Crimson/Silver
Disclaimer: I'm not pretending to be Pixelberry, and I don't own Choices or HSS.
Angles in a Library
Alan boarded the school bus, the thoughts of the night before still fresh in his mind. He was walking on sunshine as he went and sat down in his usual spot, waiting for his red haired friend.
Although, with all that's happened, he didn't know if they were just friends anymore. He made a mental note not to tell his aunt about this anytime soon, or the teasing would never stop.
Presently, his currently favorite person, whether he'd openly admit it or not, entered the bus and walked straight to her seat beside Alan, a grin similar to Alan's appearing on her face when she saw him.
"Hi." She said, her nervousness evident in her voice.
"Hi." Alan spoke, and he knew he sounded nervous too. Not once did he look out the window to greet his fantastic friends as usual, instead only looking at Skye. There was a unique sparkle in her eyes whenever she looked at him, and he'd noticed it, and he was sure he exhibited some unique quirk whenever he looked at her as well.
Not knowing what to do in their mutual awkwardness, Alan simply offered her one of his earphones, music already playing. Skye took it without a word, knowing she didn't need any. "Flames, huh?" Skye smirked.
"Hey, it just came on my playlist." Alan shrugged.
Skye smiled, as she rested herself against Alan, who welcomed her, getting a better angle to support both her and himself. They sat in comfortable silence, listening to music as the bus slowly drove through the streets.
School went by as usual, well, not entirely as usual. Alan and Skye were almost inseparable now. The fact that they had most of their classes together didn't adversely affect that front.
Lunch came by pretty fast, and the theatre group was assembled at their usual table.
Ajay, however, was not his usual, quiet and workaholic self. Instead, he was interrogating everyone on different aspects.
"So Clint, how are your theatrical instincts?" Ajay questioned.
"I don't know. You're the director, you tell me." Clint said, confused.
"I'm dead serious. This could be life or death." Ajay said, frowning.
"Okay, I'll…" a confused Clint began, but was interrupted.
"Quick, you're giving a monologue. There's a chair, incorporate it." Ajay said rapidly.
"What?" Clint was beyond baffled at this point.
Ajay got up and pointed authoritatively at Clint's hair. "Come up with something good!" he ordered.
"What's going on?" Alan turned to see Alex arriving at the table. "Has Ajay finally lost it?"
Alan held back a chuckle as Ajay sadly said, "There's a good reason, I can assure you."
Erin spoke up now, "The problem is, Ajay is failing Math."
"Shh! Everyone will hear!" Ajay hissed.
"Ajay, it's okay. Everyone struggles. You don't need to take it out on Clint." Alex said comfortingly.
"No you don't understand. My grade is so bad that… I can't direct the play anymore. If I can't find a replacement, the show's off!" Ajay said, distressed.
"What?" Alex said.
"What?" Clint and Natalie near yelled.
"Wait, how does that work? You don't need math to direct a play!" Alex tried.
"But math affects your average grade. The school won't allow extracurriculars if your average grade isn't good enough." Erin explained.
Alan saw Ajay hang his head down in shame.
"I'm not your director anymore. I bombed a big math test last week. I've been scraping by, but now it's all over." Ajay spoke, sorrow in his eyes. " With my grades in the gutter, I can't participate. The school rules forbid it. If anyone has leads on a new potential director, let Mr. Olson know."
"Hey, we can't let this happen! Isn't there something we can do? What if you plead your case to Mr. Olson?" Alex cried.
"What about an online petition?" Clint asked.
"He should agree to let Ajay direct if he gets a million retweets on Twitter!" Natalie followed. Alan facepalmed again, while Skye snorted beside him.
"This isn't negotiable. Starting next rehearsal, I won't be there, period." Ajay spoke.
"I just can't believe it… Ajay how could you be failing this bad? Didn't you win a huge award for academics or something?" Erin asked.
"Yeah, a few, actually. But for writing, biology, and history…" Ajay trailed off.
"So nothing that even remotely requires Mathematics." Alan spoke. Skye nodded.
"Why didn't you ask for help before it came to this?" Alex asked.
"I don't know… I'm usually able to fix these kinds of problems myself. Besides, I was trying to set a good example…" Ajay trailed off again, shame in his expression.
