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And now what you have waited for…
Chapter Eight: It's Just T.J. and Ashley X Alone....
Location: The same Thursday, school has just ended for the day; the gang meets in front of school
Spinelli began insisting T.J. to speak with Ashley X, "Teej, you really have to talk with her! I mean it's almost getting out of hand!"
Vince continued while getting ready to ride his bike back home, "Yeah, I'm not so sure if Ashley X's new playground change is for the best especially after what Gretchen told us."
Gretchen quickly added, "When Ashley X told everyone to call her 'comrade' it definitely implies she wants to institute some type of communist form of government on the playground!"
Gus also quickly added, "If you need help Teej, my dad can send in reinforcements to take her down!"
T.J. comforted the gang, "Okay, okay. I'll talk with her later this evening and remember she a kid like all of us, not some mean dictator guy like Dr. Benedict we dealt with last summer."
The rest of the gang sighed and wished T.J. farewell and left, then suddenly Ashley X met up with T.J.
"Hi T.J." said Ashley X somewhat surprised T.J. was alone by himself without the rest of the gang. "What happened to the rest of the guys?"
T.J. quickly tried to cover up the real reason, but responded nervously, "Oh they just had...to go home quickly...I thought I would at least wait up for you."
Ashley X was flattered and asked while T.J. began speaking at the same time. They both said, "You wouldn't mind meeting up later tonight?" They both laughed because of it.
Ashley X said, "Sure I'll meet you at your home around 7 PM and we'll have dinner together at a restaurant, okay? My parents will pick us up and drop us back home."
T.J. was surprised by the gesture but agreed, "Sure, no problem....see you at 7!"
As Ashley X began to walk to her pick-up point (that was 2 blocks away)...T.J.'s mind was racing, he thought to himself 'How am I gonna do this? What should I say?' He began to think of this dinner as a formal political meeting with her since he knew that she had gained the ultimate power of the playground. He knew the only way to make an impression and to hopefully turn things around were to talk with the kids who knew everything about etiquette, style, and impressions.
T.J. walked up to the front doors of Third Street and hesitantly but politely said, "Hi Ashleys how are all of you today?"
Ashley B immediately snapped back, "Like....what do you want with us? Shouldn't you be wasting your time with that Ashley X loser....?"
Ashley Q added, "Yeah! Like don't waste your breath on us; when you've been hanging around with an Ashley who dared to insult the rest of us Ashleys."
T.J. calmly yet appeared to plead to the Ashleys, "But....I need your help..."
The Ashley girls laughed hysterically and all said, "Scandalous!"
Ashley B said while continuing to laugh, "You need our help? Of course, you've always need our help when it comes to fashion and well.....hygiene.."
Ashley Q continued with the insulting, "Like...you are so far beyond help....that not even Oprah can give you an average makeover!"
The Ashleys continued to laugh and giggle.
Ashley A began to notice T.J.'s face when pleading, "Wait...Ashleys...wait....What do you need our help with so badly Detweiler?"
T.J. slowly began talking, "Well...I need to make a good impression to Ashley X"
Ashley B became infuriated, "Like what are you talking about! Help you to help that she-devil?!? Like, I don't think so...."
T.J. began pleading again, "But guys, the future of the playground is at stake!"
Ashley T replied, "So...we always have our daddy's money to help us out if there is any trouble!"
T.J. pleaded again, "You gotta help me....I'll do anything...."
The Ashleys looked at each other and smiled and said all together, "Scandalous!"
Ashley A said, "Okay T.J. we'll help you prepare for Ashley X, but you have to help us out to destroy her!"
T.J. shocked, confused, and upset said, "But Ashley X has been kind to us....I can't simply destroy her!"
Ashley B harshly replied, "Look Detweiler! Like, you either choose our help to help out the playground OR help Ashley X and leave the playground as it is. It's your choice!"
T.J. mind was rattled and completely lost in confusion. Should he betray a friendship to help all kids of the playground OR honor a friendship and let the playground go to political pieces?
Ashley Q asked, "Like we don't have all day....we're waiting Detweiler..."
