Chapter Six: Day Off
Todd got up, stretched and yawned. He couldn't believe it was already morning. It seemed as if he had only just fallen asleep two minutes ago. He went downstairs to find Serena in the kitchen, and that's not all he found. Food had been laid out onto the table. There were eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, toast, pancakes, and complete with butter, jam, and syrup.
"Wow!" he said in amazement. "You made all this?"
"Who do you think made it?"
"Dang yo! What time did you get up anyway?"
"Five thirty."
"How could you possibly get up that early?"
"Well, I just woke at the time and decided I might as well get up."
The truth was she couldn't have gone back to sleep even if she had wanted to. She had woken up from a terrible nightmare. 'No, not a nightmare.' she thought. 'A memory.' By now Lance and Pietro had gotten up. They were still pretty groggy but that changed as soon as they saw the food laid out.
"Alright!" Lance said. Pietro zipped over to the table.
"Ah, for once a hot breakfast."
"Hey, I saw it first, yo! They all sat down and started shoveling the food into their mouths as if it was their last meal. Serena, worried that the food would disappear in a few seconds called up the stairs.
"Tabitha! Fred! Come and get it!" She turned to look at the boys. "You know you're going to choke if you keep eating like that."
"Mmph! This is good!" said Todd with a mouthful.
"It sure beats eating cold cereal." Pietro said while buttering himself some toast.
"Oh, we're sorry." Lance said holding out dome food. "Did you want some?" "No thanks. I already ate."
"What's all the ruckus?" Tabitha asked rubbing her eyes as she came down the stairs with Fred behind her.
Their eyes lit up when they saw the food. They dove to the table and started eating with the other guys. Serena shook her head trying to suppress her laughter. She couldn't believe how excited they were about the breakfast she had made. In a few minutes they were all sitting around an empty table.
"Ah, that was good." Lance said stretching.
"I have to admit kid that was pretty good." Tabitha said wiping her mouth.
"I can't remember the last time I had a decent meal." Said Fred patting his stomach.
"Blob, to you a decent meal is a twelve course dinner to everyone else." Said Pietro rolling his eyes. Todd was licking the remaining syrup off of one of the plates. When he was done he sighed.
"That was the best meal I think I ever had."
"Well we better be getting ready for school." Lance said as he got up.
"There's no need." Serena told him while gathering up the dishes. "School has been cancelled for today."
"Cancelled? Why?"
"Because they found that the school building had been flooded."
"What could've caused that?" Tabitha asked.
Lance looked at Serena in shock. "You didn't."
"No actually I think I did." Pietro spoke up. Everybody looked at him. "Not on purpose though. When I went over there to shower up for the dance Saturday night, I was in such a rush I forgot to turn the water off."
"Wouldn't it have just gone down the drain?" Todd asked.
"It might've unless..." Pietro faltered.
"Unless what?" Tabitha prodded.
"Unless that that wash cloth I left behind clogged the drain."
"You moron!" Lance said whapping Pietro over the head.
"Well that's okay." Serena said. "Cause I've got the whole day planned out."
"Really? Do tell."
"Well, I know this great place where we can go swimming. Then we can have a picnic, see cool sites, and at the end of the day go to the beach."
"Sounds like fun." Tabitha said. "I'm in!"
"Me too!" Todd piped up.
"Okay." Pietro said.
"Sure." Fred agreed. They all looked at Lance.
Lance sighed. "Well if everybody else wants to then I guess I might as well."
"That's great, because you need to drive us to Whispering Pines Lake. I'll direct you."
"Cool yo! Let's go get ready!"
In about ten minutes the Brotherhood was ready and out the door. They all had to squeeze into the truck since there were so many people. Todd, Fred, and Pietro sat in the back while Serena and Tabitha sat next to each other in the front. They also had to pack the lunch basket and ice chest with them so Serena just sat Indian style while Tabitha rested her feet on the ice box. Lance started up the car.
"Okay guys. Let's hit the road!"
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"Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Lance are we there yet?" Todd was hopping up and down in his seat.
"Oh yes Todd, yes. We are there. We are so there. After all Whispering Pines has always been right next door!" Said Lance sarcastically as he pulled out of the driveway.
5 minutes later...
"Are we there yet?"
"No."
(10 minutes later...)
"Are we there yet?"
"No!" (20 minutes later...)
"Are we there yet?"
Lance looked at Serena desperately. "Are we there yet?"
"No." she said.
"How much longer? Are we almost there? When will get there?" Todd was leaning forward out of his seat.
"TOAD!" Lance snapped. "If you don't sit your froggy-a$$ down it will be thrown out of this car!"
Toad sat down in his seat and started twiddling his thumbs. Pietro was bored. "Hey Lance?" "Yes?" "You think you could turn on the radio?" "The radio's broken." Lied Lance who was not in the mood for music. "Oh." Said Pietro a little disappointed. "Hey Lance?" "What Pietro?" "I'm bored." "Thanks for sharing that moment of self reflection with us." Said Lance who was getting annoyed.
"Hey Lance?" Fred asked. Lance dragged a hand over his face before he said, "What?" "Do you have any snacks?" "No Blob! I don't have any snacks."
"Hey Lance?" Tabitha asked. Lance felt his eye twitching. He strained himself to hold back the irritated tone in his voice. "What Tabitha?" He said his voice cracking. "Do you have any gum?" "No! Do I look like a hardware store to you?" "Sorry. Geez."
"Hey Lance?" Serena asked. "What do you want!?" he snarled. She stared at him wide eyed. "I just wanted to tell you, you need to turn left at the upcoming intersection." "Oh." He said. His face was hot from embarrassment and frustration. "Sorry." "That's alright." She said forgivingly.
"Hey Lance?" Todd asked. Lance was ready to claw his eyes out. He weighed heavily on every word. "What is it, Toad?" "Are you upset?"
