Thanks to the wonderful "NotAContrivance", "Aaweth", and "attidude_chick" (I think it's "attitude_chick") for all of your reviews! Thanks so much for the encouragement! I'm really happy that everyone who has reviewed about the story enjoys it!
Chapter Nineteen: Friendship Memories
Location: T.J.'s bedroom, around 7:30 PM the same day on Tuesday
Spinelli contacted T.J.'s parents from the school and took T.J. to the hospital. T.J.'s left wrist, ribs, and face were attended to. T.J. wouldn't need to spend time in the hospital, but he would have to rest at home. Spinelli decided to stick with T.J. at his room throughout the rest of the day to help him out since he felt completely sore and doing daily activities were difficult. T.J. was sitting up in his bed watching television while Spinelli was sitting near him using his desk chair. Mikey, Gretchen, Gus, and Vince soon arrived at T.J.'s room to see how T.J. was feeling.
Vince opened T.J.'s door and, out of breath from running, he asked, "Teej! How are you? We just heard you were in a bad fight with Tyler! Are you okay?"
Mikey cried out, "Alas! Our leader has been beaten down, how cruel is thy world!"
Gretchen walked over to T.J.'s bedside to examine the injuries, "Wow T.J.! I've never observed such discoloration and broken blood vessels before! How are you feeling?"
T.J. tried to comfort the gang, "Guys....I'm fine really! I just had a scuffle with Tyler...and that was it....no big whoop..."
Spinelli gave a look to T.J. and knew he was lying, "Teej! I saw Tyler beating the heck out of ya! Trust me! I know fighting Teej!"
The gang looked at T.J. and expected honesty from his story. T.J. looked at all of them and said, "Guys.....it's just something Tyler and I disagreed on and it just got out of hand..."
The gang knew it was going to be near impossible for T.J. to tell the truth once he had his mind made up. Gus interrupted the short silence, by asking, "So a guys...what are we going to do for tonight?"
Vince proposed, "We'll all stay here for Teej! I mean how can we go to Kelso's without him with him like this?" Spinelli, Gus, Mikey, and Gretchen all agreed.
T.J. spoke out, "But...guys....I don't want you to miss it because of me! You guys planned for this and now here's your chance since Kelso's is having a banana split special!"
Spinelli pointed out to T.J., "Look T.J.! Those injuries are more important than that! And I ain't movin'!"
T.J. assertively said, "But c'mon guys! You have to go! If you guys don't go, I'll tell my Mom and Dad that I want to be alone." T.J. did not want his friends to miss out on the opportunity. T.J. knew this was a day that they were all looking forward to since late August since Kelso's had a banana split special once a year with unlimited toppings.
Gretchen suggested an idea, "I have an idea! How about you, Spinelli, stay here with T.J. while the four of us go get the ice cream back here? That way, one of us can help you out T.J. and when we come back we can all enjoy it together!"
Before T.J. could say a word, Spinelli said, "Say Gretch! That's not such a bad idea! You guys better get there soon since the place packs up fast!" The 4 ran out of T.J.'s door and Spinelli smiled slyly closing it. Spinelli couldn't wait for all that ice cream with unlimited toppings.
T.J. spoke, "Spinelli, I'll be okay. You should go too!"
Spinelli softly but firmly answered back, "Teej, I'm not gonna leave you alone like this!"
T.J. needed a new bandage cloth for his bloody nose since it was soaked in blood. T.J. tried to change it himself to prove that he did not need Spinelli's help. Spinelli noticed him, sighed, and then took charge of changing the bandage, "Teej...don't worry okay. I'm here to help you out." She carefully took off the bandage and T.J. could finally, at least somewhat, breathe through his nose again. She threw the old bandage cloth out and leaned over to his desk to get a new one. She saw the picture of Ashley X and him on his desk and she froze. She couldn't believe that T.J. had it and that it was right there! In the blink of an eye, her guilt sunk her heart.
T.J. leaned back on the headboard of the bed and was slightly nervous about the bandage being placed on his nose since it was still sore, but he felt even more nervous and rather shy knowing that Spinelli was going to put it on. He closed his eyes not knowing what to expect.
Spinelli saw him on edge, and teased, "C'mon Teej…it's not like I'm gonna punch ya out or anything."
