A/N: Wow, this has taken long enough to get started. I just sat down, typed
"Chapter 16:", and drew a total blank. Probably my worst writer's block
ever, but hopefully this chapter makes sense. I felt like every idea I had
wouldn't flow with the story, but then when I tried to go back and edit it,
they all came out sounding boring. But then again, given my cynical nature,
I think everything is crappy (my stuff, that is).
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Chapter 16: The Waiting Game
Cedar Ridge Academy Friday, October 10th 11:32 a.m.
"So has he done it yet?" Kayla excitedly asked, having just heard the story of Logan and the jewelry store.
"No, he hasn't even said anything. I've tried to do some snooping, but I didn't find anything yet. I mean, he must've gotten the ring already. Brittany's just as crazy as I am waiting for something to happen, and she says he hasn't been back in the store since that one day. And I don't know if he knows I know, which is killing me. I wish he'd say something. Or at least do something that'll clue me in on what he plans on doing and when he plans on doing it. I mean, he'd tell me if he was gonna propose, right?" Lex ranted as she sat outside in a sunny courtyard despite the chilly air, adroitly cradling her cell phone between her ear and shoulder as she hurried to finish her last sketch before the bell rang and her school day ended.
"I'd think he would. I mean, he is still trying to win you over. But if he's had the ring for about two weeks, and hasn't made a move yet, he must be planning something big. But I'm surprised at you. All those transgenic snooping abilities and you can't even find a ring. Hell, you could even get into the forbidden shoebox."
"Oh shut up. That was different. I know mom and I knew where she could hide stuff. I don't know his tricks yet."
"You just can't let me have my moment to gloat, can ya?" Kayla shook her head and laughed.
"Not when I'm having a mini-crisis, no," Lex chewed on her pencil as she contemplated the best way to fill in the background of her work.
""Well why not just ask him? If he's trying to build a relationship with you, he wouldn't lie," Kayla tried to reason.
"But if he wanted me to know, or anyone else for that matter, why hide it?" Lex refused to listen.
"Are you even paying attention to anything I'm saying? Or are you just going insane on your own?" Kayla unknowingly cradled her phone in the same way as Lex as she fished through her backpack for her house keys. "Cuz you keep repeating yourself."
"Huh?" Lex snapped out of her stippling trance. "You know, there are only so many tiny little dots I can make before I loose it."
"So why not do something else?" Kayla went along with the change in subject.
"It's part of the assignment. I already used all the other methods on other part, so I'm stuck with stippling for the entire background," Lex mentally kicked herself for not using the tedious dotting early, and in a smaller part of the paper. "So you doing anything for Halloween this year?"
"As of right now, no. My mom's pulling her you're-too-old-for-trick-or- treating crap again. She says I'm not allowed to initiate anything like that with people," Kayla laughed.
"So in other words, now that I'm physically out of the picture, she wants you to make sane friends," Lex summed up.
"Pretty much, yeah. But I'm still going; that free candy has to be eaten by someone."
"I'm going. I think Tera and I are gonna dress Jondy up as an invisible pedestrian again."
"You'd better take pictures! That was hilarious the first time we did it," Kayla laughed, remembering the year they had gotten Jondy drunk and had her walk around with a black sheet over her. Watching people walk into her was funny, even though she never figured out the origin of all the unexplained bruises on her during the first week of November.
"Humor knows no cruelty," Lex acted like an old wise man. As the shrill bleating of the school bell broke Lex's train of thought, she gathered her supplies and bagged all of her work. "Ah, school's out," she smiled. "I'll call you later ok? And give Kyle a squeeze for me."
"Will do. I'll have to out him on sometime. He thinks you disappeared off the Earth or something."
"Awww," Lex laughed. "Later," she shut her phone off as she walked back into the building and headed to her locker.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Penthouse 12:35 p.m.
"Lunch?" Lex popped into the kitchen, startling Logan.
"You know, you're gonna give me a heart attack one of these days," Logan shook his head, trying not to laugh as he caught his breath.
"What? Too old and frail to have a little fun, are we?"
"For that kind of fun, yes," Logan smiled as he caught the white carton Lex slid him. "What's this?"
"Chicken on a stick," Lex opened up a container of her own. "Found a kick- ass Thai place down in the South Market. Got some of those Lo Mien-ish noodles, too."
"Why not just ask what these things are really called?" Logan asked between bites of chicken.
"Cuz the lady there doesn't speak any English, or any other language I do. So I point, she gives. No need to know the real name," Lex shrugged.
"Anyone go down there with you?" Logan was still slightly wary about Lex going to the South Market by herself.