"And the truth is you were too embarrassed to ask for help." Erin said.
Ajay nodded. "I guess you could say that."
"Ajay, sometimes you need to ask for help! You can't always handle everything on your own." Alex said.
"If you admit you're struggling from the get-go, people can help you before it becomes a huge problem…" Natalie spoke.
"I know, I know! It's just hard." Ajay said, looking down again. "It's like a matter of pride."
"Okay we don't need pride anymore! No pride allowed! It's time for an intervention!" Erin said loudly. "I'm helping you study math this week. We're raising your grade, or else!"
"Will that work? Isn't it too late?" Alex asked.
"Once Ajay gets his grades back in shape, he'll be allowed back, right?" Erin asked, although it was clearly not meant to be answered. "Even if they've gotten another director by then, at least he can still be a part of the play."
"Erin, you don't have to tutor me. This is my problem." Ajay tried.
"It's all our problem. Like it or not, if Ajay goes down, so does the play." Alex said. "So I'm in too. We'll drag you out of the depths of despair, Ajay."
"And I'll be kicking and screaming all the way." Ajay said, almost jokingly.
"That's Ajay for 'thank you'." Erin said, smirking.
"Alright, I'll take it! Let's meet tomorrow after school." Alex said.
.
.
After school, Alan and Skye were on the bus, about to go home. Skye was already leaning on Alan, although he noticed she was in thought about something. He decided to give her some time to gather her thoughts before he'd possibly ask her if anything was up.
The bus rocked to a start and set off, exiting the school driveway and now going on the roads of Cedar Cove.
"Hey…" Skye said, nervously.
"What is it?" Alan asked.
"I'm going to vent about something, to you. Okay?" Skye said, the last part laced with a teensy bit of concern.
"Of course. Always. What about?" Alan said, showing enthusiasm to encourage her. He sat up straighter and looked straight at her.
"I'm getting dragged to this stupid annual company dinner with my parents this Friday. It's my least favorite day of the entire year. We have to act like the perfect family to the other moneybags they're trying to impress…" Skye trailed off. "What fake interest should I talk about this time?"
"Hey, don't be fake about yourself! I say, be yourself and talk about theatre tech." Alan said.
"That's miles too nerdy for the image my parents want to project." Skye said sadly.
"That's their problem. You're you, and that's amazing." Alan said, playfully bumping shoulders with Skye.
"Thanks, Alan, but that won't work. In public, my parents don't want me. They want an ideal dream daughter they can use to make themselves look successful." Skye said, a momentary smile appearing, then fading.
"I figured as much." Alan said, leaning closer to Skye to comfort her.
"I just wish my parents saw me. It makes me sick how fake they act in front of the people they're trying to impress." Skye said, reciprocating Alan, leaning closer. "They're so nice to me when they wanna look like a perfect family, but at home they treat me like crap!" She suddenly snapped, although not shying away from Alan.
"I know. I'm sorry." Alan said. "Well, if it's anything, at least I know their secret." He placed a hand on Skye's.
"Yeah… in a way I'm glad you saw us that night." Skye said, calming down, giving Alan's hand a light squeeze.
"I wish I had different parents." Skye said with a sigh. "I'm sorry that was-"
"Hey, it's okay." Alan quickly interrupted. "I think everyone wonders that some time or the other. No parents are perfect. Though you go through that more than most. But hey… Friday is a couple days away. Who knows, maybe an earthquake or a meteorite will hit the place by then." He said with a smile.
Alan felt happy when he heard Skye let out a small chuckle. "What are the chances?" her voice came from beside him. "Close to zero?"
"But not zero, right? You can dream." Alan smirked, playfully bumping heads with Skye.
"Thanks, Alan. I needed that off my chest." Skye smiled. "Uhh, my stop's nearly here."
"Hey, you always know where I'll be." Alan smiled, looking at her. "And I don't skip school much."
Skye smiled, blushing slightly. Alan took the opportunity to plant a kiss on her forehead. He then watched her nervously. "Was that okay?" he asked.
Skye was blushing well beyond normal at this point, fidgeting and having trouble making eye contact. "Mm hmm" she simply mumbled, nodding furiously.
