(A/N: Sorry that I took so long with this one. It just didn't come to me until today. I think it turned out decent. Enjoy! I hope...)
We Meet Again
Ch. 17
On a sunny day in mid-April, Chuckie was feeling excited; Because it was a very special day for him. Although he did have one thought: Where the heck was Shenzi? She hadn't been this late since her first day. He hoped she was alright.
He was startled by a pair of arms wrapped around his waist, but when he looked down and saw that they were grey with black polish on the fingernails, he smiled. "Happy Birthday, Chuckie!" Shenzi greeted him. "Can I still talk to you, now that you're officially a teenager?" She joked.
"Of course you can," He assured her, with his hands on her arms, "You can talk to me anytime." He turned around, and saw the cute and unique outfit she was wearing; A black and white striped crop top that he guessed stopped on her belly button, black short overalls, black and white striped tights, black low-top sneakers, black skeleton hand earrings, and a white extension.
"I've got a little something for you."
"Ooh, you got me a present? What is it?"
"I'm not telling you," She giggled, "You'll have to wait, Finster."
"Darn," He playfully pouted, "I'm sure it'll be worth the wait."
"It will be," She assured him.
Later, to his surprise, all of his friends threw a party for him during lunch. The present Shenzi bought for him was a dark denim jacket; It was simple, but he loved it. He wore it throughout the rest of the day, except in gym. He also received a new Armadillo Dave comic book from Tommy and Dil, a gift card for the comic book store from Kimi, and a green hoodie from Phil and Lil. The biggest surprise came from Chaz and Kira after Chuckie and Kimi were home; A PDA phone! He felt like his eyes were going to pop out from how wide they were, but joy filled him up before they could. Kimi cracked up laughing at his bugged-out eyes, but kept her cool.
The next day, Chuckie showed his PDA to Shenzi, and she was very impressed and happy for him. "Chuckie, this is so cool!" She exclaimed, "You're so lucky; I can't wait to get my own PDA."
"You will someday," He assured her, "I know you will. If you ask your parents for one when it's your birthday, you just might get one."
Before they said anything else, Vice Principal Pangborn made an announcement about the upcoming Girls' Choice Dance. "So, about um, y'know..." Shenzi stammered, twisting her hair on her wrist, "I uh..."
"You want me to go with you? Like, as your date?"
"Y-yeah," She nodded, "Will you?"
"Yes, I will," He smiled.
"Awesome, thanks," She timidly hugged him, and he hugged her back. Before she could say anything else to him, the bell rang throughout the building. "Oh, I have to get to my science class. Bye, Chuckie!" She ran to the said classroom hastily, as Chuckie watched her.
"Hi Chuckie," A girl's voice with a slight lisp made him turn around. Standing behind him was Edith Cusick. She had red hair like his, freckles, round thick glasses, and was shorter than Shenzi was. She was wearing a light green sweater, a purple sleeveless dress, a green scarf, short purple pumps, and a yellowish green beret.
"Oh hi um, Debbie?" He could never remember her name; It always escaped his mind, and it made him feel like an idiot.
"It's Edith," She gently corrected him, "But you can call me Debbie if you want. So um, about the Girls' Choice Dance. Do you want to go with me?"
"Oh, I uh..." Chukie tried to decide on what to say. He didn't want to hurt her feelings. "I, I'm sorry, but Shenzi already asked me, and I said yes to her."
"Oh," Her face fell sadly, "O-okay then. Have fun with her."
"Thanks, I will." She then walked away solemnly. Chuckie felt guilty for turning her down. She was nice, but he wanted to stay loyal to the girl of his dre- no! His best friend! What was he thinking? He couldn't have a crush on Shenzi. Their friendship could survive anything, but he hated to risk it. If they dated and had problems, then that would surely end things between them for a very long time, if not permanently. He couldn't let that happen. Their friendship meant everything to him.
On Saturday, the dance was kicking in. Chuckie was waiting at the gym doors for his date, watching couples go inside the gym together. He was in the same outfit that he wore for Valentine's Day, but his hair was still wild, just how she liked it. "Sorry I'm late, Chuckie!" Shenzi hastily apologized as she ran up to him. She was wearing a black tank top with "Je T'aime" written all over it in pink letters, a black cropped tank top under it for more coverage, a black tutu skirt with a small, silver chain, black and pink tube socks that reached just below her knees, black leather Converse ballet flats, black bow front-and-back earrings, a pink extension, and a large, pink pleather bow on the back of her head.
