Chapter 5: Work of Art
Vash sat down that Saturday and began to write his play, but what he got was something more. Vash wrote up to four acts before he realized that, he was not just writing a play, but writing his life in words. And that the ending would not be complete until his life was over. So, he worked with it and changed it up a lot, he placed himself in the situation of his protagonist and then placed himself in his antagonist. He finished what he could before he had to leave for the track meet.
" So, did you come up with something," Meryl's voice came from behind him as he stretched
" Yeah I did," Vash said, " I'm almost done with it."
" So, what's it called?" Meryl asked
" Jealousy's Many Delights," Vash said
" Sounds like you've thought about it," Meryl said
Vash nodded and looked at the crowd that had gathered. He saw Knives walking towards them and Vash walked off. He looked in the crowd and saw a group of people holding up signs for him and he was confused.
" Alright let's go," the coach said, " Millions, Vash warm up."
They nodded and looked at one another and went to the back and warmed up. Knives took off first and Vash followed behind him putting forth all his effort to defeat Knives, even if he was further behind.
The hurdles were usually done last because of their unique set up. The coaches preferred it, especially if their best runners were doing that event. They wanted them really warmed up and safe from harm. Vash slipped his sweats on to keep his legs warmed and Knives continued to keep moving.
The girls events were almost done and each event followed behind. Knives and Vash walked to the starting line and the crowd from their school cheered loudly for both. Vash took his spot between Knives and another guy from his old school. Vash looked a head and saw there was a corner hurdle, one he knew he could make after practicing them. They were given the ready mark and all the boys prepared to push off. Knives shifted his weight to the back of his legs so he would fall forward. Vash balanced his weight and then the gun was fired. Knives and Vash took off like bullets, like the first time they raced against each other. There was nothing holding either boy back, they had their hearts set on the goal, to beat each other.
For the instance they raced it was like they connected to each others' thoughts.
" Fear is something we conquer one step at a time, but not alone," Vash thought
" Your afraid," Knives thought
" I've been afraid all my life and here I'm pushing it back," Vash thought
Meryl watched as she saw Vash and Knives neck and neck ahead of the other schools.
" Come on," Meryl thought
" We're twins, but one of us is better," Knives said
" I disagree," Vash said, " No one is better than the other."
" Your to soft," Knives said
" Your to cold," Vash responded
Knives forced more power and leapt over a hurdle.
" We're track stars from different places," Knives said
" I know," Vash said
" No one else matters," Knives said
" I disagree," Vash said
" There's no turning back now," Knives shouted
Vash pushed himself forward and leapt over a hurdle and gave a step ahead of Knives.
" Vash the Stampede is in the lead with Knives Millions close behind," the announcer said
" Come on Vash!" Meryl shouted
Their breathing was heard from feet away as the silent crowd watch anxiously for the brothers to break apart. Knives and Vash became neck and neck as they leapt together.
" Meryl who's winning?" Millie asked
" Knives and Vash are neck and neck," Meryl said
Wolfwood stood up and watched them.
" Come Vash, you've been working on this event for months," Wolfwood thought, " Get ahead."
Vash pushed himself forward and pulled ahead of Knives seeing the finish line.
" I can do this," Vash thought
Knives looked at Vash and narrowed his eyes, fire burned in them seeing that his weaker half was winning.
" I won't let you win Vash the Stampede!" Knives shouted
Meryl turned away and Millie followed her.
" I can't watch," Meryl said
" Look, Vash just pulled ahead a few feet in front of Knives," Millie said
Meryl turned around and watched them, She saw Vash pushing himself to his limit and Knives continuing to force himself. As they came feet from the finish line there was not a sound to be heard. A breath to be felt, only the sounds of the two brothers battling it out for the first time.
" I can't believe it Vash the Stampede has just crossed the finish line!" the announcer exclaimed, " It would be the first time in three years someone other then Knives Millions has won this event."
Vash stopped and breathed and heard the cheers in the stadium. He smiled and looked up at everyone clapping for him. Knives walked past Vash and Vash stood up straight.
" Knives," Vash said
Knives turned and looked at Vash seeing his hand exstended. Knives narrowed his eyes at Vash.
" You think you've won something special," Knives said, " But what you started was a war."
