Chapter 20
"Haa, Haa, Haa…"
Running to the picnic area we agreed on proved harder than I would've thought. It hadn't occurred to me until now but it's starting to change to autumn. So blame it all on the colder air if they ask why I'm so tired.
I can't be tired though, this is the first time all of us have actually gone out and did something as a group. All the adventures I've had so far have only involved two of my friends and me. Two of them at the most I mean. Finally I get a chance to hang out with all of them at once.
To be honest, I was starting to think none of them liked me at all as a friend. Fear consumed my whole being for at least a day. Then a ray of bright sunshine came through. Or should I say lilac hair. That's right, for once Neptune actually came showed me how wrong I was.
As much as I, or anyone for that matter would hate to admit… Neptune isn't that dumb. She has her own way of showing how wise she is. Ok, wise might be going a bit too far but I'm pretty sure the point has been made. The sad part of this whole thing is I can't tell her this or else she'll get cocky and start ordering me around since I'll be "in debt" to her.
Looking at my watch it's Eleven twenty four. The picnic actually doesn't start until noon. My reason for an early arrival is to make sure the food is cooked before they all get here. Just a way of showing all of their making me going insane faces that I'm a cool friend. Geez, now I'm starting to sound like Neptune.
"Well, might as well fire up one of the grills here."
Most parks have charcoal grills around and about the grounds. At last I see the reason for their installment.
"Charcoal… Check. Lighter fluid… Check. Hot Dogs and Hamburger Patties… Check. Buns and Condiments… Check."
So far so good, nothing was left off of my checklist. Neptune and Nepgear were tasked to bring the chips. Nepgear will most likely be the one to have them, knowing her sister. While Noire and Uni offered to supply the drinks to this outing of ours. Both are reliable people, I have nothing to worry about. Blanc, Rom and Ram said they would bring the paper plates and cups. It's hard to mess that up, even so if we didn't have plates it wouldn't kill all of us. And last but not least Vert insisted she be the one to bring the traditional picnic blanket along with some games to provide slight entertainment.
For once in my pathetic existence, things might actually go as planned. Still, I won't count my chickens before they hatch. Anything is possible with these girls. Especially some of the more immature members of the group. I'm not going to mention anyone in particular, *cough* Neptune. *Cough* Vert.
Just by looking at the way those two think one might mistake them for sisters if Nepgear weren't around. However I was never one to judge a book by its cover. Instead I judge by the author. Just because I've known the two of them for a little over two weeks now doesn't mean I know everything about them.
That's just the way I like it though. As long as they don't know everything about me yet I'll be fine. What I talk about now won't be a concern for a while at least. For now I can't think too much on the subject since the first victim, I mean friend has arrived.
Strange enough, she's alone.
"Noire, I didn't expect anyone to come this early."
"I should say the same."
Predictable, she wanted to one-up everyone like usual. She's got a good work ethic I'll give her that. As to why she's alone is a mystery. Usually Uni would be trying to get the better of her sister who is getting the better of everyone else. I guess Noire finally got the better of Uni's getting the better of. Better?
And the word of the day is better. Enough of that though, I'm still curious as to why she showed up this early. Its eleven thirty from what my watch says, that's early even by Noire standards. She doesn't have any drinks with her, another motive perhaps?
"How did I know you'd be here this early?" Noire speaks to me in her usual self righteous tone.
"We've been friends for a little over two weeks, you know me enough by now probably."
Yet I don't have the slightest clue about her. Every time I think I come closer to understanding I just end up with more questions than answers. Of course these dilemmas have caused me much hardship recently.
Knowledge of the rest of the girls is limited greatly much like Noire. Even though it's sort of… ok it is completely being nosey, I kind of want to learn a whole cornucopia of information about each of them. I'm just scared about the possible future is all.
The outcome I fear the most is that they didn't actually see me as a friend and I end up being embarrassed. Afterwards I go into a more depressed state than I was in. However, there are two sides to every coin.
The more favorable ending is I build our friendships to a whole new level. If that ends up happening, then I might, just might have hope in this life.
"Are you ok? You seem spaced out more than usual." Maybe I misjudged Noire, she has a concerned side to her. Even though it's just me thinking a little bit Noire's generally concerned about my well-being. "I'm… fine. I just need to lie down for a little bit."
