Disclaimer: I do not own X-men or X-men evolution or any of its characters.
I do own Simone Samson/ Arachnid.
Authors Note: I hope you liked chapter four. Sorry it was so short, but diary entries are not usually terribly long. No, Todd and Simone are not going out right now. The last chapter may have confused you, but they are not currently. How was your pudding? What kind was it? Was it chocolate? I like chocolate pudding best, but I like the instant stuff more than the cups. Well, grab yourself another few cups, or maybe go make yourself a batch of instant pudding. Here, I will wait.........................Back? Good, ok, on with the show, I mean, story!
Chapter Five:
It was Sunday night. The world outside was gleaming in the moonlight because of the almost perfect sheet of new fallen snow. Each of the Brotherhood members were alone in their rooms, not knowing that each other one was looking at the same scene through their windows. Each one was sitting in the dark with only the lights from the street lamps and moon outside to see by.
Lance was sitting on an old creaky chair in front of his window, practicing guitar. The light reflecting off the snow outside illuminated the body of his Fender Stratocaster. His fingers danced along the silver strings, the cords changing quickly and accurately. The strumming was slow and the pick he used was old and wearing slowly away. This was the reason he was in his room. He wanted privacy, quiet. He wasn't in the mood to play for an audience tonight. Little did he know that there wouldn't have been one if he went downstairs anyway.
He played on, not letting thoughts or worries distract him from making beautiful music. The scene outside inspired him. It was so beautiful when the rays of the moon hit a smooth layer of fresh snow. The tiny crystals shone almost fluorescent under streetlights and Christmas lights. The song he played sounded like how the snow outside looked. It matched perfectly, until he noticed a slight difference. His right hand went from the guitar neck to the chrome knobs on the head. He tightened the second string while strumming it.
**I wonder what Toad's problem is. He needs to make his move already. It's so obvious that he likes Simone*. He tightened the third string too. *And she knows it. I know she knows. She likes him too. He's my friend and all, but it's not like a guy like him gets attention from a girl like her everyday. She's nice, and pretty, and smart, and strong, and generous...and she isn't stuck up. She knows she's around a bunch of punks but it's as if she doesn't care. I don't think she minds at all. **
He went to the fifth string and tuned it as well. That string was particularly moody. He could be playing perfectly and it would still twang. It never wanted to stay tuned.
**If I weren't so crazy about Kitty, I'd try with Simone myself. I couldn't do that to Toad though. He'd hate me forever. He needs this. He needs her. If he doesn't tell her how he feels soon, then I'll tell her how he feels myself. **
His hand went back to the neck. He started playing again, going from an E minor seventh to an A minor and eventually to a C. The minor chords were his favorite. They reminded him of a sunset in a desert for some reason. They painted beautiful pictures in his mind, and he focused on the pictures. He focused on the beautiful pictures of a world he wished he could live in.
Pietro could hear Lance playing from his room. The sounds painted no pictures in his mind. He just sat on the edge of his bed and stared blankly out the window. He fell back on his bed and stared even more blankly at the ceiling. His mind wasn't half as blank as his facial expression, but he wished it could be.
**What's my problem lately? I've never acted like this before, and as much as I don't want to admit it, I know there's something wrong. I've just been so edgy. I'm not trying to get angry when I do. It just...happens. I just get so angry inside over the stupidest things and I can't control it. Toad hates me and I know Lance wants to kick my ass sometimes. Blob is hurt because of what I said to him today. I should have kept my mouth shut about the banana nut bread. It actually wasn't that bad. I should just go and apologize, but I'm excessively proud. God forbid I ever apologize for my stupid decisions. **
He sighed and sat up, staring out the window again. His stare wasn't so blank anymore. It was more troubled.
**I don't even want to think about Simone. She has to have the worst impression of me. I'm actually afraid of her. I still can't believe she was able to land one on me. I have a feeling she'd do it again too. I wonder why she gets so upset when I mess with Toad. Could it be possible that she actually likes him? Well, he's probably got more personality points than me right now. I can't believe I've come to this. A girl would actually rather be with Toad than with me. What the hell happened to me? Moreover, the people I would have vented to before are the people that I'm pushing farthest away. ** He put his face in his hands, his elbows on his knees.
Freddie was getting rather worried. He couldn't hear anything from Pietro's room. Usually he was able to hear the buzz of Pietro's feet hitting the ground at 170 mph, or the swishing sounds he made when he cut through the still air. He hoped Pietro was ok in there.
Freddie was standing by his window, his elbows resting on the windowsill. He turned around and lumbered over to his bed and sat down, the metal springs squeaking. His eyes were downcast and he was still playing the scene over in his head from earlier that day. He had made banana nut bread for the first time ever. The batter had been carefully mixed and the ratio of nuts to banana's fit to a T. The mix had been poured ever so neatly into the bread pan that he had just spent two months savings on. He had cooked it until it was a nice crispy golden brown and it was still fresh and warm from the oven when the guys started complaining about being hungry.
No one had ever seen Simone eat anything, so Freddie was amazed when she took him aside and told him to make sure he saved her some.
