More Teasing... Again.
- Kahlil's POV -
... I need to tell them I don't want to hang out with these low graders anymore, no offense Alex. The main problem is with Percy. Annoying little sh-t what he is. Infact, while we're on the topic, I happened to know what happened to Cole. Earlier today, I headed over to my next class when I happened to stumble upon a group of bullies doing the usual things they do. And the 9th grader was there with them, having the fun time of his life. I looked in disgust and ignored the commotion. It makes sense why the kid hasn't been showing up to the table at all, and even if he did, he would have to explain his reasoning. Knowing that he would lie, I could spot it right away, but then again, do the other two trust me to know his real intentions? I don't know what I will do in that situation... ``And then this old guy told us a story that I found disturbing at the end of it.`` Mabel's voice snaps me out of my thoughts, making me gaze over with interest. An old guy?
``I think at the last bit, he was just trying to scare us.`` Dipper said, staring at the table as usual.
``Then why would you guys agree to go listen to him?`` Percy asked, showing off a wary expression.
``I didn't want to be rude and ignore the old guy, I'm not like that, and besides, that's what makes a good person.`` Mabel said, unsure whenever to be annoyed at the 9th grader or not.
``But... you found the story to be disturbing-``
``Before we went over, we thought nothing of the guy. We didn't feel grossed out or squeamish. To be honest, how would we feel disturbed if we haven't heard of the story yet? If you're trying to be smart about this, you're failing poorly.`` Dipper said. He's not wrong at that. I heard the table give a few laughs here and there as the annoying 9th grader grew red with embarrassment. I happened to sneak in a chuckle at his expression.
``Thanks... Dipper.`` Percy said, rolling his eyes.
``Hah!`` Mabel said, still continuing her giggling.
``Does outsmarting me make you feel better about yourselves?`` Percy hissed, glaring at the twins.
``Not really, it just makes you look stupid.`` Mabel said, smirking at the boy.
``You look stupid right now.`` He said, trying to fire back the roast.
``Hey, I know insulting each other is terrible and all, but you tried to make a wrong move on them.`` Alex said, stepping into the mess. ``That's not right, Percy.``
``Who cares about being a good person?`` Percy said, glaring at her. Oh, if you didn't know yet, which you shouldn't anyway, Alex is a female, not a male.
``There goes our first villain of the day.`` I said, staring the kid down. ``I wonder how his evil plans will go.``
``Oh yes, how will your plans succeed, Percy?`` Mabel said, joining in this game I made up.
``... You didn't need to make it a big deal!`` The annoying 9th grader said, glaring me down.
``If your not a genuine person, then why be an ass about it?`` I said. ``We don't need this negative energy you keep pouring on us to make us feel bad about ourselves.``
``Kahlil got a point, why do you keep doing this?`` Mabel said, interrupting her brother from speaking. Alex nodded and turned to her "friend."
``Because I can.`` Percy said, looking stuck-up.
``Then go to a different table, maybe a stand by yourself since you seem to can't keep friends.`` Alex said, which shocked him.
``Excuse me? You're not my friend anymore?`` He said, glaring daggers at her.
``Yeah, so please, if you would, leave this table.`` She snapped. Percy huffed and took his food tray and stood up. He then cursed several words under his breath before saying, ``You guys are the worse!`` and then stumbled off to another table. Everyone at the table, including me sighed in relief, I think that takes everything off our shoulders. Does he believe picking on everyone is gonna makes his life better? More so, making him a jerk at this point. I hope he gets taught a lesson if he messes with the wrong group of people. The rest of the lunch period was quiet, with a few conversations every so often. I'm not sure if I should tell them about Cole, still haven't made up my mind. I don't think Alex needs it, I'll just let it play out on its own once they all find out.
School finished, and it was time to go. I had a few homework sheets that could be simply done. I heard two voices that snapped me out of my thoughts, making me a bit annoyed. What now? I turned and saw Mabel pushing her brother in my direction. ``What did you do that for?!`` Dipper shouted at her. ``Go ask him! For now, my friends are calling~`` She said before taking off. I blinked, confused. He turned towards me with an irritated expression.
``Ask me what?`` I said.
``Errr... "I" wanted to know- uh, do you want to go into the jungle with me?`` He asked, fiddling with his fingers.
``Sure, but what is it you wanted to know?`` I asked, curious about why he decided not to say it out loud.
