A/N: HELLO THERE! I know I haven't been updating as much as I like and I apologize for the long wait. I hope this 25 page chapter is enough for now. I hope to work faster and get over this writers block so I can update a lot quicker for you guys. Thank you for being patient and I'd like to thank each and every one of you for taking the time to read and review and it means a lot to me. Thank you, gracias. I appreciate it bunches guys and it makes me happy to know that you guys really like my story. THANK YOU!
Willy's POV
I panted as Mark dragged me up ALL the way to the very top floor.
It was taking a lot out of me.
"MARK! SLOW DOWN!" I shouted toward him.
He halted and looked back at me.
"Heh, sorry Wills. I just wanna see what kinda stuff is up here." He said, looking down the long hallway.
I rolled my eyes but jumped up when I felt something rub up against my leg.
My eyes trailed down and I chuckled joyfully as I spotted Nugget, Yuki's cat. His light green eyes peered up at me with amusement and he meowed softly. "Nugget, where have you been? It's like you haven't even been here the entire trip. Now you just show up all of a sudden? Come here you silly cat." I said, picking him up and petting his black and ginger fur.
Mark rolled his eyes at me.
"What?"
"You and that cat. How can you just talk to it like it's a person?"
"Nugget isn't just some cat, Mark. He's a part of my family and should be treated like it. Isn't that right, Nuggey?"
"Meow!"
I smirked over at Mark and he just rolled his eyes.
He just didn't understand Nugget and his awesomeness.
"Willy?"
I looked over at Mark and raised an eye brow.
"What?" I asked.
"Come on. Let's go in here and see what's in there."
I shrugged and walked behind him as he approached the door and opened it gently. The two of us crept in quietly and looked around. Mark let me go pass him into the room as he shut the door behind him. Nugget's glowing orbs glanced around slowly, taking in the room. There was several beds crowding the room as well as a couch and small side tables dotting it. Mark and I exchanged a quick glance then looked back at the room filled with furniture.
Nugget wiggled frantically in my arms and mewed loudly.
I let go of him and watched as he jumped down and ran under one of the beds.
Mark and I ran after him and got down on our hands and knees, trying to see if we saw him under the bed.
All of a sudden we heard a loud piercing noise and bolted up from where we were. We scooted closer together and looked around in fright for what made the noise. Nugget popped his small head out from under the bed and crawled slowly to my feet.
I bent down and picked him up again.
"W-what was th-that?" I asked Mark.
He shrugged.
"I dunno but I'm not staying to find out!" He said, running toward the door.
My eyes widened and I ran after him.
He pulled at the door knob but it wouldn't budge.
"What's wrong?" I questioned.
He stared at the knob in disbelief and turned around to face me. "THE DOOR'S LOCKED!" He yelled, his eyes popping out in horror.
"WHAT? ! It can't be locked! We have to get out!" I screamed, handing him Nugget and pulling at the door knob. I propped my feet up on the door and pulled as hard as I could, but the door wouldn't open. "Come on you cruddy door! OPEN!" I yelled in frustration. Mark sat the cat on the ground next to him and pulled at the door with me. "It's not working!" I shouted over to him.
He looked at me with worry and starting banging on the wooden door.
I copied his moves and we shouted trying to get someone to get us out.
"I don't think anyone can hear us. Nice goin' Mark. You dragged me up here, now we're stuck in some room with-" My words were erupted by another noise, but this time it was louder. Both me and Mark covered our ears and froze. After a few silent seconds, Mark let his hands fall to his sides and he walked over to where we heard the noise come from. I picked up Nugget and stared after him, still frozen to my spot. He moved a few chairs out of the way and moved his head around, looking.
Suddenly we heard a playful laugh and someone ambushed Mark.
The two rolled on the ground then halted.
Mark laid on his back on the hard floor as a skinny girl had him pinned down gently.
I stared at him then smirked.
He glared up at the blonde, who had a face dotted with light freckles and a weird looking outfit on. She had rainbow leg warmers on that reached up to her knees, a dress that was covered in colorful dots and lines. She grinned down at Mark and giggled. I laughed at him and he just kept looking at her in surprise. Her smile never wavered. She just sat there on him, her hands pinning his wrists down playfully as she looked at him with a cute little smile and her hair up in a pony tail.
"Who the heck are you?"
The girl's smile expanded as she heard Mark ask her the question.
"Hi! I'm Carol!" She chimed loudly. Mark shrank down deeper into the floor at her tone.
"Well, Carol, do you mind GETTING THE HECK OFF OF ME? !"
She didn't seemed affected by his yelling like I did. I backed up a bit at his shout and just watched as she giggled at him and jumped up. She grabbed his hands and before he had a chance to react she pulled him up as quick as lightning. Her smiled widened as she spotted the cat in my hands. She ran over to him and scooped him up in her own arms.
"Awww! I love kitties!" She petted Nugget gently and he began purring softly.
Mark looked at her in disgust and dusted his self off.
"Where in the world did you come from?" I questioned Carol.
"The closet." She replied commonly.
"The closet? Why were you in the closet?" I asked.
She handed me back Nugget and rocked back and forth on her heels.
"I snuck into the house and hid in there."
Both me and Mark froze and stared at her.
Her smile drooped a little and she gave an awkward one instead.
"Uh, you snuck into somebody's house? Why?" Mark asked.
"Well, my daddy knows the lady who owns the house. Her name's Starr and I'm friends with her kids. I was feeling lonely so three days ago I walked over here, climbed up the tree and crawled in the window."
"Three days ago? So you're telling me you've been here for three days?" Mark asked in astonishment. She grinned showing us two missing front teeth and nodded happily. "Did your parents not come and look for you?"
She shook her head.
I got to admit looking at how weird and strange this girl was, I was a bit amazed at first, but she seemed alright. In her own way of course.
"My daddy knows I like to get out and explore so he lets me roam free. I'm like a cat in the wilderness." She got in a cat pose and grinned happily. "I'm like a bird in the trees." Her arms flapped up and down signaling she was pretending to be a bird." I'm-"
"Alright. We get it. Sheesh. So if you've been here for three days how come Starr doesn't know?" Mark asked her, crossing his arms over his chest.