This was too much for Lance to take. He snapped, "NO! OF COURSE NOT! WHAT THE HELL WOULD GIVE YOU THAT IDEA!? I'VE NEVER BEEN SO RELAXED IN MY LIFE! I COULDN'T THINK OF ANOTHING BETTER TO DO THAN TRY TO DRIVE WHILE ANSWERING YOUR STUPID QUESTIONS! SO PLEASE KEEP ASKING ME QUESTIONS AND MAYBE IF LADY LUCK IS ON MY SIDE I'LL GET DESTRACTED FROM THE ROAD AND END UP CRASHING THIS CAR GAUD KNOWS WHERE AND WE'LL ALL DIE!!" Cracks were starting to form in the road.
After that followed dead silence. Until Fred asked stupidly, "Are we bothering you?"
At this Lance floored the break pedal and stopped dead. Everyone flew forwards and got jerked back by their seat belts. Lance rested his head in his arms banging the steering wheel, crying.
"Um Lance?" Serena asked cautiously.
"Do mind?" Lance said in a high voice. "I'm having a bit of a breakdown here."
"Maybe you should let me dive so that you can relax."
He sighed heavily. "Sure, alright."
They switched places with Lance sitting next to Tabitha and Serena sitting at the wheel. Serena started driving the jeep smoothly. But every now and then she would stray out of the lane.
"Have you ever driven before?" Pietro asked.
"Oh yes." Serena said. "I once had I driving instructor. She was so nice."
"Well that's good." Pietro said relieved.
"Of course she left after I crashed her car into a mailbox that was right outside my house."
"That's a little bit disconcerting." Somehow Serena ended up in the wrong lane. A car was heading straight towards them. They all paled.
"I'm going to pray now." Todd said.
"We're gonna DIE!" Pietro screamed.
Serena swerved out of the way just in time. The car spun a few times and then stopped. Stunned silence rolled in heavily. Serena was clutching the steering wheel staring wide-eyed into deep space. Todd's mouth was hanging open. Pietro was pressed back against his seat. Lance eyes seemed to be popping out of his head and everybody had the same look of dismay in there faces. All except Tabitha who looked calm as if things like that happened to her every day.
"Well, that was interesting near-fatal experience." She said trying to break the silence. Lance snapped out of his trance and glared at Serena.
"You almost killed us!"
"You know that's the exact same thing my instructor said before she left."
"I'll take over the wheel." Tabitha said.
"No!" Lance said.
"You're just as bad if not worse."
"Relax Rocky I'll go easy."
"Fine." Lance said who was too tired to argue. Tabitha got to the wheel.
"Hold on guys."
"What? No!" Lance tried to stop her but too late.
She stomped on the gas pedal and they zoomed down the road pressed against their seats from the speed they were going. "Turn right here!" Serena yelled over the sound of the engine. Tabitha turned sharply kiss up a cloud of dust. Todd was silently praying while Pietro was trying to keep his hair from messing up. "Stop here!" Serena yelled. They came to a jerking halt that actually lifted the back of the jeep off the ground. It was really grassy and there were several trees around.
"Well, were here!" Serena said jumping out of the car. Tabitha joined her.
"Alright! Let's party!" They looked back to see the guys still in the car. Todd was still a little dizzy from the car ride, Fred was asleep, and Pietro was comforting Lance who looked like he was having a nervous breakdown. He was holding his head in his hands. "When? When will I ever learn?"
"Come on Lance you gotta see this." Tabitha said as she pulled him out of the jeep. She dragged him over to a long ledge. Beneath them was a lake with small pebble shores almost completely surrounded by grass and trees. The ledge stretched high over the lake. "Well I guess this was nearly worth it." He said faintly.
Pietro had nudged Fred awake. Both of them were also admiring the scenery.
All of them stripped off their clothes until they were just in their trunks or swim suits. Todd had smooth chest and a slim stomach and was (of course) completely pale. Serena was wearing a light-blue two piece bathing suit. Her body was very slender and she had a trim waist. Blue is really her color. Todd thought.
"Todd could you help me put on my sunscreen?" Serena asked. "I burn very easily."
"Of course my buttercup." Todd obliged.
"Nausea rising... must be sick...in bucket." Pietro said faking a groan.
"Could you two be anymore weirder?" Lance asked.
"You're just jealous because I'm so good looking." Todd told him while rubbing lotion on Serena's back.
"I think I'm going to need that bucket after you Pietro." Lance said.
They all climbed down to the water. Beneath the ledge was a smooth stony edge above the water which Tabitha used to get to the shore. She was wearing a pink two piece. She laid out a blanket on the grass and lied down.
"Aren't you going to swim with us Tabbs?" Pietro asked.
"Nah, I prefer getting a tan."
Serena sat at the stony waters edge underneath the ledge above. She looked like she was trying to concentrate.
"Uh, Serena?" Todd asked.
"Shh." She said quietly. Todd sat and watched her. A small section of water started to ripple. A big drop of water slowly floated up. It was like watching a drop of water fall into a pond in rewind.
"Wow." Todd breathed. "You can control water?"
"To a certain extent yes. I can also sense where water is and I can draw water from anything."
"Seriously? That's wicked awesome!" he said excitedly. "See you're gaining control of your powers."
"To tell you the truth, I've practiced them a few times behind my mother's back ever since I got them. The only power I know how to completely control is," she scooped up some water in her hands, "this." Todd looked in amazement as he watched Serena's skin absorb the water.
"You got all these powers but do you have a weakness?" Todd asked. She laughed softly.
"Everybody has a weakness Todd. My weakness is that I am extremely sensitive to temperature."
"Man, that's gotta be-" Todd was cut off by a yell.
"BANZAI!!!" Pietro screamed as he jumped of the ledge into the water, splashing Lance, Todd, and Serena.
"Hey!" Serena said laughing.
"You're gonna pay for that!" Todd shouted at him.
"Oh yeah? Says who?" He didn't notice Lance sneaking up behind him.
"Says me!" He grabbed Pietro. "Prepare to submerge!" He dunked Pietro's head below the water. When Pietro surfaced and shook his head trying to get his hair dry. He turned to Lance with an evil grin on his face.
"This means war!" Pietro gave a huge splash at Lance. Lance splashed him back. Serena and Todd shrugged to each other and got into the water.
Pietro started to do his whirlwind and created a mini hurricane, thus trapping Lance in the vortex. "HEE HEE, HA HA HA!" he cackled gleefully. Serena joined in the fun and shot a water blast at Pietro which stopped his whirlpool. Lance and Pietro were dropped back into the water. Lance was smirking very broadly.
