PEEP! PEEP! PEEP!
Smilin' Stan's whistle sounded loud and clear, as the teens all stood next to the lake, its waters clear and cool, reflecting the sunny sky.
It was a perfect day for swimming.
But not necessarily a perfect day for plans, as most of them would find out.
"Ok…", Whitney, eagerly anticipating her friends sage advice, leaned her head close to Becky. "What do you think?"
Becky frowned, but in a tired and resigned sort of way.
It wasn't that she didn't want to help Whitney; As annoying as Whitney could get, she was still her friend.
"Sort of…", she thought with a sigh, knowing that these days, Whitney viewed friendship as more of a "Take and Take" than a "Give and Take".
Sure, Becky and Dana were her "BFF'S FOR, LIKE, LIFE!" when she needed to impress a cute boy or go shopping, but when it came to anything that didn't remotely interest her, Whitney turned passive and dismissive, as if doing something that someone else wanted to do was this cruel and unusual punishment.
But, despite her frustration at being treated like nothing more than a glorified foot stool, the reason Becky couldn't help was because she didn't know how to flirt with boys.
She barely knew how to flirt with the only gender that interested her, how the hell would she know how to pick up a boy?
But she had promised to help, and Becky really did want to keep that promise, even if it was for an up her own ass jerkface like…
"Becky, stop introspecting already! I need advice, not narration about your so called "problems"!", Whitney barked, causing Becky to waken from her stupor.
"Hey! My "so called problems" are problems!", Becky yelled back, hurt by the assertion that her unenviable high school drama meant nothing in the grand scheme of things.
…And…
Maybe Whitney was right?
After all, how many people did care about the feelings of one very confused and lonely girl, who just wanted to feel loved, just a little…
"Damn it, Becky! I asked you to stop narrating to yourself!"
Darn. She DOES have a point.
Becky shook her head and focused on Whitney, who tapped her foot impatiently, the summer sun shining on her exposed skin, making it glint.
"Well?", Whitney demanded, awaiting instructions.
Becky tried, despite the difficulty, to muster some sort of confidence.
"Just imagine that Miguel is… Leni! Yes, Leni!", Becky thought, and she hoped that for once, her crush could help instead of hinder.
Turning Whitney's head to look at Miguel, who was still busy talking to a still oddly sad looking Mandee, Becky started assembling a game plan.
"Well, if I was interested in Miguel, which I totally am not…"
"That's good, Becky, he'd never date someone like you."
Becky bit her tongue, lest she get punished for "vulgar language".
"As I was saying, if I was interested, I'd slowly go up to him and ask him…"
"To marry me right now! Ok, Becky, sounds like a plan! But who do we know that's a priest?", Whitney asked, and she tapped her chin in thought, before shrugging and lifting her phone. "Eh, I'll just ask Daddy to call that guy on all the church ads. What's his name? Jesus Chrysler?"
Becky wasn't sure if to be annoyed or to laugh. Was Whitney seriously this clueless?
"Whitney, you can barely ask him out: How are you going to propose to him?"
Whitney nodded, understanding. "Good point. You do it for me."
Becky face palmed, leaving a red mark on her forehead. "No, Whitney! You don't get a wingman to propose for you!"
She sighed, rolling her eyes far back into her head. "Jesus Christ!"
"Oh, is he a priest?", Whitney asked, genuine innocence in the question.
"Whitney, focus!", Becky demanded, and she stared directly into Whitney's eyes.
They were quite a nice shade from up close.
"You want this boy?", Becky asked, and Whitney nodded determinedly.
"Then I need you to listen to me, ok?", Becky asked, and Whitney nodded again.
Becky pointed at Miguel, a strangely steely look in her eyes. "Now, the key to any relationship is healthy communication. You can't just ask him out. You need to build up to that."
"But… I'll have to wait for what I want!", Whitney whined.
Becky clicked her tongue. "Gee, what a punishment."
She then resumed her demonstration, her eyes closed. "First, you must take a deep breath."
They both took deep breaths, Whitney coughing after a gulp.
"Ugh! Fresh air!"
"Next, you must think of who you want… And why…",, Becky continued, her voice taking on a peaceful tone.
"Who I want… And why…", Whitney breathed, trying her best to listen for once.
It required SO MUCH EFFORT but she was willing to do it for Miguel.
Oh, what she would do for him!
"Remember, relationships are mutual. What would you give him?", Becky asked, thinking of someone very much else.
"Oh, anything! Just as long as I get to feel his muscles and taste those firm lips! Oh, I'm drooling just about thinking about him!", Whitney enthused, and Becky, without even looking, wiped the drool away with a napkin.
"Please don't, that's gross."
"Oh, ok.", Whitney said, and Becky continued instructing, not noticing that she was slowly walking to her left.
"Now, once you've made up your mind, that you like this person and that you want to spend time with them, be close to them, you must convince them to spend time with you in a non creepy way. You must show them you care, but not so much that you scare them off."
"Wow, Becky, you know a lot about this for someone who's never had a date!", Whitney complimented, and for once, she meant it.
Becky blushed. "Well, I mean, I've never really crossed this stage."
"I know. I said you've never had a date. Are you even listening? I can't see, since my eyes are closed.", Whitney commented.
Becky groaned. "Whatever, ok? Just listen."
Becky then held a pair of hands she was sure was Whitney's…
But they most certainly weren't.
"Now, just go to them, and, thinking not only of your happiness, but of their happiness…"
"That sounds like a lot of work."
"Holy crap, Whitney, it's, like, the easiest thing in the world to shower someone with love!", Becky chided, and Whitney rolled her closed eyes.
"It's a whole different thing to stop those feelings from hurting anyone…", Becky muttered, just loud enough for Whitney to hear.
"What?", Whitney asked in a really loud voice. "I couldn't hear you! What did you say?"
"Nothing!", Becky denied quickly, panicking.
"Eh, you're right. It probably wasn't important."
Becky wondered if ruining Whitney's swimsuit with some mud nearby was worth the price of her rage, but she decided against it.
"Now, as I was saying, think of how much you want to make them happy, with the hope that you can be the key to that, and, ask them if they want to…"
"Go out?", Whitney asked hopefully.
Becky shook her head. "No. You need to start slow."
"But then I have to… WAIT!", Whitney nearly screamed with fright at the thought of gratification that wasn't instant.
"Whitney, do you want my freaking help or not?"
Whitney sighed. Alas, she did.
"Ok, so listen! For once in your life, think of someone else instead of yourself, and, like a normal person, get to know them before you try to aggressively make out with them!"
Becky finally finished her example.
"So, approach them, and, with a calm and friendly smile, ask them if they would like to be your swimming buddy for the day No flirting, no winking, no nothing! Get to know him first."
Whitney had to admit, it was a good plan.
"Then he'll HAVE to be with me, and I'll be able to show him that I'm WAY hotter than Jackie and Mandee! Ugh!", Whitney gesticulated like crazy, ready to pounce on Miguel.
"Um, Whitney, that's not what I meant, he's supposed to slowly like you, this isn't a date, it's hanging out!", she called out, but Whitney had already run off.
Eyes still closed, Becky sighed. "Oh, well. I guess she did listen a little bit. It's been a while since she has."
"That's true. She's been totes a meanie recently!", replied a mysteriously familiar voice.
"I know, right?", Becky asked, before suddenly realizing she wasn't holding Whitney's hands.
In fact, that voice…
No…
Becky opened her eyes and her insides exploded with fear, her heart leapt out of her chest and over the moon and her face turned pale as…
"Hey, Becky! I'm not sure why you asked me like that, but sure! I'd love to be your swimming buddy!", Leni replied, a cheerful smile on her face.
Becky felt like she could be devoured by sharks, run over by a freight trains and watch "Fantastic Four" (2015) over and over again for the rest of her life, and it would somehow hurt less than the guilt that enveloped her as she looked into Leni's, beautiful, clear eyes…
"No! No! You can't!", Becky shouted at herself, and she removed Leni's hands from her own.
"Leni, Leni, who would ever want to swim with me?", Becky asked self depracaitingly.
"My point exactly!", Whitney called out from a different area, which made Becky growl.
"I helped you, you know?!", she rightfully complained, before returning to the way larger problem at hand.
Leni giggled, in that adorable way she did, making Becky's heart skip at least a hundred beats.