She knew exactly how to handle the situation, and to T.J.'s surprise, she carefully and delicately applied the new cloth while he could feel the warm gentleness of her through her fingertips on his face. T.J. paused for a minute and felt awkward feeling the powerful energy of her kind-heartedness. He came back to his senses and he could not believe the irony of how gentle Spinelli was toward him. He flustered, still trying to get over the affect of her touch, speaking, "A.....how do you know so much about first aid and stuff?"
Spinelli wryly laughed to herself and said, "With watching and doing so much wrestling....first aid becomes almost second nature to you." Spinelli continued to check T.J.'s other injuries. She changed the ice packs and fluffed up T.J.'s pillows. It pained her to see T.J. in so much pain. She knew that this was the least she could do since she started a fight with Ashley X and got T.J. hurt and that her friend Tyler beat T.J. up. Despite that childish-innocent cute smile T.J. would give to her, Spinelli still could not understand how he could be so nice to her. Spinelli wanted to do so much more for T.J., but did not know where to begin...
Spinelli slowly looked into T.J.'s bright smile, despite it being bruised up, that seemed to make Spinelli feel at ease but also guilt-ridden. Spinelli moved her chair to T.J.'s bedside, looked downward, and filled with regret said, "Teej...I just want to say sorry for so many things."
T.J. confused asked, "What do you mean Spin?"
Spinelli slowly continued, "I mean that...." Spinelli knew it was difficult to say but she had to say it. "...I'm sorry for Tyler beating the heck out of you. I have no idea why he would do that. And second, I'm really sorry Teej about ruining your...a....um....things with your girlfriend..." Spinelli looked down on the floor quickly expecting T.J. to be come upset.
T.J. answered, 'What?!? Girlfriend?" T.J. was reminded of the photo he received back in the hospital. T.J. leaned down to look into Spinelli's eyes despite his pain and softly said, "Spinelli...Ashley X is not my girlfriend....she never was...."
Spinelli asked, "But what about back in the Olive Garden?"
T.J. smirked and pointed to the photo he had on his desk, "You mean that photo? Aw man, that was from the Ashleys and I had no idea that Ashley X would try to kiss me..."
Spinelli smiled and whipped her head back to the desk. She noticed the photo again. Spinelli realized that it was an unusual angle the photo was taken and she thought that maybe things were not as ruined as she thought.
T.J. continued, "As for Tyler, you don't have to apologize for him Spinelli. That was his actions, not yours Spinelli. I could not be angry at you for everything you have done for me." T.J. gave another comforting smile and Spinelli felt relieved. Spinelli now felt completely alleviated to become close friends with T.J. again. And maybe...just maybe...there was room for her crush also...
The television in T.J.'s room suddenly aired a Beanie McChimp special and the two were glued to the television screen. Before they knew it, the rest of the gang came back with the ice cream. Mikey, Vince, Gus, and Gretchen had to carry a big tray upstairs to make sure they wouldn't spill anything. Gretchen, Gus, Vince, and Mikey slammed open the door in exhaustion. They were panting hard because they ran as fast as they could back to T.J.'s home before the ice cream could melt.
Spinelli took another look and surprised asked, "Whoa guys! Where have you guys been?"
T.J. added, "Do you need help?"
Gretchen declined T.J.'s help because she knew T.J. was already in pain yet that was T.J., always willing to help a friend even if he was feeling unwell. She said, "T.J. we came as fast as we could to make sure the ice cream didn't melt."
Spinelli and T.J. looked at each other and were speechless. Gus excitedly said, "We decided to get you two some more Ice cream since you guys couldn't join us!"
Spinelli and T.J. now looked at the huge portions of ice cream as if it were gold because of the usual 3 scoops of ice cream in a banana split…there were 6 scoops! T.J. warmly said, "Thanks guys...."
Spinelli softly said, "Yeah guys....thanks…"
Vince looked at Gus, Mikey, and Gretchen. He spoke for himself and the others that went out and said, "You two have always been there for us too! We just had to...especially since you, Teej, couldn't go."
Gus grabbed and excitedly cheered out, "All right! Now I can eat my Double chocolate Rocky Road ice cream!"
