Awakening: Third Stage

Chapter Ten

"It's Only A Paper Moon"

Homecoming

In the long, dark corridor that was the hallway outside the gymnasium, the reverberating sound of the gym doors closing sounded not unlike the loud clanging of a prison cell shutting. Cautiously, Carver walked out into the hall, spying Lor only a few feet down, sitting on the floor with her back to the wall. "Lor? I thought we should, y'know, talk a little." Carver spoke hesitantly.

"Go away Carver." Lor said quietly. There wasn't any menace or threat behind the words, as Carver had expected. Indeed, Lor spoke with the voice of someone who sounded thoroughly defeated.

"Look, I know this can't be easy, and I promise not to say a bunch of meaningless junk you don't want to hear. I won't even look at you if you don't want me to. Just hear me out." Lor didn't respond, although she didn't insist he leave, either. Taking that as a sign of encouragement, Carver forged ahead. "So, this sucks, huh? I know there's nothing I can say to make things any better, but for what it's worth, Thompson seemed like a pretty cool guy. You should've seen him, he was really upset that he didn't even get to say goodbye to you. I mean, I know you guys weren't together long, but-"

"So you're saying this is my fault?!" Lor yelled at him. "That if I had gotten my act together a lot sooner, I would've had a lot more time to spend with Thompson?! That if I had only listened to what you guys were always saying and just been myself more often, things could have been different?!"

"Hey, I never said that!" Carver tried to defend himself without further upsetting Lor.

"Well you should have!" Lor howled. "Do you have any idea how much I've messed things up? How I've lost one of the most important things I've ever had and I have no one but myself to blame?"

"You need to get past this, Lor. Maybe it'll take some time, but you owe it to yourself to move on."

"Get out of here." Lor hissed at him. "I'm perfectly capable of noticing my own mistakes, Carver. I don't need you to give me reminders."

"I'm not here to do that."

"I don't want you here at all! GET OUT!" She yelled.

Carver sighed, turning back towards the gym. "Is this how you're going to deal with all your problems?"

"Whatever it takes." Lor said darkly.

Carver, knowing that the conversation was at an end, reluctantly turned back into the dance.

When Carver came back into the gymnasium, he was looking dejected. He sighed loudly and maneuvered over to the punch bowl, spooning himself a full cup and drinking deeply.

"Things didn't go so well, did they?" Tish could already read the proverbial writing on Carver's face.

"Not good at all. She's totally flipping out. She started blaming herself and all those times she tried to impress Thompson, man, it was brutal!"

"Poor Lor." Tino felt at a loss. "We've got to help her!"

Tish felt too upset to even quip that Tino had stolen her line. "Agreed, but what can we do?"

"I think we should leave her alone for a little while." Carver suggested. "At this point, anything we say to her might only make things worse."

"Great." Tino sighed. "At this rate we're never going to get Lor back."

"She's not a toaster, Tino." Tish scolded. She's not something you take in to get repaired. She's a real person who's hurting really bad right now. It's up to us to help her all we can, but in the end, she has to want to get through this. We can't take those most important steps for her."

"But if we leave her to her own devices, she might never take them at all!" Tino argued. "You know how she can be. She's not, y'know, practical."

"This from someone who once tried to bypass his childhood to look more adult. And who intended to stay locked in his room until the world was purged of clowns. And who decided to never again to have emotions, and-"

"We get the point, Carver!" Tino flinched. "Okay, okay, so sometimes I do impractical things too! But you see, that's just it. What happens every time I behaved like that? You guys were always there to reel me back in. With a little assist from my Mom. This is what friends do!"

"Right, because we care about you, and because we need to maintain the integrity of our group dynamic." Tish explained. "The four of us have always been happiest when we're together. If one of us goes missing from the loop, it throws off our whole equilibrium."

"Yeah," Carver agreed with Tish's assessment, "but right now, I think we should just let Lor have a little time alone. Let the initial shock pass over, and this whole Thompson thing sink in. Then, we give her the friend treatment."

"We haven't had a lot of luck in the romance department, have we? I should have known we were cursed five years ago." Tish sighed.

"Five years ago?" Tino asked, puzzled.

Tish tried to remind her friends. "Yeah. You know, that rainy weekend when we couldn't go anywhere and out of boredom we played that game of spin the bottle? Of course, it did only last for one spin."

"Yeah?" Tino complained, "Well you didn't have to kiss Carver."

