The Silent Poet: Yeah, I guess some chapters are kind of short. I do it just to irritate you...heh heh heh. Actually, they're short because they were originally written to fit on the nickelodeon message board; then some new rules were added (i.e. characters couldn't be made much older) before I got the chance to post anything. The rules may have changed again since then, but in any case it's easier working on this site. Less censorship, more freedom for being mean to readers.
I hope no one is lactose intolerant...'cause here's some more cheesiness. Not all French people are snots, either. This guy just happens to be a mild, very crummy stereotype loosely based on a kid I went to school with. Who knows what I was thinking when I wrote this.
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She took Arnold by the hand, and pulled him closer to where the stranger was standing. "Arnold," she said, trying to sound lighthearted, "This is a college buddy of mine. Alec LeJerk. We..."
"Alec LeJerc," he corrected. "It is French."
Helga sighed. Pompous twit. "Riiiiiight. My mistake. Anyway, Alec, this is my...boyfriend, as I mentioned before. Arnold....." She hesitated. What was his last name again?
"...Just 'Arnold' will be fine," said the blond quickly. They shook hands. "Nice to meet you."
"Likewise."
"So....what brings you here?"
Alec held up a notebook and pen. "Visiting friends. Also, extra credit for a cinematic class. I am to study old movies and write about them...I supposed this was as good an opportunity as any when I heard about it." He glanced at Helga, who had made sure she was still holding Arnold's hand. "But I see you two are here for other reasons. So sorry to have interfered with your date."
Arnold began to protest: "Oh, but we're not...(here, Helga cleared her throat with an 'ahem!' and nudged him with her elbow)...ouch...er....No, that's okay!"
"Funny, cheri--I do not think I have heard you say anything about Orville before."
"Actually...it's 'Arnold'..."
"Don't call me 'cheri'."
There was a moment of rather awkward silence during which Helga began to fidget, not knowing quite what to say next. Alec continued to smirk, apparently enjoying this; whether or not he believed her spur-of-the-moment story, the two pretenders could not say. At any rate, one pretender (namely Arnold) was feeling perhaps more guilty and uncomfortable than he had in a while. He still wasn't entirely sure what was going on, and 'playing along' had never been his strongest suit. He knew he was lying to some extent--to a perfect stranger, no less, and with no apparent reason--and that unsettled him. For that matter, so did the fact that she was being awfully affectionate for someone who had smacked him not half an hour earlier because he had gotten too close to her hair...
Well, it was her mess. Let her worm them out of it, if she wanted.
"If I may ask--how did you two meet?"
Arnold blinked. He answered, feeling slightly better to be saying something--anything. "Oh, we've known each other since we were kids. Er...how about you?"
"Drama classes...and I helped her with French for a while. Surely you have talked about school, cheri?" he said, his last question directed towards the blonde who continued to fidget silently. "You cannot have forgotten everything so quickly."
"I told you not to call me 'cheri'," Helga said firmly. She kept her eyes fixed on the ground.
"Um, yesss...we did discuss college a little..." began Arnold
"But I'm afraid I never got around to mentioning you," she finished for him. Aargh! That goofy smile again--why for cryin' out loud did they have to look so alike?
"That is understandable. Something tells me you do not like me much...not anymore."
This time, even in the growing darkness, Arnold could see her flinch.
Alec continued, "Well, it has been a de-light running into you like this, Helga...but I can see I am imposing. I ought to get back to my note-taking; that paper will not write itself. Pleasure to have made your acquaintance, Armand."
"Arnold."
"Of course. Say...listen!" Alec pulled him aside slightly, out of Helga's hearing. "Keep an eye on this one," he said cheerfully. "She is not so bad, really--but she is crazy enough to pull some...as you say...harebrained stunt when you least expect it! Just stay on your toes."
"I'll keep that in mind," muttered Arnold. This news didn't exactly surprise him.
The dark-haired man tucked his notebook under an arm and began to walk away. "Bon nuit, then. A pleasant evening to you both," he called, with a wave. "Au revoir, cheri!"
"Don't call me that!" she said through gritted teeth, but he was already gone.
Helga shook her head disgustedly. "I'm glad that's over with." She turned to Arnold... Uh oh--he didn't appear too thrilled. Nor did he seem as if he was in a very forgiving mood. He crossed his arms.
"Well?..."