…
"How am I not dead?", Becky thought, but there was no time for that.
"Oh, Becky, don't be silly! You're a great friend, and I'd LOVE to swim with you!"
Becky had to get out of this… AND FAST!
Before her temptations got the better of her…
Before she resumed holding those soft, delicate hands…
Before she felt Leni's cool, smooth skin on her own…
Before they exchanged a wet kiss in the bottom of the sea…
"NO! NO! THINK… OF… CHAZ!", Becky ordered herself too, and, restraining herself with crossed arms, she offered weakly "But Leni! What about Chaz? Your boyfriend? WHO DEFINITELY HAS MORE ROMANTIC INTEREST IN YOU THAN ME! I'D NEVER WANT TO DATE YOU! I JUST LOOOOOOOOOVE BOYS AND THEIR…"
"Think, Becky, think!", she chided herself, searching for anything.
Her face lit up and she belted out the best excuse. "Spleens."
"Spleens?", Leni asked, confused.
Though when wasn't she, the angle?
"Yes. Spleens. SO sexy.", Becky commented, hoping that her red face didn't give away the fact that this was total bullshit.
"But Leni probably has a MAGICAL spleen… Oh, the wonders it does to her probably insanely attractive filtered blood…", Becky thought dreamily, a little drool running down her chin.
Leni, confused again, snapped her fingers to wake Becky up.
"I don't like you, b-baka!", Becky called out, before remembering where she was.
Nervously rubbing the back of her neck, she could barely look Leni in the eyes without feeling judgment.
"So… Why not Chaz?"
Leni waved it off. "Oh, I checked on him before and he's just fine!"
Back in a different part of the line, Chaz was trying his best not to eat the very steakish looking arm of Carol.
"…WHY MUST YOUR ARM LOOK SO DELICIOUS?", he screamed, earning weird looks.
He wasn't doing too hot.
"Besides, I don't need to spend all my time with him! You're my friend too!"
She then motioned her eyes back to Fiona, who couldn't hear but could definitely see another betrayal. "I was going to ask Fiona, since she seems to be a bit lonely, but she seems to already have Dana, and besides, you're great too!"
Becky felt like she just might explode from happiness.
In fact, she had never felt more alive.
"…I'm great?", she asked, tears nearly escaping her eyes.
"Of course you are!", Leni enthused, and she squeezed Becky in a bear hug that made her feel like Queen of the world.
But despite how good it felt, Becky wondered…
At what cost this would come.
Whistling cheerfully, Benny made his way over to Luan, who was still observing Maggie from afar.
Clearing his throat and making sure his breath didn't smell bad, Benny tapped Luan on the shoulder, just as Maggie disappeared out of her sight.
"Aaagh!", Luan yelped in fright, causing her to smack Benny down with a karate back slap.
"Ow! Pain! It hurts!", Benny yelled out as he hurtled down to the ground.
"Oh! Whoopsy! Sorry, Benny.", Luan apologized as she picked him up and dusted him off, a sheepish look on her face.
Benny waved it off, just happy to be next to her.
She looked so dreamy…
She was dreamy…
Man, what would he give to see her smile genuinely instead of constantly frown from curiosity at that emo girl.
"Oh, I'm ok! I was just wondering if I could ask you something.", Benny began, but Luan had already shifted her focus back to Maggie.
"Uh, yeah, sure, shoot!", Luan said as she used her hands as a periscope, making a periscope sound for effect.
Benny, getting a little shy now, clasped his hands together and shuffled his feet.
"Now, um, I don't mean to enter your private business, but I've noticed you've been a little distracted recently…"
"Well, I am disturbing the privacy of a really moody girl because she's a confusing riddle inside an enigma inside a tortilla.", Luan informed, as if it was a totally normal thing.
"Good! Good!", Benny said, not really thinking about the implications. "So, um… I was just wondering if, and it's totally ok if you say no!", Benny started, immediately defending his intentions and fearing embarrassment.
Luan turned back to look at him, a curious expression on her face.
Benny took a deep breath, and he stopped panicking. "…I was just wondering if you'd like to be my swimming partner."
He looked away, afraid of her response.
Luan, however, was happy to accept. "Sure thing!"
Benny turned with a pleasantly surprised expression on his face. "Really?"
Luan nodded, a small smile on her lips. "I mean, we're friends, we don't need to have all this… Flustered stuff between us."
Benny scoffed, laughing. "Duh! We can totally hang out and not think about the rest… For now."
Luan nodded, happy that she didn't need to get all worried about dating.
She then resumed her watching. "Now, if you don't mind, my curiosity is at its pique! I HAVE to get this Maggie girl!"
Benny nodded, still giddy. "Oh boy! Sure! Don't worry, I'll cheer you up!"
Luan was puzzled by that last one, but she shrugged it off.
She had to focus on Maggie and figure her out!
And nothing, NOTHING was going to distract her from…
"Luan.", Maggie suddenly said, making Luan bounce 5 meters in the air, screaming wildly.
As she landed, Luan realized that Maggie was behind her, and she sheepishly began to back off. "Oh, hey, Mags!"
"Don't EVER call me that.", Maggie said, a little bit of anger and frustration laced in her words.
"Oh, ok, what about Marge?"
"No."
"Migs?"
"No."
"Margarita is so sweeta?"
"You know, 20 years for manslaughter isn't SO bad…"
Luan laughed again only for Maggie's accusatory eyes forcing Luan to try and shift attention away from what happened.
"So… What brings you here to this neck of the woods?", Luan asked, laughing sheepishly.
Maggie continued to give Luan a stink eye, crossing her arms as they stood near a large oak that cast a long shadow on Maggie, cloaking her in darkness.
"I thought we agreed that you wouldn't be snooping into my private business anymore."
Maggie was honestly a little dumbfounded: She had apologized for being mean and had made her case.
Why was Luan still doing this?
Luan denied this with a shaky laugh. "Snooping? Moi? No way, jose! I'm just…", she searched around for an excuse.
Suddenly, a rope trap sprung on Luan, hanging her upside down from a tree.
Maggie stepped closer and stared at Luan with silent frustration as Luan laughed embarrassedly.
"….Hanging around?"
After Maggie sliced the rope trap to set Luan free (It turned out later that Frank had put them up for the wolves), Luan tried to fool her again.
"Anyway, I wasn't doing anything as outlandish as…"
Maggie raised her eyebrow, not buying it for a second.
Luan felt a little ashamed now. "Sorry, really, it's just… It's just…"
Feeling frustrated, Luan actually grunted from annoyance, surprising Maggie for a moment, already accustomed to seeing Luan be cheerful and happy go lucky.
"Ugh! Ok, look, it's just… I don't get why laughing at my joke is such a bad thing!"
Maggie, turning her back, would have normally just ignored Luan, but realizing she could make her point with a retort, she turned back to Luan with a look that broadcasted that this would be the final thing Maggie would have to say about the subject.
"Well, I don't get why you stopped respecting my privacy. Since when is that ok?"
Luan gulped and hung her head low.
Regardless of her innocent curiosity, Luan knew that Maggie was right.
And honestly?
She kind of felt like a jerk.
Rubbing her arm, she apologized. "Maggie, I'm sorry. I can't help being curious, but it doesn't make it ok. I should have just left you alone."
Maggie nodded, annoyed, planning to chew Luan out, but…
Luan had adopted the puppy eyes.
And Maggie suddenly felt a bit bad again.
She knew that, regardless of how annoying it was, Luan was well intentioned.
Sighing (this girl was a headache), Maggie extended forgiveness.
"Look, I know you meant no harm. All is forgiven."
Maggie then got an odd look in her eyes, a sort of playfulness and knowingness, as she spouted out this:
"Now, instead of asking me "water" you doing, "leaf" me alone on the count of "tree" or we won't get along "swimmingly". "Bee" careful with me, ok?"
Luan nodded, and left the scene, only starting to realize the joke a few moments later.
As Maggie let the shadow of the tree engulf her, she could hear Luan's laugh, and for a moment, Maggie felt…
Happy.
But that passed quickly, as it always did.
Maggie sighed again, hands in her pockets, frown in her heart.
Luan's laugh should have made her feel good.
But like all things with Maggie, it passed way too quickly.
Resting her head on the tree, feeling nothing, Maggie noted what she always did.
