Change Has Come – Chapter Thirteen: Collide In Pain
Bahia Bay never looked more miserable than it did this Friday afternoon. Thunderstorms dominated the skies and winds whipped through the small town. Power lines were down, and trees were losing branches like no tomorrow. The roads were quickly turning into rivers, the ocean was raging at the sandy beach, and many stores were closed. All in all, it was a terrible sight to behold. Though maybe the weather was simply a reflection of the general state of the children in Bahia Bay. A week of hellish homework, perilous pop quizzes, tyrannical teachers, and laxative lunches had all but broken the will of the students. As the school day came to a close, the students' grumbling could be heard throughout the hallways. Every child was disgruntled with the large weekend homework load not to mention having to venture home through Hell on Earth. From among the crowd a worn out Tino walked out and leaned up against his locker just to straighten out all the work in his mind. He closed his eyes and tried to concentrate through all of the misery, but it was of little help. He opened his eyes and went to speak but instead he shook his head and opened his locker. Tino started gathering his books when he heard something like a squeak behind him. He turned around to see Dot struggling to be able to stand let alone walk with her backpack full of books.
"Are you all right?" Tino asked.
"Not really, I'm having a hard time carrying all of this. I don't know how I'm gonna make it home in this weather," Dot replied.
"Don't worry about it. I'll help you get home with those books."
"Thanks, but are you sure that you will be able to help since you are carrying all of your books as well?"
"I'll manage somehow. Just let me tell one of the guys to go on without me. I'll be right back."
Tino went up a flight of stairs and then walked down the hallway where he spied Carver. Carver like every other child was grumbling and angrily throwing his books into his schoolbag.
"Hey Carv," Tino called out.
Carver turned around and gave a slight wave for a greeting.
"I just wanted to let you know that I'm helping Dot carry her books home so I won't be walking with you and the girls," Tino said.
"Understood, I'll make sure to tell Tish and Lor. Man, can you believe this weather and this homework? It's murderous."
"I know. It's driving me insane. Why can't these teachers let up a little?"
"Tell me about it. But isn't it all a little strange when you think about it?"
"What do you mean, Carv?"
"Think about it. It's not just a few teachers who are giving out large amounts of homework, it's all of them. That seems strange to me. I think someone must be behind this. Possibly an evil kid hating alien who has brainwashed all the teachers or maybe it's all part of some worldwide government conspiracy to break kids' spirits and turn them into mindless robots."
Tino responded only with a stare.
"What? It's possible," Carver protested.
"Somehow I doubt its aliens or a government plot. Whatever it is, though, I wish it would stop. Anyway, I'm goin' now, later days."
Carver nodded and Tino turned to leave but stopped.
"Hey my shoe is untied. I had better tie it," Tino thought to himself.
He bent down tied it and was off. Shortly thereafter the girls showed up carrying their bulging schoolbags. They dropped their bags while Carver finished packing his own.
"I think I hear my shoulders crying," Tish lamented.
"Totally, and I'm used to pushing myself to my limits," Lor agreed.
Carver stood up in shock.
"Wait a minute, did I just hear you two go more than one minute without arguing, and not only that but it sounded like you had agreed on something. This storm must be the end of the world then. That's all there is too it, the world is coming to an end."
Lor and Tish rolled their eyes.
"Yeah, go ahead make jokes. You know Lor and I are very grown up. We have talked things over and we have come to an agreement on what needs to be done," Tish responded.
"Oh yeah? And what solution have you come up with?" Carver asked.
"We can't tell you since Tino may show up at any moment," Lor responded.
"Oh you don't have to worry about that. He left already to help Dot carry her books home," Carver answered.
Tish and Lor sighed.
"Well, regardless, it's better for this matter to be discussed somewhere private such as my room," Tish commented.
Lor nodded and Carver shrugged. Carver finally finished packing his bag and with one loud heave in unison the three lifted their school bags and began the grueling walk. Tish, Lor, and Carver trudged through the streets dodging wild trashcans, swiping away the rain that drenched their faces, and making their way through areas of high tree fallout. Somehow the trio made it to Tish's house without serious harm though there were some scrapes and bruises all around and a general sense of looking like drowned rats. Once inside Tish went and got towels for all of them to dry off with.
"I think I've gotten less wet swimming in a pool," Carver commented.