"I'm a good hider." She said innocently.
"Um, Carol? Does your parents worry about you when you just run off and don't return for days?" I asked.
"Sometimes, but usually they know I come over here or to Barry's."
"Barry? Who's Barry?"
"Is your name Mark?" She asked changing the topic randomly.
Mark looked at her strangely and nodded.
"Yeah. How do you know that?"
"I've been listening to you guys. You boys can jump high! I made lots of noises and you shot up like a flying fish!" She laughed in a giggle and the two of us blushed over in embarrassment. This girl was starting to weird me out. "I heard you two talking and he," she announced, pointing to me, "said your name."
"You can just call me Willy."
"Oh okay! Hi Willy! Hi Mark! Wanna be friends?" She asked eagerly.
Me and Mark exchanged a glance and looked back at her weirdly.
She was smiling at us so big that I thought her face might explode.
Her eyes, a light sky blue, shined deeply with amusement.
I gave her a half smile and shrugged.
"You seem… nice, but I'm not sure at this moment. Can I give you my answer later?" I said to her. She nodded with a grin and I was a bit taken aback by her actions. Most people would have been sad, but she seemed the total opposite, which was very odd.
She turned to Mark and gave him wide blue eyes.
I nudged him and he glared at me a second before looking back to Carol.
"Uh, no." He simply said.
She loosened her smile and started to tear up then she burst into uncontrollable cries.
I walked up closer to her and put my hand on her shoulder.
"You okay, Carol?" I asked.
"N-no. He s-said no!" She cried, plopping down on the wooden floor, rubbing her wet eyes.
Mark just rolled his eyes and put his hands on his hips.
"And why would you be sad about that? I barely know you! I just met yah for Pete's sake!" He said throwing his hands up in the air.
She looked up with watery orbs and sniffled.
"Because I want you to be my friend."
I gave her a concern expression and glared over at Mark.
He returned the glare and shook his head.
I looked back to Carol and tapped her shoulder.
"I change my mind. I'll be your friend. Maybe you can tell me more about Georgia and your family. And maybe tell me who Barry is." She smiled and jumped up, wiping her tears away like nothing ever happened.
"YAY! I have another friend!" She cheered, grasping me in a friendly death hug.
Mark snickered, making me turn red.
"Alright, alright. Enough with the hugging."
"Okay! Wanna know who Barry is now?" She asked cheerfully.
I shrugged.
"Uh, sure."
"He's my bestie best friend in the whole wide world and he's the most awesomest person I know!" She jumped up and down with every word. Me and Mark stared at her for what seemed like the billionth time in just those few minutes. "My daddy is best friends with Barry's dad. His dad's name is Chaz and my daddy's name is Benny. They're so much like me and Barry. Well, I guess we're like them since we're their kids and it would make better sense, BUT either way is fine with me!"
I smiled sheepishly.
"Um, okay." I said.
"HEY!"
I jumped in surprise as she got up in my face and shouted.
"Uh, what?"
"Nothing. I just wanted to say hey."
"You're weird." Mark suddenly spoke. She stared at him them giggled. He cocked his eye brow at her and crossed his arms.
"I get that a lot. Isn't being weird great? ! My daddy said it's the best thing to be along with being happy because you can act silly and have people pay attention to you! Wanna be weird with me Marky?" Mark glared at her as she gave him some nickname out of the blue.
"My name is MARK, not MARKY!"
"Okay! So wanna be weird with me?" She questioned him like nothing had taken place.
He was taken aback and blinked at her several times in shock.
"Uh…"
"I will. It sounds fun. You seem so cheerful all the time, so I hope it works for me." I said to her in a cheerful tone.
Carol nodded happily while grinning and looked back to Mark.
"So?" She prompted.
"No. It sounds stupid."
"What's stupid is your love of monsters." I whispered half to myself.
Mark heard it and smacked me on the shoulder.
"Hey!" I screamed at him.
He stuck out his tongue and I glared at him coldly.
"You love monsters?"
"Uh, yeah." Mark said with a red face.
Carol shouted with joy and hugged him, but he shoved her away and dusted himself off in disgust. "UGH! Girl germs."
"I LOVE MONSTERS TOO! I like vampires, werewolves, The Moth Man, Nessie, Champ, the killer fish, giant snakes, ALL OF THEM!"
"W-what? A girl who likes monsters? You're lying."
"No I'm not silly! I absolutely adore monsters! I wanna be one when I grow up!"
"You can't be a monster when you grow up."
"You can if you do an experiment to turn you into one." Carol responded to Mark with a playful tone and a giggle. He grinned widely and hugged her tightly.
"NICE TO MEET YOU FRIEND!"
I smirked at him and he let her go with a blush.
"Sorry."
"No worries! Hug me anytime you want! I love to hug!" She sang, strutting past us, turning the door knob, opening the door. Both mine and Mark's jaws dropped, hitting the floor. She had just waltz on over there and opened the door when we couldn't! That just made my face turn scarlet. "I heard you say you wanted out right?" She asked turning back to us.
We nodded slowly.
"Well come on you silly gooses!" She chimed.
I took Nugget and Mark and I followed her out of the room.
"It's not good for you two to stay up here." Carol told us as she shut the room's door.
"Why?" Mark questioned.
"Because I'm up here." She said like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"What?"
"Because Marky I can be a little strange..." She said leaning close into his face with a smile, twisting her left foot around like a little lost three year old.
He backed up a bit and smirked.
"Oh, really?"
"Yes."
"And how so?"
At that moment we heard someone approach us with their arms crossed and a weirded out look on their face.
"You don't wanna know."
Carol turned around and grinned hugely at the ebony haired boy.
"Joshy! What're you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same thing, Carol. What the heck are you doing in our house… again?" He added a bit annoyed.
She shrugged slightly.
"I just wanted to come over. I've been here for three days."
"I hope you brought food and your toothbrush."
"YEP! I packed me some food and my toothybrush."
Mark stared at her a moment.
"Toothybrush?"
Joshua smirked quickly to himself then let it fade from his face.