"I'll see you tomorrow?" Alan asked. "Your stop's here."
Skye, suddenly feeling braver, looked up and surged forward, pecking Alan on the lips. Now Alan looked dazed, faintly aware of the bright smile Skye now wore on her face. "Yeah, tomorrow." She said, before getting up and leaving quickly.
The bus doors closed, and Alan sighed.
Yup, I'm crazy for her, he thought to himself.
.
.
The next day, Alan got ready just a little bit earlier, and decided to exit his house and walk down the street. After walking for a few minutes, he could see the large mansion that belonged to the Crandalls.
Sure enough, he could see a familiar redhead in her signature black and red sweater, arms crossed as she waited for the bus. As soon as Alan walked closer, Skye noticed him approach and her eyes went wide.
"Alan? What are you doing here?" she asked, surprised.
"I figured I might come early. We could get on the bus together?" Alan smiled, nervousness leaking through.
"Okay." Skye said simply, a small smile appearing on her face.
Alan fidgeted closer to Skye, slowly taking her hand in his. He relished the feel of her warmth in his hand, but he couldn't dare to look up towards Skye, until he felt her hand curl up around his, giving it a light squeeze. He looked up, to see Skye smile shyly at him, eliciting the same from him. They stood there, waiting for the bus, fidgeting closer until they could lean on each other.
As the bus came, the two climbed on board, hand in hand, and went to sit in their usual seat. They sat together, leaning against each other in comfortable silence, as the bus slowly rolled through the streets.
"Someone's a little comfy." Skye jumped, while Alan sighed, turning to see Alex sitting in the seat behind them.
"Didn't you sit back there before?" Alan asked.
"Oh you knew? Well, there's a new group of friends that have occupied that corner, so I've been pushed up to here." Alex shrugged.
"You seem way chipper." Alan said, noticing Alex's demeanor.
"Kind of, I guess." Alex said, chuckling nervously.
"Would it have something to do with a certain co-star?" Alan smirked.
"What- uh… I'm…" Alex started stuttering.
"Relax. We're not evil." Skye said, almost chuckling herself, although Alan could see the relief on her face. She was probably uncomfortably with Alex seeing them together, but she hasn't let go of his hand, at least.
"Besides, I've been rooting for you since day one, buddy. You're gonna kill the play. Speaking of, though, let me know how tutoring Ajay goes." Alan said. "If needs be, we have to step in to help too."
"Yeah, today's our first session, so let's see." Alex shrugged.
"Yeah…" Skye said.
Alan looked at Skye, concerned. He knew she wasn't much for letting everyone know what she was doing, especially… them. Alan put an arm around her, and hugged her tight. Skye looked at him, upon which Alan gave her a comforting smile. Skye looked at him, and seemingly picked up on it. She smiled, visibly relieved.
"It's okay." Alan whispered.
"Thanks." Skye whispered back, smiling.
Alan wanted Skye to be comfortable with him, no matter the situation. When it seemed to be the case, Alan sighed with relief, as Skye rested her head on his shoulder.
.
.
There was no rehearsal on Tuesday, at least not that Alan was aware of. He and Skye simply exited the school building, walking to the bus, when Skye stopped.
"Hey… you wanna… maybe walk?" Skye said, stammering nervously.
"Sure, Skye-with-an-E." Alan said, adding a smirk at the end.
Skye playfully punched Alan's shoulder. Alan gently grasped her hand right after the punch, gesturing towards the sidewalk. "Shall we?" he said.
"Yeah." Skye said, nodding with a smile. She tightened her grip on Alan's hand and the two walked off towards their homes.
The silence between the two was comfortable, if somewhat awkward. Alan felt fuzzy holding Skye's hand, occasionally rubbing circles on her skin with his thumb, and Skye occasionally did the same, which further messed up Alan's perception of reality.
"Hey Skye?" Alan called. Skye hummed in reply, looking at her with those deep, blue eyes of hers. "I, um… I wanna know more about you. Like, what you want to be when you grow up, or what pet you'd like. Little things like that."
Skye looked at Alan, eyes wide. "Wow, um, no one's ever asked me that before. Um… well, I guess I'd like a cat."
"Wow, that fast a decision?" Alan asked, smirking.
