[Todd]
"If yer didn't believe dat Todd pup wuz a man bufor, yer sur as heck shud believe it now!"
Viola laughs at Hildy's joke, but I've gotta force mine. Savin an entire planet, twice, shud of made me a man already. But I guess askin Viola to marry me counts for that, too.
Even tho I knew she wud say yes, I'd never been more nervous in my life.
We'd just got back from the beach, and everyone wuz waitin for us back in the city. I tried to keep the whole thing a secret, but that ain't easy to do when yer Noise is anxious about askin the girl you love to spend the rest of her life with you.
That's how they all found out, thru my Noise.
But their excitement makes it all the more fun.
"Congrats you two!" Steff Taylor says now, throwin her arms around our necks to pull us both in a hug. "Now Viola is officially a woman. I never thought I'd see the day come."
When Viola and I pull away from her, I'm surprised to see that Viola's actually smilin, when she'd usually be scoldin Steff. Guess the whole engagement thing's got her in a good mood, too.
"Gee, thanks Steff." Viola says. "I'll be sure to remember that when it comes time to choose bridesmaids."
"VIOLA EADE!" Steff gasps, grabbin onto Viola's shoulders with wide eyes. "YOU HAVE TO PUT ME IN YOUR WEDDING!"
"I don't have to-"
"Oh, but you do." Steff assures her. "As a matter of fact, I should be maid of honor. You need someone to choose your flowers and make your dress and do a speech – who knows you better than I do? We lived in SPACE together. You basically need me to make sure everything goes perfectly."
"You? Making sure everything goes perfectly?" Viola questions with a raised eyebrow.
"Um, excuse me? I saved your life, okay?"
Viola shrugs, then teases her. "I guess so. But I'll have to think about it."
"Oh, Viola c'mon! Todd would you help me out here?!"
"I'm stayin out of it." I turn away from their conversation, partly cuz I don't understand it, but mostly cuz I'm itchin to talk to Ben. He was the only person I let kno about proposin to Viola, the one who helped me figure out what to say, the one who encouraged me to do it even when I was doubtin myself. Other than Viola, Ben is the only person I loved that much. I wanted him to be a part of it all, a part of this new little family we're makin. That is, if I could just find him-
"Even though you and Viola were basically already married – congrats!" Lee says, appearing in front of me. He gives me a clap on the shoulder before pullin me into a hug.
"Thanks, Lee." I say. "That means a lot. You don't kno how nervous I wuz."
"Oh, I bet." He says when we pull away. "I wouldn't have the guts to do it."
It's only for a brief moment, but I see Lee's head turn in the direction of the girls, an image of Steff appearin in his Noise. When he notices that I've noticed, the image goes away, but it's all too obvious that Lee is thinkin of her as more than a friend.
And I can't help but to smile.
"You like her." I say to him. Normally I wouldn't want to get in the middle of other people's business, but that's only because we were dealin with a war. Now, it's kinda fun to just be-
Normal.
"I do." Lee says, not even tryin to hide the truth. "I know she can be a bit much-"
"A bit?" I say.
"Okay, a lot." But this realization doesn't faze Lee. "She's still really funny. And fun to be around. And she can be caring when she wants to. I don't know, ever since Viola made it clear that we were just friends-"
Lee pauses, his Noise unsure if he can bring up wut happened between them in front of me, but I wave it off.
"It's fine." I say to him. "I'm already engaged to the girl. It don't bother me."
Lee nods before goin on. "It's been nice to have Steff around, is all."
I nod, understandin. "So are yer gonna tell her?"
"I mean… do I have to? I'm sure she feels the same way."
I shrug. Even before Viola had Noise, it was obvious how we felt about each other. Now that I think of it, I don't even think I ever told Viola I liked her. I just kept sticking around, and so did she. That cud easily be the case with Lee and Steff, too.
But then again, no one has the same connection that me and Viola do.
I mean, we can quite literally read each other's minds.
But there' also the love part of it, too.
"I think she does." Todd says. "She wouldn't be around yer all the time if she didn't feel somethin. But the only way you'll kno for sure is if you tell her. She's a girl, so she'll probably want to hear it from yer at some point."
We both share a laugh before Lee gets serious. "You're lucky you've got a free pass into a woman's mind, now that Viola has Noise."
"She don't like it all the time, tho." I joke.