``We can talk about it after we put our stuff in our homes.`` He said before walking in the direction to his house. I narrowed my eyes before taking my leave. Not the right idea, but I guess I can wait. I walked down the path and into the hilly grounds. I entered my house and quickly walked back to my room, seeing that I didn't hear my parents. Good, let's keep it that way. I stared out of my window, right above my bed. Did he mention where we were going to meet? Don't think so. I let out an annoyed sigh. I'm just feeling all of the emotions today, no wonder these moods of mines are getting to me. As long as I don't take them out on someone, then we're good to go. It's a terrible idea to take my problems out on someone, I don't want to hurt their feelings again.
I turned my head to the notification sound on my phone, it was located on my desk when I put it. I approached it and picked it up to view it. There goes the meetup, I wonder... what did he want to know? I shrugged and put my phone in my pocket before getting prepared. I headed out of my room and out of the house. Dipper wanted me to meet him by the dirt path that leads to the Mystery Shack, which seems reasonable. I made my way down the hill and onto the concrete ground. Soon I arrived at the spot, noticing I was the first one there.
I shrugged and put my hands in my pocket, waiting for the boy to arrive. I just realized my birthday is coming up, why do I always forget it's coming up? It's a bit too early to remember it since it comes 3-4 weeks beforehand. I let out a tired sigh. I do nothing on it anyways- besides last year, actually nevermind about doing nothing. I forgot it was only last year that no one celebrated it, I think...
``Kahlil?`` I turned over to the voice, noticing that Dipper had arrived.
``Oh, so you arrived slow-poke.`` I said, narrowing my eyes.
``My uncles wanted something, so I had to do as they asked.`` He said, rolling his eyes.
``Alright, I'll accept your excuse.`` I said, turning to the jungle.
``It's not an excuse. Did the atmosphere from that kid still lurk in your aura?`` He asked.
``Yes, very much so. You know I want to hurt him.`` I said, heading over to the tall trees. I checked the corner of my eyes, watching him follow me.
``You seem annoyed lately-``
``No, sh-t, I do.`` I cursed.
``Okay. Maybe this trip will lighten up the mood.`` He said, walking beside me.
``And since your request lurked in the mood today, now will you tell me what you want to know?`` I asked as we both entered the jungle. The silence was a bit eerie, only because we were climbing the trees to get to my spot that I love to sit at. We arrived at the Bridge Branch, I was the first to sit on and gaze upon the blue sky. Maybe this silence isn't too bad, I always liked it, perhaps I should love it instead of him.
``Is there any known history of this jungle being a forest before?`` Dipper's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I slowly looked over at the boy, noticing he was nervous to the core. He's kind of cute when he positions himself like that. So, the history of this place once being a forest...? Is he talking about that old dude telling a story about this jungle? Supposedly that is the truth. ``You could ask the creatures of this place, but I don't know if they will be much help. Don't think they lived long enough to tell tales.`` I said. But I know how it came to be, it's best if you believe that false story of his.
``More walking around... it can't get any worse than that.`` He whined.
``Jeez, you lack physical strength.`` I said, turning my head back to the blue skies again.
``Wow, thanks, friend. Didn't realize you notice that side of me.`` He said, possibly rolling his eyes.
``Of course, your mind and soul want to explore every inch of this jungle, but your body won't allow that, and then you get whiny and tired. So yeah, it's not that hard to read you.`` I said, looking up to him. I saw him glaring daggers at me. Guess that's the truth of it all, just cheated a bit.
`` "whiny" Do I sound whiny to you?`` He asked.
``Yep.`` I answered.
``Great-``
``Not like it gets on my nerves.`` I said, interrupting him.
``I... what? I don't get on your nerves?`` He asked, tilting his head.
``For strangers and other people, it's effortless to get on my nerves, but when it's with you or someone fairly close with me, it's hard. So I won't complain if you whine to me.`` I explained.
``That's... new hearing from you.`` He said.
``Well, not everything you know about that person comes on the first hang out or the first greeting. You do know more about that person later down the line.`` I said.
``I... know that just... you seem mysterious to keep traits of yourself to yourself.`` He said, finally sitting down next to me, not reasonably close.
``Yeah... I do tend to get called "mysterious" a lot.`` I said, letting out a chuckle. ``what's next, mysterious clues about me?``
``Maybe, maybe I could solve all of them for you.`` Dipper said. I turned to him, glaring at him, ``I was joking!`` I said as I watch him laugh at me. I got all fussy as my cheeks flare a rose. ``I didn't mean it to sound serious, jeez!`` I said out of embarrassment.
``I mean, your already a mystery to me. You didn't need to get embarrassed about that, did I enter something territorial?`` He asked, looking worried.
