Chapter Three:
The next morning Nny woke on Devi's sofa. He was surprised he'd slept; he rarely slept. He didn't want to open his eyes. Perhaps he was on his own floor, or on his couch or bed, and seeing Devi again had only been one wonderful dream. He was afraid it had been. She'd been so nice to him. He took a deep breath and opened his eyes.
He was indeed on Devi's sofa. It had all been real! It made him feel all fluffy inside. He hugged himself and stood up. He wandered into the kitchen. He went slowly, as he was still rather weak. It was brighter in the kitchen than in the rest of the apartment, because there was a window on the wall above the sink. He walked to the window, and looked out. There was some sort of field behind the apartment building. He could see a blooming lilac bush down in the field. It's blossoms were pale lavender, but the buds that had not yet bloomed were a deep, magenta-purple..the exact lovely color of Devi's hair. Devi..
Nny was so lost in thoughts of Devi that he didn't notice that the real thing walked in a few seconds later. They looked at each other and jumped, startled. Devi remembered that Nny had stayed overnight, and calmed down.
"Morning," she said, sitting down in one of the stools at the bar-style counter/table.
"Morning," Nny answered back.
"Sleep well?" Devi asked.
"Yes," Nny said, "Your couch is very comfortable."
Devi chuckled. "Haven't slept many decent places now, have you?" Devi asked. Nny shook his head.
"Want something? I can make coffee," Devi said.
"No thank you. I don't' really like coffee very much," Nny confessed.
"Me either," Devi admitted.
"Didn't think so," Nny said. Devi looked at him. He didn't look as weak as last night, but he still looked unhealthy. The dark circles under his eyes had faded a bit.
"Would you like me to make some breakfast or something?" Devi asked.
"Make yourself something. I don't really eat breakfast normally," Nny muttered, looking at his shoes.
"Are you sure you don't want to eat anything? You really should keep your strength up, since you did have that whole seizure thing yesterday," Devi said, looking at him in a concerned way.
"No thanks. I'll be fine. You're not my mother," Nny said, but he did not say it unkindly, "You're not my mother," he repeated, "Nobody is."
"What?" Devi asked.
"Nothing. I was just thinking.never mind. So, would you like me to explain that whole spaz thing?" Nny asked.
"Sure," Devi said. She did not pry farther about what Nny had said. She had been able to see the pain in his eyes when he said it. It must have been something that had hurt him greatly when it happened.
"Well..for most of my adult life, I've been possessed by something or other. And suddenly, this new voice showed up. Called Bloodman. He was cutting me down.I don't know..he was poisoning me. My heart, my soul, my body. He said something about..poisoning my every aspect. He kept making my throw up and have convulsions. So I ran away, and he made me have one while I was running," Nny said sadly. Devi looked at him in surprise. But she didn't say anything, though the whole thing was completely ludicrous. She didn't say anything about the insanity of the matter anyway.
"So, why did you try to kill me?" she asked instead.
"OK. You know how I said I was possessed?" Devi nodded, "was possessed by the doughboys back then. They went away, but when they were around what they did was make me...kill people. And then..on that date with you..after we came back to my place and you :blush: were going to kiss me, I ran into the bedroom, and they provoked me to try and kill you, so I gave in," Nny said quietly, looking ashamed. He was looking at the ground. Devi looked at him with sympathy. What she really wanted to ask was 'why did you run away when I tried to kiss you?', but she didn't. Instead she just looked at him. She remembered that fateful day perfectly.
"I'm sorry," Nny said in a tiny, barely audible whisper. Devi looked at him carefully. There were tears in his eyes. All the good, friendly feelings there had been lingering in the air were gone, and replaced by uncomfortable feelings. Devi looked at Nny standing there, and finally she got up and walked over to him.
"Nny? It's alright. It's fine. I forgive you and all that. It's OK," Devi said. Nny didn't respond. He looked so ashamed. Devi finally just gave in and yanked him into a steady clasp, hugging him gently. She held him close for a few minutes, and then released him. She smiled at him, and finally he gave her a small grin back.
