Change Has Come - Chapter Ten: All is Fair In Love and War
The school bell rang loudly giving much desired freedom to the students sitting in their seats. The doors burst open as the kids ran out screaming and hollering over on another. Gradually the kids formed their respective groups all over the front of the school. They excitedly discussed their plans for the weekend. Leaning up against one of the many trees on the property was Tino, waiting for his friends to show up. He hadn't seen much of them during the week. All four had been bogged down with more work then they cared for in the past week. Tino sighed getting tired of waiting and looked away to the street.
"Oh hey I didn't even notice you guys there. You remember how last Sunday I had a date with Dot, right? Yeah, well, I have another one tonight. Hopefully, tonight's date will be better than last week's. You never realize how much a movie can be ruined by one person until it happens. This afternoon me and the guys should be going to the Snack Shack. I put a note on each of their lockers to let them know of the plan. I wish they would show up already."
Tino looked back to the school's main doors to look for his friends. He looked at his watch and tapped his foot impatiently. His patience was restored a little when he saw a nervous looking Carver exit the building. Carver kept looking over his shoulder every couple of seconds as he made his way to Tino.
"Something the matter Carver? You look kind of sweaty and nervous sorta like how I look a lot of the time," Tino asked his friend.
"Nothing's the matter. I just might be a little sick. It's nothing to worry about you know probably one of those bugs going around. Just- Ahhhh!" Carver called out upon seeing Lor.
She gave him a glare that could turn someone to stone. Tino was perplexed by Carver's behavior. He turned around to see what the deal was. All he saw was Lor standing there smiling at him.
"Hey Lor. Geez, Carv it's just Lor, what are you screaming about?"
"Yeah, Carver it's just me. I'm not a threat to you, right?" Lor said making sure Carver knew to keep Tino in the dark.
"Right! Right, I was just yelling because, uhhh, a bee stung me. You know those bees are a real pain."
Carver understood Lor's subtle words.
Tino merely shook his head and muttered, "And the weirdness continues."
A few seconds after Tish showed up giving Carver a look similar to that of Lor's.
"All right now that Tish is here we can all go to the Snack Shack. What do you guys say?" Tino asked cheerily.
The three answered with various mumblings and grunts. Tino decided to assume that his friends had consented to his proposal.
"Okay then away we all go."
The group started walking along, but Carver kept his difference from Tish and Lor by lagging a bit behind them. Tish and Lor, however, went on either side of Tino and trying to focus his attention on themselves. Tino felt like a ping-pong ball bouncing from one girl to the next trying to keep up with two separate conversations. As it was he kept mixing up the conversations much to the frustration of Tish and Lor.
"C'mon, Tino I'm trying to tell you about this stuck-up guy in English class. He thinks he knows so much, but he barely knows anything. It's really annoying," Tish commented.
Tino began to answer her but Lor grabbed his arm.
"Pay attention, Tino! I was telling you something. So like I was saying, in gym today I was on fire, I was making every shot I took. All of the girls were stunned."
Tish butted into the conversation, "Excuse me, I was talking to Tino. Don't be so rude."
"What?! I was talking with Tino too. You're butting in as well!" Lor shot back.
"Don't be ridiculous! I was talking first just wait your turn," Tish said agitated.
"I can't believe what I'm hearing! You know as well as I that-"
"That's it! No mas!" Tino interjected, "I can't stand listening to you two arguing anymore. I'm walking with Carver figure something out yourselves."
Tino slowed his pace to catch up with Carver eager to get away from the girls for the time being. Tish and Lor looked back at Tino and Carver chatting it up and then they looked at each other.
"Good job, Lor. You had to start a problem and you drove Tino off," Tish chastised.
"What are you talking about?! You started complaining about Tino and me talking."
"Oh who are we kidding? This is both are faults. It's obvious both of us are apprehensive of the other."
"Totally,... assuming that apprehensive means we both want Tino to ourselves."
"Yes, It does. I think we need to form an alliance. We both have a common enemy in Dot. Nothing will get accomplished if we just bicker amongst ourselves. We should work together to at least drive Dot away."
"Yeah, I think you're right. Okay then, we form an alliance."
Tish and Lor smiled at each other and shook hands. However, the smiles were empty and served as little more than masks.