"…It sucks."
It really did.
"Has anyone ever told you that your very existence enduces headaches?"
A few minutes earlier, when the swimming competition had just been announced, Shannon was having a perfectly peachy time, reading her book about the local fauna and not feeling the need to punch someone.
However, ever since Smilin' Stan had barged in with his announcement, Amy had literally flung Rex at her since "The dare institutes that you must be together no matter what, and that includes stupid "fun" activities that the counselors propose".
And so, there she was, cursing her existence a little bit more every time Rex opened his mouth.
"What? What did I do?", Rex asked, bewildered. The jerky jock was shirtless, making his pectorals dance to the tune of "Opposites Attract" by Paula Abdul.
And yes, that doesn't seem subtle, but if you read the lyrics and saw my future plans, you'd understand.
It's just… (opens yet another can of cola. How many now? I don't know. I don't care)… This writing stuff? It's hard.
Not the ideas, mind you. The execution.
I'm just… I want to make you all happy. To show you that you CAN exist and be happy.
Yet I fail at both. Hypocritical or tragic? You choose.
It's just…
I love you all. Every single one of you.
Hopefully one day, I could say that about myself.
But for now, let me help you. Yes, you.
You, who is suffering, who is crying, who's had a bad day.
You, who has considered ending it. Who has tried to.
'Cause surely it can't get worse.
Surely this pain is… Is better.
Well… Let me take it on myself.
Let me suffer for you.
Please… Let me show you…
That you're beautiful.
Please… Let me help you live.
Because believe it or not… There is one person who loves you.
…Me.
(Woah, that was quite a tangent! Let's get back to the story now, kay? And if any of you need to say something, PM me. I'll do my best).
Shannon observed this act of… Whatever, and rolled her eyes.
"If you have to ask, you'll never know."
Rex scratched his head, confused. "…I don't get it."
Shannon sighed and returned to her book, the grass she was sitting on slightly dampening her trousers. "I can FEEL my I.Q plummeting to the ground."
She then made the sound of a crashing airplane to further illustrate the point.
Rex rolled his eyes, insulted. "Hey! I have never lowered anyone's I.Q! I am smart too, you know!"
Without batting an eye, Shannon shot back. "You took my glasses off just minutes ago and sighed because I didn't suddenly "turn hot"."
"How was I supposed to know movies lie?", Rex asked, protesting the accusations. Those movies seemed SO LIFELIKE!
Shannon let out a little snort, still failing to believe the moving mountain of muscle and dumbassery in front of her. "Next thing you know, you'll tell me that you think that aliens built the pyramids!"
An uncomfortable silence followed, and Shannon lifted her nose from her book to observe a sheepish Rex. "…That host was VERY convincing."
Sighing harder than she had ever sighed, to the extent that it was really more of a groan than anything, Shannon collapsed onto the ground.
"WHY are you like this? WHY did this happen to me? Me, Shannon Brown, honor roll student, straight A's, Trivia Pursuit wizard and only person to see every BrainPOP movie ever?"
"That's something to brag about?"
"THEY'RE VASTLY UNDERRATED! I STAN TIM!"
Now it was Rex's turn to snort, and he did so condescendingly. "Wow, I don't think I've ever seen a nerdier nerd in my life!"
He knelt, looking down at the girl in front of him. "You know, if we want to win this swimming competition, I'm gonna need you to get off your butt and start stretching. I'm getting that trophy!"
Shannon pushed her glasses up, annoyed. "Rex, frowning frank said that there won't be a trophy."
"He only said that to make us want to win it even more!", Rex argued, and he flexed his muscles. "And with my absolute sexy awesomeness and your… Something, we've got it in the bag!"
He then pretended to karate chop the air, screaming "REX-KWAN-DO!", only to karate chop a rock and bounce around yipping.
"OW! That hurt!", he shouted out, kissing his hand.
Shannon chuckled menacingly in return, performing an exaggerated bow. "Oh, do tell, all wise and powerful Sensai: How will we win this dumb sport?"
Rex raised an eyebrow, unsure if his ears worked anymore. "I'm sorry, did you say… Dumb sport?"
Shannon nodded, unsure as to what she did wrong. "Ah, yes, I did say that. Are you ears as dysfunctional as your brain?"
Rex approached her, defiant against that insult. "Hey! My ears and brain are perfectly functional! Why, my doctor once said "Rex, the way your mind works astounds me in terrible, terrible ways."!"
Shannon blinked in confusion, before rolling her eyes. "I knew that Amy wasn't the brightest bulb, but MAN! I can't believe she actually fell for some dumb sports guy!"
Rex was adamant, and he snatched Shannon's book. "What's wrong with sports?"
Shannon, annoyed, growled and snatched the book back, whacking Rex on the head with it. "Sports are stupid, pointless wastes of time! Who cares how many touchdowns Michael Jackson makes with his racket before he completes the hundred yard dash?"
Now it was Rex's turn to blink in confusion. His face was one of shock and near horror. "Never have I seen such a flagrant misunderstanding of culture."
Shannon was thrown off for a moment. "Wait, how the hell do you know these words?"
But Rex was off on a tangent, and he didn't have time to think about such trivial things as seemingly out of character intelligence. "Not now, nerderella!"
"Nerderella? What are you, 5?"
"No, I'm 14. Isn't it obvious, genius?"
Shannon scoffed. "No, it isn't, Meathead!"
"Meathead? I'm glad to inform you that my head is nothing but muscle!", and Rex flexed his head… Somehow.
Shannon groaned and turned her back to him. "Look, I don't care! I don't care about you, about sports, about me, and especially about you!"
Rex counted on his fingers. "You mentioned me twice, which normally I'd love, but I don't get it. What's not to love?"
Shannon laughed out loud, spittle coming out of her mouth and grossing out Rex. "Let me count the ways! You're annoying, dumb, mean, jerky, and you flirt with other girls when you're dating one!"
"Only a few times! I learned my lesson about that!"
Shannon wanted to pull her hair out. "Listen, ok? I don't give a SHIT about this stupid swimming competition!"
That was a lie: Shannon in fact did care, but not because she liked sports. She was just very competitive, and had been since birth, when at the tender age of a few weeks old, she had sprinted down the room to grab Dad's wallet before he could.
SOMEONE had to fund PBS!
And if Shannon gave a hoot about sports, she'd be all over this, swimming like a mad woman to the finish line, foam in the mouth and everything.
But Shannon didn't care for sports. She found them pointless and wasteful. Stupid competitions of brawn between people trying to brag about how much they could bench press and how much money they could make from pretending to be injured.
For Shannon, a true competition was one of the mind: A battle of wits.
Besides, Shannon knew that the only reason Rex cared about this was because it was another chance to show off, and she wasn't about to help his glory hunting, no sirree!
She wasn't about to delude herself that maybe if someone actually tried to get to know her, they just might like her, and she might actually have a friend!
Rex rolled his eyes and pouted, turning his back. "You know, this stupid dare may make us be together, but I wish it was anyone else! You're insulting and annoying! I bet you've never even watched a sport in your life!"
Shannon turned her back too. "Well, for once we agree! Because I wish I didn't need to entertain some man child with abs for brains! You're nothing but a jerk who needs positive attention every few seconds!"
Rex gasped, hurt greatly by this. "I do not! Apologize by complimenting me!"
"Wow, you're just that dumb?"
"At least I don't spend all day reading some dumb book! I bet you must be popular with your friends! Always insulting them for being less smart than you!"
Shannon didn't respond to that with words, because she didn't have any friends, but she wasn't going to gift Rex with that. So instead she growled and he growled and they growled as they stood back to back.
And then Rex decided that his honor was more important than his health.
So he snatched the book.
"HEY! GIVE IT BACK!", Shannon shouted enraged, but Rex refused.
"Sports are about teamwork, and while I do think that I am the star and I need this to make myself feel good, I refuse to dump on what I love! Whether you like it or not, we need to work together! It's what the dare says!"
Shannon jumped up and down, but she couldn't reach the book. "GIVE IT BACK, REX! I'M SERIOUS!"
Rex began to snicker. "Stop it, Shannon! You'll never take it off me, so let's just sit down and…"
But Rex couldn't finish, as Shannon's competitive side hit and she roared with anger, leaping at Rex and rolling the two of them down the hill.