"It's alright," He assured her, "You look great."
"Thanks," She smiled at him, "So do you."
They then entered the gym, which was decorate beautifully for the dance. As she enjoyed some snacks at the food table, something caught Chuckie's gaze; Mr. Pangborn seemed to be staring at Shenzi, mostly at... where her skirt was. And not in a good way. Was he... creeping on her? Chuckie looked and saw Frankie with a suspicious look towards the former wrestler as well. And she seemed to see the redhead too. "Um, I uh," He turned to Shenzi, "'Scuse me for a sec." After she nodded, he walked up to Frankie, who was by the stereo. She was wearing a black and white striped off-shoulder dress with black shoulder straps for support, black rose tights, red bow tie ballet flats, a ponytail band with a red chiffon bow, and black rose earrings. "Hey, Frankie? Did you uh...?" He gestured to the vice principal.
"You saw Mr. Pangborn too?" The blonde asked him, "That creep is ogling my baby sister!"
"Og-what?" She whispered the definition to him, and his eyes widened. "Oh my Go..."
"Yep," She nodded, "He's not getting away with this."
"No way," He agreed, "What should we do?"
"I dunno," She shrugged, "We can't attract any attention, so um... for now, just stay close to Shenzi. I'm counting on you."
"I'll protect her no matter the cost," Chuckie vowed, "No one creeps on any students here and gets away with it. I'll stick to her like glue."
"Actually Chuck, I don't think you should worry her," Frankie said, "She'll ask what's wrong, and you and I both know what a terrible liar you are."
"That is true," He shrugged, "Okay, I'll be more careful. But I'm still going to protect my best friend; No one creeps on Shenzi Tuck and gets away with it."
"Nope," Frankie agreed, "Thanks Chuck."
"No prob." He then walked back to Shenzi, who had been waiting patiently. He intentionally blocked Mr. Pangborn's creepy gaze. "Hey Shen."
"Hi Chuck," She smiled, "What were you doing?"
"Um..." He tried to think of an excuse, "I-I was trying to see what this song is. I uh, kinda like it. But your sister said that the stereo doesn't show song titles."
"Oh okay," She nodded. Chuckie mentally sighed in relief; She believed his little white lie. "Well, the one playing right now is "Our Time Now" by the Plain White T's."
"Ohhh," He nodded, "You know your songs, don't you?"
"I guess," She shrugged, "I heard it on TV. So, you wanna dance?"
"Sure." And with that, they headed for the dance floor. Chuckie spun her around in a playful ballroom style to the catchy, upbeat song. But soon it ended, and "When You're Gone" by Avril Lavigne started playing. From the lyrics, Chuckie thought back about, you guessed it, their argument. He thought the song suited at least his situation when their friendship had briefly come to a stop; He never knew how much he needed her until she was out of his life, even for a day or two. He didn't notice how depressed he looked until Shenzi spoke.
"Chuckie? You okay?" He snapped out of his trance, wiping the tears that he didn't know were in his eyes. "Y-yeah, I'm alright. I was just... thinking."
"What would you be thinking about that would make you so sad?"
"Our um," He hesitated, "... Our argument."
"O-oh," She stammered, "But Chuckie, I forgave you for that when I slept over at your house, remember?"
"I know, I remember," He nodded, "It's just that this song reminded me of the time when we... weren't friends anymore for a short time. It was the worst time of my life."
"It was mine too," She said timidly, "I never knew how much I needed you until you were out of my life, even though it was brief." She laid her head on his chest and left shoulder. "It was awful."
"It was for me too," Chuckie held her closer in comfort, for both of them, "I promise to never get out of your life again."
"Thanks, Chuck. And I'll never get out of yours." She kissed his cheek. "I promise."
"Thanks, Shen," He smiled down at her, and she smiled back as she straightened up. She blushed and giggled when he gently rubbed his nose on hers.