"I love banana nut bread, and if you reserve a few pieces for me, I'll eat it tonight", she had said with a kind smile. He made sure he put a few pieces away for her before anyone else got to try any. He wrapped them neatly with tin foil and hid them in the back of the fridge like she told him too.
He watched with pride as Lance, Toad, and Pietro sat down to try it. Lance took one bite and his eyes widened.
"Blob, I gotta hand it to you. This is great", Lance had exclaimed with satisfaction.
Toad grappled his piece with his tongue and swallowed it whole.
"Yeah, its better than house flies", which Blob knew was a compliment. Then he looked at Pietro, who had a critical look in his eye while he chewed overzealously.
"Hmmm, could use a few more nuts", Pietro said.
The scene finished playing itself out in Freddie's head.
"A few more nuts", he said aloud, his face showing obvious hurt. Suddenly he heard three quick knocks on his closed door. They were so quick that they almost sounded like one knock, but Blob's ears had adapted to hearing and seeing several things even when it looked or sounded like one. It came from living with Pietro.
"Who is it?" He got up and walked over to the door. He turned the knob and opened it all the way. He saw Pietro standing there, and he would have said he was busy and to come back later, if it wasn't for the troubled look on Pietro's face.
"Blob", Pietro said, his words flowing very quickly, "Look, I'm sorry for what I said earlier about your banana nut bread. It didn't need anymore nuts, I was just being an ass. I've been being an ass a lot lately and I'm really...," he struggled with the word, "sorry".
"Aw, it's no big deal", Blob said smiling.
Todd was listening in from his room. He couldn't believe what he had just heard. Pietro had actually admitted to being an ass, and he had apologized for it! This long awaited and unexpected event only distracted him for a moment though, from his real problem. He was lying on his bed on his stomach, his head resting on his arms folded in front of him. He was facing his window and watching as the snow began to fall again. He sighed.
**Simone's been living here for two weeks. We ain't had any fights with the X-men. I'm glad. Getting beatings from them isn't exactly my idea of a fun way to pass the time. But maybe with Simone around, we'll start winning some fights. **
He turned to lie on his back. He scooted up so that his head was hanging off the edge of his bed. Gravity made his hair fall away from his face. He could still see out the window.
**I can't keep inside no more. I'm crazy about that girl. I dream about her at night, I see her face in my mind all the time. I even been writing poetry, poetry about her and how I feel about her. I'm not that great of a poet, but I can't help but express these feelings. I love every thing about her. I love the way she talks. I love the way she looks. I love the way her hair blows around when there's a breeze. I love her white skin and her lips, oh those lips. They're so red and so soft looking and so smooth. They're like...red silk pillows or something.
I'm always having these fantasies about her. If she knew she'd probably think I was sick. She's got such a beautiful body. I saw her once in her pajama's. They were these tiny little red shorts and this little red tank top. She's so...curvy. She's got these perfect legs. They're muscular too, but not too muscular. Not guy muscular. She's got those wide hips and this thin little waist and then her...listen to me, I'm going into another fantasy. Her skin is so white; it's like milk.
Oh, but it ain't just the way she looks. She's so...nice to me. She's not just nice to me; she's nice to all of us, as if she was one of us, even when she's above us. She always wants to talk to me. She doesn't even mind it when I catch flies. She says it's cool. Heh. I just wish...I don't know. I want her to like me, I mean like me, like me, like I like her. Maybe she does. **
He threw his legs up and flipped forward to land on the floor by his bed in a crouching position. He stood up straight and walked over to his door. He put one ear against it, to make sure there was no one roaming around the hallway. There was silence. He turned his doorknob slowly and opened the door even slower, so it wouldn't creak and make noise.
He poked only his head out first and looked around, to affirm that the corridor was empty. He stepped out across his threshold with careful steady feet. With one hand, he reached behind him and gave his door a tiny nudge until it was nearly closed, then, not even looking, he turned the knob again to shut it. He sighed with relief when no one seemed to hear.
Furtively, he tiptoed through the hall towards Lance's room. He stopped for a moment as he passed Simone's door, tightly shut and probably locked. He wondered what was going on in the confines of that room. What could have been happening behind that door? He knew very well what kind of things she had in her quarters, for he had helped her move in. He had helped her unpack and get her things situated and in order. She had many stuffed animals, and many books, and many spiders. She had pictures of spiders, ceramic spiders, and books about spiders. When he asked her why, all she said was, "They're amazing, the way they move, the way they live, the way they mate. Their cannibalism is so macabre that it is intriguing".
Her answer was strange to him. Most people, especially girls, were creeped out by spiders, appalled by them, everything about them. Simone, though, as Todd knew very well, was no ordinary girl. The most noticeable hint to this was the pets she kept. She brought with her no cuddly little kittens or playful puppies. All she had was a very small aquarium, like the kind you'd keep a very tiny frog in, or a garter snake. The leaves and foliage inside were so dense it was hard to believe that there was even anything inside. It was probably because, when Todd had first observed it, there was nothing inside it. When he looked to Simone to ask where her pet had gone and what it had been, he was answered before he could even utter a single word.