"If that's the way you want to play, then let the games begin!" He sent a tremor the bottom of the lake. Well you know what happens when earthquakes happen in the ocean right? The water swelled and rose up.
"Tidal wave!" Todd screamed and tried to swim away but too late. The wave crashed down on all of them splashing water everywhere.
"Ack! Bplpth!" Tabitha got soaked from a spray of water. When the lake had settled back down, all of them were panting.
"Wow. What a wild ride!" Serena said. Lance paled as he saw Tabitha approach the bank.
"Oh no."
Tabitha was forming an energy bomb. "You'd better buckle up because another one is coming your way!"
"Boom Boom no!" Pietro screamed.
They all swam for their lives but too late. She threw a large energy bomb into the water. The bomb exploded emptying out half of the lake and sending Lance, Pietro, Todd, and Serena flying. Lance and Pietro landed on the bank with a fish flopping next to them while Todd and Serena were sent into a nearby tree.
"Wow!" Serena said clutching onto a tree branch. "Let's do that again!"
"No!" All three boys yelled. Serena started giggling, until the giggles became laughter. She was laughing so hard she almost fell out of the tree.
"What's so funny?" Todd asked her hanging from his branch. Lance and Pietro also looked at her in confusion.
"It's just... you should've seen your faces!" she was clutching her sides with laughter. "Y-you were flailing around like you were drowning when you- when you tried to get to shore." She pointed at Lance. "And- and you Lance." Lance looked at her confused as he tossed the fish back into the water. "You were so white I thought you had died!" She gasped trying to speak in between her fits of giggles. "And Pietro." Pietro looked up at the sound of his name. "You were scr- screaming like a little girl!" She was laughing so hard there were tears coming down her eyes. She lost her grip and fell out of the tree. "Serena!" Todd shouted. But when he looked down Serena was on the ground doubled up with laughter. She hadn't realized she had fallen and was totally oblivious to whatever pain might have been caused from the fall. She was laughing so hard the only pain she felt was in her gut. Tabitha smiled her shoulders shaking until she pointed at her and started laughing too. Lance and Pietro started to laugh as well. Fred joined in with them. Todd started laughing too. He jumped off the tree branch shaking his head. He helped Serena up off the ground.
"You better stop or you might actually die laughing."
Serena was starting to gain some sanity. "Hey, at least I'd die with a smile on my face."
"You are one crazed fruit loop, you know that?"
She giggled. "Yes I know."
Todd looked at her. She had a really nice laugh and a beautiful smile. It was then he noticed something. Something he had never notice before. Around her neck hung some sort of amulet. It had some complicated designs on it and held in the metal was a blue jewel. It didn't quite look like a sapphire or an aquamarine. There was something unique about it that he couldn't quite place. He wasn't sure if he was imagining it, but inside the jewel he saw rippling lights. It reminded him of when he was swimming in the water and he saw the sun's rays casting though the water making beautiful textures on the pool floor. Serena noticed Todd staring and followed his line of vision to her necklace. She took it in her hands.
"I found this the day after I got my powers."
"It's really pretty." Todd said.
"Thanks."
"Hey come on you two!" Tabitha called out to them. "It's time for the picnic!"
Todd and Serena looked over to see that they had already put their clothes back on and had started to lay everything out under a shady tree. They put their shirts and short on and joined the others in the cool shade.
"You guys picked a nice spot." Serena said.
"Well you made a nice lunch." Lance said munching on his sandwich.
"Thanks." She reached into the picnic basket and pulled out a sandwich. She unwrapped it and held it out for Todd. "I put something special in yours Toddles." He shot out his tongue and grabbed the sandwich. He chewed and swallowed it.
"Mmmm, that's a good worm. Thanks Serena." The others choked on their food. They honestly didn't need to know what was in it.
"I also made something I think you'll love." She rummaged though the ice box until she found what she was looking for. She pulled out a scoop of green ice cream (with what looked like dragonflies sticking out) on a cone. The Brotherhood stared at it with a feeling of nausea. However Todd was looking at it with lit eyes. "I'd like to call it Dragonfly Ripple." She tossed it in the air and Todd caught it with his tongue.
"Yummy! That's the best tasting ice cream I ever had, yo! The bugs were so chewy and their wings-"
"Okay! We get it!" Pietro said loudly as he and the rest of the Brotherhood were trying not to lose their lunch.
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After the picnic the Brotherhood had set out again. They were driving through a fairly large town.
"Oh! Oh!" Todd said jumping down in his seat. "Look at that!" He was pointing to a carnival that was being held. "I wanna go there!"
"Forget it Toad." said Lance.
"Aw, come on Lance." Pietro said. "I've wanted to enjoy some festivity."
"I said no."
"I wanna go too." Fred whined.
"What for?" he asked incredulously. "You can't go on any of the rides!"
"No, but there will be plenty of food." Fred said patting his stomach.
"Of course." Lance rolled his eyes.
"Aw, come on Lancey. It'll be fun." Tabitha said.
He sighed. "Well Serena, what's your say?"
"Well, it would be fun." She said shrugging.
"Like I didn't expect that." He said gruffly. "Alright, fine. You guys win." They all cheered. Lance muttered under his breathe. "I know something disastrous is going to happen. It always does." After Lance parked the jeep they all got out and ran in different directions.
"I'm heading for the roller coasters!" Pietro said running off.
"Wait for me!" Tabitha yelled running after him.
"Come on sweetheart. I'm gonna win you a prize!" Todd took Serena's hand and they ran off.
"The snack bar!" Fred said joyfully. He left Lance alone.
"I'll be glad when this is all over." He looked heaven-ward. "Please don't let them cause too much damage."
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Todd was throwing balls at stacks of bottles trying to knock them down but having no success. While the man wasn't looking he shot his tongue out and sent all of them tumbling. The person running the stand was suspicious about Todd knocking them down so suddenly after his many failing attempts, but gave him a prize none the less. It was a stuffed frog. Todd gave it to Serena.
"Aw, he's so cute." Serena cooed. "Thanks Toddles." She kissed him on the cheek. He smiled broadly.
