Chapter Eight (part I)

In the corner of the café typing away at her fanfiction, Winter had an especially sour look on her face. Her empty water bottles did not cover the table beside her laptop, though, because instead she had a bottle of medication which clearly stated the word "ibuprofen" and a big coffee cup which looked like it contained something of the chocolate coffee kind.
John, the waiter, seemed to be concerned of her strange mood tonight, though he remembered the last time that she had been in this state (the mourning of the rating changes) and this time was prepared. He walked up to her and gave her another mug, this one full to the brim with the same substance as in the other one, and took the other one away. Upon returning once more, he asked her,
"So what's with the ibuprofen and the coffee?"
He was almost afraid to ask, but he did.
Winter heaved a dramatic sigh. This scene was looking all too familiar to John. He was getting a little creeped out…
"Have you ever gotten a filling?" Winter said with a slight lisp, stopping her typing to look up at the young man.
He replied proudly. "Nope. All clean!"
Winter shook her blonde and red head. "Then pray you never do," she said sadly, "They're hell and they make it hurt to drink water."

Kori had just finished her struggle through a long, excruciating day at school when she approached the door to her dorm room. Well, actually, it wasn't all that bad to tell you the truth. She had quite enjoyed nearly every aspect of it - from the new experiences that dotted her day (such as cheer leading), the knowledge gained from the already smart teachers, and especially Dick's surprise of walking her to her second period class - and was in a particularly good mood. But the first sentence in a chapter would be terribly boring if it had started out to be GOOD. I mean, that would be sickly sweet or something.

The redhead put her key into the doorknob, twisting it until she satisfyingly heard the click which signified its now unlocked state. She was alone in the hallway but with the big smile she carried on her face, one who was reading this may have made the mistake that she wasn't. It all was fine; Betty would be inside the room working so she would have someone to talk to upon her entrance.

As she opened the door she realized that her guesses were not accurate but they weren't far from the truth either. Betty was sitting at the desk which held her computer, but, though she was typing furiously, she was not working. One could only make the mistake that her typing was work related if they did not know computers well or did not see the multiple instant messaging pop ups all over the screen which she hopped between.

"To whom are you typing such long and furious messages to," Kori asked curiously. Betty stiffened at the question, having not heard her roommate enter, and quickly closed all of her instant messaging boxes; making them stop popping up by clicking an away message to displau.

"Oh, nobody special," she said, standing up with a look on her face that clearly said she was trying to think fast; rolling through her brain like a steamroller, trying to figure out what she was supposed to say.

The two stood together like that for a few moments; Kori right inside the door, staring off into space, and Betty still with a look of immense concentration plastered across her features. She was not normally one to forget things, but it wasn't lack of memory which plagued her. Instead she was trying to find the perfect way to carry out her part of the plan - there had been no specifications and a lot of it was complete improvisation.

After those few moments, Betty's face lit up as if a thought bubble had appeared and the light bulb had clicked on in her head.

"Hey Kori," the black girl began, "I'm gonna go visit the guys over at Lemington. Do you wanna come? We got some fun stuff planned." Betty prayed that Kori would not ask what KIND of fun stuff was planned.

She tried to make her voice and fight convincing. If Kori didn't come then her part of 'the (master) plan' would fail, and, in result, the people in Lemington's part of 'the (master) plan' would fail, and in response the whole bloody thing would result in the colossal demise of what everyone had been praying for since the first person who liked the RobStar coupling said that the two were in love ---

Their 'getting together.'

Betty need not have worried so much. Kori exclaimed, grinning and looking alive, "What a wonderful idea! We shall leave immediately!"

Kori then put her book bag on her bed; a purple single with many pillows, before presently beginning to hum and randomly clean up the room.

Betty stared, not moving from her spot only turning her head to see what Kori was doing, her eyes wide, and asked, "Um… Girl?" Kori did not answer her but she still continued with, "Why are you so… happy?"

The redhead was not fazed. "Today is a glorious day! Besides, is it not customary to appear cheerful when told you are visiting your friends?"

With a furrow of her eyebrows Betty replied in a strange voice; she was not quite used to Kori yet, "Yeah, but girl you're just…" she went silent for a little while, trying to find a word which would adequately deliver the correct message she wished to present, "exuberant."

