Hey. Tired Terrace finished a short short chapter for no darn reason. Enjoy! :)

~Dead~

"Two hundred and fifty big ones all in my pretty little fist." Lance said out loud bragging to his empty bedroom before he hid the stash in his guitar case. He could get used to this gambling thing real easy. Who needed an education when you could play pool?

He told Kitty that morning that he'd treat her to some ice cream after school not letting her in on how much ice cream he could afford with his secret earnings. He had an even bigger surprise on the 30th, that Thursday when Kitty tries out for the track team.

He closed the clasps of his case and looked over at the laptop on his bed. He still didn't touch it after receiving it five hours ago. He promised to look into those classes and to pick up Kitty in one hour. He had time but dreaded it.

He approached the laptop cautiously not wanting to make any sudden movements. He picked it up and put it on his lap as he sat on the edge of his bed. He pressed the on button and watched as the laptop loaded and Kitty's pink blossom wallpaper appeared. Lance rolled his eyes thinking that if any of the brotherhood walked in he'd be a dead man.

"Hey Lance. Whoa! Pretty flowers."

Oh shit. Lance looked behind him to see Todd looking over his shoulder at Kitty's laptop. Todd started to poke the screen. "I didn't know you liked pink."

"Get the hell out of my room!" Lance yelled as he attacked the toad boy.

Todd yelped as he jumped into the doorway and out of Lance's clutches. "Yo! I just wanted to ask ya a favor."

"Whatever it is, no." Lance said getting ready to slam the door in his face.

"I'll never ask for another favor again."

Lance let go of the door and crossed his arms. "What is it?"

"Can I borrow your ride?" Todd asked hopefully.

"You kidding me? No!" Lance grabbed the door to slam it.

"Then can you give me a ride to da mall?"

"No again." Lance said as if Todd was on a game show.

"Hear a brother out, man." Todd begged before the door greeted his tired face. "It's almost Halloween and I wanted to get Wanda somethin' since this is like Christmas fo' her. But it's too far to hop to. I've been stealing a lot of wallets to get it fo' her.

"Get a cab."

"No money left, man."

"Get the rich kid to drive you."

"He did the same thing you're gonna do." Todd said rubbing his nose where Pietro's door had hit him recently.

Lance searched his brain for other solutions but was all out. He hated himself for having a conscience but still could easily see himself in Todd's place. The slime infested teenager did everything for the witch he loved. If it was for Kitty... He groaned and said in a loud threatening voice . "Whatever! We're leaving in an half an hour so if you're late then it's your own damn fault!"

In a split second afterwards Todd had his lanky arms wrapped around Lance's legs near hysterical tears. "Oh thank you thank you thank you!!!"

"Get off of me!" Lance said kicking Todd away.

Todd looked over at the laptop still on the bed. "Hey cute screen saver. Kittens..."

"OUT!!!!!"

Lance caused a tremor throwing Todd out of the room. He shut the door and turned around to look at the scampering kittens on the laptop. The frustrated mutant hit enter to get rid of them. Hopefully Kitty wouldn't mind the ice cream cancellation.