Season of the Sharks (part two) by Lindsay Meanie
Jeff woke up extra early the next morning to study for a big exam, even though it wasn't for another three weeks. Ness had called him the night before about Frank and how he wanted to help him confront Shonda. Although Jeff really didn't know much about girls, he offered to help. He felt that he should always help a friend, no matter what.
That's when Tony, his best friend, woke up as well. "Jeff, what are you doing up so early? It's Saturday, you always sleep late on the weekends."
"I need to study," Jeff replied.
"Can't you do it later?" Tony rubbed his eyes.
"I have to do it now or I won't be able to at all this weekend. Ness wants me to help some friend of his win over a girl we met yesterday."
Tony replied, "Oh, that kind of thing." He winked. "Send my luck to that guy. I'm going back to sleep."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Meanwhile, back at Paula's house, Shonda was wide awake while Paula and Mr. Saturn hadn't woken up yet. Shonda woke up early as well. How could she sleep when so much was on her mind? Shonda had to wait about two hours before Paula and Mr. Saturn woke up.
"Hey," Shonda said. "It's about time you sleepyheads woke up! I've been awake since six this morning!"
"Well what were you doing up?" Paula asked while yawning.
"I couldn't sleep."
"I don't blame you. Having to see somebody again that was out of your life for a while is not exactly easy."
"BOING! ZOOM! Morning good!" Mr. Saturn hopped around.
"At least I've got some time," Shonda said. "Come on, let's get some breakfast, I'm starved!"
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Later that morning, back in Onett, Ness, Jeff, and Poo were talking to Frank. "Okay," Ness began. "Have you ever had a girlfriend before Shonda?"
"Well," Frank said. "No, actually."
"Girls are no sweat," Poo said. "I've got a million back home. They're all crazy about me." He grinned.
"Woah, I don't even know a million girls. You're one lucky fella you know that?"
"He's just exaggerating, Frank." Jeff laughed.
"I knew that," he replied coolly.
"Okay," Ness said. "Let's get back on the subject. What
matters to you the most about Shonda?"
"She was always there for me," Frank began. "Until I freaked out like a jerk that night and she went away to Fourside. I was just plain selfish back then. The only thing I cared about was the grip hold my Sharks had of Onett at the time. I took Shonda for granted."
"Well," Jeff said. "We all make mistakes. But you've changed now and once Shonda sees that she'll more than likely forgive you."
"He's right," Ness said. "Now let's get some more facts straight."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Early that evening after Jeff and Poo went home, Ness and Frank were still talking and watched as the sun began to set into the cool autumn night.
"So, Frank," Ness began. "Are you nervous?"
"You bet I am, kid," Frank replied as he chewed on a blade of grass.
"Well I hope my advice will help."
"It did, pal. But you'd feel the same way I do if you had to confront somebody who's been out of your life for more than a year."
"That's true," Ness said. "I remember when I first left on my journey to defeat Giygas, I was nervous too. I had no idea what would lie ahead of me. But things turned out for the best." He smiled.
"And I'm pretty darned proud of ya!" Frank gave Ness a pat on the back.
"Thanks!"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Meanwhile, Shonda, Paula and Mr. Saturn returned from some shopping at the Department Store and Burglin Park.
"That's such a neat dress!" Paula exclaimed as Shonda held up a metallic silver satin dress.
"I know!" Shonda replied. "Good thing I got my last paycheck!"
"Are you going to wear it around Frank?" Paula winked.
"I really don't know. I guess I could, but not right away.
If he's as nice as you and Ness say he is then…maybe we could have a party or
something."
"Hey, that's a great idea! We could have the party over at
the Chaos Theatre and get the Runaway Five to play!"
Shonda turned to Paula. "You actually KNOW the Runway Five? The greatest band in Eagleland?"
"Yeah," Paula said. "Me, Ness, and Jeff got them out of debt twice!"
"Woah! That's too cool! This is going to be great…if, I decide to go back to Frank."
"Of course."
"BOING! BOING! Runaway Five!" Mr. Saturn hopped up and down.