There had been, perched ever so placidly on her shoulder, a huge, hairy tarantula. He jumped so high when he saw it, he nearly hit his head on the ceiling. He remembered that adorable look on her face when she saw his reaction. It was of complete, oblivious puzzlement.
Todd remembered where he was and he remembered that if he dawdled to long, he might be seen. He was on a private mission. It was a mission for Simone, and he feared that if someone even saw him out here at this time of night, they'd get suspicious of his feelings for her. If she found out from someone else, he would be ruined. He continued his careful steady steps, convinced that hopping would have been too loud.
When he reached Lance's door finally, he lifted his right hand, made a loose fist, and tapped quietly on the wood. He waited a moment. He heard Lance's guitar inside and knew he'd have to knock louder to be heard. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. Lance was busy. But no, he had to do this. He couldn't stand this torture anymore, this torture of loving someone and not knowing what on earth to do about it. When he remembered his cause, he knew he had to be steadfast. He could not turn back now. He knocked again, only minutely louder.
Then a miracle happened. The sound of the guitar strumming behind the door stopped, and Todd could hear the creak of an old chair, and then footsteps coming closer...and closer...and closer. The door opened.
"Lance", Todd whispered frantically, "we really gotta talk".
Lance looked at Todd questioningly, "How long have you been out here?"
"Man, didn't you hear me knocking?"
"No, I was just on my way to the kitchen to get a soda. And why are you whispering?"
"Cuz, everybody else is in their rooms and I don't want them knowing I'm coming here for advice".
"What kind a advice?"
Todd sighed, "It's.... It's about...Simone"
Lance smiled. "Now you got my interest. Soda can wait. Get in here, I'm sure you don't want anybody hearing us". He stepped to the side and Todd walked in, Lance closing the door and locking it behind him.
"Have a seat", Lance said motioning towards his bed. Todd hopped up on the mattress and crouched, having unusually perfect balance on his toes. Lance grabbed the chair he had been sitting on by its back and dragged it towards the bed. When he sat down, the back of the chair was facing Todd, so Lance was straddling it. He folded his arms on the chairs back and rested his chin on them. He smiled at Todd.
"So what seems to be the problem?" Lance asked. He knew what the problem was already, he just wanted to hear Toad say it aloud.
"Well, Ya see...", Todd scratched the back of his head and looked at his shoes, avoiding the other boys gaze. "I kinda got...well..."
"Spit it out already", said Lance impatiently.
"Ok, but you gotta promise that what I'm about to tell you is only between me an' you. You can't tell no one. Especially not Blob or Pietro, ok?"
"I promise".
"And not Simone either".
"Fine, not her either, now just spit it out already", Lance implored impatiently.
"Ok, ok. See, I got this thing...for Simone", he looked at Lance, "you know what I mean? I got these feelings I ain't never felt before. I want to be with her, you know? Like boyfriend and girlfriend, but more than that. The way I feel about her...I just, can't stop thinking about her. I won't even try to think about her, and I just do. I dream about her, I even write poetry about how I feel. It's mushy poetry too. Like that stuff in the romance novels. I just can't get enough of seeing her. I can't get enough of talking to her and being around her. Everything about her just...I never felt like this before. I thought I liked Rogue when she was around, but I didn't like her like this. I never liked anybody like this".
Lance smiled. "Well, well, well. It's about time you finally admitted it".
Todd looked confused. "Admitted what?"
"That you like Simone, and not only like. It sounds like you're in love Toad-boy. I was just thinking about it before you came in; how and when you were finally gonna state the obvious".
Todd was worried, was it possible that someone had found his notebook with all the sappy love poems he'd written? Or had he just been acting like he felt this way and not known it? "Obvious? How's it obvious?"
"I been watching you real close since she moved in. Don't worry, I don't think anyone else suspects it. So, what are you gonna do about this?"
"Do? Well...Heh, that's why I came to you. That's what I meant by advice", Todd said, laughing to cover up his nervousness.
"Well, If you ask me, I say you tell her about it. Spill it to her, all of it".
"I can't do that man. What if she don't feel the same way? I couldn't live with the embarrassment!"
"Yeah, I been watching her real close too, especially when she's around you. You've got nothing to worry about Toad. She feels the same way. I guarantee it".
Todd could hardly believe Lance's words. In a way, Lance's voice made it sound as if he was lying, as if he was setting Todd up for some terrible disappointment for his own pleasure. But Todd didn't want to believe that. He wanted to believe that Lance was telling the truth, which is why he pressed on.
"Plus", continued lance, his eyes looking wily, "If you don't tell her soon, I will".
"Fine", said Todd quickly to make sure Lance decided against the action he had threatened him with. "So...how do I tell her then?"
Lance got up and with a cool smooth motion, he spun his chair around to face Todd with the front. He sat down again and leaned back almost too comfortably.
"Well", he said, "You have to make it romantic. It's gotta be something she'll remember, something that'll be so romantic that she won't be able to turn it down. Girls love that mushy romance stuff. You gotta seduce her".
"Don't you think that's a little...."