"You said it. I just hope that my books didn't get wet," Lor said.
"Yeah, that would be the last thing any of us need now. We have so much work in each subject that if even one book is wet we have big trouble on our hands," Tish added.
"Oh man, just thinking about the homework gives me a headache. I gotta stop focusing on it," Carver lamented.
"Well, for the time being let us put off homework while we explain our plan on dealing with the Tino problem," Tish said.
"Ah, yes, this I want to hear," Carver said with a bright demeanor.
Tish cleared her throat.
"Let me start off by saying that what makes this plan beautiful is its simplicity. Once a plan gets complicated too many things can go wrong. That's why we are keeping this direct and foolproof. It's a plan in the standing tradition of great-"
"Just get to the plan already," Carver interrupted.
"I'll explain it," Lor said, "Our plan is to simply tell Tino how we feel and inform of all that has been going on with us. We want to get everything out in the open."
Tish and Lor looked at Carver looking for a response but all he did was look back forth between the two girls with an emotionless face.
"Sooo, what do you think?" Tish asked hesitantly.
"That's your plan? To tell Tino everything? How can you possibly be proud of a plan like that? What does that even begin to accomplish in this situation? Are you aware of how bad that plan of yours is?" Carver asked rapidly.
"It's not that bad," Lor commented.
"I think it's that bad. You know Tino as well as I do, and we both know that he can't handle any big news at all. Not to mention that he already has a girlfriend. So to sum it up you would be breaking the biggest news of all time on him, the fact that two of his best friends are head over heels for him, and you would be putting him in the most awkward of positions by telling him. Now can either of you tell me how this is a good plan?"
"I don't know if I would use the phrase 'head over heels'," Lor said.
"Yeah, I think I would go with phrasing such as 'I like him as more than a friend'," Tish added.
Lor nodded in agreement.
"Whatever. You still haven't answered my question though," Carver said.
"Well, I think of it like this, telling Tino is better than running around behind his back and possibly ruining our friendship with him. Also let's not forget that if we do this than Lor and I are no longer at war since it all lies in Tino's hands at that point. I'm tired of lying to him. He is our friend after all and he deserves the truth no matter what it may be," Tish said.
"I agree. Between this whole situation and the ton of homework, something has to give, and this may be the only way to relieve some of the stress. I want to be done with this once and for all," Lor chimed in.
"Hmm, the two of you don't seem to have the passion you once did. Perhaps you two have done some maturing in the past week or so. That's good, now hopefully you can get past your childish games," Carver commented.
"Carver, if there is one person I don't want to hear that from it's you. You are so childish it's unbelievable. I've never encountered anyone in all of my life who has acted as immature as you have. Why if I had a dollar for every time you did something childish or immature, I would be the first ever trillionaire," Tish ranted.
"All right already! I retract my earlier statement. Geez, you gotta lay it on thick, don't you? Anyway back to the Tino problem. We all know how Tino is when it comes to making decisions he can't make them especially when it comes to choosing between his friends. Are you sure you want to lay such an important decision on him? It could make his head explode."
"That's true, but we aren't really asking him to make a decision. We are just letting him know how we feel, and if a decision must be made then we'll just have to trust in Tino," Lor said.
"Look, the bottom line is that we have to do his. Yeah, it has its downsides, and it will create an awkward situation, but it is the only thing we can do now," Tish added.
Carver sighed and shook his head.
"I guess I can't argue with you guys. I suppose you're right. You're stuck between a rock and a hard place and while this plan isn't a good one, it is the only one."
"Good, I'm glad you finally, sort of, not really came around," Tish commented.
"At least it will make for an interesting story. I can't wait to hear the details of it from you guys," Carver said.
"What are you talking about, Carver? You are coming with us. We need you there for moral support and we need you there if, er, when Tino freaks out," Lor said.
"Hold on a second! I'm not getting roped into this. This is your plan I'll have nothing to do with it. No, sir! Not me!"
"Carver, we can do this two ways. One, you agree and you come with us or two, we beat the bejeezus out of you and then you come with us."
"Well, I always like to keep the bejeezus in me so I guess I'm going with the first choice."
"Good decision, Carver."
The two girls smiled at him. Carver sighed again.
"Whatever happened to give peace a chance? Anyway, now that that problem is settled how about we tackle some homework before we head over to Tino's place?"