At the stereo, Frankie saw them and smiled so widely, her cheeks were starting to hurt immediately. "Ohh!" She quietly gushed, "Why can't they start dating already? They are perfect for each other!"
As "Ho Hey" by The Lumineers, somebody walked up behind her. "Hey Frankie?" She turned around and to her surprise, she saw Bobby. "You uh, want to dance?"
"Sure," She smiled timidly, and hand-in-hand, they headed for the dance floor. As they slow-danced to the song, she felt something weird in her heart. Did she like Bobby? And did he like her?
As the night went on, Frankie and Chuckie accidentally forgot about the perverted gym coach/vice principal and his ogling Shenzi. Unknown to them, and to all the students, as "What I Like About You" by The Romantics was playing, he was still staring at the emo girl as her flowy skirt flew up from her fast paced dancing. He could've sworn he briefly saw her black and pink lace panties.
August 27th
"Shenzi!" The said girl shot up when her name was suddenly shouted. After yanking the covers off, and putting her glasses on, she saw Frankie, who was already dressed, at the doorway. "Sorry that I scared you, but happy birthday, baby sis! You're now officially a teenager and caught up with me and Chuckie!" She walked up to her sister's bed, and sat at the foot of it carefully. She was in a white sugar skull lace-up sleeveless dress with black laces, a white flower ponytail band, white knee-high boots with black laces, black opaque tights, ghost earrings, and a silver ring necklace. The birthday girl was in black and pink flower Pjs, consisting of shorts and a camisole. Her hair was messier than it usually was from her slumber.
"Th-thanks Frankie," Shenzi yawned as she stretched her arms up. Her shirt had ridden up quite a bit while she was sleeping, almost up to her ribs, so when her arms were up, her belly button peeked out for her smirking sister to see.
"You go ahead and get dressed Shen; There's something special coming up for you, and pjs are not appropriate for it." At "not", she swiftly poked her belly button.
"'IPE!" She yelped and protected herself. "Frankie, don't do that!" She then yawned, but rubbed her eyes instead of stretching her arms up this time. "I-I just need a bit more sleep." She laid back on her bed and covered herself with her blankets, but the blonde was persistent.
"I don't think so!" She lifted the covers and poked her sister's flat belly where it was still bare, close to her shorts.
"Eek!" Shenzi squeaked, "Frankie, I mean it!"
"Me too!" Frankie pulled the covers off, and tickled her ribs over her tank top.
"Aack! Heheheheahahaha!" Shenzi burst into giggles, "Frahahahankihihie, stohohohop!"
"Nope! You need to get out of bed right now, lazy bones!" Frankie teased her, moving her hands to her sides.
"IhIhIhI'm st-stihill tihihihired! Hahahahaha!" Shenzi tried to protect herself, but her sister's hands were too fast.
"In that case, I'll tickle the sleepiness out of you!" The blonde pulled the emo's tank up to her bra and tickled her bare ribs and belly at a fast pace.
"Stohohohohohop!" Shenzi squealed and squirmed, "Stohohohop ihihihit!" She yelped loudly when Frankie briefly stroked her belly button. When Frankie noticed, she stopped so the emo could catch her breath. But after only a second, she merely chuckled evilly before she wiggled her thin long-nailed index finger in her sister's belly button. "Gyaahahahahahahaha!" Shenzi laughed hard, "Nohohohohot thahahahat! Pleheheahahase!" When Frankie's other hand teased her right bare side, tears came in her eyes. "Hehehehehelp mehehehehe!" She finally screamed, so she was heard throughout the house.
Soon enough, Felicia came upstairs and was amused at what she saw. "And what're you doing, Frankie?"
"Shenzi won't get out of bed," Frankie explained over her sister's hysterical laughter, "So I'm tickling her out of it!"
"IhIhIhIhI'm tihihihired!" She yelled.
"I'll help you out," Felicia smiled deviously, "... Frankie."
"NOHOHOHOHO!" The youngest girl screamed, "Pleheheahahase dohohon't!"
"Shen, it's your birthday. You need to get out of bed sometime." Felicia came up, held Shenzi's left arm up by her elbow, and gently tickled her bare armpit with her long, sharp nails.