Shonda smiled and said, "My life is turning from the worst
to the best."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Hey, did you hear that Shonda's coming back?" A Shark member asked another as they were kicking a hacky sack to one another.
"Who's she?" Another member asked.
"You know, Yesman, Frank's old girlfriend!"
"Oh, her…I know who you're talking about now, Skate. Hey, I where she's been?"
"I think Fourside," Pogo said. "And I wonder if they'll get back together?"
"Maybe," Yesman said, kicking the hacky sack from one foot to the other. "Considering how crushed he was when she left."
"I know. He practically had a nervous breakdown…that's the
only time I've ever seen him cry. I didn't think he knew how."
"Me neither," Skate said. "Girls sure can be dangerous."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Huh?" Frank woke up, and trudged to the front door of his small house. He found the three Sharks standing outside.
"What the heck are you guys doing here?" Frank asked as he checked his watch. "It's two o'clock in the morning!"
"We heard that your girlfriend was coming back," Pogo said.
"You think I didn't already know?"
"Well we just wanted to make sure you did."
"Look," Frank said. "I'm not your boss any more. And I need my sleep…now find something better to do, okay?" Frank shut the door.
"We shouldn't have woken him up," Yesman said as they walked back into town.
"I think he's just nervous," Skate said.
"Come on," Pogo said. "Let's find that hacky sack!"
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
The next day, back in Twoson, Shonda, Paula, and Mr. Saturn were sitting by the river in Peaceful Rest Valley, talking.
"Well," Shonda said, stirring the water with a stick, distorting her reflection. "I'm feeling better and better about all this. And only five more days."
Paula and Shonda exchanged a smile and watched Mr. Saturn chase a Magic Butterfly.
"Hey, let's go back to Twoson," Paula said. "We can talk to the Runaway Five about the party."
Shonda's face lit up. "You mean…I can MEET the Runaway
Five??"
Paula nodded.
"What are you waiting for? Come on, Mr. Saturn, let's go!"
When they arrived back in Twoson at the Chaos Theatre, which
was newly reopened, and the Runaway Five being back in town (limited time
only!), Shonda, Paula and Mr. Saturn went inside. Being a friend of the band,
Paula got them in for free. When she knocked on the dressing room door and said
who she was, Jake called, "Come on in!"
"Hey guys! Look who we have here!" Elwood gestured to Paula and her guests.
"Who's this lovely lady with you, Paula?" Jake asked, making Shonda blush.
"This is my new friend, Shonda," Paula said.
"It's an honor," Jake kissed her hand and Shonda said, and hugged him hard. "It's SO great to meet you! I've been a fan forever!"
Jake laughed and said, "Aw shucks, sweetheart." Shonda let go of him.
"Hey, guys," Paula said. "Could you do us a favor?"
"Sure!" Elwood said. "Name it, and we'll do it."
"Well, Shonda's getting back with her old boyfriend…"
"Maybe," Shonda said.
"Okay, maybe," Paula corrected. "And if she does, we want to have a party here. Could you possibly play for us?"
"Why, it would be our pleasure," Jake said.
"You would!? Oh thanks so much!" Shonda exclaimed.
"Hey," Elwood said as they left. "I wish the best for ya, Shonda!"
"Thanks!"
"BOING!" Mr. Saturn trotted off.
"Wha'd I tell you?" Paula said.
"Woah," Shonda said. "I actually met the Runaway Five…I don't believe it. Am I dreaming? Gimme a pinch."
As soon as Paula gave her a hard pinch in the arm, Shonda exclaimed, "Ouch! Okay, so I really did meet them. …Awesome!"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"So how's Frank?" Jeff asked Ness a couple days later as they were sitting by Lake Tess and skipping stones across the icy cold water.
"Fine," Ness said, shooting a flat rock across the lake. "I think this is going to be sweet…can't wait until I see them together."
"Ness, things like this don't always turn out nice. I
haven't seen my mom since I was a baby, and I heard when Dad saw her again they
weren't too thrilled to see each other."
"Well it's not like they're divorced like your parents. They've just broken up for a while."