"Look at her, she thinks she is so smart. I know she is planning something sneaky. An alliance, bah! It has to be a ploy. I'm gonna keep my eyes on her," Lor thought.
"Look at those eyes. They are the eyes of a sneak. I know Lor will try to win by any means necessary. I gotta keep a look out for her," Tish thought.
At the Snack Shack Tino and Carver got the food while Tish and Lor made sure to get hold of their usual table. Like most visits to the Snack Shack the order of the day was a round of Chug-A-Freezes and some chili cheese fries. Once the food and drink had been passed out Tino decided to drum up a conversation.
"Since I haven't seen much of you guys this week, how about you all tell me how things have been?"
The three others munched a bit hesitantly on their food, but Carver eventually spoke up.
"Things have been as good as they could be given the circumstances."
The two girls stared intently at Carver wondering what he was thinking.
"Given the circumstances? What's that mean?" Tino asked.
"I mean the loads of homework we are getting. It's ridiculous! I've barely had any free time this week," Carver responded.
Tish and Lor breathed a sigh of relief.
"Oh yeah, I know just what you mean. I've been getting overworked too. Of course, it makes hanging out like this that much more worthwhile," Tino responded.
"You said it, T. In fact, why don't we hang out tonight as well? Funville is open late on Fridays."
Tino sighed a bit, "I'd like to hang out, but I've got a date with Dot tonight. Sorry, Carv."
"Hey, it's no big deal. That's how it is when you have a girlfriend."
Tish and Lor mentally winced hearing those words.
"Speaking of going on a date, how was your date on Sunday? We never got to hear how it went," Carver added.
Tino sighed again, "Could have been better. I'd say it was kind of disappointing really."
The girls found themselves thinking those were the greatest words they had ever heard.
"It's nothing to worry about though. It's just something I have to deal with," Tino followed up with.
"Yeah, you can't give up. I think you two make a good couple, and one bad experience shouldn't ruin that." Carver said.
Tino smiled and nodded, "Yeah, you're right. I just gotta shake the bad stuff and push onward and upward."
"Exactly! Live the dream, T!" Carver shouted.
The smile from Carver's face quickly disappeared as two lobs of fries smacked into the side of his head splattering all over the place.
"Sorry about that. I got a muscle spasm," Lor said lying through her teeth.
"The fries slipped out of my hand from their grease," Tish offered as her excuse.
Tino simply shrugged accepting the excuses, but Carver was beyond taking any reasoning. Blinded by the fact that his hair and clothes were ruined Carver grabbed two handfuls of fries for throwing. Tino saw the food in Carver's hands but his warnings were too late and the girls were hit right in the side of their heads. The girls and Carver boiled with anger and they tried to stare each other down. Their anger was offset by the large grin on Tino's face that grew into chuckles to muffled laughter to straight out guffaws. The three turned to Tino with icy glares. However, he couldn't see the deadly looks because of the tears in his eyes. Lor nodded to Tish who nodded to Carver who nodded back to Tish. The three all got handfuls of the fries and fired them at Tino. Unable to see the projectiles, Tino fell victim to the three-pronged attack. But instead of getting angry Tino laughed even more and fired back some shots of his own. The laughter became infectious and soon the others were laughing as well as the fries flew back and forth. The only person not laughing was the Snack Shack owner who promptly reprimanded the group and handed them some mops and rags. The punishment didn't bother the friends. It was one of those moments they would reminisce about down the road so they didn't mind cleaning up.
Tino spoke up as they cleaned, "Thanks guys I needed that. I needed to be reminded that I'm still a kid."
"No prob, Tino, but what's that supposed to mean?" Carver asked.
"Oh nothing. Don't worry about it. Look at the time. I've gotta get ready for my date soon."
"Hey, you go on and get ready the three of us can finish this up," Carver commented.
"Are you sure? I should stay and help to finish it."
"Yeah, I think he's right Carver. This is a pretty big mess," Tish commented.
"She's right Carver, maybe it's for the best," Lor added.
Carver knew the girls' game, but he wasn't going to play it.
"No, it's fine. We can handle this. Plus, the three of us are more responsible than you are," Carver decreed.
