Chapter 19: The Turning Point
Author's Note: I'm so sorry for not updating in such a long time. I've had a major case of Writer's Block...that and I started school. I'd like to thank all you reviewers for your...patience and support (Oh yes, and I did read that flame...-narrows eyes- Such nice words...).
Pichu Bros. Fan, feel free to use a part of this story in your own. I'd love to see your interpretation of some of the interesting events that... this story has to offer.
The Samurai, I once again emphasize my apology. Waiting for one of your favorite stories to finally get an update is quite bothersome and time-wasting. I'm sorry I didn't update earlier. I never could get what I wanted to say out.
And thank you all for the wonderful reviews. Remember, you're my motivation. The more reviews I recieve, the more I am motivated to update sooner (The positive ones. Not the "You're horrible" ones...just so you know...) So without further ado (except for the disclaimer) I present with with Chapter 19! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Hamtaro or any of the other characters.
Endless hours seemed to flow. The white hamster rested peacefully in the Clubhouse, beneath a pile of pillows that had once been home to a hamster named Snoozer. What had happened to him anyway? That, sadly, no one knew.
She had a dreamless sleep; but a much-deserved one. A couple hours later, she woke up to a sudden tapping.
"Bijou," the voice called out, a rather familiar one to be frank. "Bijou, baby, ya can't forget our date!"
The date! It had completely slipped out of her mind...almost literally. She got up and rubbed her eyes. Her "hair" was messed up; her make-up was once again smudged. She frowned. She wanted to beg for five more minutes....just a bit longer for her to catch up with her beauty sleep. She let out an irritated sigh. The pillows were SO comfortable
Still half-asleep, she struggled to her feet (or paws, though it may be a bit confusing to note which two) and walked over to the bathroom. The other hamster just watched, with a slight frown. "Umm...we could always reschedule for tomorrow nite, babe."
"No," she said, from the bathroom door. "Tonight's fine. It's time I moved on anyway" She washed her face quickly and lazily dried it off, reapplying her eye liner and mascara. She took her brush out from underneath the little bathroom sink and fixed her hair. Trading her glittery red ribbon for a shiny violet one, the white hamster sighed at her reflection. Was she really going to go through with this?
She gulped and nodded. She was TOTALLY over Hamtaro. And this was no big deal right? It was just Stan. She knew him for an awful long time...she knew it was nothing serious. She'd just "play along". She'd be polite, eat dinner, and then go home. Simple enough, right?
No.
She frowned. Why was she feeling so guilty? Why did she have a strange feeling she belonged to someone else? She shook her head quickly. Of course she didn't. She WASN'T Hamtaro's and she never was or will be. She put her paws behind her back. Heck, she'd be happy to see the little orange and white hamster fall down a cliff by now.
And besides, she reassured herself. Stan was romantic; and so what if he was that way to everyone? At least she'd be treated with respect...as oppose to the mock care Hamtaro had shown her. True affection?
I think not, the little white hamster's mind replied.
She walked out of the bathroom, a bit enraged. The "tiger striped" hamster looked to the side. This was discomforting. His date seemed to have a look of aggression on her face. Something deep down told him things weren't going to go well.
He'd just have to prove that little feeling wrong. He smirked. Bijou was a pretty girl, in his point of view. She had that cute little French accent (that even as much as she struggled to hide, she simply couldn't) and always wore a big variety of ribbons. Even though now it was one ribbon, instead of the old look of two, and one side ponytail, as oppose to the silly old trend of two , it was still all good. She pampered herself, and she sure did know how to attract some guys. Stan shook his head. Too many guys had gone after her...and he had too much confidence that he'd win the prize. He grabbed her paw and hurried out of the Clubhouse, onto the spot of the "big event": Acorn Hill.
The place was the same as it usually was. It was a bit darker then usual; considering it was mid-evening but still...it would fit the task. Stan led Bijou to a picnic area he had spent the greater part of the afternoon setting up. Candlelight surrounded the cute little red and white checkered blanket. He finally released her paw and sat down.
She sighed. Why am I doing this again?, she ponder to herself. To be polite, she answered, almost immediately. To prove I don't belong to anyone...that I'm NO ONE's girl! Especially not Hamtaro's
She winced at the name. Jeez, even with the brief little visit earlier, his cruel words stung like a dagger to the heart. She sighed. Maybe that simile was a bit drastic
It had to be.
His words...they didn't hurt THAT much. She was expecting it. It may of hurt the first time but the second time...no, or was it the third? She had lost count, nor did she care about it to be exact.
I'm over Hamtaro, she sternly told herself. That hamster is going to be OUT of my life even if I have to FORCE him to.
She smiled at Stan. "Wow," she said, looking around. "This place looks fantastique!!" She suddenly winced. Stupid French
"Ya think?" Stan sat down, signaling for Bijou to take a seat across from him. She obeyed. Keeping a smile on her face (even if it was a forced one) she marveled at the sight around her.
It was now or never.
