This chapter has more Spendid in it. Enjoy!

~Infinity Guitars

When Opposites Attract - Chapter 6

I had never been so thankful for it to be the weekend. After what happened yesterday, I had no desire whatsoever to speak to anyone for a while. Petunia had shown a completely different part of her personality- where had that outburst come from? Why was she so set on blaming me for everyone else's choices? I wasn't so neurotic that people absolutely couldn't tell me anything worrying... right? Doubt had started to seep into my mind as I thought things over, trying to come up with something that could justify her reasoning. Or, their reasoning, more like it- Petunia was speaking as if it were a joint decision to keep me in the dark. Maybe it really was for my own good.

I sighed, shaking the thoughts from my head as I walked outside. There was a gentle Autumn breeze that rattled what leafs that remained on the trees lining the streets, as well as my small frame, causing me to fold my arms as I continued down the street. I figured it was too late for me to turn around for a light jacket at my house, and the temperature was a good influence for me to make quick time on my trek to the grocery store in the town square. I wanted a random ingredient for the kitchen, and knowing I'd eventually need it later on, I decided to buy it now. That, and I just wanted a good excuse to get out of the house for a while, even if it was just to run a small errand.

Eventually I reached the supermarket, approaching a pair of automatic doors that slid open to reveal a brightly-lit mass of aisles, and a bored looking Shifty. He surprisingly still had that fedora perched atop his light green hair, although now he wore slacks, a white button down shirt, and an apron with the store's logo embroidered on the front pocket. He definitely cleaned up well, and it made me wonder why he didn't do it more often- probably to keep up the tough guy appearance he and his twin brother put on. He gave me a short nod when he noticed my arrival, which I returned with a sheepish wave. I felt like I had to make some sort of conversation, so I settled on a simple question.

"Ah... where's Lifty?" I asked.

"Lifty? He's somewhere in the back, borrowing something." he answered with a shrug.

Well. That's enough of that.

"A-anyway, could you tell me where the spices a-are?"

"Aisle 7."

I quickly walked away; worried I would be considered an accomplice to theft if I stuck around and talked to him any longer. I was glad to see that the supermarket was fairly empty; I wanted to come as early as possible, and it seemed that my plan to arrive when the doors first opened was a good one. Knowing how small Happy Tree was, I didn't want there to be any possibility of me running into people from school, especially after yesterday's fiasco. I didn't even consider what I would say to any of them yet- if I would say anything at all. But the two days I had until Monday seemed like more than enough time to me to figure something out. Eventually I arrived at aisle 7, and hurriedly began to search through it, wanting to get out of the store as quickly as possible-

"Ouch!"

I walked right smack into somebody, stumbling backwards and landing on the cold linoleum floor. God, why did I have to be so unaware of everything when I was thinking? An apology was right on my lips, before it disappeared as I noticed the pair of sneakers in front of me, followed by a red cape dragging across the floor.

"Flaky?"

"S-Splendid!" I quickly scrambled to my feet before he could even offer his hand to help me up, my face searing a bright red.

"Are you alright?" he asked, concern clear in his tone, although he directed me a polite smile. He was probably trying to make me feel better. I just felt pathetic.

"I-I'm fine! Just l-looking for the thyme." I stammered.

Splendid grinned even wider, his blue eyes crinkling a bit at the corners. In one fluid movement he reached up, grabbing a bottle from the top shelf in the aisle, something I definitely would've struggled with at with my short height. When he returned, he tossed the bottle to me and I fumbled it instantly before it fell to the floor. My lack of coordination rendered me useless when it came to catching things, which is why I never ever tried out for sports.

"You know, you should let me buy you lunch."

What?

My face burned even hotter, and my eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"W-why?"

"You're obviously not in a state to cook... I wouldn't want you to drop anything dangerous." he laughed.

I already did plenty of that in chemistry class... I thought bitterly, my gaze dropping to my hands. It was odd, talking to him like this- Splendid clearly wasn't present for yesterday's drama because he was busy being a hero; ushering students out of their classrooms and helping everyone evacuate the fire. It didn't occur to me that he wouldn't have known everything that happened. Or maybe he did. I could imagine Petunia telling him how much of an idiot I had been, happily catching him up on all of my blunders since I had moved to this town. The possibility that Splendid was just humoring me made something in my stomach twist with anxiety.

"Um. Th-that's alright, Splendid! I don't want to trouble y-you..." I said as I began my walk to the cashier.

I thought that would be the end of the conversation, but Splendid followed right along with his basket of groceries, his cape waving behind him as he easily kept pace with me while I approached the check-out line. I realized that I hadn't picked up the thyme that I dropped earlier, but Splendid held it out for me as soon as I remembered. I took the bottle with a sheepish smile. He reminded me of a lovesick puppy. How the hell was he in such a good mood?

"You? A trouble? Nonsense! I insist."

I paid the cashier for my spices, and turned around just in time to see Splendid packing up his groceries instead of the designated bagger. He really was nice... I just didn't feel like going to lunch today. I didn't even feel like being out in public today, if I was being honest with myself. The longer time I spent negotiating with him, the more of a chance I had encountering somebody else from school in this grocery store, and I definitely didn't want that to happen.

"Please?" he asked again, giving me a pleading look, complete with an exaggerated pout. I blinked in surprise, glancing away. I could never deny anyone who put on the theatrics like that.

"F-fine."