Knives walked off and Vash looked at him and sighed. Vash walked over seeing his teammates patting Knives on the back for trying, but when he came they cheered for the new victor of their school.
" Vash, you've put us into nationals," one said
" No kidding," Vash said
Knives walked off and Meryl looked at him.
" I guess it was a cut to his pride," Meryl said
" Sometimes it hurts," Millie said
Later, that night Vash, Wolfwood, Millie, Meryl and Jessica went to celebrate his victory.
" You've earned your shoes," Wolfwood said lifting a drink
" My shoes?" Vash said
" Yeah, your shoes fit for a star," Wolfwood said
Meryl looked at Vash for once seeing his smile from deep within. She smiled and laughed a little. She looked at the ring around her neck and frowned a little. The door of the diner, that Vash and the others were at, opened. Knives and a few teammates, that felt Vash didn't deserve the celebration, walked in. Vash looked over his shoulder and saw Knives and he turned away.
" Hey, human disaster," one guy called
Vash narrowed his eyes and Meryl put her hand on his shoulder.
" Don't do it," Meryl said, " Ignore him."
Knives walked over and grabbed Vash's drink and sipped from it.
" Nice to see a good victory drink comes with alcohol," Knives said, " Isn't that right my weaker half?"
Vash stood up and turned around and threw a punch at Knives. Nailing him directly in the face, Knives stumbled back and smiled.
" You've just earned your place as equipment boy, humanoid Typhoon," another guy said
" Shut up!" Vash snarled
" Let me tell you something Vash, your little victory won't last but a day," Knives said, " So, if you want to keep it…you will have to race me in the two mile run."
Vash looked at him and narrowed his eyes.
" Is that a challenge?" Vash asked
" It's more than a challenge," Knives said, " It's density."
Knives snapped and then looked at Meryl.
" Come on Meryl," Knives said
" No," Meryl said
" Now," Knives growled
" I'm not going," Meryl said
Knives narrowed his eye and walked over to her. He grabbed her arm and she pulled away, but he gripped her arm. She swung her other arm and punched him in the nose. Knives slapped her down and Vash caught her in his arms.
" Get out of here!" Vash shouted
Knives narrowed his eyes and they walked out. Vash helped Meryl sit down and Wolfwood wrapped some ice in a napkin, then handed it to her. She placed it on her face and Vash sat down.
" Does he hit you like that all the time?" Vash whispered
" No," she whispered, " This is the second time."
Vash looked at Meryl as he saw tears fall from her face. He sighed and grabbed her hand and she looked at Vash.
" Vash," Meryl whispered
Wolfwood sighed and the group finished up their celebration. Meryl took off towards home and Vash sighed as he watched her flee.
" Later," Wolfwood said, " I have a play to write."
" Alright, later Wolfwood," Vash said
Millie walked off and Vash and Jessica stood there together alone.
" I'm glad you won Vash, it must feel really good to win against a rival," Jessica said, " I had a good time."
Jessica reached up and kissed Vash on the cheek and Vash smiled a little. There was always Jessica if Meryl didn't break up with Knives.
" I'm glad you came," Vash said
He walked with her down to the bus stop. She was taking a different bus then he was, but it didn't seem like it. The bus stopped and Jessica looked at Vash for a little and Vash stared at her.
" Good night," Jessica said
She got on the bus and it took off, but stopped a few feet. The doors opened and she got off and ran over to him. Vash turned around and Jessica ran, then wrapped her arms around him and kissed him fully. Vash kissed her back and it was a moment for once Vash didn't think…he just did it.
The bus pulled up and Vash looked at it then at Jessica.
" Come with me to where I live," Vash said, " My mother won't mind, she's probably a sleep already and you can leave in the morning."
Jessica blushed a little and grabbed his extended hand and got on the bus. The bus took them down town. There they walked together to the apartment and upstairs. Vash opened the door quietly and let her in. He lead her down to where his room was and opened the door. She looked all around his room and smiled seeing he was just an ordinary guy trying to make his way through school. Vash went and took a shower then changed into his boxers and a shirt. He walked out and looked at Jessica.
" The shower's free if you want to wash up from tonight," Vash said
" Oh, ok," Jessica said, " But I don't have anything to change into."