"You have no idea about Carol do you? She's... different..."
Mark, with big round eyes, looked over at the cheery looking Carol.
She was rocking back and forth on her heels again, humming some unknown tune.
Joshua put his arm around her shoulders and grinned a bit, trying not to make it noticable.
"Tell me Care-Care, why do you always come to my house instead of staying at your own?"
"Dunno. I like your house better!" She said with her hands up in the air.
"Care- Care?" Mark interrupted with a confused expression.
Both Joshua and Carol faced him and Carol giggled to herself.
"Care- Care is a nickname I gave Carol when we were littler. I call her that sometimes and sometimes people call her best friend Barry, Bear- Bear or something like that."
"It's funny how if you take the first part of mine and Barry's nicknames it's Care Bear." Carol chimed softly. I smiled and laughed to myself at that. These people were so crazy here in Georgia. "HEY!" I froze and looked at Joshua. " I heard that." I gave him a dumbfounded face.
"Uh, heard what?"
"What you said."
"Well, what did I say?"
"You said what you said."
"But, what did I say?"
He rolled his eyes.
"You know."
"No I don't. What did I say?"
"That thing."
"What thing?"
"You said something."
"No I didn't."
"Yeah you did."
"Fine. What did I say?"
"I dunno. I didn't hear you say anything."
He smirked to himself in triumph. Carol joined in with a bit of giggles and laughter. Joshua glanced at her and smiled a bit to himself. Mark and I just stared at them in a daze. What the heck was all that about? I thought I had accidentally said that people in Georgia were crazy. That would have caused a big mess that would be difficult for me to fix.
Mark shook his head and looked at them.
"What was that all about, Joshua?"
Joshua stopped smiling and looked at him.
"Nothing. Just bored is all, so I decided to have a little fun."
"You're not usually this happy Joshy." Carol concluded, adding, "Ooh! Did you eat a chocolate bar? Sometimes when you have one you act more happy and playful!"
He nodded towards her, getting a little chuckle from her.
"Is your brother and sister like that too with chocolate...?" I asked him.
He shrugged.
"I dunno..."
Then I tried to think of something else to conversate about. I then thought of his parents, Allen and Starr. We haven't really seen much of their relationship together so I didn't have much to follow up on them so I asked, "Were your mom and dad like best friends or something when they were younger?"
He shook his head.
"No. My dad moved into my mom's neighborhood when he was like ten or something and they HATED each other. She was so fed up with him bothering her she would hunt him down and try and beat him up. It was when she was in the K- uh. Never mind..." He paused and shook his head. My eyes stared at him for a second before I put it together. I was smarter than my parents were when they were my age now, but they were definitely more intelligent now than they ever were back then. So I figured it out pretty quickly.
Joshua, Carol and Joshua's brother and sister were still all old enough to be operatives, so that would mean they could be in the Kids Next Door.
He said his mother was in the K then stopped himself like it was some top secret thing he wasn't allowed to say.
That's when it hit me.
Joshua's mother was in the Kids Next Door… and he knew she was!
That could only mean that she told him or he found out some how.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Back it up there. Were you about to say Kids Next Door?" I questioned him.
He looked down at the floor, then looked up again with a determined expression.
"Yeah. I have nothing to hide and neither does my mom. She told us. She doesn't like to keep things like that from us." Carol nodded in agreement.
Mark's jaw fell down again, but he just shook his head and stared at him.
"So, your mom was in the KND? Could that mean our parents were in the KND too?" He said, turning toward me.
I shrugged.
"Well, they did change some rules over the years and it could be possible that they were. I'm pretty sure they were all in it together and when they turned thirteen, they left peacefully with their memories just like most operatives nowadays." I explained to him. He nodded and turned back to Carol and Joshua.
Joshua was whispering to Carol and she grinned.
I looked over at Mark to see his face kind of turn red and his eyes burn with anger.
I followed his gaze and saw that he was staring at Carol.
He must've felt a connection with her that's why he looks so jealous. It made me snicker on the inside to see one of my best friends, who swears he doesn't like silly girls, look so envious over a girl who was strange and odd and one that he just met not that long ago. I smirked a bit to myself at that and smoothed out Nugget's ebony and golden fur. He purred softly which vibrated my arms as I held him close to my chest.
Joshua looked at Carol as he finished whispering to her.
"So?" He said, removing his hand from her shoulders.
She gave a little giggle snort and nodded.
"You're right. That was funny!"
"What was?" Mark asked, his face losing its red flavor now.
"Nothing." Joshua said.
Mark raised his brow and crossed his arms.
"Why won't you tell me?"
Joshua rolled his eyes and said something that made Mark seize.
"Not everything is your business." Then he left with his hands in his jacket's pockets and his hair falling into his dark eyes. Carol smiled after him and turned to face us again.
Mark let his hands turn into fists at his sides and glared after the jet black haired boy.
Carol put her hand gently on his shoulder and shook her head.
"He gets it from his mom. That's what my mommy told me." She simply said.
He looked up at her then calmed down.
"His mom acts like this?" I asked her.
She nodded.
"She's not like most moms. Each mom is unique, for example my momma speaks excellent Spanish and English. But the proper English. You know from England because that's where she's from but she's mixed with Spanish and English. But Joshy's mom acts more like an older sister to him, Avery, and E.T."
Wait. I thought Allen and Starr's kids were named Joshua, Eden, and Dawson. Where did Avery and E.T. come from? I can get Joshy, but what's with the other two?
"Uh, Carol? Who's Avery and E.T.?"
"Dawson and Eden. I call Dawson Avery sometimes because that's his middle name and pretty much everyone calls Eden E.T. because of the E in Eden and her talking a lot sometimes which is where the T comes from." I nodded in understanding.
The three, well four counting Nugget, just stood there in silence.
The silence crept on and it kind of became awkward.
"You seem bored. Why don't you guys go play with all the other kids here?" She said.
"How did- Oh never mind. I remember you said you've been here for three days. Shouldn't you be getting back home though?" Mark said to her.
She seemed like she didn't really want to but she sighed and nodded in defeat.