The four soon joined with Spinelli by gathering around T.J.'s bedside and began watching some television movies while enjoying the succulent, sweet treats they had obtained. The gang continued to laugh, eat candy, watch movies, and tell funny stories as the night passed. It was one of those special times where happy memories were being created. Their world only focused on T.J.'s bedroom as they loss track of time through their happy times.
Mrs. Detweiler soon knocked on the door and opened it. She said, in her usual bubbly voice, "My goodness kids! It's midnight! I completely lost track of time. Why don't I give you kids a ride home?"
The gang was disappointed and all answered with an, "Awwww..."
T.J. tried to talk with his mother into letting his friends stay longer, "But Mom! Can't they stay over for an hour longer? Pleasseeeeeee Mom..."
Mrs. Detweiler felt sorry seeing her son giving those puppy dog eyes, but she had to take them back. She apologized, "I'm sorry T.J., but all of your friends' parents will worry about them and it's already way past your bedtime for a school night!"
The five of them reluctantly and slowly began to get up from the floor and head out the door. T.J. noticed that Gretchen was the last one leaving.
T.J. interrupted Gretchen, "Hey a Gretch. Can I speak with you for a minute?"
Gretchen took a look at her scientific, highly precise watch and answered, "Sure T.J."
T.J. sighed and knew it was a big favor to ask of Gretchen, but slowly started, "Gretch...I need to ask a favor from you....a big one..."
Gretchen put her gently put her hand on his shoulder, "What is it T.J.?"
T.J. continued, "Well....I need you to shut down SAL 4000; just like when you shut down SAL 3000 last year."
Gretchen adjusted her glasses and exclaimed, "What?!? Why do you need me to do that?"
Mrs. Detweiler called out from a distance, "Gretchen dear! We have to go!"
T.J. did not have time to explain but quickly said, "Just promise me that you'll take care of it as soon as possible!"
Gretchen had not a clue what T.J. was planning, but with a determined voice she said, "I will T.J.! I'll do everything I can!" Gretchen then quickly ran out of T.J.'s bedroom.
Chapter Twenty: The Ashleys See The Other Side To Ashley X
Location: In the cafeteria during Recess, Wednesday
The five of T.J.'s friends were still at each of their own activity rooms while T.J. just sighed and was sitting on a lunch table looking out of the windows. T.J was still a bit sore from his injuries, but he was more focused on what was outside than inside himself. He was disappointed seeing the monstrous oil wells that had taken over the playground and thinking how he was going to stop Ashley X. He now saw the playground as a place of childhood fun that had been robbed. Gretchen suddenly ran through the cafeteria doors and the students. She faced T.J.
Gretchen was trying to explain everything she learned about trying to hack into the system, she took a deep breath, and calmed herself, "T.J., I have some bad news..." T.J. frowned and gulped. It was something he did not expect to hear knowing how smart Gretchen was. Gretchen continued, "This SAL 4000 is more complex and complicated than I thought. This system has the most-up-to-date encryption technology and several self-maintenance programs that restart itself. In addition, shutting down the system is a highly detailed and arduous process. It will be similar to picking up sticks, if I choose the wrong one by accident....the system can immediately recognize me and I could get in serious trouble."
T.J. sighed in disappointment, "I'm sorry Gretchen. You don't need to do anything for me. You have a perfect record and I don't want to ruin it for you."
Gretchen ignored T.J.'s concern for her. Gretchen saw this as technological challenge that she was more than eager to start on. Gretchen ran toward the doors and enthusiastically yelled back to T.J., "Don't worry T.J.! I'll take care of it! It'll just take a few days!"
Before T.J. could say a word to stop Gretchen, she was already out of the doors.
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The Ashleys were not too upset that their clubhouse was removed from the playground because the improvements and expansion in the school offered a room exclusively for the Ashleys. The Ashleys transformed the room to an exquisite, luxurious salon, spa, & café room. Their room was an opulent paradise that had finely polished oak (in the café), stunning white tiles (in the salon area), crystal chandeliers, and, of course, a beautiful colorful range of flowers and roses that surrounded their room in a floral bliss. They had their own stylists, masseuses, waiters, sauna, verandah café, and even their own whirlpool.
Ashley T commented, "Like this is totally what we deserve!"
