own world. "Oh, r-right, Numbuh 2!" she responded, her voice squeaky with what sounded like fake enthusiasm.
Wally narrowed his eyes as he glared at them both. There were a few seconds of silence after that, and when they said nothing, Wally released a breath of relief. He slid off Hoagie and stood up, going to stalk away to his room when they did the most annoying thing they could have done right then.
"Abby and Wally sitting in a tree," they both began, holding hands and swaying back and forth, "K-I-S-S-I-N-G!"
With a ferocious, warrior yell, Wally turned and jumped on the both of them causing them all to fall to the ground.
"I told ya to shuddup!"
Hoagie was laughing along with Kuki though the latter's eyes were sparkling with unshed tears. Wally, oblivious to her sad gaze aimed at him, stormed away in anger due to their teasing.
All he could think about was how, now that they knew about his crush on Abby, things could only get worse.
Great. I'm cruddy stuffed, he thought with a scowl.