Vash reached into his top drawer and pulled out a t-shirt. He handed it to her and she smiled then walked into the bathroom. She showered and walked out and Vash looked at her. She blushed a little and walked over to him and sat down beside him.
" So, did you work on your play?" she asked
" Yeah, I did," Vash said
He reached over and picked it up then handed it to her. She looked at it flipping through the acts, reading some. Vash looked at her as her wet drying hair fell over her shoulders. He smiled and pushed, her hair back from her face. She looked at him and smiled then set his play down.
" What's yours about?" Vash asked
" Two lovers falling in love, but they hate each other," Jessica said, " They find bits in pieces that leads them together."
" Sounds nice," Vash said
" I really like yours Vash," Jessica said, " It's very interesting."
Vash gave a smile with a chuckle and Jessica leaned towards him. He looked at her and placed his hand on her face, then reached up and kissed her. She wrapped her arms around him as he kissed her.
By the next morning Jessica laid in Vash's arms. Vash kissed her head and looked at Jessica.
" I can't be in love with two girls and playing the other," Vash thought
A little later Jessica opened her eyes and saw Vash awake she sat up and smiled. Vash smiled at her and she kissed him.
" Good morning," she said
" Good morning," Vash replied
She leaned her head on his chest, then looked at him and kissed his chin.
" I better be heading on," Jessica said
" Alright," Vash said
He got up and Jessica got up. She grabbed her clothes and went to change, then walked out with her hair done.
" Thank you for letting me borrow your shirt," Jessica said
Vash stood up and walked with her to the door. He saw his mother wasn't around so they made a dash to the door. He looked at her and she kissed him before leaving.
" Jessica," Vash said
" Yes," Jessica said
" Would you go to the Mid Year dance with me?" Vash asked
Jessica smiled and said, " Of course."
She kissed him again then walked off and Vash shut the door. He walked to his room and laid down face first into the pillows. Vash had more inspiration and began to right a final act for his play, which to him was a work of art.
By Monday morning Vash carried his play in one folder and walked over to Wolfwood.
" Seems like someone's happy," Wolfwood said
" Yeah," Vash said
" So, what happened?" Wolfwood asked
" Well, I took Jessica home with me," Vash said
" You did what!" Wolfwood exclaimed
" Nothing happened, I didn't want her by herself waiting for the bus," Vash replied, " Calm down. I finished my play too."
" Good cause it's due," Wolfwood said
The bell rang and Vash went to class. Jessica walked in and sat in the back next to Vash. She smiled and grabbed his hand while they both paid attention in class.
By their third class Vash and Jessica were assigned as partners for the history project that would be due in a month. It seemed that life had thrown another curve ball at him, to find he was attracted to two beautiful girls. He promised Jessica he would take her to the Mid Year dance, but he had also promised Dominique out of pure jealousy. Just like one of his main characters in his play he was falling into a big trap.
By the fourth period class he saw Meryl sitting already preparing for class.
" Vash did you turn your play in?" Meryl asked
" Yeah I did," Vash said, " So, what did your play end up being on?"
" Oh, I actually mixed a whole bunch of short stories into one large story with my own characters and story plot with the sub plot of the other stories," Meryl said
" Very clever," Vash said
" So, how did Jealousy's Many Delights turn out, did you finish it?" Meryl asked
" Yeah, I did, in fact the more I think about the more I like it," Vash said, " But it's to much like reality."
He made his way to his seat and the teacher walked in. He handed back some finished papers and test papers.
" I was surprised at some of your test grades, they've all dropped except two or three of you," the teacher said, " I do believe there is a thing called studying."
This was preparing them for their mid terms that they were going to take at the end of the month before going into their second half. Vash knew what he was doing, but there were others that needed his help too. Meryl looked at Vash and kind of smiled at him allowing him to know she needed help.
Once class was over Meryl walked over to him and asked.
" Vash I need your help," Meryl said, " Can you tutor me in Physics?"
" Since I'm a nice guy and I know you need that grade to stay on the squad, alright," Vash said
Meryl smiled and kissed his cheek then walked off and Jessica looked at him.