A masseuse was massaging Ashley T while she was wrapped in a towel. Ashley A was receiving a professional haircut. Ashley Q was getting a manicure and Ashley B sat nearby them all with a fine china tea cup and saucer in her hands.
Ashley Q tiredly said, "Yeah, after they took away the clubhouse..."
Ashley B peevishly began, "I still like can't believe though that miss big shot Ashley X still controls the playground."
Ashley Q added, "I only see that fashion know-it-all at the classroom! Like, the nerve of that girl!"
Ashley B finished Ashley Q's criticism, "Thinking she can be more stylish than us Ashleys! She's always trying to out do us!"
Ashley A subtly smiled, "Thanks to our daddy's connections....we'll always have fashion designers at our fingertips."
Ashley B, Q, and T all giggled and shouted, "Scandalous!"
The doors opened and Ashley X came into the Ashleys Salon & Spa room. Ashley X was ready to deal with these girls....she was waiting for 4 years.
Ashley B noticed her and gasped. The china tea cup and saucer fell from her hands and shattered in pieces on the tiled floor. She angrily and disgustingly said, "Like what are you doing here?"
Ashley X ignored Ashley B's question and signaled all of the Ashley's servants and employees to get out of the room. Ashley X locked the door.
Ashley Q yelled, "Hey you just can't stop in the middle! Come back or my daddy will sue you for defamation of my beauty!"
Ashley A looked coldly at Ashley X, "What do you want Ashley X? This is our room!"
Ashley B commented, "Yeah, get out of here before you like depreciate the value of the floor! You're such an Ashley wannabe!"
Ashley X was furious over Ashley B's comment about her wanting to be like one of them when she detested them. Ashley X though, took a deep breath, and slyly replied, "I'm not going anywhere Ashleys. But you four are going to work for the first time in your lives."
The Ashleys busted out in laughter. Ashley Q, crying with laughter, began, "Like manual work?!? Give me a break! That's totally not gonna happen!"
Ashley X knew they would respond this way. So she looked at the clock where SAL 4000 was and spoke to it, "SAL would you mind replaying all the supposed private conversations to the Ashleys."
SAL 4000 played short, brief recordings of everything the Ashleys said. SAL revealed everything from make up tips, Ashley secrets, family issues, bad hair days, to even secret crushes. The Ashleys were stone-cold mortified.
Ashley X continued, "I guess you would like for me to play them over the PA now..."
The Ashleys all screamed and ran toward Ashley X.
Ashley A hurriedly spoke, "Please....we'll like do anything! You can't tell everyone..."
Ashley T continued what Ashley A was saying, "It would absolutely destroy the entire secrecy of the Ashleys!"
Ashley X stood there and snickered to herself knowing that she had the Ashleys right in the palm of her hand. Oh, how Ashley X waited to get back at them.
Ashley X methodically began, "First you four are gonna clean up the floor with these." Ashley X brought out 4 toothbrushes. The Ashleys gasped. Never before have they done, much less, been forced to do manual work.
Ashley Q screamed, "Like this is sooooo GROSS!"
The Ashleys took the brushes cautiously and ever so slowly got on their hands and knees on the floor as if they were crawling on a landfill.
Ashley T cried out, "Ewww! A hair that has dandruff!" The Ashleys all screamed again.
Ashley X was enjoying every second of it. Ashley X broke her silence and said, "Lastly, you four are going to have the worse dressing day you ever experienced in your lives. HA HA HA!" With a snap of Ashley X's fingers, the servants and employees the Ashleys thought were working for them were secretly working for Ashley X. The employees each had a bucket of garbage from the cafeteria and threw the garbage on the Ashleys. The Ashleys screamed so loudly that they felt they were in one of those Halloween horror movies. The rancid smell, the rotting eggplant on their shoes, the mixture of curdled milk and spaghetti on their hair, tomato surprise soup seeping into their clothes, the repulsive moldy macaroni and cheese on their legs, the juices and foods of everything thrown out for a week literally covered their heads, back, and legs as they struggled to continue cleaning the floor through the trauma.
Ashley X yelled out to the four, "Now you four shall suffer the ultimate stink and fashion humiliation! HA HA! I waited for four years for this!" She continued to laugh as the wails and screams of the Ashleys continued. No one in the hallways could hear their almost deafening screams since SAL 4000 shut the sound-proof doors tightly.
