I've added a few new characters in this chapter so I own them. The rest of the Disclaimer is the same as before.
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Chapter 5: Trouble Brewing
"Come on Chuckie! Your gonna be late for High School!" Chas shouted.
Chuckie's eyes shot open and he grabbed his watch.
"Oh shit!" He exclaimed. The time was 6.30am.
"Hurry up and get down here or you won't have any breakfast!" Chas shouted again.
Chuckie quickly got out of bed and got dressed.
"No time for a shower this morning." He commented in a low voice as he packed his bag and put his watch on. He bolted out of his room and down the stairs to go into the kitchen.
"Sorry dad, my alarm didn't wake me up." Chuckie said as he made a sandwich and got himself a glass of milk.
"Hopefully you won't be late. You're lucky this is me you're dealing with and not Angelica. She would have just left you here." Chas commented as he put his shoes on to drive Chuckie to High School.
Chuckie downed his breakfast and put his trainers on. He picked up his bag from off the floor and followed his dad out of the house. Chas locked the door and walked to the car and opened it. They got in and Chas drove Chuckie to High School.
....
It was nearly 7am by the time Chas had dropped Chuckie off. Chuckie ran into the main building praying he could get to his homeroom before the bell rang. He checked his watch. 6.59am.
"Aw crap! I'm cutting it close!" He cursed as he ran.
His homeroom was in sight, but not before the bell rang though.
"Shit, I hope I don't get reprimanded for this!" He said to himself.
He burst into the room. Virtually everyone looked at the tired out red head with disapproving looks.
"Running a little late today I see, Chuckie." Mr. Nicholls commented.
"Sorry, sir. I overslept." Chuckie apologized as he looked at the available seat...which, to his dismay, was right next to Angelica.
"Try not to be late again." Mr. Nicholls said.
'Oh shit! This is gonna be a long and terrible day.' He thought to himself as he slowly walked to the chair, making sure he didn't make any sort of contact with the Ice Queen. He could sense her anger and rage but there was nothing that either of them could do about the fact that he HAD to sit next to her.
"I suggest you set your alarm for an earlier time, Finster." Angelica whispered in a very low voice. Apparently she was going to let this one go as there weren't any other seats available.
Chuckie wanted to respond but doing so might attract attention and the last thing he wanted today was to have to face Angelica's wrath. Yep, enduring her wrath would require him to have his lower jaw reconstructed and possibly a blood transfusion or two. Okay, so maybe he was over-reacting but this IS Angelica we're talking about. She can be rather cruel when it comes to punishment and it is kind of hard to tell what she is exactly gonna do. He wanted this day to end quickly.
....
It was lunch time. Chuckie had eaten and was sitting on a bench outside. He had decided to phone Tommy as he knew Tommy didn't have a lesson now.
"So, how are things today?" Tommy asked. "Kimi told us that you were nearly late for High School."
"Yeah, my alarm didn't wake me up. I didn't make it into the homeroom in time, but the teacher let me go as I was only a few seconds late. That was the good part. The bad part is that I had to sit next to Angelica." Chuckie told his best friend.
"Really? What did she say to that?" Tommy asked. He wanted to know just how much Angelica had changed back.
"Well, she told me to set my alarm for an earlier time. I didn't say anything as I was, to be honest, scared."
"Scared?" Tommy was surprised that Chuckie was that scared of Angelica.
"Yeah, I'm sure she would have demonstrated how angry she would have been if I had said anything. I'm kind of depressed that she's so cruel to me again. I really thought she had changed." Chuckie said sadly.
"I think we all thought she had changed Chuck. I bet she did as well." Tommy tried to cheer Chuckie up. "Anyway, who's to say that she won't change again? I bet she'll be nice to you again. Just give it some time and if you see her outside of school be polite to her and you know, ask her how things are. Make her feel good."
"That's easy for you to say."
"Trust me Chuckie, she'll come around." Tommy smiled as if Chuckie was standing in front of him.
