(A/N: I'm sure you know by now; Writers' block. Enjoy!)
We Meet Again
Ch. 15
On a chilly, but nice day in November, all the kids were in school... except for Shenzi. She was experiencing the first of a major point in her life: Her first menstrual period. Felicia and Frankie prepared her for it, Frankie helping since hers started earlier in the year, giving her experience to share, so she was able to catch it without making a mess in her underwear. When she wore pads before the "big day", she felt like she was wearing a diaper, but ignored it. But they couldn't prepare her for one thing: The cramps. Today, they were so bad that she had to stay home from school to rest. Frankie offered to bring her homework to her, and she accepted the offer. She also gave her notes about her absence for their teachers, so they'd know why she had to stay home.
For comfort, as she laid in her bed, she was in a baggy, black shirt with pink stripes on the long sleeves, black capri pajama pants, black barbell earrings, and her hair in two ponytails, and extension-free. She was barefoot too. She had taken 2 Advils for the pain, but so far, there was no effect. She settled on squeezing her skull stress toy from the arcade. It wasn't doing much, but it was better than nothing.
She shivered when the memory of Halloween night came to her mind; Encountering the ghost of Thomas Samson. She barely passed that dreadful science test, but that was nothing compared to what happened before that. She had twisted her knee while running from the ghost on the mountain, and as instructed by Chuckie, she told her parents that she had an accident during gym. Thankfully for her and Frankie, they believed the story. Back on the ghost story, she didn't think that they would actually encounter it. She just thought they would find the shack, and the necklace, then have an actual sleepover at Angelica's house. Seeing an actual ghost right before her eyes as opposed to in just a photo was almost overwhelming. It felt like one big, horrible nightmare, but it was real life. It was hard keeping it a secret from their parents.
"Shenzi?" Speaking of which, Felicia's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. "How're you feeling?"
"About the same," She shrugged.
"Ah. Well, I can make you some tomato soup, if you're hungry," Felicia offered.
Shenzi's heart skipped a beat at the mention of tomato soup; Weeks ago, she saw it turn into blood in the nurse's office. She didn't think that she'd look at that kind of soup the same way ever again. But she didn't want to look suspicious, so she accepted the offer. "O-okay, thanks. I am a bit hungry."
"Alright," Her mother nodded, "I'll get started on it. Don't go anywhere... except the bathroom, but you know what I mean." The emo girl heard her walk back downstairs. After taking a well-needed bathroom break, she stayed silent while laying in her bed, save for a few small groans. Did girls really have to deal with this monthly? Seriously?! She only hoped that the cramps would only be on the first day. If they were occurring every day until her period ended, she'll be very miserable.
After a while, Felicia came back upstairs, with a small bowl of tomato soup and a small spoon on Shenzi's black bed tray. "Here you go, Shen." She carefully set the tray on the bed, after the cramping girl sat on her feet. "Be careful, it may still be a bit hot."
"Thanks Mom," Shenzi smiled.
"If you need anything else, just yell." And with that, Felicia walked back downstairs. Shenzi absentmindedly looked at her alarm clock, and saw that it was around a half hour past noon. Did school really take this long? She never really noticed. It seemed like hours had already passed by; Did time really fly by that fast whenever she was at school? Maybe. She sipped a spoonful of soup, and savored the wonderful taste. Normally, she enjoyed Goldfish crackers in it, not caring how childish it seemed, but since she was cramping up, the soup alone was enough. Any more would be overwhelming. After a certain amount of time filled with sipping soup, and taking numerous bathroom breaks, the bowl was more or less empty.
After more hours seemed to pass by, she jumped a bit when the house phone rang downstairs. "I'll get it!" Felicia called out, to her relief. She really didn't feel like getting out of bed, other than for bathroom breaks, anyway. The sheets and covers were just too cozy. "Hello? Hi, Frankie; How's your day going?" Shenzi listened from her room. "Oh really? Chuckie wants to see Shenzi?" Her heart leapt with joy as she listened. "Oh, that's perfectly fine. Just so long as she does her homework." Her heart sank a bit. "That sounds good. I'll see you two when you come here. Bye." Felicia hung up; Shenzi heard her walk up the stairs, before she entered her room. "Shen? I just thought I'd let you know that if you're up to it, Chuckie's going to visit you after school."
