Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters. They are property of Marc Brown and PBS.
A/N: So sorry this took forever. I've been really busy. I kept saying, "Today, I will definately put that chapter up." But today melted into tomorrow. Anyway, you get the picture. I'm updating finally.
A/N2: This chapter was supposed to be two chapters, but when I actually wrote it, it was too short. So this is one chapter instead of two.
LEARNING TO BREATHE
by Lina Shay
Chapter Thirteen: Learning to Understand
Prunella felt better now that the Ratburn and Rubella thing was over. One day, they would thank her for it. After all, who knows what would have happened if they had stayed together. They could have been run out of town or something. He was just too old. Anyway, it had been a day since Rubella broke it off. They were probably both over it by now. Prunella was.
As Prunella approached Francine and the rest of her friends at lunch, she heard them laughing. Sitting down with them, she asked, "What's so funny?"
"Nothing," Francine insisted.
"We're making up funny rhymes," Buster blurted.
"I like rhymes," Prunella said excitedly. "What kind of rhymes?"
"Oh, you won't like these," Francine told her.
"Yeah, she will," Buster assured her.
"Tell me one of your rhymes," Prunella pleaded.
"Hey, I've got one!" Sue Ellen exclaimed.
"Mister Ratburn loved a teen.
Alas, one day, his cover was blown.
Now his girl has left the scene,
And he's crying all alone"
All the kids laughed, except Prunella. Her eyes widened, and she listened quietly.
"How 'bout this one?" Buster began.
"Ratburn and his girl did kiss.
They were seen by her sis.
Now, his girl, he will miss."
Prunella took in a sharp breath in horror.
"This one's good," Muffy laughed.
"Rubella wanted an old man,
So she could get a date.
She picked out old Ratburn,
Then left him in an awful state."
The laughter surrounded Prunella. She couldn't take it. Quickly, she grabbed Francine's arm and pulled her away from the table.
"You told them?" Prunella demanded.
"It slipped out," Francine shrugged.
"I'll never live this down," Prunella muttered, grabbing both side of her face. "This was why I made them break up. I was afraid of THIS."
"It's not like they're making fun of you," Francine told her. "They just want to tease Ratburn. Binky says he'll actually say one of the rhymes in class. Can you imagine the look on Ratburn's face?"
Francine laughed and walked back to the table. Prunella stood there, doing just as Francine had suggested, picturing Ratburn's face. Would he get mad? Would he give Binky detention for it and Prunella, too, for spilling the beans?
**************
In class, while Ratburn lectured on the Constitution, Prunella watched Binky. Was he actually going to do it? Did even he have enough guts?
"Who can tell me the preamble?" Ratburn asked.
Binky's hand went up. The whole class stared at him. Prunella held her breath.
"Really, Binky?" Ratburn asked in surprise. "All right, then."
Binky stood up and cleared his throat.
"Ratburn was an old school teacher.
Had a girl, but couldn't keep her.
Now, all day long, he's just a weeper."
As Prunella had predicted, Ratburn was angry.
"Go to the office, Binky," Ratburn ordered.
Binky got up from his seat and smiled all the way out the door.
"The rest of you," Ratburn began, "are to study the preamble on page twenty-three until you ALL have it memorized. There will be a test at the end of class."
Everyone opened their books and began studying. Some of the kids got into pairs so they could quiz each other. Others just muttered the words over and over to themselves. Prunella looked up from her book to see Ratburn sitting down at his desk, his face in his hands. At first, she thought it was just embarrassment, but then noticed that he was hiding tears. Prunella gasped.
***************
At the Kirst house, Prunella sat and watched Krezblain the TV show. Rubella walked through the door.
"Oh, hi, Rubella," Prunella greeted.
Instead of replying, Rubella dreamily walked to her room. Prunella wondered if maybe she was in a trance. She decided to follow. Prunella found Rubella laying on her bed, turning pages of a book as if she was reading it, though she was looking at the opposite wall.
"Are you OK?" Prunella asked.
"Huh?" Rubella said, looking at her. "Oh, Pruny, I didn't know you were home."
"I was on the couch when you came in," Prunella told her. "I said 'Hi'."
"Really?" Rubella laughed to herself. "I didn't even see you. Funny, isn't it?"