"OW! OWCH! OWIE! OH MY GOD!", Rex screamed in agony as Shannon rolled them down and down.
Rex desperately tried to wrestle back control, and he began to, until suddenly Shannon grabbed his hands, and with a VERY smug smile…
"Boom! Beat ya, sucker!"
She pinned him to the ground.
Shannon grinned and Rex, for just a moment, couldn't help himself too.
"Ok, ok… You beat me! Jeez, you REALLY enjoyed that huh?"
"Yes. Yes I did."
They both smiled, only to suddenly notice…
How close they were.
Time seemed to freeze.
The leaves blew softly and the breeze tickled them as they breathed slowly on each other, noticing each other for the first time.
A strand of Shannon's curly hair dangled over Rex, and Rex's breath hit Shannon's face, but it didn't bother her that much.
Rex slightly smiled, genuinely for once, his eyes softening from their usual mocking tone to a more friendly, even nice tone.
Shannon wrinkled her nose, her geeky smile making Rex feel odd.
And for a moment, they just…
Existed together.
But it didn't last.
"Ew! Get off of me!", they both said, suddenly realizing what they were doing, and they stood back to back.
And then Benny came in.
Rex threw the book away (Shannon just catching it and grunting on the ground) and approached Benny, who was panting.
"Man… I… Need… To… Get… Fit…", Benny said between spurts of breath, and Rex waved.
"Hey, blue shirt kid! Thanks for letting me hide in your shirt earlier!"
Benny frowned, unamused. "It's Benny. And honestly, I'm only here for a favor. I'd much rather not associate myself with you."
He then pointed at him and the now standing Shannon.
"By the way, why was Shannon pinning you to the ground before?"
Rex and Shannon suddenly turned very red, clashing with Benny's shirt.
"WHAT? US? NO! HE/SHE WAS JUST BEING ANNOYING!"
The two frowned at each other and stood back to back again.
"Nerderella!"
"Meathead!"
"Benny!"
They looked at him, confused.
"Sorry, I just wanted to be included.", Benny said, holding his hand shyly.
Benny then cleared his throat and pointed at Rex. "Now, as I said, normally I'd avoid you, but I need your help!"
Rex laughed haughtily, removing his shirt and making his pecs dance. "Well, what can I say? According to the school, "I have abs!"
Shannon blinked, confused. She mostly ignored those, what with her crushing loneliness usually at the forefront of her mind.
That and the cafeteria's egg rolls. The yummy distracts from feeling existentially crummy!
Benny sadly explained. "Yeah, he makes the school announcements remind us of his abs every day."
Shannon looked up at the sky. "God, I've been good, no? Why have I been punished?"
Rex put his arm around Benny. "Well, what do you need dude? I can do all!"
"Except be modest…", Shannon grumbled, which Rex retorted with a "Nuh uh! I'm the most modest person ever! Why, I could win a Guinness world record for modesty, I'm so modest!"
"You know, it must be nice to be this deluded. That kind of confidence must be exhilarating.", Shannon retorted, sticking her tongue out and snickering as Rex growled.
Benny removed the hand, annoyed. "Look, I just need to learn how to swim in no time so I can cheer up Luan!"
"The funny chick?"
"Minus chick, but yes."
Rex wiggled his eyebrows. "Oh, boy! You like her, right?"
Shannon smiled at Benny. "Don't worry. Luan likes you too… I think."
Benny smiled back. "Thanks, but it's not about that. I want to cheer her up. She seems down."
Shannon looked down, glum. While she thought Benny was sweet, she was saddened that no one would ever do that for her.
Why would they bother? She was just Shannon. She wasn't pretty, she wasn't popular, she wasn't funny, she wasn't even weird.
She was just Shannon, the nerdy kid who sat all alone and obsessively binged David Attenborough documentaries whilst imitating his voice.
Their loss! It was fun to sound like an Octogenerian animal researcher!
Rex meanwhile, nodded at Benny, listening to his request, as the boy stared up with hopeful eyes.
"Ok, ok, I hear you, Blue."
"Benny."
"Whatever."
Rex suddenly slid close to Benny and whispered in his ear, looking oddly excited.
"I do however ask for one favor."
Benny's face spelled shock and alarm. "A favor? Why? Why can't you just do this for me for free?"
Rex calmed him down. "Reeeeeelax, Blue! It's a small favor, absolutely inconsequential except for me, of course."
Benny calmed down and decided to listen. "Ok, I'm all ears."
Rex exhibited confusion. "…How?"
Benny and Shannon face palmed.
"Just tell him what you want already! Jeez, can't read like this!", Shannon protested as Rex stuck his tongue out.
"Moving on…"
Dramatic music began playing as Rex drew ever closer to Benny, making the jovial boy a tad nervous.
"Blue…"
Benny was so nervous he didn't even bother correcting.
"I want…"
Benny's eyes darted back and forth. WHAT COULD THIS ASSHOLE POSSIBLY WANT?!
"…To be your best man in your wedding with joke girl."
A record player scratched (somehow, it's 2019) and Benny blinked in confusion.
That's it?
That was totally doable!
"…Um… Sure! I don't see why not! I mean, you suck balls and you're not my best friend, but then again that would mean the job would go to my marionette and… That would be sad."
Rex nodded, fake understanding. "Oh yes, it would be really sad and we would all laugh at you for hours."
Shannon sheepishly raised her hand. "Sorry to say this, but he might just be right, Benny. That WOULD be lame."
Benny sighed. He REALLY should have just hired a best man like that movie no one talks about for good reason.
Rex took Benny's hand and shook it hard, making Benny fly up and down. "Well, Blue, I accept! Swimming lessons are go!"
He then pointed at Shannon. "Who knows? Maybe your enthusiasm will get SOMEONE here to even try to help us I mean me win!"
Benny looked at Shannon with a bright smile, now relieved. "Come on, Shannon! You're going to have to participate anyway! Might as well warm up!"
Shannon grunted and rolled her eyes. "FINE! But I WILL take every opportunity to heckle you, Meathead!"
Rex smiled as sassy smile, winking. "After you, Nerderella."
Meanwhile, Ruby was gritting her teeth as she and Spencer approached the lake.
Bad enough that she had to be nice and was forced to accept his offer to be her partner: WHY'D IT HAVE TO BE SO COLD?!
"It, like, doesn't make, like, sense! Why's it, like, so fuc…"
Looking to her right, Spencer's shocked face made her stop and reconsider her words.
"Fine, I mean freakin', is that better?"
It is. I don't want to get up to an M rating.
Spencer shrugged. "Better than that other word."
Ruby groaned. There was only so much mileage that she could get from thinking "goddamn pussy" over and over!
"Still…", she thought, as she walked over the wet and sticky blades of grass, floating in the wind, an odd air of serenity dropping on her. "There are worse things than swimming in a lake on a summer's day."
Spencer, meanwhile, dipped his toe in the water and let out a supposedly unmasculine shriek.
Blushing red as she laughed at him, Spencer pouted. "As if you wouldn't! You were literally complaining about the cold a minute ago!"
Ruby scoffed, rolling her eyes as she took off her sandals. "Whatever, ok? At least I wouldn't shriek, though.", she smirked as she prepared to enter the water.
Spencer, meanwhile, had different preparations, ones which Ruby was more than willing to mock.
"An inner tube that looks like a duck's face? Really?", she snorted, snickering her way to a warning.
"Ruby! The dare!", Spencer reminded, looking like Mars with a sunburn.
Ruby grunted and kicked some grass, hurting her foot. Jumping around, she yelled "Stupid ground! Even it's on your side!"
Sighing, Ruby decided to just get this over with. As she had stated before, fate was decided upon.
And there was nothing that could change fate.
She was fated to be nice for a week.
Fated to be annoyed by Spencer and continuously reminded of being nice.
Fated to…
To…
"I don't want to think about it, because I don't care.", Ruby thought as she cared immensely, a small scar shaping itself on her heart.
So, if fate wanted her to have a sucky day swimming, she might as well get it over and done with.
Reaching for her scrunchie, Ruby began the process of removing her hair from its tie as Spencer kept watch for sharks, eels, jellyfish, pirannas and Jason Vurhess wannabes.
He could see it: One step in and he gets devoured alive. And no one would care. No one.
Especially not him.
His eyes darting around nervously, he turned to Ruby apologetically.