"Thanks. I owe you guys one," Tino replied.
Tish and Lor looked downcast, but suddenly Tish's face brightened and she asked, "Hey Tino, just out of curiosity, where are you and Dot going tonight?"
"Oh we are going to the park tonight."
"That sounds nice. Have a... good time," Tish forced out.
"I will. Later days," Tino said.
The others waved as he left. After Tino was completely gone Carver turned to Tish and asked, "Out of curiosity?"
"Yes, curiosity."
"You aren't going to go spy on Tino and Dot are you?" Carver asked near incredulous.
"A little curiosity never hurt anybody," Tish responded.
"Oh yeah? Curiosity killed the cat," Carver commented.
"But satisfaction brought him back," Lor added.
"Lor, not you too?" Carver asked.
"All's fair in love and war," Lor said.
"That's right. We aren't stepping on anyone's toes. Plus, you have no room to talk about what's immoral or not," Tish said.
Carver couldn't argue that point so he resumed his mopping. They all continued to clean but Tish repeatedly checked her watch while doing so.
Once near the end of cleaning Tish spoke up, "Well, I've gotta run now. Can't waste anytime, you know."
"But we aren't done yet, Tish. You can't leave just yet," Carver protested.
"Hey, it's not my fault this place isn't clean yet. You're the one who let Tino go."
"Yeah, Carv. Tish is right. That's why it's going to be up to you to finish the job," Lor added.
"What?! You both are ditching me. I can't believe this!"
"We aren't ditching you. We just have business to take care of. Anyway, you started the food fight. You had to retaliate. You should have just accepted your just desserts," Tish said.
"Fine. Whatever. Go spy on Tino, like it will do you any good," Carver said with a wave of his hand.
"Glad you see it our way," Lor commented.
The girls left in a hurry leaving Carver mopping. Carver stopped and looked out towards the ocean.
"What am I gonna do with these friends of mine? Oh well...... I want some dessert now."
Tish and Lor snuck into the park and moved from tree to tree trying to avoid any detection. After a bit of searching they finally spied Tino and Dot walking along one of the many paths in the park. They felt a pang of jealousy when Dot held Tino's hand, but they also laughed a bit at how sweaty it made Tino. Stealthily the girls followed behind the couple trying to not get left behind. After walking the path for a little while Tino and Dot stopped and sat under a tree. Tish and Lor hid behind a tree a little ways back. From where they hid the girls could only hear faint murmurings.
"Tish, we need to get closer. We can't hear a word they are saying," Lor whispered.
"We can't get any closer. This is the closest hiding place," Tish responded.
"This is pointless then! We need to hear what they are saying," Lor hissed.
"Shhh! They're gonna hear you. All we have to do is listen very close and we should be able to make out some of the conversation."
Lor grumbled a bit but acquiesced anyway. Upon listening in they found out that Tino was telling some sort of story, and from the look on Dot's face she was riveted. Once they heard Tino stop talking Dot burst into laughter, apparently Tino had good stories. The girls hated the smile on Tino's face, but at the same time they loved it. Now Dot was talking but she was speaking quietly so the girls had no idea what she was saying.
"C'mon, Dot, speak up, speak up," Lor quietly urged.
"Hold on a second. I think I can hear what she is saying," Tish said.
She listened intently, but could barely tell what she was saying. But then Tish sat back and gasped.
"What? What did you hear?" Lor asked anxiously.
"Well, she either said 'Do you ever want take out?' or 'Do you ever want to make out?' I couldn't tell which one."
"M-make out?! We have to stop them, Tish!" Lor said excitedly.
"We can't do that. We aren't sure what she said, and besides how would we even stop them?"
"C'mon Tish! Take a look. They're on a date, she was talking quietly, probably seductively, the stars are starting to shine, it's obvious she was talking about making out."
"I guess, but still we can't really do too much about it. Don't think I like standing by. I would love to go over there and break it up, but we simply can't do it."
"You can do what you want, but I'm taking action."
"No, Lor, you are going to ruin things," Tish protested.
Lor was beyond reasoning as was the case with her most of the time. She grabbed a tiny stone that was nearby and she hurled it in blind jealousy in the direction of Tino and Dot. Tish pressed up against the back of the tree and put her hands over her eyes. Lor watched the stone hit Tino dead between the eyes and knock him over. She then also ducked behind the tree so as not to get caught. The dual squeals that ran out alarmed Tish.