"No, I've always wanted to get a cat." Skye said, sighing wistfully. "Problem was, Brian had an allergy to furry animals. So, no pets for me."
"Hell." Alan said. "Well, you could befriend a furry guy without taking them to your house. I know this cat that roams the streets behind my home." He shrugged.
"Maybe later, thanks." Skye smiled. "What about you? What pet would you want?"
"Hmm…" Alan hummed. "I mean I love all animals. I wouldn't want to chain them up or lock them inside a building, really. So, not a pet person, just an animal person."
"Right." Skye said, looking down. Alan could faintly see the blush on her cheeks, and slowly felt his own heating up. "Oh, look at that, my house is here." Alan looked up to see the big mansion where Skye was pointing.
"Oh, yeah. Well, I'll see you tomorrow?" Alan asked.
"Sure." Skye smiled, then pressed a kiss to Alan's cheek. "Was that okay?"
Alan, still dazed, spoke, "More than okay." With a dreamy smile. Skye chuckled a bit, which elicited the same from Alan.
"See you soon." Alan said, making himself be bolder, and moving forward to kiss Skye's forehead. Skye purred as he did, his eyes reopening to see Skye looking at him fondly. It melted his insides to see her smiling like that at him.
"Bye, Alan." Skye said, clearly sad.
"Bye, Skye." Alan replied, smiling reassuringly. "Tomorrow!" he said, walking off. He looked back to see Skye waving back at him.
I could get used to this, Alan thought. Oh my aunt's gonna have a field day with this, he internally facepalmed.
.
.
A few more days passed like this. The play was all messed up, with Ajay gone and the play having no legitimate director. Then Luis came and volunteered to be Director, saying he'd DM'd plenty of RPG campaigns. Alan told him it wasn't the same as directing a play, but Luis didn't even pay all that much attention to him. The play was now worsening, with gamer references like 'GG' instead of a death dialogue, or 'Leroy Jenkins' instead of a battle cry. Alan could be seen facepalming multiple times during rehearsal inside the tech booth, making Skye chuckle at him.
"I hope they can get Ajay's grades up or we're dead in the water." Alan said to Skye, as another theatre session ended, sans Ajay.
"You wanna get some Ice cream?" Alan smirked.
"Huh?" Skye looked at Alan, dazed, as if shaken awake.
"I said, would you like to get some ice cream? With me?" Alan smiled, extending a hand.
"Oh… yeah. Sure." Skye smiled, taking his hand.
"Great. I know a good place." Alan said, leading Skye to the ice cream parlor he'd scoped out during his first days in town. "You're gonna love it."
"You're pretty excited." Skye said, curiosity in her voice.
"You'll see why in a second." Alan smirked.
Alan and Skye walked for some time, until they arrived at an ice cream parlor that looked fairly new.
"Over the Topping?" Skye asked.
"Yes, they're very punny, but the ice cream tastes good, so I'd say they do their job well." Alan said.
Alan led Skye inside, and let her browse the selection.
"I think you'll be particularly interested in this one." Alan said, pointing at one particular flavour. Skye's eyes widened as she saw a black ice cream tub with sprinkles- in the shape of skulls- in it.
"What is that and why have I never had it?" She said excitedly.
"The Undertaker awaits you. That's the name of the flavour, by the way." Alan shrugged.
"Right." Skye said, still in awe.
"I'll get us cones. You take over a table for us." Alan said, heading to the counter.
Skye simply went and sat down at a two-seater table, and soon, Alan walked over with two cones of charcoal ice cream.
"One Undertaker for the lady. And one for her humble companion." He said with a British accent, handing Skye her ice cream.
"Dork." Skye said.
"Takes one to know one, Skye-with-an-E." Alan smirked.
"You're lucky I'm too taken over by this thing." Skye smiled. Alan smiled back, as they both tasted their ice cream.
"Mmmm." Was the sound that escaped both their lips, followed by their synchronized laughter.
"Best ice cream?" Alan asked.
"Agreed. How'd you find this place?" Skye asked.
"It was dumb luck. I was simply walking around, getting to know the town, I glance in this place's direction, see a new ice cream parlor, think it's cool, suddenly- my eyes land on a black tub through the observation counter. From outside, through the door." Alan shrugged.