"Let me treat you to a soda." He said, leading her off.
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Meanwhile Tabitha and Pietro had enjoyed their fifth roller coaster ride. "Whoo! Wasn't that thrilling?" Pietro rolled his eyes. "Please. I can go faster than that." He spotted the speed control and had a wicked gleam in his eye. "I say we give this ride a little boost." He cranked up the speed dial to 'Extremely Fast'. "There we go." He said. Some other kids were starting to get on. "Come on! We only get one chance at this." "I hope you know what you're doing." Tabitha said skeptically. "Trust me. It will be a blast." They got on. The roller coaster started climbing the hill.
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Lance was pacing back and forth waiting for chaos to rain on any minute. He sighed. Maybe they won't destroy the place. He looked over at the rock wall and saw people climbing it. "Hmmm."
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The roller coaster was almost at the top. "Oh, the suspense is killing me!" Pietro said excitedly. "If you don't be quiet I will first." Tabitha said a little irritated. They were at the top. The speed activated and they rocketed down. They went through turns and loops so fast the coaster was rattling. Some of the other people riding were screaming. One kid actually threw up over the edge. Tabitha and Pietro were screaming with delight. "Wahoo!" Pietro yelled. The roller coaster was going so fast that it became detached from the track and shot over the last hill.
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Lance climbed up the rocks as fast as he could. 'Gotta break the record.' he thought. He was almost there when he lost his footing. He was hanging with one of his hands clutching a rock. He swung his other arm up and hit the buzzard. Girls who were watching at the bottom cheered. He had broken the record with a time of 12.6 seconds. He drifted down on the cord with a smug look on his face. Girls were hanging over him asking him how he learned to climb that well and if he had a girlfriend. He shook them off and decided to get something to drink. He ordered a coke from the snack bar. He started to chug it down as he saw a shadow over him growing larger. He looked up to see what it was. He spat out his soda and ran for his life.
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For Tabitha and Pietro, they seemed to soar slowly towards the ground in one of those heart thumping moments. Everything sped up again once they hit the ground roughly. People were running and screaming trying to get out of the way. The roller coaster kept on going speeding through the carnival and crashing through concession stands until... CRUNCH! The roller coaster had run straight into Blob who stumbled a little from the impact. He was carrying several snacks.
"Hey!" he said.
"Hey Blob!" Pietro waved.
Everyone was leaning out of the coaster either vomiting, groaning, or trying to catch their breath. One eight year old kid was jumping up and down next to a white faced man. "Let's go again Dad!" Tabitha looked at Pietro.
"You were right. That was a blast." He grinned broadly at her.
"That had to be the greatest ride of my life!"
"AND YOUR LAST!!" A voice bellowed. They both jumped to see Lance glowering at them.
"Hey Rocky." Tabitha said a little nervously. "You wouldn't believe what happened."
"I think I have a faint idea! Since it almost got me KILLED!"
"What's going on?" Serena and Todd had walked up to them to see what the commotion was all about.
"These two decided to speed up the course of destruction!" Lance yelled.
"Relax Lance. No one was hurt and besides," he said assured, "nobody saw me anywhere near the controls."
"Hey you! A voice called out. It was the guys who ran the roller coaster ride. Tabitha rolled her eyes.
"Oh yes. The master of stealth."
"Let's just get going!" Pietro said as he ran to the jeep.
As the Brotherhood ran to the car, Lance said exasperatedly, "Perfect, another town I will never again be able to show my face in."
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"I swear if you ever pull a stunt like that again the cops will have to dig you up before they find you!" Lance yelled.
It was evening and they had finally gotten to the beach. Todd and Serena sat on the sandy shore holding each other's hands. "So what should I call you?"
"Hm?" Serena asked.
"I could call you Seren, or maybe Serenity. How about Sera?"
"Um..." she thought.
"Oh I know!" He leaned into her. "How about my sweetie of the sea?"
She giggled. Tabitha had started walking around the beach collecting sea shells. Pietro, Lance and Fred had decided to go swimming but Todd and Serena thought they should sit this one out. They sat there watching the sunset on the blue ocean. The sky was in a blend of orange, pink, and light blue and the clouds had a glowing golden lining. The waves kept on turning with nothing disturbing the way they go around.
"It's so beautiful." Serena whispered.
"Not nearly as beautiful as you." Todd said putting an arm around her.
"You're so sweat." Serena said and gave him a little kiss. "I love coming out here. It's just so calm and peaceful."
"AUGH! Getitoff! Getitoff! Getitoff!" Lance was chasing after Pietro who was running around screaming his head off.
"Gaud dmmit Pietro! I told you not to make fun of the dang crab!"
Todd looked at her with his eyebrows raised. "You were saying?"
Serena sighed and got up. She ran towards them. Todd followed her. Tabitha was standing there shaking her head and Fred had his arms crossed.
"What happened?" Serena asked. Tabitha rolled her eyes.
"Oh, Pietro decided to tease a blue crab and he tried to pick it up and well..."
Serena nodded. "I get it." Pietro was now running around in circles still screaming. Serena tried to get him to calm down.
"Pietro! Stand still!" she yelled at him but he kept running around unhearing to her command. "STAND STILL OR YOU'LL BE JOINING HIS BUDDIES UNDER THE SEA!" she shouted so loudly he stopped dead in his tracks. Everybody stared at her amazed. "Thank you." She said. She walked over to him and took hold of the crab.
"Go easy..." he whimpered. "Ow." She pried open the crabs claw on Pietro's sore finger. She set the crab down and it started scuttling to the water.
"Ow ow ow ow ow!" Pietro said clutching his finger.
"Well let's just hope that Pietro here has learned not to mess with Mother Nature."
"Oh excuse me but I didn't know Mother Nature could be so painful!"
"Well I think it's about time we go anyway. It's getting dark."
They all headed to the jeep.
"Great day, huh Lance?" Todd asked him.
"Well let's see I get annoyed to death by you guys, nearly get killed in a car crash twice, almost had a heart attack, nearly died again, and will never be able to show my face in a town again." Lance said counting off his fingers. "If today would be considered a great day I would really hate to have a bad one."