"No, but I made extra sure to steer clear of spiked soda," Lex nodded with a mocking tone.
"Funny," Logan admonished her sarcastically. "How was school?"
"Excluding the other students, not bad. Oh, but before I forget to tell you, I have stay late on Monday, so I won't be back till about two."
"What did you do?"
"Nothing!" Lex put her hands on her hips defensively. "Some crap about a state test where they need a certain score to get extra funding, and they want me in on the deal. I didn't want to, but apparently they don't care that the public schools could use it a hell of a lot more than them. They gave me a freakin' subpoena and said I'd have a week of detention if I ditched, where they'd make me take it anyway."
"Well, getting chosen to take a test like that will look nice on your transcript and come in handy for college, so don't fail it on purpose," Logan tried to sell the idea.
"How'd you know I was gonna do that?" Lex asked about screwing up the test.
"Maybe I'm getting better at reading your mind," Logan grinned.
"Ok, Sherlock, what am I thinking now?" Lex crossed her arms, challenging him.
"Quit it," Logan guessed.
Lex's mouth hung open in surprise as she went to say something, but then drew a blank. "Just. eat your chicken on a stick," she laughed as she pouted and turned up her nose. "But I bet you don't know what I'm gonna watch after this."
"The X-Files. Probably an episode from season five or eight," Logan was more confident about this guess.
"Oh you're good," Lex narrowed her eyes. "But why?"
"Because those seasons are your favorites. I believe the word you use is 'shippy'," Logan laughed. "And you never watch season nine, because Mulder's hardly in it."
"And he's blown it!" Lex held up her hands in victory. "I never watch season nine because I don't have it on DVD. I only have one through eight and the movie. See, you always get ahead of yourself."
"You're just jealous I can hold my own now," Logan teased. He wondered if Lex knew how much he looked forward to this little game they seemed to get into everyday. He loved everything about times like these, being able to get to know her, watch her smile, hear her laugh, but most of all he loved the sheer simplicity of it all. Dare he use the word- it was almost normal.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Jam Pony 1:00 p.m.
"Damn, you gotta start bringing me Logan's stuff more often," Original Cindy wolfed down Max's lunch of leftover pasta. "Now you gonna eat some or leave it all to me?"
"Not hungry," Max shook her head.
"Boo, when it's eatin' like this, it ain't a matter of bein' hungry," Cindy hesitated to take the bowl. "You getting' sick?"
"Probably caught what Sketchy had last week, no big dealio."
"Well don't you go getting' sick on my ass again. After all, you done used up yo' fair share of sick days, right boo?" Original Cindy winked at Max.
"Yeah, or maybe that mono isn't as gone as I thought it was." Max found herself a loophole.
"Oh, Original Cindy sees how it. You want some extra to go shack it up with rich boy there, so you leave your girl stuck with the Three-legged Wonders," she rolled here eyes, referring to Sketchy and Alec.
"Damn right this third leg is a wonder," Alec sported his usual cocky grin as he popped up behind Max and Cindy. "What's wrong Maxie, your tummy still hurt?" he mocked.
"At least it's more believable than your spur-of-the-moment wrestling deal in New York. And how you just happened to get sick of it and wanted to come back to this hellhole."
"Gets me brownie points with Normal," Alec shrugged, finishing the last of the chips in his hand. "So how's my buddy Logan? He saved the world from the plot of alien terrorists yet today? Or is he holding out on us until tomorrow?"
"I don't know what he's up to, but I haven't out doing any legwork in a long time."
"Oh, so you're into using other body parts?" Alec wiggled his eyebrows.
Shooting him a look, Max drew back and punched him in the stomach, almost causing him to taste those chips for a second time. "More than any other girl is willing to do for you without getting paid at the end."
"Ok, both of you are gonna make Original Cindy straight with all this nasty talk," Cindy grimaced and covered her ears. "Now you," she grabbed Alec's sleeve, "Go find someone else to piss off. Maybe one of those pimp daddies you seem to love doin' business with."
"Whatever," Alec rolled his eyes and made his way over to some of the other messengers, who were hanging out by the refrigerator.
"Now," Cindy turned back to Max once Alec was far enough away and seemed disinterested in their conversation. "What's this whole dealio with you and Logan not being on the same ball?"
"I didn't say that," Max shook her head. "I mean, he's just hiding something. And I know that I'm the only one who doesn't know what the hell it is."
"And what makes you say that? Cuz Original Cindy ain't in on this one."
