This chapter is dedicated to Elilives4ever – for all those times on Facebook sing-typing Wicked songs.
L is for Loathing
"You *whack* kissed *whack* Addison *whack* and *whack*and had *whack* 'MAGIC WITH THE BITCHES?" The last was followed by such a hard punch that Zepp went flying backwards – when Izzy got angry, she got angry.
"I bet he's regretting paying for her karate lessons now." Amy smirked.
"Hmph." Hoffman grunted non-communally, gaze fixed on the part of the trap in front of him. Amy sighed and facepalmed. Amanda was working on the other side, hidden by the mesh of metal standing in between them. It was amazing how they could work without communicating, but the tension was driving everyone insane.
"Amy, wassup?" Lawrence handed Amy a cup of chai – she hated coffee for reasons unknown – and took a gulp from his bitter black cup.
"I. Am. Going. Insane." Jill growled quietly. Lawrence and Amy glanced at each other, then herded her quickly into a corner. Away from the frigid silence, the room suddenly felt a few degrees warmer.
"Those two have got to make up," Jill hissed. "Or I'm locking them up together in the bathroom."
Lawrence sighed. "Trust me, we've tried. But they're both so bloody stubborn..."
"What Lawrence means is neither of them will admit they were wrong," Amy continued. "And while they're not talking the situation is getting worse and worse."
"Why the serious tone? I thought Lampard was fit to play again." Adam and John suddenly appeared behind them.
"Yes, I would be happy about that if those two," Amy pointed. "Weren't ruining my happy time."
"Hey, me and Izzy are cool now!"
"Not you, Zepp."
Zepp limped over to them, being supported by a guilty looking Izzy. "I may have internal bleeding." He groaned.
John looked round sharply at a metallic groaning noise. "Not as bad as Amanda's going to have..."
There was a crash as the whole contraption fell practically on top of Amanda, who'd jumped back in the nick of time.
"You jerk!" She yelled. "You did that on purpose!"
Here we go...thought everyone else in the room.
"Well, I'm sorry for the lack of communication." Hoffman said sarcastically, crossing his arms over his chest.
"You weren't exactly trying." Amanda spat at him, kneeling down to pick up the metal pieces scattered on the floor.
"Neither were you!"
"And that makes it MY – "
"STOP IT!" At John's commanding tone both of them shut up. "Honestly, what is wrong with you two?"
"Many things." Hoffman replied, not taking his eyes off Amanda.
"Mostly to do with him." Amanda glared right back.
"I don't care," John looked at both of them hard. "Just do something about this.
Silence. Then –
"What is this feeling so sudden and new?" Amanda started off.
"Oh, no." Izzy groaned.
"This sounds familiar..." Amy grinned.
"I felt the moment I laid eyes on you." Hoffman returned sharply.
"Can you believe the guy can actually sing?" Zepp whispered to Adam.
"My pulse is rushing – "
"My head is reeling – "
"My face is flushing – "
"What is this feeling?" They sang together. "Fervid as a flame, does it have a name? Yeesss..."
"Love, love, love." Lawrence pleaded under his breath.
"Loathing! Unadulterated loathing!"
"Damn!"
"For your face – "
"Your voice – "
"Your clothing."
"Let's just say I loathe it all!"
"I never really liked his face anyway." Jill shrugged.
"Ssh!" Amy hissed. "You're ruining the musical!"
"You call this a MUSICAL?"
"SHH!"
"Every little trait however small, makes my very flesh start to crawl, with simple utter loathing. There's a strange exhilaration with such total detestation, it's so pure so strong! Though I do believe it came on fast, still I do believe that it can last, and I will be loathing, loathing you my whole life long."
"God, no, not that!" Lawrence moaned.
"Aww, c'mon!" Amy complained when she'd realised they'd stopped. "That's not even the whole song!"
"I'm no Kerry Ellis!" Hoffman protested.
"Dead right, moron." Amanda laughed, linking her hand through his. "Look, I'm sorry I lied to you – I just wanted to put everything behind me."
"So did I, funnily enough."
"What have I missed?" Strahm crashed in – late, as always – and tripped over his own feet. They stared at him for a moment before going back to the matter in hand.
"So," Hoffman offered. "Call it quits?"
Amanda hugged him. "Yeah, ok."
He smiled and hugged her back. "Sorry about calling you a slut by the way."
"No problem – I was sort of back then anyway."
"Aww," Amy and Izzy chorused. "So...cute..."
"Who can say if I've been changed for the better – "
"SHUT IT, STRAHM!" Strahm screamed and ran round the room, being chased by an irate Amanda and Hoffman.
"Isn't life wonderful?" Izzy asked Amy.