Chapter Seven

Abby's POV

I couldn't help but smirk as I headed to my room. I never thought Nigel could ever blow Lizzie of for one of us, especially on a day so important to many. I passed Kuki's room, and heard her talking to Fanny.

"…Yeah, isn't it exciting! Numbuh 1-T is taking 5-T!…I know Lizzie'll be mad, but that's not the point…Yes! We soooo have to!…You're helping me do it…Rachel said she would too? That's great! Okie Dokie, see ya tomorrow!"

She hung up, and noticed my gaze from her doorway. She smiled her bubbly smile, and beckoned me to come in.

"Isn't this exciting?" She squealed excitedly as I took a seat on her bed beside her. Her eyes went glassy, and she clasped her hands together. "I can just imagine us now, walking in and looking cuter than everybody there…"

"Er, sorry to break the mood, but we're gonna be on a mission at the same time." I know I was being a downer…yet again, but Kuki always took this kind of stuff like this. Nothing is ever serious when it comes to dances and stuff like that.

"I know, but we're also gonna have fun!" She grabbed me by the shoulders, and pulled me in. "And this time, a suit for you is out."

I shook my head with a smirk. "You ain't gonna catch Numbuh 5 in a dress if that's what yo implying."

Her grin became wider. "You haven't got a choice!"

I rolled my eyes, and noticed the time on her rainbow monkey clock. "Listen, Numbuh 5 would love to stay and chat, but she's gotta dash. See yo in the mornin' hun."

As I did every night for the past couple of years, I made my way to Nigel's room. The same thing every night; we'd lay on the bed and talk for hours on end about things the other either wouldn't understand, or we simply couldn't talk to them about. I reached the door, now supporting 1-T upon it, and grabbed the doorknob. I invited myself in, and saw Nigel already lying on his bed, gazing up on the roof. I closed the door behind me, and took my position beside him. I placed my hands behind my head, and felt his gaze turn to me.

"You're early." He said calmly, before turning his gaze back to the roof.

"What, yo think Numbuh 5 would be late or somthang?" I smirked. "So, what's on your mind, besides the obvious?"

"Hmm, quite a lot." He seemed like he'd been analyzing the issue for a while. "This mission seems quite farfetched. I mean, the Delightfuls tried to turn us all the last time they hosted a party. Why try the same thing twice?"

"Well, maybe they've got a new scheme." I added, looking at him for a few seconds. "I mean, surely they don't wanna try their delightfulising again, would they?"

"I don't know, but I wouldn't put it past them." He replied, turning his attention back to me. "Never underestimate a foe Abby."

I smiled as I turned my attention back to the roof. "Just answer Numbuh 5 this; why are yo taking me instead o' Lizzie?"

He tried to hide it, but the moonlight shining through the window exposed his slightly pink face. "Er, well…like I said, it's only for the mission, and well, I knew Lizzie would probably get in the way again…"

"Uh huh." I replied flatly. "Numbuh 5 ain't buying it."

He seemed to be finding another excuse to keep me satisfied, and I found it amusing. "Well…umm, well, could you imagine me taking Lizzie again? And her wanting me to herself, and not have input in the mission?"

I decided I'd stop teasing him. "Yeah, guess you're right."

And then, an awkward silence fell around us. The only sounds were that of his alarm clock ticking, and our breathing.

"So…care to tell me about your outburst this afternoon?"

"Well, Numbuh 5 jus' had a bad dream."

"And this time, I'm the one not buying it."

I sighed. "Have you ever encountered another voice in your head? One that confuses you into thinking weird things?"

"What bought this up?"

I rolled my eyes and smiled. "Well, you said you weren't buying the lie, so I'm tellin' ya the truth. So, do you?"

He rubbed his nose gently. "Well, yes I do. I think everyone does some time in their life."

"I guess." I fell silent for a while. "My heart was lying to me, and I was fighting. I didn't want Numbuh 2-T to know…" I felt his gaze back on my face, but now of concern. "I thought you'd the best to tell…"

"Why were you fighting your heart?" He asked softly. "What are you trying to block out?"

I looked away from him, and felt a single tear roll down the side of my face he couldn't see, which I was grateful for. And I uttered one single word to him, hoping he wouldn't press the issue further.

"Pain."