"Geez, Lor, what did you do?! It sounds like you just killed him," Tish chastised.
"It's not that bad it's probably a bruise at worse. You know how Tino is, he overreacts all the time."
"You just hit him with a rock, Lor!" Tish quietly yelled.
"A rock? Try a pebble. It was so tiny."
"Even if it was a pebble you threw it pretty hard."
"Are you kidding me? That was a weak shot for me."
Tish shook her head and stole a glimpse of Tino and Dot. Much to her dismay Dot was kissing where Tino had just been beamed.
"Nice going, Lor. You've ruined everything," Tish said bitterly.
"It was better than sitting here and doing nothing. That's why you can't get Tino because you just sit by and don't take action!"
"I'm being practical. Obviously, you can't get Tino because you act too rashly!"
"Hey, you gotta take risks."
"But you take risks all the time. You should only take risks sometimes."
"Well, I think that- wait a minute, what happened to Tino and Dot?"
Both girls looked around the tree and didn't see the two anywhere.
"Well, this is just fantastic. We lost them," Tish commented.
"You had to start arguing with me and so we weren't paying any attention to those two," Lor lamented.
"I can't believe you are trying to blame me. I knew you couldn't be trusted. I don't know why I ever offered an alliance with you."
"Well you know what, Tish? Forget that alliance because if you aren't with me you're against me!"
"That's fine with me. It's every girl for herself."
"Tino will be mine and mine alone, Tish. There can be only one!"
"Think what you want, that doesn't make it true."
The girls stared each other down a bit before turning and leaving in opposite directions.
End of Chapter Ten
I feel bad about how long I took with this chapter. I really shouldn't take a whole month to update. Regardless, I'm still alive so I'm still writing. Maybe I'll just buckle down and churn out the rest of this story with break neck speed. Of course then it might not have the quality I want it to have. It doesn't really matter, this story is far from dead, and that's the important thing. I'll stop rambling now. Keep reading everyone (all four of you).
The school bell rang loudly giving much desired freedom to the students sitting in their seats. The doors burst open as the kids ran out screaming and hollering over on another. Gradually the kids formed their respective groups all over the front of the school. They excitedly discussed their plans for the weekend. Leaning up against one of the many trees on the property was Tino, waiting for his friends to show up. He hadn't seen much of them during the week. All four had been bogged down with more work then they cared for in the past week. Tino sighed getting tired of waiting and looked away to the street.
"Oh hey I didn't even notice you guys there. You remember how last Sunday I had a date with Dot, right? Yeah, well, I have another one tonight. Hopefully, tonight's date will be better than last week's. You never realize how much a movie can be ruined by one person until it happens. This afternoon me and the guys should be going to the Snack Shack. I put a note on each of their lockers to let them know of the plan. I wish they would show up already."
Tino looked back to the school's main doors to look for his friends. He looked at his watch and tapped his foot impatiently. His patience was restored a little when he saw a nervous looking Carver exit the building. Carver kept looking over his shoulder every couple of seconds as he made his way to Tino.
"Something the matter Carver? You look kind of sweaty and nervous sorta like how I look a lot of the time," Tino asked his friend.
"Nothing's the matter. I just might be a little sick. It's nothing to worry about you know probably one of those bugs going around. Just- Ahhhh!" Carver called out upon seeing Lor.
She gave him a glare that could turn someone to stone. Tino was perplexed by Carver's behavior. He turned around to see what the deal was. All he saw was Lor standing there smiling at him.
"Hey Lor. Geez, Carv it's just Lor, what are you screaming about?"
"Yeah, Carver it's just me. I'm not a threat to you, right?" Lor said making sure Carver knew to keep Tino in the dark.
"Right! Right, I was just yelling because, uhhh, a bee stung me. You know those bees are a real pain."
Carver understood Lor's subtle words.
Tino merely shook his head and muttered, "And the weirdness continues."
A few seconds after Tish showed up giving Carver a look similar to that of Lor's.
"All right now that Tish is here we can all go to the Snack Shack. What do you guys say?" Tino asked cheerily.