"I hope your right. I'd love to ask her to the inevitable and dreaded Valentine's dance. But that is months down the road, which gives her time to change and be nice again." Chuckie was actually surprisingly confident about his chances with Angelica on this.
"That's the spirit. Give yourself something to work for!" Tommy encouraged his friend.
"Thanks T. Well, I gotta go. Battery needs charging on this thing. Give the others my best wishes."
"I will Chuckie. You working at the Java Lava this evening?" Tommy asked.
"Yeah. I agreed last night to help dad out. You know, give Kimi a break. So I'll probably see you then. Bye" Chuckie told his friend.
"Yeah. Bye." Tommy said as he hung up.
Chuckie sighed and put his mobile phone in his pocket. He was about to get up when someone sat next to him.
"Hey there." He said.
"Oh, hi." Chuckie responded.
"I'm Max. I couldn't help but overhear your conversation with your friend. You know Angelica?" Max asked.
"Erm...kinda. She's my best friend's cousin. I'm Chuckie by the way." Chuckie already dreaded saying this. He knew lying wouldn't work as Max had heard him speaking to Tommy about Angelica. He just prayed that Angelica wouldn't find out.
"Nice to meet you. Anyway, you 'kind of' know Angelica? You seem to know her better than that! I saw her whispering to you this morning. Don't know what she said, but she knows you and you know her."
"Okay, okay, I do. I know her well. She...well, she isn't particularly nice. She kept picking on me for years and years, taunting me, insulting me and making fun of me. Until this summer actually. Not exactly what I would classify as a friend."
"What happened this summer?" Max asked.
"It was kind of strange. She just came up to me and said that she wanted to make a fresh start. Be friends and hang out, that kind of stuff. And we did. We became, dare I say it, close. I liked her quite a lot...but since the first day of High School, she's reverted to old Angelica, the one I don't like at all." Chuckie explained.
Max raised an eyebrow.
"Would you say she liked you?" He asked.
"Not really." Chuckie responded.
Max let a small laugh escape from him. "Well, my naive friend, you'd be wrong. I'm telling you that she does feel something for you. I'd say that she wanted your attention. Of course, don't believe me if you want to, but that thing about her being nice to you? That was another way of getting your attention. And she got it. I couldn't tell you why she's mean again. That's something you'll have to find out yourself." Max explained to Chuckie.
Chuckie frowned at Max. "You really think she likes me? How would you know?" He asked.
"Let's just say I have experience in this department...and an older sister." Max said as he smiled at Chuckie.
Chuckie felt confused by this. The possibility of Angelica liking him actually made sense. The fact it made sense is what confused him. It seemed so obvious!
"Well, I'll catch ya later." Max said as he walked off.
....
"So? How's the Chuckman?" Phil asked as he approached Tommy.
"He seems alright. Though, Angelica seems to be getting to him." Tommy replied.
"Poor guy. I never thought I'd feel this sorry for Chuckie." Phil said in a slightly sad tone. He, like Tommy and Chuckie, had thought that Angelica had changed as well. Though he didn't like Angelica, she was still someone who had been in his life for nearly as long as he lived so he felt a sense of duty to help her out if and when she needed it.
"Anyway, how's your project coming along with Lil?" Phil asked. He didn't want Tommy worrying about Chuckie when Chuckie can handle himself quite well.
"Well, we've got our idea and now comes the hard part of actually making it work." Tommy told him. Tommy didn't want to tell Phil that technically he and Lil were cheating by using one of Stu's old inventions. "How's about you and the Kimster?"
"We're stumped. Don't have one idea on what to do yet." Phil explained.
"You do realize that you'll have to think of something quick. Kimi isn't gonna hang around, especially after failing Science. She'll kill you if she gets another 'F'!" Tommy warned.
"Shit! Your right! I forgot about her failing Science! Next time I see her I better start talking Science Project to her." Phil was quite worried about how Kimi would react if she failed Science again. The prospect of her attacking him scared him as Kimi is surprisingly strong and tough in a fight. She isn't someone you'd wanna pick a fight with or upset for any reason. "I'll catch ya later Tommy!"
"Yeah, see ya around Phil."