"That sounds great," She smiled, as she sat on top of the covers. "I'm up for that."
Seconds later, they heard the front door open. "Anyone home?"
"Sounds like Dad's home," Felicia smiled, before turning to the staircase. "We're up here!"
And with that, Friar Tuck walked up the stairs, and entered the room. "Hey, girls. How're you feeling, Shen?"
"A bit better, I guess," She shrugged.
"I'll go see if the mail's here." Felicia headed downstairs, "I'll be back in a minute."
After a few seconds of silence, Friar Tuck spoke up. "So, anything exciting happen?"
"Eh," She shrugged, "Not much. Mostly cars and joggers passing by." Her bed was by a window, with curtains of course, so she had a good view of the street. "Just same old, same old."
"Pretty boring, huh?"
"Yeah," She shrugged, before snickering a bit. "Kind of ironic, considering how boring school is. But when I'm there... at least I'm among my friends. Speaking of which, Mom said that after school is out for the day, Chuckie's going to come visit me."
"That sounds nice," Friar Tuck smiled, "Just keep the door open."
"Dad," She laid a hand in her hair in embarrassment, "We're 12, and besides, he would never do that."
"That's good; Although I'm worried about you making a move too."
She blushed in deeper embarrassment. "Dad! I won't do anything like that!"
"What's going on up there?" Felicia called out to them from downstairs. "Honey, are you embarrassing Shenzi again?" She walked upstairs, and in the emo's dark-themed bedroom.
"Uh huh," Shenzi nodded, "He's telling me to "keep the door open", and that I'll "make a move" on Chuckie," She pouted playfully.
Felicia playfully smirked at her husband, with her hands on her hips. "Really? They're only 12 years old. And are you sure you should even be saying stuff like that to her?"
"I was kidding, Felicia."
"Uh huh." She then saw the time on Shenzi's alarm clock. "Oh, I have to get to work. Try to keep the "kidding" to a minimum, okay sweetheart? I'll be back in a while." She walked back downstairs, and headed out the door to her car.
"Guys are so lucky," Shenzi remarked after a second or two of silence, "Mom and Frankie told me that only girls have this... monthly thing." Saying the word "period" made her a bit uncomfortable.
"Your mother went through that when you and Frankie were little," Friar Tuck told her, "Whenever she walked with those things, you or Frankie would ask her if she's wearing a diaper." He chuckled, as Shenzi giggled.
"We did?"
"Yeah, you both did," He nodded, "I never thought that you and Frankie would actually... you know, experience it for yourselves."
"Yea," She shrugged timidly, "It is not fun, trust me. I just hope these cramps are only on the first day. If not, I'm going to be quite miserable... like now."
"You're miserable?" He raised an eyebrow at her, "I don't like seeing any of my daughters miserable." He teasingly poked her ribs, knowing it was her stomach that was aching.
"Eek!" She squeaked and giggled, covering herself with her arms and even her legs. "You know I hate when you do that!"
"Well, you look happy now," He playfully smirked, "It must be working." With that, he reached over and started tickling her. With a loud squeal, she fell on the bed and kicked her legs, her eyes squeezed shut as she cracked up laughing. She almost forgot about her cramps, and overall misery in that moment. Through her giggles, she thought that she heard the front door open.
"What's going on up there?" They heard Frankie's voice, so the fun stopped. Shenzi was then instantly reminded of her condition, because since she was laughing hard, her cramps were back.
"Are you hurting again?" Friar Tuck asked her when she squeezed her eyes shut and lightly exhaled with her arms at her stomach.
"Yeah, a little."
"I'm sorry, sweetheart. I shouldn't have done that then."
"No, it's fine," She assured him, as she covered herself with her blankets again. "It wasn't your fault."
Before he could respond, Frankie unintentionally interrupted him. "Sis, you have a visitor!" The emo heard footsteps coming up the stairs, before Chuckie came in her room. "Hey Shen," He greeted her, as Friar Tuck stood up. "How're you feeling?"
"As you would expect." Shenzi regretted her words when he looked confused. "Sorry, shouldn't have said that. Um, still a bit crampy."
"Dad, can we leave them alone to... chat, and do their homework?" Frankie suggested from the doorway.
"Well, alright," He agreed, heading for the door.
"Don't do anything drastic," Frankie teased Shenzi and Chuckie, winking and clicking her tongue at them. Shenzi rolled her eyes while smiling as her sister left the room.