The girls' smiles disappeared quickly and they nodded with very sullen faces.
An hour or so later Tino was finally making his way up his street with a hellish wind threatening to tear him apart and send him to the next county. Mustering all the strength he had, which wasn't much, Tino forced his way though the wind and made it to his front door. His entire body ached having endured the elements and two schoolbags full of the devil's punishment. Tino made it two steps into his house before collapsing. He was face down on the rug and looked to have rigor mortis setting in. Ms. Tonitini walked into the room sipping her herbal tea and looked down at her son.
"Are you sucking on the carpet again?"
Tino didn't respond. His mother sipped her tea again.
"You really get into sucking on that rug. Maybe I should push you around by your legs and use you as a vacuum cleaner."
"For all you know, I could be in some serious medical trouble, and all you can do is make jokes. What kind of mom are you?"
"I'm the kind of mom who knows when her son is being overdramatic. Now get off the floor like that someone is liable to trip over you, plus you have a ton of homework you need to do. All that work won't do itself. I suggest you start with your math, it's quite a doozy."
"Yeah, yeah, I'm on it and- Hey, wait a minute! How do you know about my homework?"
Ms. Tonitini sipped her beverage once more.
"Either I know everything or a little bird told me, you get to choose what reason you want to believe."
Tino sighed.
"No straight answers this time, eh?"
"Nope, now go do your homework."
Tino grumbled while he dragged his schoolbag up to his room. He just got in his room when he tripped onto the floor.
"What in the world? Oh, my shoe is untied again. Odd, that's twice in one day now and I've never had this happen before."
Tino dragged his schoolbag over to his desk area and thought to himself, "Well I shouldn't waste any time. I'm gonna dive right into it this weekend."
He sat down, pulled out his math first, and prepped himself. Just before he started his mother called to him.
"Tino! Carver, Tish, and Lor are here for you!"
"Okay! Send them up!" Tino called back.
Moments later the three friends walked into Tino's room with Carver in the lead.
"Hey guys, sorry I didn't walk home with you," Tino said.
"It's okay, duty calls, right?" Carver said.
"Heh, yeah, so then what brings you guys over to my house?"
Tish looked at Lor who looked at Carver. He looked at Tino and then turned back to Lor and she looked at Tish.
"What is this ping-pong?" Tino asked.
"No, it's just that we have something important to tell you and it is quite difficult to say," Tish answered.
"You guys shouldn't have trouble telling me something, you know I'm always open to what you have to say. We're friends, remember?" Tino commented.
"Yeah we know, but that's kind of what makes this so hard to say," Lor said.
"Because we're friends?"
"Yeah, it makes what we have to very awkward for all of us."
Tino was baffled as to what they had to tell him. He couldn't imagine something that would be awkward for all of them because they were friends.
"All right, I'm just going to come out and say it. Tino, Lor and I both have a crush on you," Tish said.
Tino blinked and then cleaned his ear with his finger.
"I'm sorry. I must be having horrible hearing problems. Say that again because I think I misheard you."
"We both have a crush on you."
"See? My ears must be acting up or something because both times now it sounded like you said that you two have a crush on me."
"That is what I said."
"Yeah, Tino it's true. Somewhere along the line we both got a crush on you," Lor added.
Tino sat silently for a moment.
"Do you two realize that I'm Tino Tonitini?"
"Yes."
"Do you realize that we are all best friends?"
"Yes."
"Okay then, I officially can't follow this at all."
"Look, I understand that this comes as a bit of a shocker but it is important that you understand our feelings," Tish commented.
"So then is this the explanation for all your guys' weird behavior, well, your weird behavior as of the past month or so?"
"Yeah, this accounts for it," Carver quickly answered for the girls.
"Wow does that mean you wrote that poem for me and does that mean you tolerated my sports incompetence for me?"
The girls nodded for their respective actions. Tino was in complete shock.
"I can't believe the lengths you went to for me. I'm amazed."
"I have to admit though that I am to blame for your bad headache last week. You see, Tish and me were spying on you and Dot and I threw that pebble at you guys to try and mess things up," Lor said sadly.
"Well, you sure did mess me up that night. What would possess you to throw a rock at me?"
"I got carried away in the moment. We thought we had heard Dot ask you if you wanted to make out and I overreacted."
"Make out? That's not what she said. Dot asked me if I ever wanted to break out."
"Break out?"