"We agreed never to mention that horrible incident ever again!" Carver's voice raised an octave.

"I was just making a point!" Tish countered.

"Well, you brought it up, so you owe us a dollar each! We made that an official amendment to our friendship charter!" Tino punctuated his victory by holding his hand out.

"Fine!" Tish grimaced, lifting her left foot and taking her shoe off. Rummaging around for the few dollars she had slipped onto her person in case of emergency.

"You're keeping your money in your shoe?" Carver asked.

"Yes, Mr. Fashion Mogul. Seeing as how you went to so much trouble to pick those outfit for me, you neglected a handbag." She sniffed, handing Tino two dollar bills.

"All right! The Chug-A-Freezes are on me after the dance, guys. I da man!"

Tish immediately snatched one of the bills back from her boyfriend. "And you're aware of the penalties for saying 'I da man' when we're in public! But just to be on the safe side, I think I'll move this to a more secure location." To Tino's disappointment, the money disappeared somewhere into Tish's dress.

"But, aw man."

"Smooth move, T." Carver chuckled, taking his dollar from Tino.

"Forget it, let's get back to Lor. At least let me talk to her for just a minute." Tino pleaded.

"Tino, I'm not sure if that's a good idea. . ." Tish hesitated.

"I won't be able to enjoy myself until I see for myself how she is; until I know that I've done all I can for her. Please, Tish."

"Go." She said quietly. "I'll wait here for you."

"Thanks. I'll be back as soon as I can." Tino moved to go out the doors into the hall. Halfway there, he turned back to his friends, nodded to Carver, gave Tish a kiss on the cheek, and then went out into the great beyond.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Carver asked.

"No." Tish admitted. "But it's what Tino wants, and if I deny him, then he's only going to start resenting me. Maybe everything will go fine with Lor. Or maybe Tino just needs to learn this lesson for himself, I don't know. 'To ere is human,' right?"

Tino stepped out into the hallway, and immediately noticed two things. It was quite dark, and it was quite empty. Lor wasn't there. Worried, Tino called her name, becoming concerned that she might have done something rash. He checked inside the door wells of several classrooms, but none of them were hiding his friend. When he reached the end of the hall, Tino saw his quarry through the small window on the doors that led outside. Lor was out in the rain, on her knees.

"Lor!" Tino was outside in a second, braving the downpour without a second thought. Lor hadn't moved from her position, she was still sitting motionless on her knees, her head tilted towards the heavens, as though asking whatever higher power she believed in why she was being tortured so. The letter Thompson had written for was clutched in one of her hands, the rain having long since curled the edges and allowing water to run off it constantly. Tino hoped it would still be in readable condition for her. "Lor, what are you doing out here?"

"Trying to get some privacy." She responded with a distant voice.

"This is crazy. Come on, Lor, you can't stay out here. You'll catch pneumonia."

"I don't care. Leave me alone, Tino. I'm busy."

"Not a chance! Now I know you're hurting, and I don't pretend to know what that's like, but I do know that you need your friends. This is the kind of stuff that friends are for. Let us help you, Lor."

"Why? So you and Tish can parade around in front of me and be a constant reminder to what I don't have?! Ha! No thanks, Tino. I'm just fine."

"I'm not leaving until you let me help you." Tino insisted.

"What's your malfunction, anyway?! Tish is waiting for you! I guess I was wrong. You must be a really rotten boyfriend to give all your attention to another woman on a special night like this. How do you think that must make her feel?"

"Tish is your friend too, Lor. She's not mad at me, she's worried about you. We all are."

"Yeah, well, there's nothing to worry about. Everything that happened here tonight is my own stupid fault, and having you guys talk to me just makes me feel even more pathetic than I'm already feeling, so I'd appreciate it if you'd just go back inside and tell the guys I want to handle this by myself."

"Why won't you let us help you, Lor?"

"Because you couldn't possibly understand what I'm going through. None of you can. Tish is waiting for you. Now go away and leave me alone, Tino."

"Why can't I stay?"

"For the same reasons that you didn't want to cry in front of me! Now LEAVE-ME-ALONE!!!!!"

Tino reached for something to say, but he couldn't get a grip around any words that wouldn't just upset Lor further. Sadly, he turned around and slowly began walking away, wincing with each sob that Lor choked back in a desperate attempt to maintain a shred of her dignity.

"How's Lor?" Tish asked when Tino returned to her, rain soaked and looking considerably the worse for wear.