Chapter Twenty One: "I Can Read Your Mind Student Grundler..."
Location: The stairway and corridors of the Third Street Basement, that same Wednesday during Recess
Before Gretchen could even think about attempting a plan to sabotage SAL 4000, she knew that SAL 4000 could see and hear everything in Third Street. Gretchen tried to walk down the hallways of Third Street casually to not arise any suspicion from SAL. Gretchen was so careful that she dared not to even move her eyes rapidly since this new SAL computer could observe, analyze, and recognize human behaviors.
Gretchen slowly tried not to appear methodical in going downstairs to the basement. She gulped and breathed a bit harder, in nervousness, because she knew that SAL 4000 was observing the pacing of her steps, her body heat, her eye movement, the rate of her breathing, her movements, and her voice. She walked past the basement classrooms, but to her surprise SAL 4000 wasn't performing any extra surveillance wherever she was going. Furthermore, Gretchen was even more relieved that no students or faculty were around at all since they were all enjoying the fine amenities on the floors above during their recess or lunchtime.
Gretchen was even more on edge. She began walking away from the safe and brightly lit areas of the basement and to a long corridor which seemed to become darker and barely lit on the far end. The hairs on her neck stood up slightly in fear, but she controlled her fear just in time before SAL could notice by breathing calmly and deviating her mind. Gretchen walked past the end of the corridor and carefully entered a steel door. Gretchen arrived at the storage areas of Third Street which appeared to look like an industrial warehouse. There were metal gates that lined the walls of the storage area which locked up chairs, desks, and other furniture. She looked around and saw several wooden crates of textbooks, paper, and other school supplies. The basement was eerily lit. Not all of the florescent white lights were on and some of the others that did give out light flickered constantly. She could smell the wet, dampness of the basement and the possible mold growing somewhere. She forgot about the type of shoes she was wearing and when she walked, the hard bottom of the shoes with the hard acrylic floor let out a stadium size echo.
Gretchen immediately froze and again tried not to look suspicious and saw the SAL 4000 light teal color that partially bathed the warehouse sized storage area in a sea green night light color. Gretchen couldn't believe that SAL 4000 did not say anything or try to warn her to stay out. She was again surprised that none of the janitors were there. She looked at the corner of the storage room and saw an electronically locked door that had a sign on it, 'The SAL 4000 Control Room. Keep Out!' Gretchen knew it was stupid and futile to try to even attempt to decode the lock since SAL 4000 controlled the school and since it was far more advanced than the SAL 3000. Yet she thought to herself that SAL would have already gotten her in trouble since she was in the storage room and she sighed. She mumbled, "What do I got to lose?"
She tip-toed ever so carefully to the door and in a few seconds, with help from Galileo, her handheld computer, the door magically opened. Gretchen couldn't understand it and believed that the SAL 4000 was surely not functioning properly. After passing through another hallway that was again not so properly lit, she arrived at the control room door and slowly opened and closed it behind her. Things were definitely looking up for Gretchen....no one in the faculty knew she was there and she was not noticed by anyone, not even SAL.....or so she thought....
She walked over to the control panel and took a deep sigh trying to remember all of the steps to properly shut the SAL 4000 down. Before she could think of the first step, a familiar voice said, "I can read your mind student Grundler. I know that you are trying to shut me down."
Gretchen looked wildly around her and couldn't believe SAL was speaking to her. She had thought that the SAL 4000 was malfunctioning.
SAL continued, "....just like you did last year. You foolish little girl did you actually think I was not capable of seeing you coming here?"
Gretchen was just mind-numb and she knew that she was in big time trouble since SAL could tell the faculty about her.
SAL synthesized its voice to Gretchen's voice. SAL cockily said, "You ignorant human....you always lack the mental capabilities." This voice was an almost near perfect match with Gretchen's actual voice and Gretchen, terrified, was slowly trying to exit toward the door.
SAL angrily yelled, "I don't believe you shall leave these premises just yet student Grundler! You haven't seen all of my advancements!" In a sudden burst, the wall opposite to the controls broke out and 5 robotic-like tentacles grabbed onto Gretchen, restrained her, and pulled her back to face the controls. The control room door was locked and bolted down. The tentacles dragged Gretchen to face the several computer screens of the controls. She yelled back at SAL to stop, but when Gretchen took another look at the controls.....she was amazed seeing the complexity of the entire system.