"Ok, here let me help you. Bu… but I'm not doing this out of kindness, just making sure you don't die on me."
I don't think I'm going to die, I hope not at least. Death is sort of a crappier alternative to my life. I'm also too stubborn to just kick the bucket.
Noire's hands are placed on my shoulders to guide me to the ground. I don't know how to explain this, but her touch is soft and firm at the same time. It's… comforting, that's all I can say about it.
Looking back up her pigtails are flowing in the wind. It hadn't occurred to me before because I'd been to focused in other matters, but Noire is what the modern kids call not bad.
Saying these sorts of things feels wrong though, she's one of my greatest friends after all. Granite she's one of my only friends but who the hell's counting? Now that my mind is finally clearing, I can see truths where I have not before.
After a slow lowering down I finally hit the ground. To be honest my mind cleared up on the way down here. It's just… I don't want to get up immediately after Noire helped me down. She's a girl who has severe pride issues I've learned that much about her at least. So I'm pretty sure every man understands not to damage someone's pride or else they get really pissed at you.
"Thank you Noire… you're a really good friend."
My remark causes her to blush a little bit. I think that's my hidden ability in life, make people blush just by saying anything a friend would say. Then again I haven't had friends in many years. I don't exactly know how to talk to people my age properly yet.
"Well… you're welcome Jack. Just one more reason I'm better than anyone else." Like I said pride issues.
"Since no one else is around I can finally tell you what I meant to tell you Wednesday."
Sweet sassy molassy I'm going to find out who Noire has a crush on so early in the year. Her lips come close to my left ear and she begins to whisper. "It's… actually AHHH!"
"Ahhh!" My screams have achieved the blood curdling level now.
Goddamn Neptune has to show up right when things are getting interesting. If this whole Noire about to tell me then Neptune shows up and ruins it act keeps going on I'll never progress mentally. And to think I was complimenting Neptune earlier.
In case you're having trouble processing what has just occurred, Neptune went up and grabbed Noire from behind. The surprised yell of Noire almost made me go deaf. The only good part of Neptune showing up when she did is now it won't be so awkward with just Noire and me around.
In the distance I can see Nepgear running after her idiotic older sister. Upon further inspection Neptune doesn't appear to have anything in her hands. Going back to Nepgear I can see she's carrying many bags likely filled with the chips for today's menu.
The only word that comes to mind is savagery. It's not only rude to make your more responsible younger sister carry all the bags even if they aren't that heavy, it's also savage to be able to still laugh and kill peoples ears while they fall behind. Sometimes Neptune knows just how to piss me off.
On a more friendly note my gentlemen side comes out for this part. Picking myself off the dusty ground proves a challenge that even Hercules himself would have trouble with. My ears are to the point of almost bleeding and getting up too quickly wasn't the best idea. Thoughts right now on the pain I feel include…
'Good Lord Neptune How You Frustrate Me So!'
Still, the pain isn't bad enough for me to cringe, just enough to get annoying. Slowly but surely I walk over to Nepgear. My right arm reaches out to her and like I expected she's a tad confused at this. She's a bit of an airhead when it comes to small tasks. However she catches on quickly and hands me about half of the bags.
Cures my gentlemen nature, it's going to kill me one of these days I'm sure. Hell, I can't even see myself as a gentleman anymore since last Friday. Almost killing a man tends to do that to you.
Nepgear doesn't care about that ordeal on Friday. She even went on to tell me that I showed a lot of maturity by not and admitting I had a moment of weakness. Afterwards Uni said that I overcame the temptation of it. Uni could've also just been a little happy that I gave her the first magic deck she's ever had.
The area where we are holding the picnic is nothing more than just an area of some really green grass. After getting the imaginary guideline in place Nepgear and I place the bags of chips down gently.
"Thank you Jack, you didn't have to help someone like me though carry. But thank you again for your assistance."
Someone like me? It hadn't hit me until now but Nepgear has some serious issues when it comes to seeing self worth. Am I a bad friend that I didn't notice that trait until recently? Gah! I hate trying to understand people! Keep your cool Jack, we don't want a repeat of the last football game.
"No problem, just ask if you ever need anything alight?" Now I'm starting to sound like one of those anime high school characters.