(notey: OK, now it gets weird because I was up all night having a sleepover and my friend was asleep so I sat there on a crate and stared at the basement walls for six hours, reading a little JTHM here & there and drawing a Senor Bagel comic 'til I passed out finally. I have a case of insomnia. And plus all I've had today was vanilla frozen yogurt and a freezy at the mall, so I'm a little woozy. Man I have unhealthy living habits. It's a good thing that freezy was only a dollar, or I wouldn't have been able to afford that and the yogurt, so I'd be really woozy. I'm pretty damn stupid for going to the mall with two dollars and a few nickels. I gotta get some help! Or maybe a job other than drawing comics and passing them around school for the amusement of the insane. I should charge money for those comics. Then I'd be rich. Yay! Wait, I don't like money. OK, on with da story!)
Devi returned to her stool and Nny slumped into another.
(Notey thingy: PS it's another day now. I didn't type anything in the story yesterday because just as I was about to, I got a call from an annoyed friend about a comic I was supposed to be finishing for the purpose of passing doses of insanity to a middle school's populace. You should see what cheerleaders do when they read MY comics. Tee hee. They aren't nice about it at all. This one girl, she read this one, and she looked at me like I was a maniac or something, and then she ran. Oh man I'm pathetic. But I thought it was funny. Hee!)
They sat quietly, staring at each other for a few minutes. Nny looked at Devi closely. She didn't smile much. He could tell, because she didn't have little smile lines. No trace of them at all. Her eyes looked like they'd seen too many things in a short life, many things she'd rather not have seen. They'd shed a lot more tears than the eyes of a young woman should have shed, and witnessed more grief than was reasonable. They were green, and shining eyes, smiling eyes right now. But somewhere in their depths they were jaded and tired of opening every morning to the same old shit, never changing. Never improving. Same old downward spiral.
"What are you looking at?" Devi asked. Nny realized he'd been staring and blushed.
"You," he answered. There was an awkward hush, and then it was broken thankfully by a bang of the front door flying open.
"Hey Dev, I'm gonna borrow these shoes, kay?" asked Tenna's voice from the living room. Tenna had a key to Devi's apartment.
"OK then!" Devi yelled.
"Thanks. See ya tonight!" Tenna yelled.
"Yeah-" Devi began. "Oh shit! I forgot!" Devi went on.
"Forgot what?" Nny asked.
Devi paused. "It's my birthday today, and every year my sisters and Tenna come over for awhile. No big thing. Sorry I forgot to mention it. Is that going to bother you?" Devi asked.
"No. I had no idea it was your birthday. I'll go out while they're here and get you something, so I won't be in the way," Nny said.
"No. I don't want anything. I never let anybody get me anything," Devi said.
"Then I'll go somewhere I and-"
"Oh come on. Stick around. It would be fun to have you there. We are friends after all," Devi said.
"Yeah. I guess we are. OK I'll stay," Nny said. It felt good to be wanted. It was strange. A week ago, Devi would have given anything to get away from him, and now she wanted his company.
Devi went into her room and put on her usual purple cargo pants and boots, not bothering with pigtails.
*/*/* That evening, Tenna showed up first, and then Devi's sisters. There were two of them. One with blond hair the same length as Devi's and the other had shoulder length electric blue hair. They were both wearing black clothing of some method. And the blond one had black lipstick. They both shared Devi's facial features very similarly, especially the eyes. Except there was really no pain hidden in theirs.
Tenna noticed Nny first. He was sitting on the sofa looking at the newly arrived guests.
"Ooh Devi, who's that?" Tenna asked in a very giddy and schoolgirlish way. Devi rolled her eyes at her in disgust.
"That's Johnny-" Devi began.
"Is he your boyfr-"
"He's my friend," Devi said, smiling at Nny.
Devi's sisters turned out to be named Deva (the blond one, and that be my penname for books and songs!) and Nakeema (the blue-haired one). They were very friendly, and reminded Nny of Devi in many ways. Devi ran and got some soda out of the fridge and they all chatted for a while. Nny kept mostly silent at first, but then gained a sense of belonging and started answering questions. They all seemed to like him pretty well, and he got along with them. Strange, they hadn't even insulted him about his appearance. They didn't seem to care how he looked.