"She's not too happy with me, I'm afraid." Tino sighed. "I tried to help her get over this. I know she can't do it overnight, but she should at least come back to the dance and try and have a good time."

"She's hurting pretty badly, Tino. I don't think she's going to be able to have a good time for a little while. She may just have to deal with this in her own way."

"Wow." Tino was once again impressed with the natural abilities of women. "That's what she told me. She also said that you were waiting for me and I had to get back to you. And now as I see myself standing here, dripping wet, with you in front of me in that dress. . .my gosh, you're beautiful. I never really noticed how much until just now, the way the low lighting in here is hitting you. I mean, you've always been pretty and attractive for me, but now. . ."

Tish was unable to hide a blush, but she managed to contain it enough so that her cheeks only grew rosy instead of crimson. "Tino, I. . .I don't know what to say here. I'm just me."

"I wasn't asking for anything more. Anyway, the next slow dance is all ours, okay? I just need to get a little punch. Be right back." Tino moved over to the refreshment table, leaving a small trail of water behind him.

Tish, feeling confused, gave herself a once over before heading in Carver's direction. She found him leaning against a wall by one of the entrances, looking glum. "Hey, Carver?"

"Yeah?" Her friend replied, brightening up a little at the sight of the girl.

"Do I look any different to you? I mean, besides the hair and dress?" Tish asked.

"I don't know, nothing major, it seems. Why?"

"Because Tino's complimenting me an awful lot tonight. And that's not really like him. Sure, he'll tell me I look good sometimes, but a moment ago. . .he was looking at me like a snake looks at its dinner. It's not like him at all."

"Yeah, that makes sense. Tino never was the forward type. I wonder what brought on the change? Are you wearing any of that perfume with the hormones in it?"

"No! I'm not even wearing perfume at all! And usually I have to practically jump Tino to get him to make out with me. He's always worried about overstepping his bounds. Ordinarily, I find that kind of endearing, but for him to do a complete one-eighty like this. . ."

Just then, Tino came up, holding two cups out in front of him. "Here we are, a refreshing beverage for my two favorite people! My best friend and my best girl, oh yeah, nothing's ever going to take me away from you two. Tish, you look great. Carver, how come you're over here? Can't find the right girl to dance with? Hey, hey!" Tino started shouting out to anyone who could here. Both Carver and Tish stood, mouths agape and Tino's motor mouth. It was like someone had wound him up to the max. "Who wants to dance with my friend Carver! C'mon! He's hip, he's single, he can cut a rug, don't be shy ladies! C'mon, who wants to be first in line!"

Mortified, Carver and Tish ran forward to Tino's position, each grabbing one of his arms and dragging him back towards the wall. "What do you think you're doing!" Tish gasped. "Are you trying to embarrass me?"

"What about me?" Carver wailed. "I'm having a bad enough time tonight without your help, T. What the heck was that all about?"

"You guys are my friends, I was only trying to help!" Tino tried to explain himself.

"Yeah? Well the next time you want to help me, don't!" Carver felt exasperated.

"Tino, what's wrong honey? You're acting very peculiar tonight."

"Peculiar?" Tino cocked an eyebrow. "There's nothing peculiar about the way I'm acting!"

"Tino!" Tish immediately switched tactics, taking on a tone of authority.

"I'm just trying to be the best friend and significant other I can be! I've seen Lor out there, guys. She's positively crushed! I don't want to ever be the cause of one of you feeling like that. I want to be someone you can depend on."

"There now, that wasn't so hard, was it?" Tish patted his head affectionately. "And I think that's very noble of you, Tino. But you're overdoing it."

"Totally." Carver agreed. "Save a guy a little dignity, will ya?" He punched Tino playfully in the arm.

"I guess I overdid it." Tino sighed.  

"Just be yourself." Tish smiled. "I never asked for anything more."

"Right." Tino smirked.

"And on that note, you owe me a dance." Tish added.

"Do you two even have a song?" Carver asked.

"No." Tish frowned. "Maybe we should get one."

"How about 'Suffused Elephant Quaff Winces Exasperating." Carver suggested.

"The song you 'wrote' for Chum Bukkit?" Tino rolled his eyes.

"Yeah! Nothing says love like it!"

"I was thinking maybe we should go with something instrumental." Tish countered. "I'm going to a dulcimer concert next week, I'm sure I can find a musical piece that will complement us perfectly."