"No, I mean out Lex and Jondy. See, when Jondy has a secret, she gets this weird look on her face when she's with you cuz she wants to blab. It kinda looks like she's doing the potty dance with the expression, but she stays still. You know what I mean?"
"Yeah, I got it. Now what about baby boo?'
"She's just been quiet for no reason. I can see it in her eyes she wants to say something, but she's keeping her mouth shut."
"You think Logan might have gotten something shiny and round in a little box?" Cindy hinted.
"No," Max reluctantly shook her head. "But that's because they both act that way around Logan, too. If that was the big secret, they'd get red and giggly around him."
"Well now you got me all curious about this secret. Think I could find out?"
"Maybe," Max shrugged. "But whatever it is, I guess I'm obviously not supposed to know."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Penthouse 7:35 p.m.
Max and Logan stood in the kitchen, washing the dishes in a comfortable silence. Had Max been presented with a scene like this when she and Logan first met, the sheer normality and domestication of it would have sent her fleeing on her bike, but now she was beginning to almost look forward to it. She didn't want to break whatever they were sharing, but she had to admit to herself that ever since her conversation with Original Cindy earlier that day, the idea of the 'big secret' had been eating away at her mind little by little. Formulating the best approach in her head, she started to try and bat her way around the bush before just outright asking.
"So," she tried not to get ahead of herself. "Do you think Lex has been a little quiet lately?"
"Um, no more than usual," the question caught Logan a bit off guard. "Why?"
"She didn't say anything at dinner tonight; you know, besides monosyllabic answers. Seems like there's something she's not saying," Max studied Logan's face. "Just thought maybe she'd have said something to you."
"You'd still be the first to know," Logan leaned over and kissed her temple. "But it can always be chalked up to normal teenage behavior, right?"
"Yeah, I guess so," Max complied, though in the back of her mind she wasn't sure she believed her words.
As it looked like Max had dropped the subject, Logan began to muse on it himself. Was Lex hiding something? And if she was, what?
"Wait a minute," a small voice in Logan's head suddenly perked up, "she doesn't know about the ring, does she? You didn't tell her, or anyone else for that matter. No," he mentally shook his head, "it's impossible. The box hasn't been touched."
________________________________________________________________________
A/N: Ok, so what did we think?? Please show some love to the purple button- he's been so lonely these past few weeks! Now, for those of you who get the link to this fic through FF- I don't know if you've read the recent announcement, but given the gloomy outlook for the site, but I also post updates at DAR (Dark Angel Reflections), so I'll post a link to there should the worst happen.
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Chapter 16: The Waiting Game
Cedar Ridge Academy Friday, October 10th 11:32 a.m.
"So has he done it yet?" Kayla excitedly asked, having just heard the story of Logan and the jewelry store.
"No, he hasn't even said anything. I've tried to do some snooping, but I didn't find anything yet. I mean, he must've gotten the ring already. Brittany's just as crazy as I am waiting for something to happen, and she says he hasn't been back in the store since that one day. And I don't know if he knows I know, which is killing me. I wish he'd say something. Or at least do something that'll clue me in on what he plans on doing and when he plans on doing it. I mean, he'd tell me if he was gonna propose, right?" Lex ranted as she sat outside in a sunny courtyard despite the chilly air, adroitly cradling her cell phone between her ear and shoulder as she hurried to finish her last sketch before the bell rang and her school day ended.
"I'd think he would. I mean, he is still trying to win you over. But if he's had the ring for about two weeks, and hasn't made a move yet, he must be planning something big. But I'm surprised at you. All those transgenic snooping abilities and you can't even find a ring. Hell, you could even get into the forbidden shoebox."
"Oh shut up. That was different. I know mom and I knew where she could hide stuff. I don't know his tricks yet."
"You just can't let me have my moment to gloat, can ya?" Kayla shook her head and laughed.
"Not when I'm having a mini-crisis, no," Lex chewed on her pencil as she contemplated the best way to fill in the background of her work.
""Well why not just ask him? If he's trying to build a relationship with you, he wouldn't lie," Kayla tried to reason.
"But if he wanted me to know, or anyone else for that matter, why hide it?" Lex refused to listen.
"Are you even paying attention to anything I'm saying? Or are you just going insane on your own?" Kayla unknowingly cradled her phone in the same way as Lex as she fished through her backpack for her house keys. "Cuz you keep repeating yourself."
"Huh?" Lex snapped out of her stippling trance. "You know, there are only so many tiny little dots I can make before I loose it."
"So why not do something else?" Kayla went along with the change in subject.