Todd got up, stretched and yawned. He couldn't believe it was already morning. It seemed as if he had only just fallen asleep two minutes ago. He went downstairs to find Serena in the kitchen, and that's not all he found. Food had been laid out onto the table. There were eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, toast, pancakes, and complete with butter, jam, and syrup.
"Wow!" he said in amazement. "You made all this?"
"Who do you think made it?"
"Dang yo! What time did you get up anyway?"
"Five thirty."
"How could you possibly get up that early?"
"Well, I just woke at the time and decided I might as well get up."
The truth was she couldn't have gone back to sleep even if she had wanted to. She had woken up from a terrible nightmare. 'No, not a nightmare.' she thought. 'A memory.' By now Lance and Pietro had gotten up. They were still pretty groggy but that changed as soon as they saw the food laid out.
"Alright!" Lance said. Pietro zipped over to the table.
"Ah, for once a hot breakfast."
"Hey, I saw it first, yo! They all sat down and started shoveling the food into their mouths as if it was their last meal. Serena, worried that the food would disappear in a few seconds called up the stairs.
"Tabitha! Fred! Come and get it!" She turned to look at the boys. "You know you're going to choke if you keep eating like that."
"Mmph! This is good!" said Todd with a mouthful.
"It sure beats eating cold cereal." Pietro said while buttering himself some toast.
"Oh, we're sorry." Lance said holding out dome food. "Did you want some?" "No thanks. I already ate."
"What's all the ruckus?" Tabitha asked rubbing her eyes as she came down the stairs with Fred behind her.
Their eyes lit up when they saw the food. They dove to the table and started eating with the other guys. Serena shook her head trying to suppress her laughter. She couldn't believe how excited they were about the breakfast she had made. In a few minutes they were all sitting around an empty table.
"Ah, that was good." Lance said stretching.
"I have to admit kid that was pretty good." Tabitha said wiping her mouth.
"I can't remember the last time I had a decent meal." Said Fred patting his stomach.
"Blob, to you a decent meal is a twelve course dinner to everyone else." Said Pietro rolling his eyes. Todd was licking the remaining syrup off of one of the plates. When he was done he sighed.
"That was the best meal I think I ever had."
"Well we better be getting ready for school." Lance said as he got up.
"There's no need." Serena told him while gathering up the dishes. "School has been cancelled for today."
"Cancelled? Why?"
"Because they found that the school building had been flooded."
"What could've caused that?" Tabitha asked.
Lance looked at Serena in shock. "You didn't."
"No actually I think I did." Pietro spoke up. Everybody looked at him. "Not on purpose though. When I went over there to shower up for the dance Saturday night, I was in such a rush I forgot to turn the water off."
"Wouldn't it have just gone down the drain?" Todd asked.
"It might've unless..." Pietro faltered.
"Unless what?" Tabitha prodded.
"Unless that that wash cloth I left behind clogged the drain."
"You moron!" Lance said whapping Pietro over the head.
"Well that's okay." Serena said. "Cause I've got the whole day planned out."
"Really? Do tell."
"Well, I know this great place where we can go swimming. Then we can have a picnic, see cool sites, and at the end of the day go to the beach."
"Sounds like fun." Tabitha said. "I'm in!"
"Me too!" Todd piped up.
"Okay." Pietro said.
"Sure." Fred agreed. They all looked at Lance.
Lance sighed. "Well if everybody else wants to then I guess I might as well."
"That's great, because you need to drive us to Whispering Pines Lake. I'll direct you."
"Cool yo! Let's go get ready!"
In about ten minutes the Brotherhood was ready and out the door. They all had to squeeze into the truck since there were so many people. Todd, Fred, and Pietro sat in the back while Serena and Tabitha sat next to each other in the front. They also had to pack the lunch basket and ice chest with them so Serena just sat Indian style while Tabitha rested her feet on the ice box. Lance started up the car.
"Okay guys. Let's hit the road!"
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"Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Lance are we there yet?" Todd was hopping up and down in his seat.
"Oh yes Todd, yes. We are there. We are so there. After all Whispering Pines has always been right next door!" Said Lance sarcastically as he pulled out of the driveway.
5 minutes later...
"Are we there yet?"
"No."
(10 minutes later...)
"Are we there yet?"
"No!" (20 minutes later...)
"Are we there yet?"
Lance looked at Serena desperately. "Are we there yet?"
"No." she said.
"How much longer? Are we almost there? When will get there?" Todd was leaning forward out of his seat.
"TOAD!" Lance snapped. "If you don't sit your froggy-a$$ down it will be thrown out of this car!"
Toad sat down in his seat and started twiddling his thumbs. Pietro was bored. "Hey Lance?" "Yes?" "You think you could turn on the radio?" "The radio's broken." Lied Lance who was not in the mood for music. "Oh." Said Pietro a little disappointed. "Hey Lance?" "What Pietro?" "I'm bored." "Thanks for sharing that moment of self reflection with us." Said Lance who was getting annoyed.
"Hey Lance?" Fred asked. Lance dragged a hand over his face before he said, "What?" "Do you have any snacks?" "No Blob! I don't have any snacks."
"Hey Lance?" Tabitha asked. Lance felt his eye twitching. He strained himself to hold back the irritated tone in his voice. "What Tabitha?" He said his voice cracking. "Do you have any gum?" "No! Do I look like a hardware store to you?" "Sorry. Geez."
"Hey Lance?" Serena asked. "What do you want!?" he snarled. She stared at him wide eyed. "I just wanted to tell you, you need to turn left at the upcoming intersection." "Oh." He said. His face was hot from embarrassment and frustration. "Sorry." "That's alright." She said forgivingly.
"Hey Lance?" Todd asked. Lance was ready to claw his eyes out. He weighed heavily on every word. "What is it, Toad?" "Are you upset?"
This was too much for Lance to take. He snapped, "NO! OF COURSE NOT! WHAT THE HELL WOULD GIVE YOU THAT IDEA!? I'VE NEVER BEEN SO RELAXED IN MY LIFE! I COULDN'T THINK OF ANOTHING BETTER TO DO THAN TRY TO DRIVE WHILE ANSWERING YOUR STUPID QUESTIONS! SO PLEASE KEEP ASKING ME QUESTIONS AND MAYBE IF LADY LUCK IS ON MY SIDE I'LL GET DESTRACTED FROM THE ROAD AND END UP CRASHING THIS CAR GAUD KNOWS WHERE AND WE'LL ALL DIE!!" Cracks were starting to form in the road.