" Vash," Jessica said
" Yeah," Vash answered
" Would you be able to help me too?" Jessica said, " I'm afraid I bit off more than I can chew with taking three sciences in one year."
Vash nodded and put his arm around Jessica as they walked down the hall. Vash saw Meryl and Knives walking hand and hand together, but he could only replay what happened that night. How could she still be with him? How could she think about going to the dance with him?
" Vash, are you ok?" Jessica asked
" Yeah, I'm fine," Vash replied
They walked together and Wolfwood walked over to them. He saw Vash's arm around Jessica and he raised an eye brow.
" So, does this mean you two are…in item?" Wolfwood questioned
" Kind of," Vash said looking at Jessica
" We're working on a schedule," Jessica replied
Meryl looked over and saw Vash's arm wrapped around Jessica's shoulder. Her expression changed from pleasant to upset. She felt Knives' arm slip around her waist and gave her a pull towards him.
" Lighten up," Knives said
" Of course," Meryl said with a fake smile
Knives looked over at Vash and narrowed his eyes.
" Bastard," he thought, " I'm going to make him pay."
The bell rang and Vash walked to his class and walked steadily to the back row. Meryl followed in aftwards and she looked at Vash, then walked over to him.
" Hey," she said
" Hey yourself," Vash said looking up
Meryl looked at him and Vas saw a slight mark on her face. He made a gesture on his cheek and she placed her hand on the spot.
" It's a little bruised that's all," she said, " Nothing bad."
" He slapped you Meryl," Vash said, " Right in front of your friends."
" It shouldn't matter Vash," she said with a slight hurt smile, " You don't need to worry about me, you have your own love life going on with the new girl, Jessica."
" How do you know that?" Vash said
Meryl gave a small embarrassed laugh and said, " How do I know? For one you have your arm around her and second you took her home with you Saturday night."
Vash gave her a look and stood up and she looked at him.
" What are you say? Your following me now Meryl?" he asked
" I just wanted to make sure you got home alright and make sure none of Knives' thugs jumped you. I saw you take her up and you seemed very friendly to her," Meryl said, " What am I suppose to think?"
" I didn't sleep with her, I put my arm around her to keep the cool air off her, it gets damp around there," Vash said, " How can you try to think something like that?"
Meryl looked up and placed her hand on his face and she shook her head.
" I'm ok Vash, Knives takes care of me, you shouldn't worry," Meryl said
" Alright let's get in your seats and review what you turned into me," their teacher said
Vash looked at Meryl as she walked to her seat and he sighed. He sat down and the teacher sighed and rubbed his eyes.
" For the most part the plays were really well done, some of your plays need work, but I was really impressed by two in your class. Jealousy's Many Delights, by Vash and The Dangers of a Rose, by Strife. Very well done, I would like to speak with you two at the end of class about them though. We will be reading both plays by them in class," the teacher said
Vash and Meryl smiled and then slumped down and the teacher had selected three other plays in his other classes, one which included Jessica's and another, which was Knives'. Vash sighed and the teacher lectured about other plays they were already reading, but Vash wrote a note to Meryl.
Once class was over Meryl and Vash stepped outside to talk to the teacher.
" I really like both your plays, Vash I would like to talk to you about yours first, you took an impossible path for an ending…there's no end," the teacher said
" That's my point," Vash said, " Life doesn't have an ending. It repeats itself."
" Very nice, perhaps you could rephrase that," the teacher said
" I could try," Vash said
" Alright, good perhaps you could just give me that by next class, alright Strife, yours I loved all the stories pulled into one with another plot. Very intriguing, I would perhaps like you to assign parts for the play when we read it. Same with Vash, you know who would be best for each part. We'll start that the following class after next," the teacher said
" Alright," both said
They both got their things and walked down the hall. Knives stood there and looked at Meryl and Vash.
" I can't believe we're going to ready our plays," Meryl said
" Yeah," Vash said, " something I didn't expect in the long run…I guess I never thought about it. You're the one who inspired me to write this one."
Meryl looked at him and stared up at him.
" Vash," she whispered, " I did nothing."