"It's part of the assignment. I already used all the other methods on other part, so I'm stuck with stippling for the entire background," Lex mentally kicked herself for not using the tedious dotting early, and in a smaller part of the paper. "So you doing anything for Halloween this year?"
"As of right now, no. My mom's pulling her you're-too-old-for-trick-or- treating crap again. She says I'm not allowed to initiate anything like that with people," Kayla laughed.
"So in other words, now that I'm physically out of the picture, she wants you to make sane friends," Lex summed up.
"Pretty much, yeah. But I'm still going; that free candy has to be eaten by someone."
"I'm going. I think Tera and I are gonna dress Jondy up as an invisible pedestrian again."
"You'd better take pictures! That was hilarious the first time we did it," Kayla laughed, remembering the year they had gotten Jondy drunk and had her walk around with a black sheet over her. Watching people walk into her was funny, even though she never figured out the origin of all the unexplained bruises on her during the first week of November.
"Humor knows no cruelty," Lex acted like an old wise man. As the shrill bleating of the school bell broke Lex's train of thought, she gathered her supplies and bagged all of her work. "Ah, school's out," she smiled. "I'll call you later ok? And give Kyle a squeeze for me."
"Will do. I'll have to out him on sometime. He thinks you disappeared off the Earth or something."
"Awww," Lex laughed. "Later," she shut her phone off as she walked back into the building and headed to her locker.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Penthouse 12:35 p.m.
"Lunch?" Lex popped into the kitchen, startling Logan.
"You know, you're gonna give me a heart attack one of these days," Logan shook his head, trying not to laugh as he caught his breath.
"What? Too old and frail to have a little fun, are we?"
"For that kind of fun, yes," Logan smiled as he caught the white carton Lex slid him. "What's this?"
"Chicken on a stick," Lex opened up a container of her own. "Found a kick- ass Thai place down in the South Market. Got some of those Lo Mien-ish noodles, too."
"Why not just ask what these things are really called?" Logan asked between bites of chicken.
"Cuz the lady there doesn't speak any English, or any other language I do. So I point, she gives. No need to know the real name," Lex shrugged.
"Anyone go down there with you?" Logan was still slightly wary about Lex going to the South Market by herself.
"No, but I made extra sure to steer clear of spiked soda," Lex nodded with a mocking tone.
"Funny," Logan admonished her sarcastically. "How was school?"
"Excluding the other students, not bad. Oh, but before I forget to tell you, I have stay late on Monday, so I won't be back till about two."
"What did you do?"
"Nothing!" Lex put her hands on her hips defensively. "Some crap about a state test where they need a certain score to get extra funding, and they want me in on the deal. I didn't want to, but apparently they don't care that the public schools could use it a hell of a lot more than them. They gave me a freakin' subpoena and said I'd have a week of detention if I ditched, where they'd make me take it anyway."
"Well, getting chosen to take a test like that will look nice on your transcript and come in handy for college, so don't fail it on purpose," Logan tried to sell the idea.
"How'd you know I was gonna do that?" Lex asked about screwing up the test.
"Maybe I'm getting better at reading your mind," Logan grinned.
"Ok, Sherlock, what am I thinking now?" Lex crossed her arms, challenging him.
"Quit it," Logan guessed.
Lex's mouth hung open in surprise as she went to say something, but then drew a blank. "Just. eat your chicken on a stick," she laughed as she pouted and turned up her nose. "But I bet you don't know what I'm gonna watch after this."
"The X-Files. Probably an episode from season five or eight," Logan was more confident about this guess.
"Oh you're good," Lex narrowed her eyes. "But why?"
"Because those seasons are your favorites. I believe the word you use is 'shippy'," Logan laughed. "And you never watch season nine, because Mulder's hardly in it."
"And he's blown it!" Lex held up her hands in victory. "I never watch season nine because I don't have it on DVD. I only have one through eight and the movie. See, you always get ahead of yourself."
"You're just jealous I can hold my own now," Logan teased. He wondered if Lex knew how much he looked forward to this little game they seemed to get into everyday. He loved everything about times like these, being able to get to know her, watch her smile, hear her laugh, but most of all he loved the sheer simplicity of it all. Dare he use the word- it was almost normal.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Jam Pony 1:00 p.m.
"Damn, you gotta start bringing me Logan's stuff more often," Original Cindy wolfed down Max's lunch of leftover pasta. "Now you gonna eat some or leave it all to me?"
"Not hungry," Max shook her head.
"Boo, when it's eatin' like this, it ain't a matter of bein' hungry," Cindy hesitated to take the bowl. "You getting' sick?"
"Probably caught what Sketchy had last week, no big dealio."