"I guess you're right, Marky. Wanna take me home? !" She asked in excitement.
Mark blushed a bit but shrugged.
"I would, but I don't know where you live."
"Oh yeah." She said in a daze, drifting her blue eyes to the other side in an awkward position. She shrugged and smiled really big at the two of us. "Oh well. I can walk by myself." She said, turning around and stalking off down the hallway to the staircase. Mark ran after her. I followed him a little more slowly with the small cat in my arms.
Mark halted and stopped Carol before she proceeded down the steps.
"Wait, Carol. You can't go by yourself."
"I came over here by myself. What's the difference?" She asked him.
He looked at her with a nonblinking face.
I would be the first to admit that Mark could be more stupid than I was sometimes.
Even I caught that she explored everywhere on her own. It was like he was too busy thinking about her than actually listening to her instead.
"Oh, oh yeah. I… forgot." He spoke.
She giggled.
"No worries, Marky. I do that sometimes too!" She said as she skipped down the stairs, passing the third and second floor and all the way to the bottom with me and Mark right behind her. She abruptly stopped at the large front door and pulled the knob. As she opened it, Allen bumped into her. He apologized but then noticed who she was. He put his hands on his hips and glared at her. "Hi Mr. Allen!" She chimed cheerfully.
She seemed more cheerful than my sister, Yuki. Which wasn't necessarily a bad thing, but sorta creepy because Yuki was very hyper. And Carol topped her with that category. It was like nothing could make her mad or bring her down. Except of course Mark not wanting to be her friend, but he pretty much was now.
How did that happen within those short moments?
"Carol, did you sneak over here again? Does Benny and Chasity know you came over here again?"
"Sorta."
"Sorta? How many days have you been here already?"
"Three."
He rolled his eyes like she did it everyday, and I may be right but it seemed like she did it often.
"Come on Carol. I'm taking you home and this time you BETTER stay there. I'm pretty sure your mother is starting to worry because she hasn't seen you in three days. I'm still confused on how you sneak out and them not notice."
"Well, I leave a note in my room sometimes and most of the time they know I come over here." She said as he led her out of the large house and out to the cars to take her home. I watched as the two left us. Carol was nice, I had to admit. Wow. I've been admitting a lot today. Anyway, she was pretty with her blonde hair a nice light color. I could tell she was very odd and that she had a very unique sense of style. Her clothes didn't match all too well, but how she put them together made her very special in her own way. It was like a signature just like my red cap that sat upon my golden bowl cut hair was mine.
Parker's POV
"I hope she's alright."
My feet wouldn't stop. They paced and paced along the end of my bed. I was so worried about Yuki. She rarely visited the hospital and I wasn't too sure what had happened. All I remember is Mark had stopped jumping and that's when everyone gathered around her after she had sat on the ground crying. It pained me to see those watery tears roll down her face. I had no idea what was going on but at least Wally took her to the hospital.
I'm sure she'll be fine when she gets back.
But what if they don't make it in time?
What if something happens to her?
What if-
"PARKER!"
I turned around to see Edna.
Her blonde hair was strewn behind her back in a pony tail. She walked in wearing a red tee shirt that had an orange tank top over it so only the red sleeves would be shown. She was also wearing a pair of blue jeans that were ruffled up a bit at her knee.
She shook her head a bit trying to get her bangs out of her eyes and held her hat as she did so.
"What? Is something wrong?" I said to her as she walked closer.
She shook her head.
"No."
I gave her a confused look.
"Well, then what is it?"
"You need to stop worrying. Wally and Starr have her and Kuki called Wally and told her that Yuki was probably just allergic to some ant that Mark discovered on her jump rope right before the scene happened."
Mark… thought she was allergic to an ant?
Why would my older brother even help her? He doesn't even like girls!
Edna must have noticed my confusion because she put her hand on my shoulder and smiled warmly.
"Come on, Parker. She'll be fine. I'm sure of it."
I looked up into her dark brown orbs. They were full of happiness and care, but also concern for me.
Edna was Freddy's best friend, but she was a friend to me too.
She had always been there for the two of us and also others that she was very friendly with.
A small grin formed upon my face and I looked up more.
"Thanks, Eddie. All I need right now is a friend and you always come through don't you?"
"That's what I'm here for. Now speaking of friends, let's go find your brother and see if he wants to go play outside." I nodded and followed her out of the room to find Freddy.
As we walked down the hallway I saw my dad. He was talking to Edna and Shirley's mother, Rachel. The two parents of ours smiled down at us. "Where are you two going?" Rachel questioned. Edna shrugged.
"We're going to go find Freddy."
Rachel nodded.
"Okay. You guys have fun and don't get into trouble!" She called after us as we ran down the hallway. I was already in front of Edna. She smirked over at me and I chuckled. She knew I was faster than a lot of people and it kind of got on her nerves since she was fast too, but knew that I was just a tad faster in speed than her.
"Show off." She joked.
I laughed but was easily knocked to the hard floor.
Edna halted and helped me up.
The two of us turned our heads to see Willy and Mark. Mark was being pulled up by the blonde Aussie.
He glared over at me.
"Watch where you're going Parker!"
Edna narrowed her eyes at him.
"You should watch where you're going!" She shot back.
Mark was surprised at the tone of her voice. I was too. I guess she really did get over him.
"Why? He was running and should have been looking where he was going."
Edna rolled her eyes.
"Well, you just popped out of no where. You should give warning when you do that."
"Nuh uh."
"Yeah huh."
"Nuh uh!"
"Yeah huh!"
"NUH UH!"
"YEAH HUH!"
"GUYS! What is the big deal anyway?"
Willy pushed Mark back before he got up in Edna's face. Edna was steamed. I stared at her in shock and pulled her back a bit. "Yeah? It was just an accident. It's fine." I told them. The two looked away from each other. Willy rolled his eyes and I nodded. I guess we were on the same page then. "Come on, Eddie. Let's go find Freddy now." She agreed and stalked off down the hall. I waved toward my brother and his friend and made my way next to Edna. "What was that all about?" I asked.
She crossed her arms and shook her head.
"Edna?"
"I don't wanna talk about it right now."