We ended up going to a small café that served "the best breakfast ever", as Splendid put it, even though it was the only café in Happy Tree and it didn't seem like he had much experience outside the town borders. In fact, that seemed to be the case for everybody that lived here. It was like were all born right in the hospital down the road, and raised in the same houses their parents lived in beforehand. I grew curious while he got us a table by the window, wondering if any of the locals had ever left Happy Tree- or if they even wanted to. Before I could even think to ask, however, the hostess handed us menus, telling us our waitress would be over soon.

"You should try the white chocolate macadamia cappuccino. It's delicious." he suggested.

"I-I would... but I'm allergic to nuts." I said, remembering the last reaction I had a few years ago. It wasn't pretty, and I ended up in the emergency room.

"Oh, that's too bad... they do have other coffee that's really good, though."

Splendid pointed out a few other options on the drink portion of the menu. As I was about to respond, somebody's cheerful voice interrupted me.

"Welcome to the Happy Tree Café, I'll be your waitress today..." the voice trailed off, and I looked up to see Giggles.

Her eyes widened, a mirror image of mine, and I was at a loss for words. What was I supposed to even say to her? What was she going to say to me? I didn't have a chance to start worrying about it, because she broke into a long list of apologies almost instantly, each one quickly running into the next as her voice sped up. I gaped at her in shock, while Splendid just looked completely and utterly confused. For once, I was thankful that he wasn't in on the loop.

"Flaky, I am so sorry, I know I should have said something yesterday but Petunia never acts like that, we were all so surprised that she could say something so... so mean to you! I just froze, and before I knew it you were gone and Petunia was crying and I was crying and I wanted to text you but I thought you wanted to cool off- and then I started thinking you were going to hate me forever- you don't hate us, do you? Petunia is really really sorry too, she's totally going to apologize on Monday before school and if she doesn't I swear I'll -"

"Giggles. I-it's okay." I interrupted.

She stopped right in her tracks, and exhaled in relief, a grateful smile pulling at her lips as her naturally cheerful disposition returned. Splendid still looked lost, glancing between the two of us and raising an eyebrow.

"Did... something happen yesterday?" he asked curiously.

"Well-"

"It's nothing." I interrupted, and thankfully Giggles clammed up for once.

For some reason I knew that Splendid's reaction to this wouldn't be pretty- he was naturally overprotective, I wouldn't put it past him to confront somebody- either Giggles or Petunia- for what happened yesterday. My thoughts flashed to Flippy for a second, before I halted that train of thought in its tracks. I didn't want to stir the pot any more than it had been. Besides, Giggles said that Petunia really was sorry... as long as I could put this situation behind us, then I'd be willing to accept her apology.

"Well... okay! What'll you two have?" Giggles asked, untucking a pen from behind her ear to write down our orders.

"Ladies first." Splendid said, gesturing towards me.

"A blueberry scone and a coffee, please." I said, turning back towards Giggles.

"An egg white omelet, please." he said, simply radiating good health.

"And how would you like your coffee, Flaky?"

"Black, no sugar."

They both looked at me in surprise, and I turned pink with embarrassment.

"...alrighty! I'll be back with your orders in a few!" Giggles said, walking back to the kitchen. Splendid chuckled as I twiddled my thumbs nervously, trying to keep calm.

"I didn't know you liked your coffee black."

"Um, I started drinking it ever since I was a kid..."

After Giggles gave us our food, we ended up chatting long after we finished. I found that in a relaxed setting, Splendid was really a nice person to talk to, and I was relieved that things didn't get too awkward when we spoke. He didn't bring up anything embarrassing, and for the first time that day, I felt at ease. Once we finished, Splendid paid for everything, despite my request to at least cover for my order. But he shook his head, insisting that he did anyway. He even pulled out my chair for me when we left, and I blushed as we walked out together. This wasn't a date, was it? It didn't feel like a date, but I wondered if it looked that way to other people. Splendid certainly acted like he was taking me out, but maybe he was just really polite- I guessed chivalry wasn't dead after all.

He escorted me home, since my street was fairly close by, and we made some more small talk the whole way back. He even insisted on holding my bag for groceries on top of all of his, and he looked borderline comedic juggling everything while he strode next to me. I couldn't help but giggle quietly at the sight, and he grinned over at me, straightening up a little so it didn't look like he was carrying ten bags. Alright, he was showing off, and it was cute- but this still wasn't a date! I convinced myself of that by the time we made it onto my front landing. I fumbled for my key in my pocket while Splendid patiently waited, before I finally produced the key and unlocked the door.

"Thanks for lunch, Splendid. I-it was nice talking to you." I said, turning around to face him.

Splendid glanced off to the left, and I followed his gaze to Flippy's house. It looked like he was searching for something inside, as if he had x-ray vision. I knew he didn't, though... so what was so important over there?

"Splendid?" I asked, and his attention quickly turned back to me. His expression had changed slightly; I couldn't explain it, though.

"Ah, sorry Flaky. What did you say?" he said apologetically.

I paused for a moment, and shook my head.

"N-never mind. See you at school."

Splendid waved, before strolling down the street in the opposite direction of which we came. I shut the door, walking inside, and quickly stored the bottle of thyme in my spice cabinet. What was he looking at outside? The question was stuck in my head for the rest of the day, until I went to sleep.

Bam. A small chapter since I was gone.

Sorry it was boring, I just need to lead up to a certain point. ^.^;

Again, thanks for the comments and criticisms/advice! :D I'll be sure to try to improve the story!

~Infinity Guitars