After they ran out of things to talk about, Nakeema and Tenna (who seemed to be the more outgoing of the group; Deva following more along the lines of Devi's personality) suggested that they go clubbing. Nakeema seemed to know of a good one with a great dance floor (Tenna squealed in delight), and in the end even Deva (who seemed a bit shy and not fond of being in public) agreed. They asked Nny if he wanted to go, and he'd never really gone to on any ventures such as that in a while, so in the end he agreed also. On the car ride there, Tenna and Nakeema talked about which songs they hoped would get played. Devi chatted with Nny about general things, and Deva was silent, looking though as if she were thinking instead of just sitting doing nothing.
"Deva sure doesn't talk much," Devi noted, "She's a writer, so she's always thinking of what's going into a book next. Her books are pretty good."
The club was large and noisy, and thank mushrooms a no-smoking zone. Nny hated the smell of cigarettes. (I think smoking is a vile practice, because I have to live with my dad smoking. So none of my characters smoke, and it's a good thing Nny doesn't either. Public service announcement: smoking is dangerous to your health. I don't need to be a surgeon general to tell 'ya that) Tenna began immediately whooping at the sound of the music, and squeaking Spooky with enthusiasm. Devi glared at the despised toy. Tenna went out to dance before they even ordered drinks. Everyone ordered sodas, Tenna with persuasion (another PSA; drinking alcohol is baaaaaaaaaad!). And then went out to dance. After some argument they left Nny at the table, since he had no clue how to dance.
"We'll come back for ya though! You won't get away with not dancing forever!" Tenna whooped, giving Spooky an energetic peep over her head as she was swallowed by the pulsing crowd.
"Are you sure you don't want to come?" Devi asked hesitantly.
"Yes," Nny said decisively, placing his elbows on the table and resting his chin on his fists.
"Alright, but you have to promise me you'll dance once," Devi said.
"OK. What can it hurt?" Nny said with a sigh. Devi flashed him a thumbs up sign and reluctantly left after the rest of the company. She hadn't even wanted to drag him out of the house; he was still weak and looked paler than usual.
When she was gone Nny sat alone and watched people dancing. He couldn't see Devi & co. anymore. He sat silently and wished he had something to do. He felt very lonely. He stared off into space vacantly.
Devi and the others were dancing a small distance away. Devi wasn't concentrating very hard. She kept colliding with the others as she danced.
"You're not paying much attention," Tenna scolded, squeaking Spooky in Devi's face. Devi glared at the black and white abomination of rubber.
"I know. I guess I just feel bad about leaving him back there," Devi said, a trace of guilt in her voice.
"Him? Who be him?" Tenna asked. Devi rolled her eyes.
"Johnny," she said, emphasizing it.
"Ohhhhhhhhh," Tenna said. Devi rolled her eyes. "So go and get him," Tenna said.
"He doesn't want me to. He doesn't want to dance," Devi said.
"So what? Make him," Tenna said.
Devi rolled her eyes again. "I can't just-"
"Sure 'ya can!"
"Well, I'll just go talk to him," Devi said.
"Yay!" Tenna said, giving Spooky a contented squeak. Devi glared at Spooky again before turning around and walking off.
She reached the table where Nny was sitting in only a few seconds. The crowds gave way with little pushing. He looked up when she approached, though she made no noise as she came.
"Hey," she said, sitting down.
"Hello," Nny muttered.
"Looks pretty boring, sitting here by yourself," Devi said.
"it is," Nny said simply, "It gets lonely." Devi had the feeling he wasn't just talking about it getting lonely sitting by himself at this table in this place right now.
"So ya want some company?" Devi asked.
"Wouldn't hurt," Nny said. So Devi stayed . She started to hum along to the music. (the song was Smooth Criminal by A.A.F., yay! I love that song!) Nny looked at her. He wished he could stay like this forever, sitting near Devi with an unfinished silence between them, the unfinished ness of the silence meaning that nothing was over. He wanted to spend forever having things unfinished with her, because that always meant that something would come after. Nny was so lost in thought that he was unaware of the music around him, and suddenly he noticed that the song that played was slow, and Devi was looking at him, he could feel it.
"Nny," she said so suddenly that he leaped into the air in surprise, "Do you...want to dance with me?" Devi asked.
