I'M BACK KIIIIINDA FOR GOOD OH MY GOSH. SO I PROMISED MORE OF AN UPDATE AND HERE IT IS; this chapter is on the shorter side, just under a thousand words, and it is going to be the last regular chapter. But after that, an epilogue and a sEQUEL. PLEASE DON'T HATE ME FOR NOT UPDATING IN FOREVER ALSO I DON'T KNOW IF BOOKS CAN HAVE EPILOGUES IF THEY ALSO HAVE SEQUELS BUT WHO GIVES A BARNACLE.
The sequel will not be started for a while, though. I'm finishing up my Smosh Games story, and you may have realized MTR is on hiatus. I am going to just get that done, maybe post a couple one shots, then I'll get to the sequel. *winks* Now for reviews(from Ch. 19), something I am glad to get back to.
XxYTTxX: Yus! Fluff! Also, I am planning on the ring having more prominence in the sequel...You'll see what I mean when that time comes. ;)
SingingCupcake: You compared your excitement for the story to your excitement for the actual show. I don't know if you realize how much that means to me as a writer. So THANK YOU.
Chelsea(Guest): Thank you!
The Night Owl Revolution: Please don't become a sugary gelatin sweet?
ps: prepare for a giant shock at the end BOOYAH
Scene swings her legs back and forth, the stick of her sweet, raspberry lollipop hanging out of her mouth, which the corners of are pointed slightly down. That form matches her eyebrows, hanging low in thought. The park bench beneath her is cold and she begins to wonder if Melvin completely forgot.
One week earlier.
Eleven months. That's what approached. Eleven months since a day Norma could only describe as stinky but fateful. Her last normal cafe visit. The last day she was completely alone. The day that Melvin Munson threw a cigarette outside her family's old "home" and started the craziest and most challenging chapter of her life. Eleven months.
Upon the realization of this, that it had been so long, Melvin called her. Told her to cancel all plans for this coming Saturday, that it would be the two of them. He didn't realize she already knew. She didn't think it was a big deal. One year would be a big deal. The worry in his voice afterward had been slightly concerning, but he promised her more details later.
This morning, a single rose arrived at her apartment, with five lollipops tied in a bouquet. Now one has almost been sucked away, and Norma is concerned. She considers getting her phone out, texting him, but Intern 2 walks up just then.
"Hey, uh, sorry I'm late, but uh...I'm here now!" He laughs. Scene glances at the disheveled tie around his neck, and how his pants are creased oddly as if ironed in a hurry. He kisses her cheek, and she kisses him back, her heart sighing silently in relief. He didn't leave. Not now.
The pair walk from the park to the nearby restaurant, one Melvin raves about. Evidently his former employee, one who left the Acid Factory a few months before, invested in the family business and asked the owners to pay them a visit. Once inside, a kind man whose name Scene forgets immediately walks them to their table.
"Wow, this place is so nice." Scene comments, grinning and spotting a small bowl of mints on the table. Intern 2 smiles and chuckles, tapping a finger on the table. He then glances at something behind her, shaking his head.
"What?" She asks, looking back. She sees a small woman and a tall, thin, man, each holding a confetti popper. They both frown, but turn away when Norma makes eye contact. "Huh." She turns back to the table, where Melvin is extremely curious about the font on the menu, and why they chose "such an insufferable typeface." Scene smiles at his wonderful behaviors, even if they are peculiar at times. The date continues quietly but happily.
No, it's not until she's safe at home, lying on her couch tuning out the DVD of Fruits Basket, that she considers the odd behavior. But what on earth could Melvin have to do with confetti?! As far as she knows, he's quiet, and not one for messes. She sighs, shoving a pillow in her face to groan. Her phone beeps, and she grabs it from where it fell in between her couch cushions. A text from Intern 2 himself.
Messed up tonight. Tomorrow at the park, around noon? I've made a decision.
It's a sharp gasp that exits Norma's mouth. A decision?! She starts pacing, tuning the television out completely and pacing. Decision...what decision could he have made... She decides pacing at one am won't do her good, so she goes for her first instinct; burying herself on her bed under all the blankets she owns.
When Scene wakes up at eleven thirty that Sunday, she barely manages to throw a Panic! Shirt and some jeans on, grabbing her keys and running to the park. Racing down the sloped sidewalk, she almost trips a couple times, dodging a grumpy old man walking his poodle. She reaches the crosswalk, banging the button nervously. Being late makes her nervous because of what happens when you're late. You miss things. Important things, and you end up having to make tough decisions.
Norma inexplicably thinks of Indie for a short moment, but stops because the little green man appears and she hurries across the street. She spots Intern 2, standing in his sweater vest. Scene startles him, as he's looking down at his phone when she arrives.
"Whoa, hey!" He says, putting a hand up defensively. She spots his Tetris game.
"Sorry I'm late!" She squeaks.
"It's o-okay." He stutters slightly. "That makes us even I guess?" Scene worries for a moment that he's serious, until realizing the kind, but troubled, tone in his voice. She raises an eyebrow.
"I guess.." She murmurs. Intern 2 starts looking around.
"Wow. It is a lovely Sunday, right Scene?" He says. He missed church for this. He's hesitating.
"You made a decision?" She asks.
"Yes." He responds, looking back at her. She waits a moment. He doesn't break eye contact. She motions for him to continue.
"Melvin?"
"Oh, right!" He says. "Norma, I've spent hours trying to figure this out. But the longer it takes to plan the longer I have to wait. So I'm just going, ha, full speed ahead I guess." He stuffs his hand in his pocket ungracefully, pulls out a small black box, and kneels. A couple bystanders gasp and giggle, but Norma just watches his eyes with her bottom lip lowered slightly in shock. "So, Norma Haish, will you marry me?" And for the first time in her life, Norma has no doubt about what she's going to say.
*eyebrow wave*