Hmm, I think I have reach a point where the writing may get a little harder and it may take a little longer to get the chapter up, but I think a lot of it comes from having the story so close to being finished and various ties coming together to help finish this weave.
Anywho, Just thought I give you lot an explanation behind me taking a while. I'm also sorry about the lackluster feeling of the previous chapter and I hope I can make up for it in these next two chapter. This means that this chapter will more than likely be a bit longer than the average chapter….hey, sounds like fun!
So we get to see some of the training that Todd and the others will be doing and then Todd's exhibition in the performance. I'm not going to linger on other performances but I will make sure that they are shown none the less.
Just a side note; the chapter got really long. I mean, really, really long. So I had to put this part up before the other. Not to mention, my fingers are actually bleeding from so much typing, its frightening.
Anywho, Enjoy!!!
The Support You Never Knew
X23 sighed as she stood under the shower in the school gym, the other girls in the class there too as they finished up the second practice they had that Saturday. While she may not be in the actual show, she would still come to the all the practices to get better herself and if anything, to spend more time with Todd.
She wasn't angry or even annoyed that she wasn't in the show, mainly because she hadn't been involved in the art long enough and she didn't feel that performances gave a good feeling about the entire style. But she would support her boyfriend and his teacher; not to mention, steal little moments with him when she could.
Drying off and getting dressed, X23 pulled her long black hair back in a wet ponytail before she walked out with her stuff. As she left the room and went back into the gym, she sighed and rested her stuff down at what she saw.
Todd was still there, doing push ups and literally forming a pool of sweat under him as he continued to exercise. The pain his body was in was clear in the expression on his face but then she saw his determination in his eyes. He would sooner break Jamie's neck than give up on this and since Todd had pretty much take the younger kid under his wing, there was a very rare chance of him stopping.
Otero walked up beside her and sat down, the other students filing out with waves and good byes. Except for Justin, who was keeping up with Todd and his insane workout. Where Todd's body was darkening to a jade color with the strain, Justin's was blooming into a bright red. Both hit the floor and lay there breathing heavily as their arms twitched and shook from the strain they had put on them.
"If I had known that Todd was going to push himself this far to prove that he could something, I would gotten us to perform a lot sooner." Otero quipped and X23 scoffed, making him look at her. "I mean sure he had to get over that whole incident with Preston and then the footballers but he was ready."
X23 raised a brow and looked at the older man, Todd rolling onto his back. His teacher knew what he had done, so what had happened between the master and apprentice for Todd to remain so hollow? The teenager in question began to lift and drop his legs, pulling and working his abdominal.
Justin sighed and groaned, but he flipped over as well, lifting one leg over the other before beginning his sit ups. He then began to cross over the side with the raised knee, the muscles tightening and loosening rapidly at the speed he was working at.
"You knew about that?" X23 asked, Otero shrugging.
"Yeah, your friend, Professor Xavier, told me what happened and then Todd told me." Otero explained, leaning back. "I mean, I couldn't stay angry at the guy, seeing how bad he was already punishing himself and he learned his lesson."
"But he's been torturing himself about the issue for months." X23 said in disbelief, looking between the two of them. "Why didn't you stop him?"
"I couldn't. No one could but him because he chose to what he did, he had to come to term with it." Otero told her. "If I helped him or made him think that everything was alright, I would have defeated the purpose of him feeling any guilt."
"I guess….but he was so afraid to do anything." X23 argued back. "He was worried about defending himself."
Otero raised his hands and looked back at Todd. "The kid's got to some to terms with his power on his own, not to mention the responsibility and control." Otero looked at his watch and sighed. "Okay you two, we gotta close up. Get showered and find something else to do."
X23 sighed as Otero went to start shutting up the school and giggled as Todd lay on his back, moaning from the pain in his stomach. Justin wasn't much better, the hyper teenager actually lying completely still as he rubbed his stomach. But with the wink of an eye, the swimmer was up on his feet and hobbling off to the shower room. Thus leaving X23 and Todd alone for a small amount of time.
The clone walked over, noting that he had worked himself to the point were he didn't have to flex to achieve his definition. Kneeling beside her boyfriend, X23 was amused when he groaned from her nails gliding over his abs and making them tighten up even more. She smiled as he gave her an exhausted pout and he happily accepted her help standing up.
"I think my legs have turned to jelly, X." Todd moaned, straightening up with that moan. "And the abs feels like cast iron, yo. I think I'm goanna go collapse somewhere and die."
"Nu-uh, no dieing, not without my permission." She said saucily, poking him in his sore abs. "I wanna keep you around for a long time."
"Aw, I feel loved." Todd teased, stealing a small kiss from her before walking toward the showers. "I'll be out in a minute, yo."
X23 nodded and went over to his backpack, taking the CD player out and losing herself to the lyrics of Todd's music. She was surprised to discover how much of Todd's music she liked and how far spread his tastes were. Sure, he did listen to a lot of punk rock and Reggae, hip hop and rap, but he also listened to jazz, classical, scores and several other style that she never would have thought that he liked.