``You didn't, you didn't at all, Dipper.`` I said, calming myself down. At least he only identifies it as an embarrassing blush. The silence fell on us once again, ending the conversation from there. Another long quiet time of peace, but sometimes peace for me, is the conversations we have together.``So, is that all you wanted to know about the jungle?`` I asked, returning back to the first topic. I watched him avert his eyes off somewhere in the nature below us. I think he went into another thinking habit. He always does that. ``I am, confused about something...`` Dipper begins to say. I seal my lips shut as I listened in.
``As I recall what the old guy said about the story. He mentions a glowing field of mushrooms... and remembering it from the few nights, how did he get it right without going into the jungle?`` He asked.
I looked up at the branches above us. ``... Maybe a hint of guessing? Sometimes guesses can be accurate about a specific person, place, etc. sometimes they are not.`` I answered.
``Does the name... "Resting Grounds," click a bell in your head?`` He asked, turning to me.
``Oh? That's odd, he calls it a Resting Grounds?`` I said, tilting my head in curiosity. ``But yes, it does ring a bell. Infact, it is called a Resting Grounds, but not the definition of what he told you.``
``Really?`` He narrowed his eyes.
``Yep. It actually means it's a resting ground for all living beings to rest there and take the pain or weight off one's shoulders. Not a dead waste that is terrible to ruin the place's reputation.`` I said, putting a hint of aggression in my tone.
``Well, they don't know the true meaning. I mean, at least the people do keep away from this vast environment.`` He said, turning his head away from me.
``Not always.`` I muttered.
``... That's depressing.`` He said, getting the hint that people disappear in this jungle, only to cost their lives of never returning.
``Yeah, it is.`` I said as the silence falls on us again. I lift up my head to the horizon, noticing how the sun is already setting. Man, time flies past really fast when I'm in this jungle. Maybe it's the silence that we keep creating around us, perhaps that's how we are fast traveling through time.
``This jungle is making me fall asleep again...`` I heard Dipper mumbled. I looked over to the boy, snickering silently. ``Maybe you need it.``
``I don't want to fall asleep.`` He said a hint of whining was in his tone.
``Aww, does the little kid need his nap time?~`` I smirked.
``Your not helping one bit!`` He snapped at me.
``Oh, he definitely does.`` I said, ignoring what he said.
``Kahlil! Stop messing with me!`` He said, glaring daggers at me. I only laugh at his reaction. I soon stopped as the smile never left my face.
``Now, I wonder if this teasing will ever stop.`` Dipper grunted.
``Don't think it will.`` I said.
``That's what you think, you bully.`` He continues his glares at me.
``At least I'm a charming bully.`` I said, letting out a small snicker.
``Sure.`` He huffed before turning away. ``I really hate when you do this to me. What's so special about me that got you teasing me, non-stop?``
``Don't dwell on it. If it bothers you too much, I can always turn it down a notch.`` I said. ``But don't make promises if I get carried away.``
``Don't think that helps me.`` He said.
``Eh. Let's just let the silence take us in, I know I'm not helping. But at least the silence can help.`` I quickly said. I know, I'm terrible at giving people comfort, I was always terrible at it. Maybe it's best if I don't talk anymore.
- Dipper's POV -
I stared at my friend as he turns away from me. I could tell he was uncomfortable after what's being said. I just wanted to know, maybe it's because of the reactions I keep slipping through. I shook my head and looked over at him. I don't want this tension between us to go on further. Maybe we do need silence more than ourselves. I crush my hands on the branch. ``Fine. Just don't go overboard.`` I said. I can't believe I'm saying this. It's just a friend's bonding, nothing too serious... I started to feel my cheeks becoming warm as I panicked. Nothing too serious!
``That's strange coming from you.`` I flinched, quickly turning over to Kahlil. ``Didn't realize your comfortable with me teasing you.``
``I should be used to it by now.`` I said, quickly looking away from him.
``Hey, let's visit a place beside this old dump.`` He said, standing up. I turned to him as I did the same. ``Like what?``
``Hmmm... just somewhere prettier.`` He said, grabbing my wrist before leading the way. I blushed as I looked down. I don't have feelings for him, it's just an odd expression that is suddenly appearing on my face. I hope he doesn't notice since he loves to pick on that issue. When I recognize the path he was leading me on, I knew where we were going to, only to realize it's a different place. I widened my eyes at the view. The environment was filled with crystals hanging down from the branches, the colors they glowed were light pink, light blue, light purple, and a tiny hint of light cyan or... just cyan... I don't know. There were little sparks beside them, as well as small mushrooms. ``This is another part of the Resting Grounds, mixing with the shrinking crystals, although these crystals do nothing but glow, beautiful colors.`` Kahlil said.