The three answered with various mumblings and grunts. Tino decided to assume that his friends had consented to his proposal.
"Okay then away we all go."
The group started walking along, but Carver kept his difference from Tish and Lor by lagging a bit behind them. Tish and Lor, however, went on either side of Tino and trying to focus his attention on themselves. Tino felt like a ping-pong ball bouncing from one girl to the next trying to keep up with two separate conversations. As it was he kept mixing up the conversations much to the frustration of Tish and Lor.
"C'mon, Tino I'm trying to tell you about this stuck-up guy in English class. He thinks he knows so much, but he barely knows anything. It's really annoying," Tish commented.
Tino began to answer her but Lor grabbed his arm.
"Pay attention, Tino! I was telling you something. So like I was saying, in gym today I was on fire, I was making every shot I took. All of the girls were stunned."
Tish butted into the conversation, "Excuse me, I was talking to Tino. Don't be so rude."
"What?! I was talking with Tino too. You're butting in as well!" Lor shot back.
"Don't be ridiculous! I was talking first just wait your turn," Tish said agitated.
"I can't believe what I'm hearing! You know as well as I that-"
"That's it! No mas!" Tino interjected, "I can't stand listening to you two arguing anymore. I'm walking with Carver figure something out yourselves."
Tino slowed his pace to catch up with Carver eager to get away from the girls for the time being. Tish and Lor looked back at Tino and Carver chatting it up and then they looked at each other.
"Good job, Lor. You had to start a problem and you drove Tino off," Tish chastised.
"What are you talking about?! You started complaining about Tino and me talking."
"Oh who are we kidding? This is both are faults. It's obvious both of us are apprehensive of the other."
"Totally,... assuming that apprehensive means we both want Tino to ourselves."
"Yes, It does. I think we need to form an alliance. We both have a common enemy in Dot. Nothing will get accomplished if we just bicker amongst ourselves. We should work together to at least drive Dot away."
"Yeah, I think you're right. Okay then, we form an alliance."
Tish and Lor smiled at each other and shook hands. However, the smiles were empty and served as little more than masks.
"Look at her, she thinks she is so smart. I know she is planning something sneaky. An alliance, bah! It has to be a ploy. I'm gonna keep my eyes on her," Lor thought.
"Look at those eyes. They are the eyes of a sneak. I know Lor will try to win by any means necessary. I gotta keep a look out for her," Tish thought.
At the Snack Shack Tino and Carver got the food while Tish and Lor made sure to get hold of their usual table. Like most visits to the Snack Shack the order of the day was a round of Chug-A-Freezes and some chili cheese fries. Once the food and drink had been passed out Tino decided to drum up a conversation.
"Since I haven't seen much of you guys this week, how about you all tell me how things have been?"
The three others munched a bit hesitantly on their food, but Carver eventually spoke up.
"Things have been as good as they could be given the circumstances."
The two girls stared intently at Carver wondering what he was thinking.
"Given the circumstances? What's that mean?" Tino asked.
"I mean the loads of homework we are getting. It's ridiculous! I've barely had any free time this week," Carver responded.
Tish and Lor breathed a sigh of relief.
"Oh yeah, I know just what you mean. I've been getting overworked too. Of course, it makes hanging out like this that much more worthwhile," Tino responded.
"You said it, T. In fact, why don't we hang out tonight as well? Funville is open late on Fridays."
Tino sighed a bit, "I'd like to hang out, but I've got a date with Dot tonight. Sorry, Carv."
"Hey, it's no big deal. That's how it is when you have a girlfriend."
Tish and Lor mentally winced hearing those words.
"Speaking of going on a date, how was your date on Sunday? We never got to hear how it went," Carver added.
Tino sighed again, "Could have been better. I'd say it was kind of disappointing really."
The girls found themselves thinking those were the greatest words they had ever heard.
"It's nothing to worry about though. It's just something I have to deal with," Tino followed up with.
"Yeah, you can't give up. I think you two make a good couple, and one bad experience shouldn't ruin that." Carver said.
Tino smiled and nodded, "Yeah, you're right. I just gotta shake the bad stuff and push onward and upward."
"Exactly! Live the dream, T!" Carver shouted.