After that followed dead silence. Until Fred asked stupidly, "Are we bothering you?"
At this Lance floored the break pedal and stopped dead. Everyone flew forwards and got jerked back by their seat belts. Lance rested his head in his arms banging the steering wheel, crying.
"Um Lance?" Serena asked cautiously.
"Do mind?" Lance said in a high voice. "I'm having a bit of a breakdown here."
"Maybe you should let me dive so that you can relax."
He sighed heavily. "Sure, alright."
They switched places with Lance sitting next to Tabitha and Serena sitting at the wheel. Serena started driving the jeep smoothly. But every now and then she would stray out of the lane.
"Have you ever driven before?" Pietro asked.
"Oh yes." Serena said. "I once had I driving instructor. She was so nice."
"Well that's good." Pietro said relieved.
"Of course she left after I crashed her car into a mailbox that was right outside my house."
"That's a little bit disconcerting." Somehow Serena ended up in the wrong lane. A car was heading straight towards them. They all paled.
"I'm going to pray now." Todd said.
"We're gonna DIE!" Pietro screamed.
Serena swerved out of the way just in time. The car spun a few times and then stopped. Stunned silence rolled in heavily. Serena was clutching the steering wheel staring wide-eyed into deep space. Todd's mouth was hanging open. Pietro was pressed back against his seat. Lance eyes seemed to be popping out of his head and everybody had the same look of dismay in there faces. All except Tabitha who looked calm as if things like that happened to her every day.
"Well, that was interesting near-fatal experience." She said trying to break the silence. Lance snapped out of his trance and glared at Serena.
"You almost killed us!"
"You know that's the exact same thing my instructor said before she left."
"I'll take over the wheel." Tabitha said.
"No!" Lance said.
"You're just as bad if not worse."
"Relax Rocky I'll go easy."
"Fine." Lance said who was too tired to argue. Tabitha got to the wheel.
"Hold on guys."
"What? No!" Lance tried to stop her but too late.
She stomped on the gas pedal and they zoomed down the road pressed against their seats from the speed they were going. "Turn right here!" Serena yelled over the sound of the engine. Tabitha turned sharply kiss up a cloud of dust. Todd was silently praying while Pietro was trying to keep his hair from messing up. "Stop here!" Serena yelled. They came to a jerking halt that actually lifted the back of the jeep off the ground. It was really grassy and there were several trees around.
"Well, were here!" Serena said jumping out of the car. Tabitha joined her.
"Alright! Let's party!" They looked back to see the guys still in the car. Todd was still a little dizzy from the car ride, Fred was asleep, and Pietro was comforting Lance who looked like he was having a nervous breakdown. He was holding his head in his hands. "When? When will I ever learn?"
"Come on Lance you gotta see this." Tabitha said as she pulled him out of the jeep. She dragged him over to a long ledge. Beneath them was a lake with small pebble shores almost completely surrounded by grass and trees. The ledge stretched high over the lake. "Well I guess this was nearly worth it." He said faintly.
Pietro had nudged Fred awake. Both of them were also admiring the scenery.
All of them stripped off their clothes until they were just in their trunks or swim suits. Todd had smooth chest and a slim stomach and was (of course) completely pale. Serena was wearing a light-blue two piece bathing suit. Her body was very slender and she had a trim waist. Blue is really her color. Todd thought.
"Todd could you help me put on my sunscreen?" Serena asked. "I burn very easily."
"Of course my buttercup." Todd obliged.
"Nausea rising... must be sick...in bucket." Pietro said faking a groan.
"Could you two be anymore weirder?" Lance asked.
"You're just jealous because I'm so good looking." Todd told him while rubbing lotion on Serena's back.
"I think I'm going to need that bucket after you Pietro." Lance said.
They all climbed down to the water. Beneath the ledge was a smooth stony edge above the water which Tabitha used to get to the shore. She was wearing a pink two piece. She laid out a blanket on the grass and lied down.
"Aren't you going to swim with us Tabbs?" Pietro asked.
"Nah, I prefer getting a tan."
Serena sat at the stony waters edge underneath the ledge above. She looked like she was trying to concentrate.
"Uh, Serena?" Todd asked.
"Shh." She said quietly. Todd sat and watched her. A small section of water started to ripple. A big drop of water slowly floated up. It was like watching a drop of water fall into a pond in rewind.
"Wow." Todd breathed. "You can control water?"
"To a certain extent yes. I can also sense where water is and I can draw water from anything."
"Seriously? That's wicked awesome!" he said excitedly. "See you're gaining control of your powers."
"To tell you the truth, I've practiced them a few times behind my mother's back ever since I got them. The only power I know how to completely control is," she scooped up some water in her hands, "this." Todd looked in amazement as he watched Serena's skin absorb the water.
"You got all these powers but do you have a weakness?" Todd asked. She laughed softly.
"Everybody has a weakness Todd. My weakness is that I am extremely sensitive to temperature."
"Man, that's gotta be-" Todd was cut off by a yell.
"BANZAI!!!" Pietro screamed as he jumped of the ledge into the water, splashing Lance, Todd, and Serena.
"Hey!" Serena said laughing.
"You're gonna pay for that!" Todd shouted at him.
"Oh yeah? Says who?" He didn't notice Lance sneaking up behind him.
"Says me!" He grabbed Pietro. "Prepare to submerge!" He dunked Pietro's head below the water. When Pietro surfaced and shook his head trying to get his hair dry. He turned to Lance with an evil grin on his face.
"This means war!" Pietro gave a huge splash at Lance. Lance splashed him back. Serena and Todd shrugged to each other and got into the water.
Pietro started to do his whirlwind and created a mini hurricane, thus trapping Lance in the vortex. "HEE HEE, HA HA HA!" he cackled gleefully. Serena joined in the fun and shot a water blast at Pietro which stopped his whirlpool. Lance and Pietro were dropped back into the water. Lance was smirking very broadly.