"Well, now she knows how we feel."
Me and Lee both laugh again, and I wrestle with feelin both happy and confused. I don't think I've ever had a normal conversation with Lee, not that there was ever time for one, but now that the war is over, (between Eric… and over Viola), I get this feelin that maybe, me and Lee cud be good friends.
Now I'm proposin the idea to him before I know it.
"Yer kno.. we shud all… hangout sometime." I blurt out, feelin akward, but it's too late to take it back. Lee raises a questionin eyebrow.
"Who?"
"Me and Viola and you and Steff."
"But… we hangout all of the time?"
"Yeah… but that that wuz when we were all runnin or shootin at somethin." I explain.
"So you mean hangout as in-"
I huff out a sigh. Apparently the whole normal life thing is gonna take some gettin used to.
"Just, spend time together. Cuz we feel like it. Cuz we can."
Lee smiles a real smile. "I think that'd be fun, Todd. What do you say about tonight? At the beach?"
"Sure. Sounds good." I say, and it's weird, makin up a plan just for the heck of it.
"What did you just sign me up for, Todd?" Viola says, walkin up and hip checkin me.
"We're all going to hangout." Lee says, still smiling wide and eager.
"Oh, fun! When? Where?"
"The beach." I say, a silly smile comin up on my face now, too.
But I can't help it, seein Viola lookin all happy.
If anyone deserves to be-
It is her.
"Where's Steff?" Lee asks Viola. She looks behind her and furrows her eyebrows, like she expected for Steff to of been there.
"I don't know – she may have gone off to work already. There's still a lot left for us to do."
We'd been helpin to rebuild the community ever since the war with Eric was over, and even tho I wuz glad to have somethin to do, I hated havin to be separated from Viola. She wuz workin with the healers while I helped Lee and Bradley on the buildings. The work took all day, and we were both so tired by the end of it that we barely had the energy for a regular conversation, but at least we had our Noise and cud talk to each other, even when we were a part. Viola likes to make jokes about Steff and Mistress Lawson at random times durin the day, and since I'm the only one who can hear em, I have to fight to keep myself from laughin and lookin like an idiot in front of the other guys. But sometimes, I don't care if I let one or two slip.
Cuz there really ain't no use in us fighin anymore.
Plus, Viola can be really funny, when she wants to be.
"I heard that." She says to me now, flicking my shoulder.
"I kno you did. That's why I said it." I say, winkin at her and makin her blush.
Now Lee is speaking up. "Viola, how did you even get Noise, in the first place? And can you teach it to Steff so that I don't have to confess my feelings to her?"
Viola smirks, then pats Lee on the shoulder. "Lee, you are the hundredth person to ask me that, and I'm going to give you the same answer I've given everyone else – I ruddy have no idea."
Then her tone shifts before she continues, "And Steff doesn't need Noise for you to know that she likes you. I can tell you right now, she wouldn't waste her time if she didn't."
Lee looks like he wants to ask her another question, but Viola is already walking off, waving to the both of us.
"You heard her." I tell him, a matter of fact. "Now let's get back to work so we aren't a part from them for too long."
…
After we finished workin for the day, we all group up together and head for the beach. I'm the only one who doesn't get the point of it – it's not like we can actually get in the water, since it's so cold – but everyone else seems so eager to go, so I'm goin.
I help Lee set up a fire while the girls talk to each other. Well, it's mainly just Steff ranting on and on about something, and Viola only halfway listenin. I only kno that cuz Viola's talkin to me thru her Noise, instead.
Nothing against Lee and Steff, but I think we should get to know other people to han gout with. I thought Steff talked a lot before but she's even WORSE now.
It's one of those times I gotta keep myself from laughing, so I fold my lips into my mouth before respondin to Viola.
Aw, c'mon Viola. I was just starting to think me and Lee cud actually be friends. I tell her.
She looks over to me now, a pleading look on her face, but I only raise my eyebrows at her.
Please, Todd? I really don't know how much of Steff Taylor I can handle on a daily basis.
Marriage is about compromise, Viola.
Well, we aren't married yet.
Now I give her a serious look, my eyebrows furrowed, and she laughs at my reaction before amending the joke.
I'm just kidding, Todd.
I don't admit to her that I knew that already, that she wasn't really goin anywhere.