"Y-yes," Nny stuttered, his hands beginning to shake. Devi stood up, so he followed her.
(notey thing: OK, I'm back! I have some Doritos and wild cherry Pepsi to keep me from passing out over the keys. I ate a full meal today too, so I'm pretty energetic. Some gender confused guy called me a faggot at lunch, and after school these pricks tripped me, and got all mean when I threatened to shove a knife up their leader's ass. Fuckers! Yeah, I'm a girl, yeah I'm yelling, get used to it! Arg! No wonder my paintings come out so morbid! Well, screw the fuckers! I never did anything to them. I haven't even laid eyes on them before! What morons! So caught p in the petty amusement of scorning others that they've sunken so low as to single out the individualists. Garg, it makes me so fucking mad! And I haven't had a freezy in over twenty five hours. I'm in bad shape. So depressed. I really hate to go on with the story when I'm in this mood, but I gotta. I sat around smiling in that one really comical bloodthirsty way at people all day as I stare at them over the rim of my notebook. It gets some pretty amusing results. Hee. And get this: people actually like my comics! Ha ha ha! How ignorant are they? My comics are shit! They have no point whatsoever! They're about talking food products sometimes for gravy's sake people! Arg! Hahahaha teenagers are so dense! And yes, I am one! Ha ha ha! Ok sorry. Enough banter. On with the shitty story! It starts looking like a sappy love story, but all that changes in the future. Just tryin to throw ya off with these almost random plot changes here, people. )
Devi put her arms around his neck, and he put his around her waist (feeling very self-conscious), very gently, as though he was afraid she'd smack him, and they slowly began to sway to the music. Nny was unsure of himself at first, uncertainly avoiding her gaze. Devi seemed sure of herself; it was obvious that (unlike Nny) this wasn't her first slow dance. Tenna saw them across the floor and giggled in delight.
"They look so cute," she said. Nakeema nodded in agreement.
After a few minutes, Nny relaxed a little and became less rigid. He shyly met Devi's eyes. She smiled at him, and he almost fainted.
***Every time I see you, then I start to breathe you, and I start drowning in myself. I know that you don't need me, and I know you try not to see me, but you can't escape the way your heart says you feel.
Chorus: I know it sounds insane, I left you drowning in your pain. I remember the lonely nights, I wish that I could make it right. I don't know what to say, no one's ever made me feel this way. I don't know how I feel, my heart tells me you're real. I don't know what to do, I guess I'm falling for you.
I'm starting to realize, when I look into your eyes, I just can't just give up on you, and everything you do. I feel like I could die, and nobody would cry. But I'm feeling things that I shouldn't feel.
Chorus
And I feel like a fool, drowning in you. I don't know the way the heart behaves. And every time I feel you, I start to need you, and when you look into my eyes I'm swept away.
Chorus***
Nny never wanted it to end. It was like one of those corny movies where the person's dreams all came true in the end (he hated those movies). He knew this wasn't exactly the end, but it still felt just like that. A few seconds passed, the song was over. Devi didn't move for a moment.
"Well I suppose we'd better-" Devi began. A group of people pushed past on their way back from dancing and the crowd shoved against them, forcing them closer together, against each other. Nny's lips somehow became joined with Devi's cheek in the pushing mass, and he felt himself blushing. And then he surprised himself. As they were waiting for the crowd to stop shoving so they could step a relaxed distance apart, he kissed her cheek where his lips touched it.
"Happy birthday, Devi," He whispered, his voice slightly muffled by her face. He could experience Devi's heart flutter against his own.
"Thanks," she whispered back, her arms trembling around his neck. The crowd finally gave way, and they were able to push apart, both blushing furiously. Devi smiled coyly at him, and he tried to smile back but he could hardly breathe. He managed to crack a bashful almost grin. But he knew it looked like he was unwell. Devi tried not to laugh. He looked ridiculous.
"What's funny?" Nny asked.
"Oh nothing. Here, come on," Devi said, taking his arm and leading him back to the table where the other three were already sitting. As they sat down, Tenna cracked an impish smile at Devi.