"I'm glad you saw it though. Charcoal ice cream…" she trailed off, taking another bite out of her cone, a hum escaping her lips. She opened her eyes to see Alan looking at her and smiling. "What?"
"You looked adorable. I can't help it." Alan said, chuckling.
"Shut up!" Skye said, attempting to hide her face behind her ice cream cone, cheeks visibly red.
Letting out another chuckle, Alan bit into his cone.
"Now you're making the same expression." Skye said, chuckling.
"Hardy har har." Alan said, smirking, before they both burst out laughing. Alan could swear, Skye's laughter was so pure. "Honestly I could listen to you laugh all day." He said out loud, then suddenly felt awkward. Skye herself blushed again, eyes darting from side to side. "Too much?" Alan asked, nervously.
"It's… okay." Skye said softly.
"Well, I meant it though." Alan said, barely audible, but Skye heard him, making her blush even more.
"Well, I'm done with mine." Skye said after a while, having finished her cone.
"Me too." Alan said.
"So, we should go?" Skye asked, unsure.
"Um, yeah, of course." Alan said, chuckling nervously. The two got up and left the parlor, walking towards their homes.
The nervousness was palpable between them. Alan looked straight ahead. His imaginary friends were nowhere to be seen. Skye on the other hand, looked down, barely keeping an eye on the path in front of her.
Soon, in silence, they came up to the block before Skye's house.
"So-" they both began at the same time. Then, they looked at each other and laughed out. The tension seemed to leave them, if slowly.
"So I'll see you tomorrow?" Alan said, smiling now.
"Of course." Skye smiled back. Finally, they stood in front of Skye's mansion gates. "Bye, Alan."
"Bye, Skye." Alan replied.
"Bye." Skye said.
"Yeah, bye." Alan said.
They stood there awkwardly, staring at each other, making no attempt to move despite the countless 'bye's they'd just told each other. Truth was, they didn't want to be away from each other, and they knew it.
But they couldn't stay like this for the rest of the day. She had her deadlines and her parents to handle.
"Okay, we're terrible at this," Alan laughed, getting a chuckle out of Skye as well, "but you should head inside." He finished, reaching out and taking her hand. "See you soon."
"Yeah, see you." Skye said, smiling, and her eyes twinkled at Alan, who could swear his heart skipped a beat or two. She walked in through the gates of her parents' mansion, and walked to the building, giving Alan one last look before going through the door.
Alan sighed. I have it bad, don't I? He thought to himself.
.
.
Thursday morning, Alan and Skye sat on the bus as usual, this time aware that Alex sat behind them.
"So how's tutoring Ajay going?" Alan asked, and Skye looked up from leaning on his shoulder.
"Not good. We're making progress, but it's slow. At this stage if he gives an exam, instead of an F he might get a D." Alex said.
"That's not near enough." Alan said, sighing as his brows furrowed. "He needs at least a C+ if he's going to raise his average. And at this rate, with only a few weeks left till the show date, he won't come back till the week after the next, which will mean not enough time to finish up on everything."
"Are you sure you're doing a good job explaining it to him? Maybe you're just cruddy teachers." Skye asked.
"Hey, we were doing our best, thank you very much!" Alex replied.
"Not that I don't trust you, but since things are looking so desperate, maybe we should swing by sometime. Just to see…" Skye said, trailing off.
"Okay." Alex said.
"Alrighty." Alan said. Skye rested her head back on his shoulder, smiling and letting out a breath.
The bus shuddered to a halt as they reached Berry, and the doors parted to let the students out. Alan, Skye and Alex got off the bus and walked on into the school, everyone heading to their classes. The day rolled by same as any other.
Rehearsal was a pain, what with Luis's gaming references, and more scenes just going to the garbage in a hand basket, as Alan had put it. It even got a small chuckle out of Skye, which he felt proud about.
.
.
Soon enough, it was Friday, and after school hours, everyone headed to the library to help with teaching Ajay maths.
Easier said than done, Alan thought to himself as he watched Erin try for the… he doesn't remember how many times she's tried to teach him, but when it comes to Math, Ajay is only a few evolutions over being an absolute vegetable, he realised.