"Not like that! I mean, you gotta be... well, I don't know. You have to keep it real, no cheesy pickup lines or anything like that". He thought for a moment. "Ok, I got an idea, this is what you're going to do. Since it's Christmas vacation, you won't have to worry about her being all stressed tomorrow night after school".
"Tomorrow night? What's happening tomorrow night?" ha asked puzzledly. He already wanted to back out. He always got the most wonderful feeling after everytime he talked to her. He did not want that joy to turn sour if he found out that his feelings were not mutual.
"Tomorrow night is the night it all comes together for you Toad. Here's the plan; it's going to get really stuffy in here, and you're going to want to go for a walk".
At first Todd didn't understand, then he realized that Lance was referring to how Todd was going to act in this scenario. He was going to pretend that he needed to step out for awhile. It was making sense now, but how would this work if the point was to be close to Simone in the first place?
"You're going to ask her if she want's to go for a little walk with you, because you have a question you need to ask her..."
"What about?"
"Ugh, does it matter? Ok, tell her its about Pietro, you have to ask her what she thinks about how pissy he's been lately."
"But then I'll be lying to her about what I'm really going to ask her".
Lance sighed showing obvious irritation. "Fine...If she asks what it's about, tell her it's something you don't want everybody else hearing, then you'll be telling the truth, because you really don't want Blob or Pietro hearing, do you?"
"No, but what if she's in her room? Going all the way up there to ask if she want's to go for a walk with me will be a little...foreward, don't you think?"
"Oh, don't worry about that", Lance's face acquired a mischievous smirk, almost wily. "She'll be around".
Todd's gaze jumped back to the floor. His eyes were filled with nervousness, as was his heart. He knew that only one of two things could come out of this. Either he'd gain her as more than a friend, or he'd loose her to being even less than a friend. Moreover, it didn't help that Lance was adapting the situation to go accordingly. He wasn't sure if he could even trust Lance. Lance might screw this whole thing up.
"Listen, I don't know about this man", Todd stuttered, "what if it don't work out? I couldn't live it down you know?" He plopped down Lance's bed and crossed his legs "Indian-style".
Lances eyes shifted from crafty to pensive. His voice softened. "Toad, I'm your friend. Yeah, we have some tough spots in our friendship sometimes, but who doesn't? There's nothing I'd like more than to see this work out for you. Simones your friend too though, and if she's the friend she acts like she is, then nothing will make her not want to be friends with you. I know that it's hard, your first real love and maybe your first relationship coming up, but it's life and there's nothing that life can dish out that you can't handle". He bent towards Todd and lightly punched the other boy in the arm, "You're a Brotherhood boy. There ain't nothing you can't handle". He said the last line as if he were a motivational speaker telling Todd to 'go get'em'.
Todd smiled, "Yeah, you're right. We Brotherhood boys are tough as nails, and there ain't no girl gonna break my heart", he paused, "but if she don't break my heart, that's fine too". He laughed.
Lance smirked. "You better get going. You got a big day ahead of you tomorrow, and remember, look your best. That means shower, brush your teeth, deodorant, cologne, the works". He got up and walked over to the door, gripping the knob and turning it. Todd sat up and leapt to the floor. Lance pulled the door open and Todd stood up to walk out, but before he exited, he stopped and looked at Lance, his face serious.
"Thanks, man. I owe you one". He smiled then walked out into the hallway and towards his own room. Lance shut the door. He walked over to his bed and sat down. For a minute, he stared at the hardwood floor, eyes expressionless, body as still as stone. Then a thought popped into his head.
**I'm glad I could help him. It felt weird being so nice and friendly. I'm not like that for real, but when he talked about how much he cared for Simone...I really saw how important this is to him. I really saw...love, I mean I think I did. I never seen real love before, but that looked like it in his eyes. Listen to me, getting all mushy. Well, helping the little dweeb out now doesn't mean I can't embarrass him after those two are going out. I just need to find where he stashes all that poetry he was talking about. **
He stood up and walked over to the door. He opened it, then closed it again behind him as he walked into the hallway. He had almost forgotten about that soda from earlier.
Simone's room was like a fortress to her. Nobody could get in or out without her permission. Since she moved in, she had installed two extra locks to it on the inside. She loved her privacy and she hated to have it interrupted. She never answered the door for anyone she didn't want to talk to. It was like her own little corner of the world that belonged completely to her and she didn't have to share it with anybody. Although, she would have liked to share it with Todd.
Tonight, it was completely dark inside of her room. It would appear to be totally empty, except for the four-armed form clinging to a corner of the ceiling. It was Simone. Her legs were bent as if she were crouching, the soles of her feet adhering to the walls. Her arms were splayed, her palms attached to the walls and ceiling in the same fashion. She looked just like a spider, a large pale spider wearing pink daisy dukes and a matching cammie. Her hair was pulled back in a bun on top of her head, a few strands hanging messily upon her neck. Her eyes were closed and one would have barely been able to hear her breathing. Simone was asleep.
Author's note: Hello everybody! I'm so very sorry it's taken me so long to re-post. I've been soooooo terribly buissy lately. How did you like you pudding? Good to hear it, well, I'm feeling antsy, gotta go buybye.