Kori, who seemed to be finished with whatever tasks she was carrying out in the room, went up to Betty, who still stood with her feet planted in the same spot they had been when she had entered the room, with a huge smile on her face. She excitably took hold of the other girl's arm, but before she dragged her out the dorm room door she exclaimed,

"Then I am doing exceptionally well, am I not?"

Lemington school is not very far from Harrisfield school. Both are boarding schools, as was practically spit out at you, the reader, during the previous chapters, but I, the writer, tend to reiterate facts more than once to push the point through. Our main characters attend either one of these schools, and only few parts of this story take place outside of these walls. I also find that reiteration is often out of the context. In this case, strangely, it is entirely in context, except the part about reiteration being out of context. I shall now continue with this very hurried chapter.

It did not take very long for the two girls (aka Betty and Kori) to find their way to the other school, Lemington, due to that short distance first mentioned in the last paragraph, and before they knew it they were standing in front of a dorm door alien to Kori, though Betty had led her there.

"My friend Betty," the green eyed, red haired girl looked a bit questioning, and not in the innocent, curious way but in the 'are-you-bullshitting-me' way, "Why are we standing in front of the door to a room of someone whose acquaintance I do not believe I have yet made?"

(woa. There was a lot of big words in that sentence… I must move on now, though, otherwise I am going to run out of time.)

Before our poor dear Betty could even open her mouth to answer, the door crashed open (though it was opened properly. It only seemed to crash because it made such a noise). In place of where the door had been, there now stood a very happy blonde with red tips and streaks who had the answer that Betty was looking for.

"Kori!" Winter exclaimed, not trying to hide her excitement, "Hey, how your doin', I hope you didn't have any trouble getting here." The crickets chirped and both of the girls in the hall just looked at her blankly. "Sorry, I guess you've never been here before - most people haven't - but I must introduce you to where we're gonna be hanging out today. I give you (she walked back to reveal the room behind her) Achilles' dorm."

There is no other way to describe the room which she showed them except blatently. Achilles' room was pink; happy bunnies (and not the 'goth' kind) and purple hearts galore. There was a pink and purple swirly rug which had been laid on the floor and even the bedspread on the single bed and the curtains were a shade of red.

And none of the colours clashed with one another. This is a miracle in itself.

I would like to say that, like the opening paragraph of this chapter, I, the writer, was just messing with your, the reader's, mind by saying this, but unfortunately, in this case I cannot. Achilles' room looked like an add for a Valentine's Day company and that was the God's honest truth.

Kori and Betty, still standing in the hall, both became wildly surprised. Both of the eyes on both of their faces grew wide enough to be teacup saucers, or maybe eggs, and they stared at the pink oblivion that was Achilles' room until Rayne, who walked up to them, snapped them out of it.

"Come on," she said, ignoring the fact that everything was pink and that the girls were staring, almost stupidly, at it, "We don't want to stand in the hall. Hall, bad. Room, good."

Betty put on a sheepish grin, remembering why they were here and what was going on (see, she knows more than what you guys know! HAHAHA!), and Kori followed everyone into the room, still in a slight daze. She broke out of it, though when she asked,

"Then were is our friend Achilles? Should we not wait for his permission to enter his living quarters?"

"I'm right here," a low voice said from the doorway which still stood open. When everyone turned to look, he was standing there, trademark black ghost shirt in place, looking slightly annoyed. Vesta stood a little behind him - the doorway is not a comfortable place to stand two people - and she also looked a bit agitated, though for a different reason.

"And we're going to leave in just a couple seconds," She said, hinting with almost no mask to her male friend in front of her, "Aren't we?"

"Yeah, yeah," he murmured, entering the room completely and heading over to a bookshelf where he retrieved a few video games from the bottom shelf. Kori came up behind him and began a friendly conversation while the other three girls spoke in hushed whispers between each other.

"Hello!" she said brightly before spewing out questions like mad, "Do you like marshmallows? What size shoe do you wear? Have you ever played truth or dare with Winter? Do you wish to meet Silkie? Will you be my new friend?"

"Um… I.. don't know?" Achilles seemed to be a tad intimidated by Kori's everlasting questions and happiness.

"Is your favourite colour pink? What are you-"

Kori's new stream of questions was quickly interrupted by Achilles.

