Disclaimer: I own nothing. Well ok so maybe I own the story plot, maybe.

Summary: Lor is given the task of not saying a word all weekend and she has to report back to the teacher about what she learned. And she learns some very interesting things...

Things I'll Never Say

"So then Thompson was like we should hang out this weekend. But I had to say no 'cuz you, me, Tish, and Carver are watching the Chumbucket marathon on TV. And so he said we should hang out next weekend."

I continued to babble on as Tino sat rolling his eyes. I took no notice and continued.

"So I said fine and we thought we'd start by..."

I was forced to stop my story short as Mrs. Duong walked into the room.

"Listen up everyone!"

We all settled down to listen to whatever Mrs. D needed to tell us. You see after Preteen Pals (which was a huge success) she had a group where we could just come and talk...or listen. And right now I wanted to talk...just not about anything relevant. As she continued to babble on I kept whispering to Tino.

"Lor quiet down please."

Opps. Guess I got a little loud there. Okay back to whispering.

"LOR, if I have to tell you one more time to be quiet."

Ok getting loud again. I'll have to make sure I whisper the last part.

"...and he said that it was great 'cuz he'd ALWAYS WANTED TO SPEND TIME WITH ME!"

Uh-Oh!

"LOR!"

Mrs. D put on a very strained smile and then told me something that I never saw coming.

"Well Lor since you can't seem to control yourself for half an hour I think I'll have to show you the joys of being silent. I don't want you to speak one word for the rest of the weekend."

She had to be kidding! I saw Tino's eyes open wide and Carver and Tish just gaped open mouthed at me.

"You're not serious are you Mrs. D." Tino's voice was full of shock and surprise.

"No, Tino I'm dead serious. If Lor can go without saying a thing until our next meeting on Sunday than...if she wants to converse with you the next meeting I won't stop her."

My eyes got as huge as Tino's. Me? Not say a word for almost three days. Wow. That would be quite a challenge. But I'm Lor and I take every and any challenge. I nodded my head in agreement to her deal and she excused me from the rest of the class. Since I could only listen and was unable to give advice I wouldn't be much use to anyone.

To my surprise Tino asked if he could join me. He blushed when Mrs. D asked him why and said that he had to make sure I didn't talk. I laughed inwardly. Tino could be so cute sometimes. Wait! I didn't just say that, did I? Okay, gotta stop watching so much TV.

I glance over at Tish and Carver and notice a sad expression on her face. Because Tino was leaving? I really have to stop thinking. Carver had this I-can-be-alone-with-her-now look on his face. I would know it's the same one that I have when I'm with Thompson. But still Carver has that look 'cuz he's being left with Tish and Tish is sad 'cuz Tino's leaving with me. I don't like being silent. I'm just finding stuff out that I should not know EVER! I shook my head as we walked out and I saw Tino giving me a worried look.

"Are you...okay?" He sounds almost nervous. But why should he? It's not like he likes me... right? I have got to stop thinking. I haven't even been on this silence thing for 10 minutes and already my head's spinning. I nod my head and sit down on the bench outside and waited in silence with Tino for Tish and Carver.

When they walked out of the building 15 minutes later Carver was absolutely glowing with happiness. Apparently he did like Tish...no I shouldn't jump to conclusions. Tino asked everyone what he thought we ought to do for the rest of the Friday.

"It can't be something long and it can't involve talking."

Tish immediately had an answer.

"We should go to the new museum exhibit."

Carver looked at the ground. I could almost predict is normal eye-roll. Right on cue I saw him briefly looking up as his rolled.

"Tish..." Tino stared, but she cut him off.

I swear she looked at him and BATTED her eyelashes.

"But it's a exhibit on all the famous couples in history. It'll be full of romance and adventure too."

Carver's head snapped up at the word romance and I could see him glance from Tish to the ground to Tish again.

"Please Tino." Tish gave him puppy dog eyes.

Uh-oh Tino's gonna crack like an egg. He can't resist the puppy dog eyes. Even from Carver.

"Fine."

"YESSSS!" Tish grabbed Tino by the arm and dragged him off. Carver ran after them shouting 'Tish...Tino wait for me!'

Was it just me or did he add Tino in as an after thought? Ok so it wasn't just me. He did just add Tino as an after thought. Well I'd better catch up with them.

We were maybe half way there when Tino fell behind Tish and Carver and walked beside me.

"I hope you're okay with going to this exhibit. I mean I know you don't get much of I say now that...well...you can't say anything...but I thought you should still have a vote so next time I'm gonna make sure it's okay with you first so..."

Okay he is officially rambling. Gotta shut him up. I nodded and kept walking. He took that as a sign to be silent and fell into step with me. The rest of the time we were walking he kept giving me this odd look.  Thankfully we reached the museum and Tish pulled him right to the most famous couple ever...

Romeo and Juliet.

I saw Carver give Tino and jealous look and that's when I knew for sure.

Carver liked Tish.

But I couldn't tell if Tish liked Tino or is she was just extremely excited. But I would probably go with the first option. Whoa! This was getting weird. I'll be so glad when this is over.

"Carver could you please get everyone something to eat. Here my treat."

Tish held out some money, which Carver took gladly and set off towards the cafeteria. Tish led us (or rather Tino) to the next exhibit. And the one after that. And the one after that. Each time she seemed to be getting a little closer to him. So he tried to get a little closer to me. I was extremely glad when Carver came back.

"Oh man I forgot the ketchup!" Carver smacked his forehead and Tino jumped in and volunteered.

"I'll go get some…can't have fries without ketchup right?"

He laughed a very nervous laugh and speed in the direction of the cafeteria. Wow he must have really been nervous around Tish. But then again if I had my friend crowding me like that...I'd be nervous too. Carver kept trying to do the same thing to Tish that she was doing to Tino. But I saw Tish give the back of Tino's head a sad look, then she turned to look at a picture that reminded me a lot of what I was feeling.

There was a man on his knees begging for the love of the girl, but she was too busy paying attention to the other boy to notice. Unfortunately the other boy was looking at a young blonde girl who looked lost and confused.

It was a really beautiful painting and I liked it a lot. I could really relate to the blonde girl. 

Tino got back just in time to see the painting before Tish made us move on. He must have noticed me looking at it because the next thing I know he's next to me saying...

"Beautiful isn't it."

I nodded my head finally thankful that for once I didn't have to speak.

~*~

When we got out of the museum an hour later it was dark and we all had to be heading home. We walked to the arcade and we went our separate ways. Tino and I in one direction. Tish and Carver in the other. The walk to my house (which was the first one we came to) was a silent one (which considering I couldn't talk wasn't very surprising. As we reached my front door Tino looked at me and I swear there was something about the way he was looking at me. I couldn't put my finger on it but then again there was a lot I couldn't put my finger on right now.

I said good-bye to Tino and walked into my house. I leaned against the door and took a couple of breaths before going to my room and sitting on my bed. Today's events ran through my mind. At least the one's that happened after the listening group did. And I came to a very interesting conclusion.

I knew things I wasn't supposed to know. For instance I wasn't supposed to know that Carver liked Tish, or that Tish liked Tino.

And I DEFINETLY wasn't supposed to know that Tino might like me.

~*~

Well that's my first Weekenders fic. I'm sorry if the characters are a little OCC. R&R please! All flames will help to keep me warm in the winter.