Authors Note: I hope you liked chapter four. Sorry it was so short, but diary entries are not usually terribly long. No, Todd and Simone are not going out right now. The last chapter may have confused you, but they are not currently. How was your pudding? What kind was it? Was it chocolate? I like chocolate pudding best, but I like the instant stuff more than the cups. Well, grab yourself another few cups, or maybe go make yourself a batch of instant pudding. Here, I will wait.........................Back? Good, ok, on with the show, I mean, story!
Chapter Five:
It was Sunday night. The world outside was gleaming in the moonlight because of the almost perfect sheet of new fallen snow. Each of the Brotherhood members were alone in their rooms, not knowing that each other one was looking at the same scene through their windows. Each one was sitting in the dark with only the lights from the street lamps and moon outside to see by.
Lance was sitting on an old creaky chair in front of his window, practicing guitar. The light reflecting off the snow outside illuminated the body of his Fender Stratocaster. His fingers danced along the silver strings, the cords changing quickly and accurately. The strumming was slow and the pick he used was old and wearing slowly away. This was the reason he was in his room. He wanted privacy, quiet. He wasn't in the mood to play for an audience tonight. Little did he know that there wouldn't have been one if he went downstairs anyway.
He played on, not letting thoughts or worries distract him from making beautiful music. The scene outside inspired him. It was so beautiful when the rays of the moon hit a smooth layer of fresh snow. The tiny crystals shone almost fluorescent under streetlights and Christmas lights. The song he played sounded like how the snow outside looked. It matched perfectly, until he noticed a slight difference. His right hand went from the guitar neck to the chrome knobs on the head. He tightened the second string while strumming it.
**I wonder what Toad's problem is. He needs to make his move already. It's so obvious that he likes Simone*. He tightened the third string too. *And she knows it. I know she knows. She likes him too. He's my friend and all, but it's not like a guy like him gets attention from a girl like her everyday. She's nice, and pretty, and smart, and strong, and generous...and she isn't stuck up. She knows she's around a bunch of punks but it's as if she doesn't care. I don't think she minds at all. **
He went to the fifth string and tuned it as well. That string was particularly moody. He could be playing perfectly and it would still twang. It never wanted to stay tuned.
**If I weren't so crazy about Kitty, I'd try with Simone myself. I couldn't do that to Toad though. He'd hate me forever. He needs this. He needs her. If he doesn't tell her how he feels soon, then I'll tell her how he feels myself. **
His hand went back to the neck. He started playing again, going from an E minor seventh to an A minor and eventually to a C. The minor chords were his favorite. They reminded him of a sunset in a desert for some reason. They painted beautiful pictures in his mind, and he focused on the pictures. He focused on the beautiful pictures of a world he wished he could live in.
Pietro could hear Lance playing from his room. The sounds painted no pictures in his mind. He just sat on the edge of his bed and stared blankly out the window. He fell back on his bed and stared even more blankly at the ceiling. His mind wasn't half as blank as his facial expression, but he wished it could be.
**What's my problem lately? I've never acted like this before, and as much as I don't want to admit it, I know there's something wrong. I've just been so edgy. I'm not trying to get angry when I do. It just...happens. I just get so angry inside over the stupidest things and I can't control it. Toad hates me and I know Lance wants to kick my ass sometimes. Blob is hurt because of what I said to him today. I should have kept my mouth shut about the banana nut bread. It actually wasn't that bad. I should just go and apologize, but I'm excessively proud. God forbid I ever apologize for my stupid decisions. **
He sighed and sat up, staring out the window again. His stare wasn't so blank anymore. It was more troubled.
**I don't even want to think about Simone. She has to have the worst impression of me. I'm actually afraid of her. I still can't believe she was able to land one on me. I have a feeling she'd do it again too. I wonder why she gets so upset when I mess with Toad. Could it be possible that she actually likes him? Well, he's probably got more personality points than me right now. I can't believe I've come to this. A girl would actually rather be with Toad than with me. What the hell happened to me? Moreover, the people I would have vented to before are the people that I'm pushing farthest away. ** He put his face in his hands, his elbows on his knees.
Freddie was getting rather worried. He couldn't hear anything from Pietro's room. Usually he was able to hear the buzz of Pietro's feet hitting the ground at 170 mph, or the swishing sounds he made when he cut through the still air. He hoped Pietro was ok in there.
Freddie was standing by his window, his elbows resting on the windowsill. He turned around and lumbered over to his bed and sat down, the metal springs squeaking. His eyes were downcast and he was still playing the scene over in his head from earlier that day. He had made banana nut bread for the first time ever. The batter had been carefully mixed and the ratio of nuts to banana's fit to a T. The mix had been poured ever so neatly into the bread pan that he had just spent two months savings on. He had cooked it until it was a nice crispy golden brown and it was still fresh and warm from the oven when the guys started complaining about being hungry.
No one had ever seen Simone eat anything, so Freddie was amazed when she took him aside and told him to make sure he saved her some.
