King's burial was the last of Ness seen out in public, after that he stayed home for days.
Jeff and Poo would go visit Ness everyday but Ness was not getting any better.
"Paula…"He moaned. "I need to see Paula…" Ness would cry out. "Only she can heal me…"
"I guess there is nothing we can do, Professor." Poo told Jeff. "Paula is the only one who might get Ness back to his old self. Because…" He whispered into Jeff's ear. "Personally, I hate the depressed Ness more than the happy one."
Ness let out enormous sobs and blew his nose constantly. "I need…cheeseburger."
"Coming Ness." Poo groaned. "You want one?"
"I don't think so." Jeff replied. "I need to return to the lab. I have some medicine that should help Ness."
Poo stayed in Onett to go fetch a cheeseburger for Ness, while Jeff returned to his father's lab.
His father was sleeping on top of a mountain of donuts.
Jeff smiled and went up his room; he noticed a fuzzy pink teddy bear on top of his bed.
He picked it up and turned it around. "I wonder who's been lurking in my dormitory?"
He suddenly heard something moving somewhere inside his room.
When he slowly turned around, he was face to face with Paula Polestar.
"I need to talk to you." Jeff stepped in front of her as she slowly approached him. "It's about Ness, he's been in deep depression since King died. He needs you there, Paula."
Paula nodded sadly. "I know exactly what you mean… But I feel like if I show up, I'll just make Ness feel worse…" Her hands were trembling lightly as she folded and unfolded them.
Jeff stared at her, but her hair was all over her face, looking down in embarrassment. "I've been a terrible girlfriend for the past few weeks, I've finally realized. I've been so busy trying to get Pokey to have at least one good friend, that I've lost track of Ness' necessities." Paula started to gently sob and bury her face in her hands. "I try my best to help out a friend, in return…I end up forgetting another…"
The blonde girl walked to the corner of the genius' room and pressed her back against the wall. "I feel so guilty. Ness probably will never forgive me for what I've done." Her back slid down the wall and she sat on the floor with her head buried down still.
Jeff slowly approached the corner of his room, helped Paula up, and held her face with both hands.
"I've known you for six long years, now. Throughout those six years, I know the caring, compassionate, and beau…uh..." He paused for a moment, inhaling a breath. "Person that you are. You would never abandon any of your friends on purpose. That is just who you are, Paula."
Paula dried her tears and smiled at Jeff.
"Ness would have to be a mad man not to forgive you…" Jeff whispered. "And I know that…he loves you, more than the air he breathes." Through his thick horn-rimmed glasses he stares deep into her sky blue eyes. "He loves you more than the life he lives..."
Paula nodded her head and wiped one last teardrop on her cheek.
"You really think so?" Paula stared back at Jeff, as he adjusted his glasses on his face.
He bobbed his head in reply.
"I am in your debt, Jeff." She whispered.
"Oh, no…" He replied softly. "I…"
"I insist, Jeff." She touched his face lightly. "You've helped us so much throughout our lives and…one day, let me repay you back…every thing that you've done. Please, let me help you…it will make me feel better…"
"Uh...I..." He uttered before replying. "Alright."
"Oh, Jeff…Thank you!" As the blonde young woman ran toward her intelligent friend, it was as if it was all happening in slow motion. The way her dress swayed all around her, taking her forever to reach her destination. What really surprised Jeff, was that the young woman flung her arms around his neck, to result in a tight embrace. Paula grasped her friend with all her might, while Jeff stood there motionless and stiff. Paula leaned closer to the male and with her hand cupped in his ear, she softly whispered. "You're a terrific friend…" It seemed to take only an instant for Paula to release herself from Jeff, then shutting the metallic laboratory door.
Jeff stood still in the middle of the examination room.
He slowly walked up the stairs and returned to his bedroom to work on a new Bazooka. But every time he closed his eyes, he feels her hand on his cheek; he re-lives that sweet embrace.
Poor Ness, I sure hope there is a change in his attitude.
The question is, will it be a terrifyingly, drastic change in his attitude?
And what did Paula mean exactly when she said she'll "pay Jeff back?"
Find out the answers to these questions and other questions in Chapter 12, A Dirty Feeling!
Dun, Duun, DUUUN!
Thanks for reading,
Warm regards, Jetta.