"Hilarious," Prunella said sarcastically. "Are you feeling well?"
"Right as rain," Rubella insisted, her smile fading.
Prunella felt this pang in her stomach.
**************
At dinner, Rubella chatted happily with the rest of the family as usual, but with one difference. Not once all evening did Rubella touch her food. It was just left there. It was like Rubella hadn't even noticed it. When their mom asked about it while cleaning the table, Rubella simply said, "I guess I wasn't hungry."
Prunella stared at Rubella across the livingroom between paragraphs of Henry Skreever six. There was something not right about how Rubella was acting. She was just gazing at the TV, while it was off. Could it be that Rubella missed Ratburn? Prunella knew Ratburn missed her. Maybe they wouldn't get over it right away.
Rubella let out a sigh.
Prunella thought of when Rubella was going out with Ratburn. She was much happier. Ratburn, he was happier too. They were happier than she had ever seen them. Maybe Prunella did something really wrong when she broke them up.
"I'm going to bed," Rubella said. "See you tomorrow, Pruny."
She patted her sister's head on the way to her room. Prunella waited a moment or two, then followed her. Rubella was laying on her bedroom floor, staring up at the ceiling. Prunella saw a tear running down her cheek. That moment, Prunella made a decision.
***************
The second Prunella got out of class the next day, she ran home and waited for Rubella on the porch. A little while later, Rubella came walking down the sidewalk in a daze.
"Rubella!" Prunella called, running up to her.
"What is it, Pruny?" Rubella asked with a smile.
"I was just reading Henry Skreever six," Prunella told her. "It was horrible. Perstephone was separated from her true love, Niklas Krakow. See, he goes to a rival wizard school, so no one wanted them together. But, Henry saw how miserable they were without each other and decided that it didn't matter what people thought. He got Perstepone and Niklas back together. Isn't it great?"
Rubella stared at her, confused. "What are you saying, Pruny?"
Prunella dropped her eyes, saying, "Rubella, I was wrong. You and Mr. Ratburn belong together."
Rubella was shocked for a moment, then hugged her sister. "Pruny, I could kiss you!"
"Save it!" Prunella insisted, pulling away. "You'll need it."
Rubella looked at her sister's eyes and smiled. "I love you."
"Yuck, don't get mushy," Prunella said. "Hurry! I think Ratburn will still be at school."
**************
Ratburn sighed as he slowly erased the chalkboard. He had heard those ridiculous rhymes all day long. Kids ran by his window at recess shouting them. Ratburn didn't mind the fact that they teased him, really. It was just that it reminded him that he was without Rubella. The teasing would fade, he was sure. The students would forget it. But Ratburn would remember. This ache in his heart would never leave him.
"Nigil!" came the enchanting voice of Rubella.
He turned to her in surprise. She stood there, panting. She must have run all they way there. Was something the matter?
"R-Rubella," he sputtered, taking a worried step toward her, "what are you doing here?"
"I just..." Rubella breathed. She just stood there, glancing around the room for words. Ratburn wondered if he ought to ask again. Then, Rubella's eyes locked on his. She smiled, saying, "Oh, Nigil."
Ratburn was confused for a moment. Then, Rubella ran straight into his arms, pressing her lips to his. Ratburn was frozen with shock for just a second. He closed his arms around Rubella, taking in the sweetness of her lips. It was like going to Heaven and back.
*****************
Rubella had explained to Ratburn about Prunella changing her mind. The student's teasing didn't bother Ratburn anymore, so it died down. Now, Ratburn stood at the door, feeling rather anxious. He couldn't believe this day had come so fast. He wasn't sure if he was ready for this.
The stars above winked at him and gave him comfort. Ratburn took a breath and knocked. Almost immediately, Rubella answered the door, looking absolutely wonderful in a light tan, flowy dress. She was practically glowing with happiness.
"Hey, Nigil," she said, smiling.
"Good evening, Rubella," he muttered, his hands behind his back.
"Come on in," Rubella insisted, grabbing his arm and pulling him into the house. "Mom, dad, you know Nigil Ratburn, my new boyfriend."
And Ratburn smiled.
The End
A/N: Did you think the ending was empty? I like the ending, but I wondered if you thought there should be more.