....
Lil and Kimi were talking when Phil ran up to them.
"Kimi! Kimi! We gotta get started on our Science Project!" Phil shouted to her.
Both girls were stunned. Was Phil actually showing an interest in school work?
"You...er...wanna do this project thing? Like, now?" Kimi asked.
"Yeah. The sooner we get it done the better. We gotta think of something to do! Come on!" He grabbed Kimi's arm and pulled her to the school library.
"Hey whoa! Hold your horses Phil!" Kimi protested. She didn't like the idea of Phil pulling her off somewhere...well, not to do school work at any rate. A different kind of "work" she would like to be pulled of by Phil to do, if you catch my drift (And I bet most of you do!).
Phil let go of her arm and sat down at the nearest free table. Kimi sat opposite him.
"Okay, we've got to think of something that'll get us an 'A'. I don't wanna fail this project." Phil said.
"This is so unlike you, Phil. But, since I don't wanna fail, let's get started." Kimi commented.
Both of them began to think of an idea. They did not speak for a few minutes, both in deep thought.
"Hey, I got an idea!" Phil said excitedly.
"What?" Kimi was intrigued.
"Well, you know how Tommy's dad has loads of old inventions?"
"Yeah."
"Well, why don't we ask him if he can lend us some spare parts? I've got a great plan here. One which will get us an 'A'!" Phil rubbed his hands together.
"What is this plan?" Kimi asked. She wasn't totally convinced.
"Well, what if I said that we could create a mobile refrigerator?"
"O...kay. Why would someone want one of those?" Kimi wasn't sold by Phil's invention idea. It sounded rather pointless.
"Well, I mean we make a small one. One just large enough to fit a can of drink in. It'll keep nice and ice cold, especially in summer! Besides, this is only a project. It's not gonna be shown on national TV. It's not like we're scientists who must invent something to save the Galaxy!" Phil was bent on doing this. We wanted to prove to Kimi that he wasn't a lazy, gross slob...most of the time.
Kimi sighed. "Oh alright. But don't come crying to me if we fail."
"Your not gonna regret this Kimi!" Phil said as he got up and left.
'What did I get myself into?' Kimi thought to herself as she placed her hands over her face and shook her head.
....
High School had finished for the day and Angelica was taking some things out of her locker before she went home. She sighed. She was tired and she just wanted to go home and sleep. She hated having to get up so early in the morning, but going to bed late didn't help either.
"I really should have an early night tonight." She said to herself. She closed her locker and locked it and then picked her backpack up. She was about to walk off when she heard a familiar voice.
"So, how was your day Max?" The voice was of Louise Baker, the Cheerleading Captain and one of Angelica's friends. Obviously this 'Max' person was her brother.
"Okay. I met some guy named Chuckie. He's in my homeroom along with Angelica. He seems to her quite well." Max said.
"Really? How come?"
Angelica felt rage grow in her.
'That freak! I warned him not to tell anyone that we know each other! When I get my hands on him, he'll regret telling Max about us!' Angelica thought as she listened, careful not to get seen or heard by Louise or Max.
"Apparently, they've known each other since they were babies. But she wasn't nice to him." Max told his sister.
"What does he look like?" Louise enquired. She remembered a few days ago when Angelica became rather evasive about a red-head who was standing around in the parking lot.
"Well, he's got red hair, he wears glasses and he has freckles on his face."
'So, that was Chuckie then. I wonder why Angelica has a problem about knowing him.' Louise thought.
Angelica, on the other hand, had heard enough. She quickly and quietly ran out of the main building and to her car.
"Looks like Chuckie Finster has an appointment at the hospital." She snarled in anger.
....
Chuckie sighed as he wiped the bar down. There hadn't been much activity in the Java Lava, except for the Coffee machine nearly exploding again.
"So, how was your day Chuck?" Betty asked as she came in and started mopping the floor.
"Oh, okay I guess. The usual boring classes, avoiding Angelica and trying to keep away from trouble, mainly Angelica." Chuckie said.
"That bad huh?" Betty asked.
"Yep."