"Oh yeah, that'll be something to tell your kids about." Carver shook his head in disbelief.

"I think we're okay just the way they are." Tino added. "But if you have a song in mind, Tish, it's okay."

"Let's just leave it as something to think about." Tish agreed.

She led Tino out to the dance floor as a new song began to play, a refreshing change of pace. She noted that Tino's moves had improved, but she still had to be the one to lead.

It's only a paper moon
Hanging over a cardboard sea
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me

Now, it's only a canvas sky
Hanging over a muslin tree
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me

"You're doing great, Tino." Tish smiled. She slid her arms further up onto his shoulders, and Tino lightly grasped her bare shoulders to steady himself.

"Tish, you're going to make me all self-conscious!" Tino worried.

"That's just part of the fun." She winked. Tino noted that despite her having a few inches on him, she still found a way to fit into his arms comfortably for a dance. With a pang of embarrassment, he wondered if that had anything to do with the fact that she was leading, and also how many others around him might notice. "Don't worry about what other people think, Tino." She whispered into his ear. "We've been together long enough to earn diplomatic immunity. We can do whatever we want." Tish emphasized her point by lightly blowing a warm breath into his ear, giggling in pleasure at the shiver it sent down Tino's spine.

"You're really playful, aren't you?" Tino couldn't help but notice.

"Part of it is because you're cold and wet. I'm trying to get some warmth back."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be." Tish sighed contentedly, running a hand through his damp, matted hair. "It really gives you that lost puppy dog look."

Without your love
It's a honky-tonk parade
Without your love
It's a melody played in a penny arcade

It's a Barnum and Bailey world
Just as phony as it can be
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me

"We should've done this sooner." Tino lamented.

"I don't think it's ever too late to get started, Tino." What Tino realized most in that moment was that Lor had been right a few weeks back when they had purchased their attire for the dance. Holding Tish like this, feeling her soft skin and her even softer hair, and clearly being encouraged to savor the moment, he felt totally lost in a sea of contentment. Slowly, Tino stopped concentrating on every little movement he made, allowing his body to move more smoothly. He surrendered to Tish's gentle leadership, moving about the dance floor wherever she led.  He couldn't resist the lure of her own long hair, running an index finger down small groups of strands, hooking it in a curl and tugging very gently. "You know," Tish whispered once again, "they say that the interaction between men and women isn't very logical. It's funny how when we hold on like this, logic doesn't seem to mean anything. All I know is that I don't want to let go."

Without your love
It's a honky-tonk parade
Without your love
It's a melody played in a penny arcade

"I think I could handle you staying in my arms for the rest of the night. You're the practical one." Tino grinned.

"Me?"

"More practical than I am, anyway."

"Tino, I'm a perfectionist."

"I thought this was perfect, just being like this."

"Mmm, you're certainly saying all the right things. That's hardly fair. You know how susceptible I am to being romanced." She blushed.

"Well, at least there's someone I can manipulate. Maybe someday I'll be able to put one over on my mom."  Tish laughed at him. "Too much to hope for?"

"Much too much."

It's a Barnum and Bailey world
Just as phony as it can be
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me
No it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me

"This wonderful, Tino, thank you." Tish beamed.

"Did you want to go for another round?" Tino offered.

Tish consented by squeezing a little tighter. It was several songs before they separated, and the turmoil that had invaded their lives earlier in the evening was almost forgotten.

Almost.

You know, I had originally planned to do more with this chapter, but I've decided to stop here. This means that a few events I had planned to include, most notably the "slap heard round the dance," have been delayed until the next outing. Still, I think that will definitely be worth seeing. It will be worth the wait, I think. I decided doing some more stuff with Lor this chapter just had to take priority, since I know how loved she is. And who wouldn't love Lor?

Hopefully this chapter came out okay, I was distracted in some parts. Still, I'm largely proud of how it turned out, and look forward to taking it home next time. The future of Third Stage is simultaneously exciting and frightening, but I'm confident that with your continued support, it will be a blast.

The good news is, a big chunk of the next chapter is already written, so you may even be lucky enough to see the next update a bit ahead of schedule. I'll make final decisions based on my ability and the level of demand.

Don't forget to tell the author how he is doing. This is what that submit review box is all about. You don't even have to log on, so don't be shy!

Please send your questions, comments, compliments, complaints, love letters, death threats, marriage proposals, and ransom demands to:

Lord Malachite

06/12/04

12:30 AM, EST

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