"What?" Devi asked. Tenna glanced from Devi to Johnny and made her eyebrows go up and down. Devi glared at her, and she shut up and gave Spooky a little shrill squeak under the table. ***
The next morning Nny woke on Devi's sofa. He was surprised he'd slept; he rarely slept. He didn't want to open his eyes. Perhaps he was on his own floor, or on his couch or bed, and seeing Devi again had only been one wonderful dream. He was afraid it had been. She'd been so nice to him. He took a deep breath and opened his eyes.
He was indeed on Devi's sofa. It had all been real! It made him feel all fluffy inside. He hugged himself and stood up. He wandered into the kitchen. He went slowly, as he was still rather weak. It was brighter in the kitchen than in the rest of the apartment, because there was a window on the wall above the sink. He walked to the window, and looked out. There was some sort of field behind the apartment building. He could see a blooming lilac bush down in the field. It's blossoms were pale lavender, but the buds that had not yet bloomed were a deep, magenta-purple..the exact lovely color of Devi's hair. Devi..
Nny was so lost in thoughts of Devi that he didn't notice that the real thing walked in a few seconds later. They looked at each other and jumped, startled. Devi remembered that Nny had stayed overnight, and calmed down.
"Morning," she said, sitting down in one of the stools at the bar-style counter/table.
"Morning," Nny answered back.
"Sleep well?" Devi asked.
"Yes," Nny said, "Your couch is very comfortable."
Devi chuckled. "Haven't slept many decent places now, have you?" Devi asked. Nny shook his head.
"Want something? I can make coffee," Devi said.
"No thank you. I don't' really like coffee very much," Nny confessed.
"Me either," Devi admitted.
"Didn't think so," Nny said. Devi looked at him. He didn't look as weak as last night, but he still looked unhealthy. The dark circles under his eyes had faded a bit.
"Would you like me to make some breakfast or something?" Devi asked.
"Make yourself something. I don't really eat breakfast normally," Nny muttered, looking at his shoes.
"Are you sure you don't want to eat anything? You really should keep your strength up, since you did have that whole seizure thing yesterday," Devi said, looking at him in a concerned way.
"No thanks. I'll be fine. You're not my mother," Nny said, but he did not say it unkindly, "You're not my mother," he repeated, "Nobody is."
"What?" Devi asked.
"Nothing. I was just thinking.never mind. So, would you like me to explain that whole spaz thing?" Nny asked.
"Sure," Devi said. She did not pry farther about what Nny had said. She had been able to see the pain in his eyes when he said it. It must have been something that had hurt him greatly when it happened.
"Well..for most of my adult life, I've been possessed by something or other. And suddenly, this new voice showed up. Called Bloodman. He was cutting me down.I don't know..he was poisoning me. My heart, my soul, my body. He said something about..poisoning my every aspect. He kept making my throw up and have convulsions. So I ran away, and he made me have one while I was running," Nny said sadly. Devi looked at him in surprise. But she didn't say anything, though the whole thing was completely ludicrous. She didn't say anything about the insanity of the matter anyway.
"So, why did you try to kill me?" she asked instead.
"OK. You know how I said I was possessed?" Devi nodded, "was possessed by the doughboys back then. They went away, but when they were around what they did was make me...kill people. And then..on that date with you..after we came back to my place and you :blush: were going to kiss me, I ran into the bedroom, and they provoked me to try and kill you, so I gave in," Nny said quietly, looking ashamed. He was looking at the ground. Devi looked at him with sympathy. What she really wanted to ask was 'why did you run away when I tried to kiss you?', but she didn't. Instead she just looked at him. She remembered that fateful day perfectly.
"I'm sorry," Nny said in a tiny, barely audible whisper. Devi looked at him carefully. There were tears in his eyes. All the good, friendly feelings there had been lingering in the air were gone, and replaced by uncomfortable feelings. Devi looked at Nny standing there, and finally she got up and walked over to him.
"Nny? It's alright. It's fine. I forgive you and all that. It's OK," Devi said. Nny didn't respond. He looked so ashamed. Devi finally just gave in and yanked him into a steady clasp, hugging him gently. She held him close for a few minutes, and then released him. She smiled at him, and finally he gave her a small grin back.