It was now, 7PM and instead of Ashley X's parents picking up T.J. it was Big Rob himself driving but he would remain quiet all throughout the trip. Ashley X arrived at T.J.'s doorstep and rang the doorbell; she was dressed up almost as if it were a date.
T.J. was dressed up formally, looked smooth, and learned the rules of etiquette by the Ashleys. T.J. closed the door behind him and joined Ashley X walking toward her car, he yelled back, "I'll be back Mom around 8:30!" T.J. and Ashley X both sat in the back seat and closed the door.
T.J. began to speak, "I thought your Mom and Dad would be driving us to a restaurant."
Ashley X quickly off guard said, "Oh!...This is my Dad's friend Rob because my parents weren't able to drive tonight."
T.J. began to speak to Big Rob, "How's it going, sir? Thanks for taking Ashley and I to the restaurant."
Big Rob didn't respond at all and ignored him. Ashley X quickly comforted T.J., "Oh don't worry about him Teej. He doesn't really speak much."
T.J. quietly asked, "You don't mind if we go to the Olive Garden on First Street, do you?"
Ashley X graciously replied, "Why I was thinking the same thing!"
After about 20 minutes, they arrived at Olive Garden and sat at a private booth facing each other on either side of the booth. T.J. was constantly watching his behavior and etiquette to make sure he was having good manners. Before arriving, T.J. and Ashley X were talking about the classroom, cartoons, and other topics not associated with the playground situation. T.J. knew that it was time to get to business and it was enough chit-chat...he had to talk about for what he planned for. Ashley X on the other hand, saw this as opportunity to get closer with T.J., her mind was in her 'crush world' thinking of just T.J. and her.
Their main dishes came and T.J. was about to begin. He was nervous, but he knew it had to be done. He slowly began, "Ashley, what do you have planned for the playground now?"
Ashley X not thinking about the direction of the conversation said, "Well, I was thinking that I could improve the playground for all. Someone has to take a leadership role. I mean that King Freddie had no idea how to rule a playground."
T.J. nervously continued again, "But don't you think that what you are planning for is a bit extreme? I mean you are not planning to write a constitution to protect the kid's rights on the playground! And that just isn't right!"
Ashley X still caught in her 'crush world' said, "T.J. T.J. don't worry about it! It's not like I'm a tyrannical monster or anything! You should know that more than anyone."
T.J. still focused on the playground situation, "I'm sorry but I can't accept that though! In today's world, things have to be written down and not simply spoken because the kids of the playground have gone through too much to accept what just one person says."
Ashley X wasn't focusing on T.J.'s slight anger over the situation she was still in her 'crush world.' She noticed that T.J. missed wiping spaghetti sauce off his cheek with his napkin. She leaned over and took her finger to wipe the sauce off. She then leaned back into her booth seat and licked the sauce right off her finger. T.J.'s eyes bulged out.....he couldn't believe what he just saw, but he tried to compose himself back to the playground discussion. T.J. suddenly noticed one of the ceiling tiles lift up and moved away just above Ashley X. It was the Ashleys hiding on top of the ceiling tiles, who had a huge bowl of marinara sauce besides them. They began to snicker and giggle knowing what their plan was...
T.J. became even more nervous knowing that this is what the Ashleys have planned for since he decided to take their help. He began to speak with Ashley X and got right to the point, "Ashley! We just have to settle this playground problem! The students need some type of..... written promise that they won't be forced to anything harsh or extreme."
Ashley X calmly said, "Sure T.J. it makes sense.....lean over a little bit there is something near you left eye." T.J. didn't know or realize there was anything near his left eye, and there wasn't anything near his left eye at all. Nevertheless, T.J. closed his eyes where he expected Ashley X to remove whatever it was on his face.
Gretchen and her family suddenly came into Olive Garden and Gretchen couldn't believe her eyes! T.J.'s eyes were closed and Ashley X tried to give him a kiss. The Ashleys suddenly gasped at noticing that Ashley X was trying to give T.J. a kiss but just when Ashley X was 2 inches away from giving him a kiss....Ashley X's cell phone rang. She immediately became frustrated and leaned back on her booth seat and answered the call. Meanwhile, T.J. oblivious to what was happening just sat back, opened his eyes, and tried to remove whatever he thought was near his eye. T.J. asked Ashley X, "Did you get whatever it was that was near my eye?"
