Learning the Truth

Chapter 3

As Merton's hearse pulled into Tommy's driveway, Tommy unbuckled his seatbelt and turned to face Merton.

"So what should I say?" Tommy asked, as he began biting his lip.

"About what?" Merton asked, as he shut off the engine.

"To Alexa. How should I ask her out?" Tommy asked.

"You're asking me for dating advice?" Merton exclaimed pointing to himself. "Tommy I'm flattered that you would think to come to me fro advice, but dating isn't really my sharpest tool in the shed. If it were about lycanthrope, the supernatural, or even something to do with homework and getting stuffed into lockers I would probably be a better help." Merton said as a look of surprise arose his face.

"Yah, I know you haven't had much luck with girls lately but you're a smart and you're sweet. I've seen you with some and the reason it just doesn't work out is because you haven't found the right one yet. But you will. Right now I think I have, and I just want you opinion… so what should I say!?" Tommy said as he began to bite his lip once again.

"Alright fine… umm… I would just go up to her and ask her if she was doing anything that night. Then I would ask her to meet me somewhere. That is if she didn't make up some lame excuse for not being able to go. Besides it's you were talking about here so you have nothing to worry about, you've done this many time!" Merton stated.

"Ok… your right man! What am I worrying about? I can do this. Thanks buddy! See you Monday." Tommy said as he got out of the car and shut the door behind him.

"Good night Tommy!" Merton yelled out the window, and started up the car again.

"Night Mert!" Tommy yelled back as he entered his house.

Monday Morning

Tommy spot's Alexa at her locker. As he walks up to her as she shoves another text book into the top shelf.

"Hey Alexa!" Tommy say's from behind her.

"Oh, hi Tommy!" Alexa say's as she shuts her locker and turns to face Tommy.

"So… I was thinking maybe you would like to meet me at the factory tonight?" Tommy asked as he began to adore her eyes once more.

"You mean like a date?" Alexa asked with a bit of hope in her voice.

"Well… Yah." Tommy answered.

"Ok, sure! Sounds great! So, I'll meet you there around eight?" Alexa answered with a sweet smile.

"Great! See you then!" Tommy said, with a huge smile on his face as he picked his back pack up off the floor.

"Great! Bye Tommy!" Alexa said as she began to walk to her next class.

"Bye!" Tommy exclaimed as he walked in the opposite direction.

Lunch

Merton and Lori are sitting at a table discussing what they were dong after school. Tommy was still in the lunch line, stealing over a half a dozen chickens from the lunch lady. As he began to walk towards Merton and Lori's table he spotted Alexa across the room looking fro a place to sit.

"Alexa! Over here!" Tommy shouted to get her attention. Alexa turned around as she heard Tommy's voice calling her, and walked towards him. They both then walk towards Merton and Lori together.

"Thanks, I was afraid I was going to have to sit with those dumb cheerleaders." Alexa said as she set her tray down and sat next to Lori.

"No problem." Tommy said as he sat his try in front of hers and sat next to Merton.

"So… who's your friend?" Lori asked as looked across the table at Tommy.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot to introduce you too. This is Alexa, she's new here." Tommy said smiling.

"Hi, nice to meet you… sorry I don't know your name yet." Alexa said as she put here hand out in front of her.

"Hi, my names Lori, and this is Merton." Lori said taking Alexa's hand and shaking it lightly.

"Hi." Alexa said as she turned and faced Merton and shook his hand.

"Hi." Merton said with a sweet smile. "Don't mind Tommy he never was really good in introducing people." Merton said as he looked over to Tommy.

"Yah, yah, yah well now that you've all met… are you going to eat that?" Tommy asked as he pulled a cup of pudding off of Lori's plate.

"Nope. Not anymore at least. Why are you so hungry?" Lori asked as he moved her tray in front of her hitting Merton's.

"Long football practice." Tommy answered sheepishly.

"Oh, you play football." Alexa said

"Oh yah, I don't mean to brag but… I'm the captain." Tommy said with a grin.

"Really? I love football. You must really be good at it then." Alexa said.

"Well, you could say that." Tommy said still grinning.

"Oh please, spare me." Merton said softly under his breath.

"So, do you guys want to do something after school? Me and Merton were thinking of going to see the new Bruce Lee movie." Lori said excitedly.

"Oh umm… actually me and Alexa are sort of going on a date tonight… maybe next time." Tommy answered, smiling at Alexa once again.