"So, um..." Chuckie tried to think of a conversation starter as he sat on her bed, being careful to not sit on her feet or legs. "Only girls get this?"
"Yeah," She nodded, "No offense, but I'm kind of surprised that you don't know about this. Doesn't your mother have a... monthly friend?"
"Well yeah," He shrugged sheepishly, "I just never ask about it. And none taken."
"Oh, okay. Well hopefully, she'll prepare Kimi for her first day, like Mom and Frankie prepared me for mine."
"Yea," He nodded. "Um... wh-why don't I help with your homework? We can chat after we're done."
"Okay," She agreed, as she sat on her feet and on the covers.
"First off, here's yours." Chuckie set some papers and his pencil on her lap. "I did mine on the bus."
"Thanks."
"Your sister wanted to deliver it to you, but I insisted."
"Oh."
After a while, they were finished. Chuckie was surprised at how quickly she completed the math problems. He did need to help her with the other subject. "How are you so good at math, Shenzi?"
"I dunno," She shrugged, "I guess it just comes to me naturally. Like with you and science."
"Scie-? Oh no, I'm not good at science."
"Well, you're better at it than me."
"Y-yeah, I guess sometimes it just comes to me, but I wouldn't say it's my top subject."
"Ah," She nodded.
"Um, I uh, this is kind of embarrassing, but I couldn't figure out these problems." Chuckie set his math problems on her lap. "If you can't do them, then I can ask my parents or Kimi. It's no biggie."
"Hmm..." Shenzi looked at the problems that he left blank. "Just long division?"
"Yeah," He shrugged, "I kinda stink at it."
"Oh," She giggled, "Well, I can help you with these." She winced before turning herself around. "I-in a minute." She jumped on the floor, and headed for the bathroom. While he waited, Chuckie gazed around the room his best friend slept in. The canvases on the walls gave him the creeps, but he thought the cupcake table and lava lamp were pretty neat. He also liked the cross hanging off her doorknob, although he wondered what the wire mannequin was for. He smiled when he saw her skull toy on the table; The memory of the first time they ever hung out together one-on-one came in his head. He liked seeing her so happy that day, and enjoying her first arcade. He was pretty baffled when she revealed that it was her first time, but he vowed to make it her best time. "I'm back." Shenzi's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
"You doing okay?"
"Yea," She shrugged, "The frequent bathroom breaks are aggravating."
"I can imagine that going profusely can get annoying."
She raised an eyebrow. "Pro-what?"
"It means excessively," He told her.
"Oh, okay. Well now that I'm refreshed, for now at least, let's get started on these." She sat back on her bed, and set the papers on her lap. "So, what exactly are you having trouble with?"
After a minute or two passed, the problems were completed. Shenzi wasn't very good at explaining concepts, so it took a while for him to get it. "Thanks for helping, Shen. Hopefully I'll remember those tips you gave me."
"No problem," She smiled, "I hope they help you in the future; I'm not very good at explaining things like that."
"Well, I hope you get better. From what you told me, they sound pretty gnarly."
"Thanks, and they are. I'm just glad you don't have to go through them." She laid under the covers as she looked like she was in slight pain.
His heart ached for her when her face scrunched up, associated with groans. He didn't know what to do for her; He felt so useless. "Shen, uh, I wish I could do something to help you."
"It, it's alright," She assured him, "They'll go away... eventually. All I have to do is wait until the two Advils I took go into effect." After taking yet another bathroom break, she laid in her cozy bed again. She yawned and rubbed her eyes with her fist under her bangs and glasses.
"Um, i-if you want, I can leave so you can rest."
"Well, actually... can you stay?" She timidly requested.
"Sure," He smiled, "But... I have to use your bathroom real quick."
"Go ahead," She giggled.
"Thanks." Chuckie stood on the floor, and walked to the bathroom; Since he had been to the house a number of times before, so he knew where the rooms were. After he refreshed himself, he almost jumped out of his skin when Friar Tuck was suddenly in front of him. His glasses almost flew off his face. "Oh!" He yelled out in surprise, before his hand was on his heart, over his green long-sleeved shirt, which was over a red and blue sweater as he adjusted his glasses. "Sorry Mi-Mr. Tuck, you scared me."