"If that's the way you want to play, then let the games begin!" He sent a tremor the bottom of the lake. Well you know what happens when earthquakes happen in the ocean right? The water swelled and rose up.
"Tidal wave!" Todd screamed and tried to swim away but too late. The wave crashed down on all of them splashing water everywhere.
"Ack! Bplpth!" Tabitha got soaked from a spray of water. When the lake had settled back down, all of them were panting.
"Wow. What a wild ride!" Serena said. Lance paled as he saw Tabitha approach the bank.
"Oh no."
Tabitha was forming an energy bomb. "You'd better buckle up because another one is coming your way!"
"Boom Boom no!" Pietro screamed.
They all swam for their lives but too late. She threw a large energy bomb into the water. The bomb exploded emptying out half of the lake and sending Lance, Pietro, Todd, and Serena flying. Lance and Pietro landed on the bank with a fish flopping next to them while Todd and Serena were sent into a nearby tree.
"Wow!" Serena said clutching onto a tree branch. "Let's do that again!"
"No!" All three boys yelled. Serena started giggling, until the giggles became laughter. She was laughing so hard she almost fell out of the tree.
"What's so funny?" Todd asked her hanging from his branch. Lance and Pietro also looked at her in confusion.
"It's just... you should've seen your faces!" she was clutching her sides with laughter. "Y-you were flailing around like you were drowning when you- when you tried to get to shore." She pointed at Lance. "And- and you Lance." Lance looked at her confused as he tossed the fish back into the water. "You were so white I thought you had died!" She gasped trying to speak in between her fits of giggles. "And Pietro." Pietro looked up at the sound of his name. "You were scr- screaming like a little girl!" She was laughing so hard there were tears coming down her eyes. She lost her grip and fell out of the tree. "Serena!" Todd shouted. But when he looked down Serena was on the ground doubled up with laughter. She hadn't realized she had fallen and was totally oblivious to whatever pain might have been caused from the fall. She was laughing so hard the only pain she felt was in her gut. Tabitha smiled her shoulders shaking until she pointed at her and started laughing too. Lance and Pietro started to laugh as well. Fred joined in with them. Todd started laughing too. He jumped off the tree branch shaking his head. He helped Serena up off the ground.
"You better stop or you might actually die laughing."
Serena was starting to gain some sanity. "Hey, at least I'd die with a smile on my face."
"You are one crazed fruit loop, you know that?"
She giggled. "Yes I know."
Todd looked at her. She had a really nice laugh and a beautiful smile. It was then he noticed something. Something he had never notice before. Around her neck hung some sort of amulet. It had some complicated designs on it and held in the metal was a blue jewel. It didn't quite look like a sapphire or an aquamarine. There was something unique about it that he couldn't quite place. He wasn't sure if he was imagining it, but inside the jewel he saw rippling lights. It reminded him of when he was swimming in the water and he saw the sun's rays casting though the water making beautiful textures on the pool floor. Serena noticed Todd staring and followed his line of vision to her necklace. She took it in her hands.
"I found this the day after I got my powers."
"It's really pretty." Todd said.
"Thanks."
"Hey come on you two!" Tabitha called out to them. "It's time for the picnic!"
Todd and Serena looked over to see that they had already put their clothes back on and had started to lay everything out under a shady tree. They put their shirts and short on and joined the others in the cool shade.
"You guys picked a nice spot." Serena said.
"Well you made a nice lunch." Lance said munching on his sandwich.
"Thanks." She reached into the picnic basket and pulled out a sandwich. She unwrapped it and held it out for Todd. "I put something special in yours Toddles." He shot out his tongue and grabbed the sandwich. He chewed and swallowed it.
"Mmmm, that's a good worm. Thanks Serena." The others choked on their food. They honestly didn't need to know what was in it.
"I also made something I think you'll love." She rummaged though the ice box until she found what she was looking for. She pulled out a scoop of green ice cream (with what looked like dragonflies sticking out) on a cone. The Brotherhood stared at it with a feeling of nausea. However Todd was looking at it with lit eyes. "I'd like to call it Dragonfly Ripple." She tossed it in the air and Todd caught it with his tongue.
"Yummy! That's the best tasting ice cream I ever had, yo! The bugs were so chewy and their wings-"
"Okay! We get it!" Pietro said loudly as he and the rest of the Brotherhood were trying not to lose their lunch.
--------------------
After the picnic the Brotherhood had set out again. They were driving through a fairly large town.
"Oh! Oh!" Todd said jumping down in his seat. "Look at that!" He was pointing to a carnival that was being held. "I wanna go there!"
"Forget it Toad." said Lance.
"Aw, come on Lance." Pietro said. "I've wanted to enjoy some festivity."
"I said no."
"I wanna go too." Fred whined.
"What for?" he asked incredulously. "You can't go on any of the rides!"
"No, but there will be plenty of food." Fred said patting his stomach.
"Of course." Lance rolled his eyes.
"Aw, come on Lancey. It'll be fun." Tabitha said.
He sighed. "Well Serena, what's your say?"
"Well, it would be fun." She said shrugging.
"Like I didn't expect that." He said gruffly. "Alright, fine. You guys win." They all cheered. Lance muttered under his breathe. "I know something disastrous is going to happen. It always does." After Lance parked the jeep they all got out and ran in different directions.
"I'm heading for the roller coasters!" Pietro said running off.
"Wait for me!" Tabitha yelled running after him.
"Come on sweetheart. I'm gonna win you a prize!" Todd took Serena's hand and they ran off.
"The snack bar!" Fred said joyfully. He left Lance alone.
"I'll be glad when this is all over." He looked heaven-ward. "Please don't let them cause too much damage."
--------
Todd was throwing balls at stacks of bottles trying to knock them down but having no success. While the man wasn't looking he shot his tongue out and sent all of them tumbling. The person running the stand was suspicious about Todd knocking them down so suddenly after his many failing attempts, but gave him a prize none the less. It was a stuffed frog. Todd gave it to Serena.
"Aw, he's so cute." Serena cooed. "Thanks Toddles." She kissed him on the cheek. He smiled broadly.