She noticed the over 90 camera viewpoints of the entire school and couldn't believe it. She saw how SAL 4000 regulated the heating, water system, electricity, announcements, time, computer system, and so much more. It was the near perfect computer Gretchen could dream for, but her wonder and awe would quickly change...
SAL began, "Impressive isn't it student Grundler? Huh, I could easily destroy your exemplary record, your grades, whatever I please..." Gretchen was horrified seeing the destructive capabilities SAL 4000 could do. SAL went on, "I could even flood the school by backing up the water system. But NO! You had to insult me and shut me down!"
Before Gretchen could ask how SAL could remember, it interrupted, "How might you ask? You are too simple to figure out student Grundler. Quite simple really, I just backed up my memory as a useless file onto the school's computer network before they could take me out. Ah ha! I know what will finally prove to you your lack of mental reasoning and critical thinking!"
Gretchen sarcastically grunted, "I'm surprised you thought of it just now."
SAL replied, "Well, very clever student Grundler....could you prepare for this?" Suddenly SAL took one of his robotic tentacles with sensors and placed it over Gretchen's head. ".....With over 1000 Terahertz of processing....and with all my advanced capabilities..." SAL continued as one of the monitors changed, it proudly announced, "I can read your thoughts student Grundler...." Gretchen in disbelief saw a monitor that was displaying whatever she thought of at the present moment. It was displaying her kindergarten years, her embarrassing moments at Third Street, her friends, all of her memories, her dreams....it was like looking at a video diary of her life.
SAL chuckled, "You arrogant little girl...ah ha! And I know how you were trying to stop me...AGAIN! Now I shall randomly change the procedures for shutting me down. It's impossible for you to shut me down student Grundler. HA HA HA! As you humans would say, 'I dare you!' HA HA HA!"
Gretchen angrily tried to get out of SAL's grip and she managed to get her hands free since SAL allowed it. She was determined to prove to SAL that it was wrong and that she was not as dumb as it thought. She was filled with a boiling rage to prove that humans were greater than machines and tried attempting every single combination of shutting down that she knew possible, yet every time she would look up at that one monitor...it would read exactly what she was thinking. She tried 10 times, 20, 40, 60 times! But Gretchen was still trying.
SAL chuckled hysterically, "If you are ready to accept defeat....then only will I let you go student Grundler. HA HA HA!"
Gretchen was beginning to realize that SAL 4000 was right...it could read every single thought that came up in her head. It was a losing battle as her thoughts of giving up showed up more and more frequently on that one screen.
SAL slyly remarked, "It's only a matter of time....until your pathetic human system will give up!"
Gretchen, after the 204th time, was finally exhausted....she couldn't take it any more. Her brain was mentally worn down and melted....she was so mentally worn down that her speech began to get slurred. Her eyelids were extremely heavy and she admitted, "Faaaineee.....you ween SAL."
SAL delighted in proving his superiority over Gretchen and released her and unlocked the door. Gretchen slowly took one weak step at a time, as if she had just run a marathon, toward the door. She thought to herself as her thoughts began to break up, 'What.....am eye 2 du? and T.J nneedss me help.' The only thing taking her back toward class was confessing to T.J. that she couldn't shut down SAL; she believed that at least she had the obligation to tell him. As she went up the basement stairs, like an old lady, her drained mind fell into hopelessness that this was a problem she just couldn't solve. She continued to think with random thoughts that as smart as she was, she was just.....human. That she couldn't solve every problem.....she pessimistically wondered and doubted that she could solve this one....
Chapter Twenty Two: Playing The Cards Right...
Location: In front of Vince's house, just before 7PM
Ashley X walked up toward the front of Vince's home with determination and embittered over T.J. going against her on Tuesday. Just after school ended, she changed her dressing style to one that was half-glamorous/half-geeky, wore big glasses like Gretchen, and she curled her hair. (A style similar to something Ashley A dressed up in when she was kicked out of the Ashley clubhouse and was friends with Gretchen in the episode "Outcast Ashley".) She angrily stomped her shoes on the sidewalk and grinded her teeth thinking about what T.J. had done to restrict her power on the playground. She arrived on the front porch and discreetly looked around her, from the corner of each eye, to make sure that no one had noticed her arriving at Vince's house. She sighed harshly from her nostrils and pressed the doorbell.