"Oh sure, I guess it's just you and me Merton." Lori said as she got up from the table. "We should probably be getting to class. Have a good time you guys. Come on Merton." Lori said as Merton followed Lori out of the cafeteria doors.

The Factory

Tommy walks in and orders a cherry slushy. He sits down at a near by table and waits for Alexa to show up. A few minutes later Tommy noticed Alexa had arrived and walked up to her.

"Hey Alexa." Tommy said.

"Hey Tommy. I hope I'm not late, have you been here long?" Alexa asked.

"Oh no, not at all. I actually just got here a few minutes ago myself." Tommy answered.

"Oh good." Alexa said as she follows him to his table.

"So, would you like a drink?" Tommy asks as he pulls a seat out fro her.

"Umm… sure. I'll have what ever you're having." Alexa said as she set her he purse on the table.

"Sure, two more cherry slushy's coming up." Tommy said with a wink as he went to get the drinks.

(Mean while in the lair.)

Merton is typing away on his computer as Lori walks in.

"So, what do you want to do tonight?" Lori asks as she walks up behind him and glances over his shoulder to his computer screen.

"I thought we were going to go and see a movie tonight." Merton said as he clicked his computer off.

"Well, yah but the movie doesn't start for another 3 hours." Lori says as she walks over to Merton's bed and sits down.

"Oh, well do you wanna go to the factory? I'll buy you a cherry slushy. I know how you like those." Merton says with a mysterious smile.

"Sure sounds good as long as your not going to jip me with the bill when were done." Lori says as she rises from the bed.

"Nope. I promise this one's on me." Merton says as he grabbed his coat and opened the door. "Ladies first." Merton said as he gestured the opening with him arm.

"Thank-you" Lori said as she walked up the stairs.

(Mean while back at the factory with Tommy and Alexa.)

"Here you go." Tommy said as he set the drinks down on the table.

"Thanks." Alexa said as she took a sip from her cup. "Mmm, this is really good. I don't think I've ever had cherry before." Alexa said as she smiled at him.

"Really? I think everyone's tried the cherry unless you're from another dimension or something." Tommy said laughing.

"Yah…" Alexa said nervously. "So… wanna dance?" Alexa asked quickly changing the subject.

"Sure." Tommy said as he got up from his seat and took her hand gently in his and led her to the dance floor.

As the began to dance Merton and Lori entered the factory. As the walked in they spotted them dancing.

"Wanna show them how it's done?" Merton asked holding out a hand.

"… Why not." Lori said, taking his hand and letting him lead her on the dance floor next to Tommy and Alexa.

"Hey guys what are you doing here?" Tommy asked

"Just wasting some time before the movie." Lori answered as Merton tipped her softly and brought her back up. "Merton I never knew you new how to dance." Lori exclaimed.

"Well…" Merton said shyly.

"Uh… guys do you mind? I'm trying to have a date here." Tommy said quietly so that Alexa couldn't hear.

"Oh sooory." Merton said. "Come on Lori. Let's go get that slushy I owe you." Merton said.

"Yah, ok. Bye guys have a good time." Lori said following Merton to the bar.

"Sorry about that." Tommy said as he held Alexa closer.

"Oh, that's ok. They seem nice." Alexa answered. Tommy just smiles and moves with the music some more.

"Here you go. One cherry slushy for the lovely Miss Baxter." Merton said as he handed her the slushy.

"Thanks Merton." Lori said as a beeping sound started to go off.

"What's that?" Merton asked.

"Oh that's my beeper, my grandma's visiting and my mom said that she might need my help. Sorry Merton, looks like I'm going to have to take a rain check on the movie." Lori said as she put the beeper back on her belt.

"That's ok, go take good care of nana Baxter." Merton said with a sweet grin.

"Ok, bye I'll call you tonight to reschedule." Lori said as she began to run away but then stopped and turned to face him again. "And Merton…" Lori said as she walked closer. "I know you still like me." Lori said as she kissed him on the cheek and ran off out of the factory doors.

"Hmm… Oooh…" Merton said trying to regain focus and his loss of words. Merton just stood there smiling off into space. "Huh? Wait Lori! I'll drive you!" Merton said running after her.

(Back to Tommy and Alexa.)

"So, are you enjoying yourself tonight?" Tommy asked still dancing.

"Yah, I've had a great time tonight. Now for dinner….." Alexa said with an evil grin.

"Oh you haven't eaten yet? Why didn't you say anything? Were would you like to go?" Tommy asked.

"Oh, I can think of a place…" Alexa answered as she went back into his arms and her eyes began to glow red.