Except country and she wasn't upset with his dislike for that particular genre. Slipping his headphones in her ears and sliding the hold off, the clone began to nod off into the rhythm of the Sean Paul. X23 began swaying and rolling her hips from side to side, her feet moving in slow calm movements while her shoulders rolled around. Lauren had caught her trying to dance to some of Todd's and Otero's music and decided that the young clone had to be taught how to dance to the music.
Laughing at the memory, she had to admit that it was rather funny how Todd reacted to Lauren telling him to start grinding with X23. But it was a fun way for her to learn how to dance with Todd and she would practice in the time she got.
A scent suddenly wrapped around her, relaxing her even more as a pair of hand rested onto her waist and she spun around to see Todd grinning at her. The two playfully and slowly swayed back and forth, his hips pressed closely to hers and one hand rested on her lower back while she rested her arms over his shoulders. His loose jeans and t-shirt stuck to him from the shower, almost the way hers did too.
"We should go out dancing at some point in time, darling." Todd suggested, the clone girl nodding slowly and taunting as she slowly turned around and began to grind against him whispering the lyrics. "Now your just being torturous, yo."
"Of course, why shouldn't I be?" She asked as she walked away, smirking at Todd's sigh.
Taking the headphones off, X23 watched as Justin and Todd walked over to her, both martial artists enthusiastically chatting about the moves they were going to do and the clone rolled her eyes when something hit her nose.
As they walked past her, she noticed that it was something that she often sense from Todd but this time it was coming from Justin. She wasn't surprised by this, everyone was allowed to be attracted to someone, but then she noticed where his attention was being directed. It was at her, but it was also at Todd.
Her mental thinking nearly exploded as she smelt this, shaking her head. It wasn't a problem as far as she was concerned, given that she knew which side Todd played for and that he wasn't changing at any time soon. But it did make it amusing for her, now that she picked up on some of the subtle meanings Justin's words had and how blissfully oblivious Todd could be.
"So what are you up to now, Justin?" X23 asked, the ever smiling human shrugging.
"I think I'm goanna take a look around town and see if I can find anything interesting to do or someone interesting." Justin answered, tightening the red bandana on his newly shaven head. "You two?"
"Dunno, I'm probably goanna head over to the art store and get papers for my art project, yo." Todd answered, tossing his backpack in Otero's car.
"I'm goanna be hanging out with Todd for the day." X23 said, the other two smiling and nodding. "Seeing as how the house doesn't like you being over, I'm goanna enjoy what I can when I can."
This resulted in their collective laughter.
So the three headed to the mall until Justin saw something that caught his attention and he was off to have fun. The couple was about to head up to the art store when they heard a voice call out to him.
"Yo, Todd man, wait up." The two turned around and they saw that it was Ozone, the breakdancer that had been performing on the sidewalk with his buddies.
He was wearing loose jeans and an over shirt that was opened to show his under vest. He still had his hat on but he now had goatee growing over his chin. Also, he had some dog tags hanging from his neck. X23 waved at the man, nodding his head politely to her.
While she hadn't spent much time with the breakdancer, Todd had been visiting him a little ever since he moved in with Otero. She found out one evening that Ozone actually lived near Otero and that the two would often goof around on the grass or the sidewalk, the other boy's crew sometimes joining in with them. It was nice to see that Ozone openly and proudly acknowledged him.
"Hey Marquis, what up, man?" The green mutant asked, the two exchanging a handshake.
"Nothing man, jut chillin' out with my boys and then one of them, whose at Bayville High, tells me that a bunch of Capoeira fighters are goanna be giving a demo." He said, his bright white teeth gleaming in a smile. "So spill man, you goanna be doing this thing or what. Cause if so, I definitely wanna come out to it."
"Yeah, I'm goanna be doing it, but your goanna come to see it?" Todd asked curious, not seeing the disbelieving face of Marquis. "I mean, is not that important of an event."
"Um, Todd, where I'm from, we support our friends in all their activities." Marquis explained placating.
Todd was taken back by the meaning of those words and smiled, nodding as he understood what Marquis had inadvertently said and X23 smiled as she saw the appreciation on his face. Her green boyfriend was slowly beginning to find friends everywhere that he was and discovering that they were going to be there for him rain or shine.
"Yeah, man, I'll appreciate that." Todd said, Marquis waving it off. "I kinda got some stage fright I need to work through, yo."
"Hey, me and the boys will be there to cheer you on, no matter what." Marquis said before holding up his fist. "Anyway, bro, I gotta bounce man. Come by the club with your girlfriend and we'll have some fun, okay."
"Cool, Marquis, it'll be on this next Monday in the hall." Todd said as he tapped fists with the other teenager. "I'll look forward to seeing you there."