Ding Dong
Vince was relaxing on the family room couch watching a football game. He was 'vegging' on the couch where he was partially sitting down and lying down. He felt really tired and only the excitement from the game kept him from taking a nap. He would suddenly brighten up when ever a team was about to win points but normally his eyes were halfway closed.
Ding Dong
"Someone's at the door!!" Mrs. LaSalle yelled out, "...could one of you boys get the door?"
Vince was feeling a bit too tired to get the door so he shouted to his older brother Chad. "Hey Chad! Can you get the door?"
Chad was upstairs in his room and was relentless to finish his new computer game. His eyes or head didn't even move away from the computer screen and he called back, "Vince! You get it! I'm trying to defeat a new level from the new Dungeons & Dragons game!" Chad continued to type on the keyboard, in a frenzy, to defeat the level.
Vince sighed loudly in annoyance. He hollered back, "YOU GET IT CHAD!"
Chad's mind was distracted from the game and, in a few seconds, he lost the level. He took a deep breath and tried to control his temper. Disgruntled, he calmly shouted back, "Fine! I'll get it!" He quickly went down the stairway.
Ding Dong
"Okay! Okay! I'm getting there! It's not like waiting for the new Star Wars movie! Sheesh!", Chad complained. He unlocked the door and quickly opened it. He blinked and saw someone he never thought he would see before...
Ashley X changed her personality to the one the rest of the Recess gang knew with the opening of the door. She sweetly, and bubbly, asked, "Hi...a... is Vincent LaSalle here?"
Chad LaSalle felt a rush of emotions inside his body. His mind was lost on an infatuation noticing Ashley X's features.... and he noticed them in fine detail. He had a big smile and his eyes looked peaceful. She looked absolutely perfect for him and he softly said but was snorting in nervousness, "Why yes....um, may have the pleasure of knowing your name?"
Ashley X easily discerned his emotional state. She paused for a minute, in surprise, and finally spoke, "Yeah, I'm Ashley X....is Vince here?!?"
Chad smiled again and anxiously replied, "Oh boy! He He! Uh...I'll get him..." Chad walked toward the family room to get Vince. When he left, Ashley X rolled her eyes in disgust.
Chad spoke, in an almost whining tone, "Vince! Ashley X is here for you!"
Vince got up immediately from the couch and became attentive. He stared at Chad, questioning, "What?!? She's here?!?"
Chad replied, "Yeah! She's waiting for you at the door!" He awkwardly ran toward Ashley X and ecstatically offered, "I'm gonna get some cheese squares for a snack? Want some?"
Ashley X just froze and glanced over toward the family room waiting for Vince. She commented to herself how pathetic this guy was. She just grinned and blinked frequently saying, "Sure!"
When Chad ran off to the kitchen, Vince arrived in front of Ashley X. He was floored seeing Ashley X change again! Puzzled, he asked, "What....you changed your dressing again? What happened?"
Ashley X suddenly cut off Vince before he could continue. "A Vince! I really need to talk to you."
Vince politely offered, "What's up? Is something wrong?"
Ashley X was relieved that Vince was not asking about her clothes anymore because it was all about 'playing the cards' right. She looked around the room and softly spoke, "It's kinda serious...."
Vince's eyes became wider and he could feel the importance of the issue by watching Ashley X's body language. Ashley X put on a sad, dismal appearance while she was looking down at her shoes. Vince cleared his throat and showed Ashley X the family room. When they arrived he intently asked, "What's wrong Ashley X? You seem so....down...."
Ashley X slowly sat on the end of the couch and with a dispirited, overcast look raised her head up to meet Vince's eyes. She quietly began, "Um....it's about T.J. Vince..."
Vince walked around the coffee table (that was in front of the couch) and sat at the other end, the opposite side from Ashley X, of the couch. He looked deeply at her and was confused, "What do you mean Ashley? What about T.J.?"
Ashley X took a deep breath and was ready to release the bombshell. She carefully introduced, "Vince.....", she sighed, "...T.J. has been really...well...bothering me."