Why'd he have to be such a coward?
He cringed for a moment, feeling it lash.
It burned.
So much.
He looked down, feeling horrible.
"Sorry, Ruby… I'm too scared. Maybe you should get someone else…"
But he couldn't finish his sentence, since he was suddenly and violently awestruck by the sight before him.
Having not noticed that anyone was looking at her, Ruby had removed her hair and let it flow behind her, almost looking like a commercial for hair products (minus the shitty sexualization that plagues those things. And no, I don't care if it sounds preachy, it's true!).
But while she did look pretty, and her hair was quite fetching for Spencer, it was something else that caught his eye, something else that was needed to be seen.
Seemingly alone, with no judging eyes, no walls, no hiding places and no anger, Ruby actually felt for the first time in years, truly safe and secure.
And because of this, Ruby was not the angry girl who sighed at everyone, nor the multiple hidden facets inside.
Ruby was, for once, herself.
And it was a sight to behold.
After a few seconds, though, the moment was ruined because Spencer's gasp could be heard.
"Stupid voice! Why did you have to do your job?", Spencer complained as Ruby turned, and startled, fell down.
Growling, she grabbed him by the neck. "What were you doing?"
"Nothing, nothing!", Spencer squeaked.
He barely choked out his next line as Ruby dropped him on the ground. "I just thought that you looked so at peace back there!"
Ruby blushed and pouted, crossing her arms. "S-S-So? Who, like, cares?"
"…I do..."
Silence reigned.
"…Really?"
Ruby shook her head. "No, no, of course not. I… Whatever, like, let's just go."
But Ruby hid a small smile as she and Spencer entered the water.
Sure, Spencer was just nice like that to everybody, but…
It was nice to know that someone could afford her that.
For the first time in this vacation, Lori Loud actually felt like she was having a vacation.
It was hard to blame her, really: It had all started with the depressing beach day she had had, which had ended with her beloved younger brother Lincoln stating that he didn't know if she really loved him.
As you can guess, that had been quite the doozy for the eldest Loud, and she had been in a stupor ever since, trying so hard to compensate all her friends and 3 sisters on the trip.
And what had happened instead?
She had nearly got them all eaten by wolves because she was too busy taking selfies to notice.
And only a few minutes ago had guilt still been eating away at her.
But then she realized a loophole: If she didn't take responsibility, if she stopped being so bossy and sisterly, then no one would be hurt by her again!
And so, Lori's neck did not shout at her for relief for the first time in years.
It must have been forever since she had just rested with no worries at all, not even tiny nagging ones.
And as she sat down on the pleasantly green grass and gazed up at actually clear blue skies, Lori noticed that her legs didn't tense up.
She could…
Relax.
What a beautiful possibility.
"So… This is what freedom feels like…"
Lori sighed and looked at the skyline, so far away, yet so tantanizingly close.
An odd sensation passed through her, and she felt the compelling urge to reach out to it.
She felt like she could touch it.
But as she reached out, she somehow also felt that…
She couldn't.
How long did she have?
Summer would be over soon…
School would pass by like a flash…
And then…
She gulped.
College.
Marriage.
Children.
Old age.
…How much time did she have left…
Before she'd run out of time?
How much time…
Before she'd have to take charge, to protect the family?
Her fists clenched, and while you could never get her to admit it, her cheeks suddenly dampened ever so slightly.
Never again to wonder at an insect's existence.
Never again to just dance with no worry, with no care.
Never again to just sit down, gaze at the sky…
And smile for no reason.
On the one hand, Lori wanted all this stuff.
To explore bold new frontiers.
To settle down with her beloved bo bo bear.
To hold someone in her arms…
To not let him down this time.
But…
Did she deserve these things?
Could she succeed in those things?
It wasn't just the lack of freedom… It was the over abundance of responsibility.
She had already failed Lincoln, Leni, Luna and Luan…
Who was to say that her kids wouldn't suffer too?
Was that all she could do?
Hurt those she loved?
Lori sighed and grunted, and she laid down on the grass, feeling…
Everything and nothing.
"I can't even relax properly…", she muttered, tears coating her eyes.
"Am I that much of a mistake?"
Was this to be her destiny?
The once proud woman, eager to grow up, boastful of her maturity and secretly delighted at her chance to raise her siblings, was now but a small, sad, broken child.
Afraid…
Alone…
A little girl… Who just wanted to…
To do the right thing.
To be happy…
To be a good sister, no, the BEST sister! The BEST daughter!
But…
Was it too late?
Was it too late for her?
Could she ever rest?
Did she deserve to rest?
Lori sat up and sighed again, eyes closed, but it didn't help the stinging.
The tree that was now "aiding" her neck stood tall and sure.
How she wished she could do that.
Be there…
Not just there, but…
Be strong…
For those she loved.
Be the sister, daughter, mother, wife and friend they deserved.
But could she?
Was Lori ever more than just an average girl?
Could she ever be amazing?
The worst part?
She didn't know.
"Even when I try to ignore it, I can't. If only I'd get a sign… Anything!", Lori shouted out, pleading almost to whoever would listen.
She closed her eyes in resignation, as no sound was heard.
"Please… Tell me… Can I be good?"
And just like that…
"Hoo"
Lori lifted her head, startled, eyes darting from side to side.
Was that…
An owl?
"No, surely not!", Lori laughed at herself, shaking her head.
Lori doubted most of her thoughts now a days, but this much was true: There were no owls just chillin' at day time.
"Hoo!"
Lori blinked again, and she stood up now, looking around the grassy area.
Ok, why would she hear that sound again?
"Maybe it's just the wind…", Lori thought, though she still searched for the source of the hooting.
A deep seated memory surfaced from 2nd grade, one that reminded her that Owls produce two short "hoo" sounds, followed by one long "hooooooooooo".
So, if it was an owl, it would make that sound!
Lori cupped her ear in her hand and listened carefully.
But instead of the wind or a "hoooooooooo", Lori heard something decidedly different…
"Owl sounds! Owl sounds!"
"…Ok, that's not an owl."
Lori rolled her eyes at this stupidity. Her day was depressing enough without all this "owl" nonsense.
Walking down the hill to the lakeside, Lori scowled her way as she searched for the noisemaker.
"Ok, whoever is making owl noises, can you please stop? I'm trying really hard to find a reason for my existence, so… Yeah."
Lori felt dumb saying that, but it was already out of her mouth.
"Like so many other stupid things I've said over the years…", she sighed, cursing herself.
Forgiveness seemed lightyears away.
But what wasn't lightyears away was the noise source, which Lori suddenly bumped into.
Rubbing her head, a fallen Lori looked up to find…
"Ow, that hurt!… Mandee?", Lori asked, surprised and confused.
After all, a green skirt with polka dots and a blue turtleneck sweater were hardly brown white feathers and wings.
Mandee's words came rushing out faster than a low budget horror movie sequel.
"Lori! Lori Loud! Oh! Hi! Um! What are you doing here? Me? Oh! I'm just… I'm just standing here! In the middle of the lakeside! That's all! Nothing suspicious here!"
Lori thought that sounded very suspicious, but she didn't have the energy to deal with this.
Besides, she had to stay away and not ruin Mandee's life by just associating herself with her.
Stumbling back up, Lori relaxed the girl. "No need to get a heart attack, Mandee. I'm not going to ask you what you're up to."
"Really? Why, what makes you think I'm nervous? I'm not nervous, not at all! IS IT HOT IN HERE OR IS IT JUST ME?!"
Mandee was sweating so much she could have created a new lake.
Lori shook her head, even though she was curious. "Nope! I promised myself I'd, um…"
Lori didn't want to share her fears with anyone, so she decided to tell a half truth.
"I'm going to rest and relax next to that tree before the swimming competition!", she said, pointing at the tree.
"Nice work, Lori!", she thought, congratulating herself, a little smugly. "Now you can't ruin her life!"
Mandee sighed in relief, a now genuine smile painting over her previously nervous one. "Oh man, like, that is SUCH a relief!"
And at first, that was that: Lori turned around and began to walk away, away from the road that would surely lead to failure, eyes closed comfortably, not a care in the world.
But despite turning around, curiosity got the better of Lori.
That and…
A sense of sorts.
Perhaps her conscience…
Perhaps an innate goodness that even she wasn't aware of.