"I love banana nut bread, and if you reserve a few pieces for me, I'll eat it tonight", she had said with a kind smile. He made sure he put a few pieces away for her before anyone else got to try any. He wrapped them neatly with tin foil and hid them in the back of the fridge like she told him too.
He watched with pride as Lance, Toad, and Pietro sat down to try it. Lance took one bite and his eyes widened.
"Blob, I gotta hand it to you. This is great", Lance had exclaimed with satisfaction.
Toad grappled his piece with his tongue and swallowed it whole.
"Yeah, its better than house flies", which Blob knew was a compliment. Then he looked at Pietro, who had a critical look in his eye while he chewed overzealously.
"Hmmm, could use a few more nuts", Pietro said.
The scene finished playing itself out in Freddie's head.
"A few more nuts", he said aloud, his face showing obvious hurt. Suddenly he heard three quick knocks on his closed door. They were so quick that they almost sounded like one knock, but Blob's ears had adapted to hearing and seeing several things even when it looked or sounded like one. It came from living with Pietro.
"Who is it?" He got up and walked over to the door. He turned the knob and opened it all the way. He saw Pietro standing there, and he would have said he was busy and to come back later, if it wasn't for the troubled look on Pietro's face.
"Blob", Pietro said, his words flowing very quickly, "Look, I'm sorry for what I said earlier about your banana nut bread. It didn't need anymore nuts, I was just being an ass. I've been being an ass a lot lately and I'm really...," he struggled with the word, "sorry".
"Aw, it's no big deal", Blob said smiling.
Todd was listening in from his room. He couldn't believe what he had just heard. Pietro had actually admitted to being an ass, and he had apologized for it! This long awaited and unexpected event only distracted him for a moment though, from his real problem. He was lying on his bed on his stomach, his head resting on his arms folded in front of him. He was facing his window and watching as the snow began to fall again. He sighed.
**Simone's been living here for two weeks. We ain't had any fights with the X-men. I'm glad. Getting beatings from them isn't exactly my idea of a fun way to pass the time. But maybe with Simone around, we'll start winning some fights. **
He turned to lie on his back. He scooted up so that his head was hanging off the edge of his bed. Gravity made his hair fall away from his face. He could still see out the window.
**I can't keep inside no more. I'm crazy about that girl. I dream about her at night, I see her face in my mind all the time. I even been writing poetry, poetry about her and how I feel about her. I'm not that great of a poet, but I can't help but express these feelings. I love every thing about her. I love the way she talks. I love the way she looks. I love the way her hair blows around when there's a breeze. I love her white skin and her lips, oh those lips. They're so red and so soft looking and so smooth. They're like...red silk pillows or something.
I'm always having these fantasies about her. If she knew she'd probably think I was sick. She's got such a beautiful body. I saw her once in her pajama's. They were these tiny little red shorts and this little red tank top. She's so...curvy. She's got these perfect legs. They're muscular too, but not too muscular. Not guy muscular. She's got those wide hips and this thin little waist and then her...listen to me, I'm going into another fantasy. Her skin is so white; it's like milk.
Oh, but it ain't just the way she looks. She's so...nice to me. She's not just nice to me; she's nice to all of us, as if she was one of us, even when she's above us. She always wants to talk to me. She doesn't even mind it when I catch flies. She says it's cool. Heh. I just wish...I don't know. I want her to like me, I mean like me, like me, like I like her. Maybe she does. **
He threw his legs up and flipped forward to land on the floor by his bed in a crouching position. He stood up straight and walked over to his door. He put one ear against it, to make sure there was no one roaming around the hallway. There was silence. He turned his doorknob slowly and opened the door even slower, so it wouldn't creak and make noise.
He poked only his head out first and looked around, to affirm that the corridor was empty. He stepped out across his threshold with careful steady feet. With one hand, he reached behind him and gave his door a tiny nudge until it was nearly closed, then, not even looking, he turned the knob again to shut it. He sighed with relief when no one seemed to hear.
Furtively, he tiptoed through the hall towards Lance's room. He stopped for a moment as he passed Simone's door, tightly shut and probably locked. He wondered what was going on in the confines of that room. What could have been happening behind that door? He knew very well what kind of things she had in her quarters, for he had helped her move in. He had helped her unpack and get her things situated and in order. She had many stuffed animals, and many books, and many spiders. She had pictures of spiders, ceramic spiders, and books about spiders. When he asked her why, all she said was, "They're amazing, the way they move, the way they live, the way they mate. Their cannibalism is so macabre that it is intriguing".
Her answer was strange to him. Most people, especially girls, were creeped out by spiders, appalled by them, everything about them. Simone, though, as Todd knew very well, was no ordinary girl. The most noticeable hint to this was the pets she kept. She brought with her no cuddly little kittens or playful puppies. All she had was a very small aquarium, like the kind you'd keep a very tiny frog in, or a garter snake. The leaves and foliage inside were so dense it was hard to believe that there was even anything inside. It was probably because, when Todd had first observed it, there was nothing inside it. When he looked to Simone to ask where her pet had gone and what it had been, he was answered before he could even utter a single word.