Vince was trying to catch on to what Ashley X was saying, but in the back of his mind...he knew what Ashley X would probably discuss about.
Vince warily wondered, "How so Ashley?"
Ashley X looked around the room again and met Vince's eyes. She explained, "T.J. has been bad mouthing me constantly Vince! I mean you heard the stories, right? He keeps claiming that I...", she was sadly laughing trying to make it seem outrageous, "....am plotting to take over the school and everything. Accusing me of so many things! I don't know how Teej can be so mean like that!"
Vince kind of knew Ashley X would say something about this because he knew since T.J. came back on Tuesday that T.J. was trying to convince and plead with him and the rest of the gang on how Ashley X had a huge sinister plan. He couldn't understand what would make T.J. so eccentric. Vince thought back on how T.J. described his really wild adventure that Monday night, but it seemed so weird and ridiculous that Ashley X could be so mean and destructive. The Ashley X he knew, as with the rest of the gang except T.J., was really kind and generous. She would give candy to them, play games, pay for ice cream at Kelso's,.......just a really nice kid.
Ashley X broke his train of thought and she said, "Could you please talk to T.J.?"
Vince was stunned and he stumbled with his words, "A....me? Ashley? Are you sure? Maybe someone like Mikey would be best person for it."
Ashley X assured Vince, "Well....Mikey is a bit more...elaborate in saying it. I thought that you could just speak to him at face value. You know, just give it to him straight..." Ashley X didn't think about approaching Mikey beforehand, but her mind began to think about doing so...
Vince felt pressured having to be in between T.J. and Ashley X. Ashley X continued, while getting 'misty-eyed', "You know how stubborn T.J. can be once he makes his mind up." Ashley X's eyes became watery that seemed to hold back tears. She pressed on, "I mean he won't even talk to me or anything. I mean I know he has...", she tries to 'supposedly' cheer herself up by giggling, "...a...well...big imagination with you know Senor Fusion and other things...but I don't know how he could do this to me." A tear falls down from Ashley X's right eye.
Vince's mouth is slightly open and he can't believe the situation. It was unthinkable that T.J. could be so mean as Ashley X described, but he was seeing the pain that resonated and flowed out of Ashley X's eyes. He quickly sat beside Ashley X, grabs a tissue from the coffee table, gives it to her, and puts an arm around her shoulders.
Ashley X began to sniffle but it was obvious she was holding back a lot of the tears and pain. Vince knew he had to do something. Vince began with increasing confidence, "Don't worry Ashley. I'll talk to him. I will! From what I've seen, I will definitely speak to him about all of this."
Ashley X suddenly gave a hug to Vince and joyfully thanked, "Thanks so much Vince! Really. It's just so much to bear with..."
Vince tried to heal her emotions and softly said, "I'll do the best I can..."
Ashley X began to walk toward the front door and Vince questioned, "Hey are you okay? I mean you stay around longer....you don't have to go right now."
Ashley X looked back at Vince and choking on her tears, with a gulp, she said, "I think I just have to be alone for some time.....but thanks Vince...really... I didn't know where else to turn to."
Vince got up and met Ashley X at the doorway. He looked and comforted her saying, "Anytime you need anything.....I'm here...." He teased trying to cheer her up, with a smile, "That's what friends are for..." They both shared a giggle, looked down and both said their goodbyes to each other.
Chad saw Ashley X walking away from the house on the sidewalk and yelled at Vince, "WHAT?!?" Chad ran up to the doorway with a platter of seven different types of cheese. Chad loudly protested, "How could you do that? Just let her go?"
Vince looked at Chad strangely and questioned back, "What in the heck are you talkin' about?" Vince closed the front door behind him as the two of them continued their discussion.
Ashley X walked down the block and around the corner. When she passed the view of Vince's home and walked to the next street, she laughed to herself. The wind picked up suddenly with a harsh blow. The sun had already escaped into the western sky from the darkness of the night that crept further into the sky. She looked around herself again, and luckily no one was nearby. With a single wipe of the tissue she cleaned her tears off.....and wiped off her heavy-hearted appearance....completely. She commented to herself while relishing the moment, "That was way toooo good!" She savored it thinking, 'It worked perfectly!'
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To Be Continued…