"So, one turn around the circle is two pi radians. Then how many radians is three quarters of a turn around the circle, Ajay?" Erin asked.
Skye was reading through Ajay's Math textbook as everyone wrangled with teaching Ajay.
"Three… eighth pi radians? Wait, no…" Ajay tried, trailing off, his brow furrowed in thought.
Alan told them he'd have to go through it too to get a firm grasp on what to teach, but Skye was already on it.
"Why not make up a symbol that equals 'two pi' to make things cleaner?" she started hesitantly. "Like, let's call it 'berry'… so one turn around the circle is one berry radians, and…" she began drawing to illustrate what she meant. "… if that makes any sense she said nervously when she was done."
Ajay's face suddenly lights up as he looks at Skye's drawing. "Oh my God… I get what's happening!"
"That looks way more clear!" Alex said from beside Ajay.
"Really?" Skye asked, surprised.
"Yes! It's so simple!" Ajay said, half smiling, half awe struck.
"He's had a breakthrough! Skye you're a miracle worker!" Erin near yelled.
"Simmer down, guys. We're still at a library." Alan said. "Great job, Skye." He smiled at Skye.
"We need to add a Skye shrine to the theater now!" Alex said.
"No way. That's too much." Skye said, suddenly nervous again.
"It can be a small one." Alex tried.
"Even a small one is too much!" Skye replied.
"Let's get through the rest of the chapter before we start worshipping her…" Danielle said.
"I agree, although I'm not opposed to the shrine idea…" Alan smirked at Skye.
"Shut up." Skye said, although cracking a smile.
"Skye can you explain the next lesson?" Erin asked.
"I think I know a way…" Skye said as they get to studying.
As time rolls by, gradually, Ajay gets better and better, clearing all of his misconceptions and understanding problems as Skye goes through them carefully.
Eventually, Ajay puts the pen down, "I did it! I'm all set for the big exam!" he said with a triumphant smile.
"Skye made it look so easy!" Rory said.
"Because she can actually explain things." Ajay smirked. "So much better than your 'Horses Can Hear Their Owners Coming' thing".
"Oh my God, that's not even close! That would have been HCH-TOC." Rory said.
Suddenly, Alex's stomach grumbles as everyone starts gathering up their things. "I'm starving, we were in here forever…"
Skye suddenly looks up, her face pale. "Wait, what time is it?"
Alan also remembers the dinner she had mentioned. Friday, she'd told him. "Oh no…" he said lightly.
"Like 8:30?" Erin said.
"I didn't realise it'd gotten so late! I missed the company dinner!" Skye said, her hands on her head. "Oh no. Oh no! My parents are gonna kill me!"
"Skye, if you hurry, can you still make it?" Alex asked.
"No it's too late. It started at 5:00, so it's probably over already." Skye said. "Oh my God, I'm so dead…" she sink into her seat.
Suddenly, the doors to the library fly open, and Skye's parents storm inside, their faces twisted with rage.
"THERE YOU ARE!" Mrs. Crandall yells out.
"You embarassed us and ruined everything!" Mr. Crandall said, not so quiet himself.
"Please, not in front of everyone…" Skye tried, her voice quivering.
"Why not? You made us look like fools in front of everyone! Everyone was asking, 'Where's you daughter?'" Mrs. Crandall said.
"I didn't mean to miss the dinner! I lost track of time helping-" Skye began.
"Cut the crap." Mr. Crandall interrupted. "You were just wasting time with your friends." His cold voice truly sent shivers down Alan's spine as he watched Skye's parents belittle her. He felt angrier than he'd ever felt in his life, but he knew he couldn't just lash out.
"Typical for someone as irresponsible and selfish as you." Mrs. Crandall said, her voice the epitome of venomous.
Skye's eyes welled up with tears. Alan couldn't take it anymore. But before he could do anything, Alex was already on his feet.
"Hey how dare you talk to Skye that way! Leave her alone! You're the worst parents ever!" Alex yelled out.
"Who is this?" Mr. Crandall scoffed at Alex. "Maybe this kid is where you get your stupid arrogance from."
Skye looked like she was about to explode. Alan knew something snapped inside her. It was time to strike.
"Better that than your cold, inhuman attitude." Alan fired straight back.