"No!" he said, monotonously but with some certain force behind it, "What made you think that?"

The redhead looked around to make sure that she remembered what she had seen earlier. In confirmation of herself she nodded, then she answered, "Your room is pink. Why would you pick such a hue if you did not like the colour?"

"My room isn't -"

Achilles was interrupted by Vesta's hand suddenly reaching over and clapping itself over his mouth. Apparently she and the other girls had stopped talking amongst themselves long enough for Vesta to realize what was going on.

"Yes it is," she answered for him, "His favourite colour is pink."

At this Achilles squirmed and spazzed under her grasp but she would take none of it. With Kori smiling and waving goodbye happily to her them, Vesta dragged the dark boy out of the room. Once they were in the hall she let go of him and apologized.

"Sorry," She said, "But I couldn't let you tell her something that would ruin 'the plan.'"

He rolled his eyes in response, and they began to walk. Soon, though, he remembered something and reached his hands up to his head to fix his shaggy black hair which had become disheveled during their little escape art (or, if preferred by you, the reader, Achilles' kidnapping from his own bedroom).

Vesta grinned at this in an almost childish way and said, in an also almost childish voice that went perfectly with the facial expression, "Hehe, you're a bishi! Gotta take care of your hair!"

Waiting for Achilles and Vesta to return, Garfield became immensely bored. Okay, well, as bored as he could get with Raven around. Yes, Raven was sitting on the couch, the couch which fit pretty snugly in his small one person room, reading a book and ignoring his antics.

"Hey Rae," he said, watering plants as he jumpily went around the room. There were not many, but there were a few green shoots sitting in pots around his room; going with the whole forest-esque theme he had chosen for it, "Which came first? The chicken - or the egg?"

Raven did not roll her eyes, as would be expected, and her answer was not too incredibly sarcastic. It was, however, monotonous.

"I don't have the lack of brain-power it takes to discuss theology and creation with you," she said, shutting her book with a yawn, "And my name is Raven."

This response practically urged the slightly green boy on. For once in his life Raven had not snapped at him or even become noticeably annoyed at his ways, she had even shut her book which was a sign that she wanted to talk to him, and he was alone with her. This was like a miracle came true.

Gar put down his watering can and sat down on the couch. It wasn't a big couch like Victor and Dick's, mind you, just a simple normal three seater which would be found in a normal living room, so there was not too much of a distance between the two teens.

"So, Ra-a-a-a-ven," he said, "Knock-knock."

This was when she did roll her eyes, opening her book up. All hope of this conversation was hopelessly lost, but Gar didn't give up.

"Come on," he coaxed, "You know you want to. Knock-knock."

"If I answer will you leave me alone?"

"Ra-a-a-ae," the boy whined, "Why?"

The almost violet haired girl raised an eyebrow. "It should be self explanatory."

Garfield pouted and stood up to finish watering his plants. But that didn't mean he was going to give up. He had been too close to getting her to talk to him to let this opportunity pass by.

"Okay," he said, raising up a stalk of his aloe plant and dripping water under it, "So why did the chicken cross the basketball court?"

Victor tiptoed around the common room, even though he was the only one present. Keeping low, he did not want to be caught if Dick did choose this moment to approach, he crept to the door which led from the common room to Dick's personal room and, once there, tacked a small note to the wood.

"Mission accomplished," Victor whispered in congratulations to himself. His job in 'the (master) plan' was simple; plant the clues and sort of keep an eye out to make sure that the always sunglasses wearing boy found them.

This was the part where he planted them.

The first clue was a riddle. Not a very good one, but it used a lot of big words and Vic knew that it would take a few moments for Dick to understand them all. He knew what it meant, though, and it meant that Dick was supposed to find the next clue in the dining hall under the table which they sat together at every day for breakfast, lunch, and sometimes dinner.

From what Victor had read in the plans that Winter had handed him only that morning, it was a pretty elaborate plan that worked almost entirely on chance and the performance of their friends.

The tall and bulky African American was about to leave the room to set the next clue when he saw his PSP lying on the couch. It was too much of a temptation; it just sitting there - I mean, how could he NOT take it with him?

Grabbing the hand held console, video and music player, he set off once more to set the plan in motion.