There had been, perched ever so placidly on her shoulder, a huge, hairy tarantula. He jumped so high when he saw it, he nearly hit his head on the ceiling. He remembered that adorable look on her face when she saw his reaction. It was of complete, oblivious puzzlement.
Todd remembered where he was and he remembered that if he dawdled to long, he might be seen. He was on a private mission. It was a mission for Simone, and he feared that if someone even saw him out here at this time of night, they'd get suspicious of his feelings for her. If she found out from someone else, he would be ruined. He continued his careful steady steps, convinced that hopping would have been too loud.
When he reached Lance's door finally, he lifted his right hand, made a loose fist, and tapped quietly on the wood. He waited a moment. He heard Lance's guitar inside and knew he'd have to knock louder to be heard. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. Lance was busy. But no, he had to do this. He couldn't stand this torture anymore, this torture of loving someone and not knowing what on earth to do about it. When he remembered his cause, he knew he had to be steadfast. He could not turn back now. He knocked again, only minutely louder.
Then a miracle happened. The sound of the guitar strumming behind the door stopped, and Todd could hear the creak of an old chair, and then footsteps coming closer...and closer...and closer. The door opened.
"Lance", Todd whispered frantically, "we really gotta talk".
Lance looked at Todd questioningly, "How long have you been out here?"
"Man, didn't you hear me knocking?"
"No, I was just on my way to the kitchen to get a soda. And why are you whispering?"
"Cuz, everybody else is in their rooms and I don't want them knowing I'm coming here for advice".
"What kind a advice?"
Todd sighed, "It's.... It's about...Simone"
Lance smiled. "Now you got my interest. Soda can wait. Get in here, I'm sure you don't want anybody hearing us". He stepped to the side and Todd walked in, Lance closing the door and locking it behind him.
"Have a seat", Lance said motioning towards his bed. Todd hopped up on the mattress and crouched, having unusually perfect balance on his toes. Lance grabbed the chair he had been sitting on by its back and dragged it towards the bed. When he sat down, the back of the chair was facing Todd, so Lance was straddling it. He folded his arms on the chairs back and rested his chin on them. He smiled at Todd.
"So what seems to be the problem?" Lance asked. He knew what the problem was already, he just wanted to hear Toad say it aloud.
"Well, Ya see...", Todd scratched the back of his head and looked at his shoes, avoiding the other boys gaze. "I kinda got...well..."
"Spit it out already", said Lance impatiently.
"Ok, but you gotta promise that what I'm about to tell you is only between me an' you. You can't tell no one. Especially not Blob or Pietro, ok?"
"I promise".
"And not Simone either".
"Fine, not her either, now just spit it out already", Lance implored impatiently.
"Ok, ok. See, I got this thing...for Simone", he looked at Lance, "you know what I mean? I got these feelings I ain't never felt before. I want to be with her, you know? Like boyfriend and girlfriend, but more than that. The way I feel about her...I just, can't stop thinking about her. I won't even try to think about her, and I just do. I dream about her, I even write poetry about how I feel. It's mushy poetry too. Like that stuff in the romance novels. I just can't get enough of seeing her. I can't get enough of talking to her and being around her. Everything about her just...I never felt like this before. I thought I liked Rogue when she was around, but I didn't like her like this. I never liked anybody like this".
Lance smiled. "Well, well, well. It's about time you finally admitted it".
Todd looked confused. "Admitted what?"
"That you like Simone, and not only like. It sounds like you're in love Toad-boy. I was just thinking about it before you came in; how and when you were finally gonna state the obvious".
Todd was worried, was it possible that someone had found his notebook with all the sappy love poems he'd written? Or had he just been acting like he felt this way and not known it? "Obvious? How's it obvious?"
"I been watching you real close since she moved in. Don't worry, I don't think anyone else suspects it. So, what are you gonna do about this?"
"Do? Well...Heh, that's why I came to you. That's what I meant by advice", Todd said, laughing to cover up his nervousness.
"Well, If you ask me, I say you tell her about it. Spill it to her, all of it".
"I can't do that man. What if she don't feel the same way? I couldn't live with the embarrassment!"
"Yeah, I been watching her real close too, especially when she's around you. You've got nothing to worry about Toad. She feels the same way. I guarantee it".
Todd could hardly believe Lance's words. In a way, Lance's voice made it sound as if he was lying, as if he was setting Todd up for some terrible disappointment for his own pleasure. But Todd didn't want to believe that. He wanted to believe that Lance was telling the truth, which is why he pressed on.
"Plus", continued lance, his eyes looking wily, "If you don't tell her soon, I will".
"Fine", said Todd quickly to make sure Lance decided against the action he had threatened him with. "So...how do I tell her then?"
Lance got up and with a cool smooth motion, he spun his chair around to face Todd with the front. He sat down again and leaned back almost too comfortably.
"Well", he said, "You have to make it romantic. It's gotta be something she'll remember, something that'll be so romantic that she won't be able to turn it down. Girls love that mushy romance stuff. You gotta seduce her".
"Don't you think that's a little...."