Steff really likes you, Viola. I try to tell her, because who doesn't? People are naturally drawn to her, and for good reason. When you think about it, you're really the only girl friend she's got.
Viola pauses a moment.
Thanks a lot for making me feel guilty, Todd.
I smile. Yer welcome.
"I can tell that you're talking to Viola." Lee says, throwin wood onto the fire.
"I- uh." I stutter, but what's the use in hidin it? "Yeah, I was." I confess.
"You need to teach me how to impress Steff. So we can be like you and Viola."
I shake my head. "Didn't yer hear Viola earlier? You aint gotta do nothin but be yerself."
"Please, Todd? I need your help."
I sigh, but Lee is persistent, so I comply.
"Okay, okay. Just – do wut I do. I guess."
Lee nods before the girls start walkin over to us. Once Viola is standin next to me, I wrap a blanket around her shoulders, then gesture for her to sit down. I take the seat next to her before seein that Lee tries to do the same thing – pickin up his own blanket to offer to Steff. But he trips over his own two feet, droppin the blanket, it nearly landin in the fire.
"Lee! Be careful!" Viola shouts, and I just bury my face in my hands.
"What are you doing, Lee?" Steff shouts, confused.
"Yes, Lee, wut are yer doin?" I say.
He clears his throat, then picks the blanket up from the snow, dustin it off.
"It was, um, the wind. Blew it right out of my hands."
It ain't a bad lie – the wind actually is blowin – and luckily, Steff believes him. They sit down beside each other and start talkin to themselves before Viola turns to me in her Noise.
He was totally trying to make a move, huh? She says to me.
Yep. I think I know wut you mean about us gettin new friends. These two are somethin else.
Viola nudges me in the ribs. Nope. Too late. Lee obviously looks up to you, Todd.
There you go. I say, and she gives me a questioning look.
What?
One-upping me. I say, playfully nudging her shoulder with mine.
Well, prepare for a lifetime of that. She says, winking.
"So, Todd. Viola." Steff speaks up. "When's the wedding going to be?"
We look at each other, shrug, then back to them.
"We don't kno." I tell her. "Soon, probably?"
"Yeah, soon. But we aren't rushing it either." And I nod, agreein with her.
"So... soon but not soon?" Steff says, disbelief in her voice. "You do realize that makes NO sense."
"Geez, Steff. We just got engaged today!" Viola says. A gust of wind blows through, causin Viola to bunch up the edge of the blanket in her hand, her chin shakin from the cold. I lift a hand and move circles around her back, tryin to keep her warm, and Steff gives us a look.
"Well the two of you might not even need a wedding, you already act like you're married!" She says. "Right Lee?"
Lee nods, unamused, just when Viola gets an idea.
"How about the two of you help us plan it?" She offers.
"As in… we do it together?" Steff says. "Like a best man and a bridesmaid?"
"Yeah." Viola shakes her head. "That's exactly what I mean."
"AHHH VIOLA! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU PUT ME IN YOUR WEDDING!" Steff shrieks.
Based on that conversation you had earlier, I don't think you had any other choice. I tell Viola secretly. She snorts.
I'm only doing it for Lee – that way they're forced to spend time with each other AND they'll leave us to ourselves. For the most part. Viola tells me.
It ain't a bad idea. I say, givin her credit. Any excuse to be with Viola, as much as I can, is one I'll take.
Lee and Steff and me and Viola end up stayin at the beach for the whole night. We talk and laugh and play Viola's games and eat these white puffy things Viola called marshmellows, and even tho mine was a little burnt and I didn't like it too much, I ate it anyways cuz it made Viola happy. Once we were full and the conversation died down and it was getting closer to dawn, everyone started driftin off to sleep, Steff restin her head on Lee's shoulder, me and Viola layin next to each other on the blanket in the sand. She fell asleep a long time ago, but I'm just barely awake, watchin as her eyes dance behind her eyelids, watchin as she dreams good dreams for the first time in a while. For a minute, she's so still, unmoving, and I almost don't believe she's real, that she's still here, with me, after all this time. But once the wind blows she shivers, startlin me since I'd been starin at her so long, I scoot closer, and wrap an arm around her torso, and I feel her Noise gettin warmer, and I kno that it's real. That she's still here, and that's she's gonna be, for however long we both have left.