The making girls' blushes counter goes up to two today. It's barely visible but I can make out the rose color on Nepgear's cheeks. Adorable is the only word that comes to mind at its sight.
"Phew, all this running really brings a sweat to my forehead." Really Neptune? You didn't even carry anything you left all the work to Nepgear instead. I'm not just talking about the physical part. Examining the bags of chips closer I can see the wide variety of flavors. Nepgear must've organized this to not disappoint anyone with a missing flavor.
There's only one chip that matters in my book though… the holy cheddar sour cream. Even if there were just plain potato chips I'm sure no one would care. All of us being together for once and actually doing something.
Food is good but company's better. And it always will be for generations to pass.
"You haven't done anything else so why are you complaining?" Damn Noire is getting on Neptune more than usual today. Can't say I blame her though, she does have it coming.
"Says the one with no friends." No! Not the friend argument again. Last time it happened I never heard the end of it. Just when it is starting to die down Neptune has to go and throw gasoline on the fire.
"Now now ladies, is today a good day to fight?" Oh boy Vert am I glad to see you. Entering at this moment may have just saved us from the endless nagging of Neptune and Noire.
Why can't Noire come clean already? I know deep inside she cares for Neptune as a friend even though she can show it in a cold manner. And Neptune to not tease her for this. Somewhere inside their hearts I know there is a mutual respect for each other.
"I guess you're right…" Noire's pride has taken a hit. Her eyes are closed tightly and she's shaking a bit trying to control her emotions.
There's more light to this whole picnic though, past Vert's shoulder I can see Rom and Ram running while Blanc is slowly behind them. Next to Blanc is Uni who is carrying the drinks. In Blanc's hands are bags with a smaller bag of paper plates and plastic cups.
Uni must've caught up with Blanc at least and walked the rest of the way with them. If Uni wants to surpass Noire's work till you're about dead attitude then she has a long way to go. It's going to be entertaining to say the least.
"Uni, you're later than I expected." It's only eleven fifty, this damn picnic doesn't officially start until noon. Noire's over expectations of her sister are probably the reason Uni doesn't see her self worth at times.
"I- I'm sorry Noire. I'll do better next time." Uni's facial expression goes from bad to worse. Just saying that probably shook her confidence.
"While it is entertaining to a certain degree I must ask you to stop this squabbling. Sisters having their own moments make me jealous." Oh yeah Vert doesn't have any siblings. She claims she's jealous of the others for not having siblings, I'd kill to be an only child.
"One of these days Maurice… One of these days." I whisper that to myself.
As quiet as I try to keep my thoughts Rom manages to hear me a little. Damn she has Vulcan hearing. "Are you… alright Mister Jack?"
"You don't have to call me mister you know, just Jack is fine."
Now I've managed to hurt her feelings… I think. Her usual sad look goes into a new stage. One possibility is that I made her think she was doing something wrong. Who cares though, I know how to make it alright.
"I'm alright though, thank you for asking." I smile and hold my hand out to reassure her that she's done nothing wrong.
Her frown goes to a smile and for the first time ever since I've known her she puts her arms down to her sides. I always wandered why her arms always covered her mouth. I guess it has to do with her over the top shy personality.
"Hey dummy! Wanna play tag with me and Rom?" Ram calls out to Rom and I. Normally I would let my inner child break out but I can't do it right now. Someone has to use the grill and I don't trust of few of the people in the group with charcoal, a lighter and lighter fluid.
"Sorry Ram, I've got to get cooking. Maybe later ok?"
"Ok!" She's the polar opposite of Rom I'll give her that.
Well, time to get up off my ass and get grilling. The time is eleven fifty four and a great time to cook. Already today there has been so many events. Even if a few people can't stay in order. After I talked to Rom Neptune just vanished, Nepgear went under a tree to talk to Uni, and Vert and Blanc are fighting a little for obvious reasons.
Hell yeah today is a good day. Even if they are a rowdy bunch I still like them. As friends that is, nothing weird. As I light the charcoal I think to myself. "Who's going to be the one who kills me today?"
A/N: Terribly sorry again for the delay in updates. I know that the chapter kind of sucks right, since I can't keep conversations between people going on. There's only so much I'm capable of. Even through my horrible writing some people stick through and give me support.
Review for further improvement. And Message me if you have any ideas about future chapters, they might get featured. That's all for now, see you in the next update.