"Not like that! I mean, you gotta be... well, I don't know. You have to keep it real, no cheesy pickup lines or anything like that". He thought for a moment. "Ok, I got an idea, this is what you're going to do. Since it's Christmas vacation, you won't have to worry about her being all stressed tomorrow night after school".
"Tomorrow night? What's happening tomorrow night?" ha asked puzzledly. He already wanted to back out. He always got the most wonderful feeling after everytime he talked to her. He did not want that joy to turn sour if he found out that his feelings were not mutual.
"Tomorrow night is the night it all comes together for you Toad. Here's the plan; it's going to get really stuffy in here, and you're going to want to go for a walk".
At first Todd didn't understand, then he realized that Lance was referring to how Todd was going to act in this scenario. He was going to pretend that he needed to step out for awhile. It was making sense now, but how would this work if the point was to be close to Simone in the first place?
"You're going to ask her if she want's to go for a little walk with you, because you have a question you need to ask her..."
"What about?"
"Ugh, does it matter? Ok, tell her its about Pietro, you have to ask her what she thinks about how pissy he's been lately."
"But then I'll be lying to her about what I'm really going to ask her".
Lance sighed showing obvious irritation. "Fine...If she asks what it's about, tell her it's something you don't want everybody else hearing, then you'll be telling the truth, because you really don't want Blob or Pietro hearing, do you?"
"No, but what if she's in her room? Going all the way up there to ask if she want's to go for a walk with me will be a little...foreward, don't you think?"
"Oh, don't worry about that", Lance's face acquired a mischievous smirk, almost wily. "She'll be around".
Todd's gaze jumped back to the floor. His eyes were filled with nervousness, as was his heart. He knew that only one of two things could come out of this. Either he'd gain her as more than a friend, or he'd loose her to being even less than a friend. Moreover, it didn't help that Lance was adapting the situation to go accordingly. He wasn't sure if he could even trust Lance. Lance might screw this whole thing up.
"Listen, I don't know about this man", Todd stuttered, "what if it don't work out? I couldn't live it down you know?" He plopped down Lance's bed and crossed his legs "Indian-style".
Lances eyes shifted from crafty to pensive. His voice softened. "Toad, I'm your friend. Yeah, we have some tough spots in our friendship sometimes, but who doesn't? There's nothing I'd like more than to see this work out for you. Simones your friend too though, and if she's the friend she acts like she is, then nothing will make her not want to be friends with you. I know that it's hard, your first real love and maybe your first relationship coming up, but it's life and there's nothing that life can dish out that you can't handle". He bent towards Todd and lightly punched the other boy in the arm, "You're a Brotherhood boy. There ain't nothing you can't handle". He said the last line as if he were a motivational speaker telling Todd to 'go get'em'.
Todd smiled, "Yeah, you're right. We Brotherhood boys are tough as nails, and there ain't no girl gonna break my heart", he paused, "but if she don't break my heart, that's fine too". He laughed.
Lance smirked. "You better get going. You got a big day ahead of you tomorrow, and remember, look your best. That means shower, brush your teeth, deodorant, cologne, the works". He got up and walked over to the door, gripping the knob and turning it. Todd sat up and leapt to the floor. Lance pulled the door open and Todd stood up to walk out, but before he exited, he stopped and looked at Lance, his face serious.
"Thanks, man. I owe you one". He smiled then walked out into the hallway and towards his own room. Lance shut the door. He walked over to his bed and sat down. For a minute, he stared at the hardwood floor, eyes expressionless, body as still as stone. Then a thought popped into his head.
**I'm glad I could help him. It felt weird being so nice and friendly. I'm not like that for real, but when he talked about how much he cared for Simone...I really saw how important this is to him. I really saw...love, I mean I think I did. I never seen real love before, but that looked like it in his eyes. Listen to me, getting all mushy. Well, helping the little dweeb out now doesn't mean I can't embarrass him after those two are going out. I just need to find where he stashes all that poetry he was talking about. **
He stood up and walked over to the door. He opened it, then closed it again behind him as he walked into the hallway. He had almost forgotten about that soda from earlier.
Simone's room was like a fortress to her. Nobody could get in or out without her permission. Since she moved in, she had installed two extra locks to it on the inside. She loved her privacy and she hated to have it interrupted. She never answered the door for anyone she didn't want to talk to. It was like her own little corner of the world that belonged completely to her and she didn't have to share it with anybody. Although, she would have liked to share it with Todd.
Tonight, it was completely dark inside of her room. It would appear to be totally empty, except for the four-armed form clinging to a corner of the ceiling. It was Simone. Her legs were bent as if she were crouching, the soles of her feet adhering to the walls. Her arms were splayed, her palms attached to the walls and ceiling in the same fashion. She looked just like a spider, a large pale spider wearing pink daisy dukes and a matching cammie. Her hair was pulled back in a bun on top of her head, a few strands hanging messily upon her neck. Her eyes were closed and one would have barely been able to hear her breathing. Simone was asleep.
Author's note: Hello everybody! I'm so very sorry it's taken me so long to re-post. I've been soooooo terribly buissy lately. How did you like you pudding? Good to hear it, well, I'm feeling antsy, gotta go buybye.