"Edna?" I prompted.
She sighed.
"Fine. I know you said I should get over him, and I am, honest. But I can see now why a lot of people are afraid or annoyed with him most of the time."
"What do you mean?"
"He's rude, even to you. I hate to imagine what he does to Freddy." She looked down.
I watched her face.
It was full of worry and dislike. It was hard to see her so worked up on something that didn't even really concern her. I know she was shocked to finally see the boy she had a crush on, that she was just starting to get over in this kind of light. But she had to understand that was who he was and had to get over it.
"Eddie," I sighed, "Mark, he's, well he's not as nice as me or Freddy. He has our parents, as I like to call them, issue genes. That scene that just happened was between me and him, not you and him. I know you only did it to get some confusion off your chest or some anger you didn't know you had, but please don't be so worked up on something that stupid."
She nodded not even glancing up at me.
I could tell this wasn't going to be an easy thing to overcome.
"Hey, Parker, Edna."
I looked in front of me to see Carter. He had one of his dad's old game systems in his hand. He grinned over at Edna then me.
"Hey, Carter. Have you seen my brother?"
He nodded.
"Freddy, right?"
"Yep."
"He just went to go find PJ. He said he had a movie that he wanted to watch with him."
"Oh okay. Do you know where he went though?"
"Probably over in my cousins' bedroom down that way." He pointed his finger down the hall. I thanked him and led Edna toward the room. She sulked without a word and brought the brim of her hat down in front of her chocolate eyes.
"Edna stop being so sour." I told her grimly.
"Fine." She moaned and grinned a bit at the sight of her two best friends.
The two had a bowl of popcorn and some orange juice out as a snack. The movie was playing on the television as they sat up on the bed with the lights off to give it that movie theater atmosphere. I smiled and sat down next to PJ so Edna could take a seat next to Freddy.
"What're you doing here?" Freddy asked us.
I shrugged.
"We were gonna ask if you wanted to go outside but we can watch a movie. What're you watching anyways?" I asked him.
"Oh, um, one of dad's old movies."
"Which one?" Edna finally spoke up in a cheerful voice.
"We're watching Pocahontas okay?" PJ said, rolling his eyes as Freddy stalled. Edna smiled.
"So, you're watching a Disney movie?" Edna giggled.
Freddy blushed and sank a bit in his spot. "Yeah."
"That's fine. Don't be embarrassed. We're all kids here right?" He nodded and grinned a bit. I smirked and turned to see the previews go off and the film finally starting. PJ didn't seem too interested in the classic. Pocahontas wasn't really his favorite animated movie but he'd do anything just to make his friends happy. And that's exactly why he was watching it. To make Freddy happy. "I like this song." Edna said listening to the first song that was coming out of the speakers.
"Hega hega yam-pi-ye-hega. Yam-pi-ye-he-he-he hega. Hega hega yam-pi-ye-hega. Yam-pi-ye-he-he-he hega. Steady as the beating drum. Singing to the cedar flute. Seasons Go and seasons come. Bring the corn and bear the fruit. By the waters sweet and clean. Where the mighty sturgeon lives. Plant the squash and reap the bean. All the earth our mother gives. Oh Great Spirit, hear our song. Help us keep the ancient ways. Keep the sacred fire strong. Walk in balance all our days. Seasons go and seasons come. Steady as the beating drum. Plum to seed to bud to plum. Hega hega yam-pi-ye hega. Steady as the beating drum. Hega hega yam-pi-ye-hega. Yam-pi-ye-he-he-he hega. Hega hega yam-pi-ye-hega. Yam-pi-ye-he-he-he hega."
She swayed along to the beat.
Freddy stared at her with admiration.
PJ and I smiled at them then at one another. I knew it would take awhile for them to actually see each other as not "just friends". Edna was oblivious and Freddy was too shy. It would definitely take some time.
...Finally after the movie was over we picked up our trash and made the room presentable again.
Edna had fallen asleep and PJ was yawning loudly.
I looked over at the clock.
7:34 P.M.
Nice.
Freddy stretched and slid off the bed. I jumped up onto the floor and looked back at the sleeping friend of mine. I shook her and she stirred. Freddy grinned a bit, but it disappeared when he noticed PJ's smirk. I shook her again until she blinked open her eyes. She stared up at the three of us and sat up quickly, stretching he arms and brushing back her golden locks with her fingers. Her hat had slipped off during the movie and was now laying on the carpeted floor. PJ picked it up and set it on top of her head. She thanked him and the four of us walked out of the bedroom, PJ closing the door behind us.
No one said a word as we strutted down the quiet hallway.
Freddy was looking down, PJ had his hands in his pockets, Edna was just casually walking, and I was swinging my arms at my sides as I walked.
"So," Freddy said breaking the silence, "Should we go outside now?"
I shrugged.
"Maybe. Do you think Snow is back yet?" I asked spontaneously.
"I didn't hear anything. Actually I haven't heard much since she went to the hospital. Where is everyone anyway?" PJ questioned, glancing up.
He was right. It seemed like right after Yuki had left with Starr and Wally everyone was dead quiet. Too quiet even. Either everyone was outside and we couldn't hear them, or they were all just being silent to get some relaxing done.
"I dunno. Maybe we should go outside and-"
"Oh thank God! There y'all are!"
The four of us were startled when Abby came running up to us. She looked relieved to find all four of us. We all gave her a questionable look but she seemed unfazed by it. "What're you talking about mama?" PJ asked her.
"We, as in pretty much everyone, has been looking for y'all four. We didn't know where y'all had gone to."
"But we were in our room. Where is everybody?" PJ asked.
"Everyone came inside and is now down in the living room. There's a storm coming so we thought we'd get everyone in and situated. And let me ask this: You four have been in our bedroom this whole time while everyone was goin' crazy tryin' to find y'all?" She put her hands on her hips and looked at us squarely. We all nodded in unison and she chuckled. "It's fine. At least we know you guys ain't outside. Now come on down and sit with all of us."
She led us down the long steps and into a large room.
Everyone was laid out in different areas and spots.