A/N: So sorry this took forever. I've been really busy. I kept saying, "Today, I will definately put that chapter up." But today melted into tomorrow. Anyway, you get the picture. I'm updating finally.
A/N2: This chapter was supposed to be two chapters, but when I actually wrote it, it was too short. So this is one chapter instead of two.
LEARNING TO BREATHE
by Lina Shay
Chapter Thirteen: Learning to Understand
Prunella felt better now that the Ratburn and Rubella thing was over. One day, they would thank her for it. After all, who knows what would have happened if they had stayed together. They could have been run out of town or something. He was just too old. Anyway, it had been a day since Rubella broke it off. They were probably both over it by now. Prunella was.
As Prunella approached Francine and the rest of her friends at lunch, she heard them laughing. Sitting down with them, she asked, "What's so funny?"
"Nothing," Francine insisted.
"We're making up funny rhymes," Buster blurted.
"I like rhymes," Prunella said excitedly. "What kind of rhymes?"
"Oh, you won't like these," Francine told her.
"Yeah, she will," Buster assured her.
"Tell me one of your rhymes," Prunella pleaded.
"Hey, I've got one!" Sue Ellen exclaimed.
"Mister Ratburn loved a teen.
Alas, one day, his cover was blown.
Now his girl has left the scene,
And he's crying all alone"
All the kids laughed, except Prunella. Her eyes widened, and she listened quietly.
"How 'bout this one?" Buster began.
"Ratburn and his girl did kiss.
They were seen by her sis.
Now, his girl, he will miss."
Prunella took in a sharp breath in horror.
"This one's good," Muffy laughed.
"Rubella wanted an old man,
So she could get a date.
She picked out old Ratburn,
Then left him in an awful state."
The laughter surrounded Prunella. She couldn't take it. Quickly, she grabbed Francine's arm and pulled her away from the table.
"You told them?" Prunella demanded.
"It slipped out," Francine shrugged.
"I'll never live this down," Prunella muttered, grabbing both side of her face. "This was why I made them break up. I was afraid of THIS."
"It's not like they're making fun of you," Francine told her. "They just want to tease Ratburn. Binky says he'll actually say one of the rhymes in class. Can you imagine the look on Ratburn's face?"
Francine laughed and walked back to the table. Prunella stood there, doing just as Francine had suggested, picturing Ratburn's face. Would he get mad? Would he give Binky detention for it and Prunella, too, for spilling the beans?
**************
In class, while Ratburn lectured on the Constitution, Prunella watched Binky. Was he actually going to do it? Did even he have enough guts?
"Who can tell me the preamble?" Ratburn asked.
Binky's hand went up. The whole class stared at him. Prunella held her breath.
"Really, Binky?" Ratburn asked in surprise. "All right, then."
Binky stood up and cleared his throat.
"Ratburn was an old school teacher.
Had a girl, but couldn't keep her.
Now, all day long, he's just a weeper."
As Prunella had predicted, Ratburn was angry.
"Go to the office, Binky," Ratburn ordered.
Binky got up from his seat and smiled all the way out the door.
"The rest of you," Ratburn began, "are to study the preamble on page twenty-three until you ALL have it memorized. There will be a test at the end of class."
Everyone opened their books and began studying. Some of the kids got into pairs so they could quiz each other. Others just muttered the words over and over to themselves. Prunella looked up from her book to see Ratburn sitting down at his desk, his face in his hands. At first, she thought it was just embarrassment, but then noticed that he was hiding tears. Prunella gasped.
***************
At the Kirst house, Prunella sat and watched Krezblain the TV show. Rubella walked through the door.
"Oh, hi, Rubella," Prunella greeted.
Instead of replying, Rubella dreamily walked to her room. Prunella wondered if maybe she was in a trance. She decided to follow. Prunella found Rubella laying on her bed, turning pages of a book as if she was reading it, though she was looking at the opposite wall.
"Are you OK?" Prunella asked.
"Huh?" Rubella said, looking at her. "Oh, Pruny, I didn't know you were home."
"I was on the couch when you came in," Prunella told her. "I said 'Hi'."
"Really?" Rubella laughed to herself. "I didn't even see you. Funny, isn't it?"