But whatever it was, the good person, the hero inside Lori convinced her to turn around and ask a question that would, in an odd way, save her life: "But why were you hooting like an owl?"
Mandee had feared this question.
She had hoped that her usual lack of noticeability would help but NOOOOOOOO!
"Great. So I'm only paid attention to when I don't want it? Thanks, life.", Mandee grumbled to herself as she shifted from foot to foot.
Looking at Lori with flustered eyes, she replied to the odd quarry.
"Um… Well… It's a funny story!", Mandee said, hoping the defense would help.
Lori smiled innocently (secretly relieved that she didn't need to worry about the girl) and asked further. "Ok! So what's the story?"
Mandee face palmed. Of COURSE that wouldn't be enough!
"Um… Well… You see…"
Mandee took a deep breath and got through with it. Maybe if she said it with a silly voice, it would be funny?
So, putting on her best Christopher Walken impression, Mandee explained her odd situation. "Oh, I'm just, well, pretending to be a woodland creature of the NIGHT so that, uh, these COUNSELORS won't notice me, so I WON'T haaave to, swim, so that they won't see how out of depth I am, so yes! That is WHAT I'm doing!"
Lori digested all of this and replied quite understandably with this: "…Mandee, everyone can see you."
Mandee wagged her finger, proud of her finally correct brain. "Ah, ah, ah! See, I once saw a documentary that said that the best hiding spot is right out in the open where they least expect ya!"
Lori scoffed, arms on her hips. "Wow. Let me guess: They also told you about the owl thing?"
"Yep!", Mandee nodded enthusiastically, not noticing Lori's mounting doubt.
Lori looked from side to side and, sighing, put a comforting hand on her aquaintence's shoulder. "Mandee, look, no one is going to be fooled by this."
Mandee removed the arm and confidently retorted. "Yes they are! Here, look, there comes Smilin' Stan! I just need to avoid him and frank, and this gurl won't be embarrassed at all!"
Standing perfectly still, Mandee focused as hard as she could one being one thing and one thing only: An owl in the middle of daylight with IMPECCABLE fashion sense.
"Hooo!"
Lori just stood by, shaking her head and observing the whole madness with slight interest, as Stan squinted straight ahead at Mandee.
His eyes widened with understanding and he waved happily.
"Hi, Mr. or Mrs. Owl! Nice to finally see you out in the daylight!"
Lori's eyes widened too, but with shock. Was Stan that stupid?
frank then passed by, grouchy as usual.
"stan, where the hel… heck are Mandee and Lori. They're the only swimmers left to pair up."
Stan turned to frank and scratched his head in confusion, genuinely unsure. "Why, gee whiz, frank! I wouldn't know!"
He then grinned and grasped frank to the side to show him what he had found. "But check this out! There's an owl and what seems to be a really large blonde spider out there!"
"Hey!", Lori called out. "I'm no spider!"
Or maybe she was.
Maybe she was just a small, insignificant…
"Ok, ok! I really do feel like crap, but that's pushing it a bit, Mr. Author!", Lori pointed out, and I have to agree. I take that sentence back.
"Thank you.", she said simply, and resumed her part in the story.
frank looked at Stan with a mixture of disgust and disbelief. "stan… that's them right there."
Stan laughed, which only pissed off frank more.
If there was one thing he hated more than seeing his campers s… Misbehave, it was Stan acting like a total moron again!
"stan… you lost the contacts again, didn't ya."
"My eggs did taste rather glassy-wassy today!"
"i'm gonna pretend you didn't say that."
Removing a new pair, frank stuck them to Stan's eyes, and he could now see clearly again.
"Oh, there they are! MANDEE! LORI! COME HERE, GIRLS! IT'S SWIMMING TIME!"
frank stuffed another cotton ball into his ears. "i could die one day from those shouts and you wouldn't even notice."
"Always with the jokes!", Stan chuckled cheerfully.
"please… shut up."
Mandee sighed as she and Lori walked down the lakeside.
"Great… I was sure it would work."
She muttered under her breath, the crashing of the waves hiding her small sighs. "Even that I got wrong."
Lori grunted: She really REALLY didn't want to butt in, but she couldn't help it: Her curiosity was too great and an odd voice that nagged her wouldn't quit. Sighing, she turned to Mandee, once more trying to do the big sister thing. "Why are you so worried about swimming?"
Mandee put her arms behind her head and looked at Lori with melancholic eyes. It was too late.
Maybe it wouldn't hurt to tell?
"It's not just swimming: I've been… Well, a disaster since we've arrived!"
Mandee counted on her fingers as they arrived at their designated swimming area, the sun feeling particularly bright now. "I've lost my earring twice, I hit 5 trees when we ran away from the wolves, and I really miss my pet goldfish, Dwayne Johnson!"
"I didn't know you like Dwayne Johnson! He is dreamy…", Lori admitted, forgetting for a moment her depression and instead day dreaming over a heartthrob.
Mandee sheepishly rubbed the back of her neck. "Heh… Yep! That's why he's called that!"
Meanwhile, back at Mandee's house, a goldfish steps out of its bowl…
And grows legs…
"By day, ordinary goldfish, but by night, I must don my secret identity of…"
Suddenly, all that was left of the fish was his scaly head, as it presided over a very swole body.
"DWAYNE THE ROCK JOHNSON! CELEBRITY EXTORDINARE!"
One latex mask later, and he looked the part.
Crashing through the window, he made his escape.
"NO ONE CAN KNOW!"
Mandee laughed nervously. "That's totally why!"
She then sighed, sitting down on the grass and cupping her chin with her hands. "Anyway, I've just been a mess ever since I came here. And just to help matters, everyone's kind of ignored me. Except for Miguel, but he's mostly there for support."
Lori moaned, sitting down too. Now she felt even worse!
Turns out that she was so busy feeling sorry for herself she didn't notice that another person was feeling even worse!
Always so up her own ass. Always the center of the universe.
Sure, she had decided to stop helping…
But something deep inside her made her decide to smile and chin up the girl in front of her.
Lori was a big sister: Whether she liked it or not.
"Mandee, don't worry! It can take time to get used to something like a summer camp! I'm sure that you'll have it down in no time!"
Perhaps it was that sister sense talking, but Lori felt like making Mandee happy was the most important thing she could do now.
"You really… Think so?", Mandee said with a small voice.
All her life, people had sort of brushed her over (except for Leni and now Miguel).
And even they had sort of ignored her.
She felt truly alone most days, unsure as to who she was in the grand scheme of things.
She was never as good as Jackie, who everyone seemed to love!
Did Lori Loud, perfect, amazing, smart and wonderful Lori Loud, who everyone looked up, really think she could do it?
With a warm voice and warm eyes, Lori nodded. "Yes. I do."
She didn't, really, but she sort of wanted it to be true.
It was that sister sense…
It was overriding her want for safety.
"Wow… Thanks, Lori…", Mandee whispered, and Lori, seeing that her job was done, started to walk off.
Surely that was it! She had done her part and no one got hurt! That was all she had to do, right?
"Lori…"
Nerp. There was more. Big freakin' surprise there.
Lori turned around, dreading Mandee's next line.
Making shy circles in the grass, Mandee pouted. "Could you… Well… I don't know how to swim."
On the one hand, Lori desperately wanted to escape this. Surely someone else could help! Surely someone else could teach Mandee!
Who said that Lori needed to do the right thing?
But…
But someone NEEDED help.
Someone NEEDED her.
Lori so desperately wanted to rest, but the real Lori wouldn't let her.
She wouldn't fuck things up this time.
She HAD to help.
She HAD to be the big sister.
It was who she was.
"Sometimes, I really hate myself…", Lori scowled, and she turned towards Mandee.
"Ok… I'll help."
Somehow, Lori felt better here than she did when she was not burdened with responsibility.
It made zero sense…
But at least she could distract herself from her self loathing!
"…Please that I don't ruin someone's life this time…", she whispered as she approached Mandee.
"Oh, Miguel! Isn't the water just LOVELY?", Whitney crowed, as she floated gently, smiling at him with her sunglasses on.
Miguel, who was warming up and stretching on the grass (having decided over the past few weeks to get fitter), shrugged. "Considering I'm not in the water, I can't tell."