(notey: OK, now it gets weird because I was up all night having a sleepover and my friend was asleep so I sat there on a crate and stared at the basement walls for six hours, reading a little JTHM here & there and drawing a Senor Bagel comic 'til I passed out finally. I have a case of insomnia. And plus all I've had today was vanilla frozen yogurt and a freezy at the mall, so I'm a little woozy. Man I have unhealthy living habits. It's a good thing that freezy was only a dollar, or I wouldn't have been able to afford that and the yogurt, so I'd be really woozy. I'm pretty damn stupid for going to the mall with two dollars and a few nickels. I gotta get some help! Or maybe a job other than drawing comics and passing them around school for the amusement of the insane. I should charge money for those comics. Then I'd be rich. Yay! Wait, I don't like money. OK, on with da story!)
Devi returned to her stool and Nny slumped into another.
(Notey thingy: PS it's another day now. I didn't type anything in the story yesterday because just as I was about to, I got a call from an annoyed friend about a comic I was supposed to be finishing for the purpose of passing doses of insanity to a middle school's populace. You should see what cheerleaders do when they read MY comics. Tee hee. They aren't nice about it at all. This one girl, she read this one, and she looked at me like I was a maniac or something, and then she ran. Oh man I'm pathetic. But I thought it was funny. Hee!)
They sat quietly, staring at each other for a few minutes. Nny looked at Devi closely. She didn't smile much. He could tell, because she didn't have little smile lines. No trace of them at all. Her eyes looked like they'd seen too many things in a short life, many things she'd rather not have seen. They'd shed a lot more tears than the eyes of a young woman should have shed, and witnessed more grief than was reasonable. They were green, and shining eyes, smiling eyes right now. But somewhere in their depths they were jaded and tired of opening every morning to the same old shit, never changing. Never improving. Same old downward spiral.
"What are you looking at?" Devi asked. Nny realized he'd been staring and blushed.
"You," he answered. There was an awkward hush, and then it was broken thankfully by a bang of the front door flying open.
"Hey Dev, I'm gonna borrow these shoes, kay?" asked Tenna's voice from the living room. Tenna had a key to Devi's apartment.
"OK then!" Devi yelled.
"Thanks. See ya tonight!" Tenna yelled.
"Yeah-" Devi began. "Oh shit! I forgot!" Devi went on.
"Forgot what?" Nny asked.
Devi paused. "It's my birthday today, and every year my sisters and Tenna come over for awhile. No big thing. Sorry I forgot to mention it. Is that going to bother you?" Devi asked.
"No. I had no idea it was your birthday. I'll go out while they're here and get you something, so I won't be in the way," Nny said.
"No. I don't want anything. I never let anybody get me anything," Devi said.
"Then I'll go somewhere I and-"
"Oh come on. Stick around. It would be fun to have you there. We are friends after all," Devi said.
"Yeah. I guess we are. OK I'll stay," Nny said. It felt good to be wanted. It was strange. A week ago, Devi would have given anything to get away from him, and now she wanted his company.
Devi went into her room and put on her usual purple cargo pants and boots, not bothering with pigtails.
*/*/* That evening, Tenna showed up first, and then Devi's sisters. There were two of them. One with blond hair the same length as Devi's and the other had shoulder length electric blue hair. They were both wearing black clothing of some method. And the blond one had black lipstick. They both shared Devi's facial features very similarly, especially the eyes. Except there was really no pain hidden in theirs.
Tenna noticed Nny first. He was sitting on the sofa looking at the newly arrived guests.
"Ooh Devi, who's that?" Tenna asked in a very giddy and schoolgirlish way. Devi rolled her eyes at her in disgust.
"That's Johnny-" Devi began.
"Is he your boyfr-"
"He's my friend," Devi said, smiling at Nny.
Devi's sisters turned out to be named Deva (the blond one, and that be my penname for books and songs!) and Nakeema (the blue-haired one). They were very friendly, and reminded Nny of Devi in many ways. Devi ran and got some soda out of the fridge and they all chatted for a while. Nny kept mostly silent at first, but then gained a sense of belonging and started answering questions. They all seemed to like him pretty well, and he got along with them. Strange, they hadn't even insulted him about his appearance. They didn't seem to care how he looked.