Marquis nodded and headed out while a slightly stunned Todd and a happy X23 climbed in the elevator. She could see that he was in a moment of amazement and let him enjoy it while she reflected too.
Todd's friend had shown him something that Todd himself had not believed would ever happen; support in an endeavor when he had no faith in himself and the fear of failure and mockery. But in Marquis's words had given him something, something that had add onto her words. Him going out and showing people what he could really do didn't mean he was going out there on his own, he was going to have support in this decision, on the stage and in the crowd.
As they walked out of the elevator, she reached over and took his hand, making him look at her curiously. She smiled and squeezed his hand, the two of them stopping for a moment.
"Are you feeling better about doing this now?" She asked cheekily, Todd sighing before pulling her along.
"Yes, I guess I am feeling a bit better." He said, then looking at her. "I know that its something that I should do now too, but I guess I'm still just nervous."
"Why?"
"I'm up there, on my own, but I'm not just proving myself or what our class stands for. I'm almost representing an entire martial art that has been around for nearly two hundred years, yo." Todd explained, looking at X23 with a worried look. "What happens if I screw up or if I'm not good enough?"
X23 was surprised by this answer but she couldn't say that she didn't expect it. Todd had his moments of thinking of something in a larger sense and Capoeira happened to be one of them. She understood what he meant as well; it was an overwhelming feeling to be representing something that you loved doing and to have everyone judge the art based on how you did.
She looked away from him and thought about what he had said, silently following him into the art store. The clone closed her eyes and thought of every time he had practiced or taught Capoeira, of what it meant to him.
Opening her eyes, X23 walked down the aisle to where Todd was looking at the special papers he wanted to use for his art project. She traced her nails up his back and when he was looking at her, she shrugged.
"I don't know good you think you have to be, Todd, to do what you do." X23 admitted to him, his face confused until she continued. "I do know that you have a talent for this art, which you excel in it to a degree that I can't fathom right now. You match people who have trained in Capoeira for years move for move, which is very impressive. But you also understand the technique behind the moves, the culture in the art, the reasoning behind moves."
"I…I had a really good teacher, yo." Todd feebly argued, X23 giggling at him.
"I know, but you've begun to surpass him. I can feel it, just as Otero must. You are on a rising path, Todd, and this is something to show everyone where you are going, not to mention who you aren't anymore." X23 explained, Todd seeming to be swayed slightly by her words. "I just feel that you would be a good person to exhibit what Capoeira really is and to show people what they can achieve. Who knows, you might even start bringing in more students for Otero."
Todd was taken back by what X23 said, his mouth hanging open for a moment at he thought about her word. She smirked triumphantly, kissing him on the cheek before she wandered back to the front of the store. The clone wondered if what she said was appropriate but she brushed that worry off.
She was going to support Todd through hell and high water, no matter the outcome. That was something that she absolutely understood and as long as she could, X23 would continue to support him. Still, she couldn't help but wondered if she had helped Todd at all.
Picking up a book, she began to read a book that explained various painting techniques and tried to relax. She didn't even read any of the actual words, just skimming over the images and shifting her weight to keep her body moving. She inhaled sharply as she felt Todd wrap his arms around her arms and kiss her on the top of her head.
"Thanks, yo. I'm sorry I've been a pain in the ass lately." Todd said softly, X23 shakign her head.
"I should be sorry, pushing you to do this performance." X23 said ashamedly. "I just want people to see you for something better than what they do now."
"Hey, it's okay." He said softly, turning her around so he could see her. "It's a good thing because I'm being pushed now to take myself a bit further than were I was before. If you didn't push me to do this, I wouldn't have made any progress at all."
"That's not-" X23 began to argue but Todd shook his head.
"It is and I'm just realizing that." Todd reassured her, smiling. "Anyway, it's a good thing. Means I can keep up with you and your old man, yo."
X23 snorted and pushed him back, shaking her head with an amused smile. "Yeah, right. Somehow, I'm less than convinced." She said with tired, disbelieving tone.
The green teenager laughed and collected his packaged papers before he and his girlfriend left the store. She grinned at him and leaned against him, internally relieved a great deal more by what he said than what she let on. It was nice to know that she was helping him strive in something that he loved.
Todd grinned back at her and slung an arm around her shoulders, chuckling with her as they continued walking. He then had a curious face on and gave her a look of puzzlement.
"So how much better do I have to get to be at you and your pop's level, yo?" He asked, his face soon splitting into a grin at her groans.
Okay, so that was part one of the chapters. Expect the next half, in a couple days to a week. It just flows better like this and I figured that one more chapter really isn't going to hurt anyone or the story that much.
So let me know what you think, send a review. I really hope more people will start reviewing, seeing as how nearly two to three hundred people seem to read this story and I only hear one person's perspective. I would really like to hear everyone's thoughts on this story if possible.
Anywho, have a nice day and check back for the next chapter!
-Lin