Sensing an opportunity, Whitney stood up (the water was still very shallow on her parts) and let the sun's rays make her smooth skin shine like a diamond.
Flashing a bright smile that could blind a passerby, she winked. "Why don't you come in here and find out?", and with that she made a scratching motion with her hand, purring.
Miguel, looking a little concerned, shook his head. "No thanks, Whitney! Not yet, that is! I need to get warmed up first so my muscles don't get cramped!"
Whitney giggled like an idiot, not actually understanding what she was about to say. "Miguel, don't be silly! Muscles don't cramp, especially not the ones you have!"
Miguel wondered if perhaps Whitney had left her brain back home. Poor thing. It was probably cold and lonely.
"Whitney… You do realize that's total bull, right?"
Whitney sighed, secretly sad. "Fine then! I guess I'll have to enjoy this all on my own! No one is having it harder than me!"
"Somehow, I disagree.", Becky, who was close to her, commented.
Whitney waved, ignorant to Becky's problems. "Hey, BFF whose advice isn't working yet, but hopefully will! What's up?"
Becky sighed as Leni splashed around her. "Oh, I'm just trying not to anxiety scream."
Closing her eyes, Becky hoped that maybe she could get blind or something, and then she'd never have to worry about Leni again.
Probably.
Leni, meanwhile, just giggled innocently, blissfully unaware of the conflict raging inside her partner. "Oh, Becky! You come up with the weirdest things! Why would you want to scream when you're with friends?"
"Well, when those friends are unusually attractive…", Becky thought to herself, relieved that she hadn't said that out loud.
Whitney groaned as Miguel continued to stretch. "You're lucky, Becky! At least you're not alone and not burdened like me!"
Becky would have punched Whitney, but that would have been a waste of a good punch.
"Oh, do enlighten me."
"Well, YOU don't have to feel what I feel: Deep, terrible and awe striking want for the so close yet so far love of your life!"
Becky was getting red: This was ridiculous!
SHE didn't know that?!
IT WAS HER LIFE TO BE TANTALIZINGLY CLOSE YET FAR FROM HER ONE TRUE LOVE!
THAT WAS HER THING! HER SHTICK!
"Really? You REALLY think that?", Becky said, growl starting to emerge from her throat.
"Why, yes!", Whitney responded, unsure as to why her friend was angry. "You're so lucky you don't have to angst over such things! Tiring, really! I've spent a whole day pining over this boy I know nothing about and it's, like, the worst! I doubt anyone has had to wait for love the way I have!", she said, fanning herself with her hand and looking haughty.
That's does it.
Becky got so mad she pounded the water, drenching Leni and Whitney.
"YOU HAVE NO CLUE, SISTER! I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR YEARS!"
Becky then gasped, hands grasping her mouth.
She made a silent prayer as Whitney and Leni gave her odd looks.
Maybe they… Didn't notice?
For a moment, no one said anything, and Becky sighed in relief, smiling even.
Maybe she was safe!
But, of course…
"…Are you in love, Becky?", Leni asked, genuinely surprised.
Becky gulped and started to lower her head, sheepish and red as a sunset. "…No…"
Whitney scratched her chin. "You said you've been waiting for years… Like, gurl! Why didn't you tell me? EEEEEE!", She enthused, getting all excited. "Finally! I've been waiting years to give you some romantic advice!"
Becky panicked and waved her arms in refusal. "No no no no! You've got me all wrong! Also, you know nothing about it!"
Whitney shook her head, a sly smile on her face. "Becky, dear, I am only struggling because of how HUNKY Miguel is! I have years of experience letting down morons! Getting one should be easy! And it will show you that I am the BEST at getting boys!"
Becky sighed. Of COURSE Whitney was only interested in helping because it was a chance to flaunt her ego.
Suddenly, Whitney hugged her, allowing Becky to feel her wet skin touch hers. "Oh, this will be so much fun! It's been AGES since we've done anything like this! Finally, my BFF will get the boyfriend she deserves!"
Becky let a small smile: Maybe Whitney DID care a teeny bit.
She was also really close now, close enough to smell the salt in her hair and feel the water on her shoulders.
Her face was so wet… Yet somehow warm.
Becky could see parts of her she'd never seen before…
It was oddly interesting.
But Becky quickly averted her eyes, a lot more interested in what Leni had to say.
"Oh, Becky! This is great! Who's the lucky guy?"
Becky turned even redder and her teeth began to chatter.
What was she going to say? It was a girl?
Worse! It was Leni?!
She had to think fast!
"Um… Well…"
Her eyes darted around, and she tried to think of an excuse.
And then, as she looked at Leni's innocent and expecting face, she came up with one.
"He's taken! That's the problem! So, of course, I can't move for him!"
Leni nodded. "Oh! Well, that makes sense! No need to make him unhappy and ruin his relationship, even if you'd be a great girlfriend!"
"…You really think so?", Becky asked, almost choking from happiness.
"Uh, fuck that!", Whitney said, grabbing hold of Becky. "I'll teach you how to steal him from whatever skank has him!"
Becky shook her head lightning fast. "Whitney, NO! NO!"
"Come on! It's the least I can do!"
"My advice? It didn't help!"
"Not yet! You said to be patient! Besides, I HAVE to get into this! It's SOOOO interesting!"
Becky sighed as Whitney excitedly talked with Leni about her ideas.
How fucked up was her summer getting?
"Oh, hi Leni!"
Everyone suddenly jumped as Fiona (carrying a confused Dana who slid across the grass) entered the scene, a mad grin on her face, almost as if it was fake!
(I'm sorry, I'll try to be less sarcastic)
Anyhow, Fiona was pissed; Leni and Miguel were once more spending time with some boring ass side characters and she was relegated to the sidelines once more, and for what?
So, hoping to finally make them jealous, she had dragged Dana all the way here to spring her trap.
Leni, of course, waved obliviously to this, as did Miguel. "Hi, Fiona! What's up?"
Fiona smirked as she picked Dana up and cringed as she embraced her. "Oh, nothing! Just enjoying my perfect day with my perfect best friend playing a perfect round of tennis!"
She then took out two tennis racquets and started hitting tennis balls towards Dana, who continued getting bonked in the forehead.
"Ow! But still more fun than when I tried to do that on my own!"
Miguel blinked, confused, while Leni just smiled. "Seems great! Want us to join?"
Finally! Now she could stick the knife in!
Chuckling mercilessly, she exclaimed "Why, no, my dear Leni! I don't NEED you right now! Your companionship is something I do not DESIRE! Your company is one I would not see need to apply to! Our friendship contract can be put on hold and this relationship isn't in need of screentime! I'd much rather stick forks in my eyes and work a 24-7 shift in a shit sandwich factory then change anything that is happening right now!"
"Reverse psychology. I'm a genius.", Fiona complimented herself as she waited for Leni to respond, the blond trying to calculate all this.
Straining, she nearly blew a fuse before coming to a conclusion:
"Ok! Have fun!"
Fiona also blew a fuse, albeit an angry one.
"Do you need sunscreen, Fiona? You're looking awfully red!", Miguel asked, concerned, but Fiona instead suddenly threw a racquet at him, which he narrowly ducked.
"Whoa!", Miguel called out, hairs on end.
"Whoops! Butterfingers!", Fiona shouted out, pissed, and she lifted Dana up and walked away with her.
"You'll be sorry for this!", she cried out, as she walked out, Dana just shrugging and putting the tennis ball in her mouth like a cat.
Meanwhile, in another corner of the lake…
"Ok, I know I asked you to teach me, but are you sure this is the best way? Like, can I buy life insurance first?", Benny asked as he found himself in Rex's arms, about to be thrown into the lake.
Rex tried to calm him down in his usual charismatic way.
"Chillax, Blue!"
"Dude, it's… You know? I'm not going to even bother correcting, you wouldn't remember anyway.", Benny commented, frustrated, and Rex ignorantly nodded.
"That's the spirit! Surrender! Surrender to the waves! Let them guide you!"
He then quickly added, with a concerned look "But not too much, or you'll drown."
Benny gulped as Rex continued to rock him, readying a throw. "Ok, but are you SURE you have to throw me?"
Rex continued to instruct, eyes closed in confidence, which freaked Benny out as he narrowly didn't hit a near tree branch every so often. "Think of it like taking a band aid off! Sure it hurts at first, but after a few moments you're in Easy Peasy ville!"