"It's alright, that was my fault," Friar Tuck assured him, "How's Shenzi doing?"
"She's still a bit achy, but she's gonna try to sleep it off," Chuckie replied. "I think her cramps are getting better, though."
"That's good. Did she get her homework done?"
"Yep," The redhead nodded, "I had to help her with all the subjects except math. She seems to whiz through the classes and homework problems involving it."
"Yeah," Friar Tuck smiled, "She works hard on that subject, and I'm really proud of her for it. Frankie seems to have a knack for Language Arts, and I'm very proud of her too."
"Does she really?" Chuckie was genuinely surprised, "I guess I never noticed. That explains why she hardly ever raises her hand in class, I suppose. Um, I uh, hate to change the subject, but what should I do for Shenzi? I just feel useless, not knowing how to make her feel better."
"Well, to be honest..." Chuckie jumped at Frankie's sudden appearance at the stairs.
"Why is everyone here sneaking up on me? Is your mother behind me?" He glanced behind his back.
"Sorry about that, Chuck, and you're good. Um anywho, cramps mostly go away on their own after a while; The only way to at least ease them up is with Advils and sleep," Frankie explained. "All you or anyone else can do is... maybe distract her from the pain or something. I dunno," She shrugged. "Just entertain her with what happened at school today."
"I'll let her sleep first," Chuckie decided, "Then after she's gotten enough rest, I'll tell her what happened at school today. Hopefully I'll be able to before I have to get home for dinner."
"If you do, I'll tell her."
"Thanks." And with that, the redhead walked in the dark bedroom, while the father and oldest daughter headed downstairs. He smiled when he saw Shenzi without her glasses sleeping somewhat soundly. She occasionally winced with a little groan, but was peaceful otherwise. He carefully sat on the right side of the bed, and just watched her sleep. He knew it was kind of unsettling, but he didn't care.
He would say that she was like Sleeping Beauty, but in his eyes, she didn't do Shenzi Tuck justice. Sure, Aurora was a beautiful princess, but Shenzi was a real person. She had natural beauty, with her messy hair, slight squirming, and makeup-free face. Although he respected her choices, he felt that she had no need to hide half of her face, because of something that was beyond her control. That night while they were camping, when he saw all of her face, he just wanted to kiss her again. She was just perfect. But on the other hand, he also liked how she looked with one eye covered; It gave her a mysterious vibe that he found attractive in a girl. And to top off the loveliness cake, she had a wonderful personality; Sweet, but not afraid to get nasty if it defended those she was close to. Plus her fascination with the unknown was kind of... cute to him. On their way up that mountain, she was like a kid in a candy store.
He snapped out of his trance when she sat up and put her glasses on her face. "B-bathroom break?" He hesitantly asked her.
"Yep," She nodded, before heading for the bathroom. As he waited, Chuckie looked around at the room again. When a certain something caught his eye, he stood on the floor, and went to look at what interested him; It was a heart-shaped photo frame on a cards table. He smiled when he saw that in the frame was a picture of him as a 2 to 3-year-old at his parents' wedding reception. He was surprised that Shenzi had kept a photo of him in her bedroom for who knows how long. But then again, he had kept a picture of her as a toddler in his room for almost 10 years now. Maybe his was in here for the same amount of time? Most likely. "What're you looking at, Chuck?" He jumped at Shenzi's voice. "S-sorry, Chuckie! I didn't mean to scare you!" She hastily apologized.
"It's okay," He assured her, "I uh, I just saw this old picture of me on your cards table. If you don't mind me asking, how long has that been in here?"
"Around 10 years now," She told him, "Mom said that after that fiasco in Manhattan, I was missing you something awful, so she and your mom exchanged e-mail addresses, and my mom was sent a photo of you to keep in my room, so if I was feeling sad, I would've looked at that picture and I felt better."
"Oh really? To be honest, I have an old photo of you in my room, with the same backstory."
"You do?" Shenzi smiled, "Cool!" She sat back on her bed, and she let out a yawn as her eyes drooped.
"You still tired?"
"Yeah, kind of."
"Well, you can sleep all you want. Don't mind me."
"You sure you won't get bored?"
"Nah," He assured her, "Go ahead and rest. Your health and comfort are more important than my entertainment "needs" anyway."