The bell rang as the door opened. Tommy, Kimi, Phil and Lil all came in. A smile grew on Chuckie's face.
"Hiya kids." Betty said.
Betty was greeted by the four as they walked up to the counter.
"Hey, Tommy, Phil, Lil and Kimi. How are you all?" Chuckie asked.
"Fine. It's great to see you again Chuckie." Tommy said as they shook hands.
"It's been too long since we last met." Phil commented.
"Phil, that was half a week ago." Lil stated.
"Oh yeah. Anyway, it's still good to see you."
"So, how goes the dreaded Science Project?" Chuckie asked his companions.
"Well, Phil's come up with some wacky idea that he thinks will earn an 'A'." Kimi told her brother. She moved closer to him and whispered: "But I think it's a complete flop."
Chuckie nodded to Kimi. "So, Tommy, how is your project with Lil?"
"We've got the jist of an idea. We just need to make it work." Tommy explained.
The five continued their array of conversations for around an hour before the door opened. They all turned to see Angelica walk in rather casually.
"Yo Finster! Hit me with one of your specialties, with no Coconut!" She shouted.
"Er...er...erm...er...s-sure thing A-angelica." Chuckie was understandably nervous. With his relationship with Angelica but a shadow of its former glory, she never spoke to him unless necessary. But this wasn't one of those necessary times. She wanted something, he could tell from the look in her eyes.
He put the pieces of sliced fruit in the blender with some ice cubes and then put the lid on firmly. Over the years he had gotten better with using the blender and was not as clumsy as he once was. Angelica sat on a stool opposite him and tapped her finger on the counter. A mischievous grin formed on her face. She had forgotten how good it felt knowing that he was completely nervous.
"So, Angelica. Why are you here?" Tommy asked.
"Can't I enjoy one of Chuckie's smoothies every now and then?" She said, smiling sweetly.
"Well, I guess." Tommy replied as he shrugged his shoulders.
The sound of the blender whirring added to the suspense. Chuckie felt sweat begin to form on his forehead. He knew there was another reason why Angelica was here. He couldn't help but keep thinking about his conversation with Max earlier today. What if Angelica had found out? He stopped the blender and poured the mixture into a cup and put a straw in it before handing it to Angelica.
"Thank you Charles." Angelica said.
'Uh oh! She's calling me Charles now. She is definitely up to no good!' His breathing quickened and became audible.
"Why Charles, what ever is the matter with you?" Angelica asked, sounding like she was concerned.
"I er...I-I...I need to...er...go get the...thing from the back." Chuckie stammered.
"Chuckie, what in blue blazes are you talking about?" Betty asked as she finished mopping the floor. "We don't have anything that needs to be brought out here."
"Yes we do...you know...the thing?"
Betty then got Chuckie's drift. "Oh! Right, the thing! You go get it then." Betty went into storage.
Chuckie nervously laughed as he exited into the back. He was just about to enter the bathroom when he felt a hand grab his shoulder. He turned to see a very pissed off Angelica now standing in front of him.
"I thought I told you to not tell anyone about the little fact that we know each other?" She said with her teeth clenched and a fist threateningly close to his face.
"I...erm...I didn't mean to...but..."
"BUT WHAT?" She shouted as she pushed him into the bathroom.
"But...you see I had just finished phoning Tommy...when a guy came out of nowhere. He must have heard me talking to...Tommy about you and put two and two together...I...lying to him...wouldn't have helped. He already knew by then." Chuckie said as he backed up against the stone wall.
Angelica walked closer to him.
"Well, you broke our little rule so I'm gonna have to break something as well. And it isn't gonna be a sweat!" She shouted as she launched her fist as Chuckie's stomach.
To Be Continued...
....
Things certainly are hotting up between Chuckie and Angelica aren't they? Phil's 'brilliant' plan doesn't impress Kimi while Tommy and Lil seem to be quite satisfied with their project (despite the lack of coverage I have given). Don't worry though; the next chapter will cover all 3 relationships with more focus on Tommy and Lil in the latter part. Until then, please R&R!