"Let me treat you to a soda." He said, leading her off.
-------
Meanwhile Tabitha and Pietro had enjoyed their fifth roller coaster ride. "Whoo! Wasn't that thrilling?" Pietro rolled his eyes. "Please. I can go faster than that." He spotted the speed control and had a wicked gleam in his eye. "I say we give this ride a little boost." He cranked up the speed dial to 'Extremely Fast'. "There we go." He said. Some other kids were starting to get on. "Come on! We only get one chance at this." "I hope you know what you're doing." Tabitha said skeptically. "Trust me. It will be a blast." They got on. The roller coaster started climbing the hill.
-------
Lance was pacing back and forth waiting for chaos to rain on any minute. He sighed. Maybe they won't destroy the place. He looked over at the rock wall and saw people climbing it. "Hmmm."
-------
The roller coaster was almost at the top. "Oh, the suspense is killing me!" Pietro said excitedly. "If you don't be quiet I will first." Tabitha said a little irritated. They were at the top. The speed activated and they rocketed down. They went through turns and loops so fast the coaster was rattling. Some of the other people riding were screaming. One kid actually threw up over the edge. Tabitha and Pietro were screaming with delight. "Wahoo!" Pietro yelled. The roller coaster was going so fast that it became detached from the track and shot over the last hill.
-------
Lance climbed up the rocks as fast as he could. 'Gotta break the record.' he thought. He was almost there when he lost his footing. He was hanging with one of his hands clutching a rock. He swung his other arm up and hit the buzzard. Girls who were watching at the bottom cheered. He had broken the record with a time of 12.6 seconds. He drifted down on the cord with a smug look on his face. Girls were hanging over him asking him how he learned to climb that well and if he had a girlfriend. He shook them off and decided to get something to drink. He ordered a coke from the snack bar. He started to chug it down as he saw a shadow over him growing larger. He looked up to see what it was. He spat out his soda and ran for his life.
-------
For Tabitha and Pietro, they seemed to soar slowly towards the ground in one of those heart thumping moments. Everything sped up again once they hit the ground roughly. People were running and screaming trying to get out of the way. The roller coaster kept on going speeding through the carnival and crashing through concession stands until... CRUNCH! The roller coaster had run straight into Blob who stumbled a little from the impact. He was carrying several snacks.
"Hey!" he said.
"Hey Blob!" Pietro waved.
Everyone was leaning out of the coaster either vomiting, groaning, or trying to catch their breath. One eight year old kid was jumping up and down next to a white faced man. "Let's go again Dad!" Tabitha looked at Pietro.
"You were right. That was a blast." He grinned broadly at her.
"That had to be the greatest ride of my life!"
"AND YOUR LAST!!" A voice bellowed. They both jumped to see Lance glowering at them.
"Hey Rocky." Tabitha said a little nervously. "You wouldn't believe what happened."
"I think I have a faint idea! Since it almost got me KILLED!"
"What's going on?" Serena and Todd had walked up to them to see what the commotion was all about.
"These two decided to speed up the course of destruction!" Lance yelled.
"Relax Lance. No one was hurt and besides," he said assured, "nobody saw me anywhere near the controls."
"Hey you! A voice called out. It was the guys who ran the roller coaster ride. Tabitha rolled her eyes.
"Oh yes. The master of stealth."
"Let's just get going!" Pietro said as he ran to the jeep.
As the Brotherhood ran to the car, Lance said exasperatedly, "Perfect, another town I will never again be able to show my face in."
-----------------------
"I swear if you ever pull a stunt like that again the cops will have to dig you up before they find you!" Lance yelled.
It was evening and they had finally gotten to the beach. Todd and Serena sat on the sandy shore holding each other's hands. "So what should I call you?"
"Hm?" Serena asked.
"I could call you Seren, or maybe Serenity. How about Sera?"
"Um..." she thought.
"Oh I know!" He leaned into her. "How about my sweetie of the sea?"
She giggled. Tabitha had started walking around the beach collecting sea shells. Pietro, Lance and Fred had decided to go swimming but Todd and Serena thought they should sit this one out. They sat there watching the sunset on the blue ocean. The sky was in a blend of orange, pink, and light blue and the clouds had a glowing golden lining. The waves kept on turning with nothing disturbing the way they go around.
"It's so beautiful." Serena whispered.
"Not nearly as beautiful as you." Todd said putting an arm around her.
"You're so sweat." Serena said and gave him a little kiss. "I love coming out here. It's just so calm and peaceful."
"AUGH! Getitoff! Getitoff! Getitoff!" Lance was chasing after Pietro who was running around screaming his head off.
"Gaud dmmit Pietro! I told you not to make fun of the dang crab!"
Todd looked at her with his eyebrows raised. "You were saying?"
Serena sighed and got up. She ran towards them. Todd followed her. Tabitha was standing there shaking her head and Fred had his arms crossed.
"What happened?" Serena asked. Tabitha rolled her eyes.
"Oh, Pietro decided to tease a blue crab and he tried to pick it up and well..."
Serena nodded. "I get it." Pietro was now running around in circles still screaming. Serena tried to get him to calm down.
"Pietro! Stand still!" she yelled at him but he kept running around unhearing to her command. "STAND STILL OR YOU'LL BE JOINING HIS BUDDIES UNDER THE SEA!" she shouted so loudly he stopped dead in his tracks. Everybody stared at her amazed. "Thank you." She said. She walked over to him and took hold of the crab.
"Go easy..." he whimpered. "Ow." She pried open the crabs claw on Pietro's sore finger. She set the crab down and it started scuttling to the water.
"Ow ow ow ow ow!" Pietro said clutching his finger.
"Well let's just hope that Pietro here has learned not to mess with Mother Nature."
"Oh excuse me but I didn't know Mother Nature could be so painful!"
"Well I think it's about time we go anyway. It's getting dark."
They all headed to the jeep.
"Great day, huh Lance?" Todd asked him.
"Well let's see I get annoyed to death by you guys, nearly get killed in a car crash twice, almost had a heart attack, nearly died again, and will never be able to show my face in a town again." Lance said counting off his fingers. "If today would be considered a great day I would really hate to have a bad one."