Kooky34Girl, to answer your question about THEKISS, it probably won't be updated until maybe in the next two months. I'm terribly sorry about this, I just have no time. And my friend and I are writing this book for over a year that WILL be published and is over a hundred pages long, and...Woops. You didn't hear that.
Lyzz2nwn, I'm sorry about having no Dawns Dish Soap. I wrote this before I saw your review (technically this chapter has been written for like ten hundred years, okay, maybe 2 months), so sorry about that!
Uh, yeah. Here's the disclaimer to my fluffy chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't get why you people think I own Kids Next Door. If I did, how the heck would I have time to write a fanfic? It's like, HELLO! This would be in the show, not on !
Disclaimer #2: I do not own either song that is in this chapter. If you are so worried about who does, look it up in your own spare time. All I can tell you is that I don't own them, and I never will. I wish I owned the second song, though, because it is only the BEST SONG IN THE UNIVERSE!!!!!!! If you've ever read my profile, you'll know exactly what song I am talking about.
Chapter Six: Aprons, Mops, and Dancing, Oh My!
After the two had gone through about twenty towels of soap and water and changed their clothes, they finally decided it was time to go back to the kitchen. Numbuh Four was wearing a different pair of jeans, one that had been worn a lot – it was easy to see with the kneeholes and everything – but instead of his usual orange hoody, he had on a white tank top. Numbuh Three no longer wore her green sweatshirt, but had on her yellow Rainbow Monkey t-shirt—the one with the purple monkey on it—and around-the-house pajama shorts.
Upon entering the kitchen, Numbuh Four's eyes grew to the size of basketballs.
"Numbuh One is so gonna kill us."
Numbuh Three blinked at the disaster in front of them. "Well, we might as well get started. Tee-hee!" And with another giggle, she sped off somewhere, but soon returned with a purple bandanna in her hair, a pink apron tied around her front, and another in her right hand. She held it out to Numbuh Four, whose face cringed. "Here you go, Numbuh Four!"
"Numbuh Three...ya can't beh serious..."
She blinked again. "Um, yes I can."
That statement went unanswered as Numbuh Four sneered, "There are three problems with that...thing..."
"Like what?" Numbuh Three asked, confused. "It's too prettyful pink?"
For a second time, she was ignored. "One, it's an apron," he started and then held up two fingers, "Number two, it's pink."
"Numbuh Two isn't even here, you stupidhead!"
Numbuh Four coughed and resumed his list, "An' three...it's an apron!!"
Numbuh Three looked taken aback and quite hurt at the same time. "But I brought it just for you...PWEESE PUT IT ON!!"
Numbuh Four did his best to ignore her trembling lip. "No."
"PWEEEEEEESE?!"
"No!"
"PWEETY PWEESE WITH SUGAR ON TOP AND ICE CREAM IN THE MIDDLE WITH CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES AT THE BOTTOM AND CHERRIES, AND, OOH, FUDGE! AND, AND CHOCOLATE SYRUP!! WITH CARAMEL!! Ooh, also--"
"Foine! Jus' shut up already!" He snatched the apron away from her hand and slung it over his head. "Can ya tie—er, never mind then," he was interrupted as she merrily tied a knot in the back of the apron.
"No problem!" She said with an infamous Numbuh Three smile. "Now we just need some tunes!" And off she went out of the room. Again.
No, she can't mean the Rainbow Monkey song...please, anythin' but that! ANYTHIN'! Numbuh Four prayed as she came back holding a portable stereo.
"Hmm...this should work..." Numbuh Three hit a button, and an oddly familiar tune started playing. However, Numbuh Four had no clue what it was for she shut it off just as quickly as she had turned it on. "Now, let's get out Mopsy!"
Numbuh Four looked at her unbelievably. "Ya name 'ouse'old appliances?"
"No, silly! I name mops!"
Numbuh Four rolled his eyes. How could he possibly be in love with this girl? Woah, scary thoughts, his mind told him. Scary, untrue thoughts...ah don't even loike this girl! 'Ow could ah beh in love with someone if ah don't even loike them?!
In one quick movement, Numbuh Three had somehow gotten a hold of his hand. "C'mon, slowpoke!" She said playfully and began dragging him off to the utility closet.
Numbuh Four, however, could not even concentrate. He couldn't really understand why it was so hard. I mean, sure, he was a little bit distracted that her hand was grasping onto his, and maybe it was suddenly starting to sink in that being stuck in the KND tree house with her, and only her, wasn't going to be so bad... Sure, there was obviously something about her that he found, well...nice. And for some reason, Numbuh Three would not leave his mind for one second. But like those were the reasons he couldn't concentrate!
Still, no matter what bad and horrible things he tried to think of about her – all he could seem to picture was her smile...her giggle...her beautiful raven black hair...
He nearly dropped all the sponges and scrubbers he'd been carrying on the way back to the kitchen. W'ot the crud am ah thinkin'?! He thought in a panic. Numbuh Three is not beautiful!
Numbuh Three, skipping happily in front of him with her mop, stopped to turn around. "Numbuh Four! I'm waaaaaaiting, slowpoke!"