After they ran out of things to talk about, Nakeema and Tenna (who seemed to be the more outgoing of the group; Deva following more along the lines of Devi's personality) suggested that they go clubbing. Nakeema seemed to know of a good one with a great dance floor (Tenna squealed in delight), and in the end even Deva (who seemed a bit shy and not fond of being in public) agreed. They asked Nny if he wanted to go, and he'd never really gone to on any ventures such as that in a while, so in the end he agreed also. On the car ride there, Tenna and Nakeema talked about which songs they hoped would get played. Devi chatted with Nny about general things, and Deva was silent, looking though as if she were thinking instead of just sitting doing nothing.
"Deva sure doesn't talk much," Devi noted, "She's a writer, so she's always thinking of what's going into a book next. Her books are pretty good."
The club was large and noisy, and thank mushrooms a no-smoking zone. Nny hated the smell of cigarettes. (I think smoking is a vile practice, because I have to live with my dad smoking. So none of my characters smoke, and it's a good thing Nny doesn't either. Public service announcement: smoking is dangerous to your health. I don't need to be a surgeon general to tell 'ya that) Tenna began immediately whooping at the sound of the music, and squeaking Spooky with enthusiasm. Devi glared at the despised toy. Tenna went out to dance before they even ordered drinks. Everyone ordered sodas, Tenna with persuasion (another PSA; drinking alcohol is baaaaaaaaaad!). And then went out to dance. After some argument they left Nny at the table, since he had no clue how to dance.
"We'll come back for ya though! You won't get away with not dancing forever!" Tenna whooped, giving Spooky an energetic peep over her head as she was swallowed by the pulsing crowd.
"Are you sure you don't want to come?" Devi asked hesitantly.
"Yes," Nny said decisively, placing his elbows on the table and resting his chin on his fists.
"Alright, but you have to promise me you'll dance once," Devi said.
"OK. What can it hurt?" Nny said with a sigh. Devi flashed him a thumbs up sign and reluctantly left after the rest of the company. She hadn't even wanted to drag him out of the house; he was still weak and looked paler than usual.
When she was gone Nny sat alone and watched people dancing. He couldn't see Devi & co. anymore. He sat silently and wished he had something to do. He felt very lonely. He stared off into space vacantly.
Devi and the others were dancing a small distance away. Devi wasn't concentrating very hard. She kept colliding with the others as she danced.
"You're not paying much attention," Tenna scolded, squeaking Spooky in Devi's face. Devi glared at the black and white abomination of rubber.
"I know. I guess I just feel bad about leaving him back there," Devi said, a trace of guilt in her voice.
"Him? Who be him?" Tenna asked. Devi rolled her eyes.
"Johnny," she said, emphasizing it.
"Ohhhhhhhhh," Tenna said. Devi rolled her eyes. "So go and get him," Tenna said.
"He doesn't want me to. He doesn't want to dance," Devi said.
"So what? Make him," Tenna said.
Devi rolled her eyes again. "I can't just-"
"Sure 'ya can!"
"Well, I'll just go talk to him," Devi said.
"Yay!" Tenna said, giving Spooky a contented squeak. Devi glared at Spooky again before turning around and walking off.
She reached the table where Nny was sitting in only a few seconds. The crowds gave way with little pushing. He looked up when she approached, though she made no noise as she came.
"Hey," she said, sitting down.
"Hello," Nny muttered.
"Looks pretty boring, sitting here by yourself," Devi said.
"it is," Nny said simply, "It gets lonely." Devi had the feeling he wasn't just talking about it getting lonely sitting by himself at this table in this place right now.
"So ya want some company?" Devi asked.
"Wouldn't hurt," Nny said. So Devi stayed . She started to hum along to the music. (the song was Smooth Criminal by A.A.F., yay! I love that song!) Nny looked at her. He wished he could stay like this forever, sitting near Devi with an unfinished silence between them, the unfinished ness of the silence meaning that nothing was over. He wanted to spend forever having things unfinished with her, because that always meant that something would come after. Nny was so lost in thought that he was unaware of the music around him, and suddenly he noticed that the song that played was slow, and Devi was looking at him, he could feel it.
"Nny," she said so suddenly that he leaped into the air in surprise, "Do you...want to dance with me?" Devi asked.
"Y-yes," Nny stuttered, his hands beginning to shake. Devi stood up, so he followed her.