"Hilarious," Prunella said sarcastically. "Are you feeling well?"
"Right as rain," Rubella insisted, her smile fading.
Prunella felt this pang in her stomach.
**************
At dinner, Rubella chatted happily with the rest of the family as usual, but with one difference. Not once all evening did Rubella touch her food. It was just left there. It was like Rubella hadn't even noticed it. When their mom asked about it while cleaning the table, Rubella simply said, "I guess I wasn't hungry."
Prunella stared at Rubella across the livingroom between paragraphs of Henry Skreever six. There was something not right about how Rubella was acting. She was just gazing at the TV, while it was off. Could it be that Rubella missed Ratburn? Prunella knew Ratburn missed her. Maybe they wouldn't get over it right away.
Rubella let out a sigh.
Prunella thought of when Rubella was going out with Ratburn. She was much happier. Ratburn, he was happier too. They were happier than she had ever seen them. Maybe Prunella did something really wrong when she broke them up.
"I'm going to bed," Rubella said. "See you tomorrow, Pruny."
She patted her sister's head on the way to her room. Prunella waited a moment or two, then followed her. Rubella was laying on her bedroom floor, staring up at the ceiling. Prunella saw a tear running down her cheek. That moment, Prunella made a decision.
***************
The second Prunella got out of class the next day, she ran home and waited for Rubella on the porch. A little while later, Rubella came walking down the sidewalk in a daze.
"Rubella!" Prunella called, running up to her.
"What is it, Pruny?" Rubella asked with a smile.
"I was just reading Henry Skreever six," Prunella told her. "It was horrible. Perstephone was separated from her true love, Niklas Krakow. See, he goes to a rival wizard school, so no one wanted them together. But, Henry saw how miserable they were without each other and decided that it didn't matter what people thought. He got Perstepone and Niklas back together. Isn't it great?"
Rubella stared at her, confused. "What are you saying, Pruny?"
Prunella dropped her eyes, saying, "Rubella, I was wrong. You and Mr. Ratburn belong together."
Rubella was shocked for a moment, then hugged her sister. "Pruny, I could kiss you!"
"Save it!" Prunella insisted, pulling away. "You'll need it."
Rubella looked at her sister's eyes and smiled. "I love you."
"Yuck, don't get mushy," Prunella said. "Hurry! I think Ratburn will still be at school."
**************
Ratburn sighed as he slowly erased the chalkboard. He had heard those ridiculous rhymes all day long. Kids ran by his window at recess shouting them. Ratburn didn't mind the fact that they teased him, really. It was just that it reminded him that he was without Rubella. The teasing would fade, he was sure. The students would forget it. But Ratburn would remember. This ache in his heart would never leave him.
"Nigil!" came the enchanting voice of Rubella.
He turned to her in surprise. She stood there, panting. She must have run all they way there. Was something the matter?
"R-Rubella," he sputtered, taking a worried step toward her, "what are you doing here?"
"I just..." Rubella breathed. She just stood there, glancing around the room for words. Ratburn wondered if he ought to ask again. Then, Rubella's eyes locked on his. She smiled, saying, "Oh, Nigil."
Ratburn was confused for a moment. Then, Rubella ran straight into his arms, pressing her lips to his. Ratburn was frozen with shock for just a second. He closed his arms around Rubella, taking in the sweetness of her lips. It was like going to Heaven and back.
*****************
Rubella had explained to Ratburn about Prunella changing her mind. The student's teasing didn't bother Ratburn anymore, so it died down. Now, Ratburn stood at the door, feeling rather anxious. He couldn't believe this day had come so fast. He wasn't sure if he was ready for this.
The stars above winked at him and gave him comfort. Ratburn took a breath and knocked. Almost immediately, Rubella answered the door, looking absolutely wonderful in a light tan, flowy dress. She was practically glowing with happiness.
"Hey, Nigil," she said, smiling.
"Good evening, Rubella," he muttered, his hands behind his back.
"Come on in," Rubella insisted, grabbing his arm and pulling him into the house. "Mom, dad, you know Nigil Ratburn, my new boyfriend."
And Ratburn smiled.
The End
A/N: Did you think the ending was empty? I like the ending, but I wondered if you thought there should be more.