The smile from Carver's face quickly disappeared as two lobs of fries smacked into the side of his head splattering all over the place.
"Sorry about that. I got a muscle spasm," Lor said lying through her teeth.
"The fries slipped out of my hand from their grease," Tish offered as her excuse.
Tino simply shrugged accepting the excuses, but Carver was beyond taking any reasoning. Blinded by the fact that his hair and clothes were ruined Carver grabbed two handfuls of fries for throwing. Tino saw the food in Carver's hands but his warnings were too late and the girls were hit right in the side of their heads. The girls and Carver boiled with anger and they tried to stare each other down. Their anger was offset by the large grin on Tino's face that grew into chuckles to muffled laughter to straight out guffaws. The three turned to Tino with icy glares. However, he couldn't see the deadly looks because of the tears in his eyes. Lor nodded to Tish who nodded to Carver who nodded back to Tish. The three all got handfuls of the fries and fired them at Tino. Unable to see the projectiles, Tino fell victim to the three-pronged attack. But instead of getting angry Tino laughed even more and fired back some shots of his own. The laughter became infectious and soon the others were laughing as well as the fries flew back and forth. The only person not laughing was the Snack Shack owner who promptly reprimanded the group and handed them some mops and rags. The punishment didn't bother the friends. It was one of those moments they would reminisce about down the road so they didn't mind cleaning up.
Tino spoke up as they cleaned, "Thanks guys I needed that. I needed to be reminded that I'm still a kid."
"No prob, Tino, but what's that supposed to mean?" Carver asked.
"Oh nothing. Don't worry about it. Look at the time. I've gotta get ready for my date soon."
"Hey, you go on and get ready the three of us can finish this up," Carver commented.
"Are you sure? I should stay and help to finish it."
"Yeah, I think he's right Carver. This is a pretty big mess," Tish commented.
"She's right Carver, maybe it's for the best," Lor added.
Carver knew the girls' game, but he wasn't going to play it.
"No, it's fine. We can handle this. Plus, the three of us are more responsible than you are," Carver decreed.
"Thanks. I owe you guys one," Tino replied.
Tish and Lor looked downcast, but suddenly Tish's face brightened and she asked, "Hey Tino, just out of curiosity, where are you and Dot going tonight?"
"Oh we are going to the park tonight."
"That sounds nice. Have a... good time," Tish forced out.
"I will. Later days," Tino said.
The others waved as he left. After Tino was completely gone Carver turned to Tish and asked, "Out of curiosity?"
"Yes, curiosity."
"You aren't going to go spy on Tino and Dot are you?" Carver asked near incredulous.
"A little curiosity never hurt anybody," Tish responded.
"Oh yeah? Curiosity killed the cat," Carver commented.
"But satisfaction brought him back," Lor added.
"Lor, not you too?" Carver asked.
"All's fair in love and war," Lor said.
"That's right. We aren't stepping on anyone's toes. Plus, you have no room to talk about what's immoral or not," Tish said.
Carver couldn't argue that point so he resumed his mopping. They all continued to clean but Tish repeatedly checked her watch while doing so.
Once near the end of cleaning Tish spoke up, "Well, I've gotta run now. Can't waste anytime, you know."
"But we aren't done yet, Tish. You can't leave just yet," Carver protested.
"Hey, it's not my fault this place isn't clean yet. You're the one who let Tino go."
"Yeah, Carv. Tish is right. That's why it's going to be up to you to finish the job," Lor added.
"What?! You both are ditching me. I can't believe this!"
"We aren't ditching you. We just have business to take care of. Anyway, you started the food fight. You had to retaliate. You should have just accepted your just desserts," Tish said.
"Fine. Whatever. Go spy on Tino, like it will do you any good," Carver said with a wave of his hand.
"Glad you see it our way," Lor commented.
The girls left in a hurry leaving Carver mopping. Carver stopped and looked out towards the ocean.
"What am I gonna do with these friends of mine? Oh well...... I want some dessert now."