And that's how I fall asleep – with Viola at my side and our Noise warm together and knowin we're gonna be alright.
….
Viola screams and I instantly jolt awake.
"Wut's wrong?!" I say, raisin up.
"Sorry, Todd." She says, still layin down. She's got the covers up to her chest with one hand while holdin my bicep with the other, a startled look on her face. "She just.. scared me."
I follow Viola's gaze and see that the lady scientist with the crazy hair is hunched over her, starin at her real close and scribblin in her notebook. I wrap my arm around Viola's waist and pull her closer to me, then try to address the lady, who wasn't even phased by Viola screamin.
"Uhhh, good mornin." I tell her, and if I'm honest, I forgot her name, so I don't even try to say it.
"Mona." She says, readin my Noise, but still writin furiously. "My name is Mona."
Viola sits up, leanin into me. I wrap an arm around her shoulder for protective measure. "What – what are you doing, Mona?"
"I mean, this is just astonishing." She says, still writin like she's gonna forget her words if she don't put em down fast enough. "I knew that the men of this land had Noise, as well as female creatures, but you, Viola. Yours is just – amazing!"
Viola furrows her eyebrows, then leans forward to look in the lady's notebook.
"Are you… are you taking notes on me?"
"On you AND Todd." She says, jerkin her head up real fast, causin Viola to jump back towards me.
"Wut for?" I ask, already suspicious.
"Have you not heard the things being said around this city?" Mona asks us, and we shake our heads no.
"Everyone is talking about the girl who has Noise. They wonder how it's possible, they're curious of what it can do. People are going to want answers, you know, and I am just the person to give it to them."
"We don't need the answers." I rush to say. "We're fine with it the way it is."
Mona can tell I'm hesitant so she's stops writin like she's gonna break the notepad and looks up at me.
"Todd, I know you've been through a lot, and it might be hard to trust me. But let me just say, I am only doing research. I have no intention on changing your Noise. I simply want to – learn about it."
Mona's speech still don't change my mind – me and Viola don't need anyone trying to figure us out. But when I look over at Viola, she's got all kinds of questions goin on in her Noise.
"How can you – how can you hear my Noise? Only Todd can." Viola asks.
"I can't hear it." Mona says, flippin the notebook around to show her. Viola leans forward and squints her eyes to read it, but I still keep mine on Mona. "But I can tell what you're saying based on Todd's reactions. He can read your words, your emotions, your fears, your desires, your desires for Todd-"
"My what?!" Viola says, heat risin to her cheeks.
"Okay, that's enough." I tell her. "I don't mean to be disrespectful but that's an invasion of privacy."
But Mona only shrugs, like she don't even care. "It's just research."
"Well, we didn't ask for yer to do no research." I say. "Yer can do whatever yer want but you need to leave us alone."
Viola don't argue, and Mona looks twixt the two of us before noddin in agreement and standin up.
"Of course, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to intrude." She says, but she sounds more annoyed than apologetic. She dramatically rips the notes out of her notebook and hands em to Viola, who takes em reluctantly. "Just… look over what I've found, and maybe you'll change your mind."
She walks away from us, or stomps away, rather, and I almost laugh at how dramatic the whole thing is and turn to Viola to tell her.
"That was creepy." I tell her, and she nods, but is still readin the notes.
"Wut?" I say when she doesn't respond.
"Nothing." Viola says, her eyes dartin around the page. "That was just… so strange. And I can barely read what she was writing… none of it makes sense."
"Well, it doesn't matter anyways." I say, layin back down on the blanket. "We're fine. It's just Noise, I've had it all my life. Ain't nothin new to learn about it."
"Yeah… but I haven't." Viola says, turnin to look down at me. "And…"
She pauses, puts a hand over mine.
"And… what?" I ask her.
"And.. don't you want to know, Todd?"
When I see the concern on her face, I instantly sit up, grabbin her hand in mine.
"Know wut, Viola?"
She takes a deep breath.
"Don't you want to know why I have Noise?"
Author's Note: I thought that taking a ton of English classes' this semester would be a good idea but unfortunately, Chaos Walking fanfiction doesn't count as REAL work. But I'm glad I FINALLY got this chapter out, I missed writing about Todd and Viola! I am going to try so hard to update more during this week, especially now that we're getting into Viola's Noise. Hope y'all enjoy!
