Pairing: TheoxSissi. This one is a sort of romance/friendship mix. Extra long to make up for the extra wait. I think that's all, so, on to the chapter!
Sissi Gauthier. Sissi Delmas- Gauthier. Yeah, that sounded good. Smiling to himself, Theo sketched a small heart around the name. He then began a scribble of TG + SD, this time inside of a big star. He was beginning to run out of room on the back of his notebook for any more doodles. Oh no wait, there was a little bit of space. Theo quickly scribbled a little SD with a heart around it in the spot. Admiring his work he sighed, resting his chin in his hand. He then turned his attention away from his desk and across the room, his eyes finding the subject of his many scribbles. Sissi was sitting at her desk, compact in hand, alternately checking her makeup and the clock as she, along with the rest of the class, waited impatiently for the bell to ring.
"Class, one final announcement!" their teacher called, raising a hand to get the group's attention. "I'm sure none of you have forgotten about the dance tonight-" he was cut off when the students burst into happy cheering and chatter. He let the excited students go on for a minute or so, and then called for them to quiet down.
"Yes, yes, I know you're all excited. But in your excitement I don't want any of you to forget the rules we have set down." The class booed and whined, but the teacher deftly ignored them. "I'm sure all of you remember what happened at the Christmas Dance, so I'm sure I don't need to remind any of you that both paint, as well as any form of livestock, are not allowed on the campus at any time. And this rule will be strictly in forced," he added, eyeing Odd Della Robbia.
"What?" Odd asked. "Mr. Delmas thought it was funny."
The class broke out into laughter, while the teacher simply shook his head and returned to his desk. From her seat in front of Odd Sissi gave a huff, shaking her head regally as she tossed a refined glare over her shoulder at the blond. It was answered with a raspberry, which made the girl gasp. Theo scowled, wanting sorely to toss his notebook at Odd.
Just then the bell rang and everyone scrambled out of their seats, flocking towards the door and out into the hall as the school day ended. Grabbing his bag Theo quickly stuffed his things away and then hurried after the crowd, picking out Sissi among the flow of bodies.
"Hey! Hey Sissi, wait up!" he called, waving one of his hands over the crowd. Sissi paused, looking coyly over her shoulder, a smile plastered across her face. It faltered somewhat when she noticed who had called her. Theo ignored it. That usually happened when she realized it wasn't Ulrich calling her name.
"Hey Sissi," he said once he reached her. "What's up?"
"Hello Theo. I was just heading back to my dorm to get ready for the dance."
"Oh?" Theo said as he shouldered his bag. "You know, I was just about to ask you about that actually."
"Well make it quick," she said as she handed her own backpack off to a lurking Nicholas and Herve. "I need to get back to my room if I want to have enough time to get ready."
"Right," Theo said, nodding. He didn't take Sissi's brisk manner to much to heart. She was like that with all of her friends after all. "I was wondering, did you ever find a date?"
"Well that's a silly question," Sissi said with a laugh. "Of course I did! Who wouldn't want to take me to the dance?"
"Uh yeah, duh," Theo said. He felt his heart slowly sinking towards his stomach. "So, er, who is it?"
"Who's what?" Sissi asked curiously. She'd been distracted checking her makeup once more.
"Who are you taking to the dance?"
"Well that should be obvious," Sissi said, waving a hand around. "Ulrich of course."
Theo's heart dropped, if it were possible, even lower. "Oh. So, you already asked him?"
"Of course not," Sissi said, rolling her eyes. "You never ask the boy you want to go with to take you. He asks you to go with him."
"Wait, you mean Ulrich asked you?"
"No, not yet," Sissi said. "But he will tonight. Boys always wait until the night of the dance to ask their dates to go with them."
Well, that was some dance etiquette Theo had never heard before. But that was no reason for him to give up now on his quest to make Sissi his date. "So there's a chance you won't have a date tonight?" he asked. Sissi quirked an eyebrow at him.
"What?"
"I don't mean like he won't ask you," Theo explained when he realized what his words must have sounded like. "Just…what if Ulrich gets sick? Or decides he doesn't want to go? Then what will you do?"
Sissi looked at Theo as if this possibility had never occurred to her. Then her expression became suspicious. "Did he tell you he wasn't going to go? Is that why we're talking now? Because he wanted you to tell me he wasn't going?"
"Uh, no," Theo said. Sissi gave a relived sigh, plastering a hand across her chest.
"Oh good," she said. "You had me worried there for a second."
"Uh, yeah," Theo said, rubbing the back of his neck and then pulling the conversation back to his point. "But if that did happen, then what would you do?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, who would you go with then?" Sissi looked at him blankly for a moment, then shrugged.
"I haven't really thought about it," she admitted. "You guys I guess," she said, gesturing to Theo, Nicholas, and Herve. "Why?"
"Well, uh, I was just thinking," Theo said, starting to feel nervous. "If that did happen, you could always, you know, I would take you if you wanted."
Theo held his breath as Sissi looked up at him thoughtfully, while behind her Nicholas, whose love for Sissi was no well kept secret, scowled. "I guess that would be okay," the ravenette decided. Theo felt his heart fly up into his chest again. "But don't get your hopes up," she added. "The chances of Ulrich not taking me are pretty slim."
--
"I can't believe he didn't ask me!"
Theo winced slightly at Sissi's loud cry, digging around in his pocket for a tissue he'd decided at the last minute to bring. He allowed himself a quick mental pat on the back for his quick thinking as he held out the scrap of tissue paper.
"I mean, if he hadn't showed up it wouldn't have mattered," Sissi continued to sniffle, snatching the offered tissue. "But no, he had to go to the dance with that, that Yumi girl! What does he even see in her! She's not even that pretty! I'm gorgeous! How could he not ask me?"
Even though Sissi would occasionally direct these questions at him, Theo found it best not to say anything. Experience had taught him that if he tried to rationalize his fellow soccer player's actions then Sissi would only accuse him of siding with Ulrich over his friend. If he agreed with Sissi then she would only end up angrier and liable to march into the dance and start something both of them would probably regret. No, best to just offer tissues and hold his tongue.
"Now what am I supposed to do?" Sissi whined, stomping a heeled foot. "I can't just go back to my room, not when I'm like this!" She gestured miserably at her outfit, a silky red cocktail dress and matching heels, and her hair which was up in a bundle of tight ringlets that had taken a good three hours to accomplish.
"You know Sissi, you could always go with me," Theo reminded her gently. He then winced when Sissi's response was to blow her nose loudly. Theo was beginning to become jealous of Nicholas and Herve, who had fled at the first sign of danger. He was starting to wonder if it might have been worth his while to do the same.
As if sensing his thoughts Sissi spun around with another wail and flung her arms around his neck. "Oh, it won't be the same!" she moaned. "I can't go in there and see my Ulrich with her." Theo quickly grasped from some excuse to change her mind.
"But Sissi," he said, "If you don't go then, uh…no one…will, uh, get to see how wonderful you look!"
It was like Theo had flipped some sort of switch. The sniveling, clingy Sissi was suddenly replaced by the straight backed, assertive girl he was used to seeing march about school. Blinking red rimmed eyes and whipping out a mirror to fix tear smudged makeup; Sissi took a deep, steadying breath.
"You're right," she said, giving her head a prim shake and closing her compact with a snap. "I can't mope out here over one boy and deny all of the others my wonderful presence." She turned to her companion. "Let's go Theo," she commanded the slightly dumbstruck looking boy. She then snatched Theo's wrist and tugged him towards the gym doors, behind which the party was taking place.