" You did it all, you're my muse," Vash said
Meryl grabbed his hand then kissed it and walked off, she ran to Knives. He embraced her as she told him the news. He looked at Vash and smirked, then walked off. Vash took a different way and walked to the back. He walked to the locker room and changed into his track uniform then walked to the lit up track field. Vash set up an automatic timer to give him the marker and then set up another timer to stop once he crossed the finish line. Vash sat up and looked at the hurdles he sat up and then took off once the marker buzzed. Vash flew down the track jumping hurdles and not stopping until he crossed it. His mind was full of thoughts, that he was trying to catch up with, but they kept getting farther from him, until he reached the end. His heart beat raced and his breaths increased each jump. Vash cleared the finish line and he looked at the timer and sighed, he rest set it and started over. This time he removed the hurdles and prepared to do a two mile run. This run was what was important to him, he had to do it. It was his time to run up against his brother by himself. No one to tell him not to do so, to win the respect he needed, to be someone he wanted to be.
" Your going down," Vash said, " It's my job to save Knives from his pride."
Vash pushed off and took off at first slow, but then picked up the speed to save his energy. He couldn't fail on beating Knives, he wanted to so bad to prove that even the true power comes from the heart.
After he stopped he looked up and saw Wolfwood standing there. Wolfwood tossed him a towel and Vash wiped the sweat off his face.
" What are you doing here?" Vash asked
" Trying to save you from yourself before it's too late," Wolfwood said
" What do you mean?" Vash said
Wolfwood raised an eye brow and pointed to Vash.
" I'm just practicing," Vash said, " Nationals is in one week and I can't stop, plus then there's the race against Knives."
" Yeah, I know I'm thinking about selling tickets because it's the talk of the school. Brothers fighting for the gold," Wolfwood said, " Did you ever think you were over doing it."
" No," Vash said, " No one's gotten hurt."
" Yet," Wolfwood said
Vash sighed and put the towel over one shoulder. Vash walked to the other side and Wolfwood shook his head.
" Maybe, you should think about other things, like your school work. Meryl even. She's worried about you too you know that," Wolfwood said, " She's the one who actually asked me to talk to you."
" I've talked to her already, she wanted to know if Jessica and I were dating," Vash said
" And?" Wolfwood asked
" I told her Jessica and I didn't sleep together, well we did, but we didn't do anything," Vash said, " She's stalking me Wolfwood."
" Who Jessica?" Wolfwood questioned
" No, Strife," Vash replied
Wolfwood sighed and pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to Vash.
" Look, forgive for doing this, but you really need it," Wolfwood said
" What?" Vash questioned
Wolfwood threw a punch directly in Vash's face.
" That," Wolfwood said
" Ow!" Vash exclaimed, " What Kind of Holy Man are you?"
" A good one," Wolfwood said, " And a good friend."
Vash sighed and rubbed his eye and Wolfwood handed him a pack of ice.
" You had this planned," Vash whined
" Well, kind of, actually we both had this planned," Wolfwood said
" We? There's a "we"?" Vash questioned
" That's right Vash," Millie's voice came from the distance
Vash sighed and gave a little wave to Millie. Millie walked over and stood next to Wolfwood.
" So, we team up now," Vash said
" Meryl really likes you Vash, maybe you should take you own advice and go for the goal," Wolfwood said, " You have the Mid Year dance."
" And the girls track team is going to Nationals too," Millie said
Vash removed the ice pack and dabbed his eye. He walked back towards the locker room and he cleaned up a little. He threw his bag over his shoulder and walked with Wolfwood and Millie to the bus stop.
" So, how'd the play turn out," Wolfwood asked
" The teacher liked it," Vash said, " In fact we're reading it in class."
" Sounds great, can't wait," Wolfwood said
" How'd yours turn out?" Vash asked
" Surprisingly enough mine was selected to read as well as your little girlfriend's and Knives'," Wolfwood said
Vash smirked and then sat down on the bench.
" So, do you really like Jessica or Meryl more?" Wolfwood asked
" I don't know, I feel like I just got to know both." Vash said, " I asked Jessica to the Mid Year dance and have to break the news to Dominique."
" Let me do that for you," Wolfwood said
" Ah, the way you handled things the last time with her didn't quite work out," Vash said
The bus came and Vash got on then waved to Millie and Wolfwood.
" He's got a gift for attracted interesting women," Wolfwood said with a shrug