"Same thing," Jeff continued. "Well, not literally, but you know what I mean."
"Yeah," Ness said. "But Paula called last night, she said that the Runaway Five would play at a party…if we have one."
"The Runaway Five? Woah! You know, I hope things work out too." Jeff tossed another stone into the great lake, and noticed that it was getting dark and snow was beginning to fall.
"I'd better get back to school," Jeff said. "It's getting late and I have some more studying to do. See ya!"
"Bye Jeff!" Ness teleported away from Winters and to Twoson at Paula's house.
"Hey Ness," Shonda greeted. "How's it going? We're just about to have some pizza for dinner, so why don't you stay?"
"Oh, thanks! Say Shonda, Frank's looking forward to seeing you…" He gave her a slight nudge with his elbow.
"Well, um…I look forward to seeing him too." She blushed.
When they sat down to eat the hot pizza Paula said, "We've been doing an awful lot this week."
"That's for sure," Shonda said. "We've had quite a day today."
"Me too," Ness said, taking a bite of pizza. "You know, it's strange to see Frank so hung up over something like this. Before he changed, I've never even seen him shed a tear."
"Frank was actually very sensitive and emotional, he just hid it all from the rest of the Sharks to make himself seem fearless. Being his girlfriend, I knew he wasn't." Shonda picked off some pepperoni from her pizza slice.
"BOING!" Mr. Saturn chewed at the end of a slice.
"If it weren't for me adopting this Mr. Saturn I'd have no friends up until now," Shonda smiled. "I'm glad we met."
"Me too," Paula grinned.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The week very quickly went by. Everyone was so busy that before they knew it, it was Saturday, the day that Shonda and Frank would finally confront one another.
"How do I look? Does my breath smell okay? Is there anything caught in my teeth?" Frank asked Ness, Jeff, and Poo quickly and nervously.
"Relax," Jeff said. "You look pretty spiffy. Now don't worry about it. You'll do fine."
"If I can win over a girl then anyone can," Poo said reassuringly.
"Thanks, guys." Frank laughed a little.
"Just stick to what we've talked about," Ness said.
"Okay, I'll just calm down…"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Do I look okay, Paula?" Shonda asked as they were walking through the path to Onett.
"Yeah, you look good," Paula replied nicely.
"I can't help but be really nervous, though."
"I know what you mean."
"BOING!" Mr. Saturn hopped on Shonda's shoulders. "I always be your friend! Will always…ZOOM!"
"Thanks, Mr. Saturn," Shonda smiled. "You make my tough times worthwhile."
A few minutes later, they reached Onett. "Oh my gosh…" Shonda said under her breath. "I haven't been here in so long…"
"Take it easy," Paula said. "I know this is hard for you, but try not to think about the past."
When they finally reached the suburb area, near Ness's house, Paula noticed the guys about twenty feet away and said to Shonda, "Don't look now but I think there's somebody over there who really wants to see you."
Shonda caught her breath at the sight of Frank. Just then, Ness noticed them and said, "Hey! Come here!"
"Stay behond me for now," Paula said to Shonda, who was shaking all over. Mr. Saturn toddled along.
"So…" Jeff said. "Is she here?"
Shonda poked her head from behind Paula for a split second and waved.
"I rest my case. Hey Frank! Here she is!"
From behind a large tree, Ness came out, shoving an equally nervous Frank towards the two girls.
"So," Frank said. "Where is she?"
"Behold," Paula said, giving Shonda a hard shove towards Frank.
"Frank?" Shonda's voiced cracked.
"Shonda!" Frank exclaimed. "I—I almost thought I'd never see you again on that night you ran out on me…"
"I felt the same way," Shonda said, blushing slightly.
"Okay," Ness said. "Our work here is done. We'll just leave you two alone for a while. Come on, guys!"
"I want to see what happens," Poo said.
"Come on," Ness gave him a look.
"Okay, I'm outta here."
The Chosen Four sneaked off, leaving Frank, Shonda, and Mr. Saturn by themselves.
End of part two