I spotted Kuki and Willy, but not Wally or Yuki. My face drooped a bit. Edna nudged me and shook her head. I rolled my eyes and nodded. "I get it." She grinned in satisfaction and went to talk to her brother. Speaking of brother, where is Mark? I glanced around and finally spotted him talking with dad. I grabbed Freddy's wrist and walked us toward them. PJ followed his mom so they could go sit with their family.
"Hey, boys. Where were you two?"
"We were up in PJ's bedroom watching a movie. There was no need to worry, mom."
She laughed and sat us down next to her on a couch.
"I didn't. I know you two couldn't have gone far and I know you're smart enough to come in if it was about to rain. But if you weren't smart enough-"
"Fanny, don't."
"But Patton. I gotta say it. I haven't said it in so long."
My dad rolled his eyes and nodded. "Fine. Don't take this personally boys."
My mother cleared her throat and began again.
"But if you weren't smart enough you'd be a bunch of stupid boys."
Me, Freddy and Mark stared at her for a second.
"What?" We said in unison.
Her and dad chuckled.
"Your mother use to always call every single boy stupid when we were growing up. It's just like PJ's mom, Abby, talking in third person often. That was her saying." I smiled. My parents could be so immature and wacky sometimes, but they were funny that way. I'm glad they were my mom and dad.
I scooted closer toward my mom and Freddy sat on the other side of her while Mark sat next to our dad.
We talked awhile about nothing really, until the front door came swinging open.
Starr was damp and Wally had Yuki in his arms carrying her in. They had draped a coat over her to shield her from getting wet. I jumped up and tried to go over there but my mom had me and pulled me back. I looked at her and she shook her head at me. I sighed lowly.
"Yuki!"
Wally walked over toward his wife as she shouted her daughter's name and set Yuki on the couch next to her. He pulled the coat off and sat down next to her and Willy. "Are you alright Yuki?" Her mother asked, combing down her ebony locks. Yuki nodded. "So what did the doctor say?" She said turning toward Wally.
"Whoever told you she was allergic to that ant was right. She was allergic but the worst that could have happen was that her foot could have swollen larger and become numb for a few days, but nothing too extreme. I'm just glad they fixed her so we could come home before that storm got any worse. It's terrible out there!"
I turned my head toward the window and stared out.
Rain poured down on the dry earth and thunder rumbled above us. Off in the far distance a streak of lightning flashed openly. Everyone seemed to have been listening in content and looking out at the dark storm. My gaze removed itself from the rain and I turned to see what time it was. 8:13 P.M. We would have to go to bed soon, but knowing it to be summer and this a vacation we would have time to sleep in and just enjoy ourselves.
"Hey! Since everyone is here why don't we have the final game?"
"Are you kidding me Trev? Now?" My dad said to the cocky man.
Trevor nodded.
"Sure. Why not? I can think of something to do while we're all in here. How about it guys?" He moved his gaze to different people and they shrugged agreeing with him. "Great! I know the perfect thing to do." He smirked and peered over at his younger sister. She wasn't really paying too much attention but by the look on his face I'm sure she wouldn't really like the thing he came up with.
Sarah's POV
I watched as the six last remaining people stood and waited for Trevor to continue.
He rubbed his hands together as he smirked over at our hostess. It kind of looked freaky to me, but my daddy had told me they were brother and sister so it was normal if he had a trick up his sleeve. And I'm pretty sure he did.
He walked over to her and whispered, "I hope you can sing well."
Right then and there she froze, her face ran pale and she glared at him with spite. "No. I forfeit. I'm not singing and you can't make me." I peered over at my mother and she chuckled at Starr.
"Come on, baby. It's just for fun."
Starr still refused.
"But it's just yo friends. You can sing in front of us."
"Uh uh, Abs. I'm not doing it. I don't sing in front of a bunch of people."
My mother bit her lip in thought, then yanked Trevor closer to her so she could whisper something in his ear. He nodded and called up Allen. "Do you still have that video tape we took that one Christmas? Abby just asked me if we had any like it and I just remembered this one." Allen smirked and nodded. Starr glared hard at him and she shook her head.
"Don't. You. Dare." She hissed.
He only walked away from her toward the door then made a mad dash for it.
Starr ran after him and some of us erupted into giggles and laughs at the couple.
"What is her problem?" I heard Mark ask.
I rolled my eyes.
"For you to be calling girls stupid all the time, you're pretty stupid yourself."
He stuck out his tongue and I copied the movement, getting a quick glare and nudge from my father. I turned to him and pointed at Mark. "But he started it!" He looked over at the lighter haired boy and saw that his mother was already getting on to him.
"It's under control Sarah. Leave it be." He said, looking at my mom. "I wonder what Allen went to get?"
"They said some video tape right?"
"Yeah, but what's on that-"
-CRASH!-
Everyone looked over towards the door. No one was there but the large noise had come from beyond the door frame. My dad got up along with Patton and the two peeked their heads out of the door way.
-CRASH!-
"What's going on?" My mother asked as she crept closer toward them.
"Uh, Starr's um, how do I put this?"
My mother rolled her eyes at my dad.
"She's trying to get that tape ain't she?"
"That would be a-" -CRASH!- "yes."
Joshua shook his head and smirked. He stood up and walked out into the hallway. Eden and Dawson followed close behind, but he ordered them to stay back by the door. Joshua ran down the hall quickly and then disappeared from out of our view.
"What's on that tape anyway, Trev?"
Patton turned toward Trevor who was wearing some normal clothes by now.
"Um, if I told you then I'd be just as dead as Allen."
I rubbed my head. Why would he be dead? Does that mean he's scared of his younger sister? I tapped PJ on the shoulder and he looked at me tilting his hat up a bit to see me more. "Why would he be dead?" I questioned.
He shrugged.
"Mama's always telling me about her. What PJ understands, Starr don't take nothin' and most definitely not from her husband. I'm guessing her brother over there knows better not to mess with her too much."
I nodded, half comprehending what he told me.
"ALLEN! GIVE ME THAT TAPE!"
"Ooh, boy! Is he in for it now!" Patton cheered, clapping his hands together excitingly. Fanny growled over at him and he rolled his eyes. "Calm down." She glared over at him as soon as he moved away from the door. Joshua came running back in.