And, of course, she was, just outside of the kitchen door with her adorable white smile. Numbuh Four's heart did a flip-flop. Okay, so maybe the sheila is beautiful...ah mean, ah crud!
"Okay, you scrub the walls, and I mop the floor!" Numbuh Three directed, now clutching the mop beside her.
"'Ow come you get ter mop?"
"'Cause Mopsy likes me better," she replied and smiled down at the bottom of the mop. "Isn't that right, Mopsy-Wopsy?"
Numbuh Four groaned. He glanced at the clock—hoping he'd only have to spend another hour with her. But his jaw dropped. It was only 12:16 in the afternoon. There was still another eleven or so hours left!
"Well, get your buns to work, Numbuh Four!" laughed Numbuh Three. "Don't make me make you wear a bandanna, too!"
Grumbling, he began to soak a sponge in the bucket of soap and water. He made his way up onto the counter so he was facing the food-covered wall.
"Oops, almost forgot!" Numbuh Three ran over to the portable stereo that was set on top of the table. "And...play!"
Numbuh Four lost his balance, but luckily caught himself just in time as soon as the music came on. She couldn't be serious, could she? He turned his head to find her dancing around with the mop as she cleaned, singing along with the words to the song.
"You get up every morning from your alarm clock's warning! Take the 8:15 into the city. There's a whistle up above, and people pushin', people shovin', and the girls who try to look pretty. And if your train's on time, you can get to work by nine and start your slaving job to get your pay. If you ever get annoyed, look at me, I'm self-employed. I love to work at nothing all day. And I'll be taking care of business! Every day!"
Numbuh Four's could feel his mouth drop open. There was no excuse why it shouldn't be ajar either. Numbuh Three was...dancing with the mop.
Numbuh Three, however, found nothing strange of what she was doing and continued to spin around as she wiped the floor. Her mouth also just kept moving right along with the words.
"Taking care of business every way. I've been taking care of business! It's all mine. Taking care of business and working overtime. Work out! If it were easy as fishin', you could be a musician. If you could make sounds loud or mellow, get a second-hand guitar. Chances are you'll go far. If you get in with the right bunch of fellows, people see you having fun, just a-lying in the sun. Tell them that you like it this way. It's the work that we avoid, and we're all self-employed. We love to work at nothing all day! And we be... Taking care of business every day! Taking care of business every way. I've been taking care of business! It's all mine. Taking care of business and working overtime. Take good care of my business."
"When I'm away, every day, whoo!" Numbuh Three did a jump in the air, and a spray of water came over Numbuh Four's face. He scoffed. She may think this is fun, but to him, it was torture. How could he even think that it'd be okay to have to spend the day with this girl?!
"You get up every morning from your alarm clock's warning. Take the 8:15 into the city. There's a whistle up above, and people pushin', people shovin', and the girls who try to look pretty. And if your train's on time, you can get to work by nine. And start your slaving job to get your pay. If you ever get annoyed, look at me I'm self-employed! I love to work at nothing all day. And I'll be... Taking care of business every day! Taking care of business every way. I've been taking care of business. It's all mine. Taking care of business and working overtime! Takin' care of business, takin' care of business... Takin' care of business, takin' care of business...Takin' care of business..." Bachman-Turner Overdrive
Numbuh Four was glad the song had finally ended. He couldn't wait to see what else Numbuh Three planned to torment him with. "So, Numbuh Three," he began, but was instantly cut off as more music came on the radio.
"Oh, I looooove this song," Numbuh Three said distantly. "Slow dance with me, Numbuh Four!"
Numbuh Four crossed his soapy arms, partly listening to the lyrics.
It's amazing how you can speak right to my heart...
Without saying a word,
You can light up the dark...
"Ah don't dance," he said gruffly, not liking the way his cheeks lit up at the song's words. They made perfect sense to him.
"Oh, c'mon!" She hopped over to him, taking him by the sleeve. "This song is soooo pretty! It deserves to be danced to!" Numbuh Four only turned his head away.
Try as I may I could never explain
What I hear when you don't say a thing.
"Pleeeeaaaaaaaaase, Numbuh Four!"
"No," he replied, happy that he wasn't facing her to see the puppy-dog eyes he knew she was giving him. "Ah already made one deal with ya, and slow-dancing wasn't part of it."
"But...but...why won't you?! You danced with me at the Delightful Children's party last year when you were my date!" she rebutted.
Numbuh Four looked at her. "Ah was not yer date."
"Were, too."
"Was not."
"Were, too!"
"Was not."
"Were, too! Were, too! Were, too! Were, too! Were, too! Were, too! Were, too!" Numbuh Three shouted, jumping up and down like a crazy person.
"Foine!" He gave in. "Ah'll slow-dance with ya...then we need ter finish up cleaning, okay?"
"YAAAAAAAAAAAY!" She dragged him up close to her and wrapped her arms around his neck, giggling. As much fun as she thought this was, Numbuh Four did not like it one bit. That stupid feeling was back inside him, especially in his cheeks.
The smile on your face lets me know that you need me.
There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me.
"Ahem," Numbuh Three narrowed her eyes at him.