Ashley X frustrated with the cell phone call said, "No...." and sighed harshly.
Ashley A whispered to her fellow Ashleys and said, "This is where we dump it." The other 3 Ashleys whispered, "Scandalous!"
Ashley A whispered, " in....3....2.....1...." Ashley X was too involved with her phone conversation to notice T.J. trying to warn her to move away.
Then SPLAT!!! SHOOSH!!!! Ashley X was completely drenched with marinara sauce. She violently screamed, "What the?!? How in the heck?!?" The Ashleys quickly placed the ceiling tile back and got out of the location fast while they continued to laugh and giggle throughout the night. Gretchen just continuously watched the whole scene without blinking. Ashley X just continued to rant on and ON! T.J. couldn't help it but he started to snicker over the prank Ashley X experienced.
Ashley X quickly noticed T.J.'s snickering and angrily said, "Oh! And I suspect this is funny?!? Goodbye, T.J.! Just forget about our good friendship together! After helping you and giving you guys candy....and all those fun times together! Yeah....some friend you are...." Ashley X violently stormed out of the restaurant were Big Rob picked her up and the car sped away into the night.
T.J. felt an overwhelming sense of guilt and despair. He knew that he would never had done that to anybody especially a friend of his. He quickly paid the bill and slowly and depressingly walked out of the doors. He left the restaurant before Gretchen could have a chance to talk or comfort T.J. When she ran out of the doors...T.J. was already gone. T.J. was already a block away from the Olive Garden, he not only felt guilty and remorseful but also felt disgusted with himself....he never really betrayed a friend like that, not even towards Menlo. His mind was constantly filled with thoughts if saving the playground was really and truly worth a broken friendship. He finally made it home and to his bedroom, he turned off the lights, and just collapsed on his bed. He knew his betrayal toward Ashley X was everything on what he stood against. He began to question himself and his character as he stared into night through the window. T.J. couldn't sleep all through the night feeling sorry and extremely guilty. He wondered how was he ever going to face and apologize to Ashley X tomorrow?
Chapter Nine: The Other Side of Ashley X Comes Out...
Location: In Ms. Finster's 5th grade classroom, 7:30 AM Friday, T.J. is the only one in the classroom before class starts while Ms. Grotke is busy with faculty meetings
As T.J. just continued to sit silently all he could hear were just the footsteps of the faculty walking back and forth down the hallway and....his thoughts. He looked exhausted since he was awake all through the night thinking of what happened that night. Unexpectedly, Ms. Grotke arrived and was surprised by T.J.'s presence, "Well good morning T.J.! It's a pleasant surprise to see you here, but my solar watch tells me you're half-an-hour early. Is there something wrong?"
T.J. melancholy sighed and said, "Oh...nothing Ms. Grotke....well, maybe you can help me with something..."
Ms. Grotke instantly became enthusiastic to help one of her favorite former students out, "Sure T.J.! That's what I'm here for...."
T.J. slowly continued, "Well....I have a question if you had a friend for example who seemed to be mistreating a huge other group of people would you still support your friend or betray that friend to help the huge group of people?"
Ms. Grotke was surprised by T.J.'s dilemma, "Wow T.J. That's a difficult one.....but you have to do what's right and as for the friend you have to really decide if it's worth it because you only know how close the friendship is...."
T.J. nervously sighed, "Thanks Ms. Grotke...." The advice Ms. Grotke gave T.J. only made him more confused, it was questioning the foundation of his friendship toward Ashley X.
Without warning, the bell rang, and SAL 4000 stated, "It's 8AM students of Third Street. It's now time for you to attend class." All T.J. could do was just nervously sit back in his chair.
The students of Ms. Finster's class began to fill in the classroom, but just before SAL 4000 could close the class door at exactly 8:05 AM Ashley X's foot blocked the door and slowly walked to her desk. The students of the classroom, except the gang began to snicker and giggle especially the Ashleys.
Vince questioned T.J., "Hey T.J.! What's going on? Why is everybody laughing?"