He held his chest and breathed a few big breaths.
"What happened?" Dawson asked him.
Joshua glared up at him. "You tell me when you try dodging things and trying to run back into here." Dawson frowned and sighed.
"Where's dad and mo-"
"AHHHG!"
"OOF!"
All attention turned to the front of the door. Out in front of it were Allen and Starr. Starr had jumped on Allen's back and had him pinned down as he held up the video tape in his large hand. All our parents stared for a moment then smirked or smiled or just plain kept staring. It was a comical sight to see two grown adults fighting like a bunch of children. "How come we can't do that?" Mark asked his mother as he turned away from the scene.
"Because you could hurt someone." She prompted.
"But they're doing it. That's not fair!"
"Life's not fair and it never will be fair."
Mark sneered to himself and I turned my gaze away from him and snapped it back over at our host and hostess.
My daddy was trying to pry Starr off of Allen, but to my surprise she was stronger than him.
"Come on Starr! Get off of him! You're setting a bad example!"
Starr pushed back and knocked my daddy onto the tiled floor. Most of the boys in the room had there mouths hitting the ground, staring wide eyed at her. Especially Mark. His chin had hit the floor first and seemed to droop down the longest. I giggled to myself and PJ nudged me, chuckling too. He pointed over towards them and I gawked over the scene, mesmerized by it.
Starr snatched the video tape from Allen's grasp and jumped up. She kissed the object in victory and strutted down the hall. Allen growled to himself and got up slowly, dusting himself off as a big blush overtook his features. Patton clapped his hands loudly and walked up closer to him, putting one arm around his shoulders.
"Way to go, buddy! You sure showed her!" He laughed and Allen rolled his eyes. Most of the time I always wonder if our dads are just like big kids. They sure do act like it a lot and they have more fun while our mothers are taking care of us. Patton showed Allen back to his original seat next to Rachel and Nigel. Nigel patted his back and smiled. Allen ignored him and went red faced when Dawson, Eden and Joshua walked up, knowing smirks plastered on each of their faces.
"Dad?" Joshua began.
Allen turned to him. "Yes?"
"Why again?" Dawson continued.
"I don't know." Allen sighed to his three children.
Joshua rotated his dark orbs and walked away. "Whatever. It's up to you and mom." Allen sank down more into the couch and mumbled something under his breath. Eden smiled happily and sat in his lap. He looked over at her and grinned a small grin. Dawson walked away to let them talk and walked over toward me. He waved as he sat down in the empty seat at my side.
"Hey, Sarah. Whatcha doin'?"
I shrugged.
"Not much really. Enjoying the show I guess."
He laughed lowly and nodded. I stared at him in surprise. He caught that and gave me a confused expression. "Why do you look so shocked or something?" He asked.
"I'm not use to getting other kids to laugh if I'm trying to. You're pretty much the first one to laugh at my jokes and actually look like it was funny."
"But that was funny. Not everything I say is funny. It's okay. If you like telling jokes then by all means tell them!" His eyes sparkles a deep topaz color as he talked and smiled at me. It felt good to have someone there to laugh along with me instead of at me. I grinned hugely at him.
"Thanks Dawson."
He returned the smile.
"Anything for a friend."
"A friend?"
He nodded.
"Yep. You're my friend. Probably the first one from a different state too." He chuckled softly and I laughed. Out of the corner of my eyes I could see a low glare coming from across the room. I turned my head to see Shirley's eyes go wide and him turn his head away from me. Dawson followed my gaze and smirked. "That your friend?" He asked me. I shrugged. I never really thought about it. Shirley hung out with his sector and his friends around the neighborhood but he never really looked interested in what they were doing unless they were on a mission. We've talked before but he never seemed to get me like Dawson or PJ did.
"I… don't really know...?"
"Oh, I get it."
I looked up at him.
"What do you mean?"
"Not really a friend, just someone you know and hang with sometimes right?"
"Isn't that what a friend is?"
"I said sometimes. You hang out with friends everyday just about. Well, I do." He added.
"Hmmm… I guess…" I said.
"Don't think about it too much." He told me with a pat on the back. I blushed but he didn't seem to notice. But I knew Shirley did because his glare hardened. I turned to my other side to see PJ talking to mama. So, only Shirley had noticed. Well, that, I think, is not such a good thing I suppose.
I gulped a bit and smiled shyly up at Dawson.
"Uh, yeah. I-I guess I shouldn't."
He nodded and got up, starting to walk off toward his brother. He waved and said, "Talk to you later, Sarah." I waved slowly at him and felt a tap on my shoulder. My mother was holding a soft gaze on me and a low smirk on her lips. I gave her a, 'what?' look and she returned a, 'you know' kind of one.
PJ had copied her expression and was smiling hugely at me.
I felt uncomfortable and looked down at my converse shoes.
PJ got the hint and got up to go talk to some of the other kids.
My mother stood and pulled me up, leading me out into the hallway.
She looked softly at me as we drifted away from the crowd of people and just strolled through the large house. I fell in a quiet, steady walk beside her and she said nothing as we turned a corner where we no longer heard voices. The rain pounded hard way above our heads as we walked on. I tucked my hands into my shorts' pockets and let my brunette hair hang over my eyes. My mother glanced over at me quickly then smiled, making me feel a bit nervous.
We didn't say a word for a long time as we trekked through the dark empty hallways.
I kept looking down at the floor, seeming more interested in it than really anything else. My concentration was fading though. I glanced up a few times to see what my mother was doing. All she seem to be doing was walking, in silence, with an unreadable expression plastered on her light, chocolate face.
Abruptly she halted, turning toward me.
I stopped in my tracks and peered up at her through my bangs.
She smiled warmly at me and took a seat on the tiled floor.
She motioned me to sit across from her, so I obeyed and sat down. I gave her a questionable look as she said nothing.
"Mama?" My voice was low as I whispered over to her.
She shushed me.
"No talking right now, baby. Just listen." She said, pointing up toward the ceiling.
All I heard was the tat-tat of the rain hammering down on the roof.