"Thanks Chuck," She smiled tiredly, before laying in her bed, taking off her glasses, and drifting off into a peaceful sleep once again. Chuckie smiled and gazed at her again as he carefully sat on the bed again. He didn't know why she always fussed over making herself look perfect; He thought she looked cute with messy hair, like right now. He brushed some stray strands falling from the bands out of her face, as she let out a small moan of sleepiness. He took her lack of pained groans as a sign of her cramps getting better, which he was relieved about. He wished that he would be the one hurting instead of her. He gently kissed her cheek, so a blush formed on her peaceful face.
"Chuckie?" He looked in the doorway, and saw Felicia peeking in. "How's she doing?" She whispered.
"I think she's doing better," He replied quietly, but audibly.
"That's good," She smiled, "Frankie and I prepared her for this, but I didn't know how to warn her about the cramps in the first day. But they're only on the first day. Unless your period starts in the evening, then they start the next day. These are just some things to tell your sister, so she's ready for hers."
"Okay," He nodded, "Thanks, Mrs. Tuck. Um, I mean, Felicia."
"You're welcome. I'll check on her in a little bit." And with that, she headed back downstairs.
When Chuckie looked back down at Shenzi, he was surprised to see her slowly waking up. "Hey Chuck," She smiled sleepily, "I heard you and Mom talking, just barely."
"How're you feeling?" He asked her.
"Better," She shrugged, putting her glasses back on. "Hang on a sec." After taking what seemed like the millionth bathroom break to her, she sat cross-legged on her bed in front of him. "Hopefully I won't be this crampy on Thanksgiving."
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot! Today was the last day before our Thanksgiving break. We start school again on Friday."
"Oh really? Well, thanks for telling me."
"No problem."
"I'm pretty excited for Thanksgiving," She smiled, "Every year, my family and I watch the Gracy's Thanksgiving Day parade on TV together."
"We do that too," Chuckie told her. "And we do the usual as well. You know; Eat turkey, and stuffing and such until your stomach explodes."
"Us too," Shenzi giggled, "I hope yours is fun."
"Yours too, Shen."
Before any words were exchanged, Felicia came up the stairs. "Hey, Chuckie? Your mom texted me; She and your dad want you home for dinner."
"Oh!" He exclaimed in surprise, "I didn't realize it was that late. I have to go, Shenzi."
"I understand," She nodded, "Have a good dinner." She kissed his cheek.
"Thanks," He nodded timidly, "You too." He then stood on the floor, and walked downstairs to head home.
On Thanksgiving Day, Shenzi was preparing herself for the holiday. Mostly for the meal, and to watch the parade with her family. Using a certain theme, she put on a black velvet knee-length dress with short sleeves, a white collar, and white buttons, black bow earrings, black bow tie ballet flats, a hair clip with a small Pilgrim hat, a turkey charms necklace, and an orange extension.
In the other bedroom, Frankie was changing into a black and white raglan shirt with "Feast Mode" and a turkey on the front, black jeggings, black and white zamille sneakers, a simple ponytail band, a matching set of a necklace, ring, and earrings with turkeys on them, and a knitted turkey hat. She planned on changing into a black cable-knit sweater for the meal, and taking her hat off as well.
At 9 AM, the family gathered in the living room and watched the Gracy's Thanksgiving Day Parade set in Manhattan. The parade had music stars ranging from Emica to the Sulky Boys, all in festive outfits, school marching bands, fun floats and balloons, Broadway performances and Santa Clause in the finale.
In the Finster house, the family watched the parade together as well. Kimi seemed to fangirl over the Sulky Boys, and the Pouty Girls when they performed on floats. Chuckie was ecstatic to see a balloon for Armadillo Dave at one point. After their meals, the respective Tuck and Finster kids were so stuffed that they had to take turns in the bathrooms to relief themselves.
After the festivities were over, and after they ate leftovers for dinner, Shenzi called Chuckie, and they talked about how their Thanksgivings went. She giggled at Chuckie saying that Kimi fangirled over the Sulky Boys and the Pouty Girls.
Tragically, Shenzi had forgotten about her period for the whole day. The bad part? She had to scrub the stains out of her underwear. Although thankfully, she was wearing yoga shorts, so her dress was spotless.
But overall, it was a wonderful Thanksgiving for the families, and all their friends.
(A/N: I hope this makes up for who-knows-how-long of waiting for an update. You know the disclaimer.)