"W'ot?"
"Put your arms around my waist!"
Numbuh Four grumbled to himself, and red-faced, he placed his hands on her hips. "'Appy now?"
She only gave him one of her infamous heart-melting smiles, and casually leaned her head up against his shoulder. Numbuh Four, who had no clue what he was supposed to do in this situation, merely blushed.
The touch of your hand says
You'll catch me if ever I fall...
"Eh, Numbuh Three..."
"Hmm?" She said in a muffled tone, shutting her eyes.
"...nothing," he lied, mentally cursing to himself that he hadn't said what he wanted to tell her.
You say it best when you say nothing at all...
Numbuh Four felt a small grin break onto his face. Everything was perfect. He then peeked over Numbuh Three's head to catch a glimpse of all the gooey food plastering the walls like paint and the cleaning supplies scattered everywhere...and his soapy arms and worn out jeans and tank...
Well, almost perfect, anyway, he thought, rolling his eyes.
"Numbuh Four? Can you twirl me now?" Numbuh Three asked, looking up at him with a bashful smile.
"Eh, sure," he said, taking her hand in his to spin her. She giggled just about instantly as she whirled back up close to him. Numbuh Four had no doubts that his face was flaming now.
All day long I can hear people talking about...
But when you hold me near,
You drown out the crowd...
There were so many things running through Numbuh Four's head as she kept pirouetting around, smiling and laughing as she did so. He couldn't believe he was actually slow-dancing with her in the middle of the kitchen floor. And they were supposed to be cleaning!
But nonetheless, he liked the closeness between him and her. He really couldn't believe this one, either. A second ago he had been complaining about her, and now he was dancing with her like they were boyfriend and girlfriend or something...
Old Mr. Webster could never define
What's being said between your heart and mine...
Well, that makes a little sense, Numbuh Four considered. Ah can't blame Webster, though...Ah mean, ah don't even know w'ot's goin' on!
Numbuh Three glanced at the boy she was dancing with for a split second. He kept looking up...like he was thinking about something. "Numbuh Four? What's wrong?"
"W'ot's wrong?" He repeated like the words were of another language. "Nothin's wrong...w'ot gave ya that idea?"
"You looked like you were thinking about something. And you looked kind of worried."
"Ah, it's nothin'..." There he went again—lying was all he seemed to do around her.
The smile on your face lets me know that you need me...
There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me...
The touch of your hand says
You'll catch me if ever I fall...
You say it best when you say nothing at all...
The two continued to dance and dance, and for some reason, Numbuh Four found it more enjoyable than horrible like he'd thought. There was no denying it—that little voice inside his head finally got to him.
He liked Numbuh Three, the living definition of the word "cute". And cute was something Numbuh Four never liked, so what was so different about this black-haired girl in front of him?
The smile on your face lets me know that you need me...
There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me...
The music had got to the point in the song where it died down a little. The tune slowed up, and Numbuh Four suddenly got the craziest idea in his head.
He was wondering what Numbuh Three would do if he tried to kiss her.
He knew he wouldn't be able to get himself to do it, but the song was at the perfect "kissing" part of the song. She'd probably jerk back and never speak to him again...
And then he'd be heartbroken and never be able to communicate the right way again. Probably curl up in a little ball in the corner of his room in a state of depression.
No way am ah even tryin' ter do that with that risk on the loine! Not loike ah was gonna anyway.
But her eyes...her dark chocolate eyes...they gazed at him with such a special quality that he felt he needed to kiss her. Without even thinking he felt himself lean into her, silently praying that everything would turn out okay.
The touch of your hand says
You'll catch me if ever I fall...
It didn't. He slipped on soap and water and fell down, face first.
Numbuh Three only laughed at him. She, of course, was oblivious to what he was about to do to her so this seemed only a laughing matter to her.
Numbuh Four at first glared at her from the floor where he was situated. Then he softened up with a smile and this time accepted the hand she offered. "Ah guess we should get back ter cleanin', huh?"
Figures...ah try ter kiss 'er, an' ah slip, he thought to himself. Then she doesn't even notice w'ot ah tried ter do!
She smiled back with a pipe of, "I guess so!" until she become aware of the fact that their hands were still connected to one another. The unfamiliar heating feeling came back to her face, and she drew back her hand at once. "Uh, yeah...um..." She grabbed her mop and quietly went back to work.
Numbuh Four felt confused, but just the same returned to his scrubbing of the walls, trying to avoid staring at the girl of his dreams as she mopped the kitchen floor.
Numbuh Three didn't understand exactly why the hotness had so out-of-the-blue came back to her cheeks. It was an odd feeling, but she knew she'd figure out what it was later. If she didn't by the end of the day, then she supposed she'd have to ask Numbuh Five or something...Numbuh Five was smart, and a girl after all.
Yup, yup – proceed to puke and gag at the fluff. I almost did when I wrote it. The next chapter isn't as fluffy. At least, I don't think it is...I mean, there is fluff, sure. Just nothing really compared to this chapter.
Next Chapter info: Numbuh Three has a little confession to make. Or is it as little as she thinks it is?