"But mama. It's just the rain."
"I know," She began, "but just listen. When I feel like you've listened then I'll tell you what I have to say." She closed her eyes and breathed slowly and in a calm way, as if she were asleep. I started to say something but thought better of it and copied her moves.
My eye lids slowly closed and my breathing became calm and steady.
The rain danced on the roof in tune. I felt at peace for some reason.
Nothing was on my mind, not at all one single thing. I just sat there calmly and listened as my mother instructed for me to do.
As a tap came to my shoulder I opened my eyes.
It had felt like we had stayed like that for hours.
"Okay. Now I'm ready to tell you."
"Tell me what?"
My mother smiled at me and took off her cap. She handed it to me and smoothed down the top of her head. "Well, you're ten now, Sarah. You'll be in sixth grade when school rolls back around, so you'll be eleven soon since your birthday is at the beginning of the school year. This is not a lecture, more like something to prepare for." She paused and took a deep breath. "In middle school you learn lots of new things. Some maybe hard, some maybe uncomfortable, some maybe easy, and some maybe strange, but I've been teaching you and your brother about how the world works and you know a lot more than most of your friends know and probably ever even heard of. Mama knows you like to invent, you're a lot like your dad, but you're a girl. You're different from your father and a lot different from me. You have more confidence when talking to boys, the opposite from when your father was your age with girls. You have many friends and you seem to hang out with more boys than girls, and me and your dad are okay with that, but you have to be cautious as you get older, baby. You understand that?"
She looked hard and serious at me.
I looked at her eyes, they were full of concern and love and caring and so many things at once I couldn't make them out. I nodded slowly. "Yes, ma'am. I understand."
"Do you really understand all of what mama is telling you?"
I nodded again.
"Yes, mama. I understand fully, but why are you telling me now? Here?"
"I knew that question was coming. Mama guesses she should give you a straight forward answer to it." She closed her eyes and sighed, then reopened them and peered at me. She was silent. Very silent, as if she were trying to figure out what she was going to say next. I waited quietly until she spoke again. "I watched you at the pool yesterday. You were talking to Dawson. By what mama has heard Dawson is a nice young boy. Starr says he does well in just about everything, especially at making people happy. And mama noticed you were happy while you two talked today in the living room and yesterday. I know it's none of my business but answer this for me, baby. Do you like Dawson?"
I hesitated.
I hadn't seen that question coming, not even from a mile, maybe not even from half a mile.
"I-I don't… really know, mama. I haven't had time to get to know him more. But why are you asking this? What does that have to do with that little speech about be cautious when I get older?"
"Mama's just asking. It's okay not to have an answer, but I didn't mean like-like. I meant just like. As a friend or as a person."
"Oh. Well, he is nice like you said, and he makes me feel good inside, but lots of people do that. Like daddy. He makes me feel good and warm inside because he gets me. And you and PJ too, mama."
"Family and friends is more like it. You're just a people person, Sarah."
"I guess I am, but now can you tell me what Dawson has to do with anything?"
She smiled and ruffled up my hair a bit. I smoothed it down and smiled up at her genuinely as I held her hat tightly in my hands.
"Well, boys can change over the years, Sarah, and girls too, but young boys go through times where they don't act all like themselves. You have many guy friends and I just wanna warn you, baby, that if they make you feel uncomfortable, hang out with some girls or go find your brother. You'll learn more about all this when you hit middle school in a few more weeks. Just remember to be cautious."
I tried processing what all she had told me. It took me a few more seconds for me to reply. I nodded toward her, comprehending all of what she said.
"Okay, mama. I promise I will."
She grinned and stood up. I stood up too and handed her, her cap. She took it from my hand and set it on top of her ebony locks. As we walked again in silence I began to think maybe she meant more than what she had said. Her eyes gave away so much emotion that it was hard to interpret what was the one true thing she was actually feeling. I was so caught up in thinking I hadn't noticed that my mother had left me alone. I just stood there in a daze and I guess she thought I needed this time to be solo.
Everything she had told me I pretty much already knew. It wasn't hard to understand because I was an intelligent girl. A lot of people tell me this all the time. I knew both my parents were very smart and they knew about many things that I had yet to learn, but they teach me and PJ more than any teacher can. They teach us about life and how to make something of it. My mother is always looking out for us, but at the same time she wants us to learn things on our own. She's just that extra push that guides us along.
And my dad.
He's the jokester. His personality is a good one, in my own opinion. I'm very much like him in many ways. My mother tells me often like she's trying to remind me that I am. My dad can be strict though. Even though to me he's just one big kid, he can get serious if he has to. Parents tend to do that when they have to look after their children. It's just a fact.
I shook my thoughts away and continued walking toward the living room a few hallways down. As I walked I heard a huge crash of thunder and outside a window a large streak of lightning. My eyes widened and I halted. The rain on the glass of the window was slipping down slowly, but out further the droplets were pounding hard on the cold earth. As another loud bash of thunder sounded the house shook a bit and I lost my footing.
My knees buckled and I fell to the ground.
Purple light flashed across the sky and then to my surprise the power goes out.
My heart races and I stand up quickly, feeling around to see where I am. I can't see worth a nothing and I have no idea where my mother went off to. I hear a few protests echoing from down one of the pitch black hallways, but I have no clue as to where that hallway is.
"MAMA!"
Nothing.
"MAMA! MAMA WHERE ARE YOU? !"
My cries are drowned out by the loud crashes of noise outside.
I walk on shakily, the wall guiding me. After a few minutes of trying to find the hallway I give up and run into an empty bedroom. Since everyone had been given a room to stay in a lot of the rooms were still empty. I guess Starr was good at making money since she had such a lovely house with many rooms.
I laid down on the bed and closed my eyes, hoping for the lights to come back on.
A/N: I hope you liked this one! I really hope you did.
I know it's been a while since you have heard this from me, but if you could… REVIEW LIKE NEVER BEFORE! I'll be waiting for those lovely and kind reviews I appreciate so dearly.
Now, until the next installment… Adios mi amigos! I hope to update as soon as possible!
BYE! ! ! !