"I'm sorry what did you say?" Mrs. Crandall said, her voice dripping venom.
"I'm sorry, I didn't realise your senses were going away as you were getting old, Mr and Mrs. Crandall. Let me be perfectly clear." Alan spoke, as coldly as he could. "You're cold, inhuman, machines with flesh on you, and you have no idea how to be parents. Go learn some humanity and parenting." He spit his words out. His anger was burning in his eyes. Skye's parents were genuinely surprised. "Your daughter is trying to help people, and she's studying tirelessly herself so she can be somebody. All you were doing at your fancy corporate dinner is sucking up to people so they like you and throw cash at you. Guess where else that happens." He knew he'd probably gone too far, but it was too late. He was seething with rage. Nobody hurt Skye on his watch.
Mrs. Crandall regained her senses, although still sputtering words. "You- I'll have a strict word with your parents, whoever you are."
Alan snorted. "You'd have to hold a séance, idiots. How do you think I know the significance a parent has in the life of a kid? How I know you're throwing that away for nothing but your image." He spit that last word with as much venom as Mrs. Crandall. "Treat your daughter better, you heartless machines. She's your child, not a company project or some damn investment."
"Oh my God. Skye what horrible friends have you made here. This? Joking about his parents's death? They must be turning in their graves." Mr. Crandall tried a low blow.
Alan didn't care. He'd had his share if parental insults. But Skye couldn't take it anymore.
"Shut up! Just shut up! You have to ruin everything in my life! I hate you!" she screamed, her face streamed with tears. Her black eyeliner now all over her cheeks.
"Oh now you've done it. You are not talking back to us!" Mrs. Crandall said.
"We're not done with this, Skye. We're having a long talk when we get home." Mr. Crandall followed up as they began to walk out.
Skye takes one look at Alan before she is escorted out by her parents, her face streaked with tears. It just about killed Alan to see her like that. But he knew he'd have to wait, get ready for stuff if necessary.
But he didn't feel very good right now. He just said quick goodbyes, as everyone else did the same and left quietly. He needed to go home. His mental state wasn't the best.
.
.
Alan felt so strange, not seeing Skye on the bus, but he'd figured she needed some time.
Which is okay, he'd thought.
He felt… weird, different. He'd been alone before, but this felt different. Things just weren't the same without Skye. He facepalmed hard as he sat alone in Physics class, waiting eagerly for the bell to ring and to just get out of there.
Soon, it was rehearsal time. Alan half expected Skye to turn up there, since he knew this play meant a lot to her. As he got there though, he was met with another surprise.
"Alright, let's get started! Where did we leave off?" Alan heard and spotted a familiar Indian speak.
"Ajay! You're back?" Alex said.
"I aced my test!" Ajay said, smiling wide. "It lifted my grade into passing territory!"
"So no more saying 'Good Luck Have Fun' before battles?" Rory asked.
"No more Clancraft crossover lore?" Erin asked, although it was clear it was rhetorical.
"Forget that! Forget all of that!" Ajay yelled, shaking his hands. "Everything that Luis told you, I give you full permission to erase from your memory!"
"Yes! Everything's finally back to normal!" Alex smiled.
"Better than normal, even. You guys got Aiden Zhou to compose for us while I was gone!" Ajay said excitedly.
"Yeah that was all them." Alan pointed at Alex and Rory.
"It was nothing! Just took some light convincing." Alex shrugged.
"I'd like to see this 'light convincing' in action sometime…" Ajay smirked, before clapping his hands for attention. Soon everyone was spreading out with work and going to get ready to rehearse. Trevor, however, was searching the room. Alan knew he was looking for Skye. It was looking like she wasn't coming to rehearsal either.
"Guys, where's Skye?" Trevor asked. "We need her to build the sets."
"She's not here?" Rory asked.
"I haven't seen her since…" Alex trailed off.
Alan sighed.
!-!-!-!-!
Hello! I come in peace!
Since I was so late, I thought I'd make up for it by making the chapter longer than usual. Dunno if it makes up for anything, or if anyone's even reading this, but… oh well.
As always, constructive criticism is always welcome. Leave a review, guys.
See y'all in the next one soon. Peace!