I notice the ground was sparkling the same view as I saw before. I nodded, getting all flushed. Stop thinking about that, Dipper! It's nothing, it's nothing at all!-
``Do you like it?`` My friend asked catching my attention again. I wipe my face off before answering. ``Yes, I do. Never knew this place existed, infact anything can happen in a jungle like this.``
``That's why this is the fantasy world, while the town is reality.`` He said. I nodded. I agree with that, but sometimes, we can't trail off the path. We still need to be connected with reality, a little fantasy is fine here and there. ``This is why you love it here so much.`` I said.
``Isn't it obvious? I can escape to this place whenever I want. But sometimes, coming back to the town can help a bit.`` He said. ``Your lucky I didn't go missing already.``
``You can't go missing in these woods, you know your way around these areas!`` I said, raising a brow.
``Well, I'll just "pretend" to go missing, how about that?`` He said, approaching me.
``Don't pretend either.`` I said, smiling faintly. ``It's bad both ways, and someone could miss you if your gone for far too long.``
``That is true, I shouldn't do something that bad.`` He said, halting his steps. I noticed he was close to me as I blushed again. I need to stop feeling this way, it's terrible. I noticed he smirked, staring right at my face. ``Uh... is there something... not supposed to be on there?``
``Nah... it's just that... your blushing lately.`` He said.
``Yeah... I'm just sick...`` I said as he raises a brow.
``You're sick? I think it's more than just a cold.`` He grinned.
``Um... maybe it is, yeah, it is. Just a cold, feeling a bit chilly.`` I said as my eyes look for the possible exit route of this place. I'm already panicking of this. He noticed it, he noticed! He shouldn't spot it, just continue it as a regular act. He barks a laugh as I jumped. ``Why are you laughing now?!`` I said, shooting him a glare.
``It's funny how you can look at me "straightly" when you glare at me, but can't look at me when your not glaring at me.`` He said snickering.
``It's c-complicated, you don't need to know a-anything!`` I said, huffing.
``Yeah... I don't. Maybe when you are ready, then I will know.`` He said before turning away.
``Ready for what...? What do you mean?`` I asked, confused at what he said. What does he mean by that? I'm...- no? As I said, it's nothing about that stuff, I don't have feelings for you.
``That's for you to answer, for now. I think I feel all better now.`` He said, stretching out his arms. I turned away, rubbing my cheeks. They hurt now, I don't know why I feel like this. I stopped as my arms fell to my sides, I then hugged myself. I want to end this so much, I don't want to feel this way, I never want to. I can't talk to anyone about this, they will just make fun of me. I wish the conditions were different.
``Are you okay?`` I jerk my head up from the ground before looking over to Kahlil, who had a worried expression. ``You seem panicked... did something happen at school? Or during it?``
``I-I'm fine... I just need to rest after that little incident on that day. Maybe it's still catching up to me.`` I said.
``Stressing yourself too much, I see?`` He guessed.
``Yeah... I need to rest and stop overthinking things... before I go into another panic attack again-`` I stopped myself as I looked over at his widened eyes.
`` Panic Attack...? Okay.`` He put his hands on his hips. ``First thing of order, you need to rest.``
``Yes, I do, "mom." `` I said, letting out a small chuckle. He then put his arms behind his back. ``Come on, I want you to get this rest.``
``But I want to stay here.`` I said, whining.
``Don't do this... I don't think the kid needs to put a fit right now.`` Kahlil said, narrowing his eyes.
``Maybe he does because he doesn't want to leave this place.`` I said, playing along with whatever is going on. He walked ahead before taking my wrist. ``Awww, not in a mood to play?``
`` "Play"? Oh so you want to go there?~`` He smirked. I quickly turned bright red once I saw his dirty expression. ``NO. I don't you little-`` I stopped myself before glaring at him.
``Little what? Hmmm?~`` He said.
``Little nothing! I don't want to fuel this any longer.`` I muttered afterward. I shook my head, holding my thoughts back from giving me any ideas. I then felt my hand entwine with his, leading me out of the endless environment and into a world, I wish it was different. But sometimes, when someone I feel close to is with me, I don't mind the world at all. Because they always have the power to change my mood from bad to good.
Maybe... I do have feelings for him.
End of Chapter 24.
Oooo a double upload! What an opportunity to experience. I may do this more in the future, depends on my productive mood.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Reviews and feedback are always welcome!