Tish and Lor snuck into the park and moved from tree to tree trying to avoid any detection. After a bit of searching they finally spied Tino and Dot walking along one of the many paths in the park. They felt a pang of jealousy when Dot held Tino's hand, but they also laughed a bit at how sweaty it made Tino. Stealthily the girls followed behind the couple trying to not get left behind. After walking the path for a little while Tino and Dot stopped and sat under a tree. Tish and Lor hid behind a tree a little ways back. From where they hid the girls could only hear faint murmurings.
"Tish, we need to get closer. We can't hear a word they are saying," Lor whispered.
"We can't get any closer. This is the closest hiding place," Tish responded.
"This is pointless then! We need to hear what they are saying," Lor hissed.
"Shhh! They're gonna hear you. All we have to do is listen very close and we should be able to make out some of the conversation."
Lor grumbled a bit but acquiesced anyway. Upon listening in they found out that Tino was telling some sort of story, and from the look on Dot's face she was riveted. Once they heard Tino stop talking Dot burst into laughter, apparently Tino had good stories. The girls hated the smile on Tino's face, but at the same time they loved it. Now Dot was talking but she was speaking quietly so the girls had no idea what she was saying.
"C'mon, Dot, speak up, speak up," Lor quietly urged.
"Hold on a second. I think I can hear what she is saying," Tish said.
She listened intently, but could barely tell what she was saying. But then Tish sat back and gasped.
"What? What did you hear?" Lor asked anxiously.
"Well, she either said 'Do you ever want take out?' or 'Do you ever want to make out?' I couldn't tell which one."
"M-make out?! We have to stop them, Tish!" Lor said excitedly.
"We can't do that. We aren't sure what she said, and besides how would we even stop them?"
"C'mon Tish! Take a look. They're on a date, she was talking quietly, probably seductively, the stars are starting to shine, it's obvious she was talking about making out."
"I guess, but still we can't really do too much about it. Don't think I like standing by. I would love to go over there and break it up, but we simply can't do it."
"You can do what you want, but I'm taking action."
"No, Lor, you are going to ruin things," Tish protested.
Lor was beyond reasoning as was the case with her most of the time. She grabbed a tiny stone that was nearby and she hurled it in blind jealousy in the direction of Tino and Dot. Tish pressed up against the back of the tree and put her hands over her eyes. Lor watched the stone hit Tino dead between the eyes and knock him over. She then also ducked behind the tree so as not to get caught. The dual squeals that ran out alarmed Tish.
"Geez, Lor, what did you do?! It sounds like you just killed him," Tish chastised.
"It's not that bad it's probably a bruise at worse. You know how Tino is, he overreacts all the time."
"You just hit him with a rock, Lor!" Tish quietly yelled.
"A rock? Try a pebble. It was so tiny."
"Even if it was a pebble you threw it pretty hard."
"Are you kidding me? That was a weak shot for me."
Tish shook her head and stole a glimpse of Tino and Dot. Much to her dismay Dot was kissing where Tino had just been beamed.
"Nice going, Lor. You've ruined everything," Tish said bitterly.
"It was better than sitting here and doing nothing. That's why you can't get Tino because you just sit by and don't take action!"
"I'm being practical. Obviously, you can't get Tino because you act too rashly!"
"Hey, you gotta take risks."
"But you take risks all the time. You should only take risks sometimes."
"Well, I think that- wait a minute, what happened to Tino and Dot?"
Both girls looked around the tree and didn't see the two anywhere.
"Well, this is just fantastic. We lost them," Tish commented.
"You had to start arguing with me and so we weren't paying any attention to those two," Lor lamented.
"I can't believe you are trying to blame me. I knew you couldn't be trusted. I don't know why I ever offered an alliance with you."
"Well you know what, Tish? Forget that alliance because if you aren't with me you're against me!"
"That's fine with me. It's every girl for herself."
"Tino will be mine and mine alone, Tish. There can be only one!"
"Think what you want, that doesn't make it true."
The girls stared each other down a bit before turning and leaving in opposite directions.
End of Chapter Ten
I feel bad about how long I took with this chapter. I really shouldn't take a whole month to update. Regardless, I'm still alive so I'm still writing. Maybe I'll just buckle down and churn out the rest of this story with break neck speed. Of course then it might not have the quality I want it to have. It doesn't really matter, this story is far from dead, and that's the important thing. I'll stop rambling now. Keep reading everyone (all four of you).