She giggled nervously. "Oh Stan," she said, with a bit of mock amazement. "This place is SO amazing" Keep going she told herself. "It's so beautiful and so...romantic." She nearly choked on the last word. It was romantic...that was the truth. She wasn't lying...yet. She looked to the side and continued. "You're so" she cut herself off again. You're almost there! her thoughts motivated her. "You're so romantic" Take it all the way! Prove you're done with Hamtaro. Prove your better than all that! "Oh Stan," she said, fluttering her eye lashes. "I love you."
It was a bit of a lie. No, it was a little more then a bit. The fake words of emotion seemed to echo throughout her head. He wouldn't take it that seriously, would he? Her eyes gazed into his. It was a bit of a mistake; a bit of a rushed effort...and yet...it proved she wasn't still in love with Hamtaro.
That was her mission right? To prove she was over him; that she didn't belong to him...and yet deep down, her feeling of guilt continued to grow. Entangling herself in a lie, the white hamster forced some lemonade down her throat.
Stan just stared at her in shock. Unsure how to respond to this, he thought for a minute. Real love? That was so different then what he was used to. He could of taken the compliments, even the 'You're romantic' part but the last one? She loved him? He smirked. This had gone much better than he had planned. "Really, babe?" he asked.
She forced a nod. "Why would I lie?" She probably had all the reasons in the world to.
Stan laughed nervously. "Well err...ya always seemed interested in that Hamtaro dude"
"Me!?" Bijou exclaimed, suddenly enraged again. "Interested in that asshole? NO WAY!"
Stan gulped. She had cussed. The flawless, clean, polite little hamster had just broken her own policy. "Are you okay?" he asked, now very worried.
She had completely lost her 'cool'. Realizing her major mistake, she frowned. "I-I'm so terribly sorry. I didn't mean for it to come out so drastically. Hamtaro and I are on very bad terms. And umm" she hesitated. "I didn't mean to use the bad language either it's just that-"
Stan shook his head. "It's okay." he said, with a shrug. "We all slip now and then"
"Yeah," she giggled nervously. "Some more than others" A feeling of uneasiness came upon her.
"So umm" he frowned, noticing her discomfort and embarrassment. "Where do ya think Cappy is?"
It never hurt to change the subject. "I have no clue," Bijou said, nervously taking another sip of lemonade. "I really hope he's okay though. He has us all quite worried"
"Yeah," Stan frowned. "Sorta sad that we lost some of our close pals, don'tcha think?"
"Well, everyone's different. What happened when I was in France that one summer?" Bijou asked, with a frown. "As soon as I got back everyone was so...changed"
"Oh yeah," Stan frowned. "That was one crazy summer. You're pretty lucky you weren't there...at least you didn't get any crazy side effects"
"Side effects?" Bijou asked, a bit confused.
"I'd rather not get into the details, babe" Stan said. "Some things are better left unknown"
Bijou just simply nodded. "I agree," she said, looking out into the distance. "So err...is Sandy going to talk to Maxwell?"
Stan shook his head. "I have no clue. I tried talkin' to her for like...ever...and she still wouldn't give the dude another chance. My sister is one nut case"
Like almost everyone else in the Clubhouse, Bijou thought shaking her head. "I could try talking to her tomorrow. We girls have sort of a...bond thing. We listen."
"And us guys don't?" Stan asked, confused.
"No, we just...understand each other's cases." Bijou shrugged. "Sometimes you men have no clue how much something means in a women's life."
Stan narrowed his eyes. "Sure we do. Me 'n Sandy are twins...we're suppose to be 'psychically' connected."
The white hamster sighed. "Ugh...nevermind." She said. "You wouldn't understand"
"Try me-"
"Stan look!" the white hamster interrupted pointing towards a shooting star in the night sky. She stood up and giggled a bit.
The "tiger striped" hamster got up and walked beside her. He placed an arm around her.
"Ya know Bijou...there's only one thing that would make tonite perfect."
"What?" Bijou asked, a bit oblivious to what he had in mind.
"This," he simply said, bring his face closer to hers.
A tear fell. She couldn't do it. She couldn't bring herself to it. She was deep enough in her own lies. "Stan," she said, softly, backing away. "I can't do this...not yet"
"What'dya mean?" he asked. "You said you loved me. Why can't I give you a kiss?"
"I-I really don't know," Bijou frowned. "It just doesn't feel right."
"Ignore your feelings and make an exception. It's just one kiss Bijou. One meanin'less kiss."
"Exactly." Bijou sighed. "Nothing can ever be truly serious between you and any girl. I'm sorry Stan. But no matter what, you'll always be one thing."
"What's that?" he asked, glaring at her.
"A big flirt," she answered, turning away and walking back home.
The "tiger striped" hamster watched at her in shock. The words hit him hard. He never really thought of himself as being what Bijou had just announced. Nothing could be serious between him and ANY girl? Feeling a bit unusually heartbroken, he looked away. Was that what everyone thought? He'd have to wait until tomorrow to find out.
Final Notes: Err...I thought it was a pretty interesting chapter. Oh well...I'm sorry once again for any spelling or grammer problems...there's just some things a writer can't catch...Please review. I have no clue what to write next. Any suggestions?
