Rating: PG13

Pairing: T/L

Disclaimer: I own nothing but this antiquated Dell, which is not earning me any money by posting my drivel here.

A/N: Hey, Everyone! Thanks so much for reviewing this new fic! I probably should have stated more about what a haiku is but definitions are on the internet and pssttt….don't tell….They are FREE!!! LOL!

Invisigreen: Oh, you just don't know how much I swore when I saw that missing "e." Really, editing, there's money in it…you should check it out. ;)

Sini: Oh! Hey, there you are! Don't be a stranger! Email is FREE too, LOL. Well, as long as your internet service is paid.

I'm happy all of you reviewed!

HAIKU DRIVEL

Chapter Two

"Great show, guys!" Robbie exclaimed as he shouldered his backpack. "Wanna go grab a bite at Mickey's?"

"Sure," said Lily, "What about you, Ray?"

"You know what? I think I'm gonna stay here and work on Ms. Wildebeest's assignment." At the collective dead silence he added, "What? You guys think I don't do homework?"

Travis shook his head, "It's not that you don't do homework, Ray, it's…"

Robbie finished that thought, "It's just that it usually involves mooching it off of one of us just before the morning warning bell."

"Hardy har har. Really, it's quiet here. I should be able to come up with something original right?"

Lily patted his shoulder to reassure him, "Of course!" She directed her gaze at Travis. "So, are you coming with us?"

He actually seemed undecided for a moment. "Nah, I'd better get started on that history paper."

As Lily and Robbie left the studio, Ray leaned back in his chair and propped his feet up on the table. "So, Swami, how do I channel all this…" he used his fingers to mark quotations "…love…into seventeen syllables?"

Travis rolled his eyes at the nickname as he continued to straighten the booth for tomorrow. "It's easy, Ray. Think of something you love…focus on it…and then write down as many words that come to mind. Then you can pick and choose from them to fit the format."

"O.K. Ummmm, that sounds easy enough."

"It is, Ray. Don't forget to lock up." Travis headed for the exit but Ray stopped him.

"Wait! Hey, can I borrow some paper?"

That got another eyeroll out of Travis as he took his binder out from under his arm and tore out a few sheets. He slapped them down in front of Ray, "Happy writing."

Again Travis made it to the exit as he heard Ray call out. Without looking back or breaking stride, Travis tossed a pen over his shoulder and heard Ray yell his thanks as he climbed the stairs.

Inside, Ray picked up the pen and was grateful that Travis was always so prepared. He noticed a piece of paper lying near the exit. It must have fallen out of Travis' binder when he got the sheets of paper out. Ray picked it up thinking he would have an extra piece in case he needed it but he immediately recognized Travis' handwriting. It was obviously a haiku…or two…or three.

One beautiful kiss
spiral notebook memory
my awakening.

Ray's eyebrows shot up and he read the next.

A discovery
of emotions unspoken
founded in friendship

Ray's brows dropped into a furrow as he read the remaining poem.

She reverberates
through my mind, my heart, my soul
beautiful music

Obviously haikus…all about Lily. Ray immediately crumpled the paper into his fist, squeezing it into a tiny ball. He knew it! After the incident with the single he'd thought everyone had gone back to the status quo. Wrong again.

It was odd how quiet betrayal was. Not some cataclysmic outburst that most associate with it. No, most often it is a silent seething solitary moment of discovery. Ray could hear his own controlled breathing and feel his heartbeat pounding in his ears. It seemed as if each creak and groan signaled the walls closing in for a closer look, more silent witnesses to this calamity.

Well, he wasn't going to sit back on his haunches and be surprised by the outcome this time. So what if Travis has deeper feelings for Lily? That didn't stop him from making a move on Lily before even though he knew about my crush on her. Tables are turned this time, Swami, and I'm holding all the cards.

Or syllables…A plan formed in Ray's mind. He opened his fist and stared at the crushed wad of paper. The key to an enemy's defeat usually lay within his own mind. He would use Travis' very thoughts…his own words…to win. A grin stole across his face much like that of The Grinch That Stole Christmas.

He had stayed long enough to solidify his plan and complete one of his own haikus, his own message, if you will. On his way home he stopped by Mickey's. He peered through the window and saw no sign of Lily; however, Robbie was flipping through the CD racks as if luck would guide his fingers to the "next best thing" in music. Ray entered and sidled up alongside of him, "Lily in the Ladies' Lounge?"

Robbie jumped at the sound of Ray's voice but played it off with a macho shrug. "Nope. She left a while ago. Travis ended up coming by though."

Ray's head whipped over to look at Robbie directly. "He didn't walk her home, did he?"

Robbie gave him a look he usually reserved for insane people. "I don't know, man. I mean, they walked out the front door at the same time. I wasn't paranoid enough to see if they left in the same direction. What is with you, man?"

Ray's gaze flitted to the exit as if seeking more evidence. "I don't trust him."

Robbie sighed wearily and he headed to the nearest available sofa, "I thought we were past all that?" He flopped down into the cushions and narrowed his eyes at Ray. "How come you only get worried if she's with Travis? I was with her…here…alone…before he showed up."

Ray opened and closed his mouth a few times and plopped down next to his friend. Finally, he leaned back confidently and spread his arms out along the back of the sofa. "It's the hair, man."

Robbie's flat tone of voice indicated his skepticism. "My hair."

"Yup." Ray took a deep breath, puffing out his chest. "Lily would never go for a guy with better hair than hers."

"Ray?"

"Yeah, bro?"

"Nice save."

A/N: What to do here? Hmmmm. Howzabout.

Cheezy narration by Ben Stein (actor most famous for role of The Boring Teacher in Ferris Bueller.)

Ben: Today, class, we are in for a wiiillld adventure. We will delve into the mind of a fanfiction author utilizing the technology that is most fantastic and implausible from Asimov's Fantastic Voyage. Please keep quiet so that we may hear the thought processes or schizophrenic personalities of this strange creature. Here we go: Whooooosh

Romance: looking at the computer screen: That was such a lovely story, so romantical. Hmmmm, I wonder which is farther, London or the moon? Hmmmm.

Blondie: Heelllloooooo! Duh, can you SEE London? Sheez.

Sarcasm: Oh boy, here we go again.

It's good to be me: peers at screen: Look, they've come back! All my friends are back.

Sarcasm: Yeah, and they brought sharp pointy sticks.

Esteem: Wait, you think they don't like it?

Fear: OMG, They HATE it! They think I'm an idiot!

Sarcasm: Heeelllloooo! 21 Chapters and you weren't even paid, tell me you're not an idiot.

Ben: Well, class, it seems the situation has turned volatile. Scientifical-type studies have shown that positive feedback calms the condition. Perhaps you could give a review….Anyone? Anyone? Anyone?

LOL! Does anyone else remember him from Ferris Bueller?

Anyone?