"It DOES look nice in the brochures… All right, Rex! Throw me!", Benny, now a little more confident, braced for the water.
"Wait, so if I kill you, I'll only feel a bit bad and then I'll move on? Better make a note of that!", Shannon called out, still reading her book but now near Benny and Rex.
Rex stuck a tongue out once more, and he turned his nose up. "If you don't mind, I am TRYING to teach this poor, lost nerd how to swim!"
"I'm more of a geek, but whatever.", Benny interjected, not that anyone noticed.
Shannon rolled her eyes. "You, trying to teach? Ha! All you're doing is taking the easy route!"
Rex got a little steamed up now. He really WAS trying to do the right thing this time, properly and everything! Unfortunately, little miss snort had to go along and criticize him for things he hadn't done!
"Well, allow me to prove to you how wrong you are, Nerderella!"
"Bring it, Meathead! Teach the guy to swim and I'll concede a point!"
They stood face to face now, angrier and more competitive by the moment. "You? Concede a point? I thought your ego was too achey breaky for that!"
"It's fragile, you dolt, and yes, I will! In fact, I will actually participate in the swimming contest if you prove to me you could do this simple task without fucking up, which you will!", Shannon challenged, grinning smugly.
Rex growled and turned around, still holding Benny. "So, we doing this?", Benny asked, perhaps at the wrong time.
Rex, still furious, threw Benny into the water and Benny, panicking, screamed as he crashed into the lake and flailed around.
"Wait! I wasn't ready! I'm gonna die! I'm drowning! Tell my mom I loved her! Tell my marionette I loved her! Tell Luan I loved her! Wait, don't do that, that would embarrass me!"
Benny continued to jump around, oblivious to Rex and Shannon's less than impressed looks.
"Lord, who art out in heaven, GET ME THE FUCK OUT OF HERE! I'll never refuse another breath mint joke because of my crippling halitosis if it means I get to live!"
Suddenly, Benny felt water splash his eyes, and, blinking the lake out of his pupils, he realized that he was…
"I'm… Not drowning?"
In fact, his head was perfectly sticking out of the water, and he was quite comfortably floating, not struggling for a second.
Shannon shook her head as she sat near the water and dipped her toes. "Benny, the water is shallow here! Any cretin worth their weight knows that!"
"…I didn't."
Shannon blushed now, feeling bad for being a bit of an asshole, and offered a weak apology. "I mean, no one HAS to know that! (Raspberry) Knowledge is power, but it's also, like, overrated?"
She finished off weakly before offering a small "Sorry" as Benny sighed before seeing Rex rise up next to him and, smirking, offer a breath mint.
Benny rolled his eyes but smirked back. "Ok, I'll admit: You did get me IN the water."
Rex fist bumped him underwater, which was pretty impressive, if we're being honest. "Peddle to the fucking meddle, Blue."
"Sure, you got him in, but can you ACTUALLY teach him?", Shannon asked, smug, and Rex frowned.
"Jesus, what is your problem with me? What am I doing wrong NOW?"
Benny raised an index finger. "He raises a good point, Shannon. And I don't like him either!"
Rex looked hurt from that, and Benny replied "Well, to be fair, we've only interacted 3 times."
"Ok, I see that."
Shannon sighed and closed her book. "Benny, it's simple: Rex and I are incompatible in every way. He's a jerk jock who loves himself, and I am a hyper intelligent bookworm who's conventionally unattractive."
"I liked the part where she said I was a jock, the rest I didn't get.", Rex whispered to Benny, who ignored him.
"But, like, what about opposites attract? Isn't that, like, THE romance rule?", Benny countered, and Rex cringed the same time as Shannon.
"Uh, no! It's been factually proven that people gravitate towards people who are like them! Like you and Luan! It creates an air of familiarity and safety, mating with someone who does things you like and not things you hate.", Shannon informed, pushing her glasses up.
Benny nodded. "Oh, I see that."
Rex agreed too, but for different reasons. "I get that! I mean, if I found a girl Rex… It would be wicked AF!", and he kissed his own guns.
Shannon made a gag reflex and turned her back to him.
"So, you see, even if on some INSANE earth Rex and I were to continue to see each other, it would be a disaster! We're only even interacting now because of this! After the week is over, we'll NEVER have to talk again!"
"Amen to that!", Rex saluted, and Shannon did too, having to agree.
Benny didn't say anything, but he did wonder if Rex and Shannon would kill each other by the end of the day.
"Well, moving on from that slightly depressing tangent, let's get on with the swimming lesson! I gotta fast track this so I can cheer up Luan!", Benny pleaded, and Rex nodded.
"All right, Blue: Let's prove to Shannon she's a dumb dumb!"
"Not what I want to do, but ok!", Benny agreed and Rex began to teach Benny.
Shannon scoffed and shook her head, finding the very concept that someone like Rex was even capable of teaching anyone else.
"As I said before, there is no way you'll succeed! It's just scientifically impossible!"
20-30 minutes later, Shannon was gawking as Benny ran around who hooing with pride.
"I did it! I did it! I learned how to swim and it took no time!", Benny cheered, before sheepishly addressing Rex, who looked cocky as ever, but for once with slightly good reason.
"That is… We did it."
Rex sighed contently and looked over at Shannon. "I definitely did, Blue! I wonder if our "friend" over here could spare an… Apology of sorts? A concession? Perhaps her part of the deal?", Rex looked down condescendingly at Shannon, enjoying his victory over her immensely.
Shannon was still sputtering in disbelief, however, so it was a little hard to formulate a response…
"HOW THE FUCK DID YOU DO THAT?"
Never mind. Her vocabulary was very much still intact.
Shannon shook her head, failing to comprehend any of this. "I mean, you're… You! You're a dumbass in every way! You've never tried for anyone else in your life, at least from what I understood!"
Rex frowned, frustrated with the insults, while Benny too looked a little uncomfortable.
Shannon, however, was busy being shocked. "Like, wow! How could I have been wrong?"
"Well, I DID teach him, didn't I? I proved you wrong! And even though I did that, you still act as if I didn't!"
Rex actually sounded hurt, which was sort of more surprising than Rex getting anything right.
Shannon herself was a little taken aback by this, used to Rex getting outraged over dumber things already.
Rex however, was not wrong; and even his anger wasn't fake, as one could see that something deep inside him felt broken.
"I got this right! Let me have that, you hippotamous!"
"Hypocrite, you really oughta know that word, but poor voaculary skills aside, he IS right, Shannon. I'm not big fan either, but he kept his word, did it properly, and everything! You can't just go back on your end of the deal." Benny piped in, defending Rex, which made the jock smile softly.
Shannon was still perplexed. "But it doesn't make sense! He's a jerk jock!"
"And you're a bookworm outcast who wants to be seen as more than just a nerd. Why doesn't he get that chance? He's allowed to be complicated. He's allowed to be right."
"Ha!", Rex countered, before Benny stepped in and said "And she's allowed that too, Mr. "Nerderella" who keeps making fun of her."
Rex grew silent, and Benny's wise words made the two shameful.
While they were definitely not going to improve as people yet, the two did realize (if for a moment) that perhaps, just perhaps…
Their worldviews were flawed.
Maybe Rex WAS too self centered.
Maybe Shannon WAS too close minded.
Maybe the both of them WERE too jerky to those who were different/mean to them.
Shannon looked at Rex, and sighing, knowing there was no real other right thing to do, went into the water.
Rex, accepting the silent apology, got in to. "Come on! I want to win this thing!"
Suddenly, he found himself getting splashed. "Maybe you're a good teacher, but I hardly doubt you're as good at swimming as you suggest. I bet I'm better than you at even that!"
But instead of a malicious or cocky grin, there was a playful smile in the statement. At least for now, they were willing to try to play fair.
And in that smile was an apology of sorts. Shannon conceded that, maybe, just maybe…
There was more to Rex then met the eye.
And for a moment in the smile that he returned, Rex conceded that there maybe just maybe might be more to Shannon then meets the eye.
Sadly, the rest of the day would go horribly.
But…
For a moment…
There was a glimmer of connection between the two.
Who knows?
Who knows indeed.
Sorry this took SO LONG! I lost my passion for the story a bit, and got busy with others, but I'm trying to get more done with this! the second half of this will begin production soon!