"Well don't you go getting' sick on my ass again. After all, you done used up yo' fair share of sick days, right boo?" Original Cindy winked at Max.
"Yeah, or maybe that mono isn't as gone as I thought it was." Max found herself a loophole.
"Oh, Original Cindy sees how it. You want some extra to go shack it up with rich boy there, so you leave your girl stuck with the Three-legged Wonders," she rolled here eyes, referring to Sketchy and Alec.
"Damn right this third leg is a wonder," Alec sported his usual cocky grin as he popped up behind Max and Cindy. "What's wrong Maxie, your tummy still hurt?" he mocked.
"At least it's more believable than your spur-of-the-moment wrestling deal in New York. And how you just happened to get sick of it and wanted to come back to this hellhole."
"Gets me brownie points with Normal," Alec shrugged, finishing the last of the chips in his hand. "So how's my buddy Logan? He saved the world from the plot of alien terrorists yet today? Or is he holding out on us until tomorrow?"
"I don't know what he's up to, but I haven't out doing any legwork in a long time."
"Oh, so you're into using other body parts?" Alec wiggled his eyebrows.
Shooting him a look, Max drew back and punched him in the stomach, almost causing him to taste those chips for a second time. "More than any other girl is willing to do for you without getting paid at the end."
"Ok, both of you are gonna make Original Cindy straight with all this nasty talk," Cindy grimaced and covered her ears. "Now you," she grabbed Alec's sleeve, "Go find someone else to piss off. Maybe one of those pimp daddies you seem to love doin' business with."
"Whatever," Alec rolled his eyes and made his way over to some of the other messengers, who were hanging out by the refrigerator.
"Now," Cindy turned back to Max once Alec was far enough away and seemed disinterested in their conversation. "What's this whole dealio with you and Logan not being on the same ball?"
"I didn't say that," Max shook her head. "I mean, he's just hiding something. And I know that I'm the only one who doesn't know what the hell it is."
"And what makes you say that? Cuz Original Cindy ain't in on this one."
"No, I mean out Lex and Jondy. See, when Jondy has a secret, she gets this weird look on her face when she's with you cuz she wants to blab. It kinda looks like she's doing the potty dance with the expression, but she stays still. You know what I mean?"
"Yeah, I got it. Now what about baby boo?'
"She's just been quiet for no reason. I can see it in her eyes she wants to say something, but she's keeping her mouth shut."
"You think Logan might have gotten something shiny and round in a little box?" Cindy hinted.
"No," Max reluctantly shook her head. "But that's because they both act that way around Logan, too. If that was the big secret, they'd get red and giggly around him."
"Well now you got me all curious about this secret. Think I could find out?"
"Maybe," Max shrugged. "But whatever it is, I guess I'm obviously not supposed to know."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Penthouse 7:35 p.m.
Max and Logan stood in the kitchen, washing the dishes in a comfortable silence. Had Max been presented with a scene like this when she and Logan first met, the sheer normality and domestication of it would have sent her fleeing on her bike, but now she was beginning to almost look forward to it. She didn't want to break whatever they were sharing, but she had to admit to herself that ever since her conversation with Original Cindy earlier that day, the idea of the 'big secret' had been eating away at her mind little by little. Formulating the best approach in her head, she started to try and bat her way around the bush before just outright asking.
"So," she tried not to get ahead of herself. "Do you think Lex has been a little quiet lately?"
"Um, no more than usual," the question caught Logan a bit off guard. "Why?"
"She didn't say anything at dinner tonight; you know, besides monosyllabic answers. Seems like there's something she's not saying," Max studied Logan's face. "Just thought maybe she'd have said something to you."
"You'd still be the first to know," Logan leaned over and kissed her temple. "But it can always be chalked up to normal teenage behavior, right?"
"Yeah, I guess so," Max complied, though in the back of her mind she wasn't sure she believed her words.
As it looked like Max had dropped the subject, Logan began to muse on it himself. Was Lex hiding something? And if she was, what?
"Wait a minute," a small voice in Logan's head suddenly perked up, "she doesn't know about the ring, does she? You didn't tell her, or anyone else for that matter. No," he mentally shook his head, "it's impossible. The box hasn't been touched."
________________________________________________________________________
A/N: Ok, so what did we think?? Please show some love to the purple button- he's been so lonely these past few weeks! Now, for those of you who get the link to this fic through FF- I don't know if you've read the recent announcement, but given the gloomy outlook for the site, but I also post updates at DAR (Dark Angel Reflections), so I'll post a link to there should the worst happen.