If he'd had the time, Victor would have stayed to spy on Dick, but he had other 'clues' to set up. He just wished that he didn't have to pass up such a delectable opportunity to see the look on Richard's face when he read the words on his door:

"Someone amicable to you,
We took her far away,
Search ye near and far,
You'll only find her our way.
The underside of where
The beginning of digestion is set,
Is where to begin your search
For where the redhead is kept."

Golden-Sama: YES! There is BBRae Planned, no worries 'bout that, mate! I actually planned the scene where they whispersget together! SHH! don't tell anyone! It's a coughcough surprise! Even though it practically comes out and tells you that in the bloody summary. When I wrote the chapter I wasn't thinking of Feris Buler's Day off (I can't spell and I am too lazy to check) but now that you mention it...
Oui, je comprends vous, et moi n'utilise pas un traducteur pour vous parler! What foreign language do you take then? looks scared you arent a... spanish student are you! lol.
Update... hmm... that sounds like a good idea, but I think I shall wait until your blood boils... Or maybe until YOU update! hint hint, wink wink, nudge nudge

Caitlyn and Hill: Rachel Rachel Rachel! I'm going to mention her in the next chapter. It's going to be fun! Can't wait for the great race thing to begin... I don't know what to say I'm not in a very good reviewing mood right now I guess so there isn't much for me to say. So i'll see you guys tomorrow!

Rose: Ow. I would hate it if the fire alarm went off that much. At my school we have a really annoying bell, though. It sounds like a cross between a fog horn and.. some big loud thing. Lol. Hear my great description. Thanks for reviewing!

scathac's warrior: umm, there will be a few funny bbrae moments in the next few chapters, but I don't BELEVE (though i'm not sure yet) that they'll actually get together till around chapter twelve or thirteen. And I don't think we'll have a plan for that one but there will be a bbrae plan. thanks for the review!

Queen-of-Azarath: It makes me really happy that you liked my story - and I love it when I review somebody's story and they find me. It makes me happy. Yeah... I'm just a happy personI suppose. I don't have much time so I can't write much, but I love you're reviews and I hope you liked this chapter!

Tidus'luvr: SHHH! Don't tell anyone, they'll get jealous. LOL! Heh heh. I can't wait until TROQ and the Prophesyl; stupid canadians get it before us - how many times have I said that I should move to canada but NOOOO they don't let me cuz they wanna move to long island! grr. lol

-note- so terribly sorry it is so short. I dislike shortness but I don't want to say too much as my plan for 'the (master) plan' will almost positively be changed. I hate doing this and leaving you with very little to read but I only have a week to write, and, as described in the next author's note, I must have relapses in between chapters or the inspiration will die and then the story will die and… all that jazz.

-note- Hehe! Anyways, This is where I go back to my own little world, drink a little water, read a couple of fanfictions and pretend that I really am not writing this story until right before I have to update again (which will be MAY 12, by the way). I really have to get out of that habit. These updates are becoming steadily worse in my opinion. And this is also where you go down to the bottom of the page and leave me a nice, long, happy review. Reviews make my writing worthwhile. If I gain no reviews then I get really bored and the story dies. AND WE DON'T WANT TO LET THE STORY DIE! There's only about 20 (actually, the number's closer to 23) chapters left for me to write, and, even though this story will not be completed till at least next October at the rate (later if I add any more chapters) I'm going to need some mental pickups if I want to finish it. So please tell me whether or not it's worth it. Or just leave me a review. Reviews make me happy. big puppy dog eyes Please?

POLLS AND QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED IN THE REVIEW! (hint hint - review!)

1. Which would be worse? Listening to pop music 24/7 for a year or singing it for a living?
2. Are there any specific scenes which you think should be added to this story? (If so, tell me what they are)
3. When is your birthday? (there's actually a reason for this, too!)
4. What is 2 + 2?
5. Where are you going to be (or, if reading this afterwards, where were you) on May 9th 2005 at 6:30 PM?

Sneaky Peaky: "Chapter Eight (part II)"
Actually, so that you will not be disappointed when this is wrong, I will simply say that the next chapter's content may become dependent on the outcome of the new Teen Titan's episode TROQ. If it sucks, though, (TROQ I mean) the next chapter will most certainly not become dependent on its content and it will come entirely from my brain. With a little bit of help (okay, prolly a lot) from all of my adoring coughcough fans!