(notey thing: OK, I'm back! I have some Doritos and wild cherry Pepsi to keep me from passing out over the keys. I ate a full meal today too, so I'm pretty energetic. Some gender confused guy called me a faggot at lunch, and after school these pricks tripped me, and got all mean when I threatened to shove a knife up their leader's ass. Fuckers! Yeah, I'm a girl, yeah I'm yelling, get used to it! Arg! No wonder my paintings come out so morbid! Well, screw the fuckers! I never did anything to them. I haven't even laid eyes on them before! What morons! So caught p in the petty amusement of scorning others that they've sunken so low as to single out the individualists. Garg, it makes me so fucking mad! And I haven't had a freezy in over twenty five hours. I'm in bad shape. So depressed. I really hate to go on with the story when I'm in this mood, but I gotta. I sat around smiling in that one really comical bloodthirsty way at people all day as I stare at them over the rim of my notebook. It gets some pretty amusing results. Hee. And get this: people actually like my comics! Ha ha ha! How ignorant are they? My comics are shit! They have no point whatsoever! They're about talking food products sometimes for gravy's sake people! Arg! Hahahaha teenagers are so dense! And yes, I am one! Ha ha ha! Ok sorry. Enough banter. On with the shitty story! It starts looking like a sappy love story, but all that changes in the future. Just tryin to throw ya off with these almost random plot changes here, people. )
Devi put her arms around his neck, and he put his around her waist (feeling very self-conscious), very gently, as though he was afraid she'd smack him, and they slowly began to sway to the music. Nny was unsure of himself at first, uncertainly avoiding her gaze. Devi seemed sure of herself; it was obvious that (unlike Nny) this wasn't her first slow dance. Tenna saw them across the floor and giggled in delight.
"They look so cute," she said. Nakeema nodded in agreement.
After a few minutes, Nny relaxed a little and became less rigid. He shyly met Devi's eyes. She smiled at him, and he almost fainted.
***Every time I see you, then I start to breathe you, and I start drowning in myself. I know that you don't need me, and I know you try not to see me, but you can't escape the way your heart says you feel.
Chorus: I know it sounds insane, I left you drowning in your pain. I remember the lonely nights, I wish that I could make it right. I don't know what to say, no one's ever made me feel this way. I don't know how I feel, my heart tells me you're real. I don't know what to do, I guess I'm falling for you.
I'm starting to realize, when I look into your eyes, I just can't just give up on you, and everything you do. I feel like I could die, and nobody would cry. But I'm feeling things that I shouldn't feel.
Chorus
And I feel like a fool, drowning in you. I don't know the way the heart behaves. And every time I feel you, I start to need you, and when you look into my eyes I'm swept away.
Chorus***
Nny never wanted it to end. It was like one of those corny movies where the person's dreams all came true in the end (he hated those movies). He knew this wasn't exactly the end, but it still felt just like that. A few seconds passed, the song was over. Devi didn't move for a moment.
"Well I suppose we'd better-" Devi began. A group of people pushed past on their way back from dancing and the crowd shoved against them, forcing them closer together, against each other. Nny's lips somehow became joined with Devi's cheek in the pushing mass, and he felt himself blushing. And then he surprised himself. As they were waiting for the crowd to stop shoving so they could step a relaxed distance apart, he kissed her cheek where his lips touched it.
"Happy birthday, Devi," He whispered, his voice slightly muffled by her face. He could experience Devi's heart flutter against his own.
"Thanks," she whispered back, her arms trembling around his neck. The crowd finally gave way, and they were able to push apart, both blushing furiously. Devi smiled coyly at him, and he tried to smile back but he could hardly breathe. He managed to crack a bashful almost grin. But he knew it looked like he was unwell. Devi tried not to laugh. He looked ridiculous.
"What's funny?" Nny asked.
"Oh nothing. Here, come on," Devi said, taking his arm and leading him back to the table where the other three were already sitting. As they sat down, Tenna cracked an impish smile at Devi.
"What?" Devi asked. Tenna glanced from Devi to Johnny and made her eyebrows go up and down. Devi glared at her, and she shut up and gave Spooky a little shrill squeak under the table. ***