Spinelli continued, "Yeah T.J.! Did something happen last night?"
Gretchen began to whisper secretly to the others of the gang about what happened last night.
Ashley Q suddenly busted into laughter while T.J. was just sinking down in his chair. Ashley Q said, "What happened last night?!? AH HA HA! Like Ashley X was the main dish in Olive Garden last night!" The class immediately busted into loud laughter.
Ashley B continued, "Yeah that marinara sauce really went well with your sense of style last night!" All four of the Ashleys then squealed, "Scandalous!"
Ashley A added, "Yeah and thanks to daddy's help I've just placed Ashley X's picture all over the school! Thanks for your help T.J. we couldn't have do it without you....hehehe..."
Ashley X tried to forget what happened last night when she entered the classroom, but when Ashley A mentioned T.J. was involved she became enraged and coldly stared at T.J. T.J. was just sinking further and further down his chair and couldn't bear to turn around and see the look on Ashley X's face.
After the gang heard the details of what happened last night, Spinelli stood up on top of her desk with a fist in her right hand and yelled, "Okay you little twerps! Any of you who give another giggle will be smiling with my fist in it!" The class became instantly quiet.
Ms. Grotke immediately asked the class to settle down, "Quiet class! Quiet! That's enough! Ashley X doesn't deserve to be teased like that!"
T.J. wanted to begin apologizing to Ashley X, but the class already started....and he also thought it would be better for Ashley X to cool off since her face was stern and cold.
Chapter Ten: The Reconciliation with Ashley X...
Location: In the playground of Third Street School, It's just after 10AM that day, The gang has met just outside the stairs
The gang was talking about what happened last night between T.J. and Ashley X. Vince commented, "T.J.?!? How could you do that Ashley X?"
T.J. still disgusted with himself said, "I don't know Vince! I was worried about the future of our playground...I couldn't just let it slip by...that's why I had to make a deal with the Ashleys."
Mikey cried out, "Say it isn't so! A friendship that has been ripped apart by the seams!"
Vince said, "You gotta talk to her man...and work things out."
T.J. sighed and replied, "That's just what I was planning to do." T.J. began the long, slow walk to the park bench where Ashley X was sitting half-saddened and half-enraged of everything that occurred.
T.J. slowly approached Ashley X and quietly said, "Hi Ashley.....?"
Ashley X was secretly enraged but she put on sadden face and said, "Yeah T.J.....what have you come for...?"
T.J. took a deep breath and sadly said, "Well....I don't know how to say this and how to express it....but I'm just so sorry for everything. No friend or kid deserves to be betrayed like that. I can understand if you don't want to speak with me anymore...."
Ashley X saw this as an opportunity to get T.J. back since she still had a crush on him even though he betrayed her. Ashley X sadly continued, "Well....T.J. it's not that I don't like you....it's just how can I make sure you won't hurt me again like that?"
T.J. desperate for her friendship and trust back pleaded, "I never would do that again! Never! I would do anything you want me to do...."
Ashley X deceitfully knew this was the moment she had waited for....T.J. was in her hands...
Ashley X continued her sad fake appearance and slowly said, "Well do you promise not to constantly question me about ruling the playground?"
T.J. was torn between saving the kids of the playground and saving a friendship but he was desperate to fix his friendship with Ashley X. T.J. sighed again and said, "Yes....I promise not to question your power..."
Ashley X quickly became ecstatically happy and turned around, "Thanks so much T.J." She gave T.J. a big hug and offered T.J. a gift. "T.J. I want you to have this...in remembrance of our new friendship!" The gift was a bracelet...a similar one she had given to Ms. Finster....
T.J. surprised by her kindness said, "Wow! But I feel like I owe you something....I mean I'm the one who betrayed you!"
Ashley X simply replied, "Don't worry T.J. You'll help me out more than you'll ever know...." T.J. put the metal bracelet on and admired it. He thought of it now as a symbol of their new never-to-be-broken-again friendship.
Ashley X and T.J. were happy walking together back toward the gang. The gang and Ashley X began to play around the playground. T.J. now thought that things were finally gonna be okay now.....
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To Be Continued…..