"Yeah, she was trying to explain to me about how people always stereotype her as a rich, ditzy blonde, and how she wanted to break out of that mold people fit her in to."
"Oh well that changes things a lot. Oh man, I already felt bad about throwing that pebble now its killing me."
"Speaking of Dot, did you two forget that I'm going out with her these days? She is my girlfriend after all."
"We know, but we had to tell you about our feelings. I know I speak for both of us when I say that this whole thing has been driving us out of our minds. We put this off long enough," Tish said
Tino sighed and looked at the floor. His voice dropped in tone.
"What do you want me to say? I never expected something like this to ever happen. I have no idea how to deal with it. Both of you are very good friends of mine. I care for both of you, but this is something different from that. It's a different kind of care. I'm not sure I can care like that for either of you. Not only that it's not like I could date both of you. It would be one or the other. How could I ever make that decision?"
"We aren't asking you to make a decision, Tino. We are just letting you know how we feel. If Fate should you bring to one of us then so be it, and the other will have to deal with it. And should Fate keep you with Dot then we will both have to deal with that. Let's face it you are already with Dot. I guess it makes sense that you would simply stay with her," Tish stated.
"If it were only that simple now. I already said I care about you two, so if I stay with Dot than it will cause you guys some form of sadness. You know I can't stand it if you are upset over what I'm doing. Plus, we already have a bond formed over years of friendship. In all honesty we are closer to each other already than I am to Dot. Perhaps this could be Fate, but what do I know? I'm just a kid. Anyway, I'm just rambling now. I need some time to sort this whole thing out because I don't know what to think anymore."
"We'll go then and leave you alone. I'm sorry about this," Lor said.
"Don't apologize. There is nothing to apologize about," Tino responded forcing a smile.
Lor forced a smile too before leaving the room. Tish went to say something but decided against it and she left with a wave. Carver got up and walked over to Tino.
He patted him on the back and asked, "You sure you are gonna be okay?"
"Yeah, I'll be fine. My head is just tied in knots right now."
"Well, if you need any help with anything give me a buzz on the walkie-talkie. Oh and by the way your shoe is untied."
"Oh thanks. Later days."
Carver waved back and was off with the girls. Tino tried to think but his mind was too much a blur. He looked down at his desk and saw his math book staring back at him. Tino groaned and smacked his head down on the book.
Elsewhere in Tino's house Lor, Carver, and Tish slowly walked down the stairs and headed for the door. On the way they passed Ms. Tonitini trying to make something for advanced bead class.
Not even bothering to look up from her project she asked, "So how did Tino take the news?"
"Well, he took it about as well as you might expect… Hey wait a minute! How do you know about this?" Carver asked stunned.
"A little bird told me, (unfortunately)."
Tish and Lor felt a little awkward talking with Tino's mom now.
"It's okay, there is no need to feel awkward," Ms. Tonitini told them.
The three children were amazed at the power of Tino's mom.
"I'm sure Tino will be fine, and I'm everything will work out fine. I bet this will be one of those things you look back on years later and have a good laugh about it."
"I sure hope so because we certainly aren't laughing now," Lor commented.
"At any rate don't worry about Tino. I'll make sure to check in on him. He'll be up and doing his homework in no time," Tino's mom said.
"Speaking of which, we all need to get home and get more of that homework load done," Tish said.
"At least the storm has calmed down," Carver noted.
"Yeah, at least there is one thing to be thankful for," Lor added.
The three friends sighed and waved goodbye to Ms. Tonitini.
Tino's mom sat on the floor and thought to herself, "Maybe that homework can be toned down a bit. At this rate it will break these kids. Well, I had best go check on Tino. Make sure he isn't driving himself up a wall over this."
She got up and walked off to Tino's room.
End of Chapter Thirteen
Well, so much for my goal of finishing this story before I left school. A lack of interest contributed to the lengthy delay in updating. Honestly, I had started this chapter around April 21st. Thankfully; I'm back into this thing again. I had my doubts while trying to get some stuff done for this chapter, but now I'm feeling it so this story will be finished in a timely manner. Also on a positive note, I should have a completely new story started before this week is over so keep an eye out for that as well. I plan on being able to finish this story and write the new one without having them interfere with each other. Of course, I say a lot of things that never wind up happening, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed on this one. Until next time, keep readin' and reviewin'.