"Nyaaahahahahahaha!" Shenzi screamed, as her sensitive skin trembled from the light, tickly scratches. "Guhuhuhuys, plehehehehahahase stohohohohohop!" She begged. When Frankie dragged one finger down her quivering side, her tears fell.
"What's going on in here?" The tickling stopped when the girls heard Friar Tuck's voice from the doorway.
"Shenzi's being a lazy head, so I'm trying to get her out of bed," Frankie giggled, "Hey, that rhymed!"
Shenzi panted and sputtered for breath. "P-please help, Dad. I-I can't... take any... anymore."
"Okay Felicia, Frankie, I'm really sure she's had enough," He told his wife and oldest daughter respectively, "Why don't we let her get dressed for her big day?"
"Alright," Felicia nodded, before letting her arm go. "Sorry Shen; I was caught up in the fun."
"I'm sorry too; I was also caught up into it," Frankie jumped off the bed.
After they exited, while covering herself instinctively and rubbing her sides, Shenzi browsed through her closet to find an outfit for the special day. She decided on a purple floral skull dress, black and purple cameo skull lace-up ballet flats, a purple extension, a black and white skeleton cameo ring from Halloween, and matching dangle earrings. When she looked in her mirror, she felt like she needed one more thing. But what? After looking in her closet again, she found something that suited her need: A black short-sleeved chiffon blouse with a bow tied on the front at the collar. It belonged to Maya, her biological mother; She saw a photo of her wearing it a while ago. Deciding to wear it for her special day, she untied the bow and undid the buttons, before she pulled her arms in the sleeves, and redid the bow and buttons. When looking in her mirror again, she smiled at the improvement, before she opened her door and walked downstairs. "H-hey guys."
"Hey birthday girl," Felicia smiled, "Since you're turning 13 today, I'm making you your favorite breakfast."
"Lucky charms with bacon on the side?"
"Yep," She nodded, "That is your favorite, isn't it?"
"Yes," Shenzi giggled, as she sat at the table, "I was just confirming."
"Is that the shirt passed down from Maya?" Friar Tuck asked her.
"Yep," She nodded, "I decided to wear it for my special day, since it's a special thing."
Later that day, Shenzi was confused when Frankie seemed to go out of her way to keep her inside the house, but soon enough, it made sense; Her family had planned a surprise party for her! She was very excited when her friends came to the party, especially Chuckie. After they enjoyed some chocolate cake with thick pink frosting, they gave out presents to the birthday girl. She was confused once again when her parents insisted on saving theirs for last, but she shook it off with excitement.
She received a star spangled muscle tee and a Road Warriors baseball tee from Phil and Lil together, a cropped, ¾ sleeved, black and pink buffalo plaid jacket and a black and white lips print muscle tee from Bobby and Roxy together, a rainbow stripes and black star printed hoodie, black fishnet fingerless gloves, and a black and white baseball cap that humorously and simply said "Hat" on the front from Tommy and Dil. "Courtesy of yours truly," Dil had said about the hat. From Chuckie and Kimi together, she received a black and red bow striped tutu skirt, and a black "Goth Girl" pin with a picture of white hair in braids. Maxie and Matt were unable to find presents on time, but she assured them they were fine.
The biggest surprise came from her parents and sister: Along with a black, expensive-looking multi-layered reversible petticoat skirt, there was a black PDA! Her eyes widened, and Chuckie smiled upon seeing it. After thanking her family and sitting on a blanket in the grass with her presents in her lap, Chuckie sat next to her. "You see? I told you that you would get one."
"Yes you did," She laid on his shoulder, "And you were right."
Chuckie carefully laid his head on hers, trying to think of something to say. "Um, K-Kimi made that pin with this machine she got for Christmas."
"I love it," She held it up to admire it; The braids had pink bows, and the words "Goth Girl" were white and pink respectively, and looked like they were dripping.
"That's good," Chuckie smiled, "I um, I bet you'll look great in your new clothes. I picked out that skirt."
"Did you really? Well, it's great; I love it. I love everything I got."
"Good."
"Would you lovebirds like some cake?" Roxy teased them, with a plate holding a slice of cake and a fork on each hand.
"Sure," Shenzi shrugged, taking one of the plates.
"I'm up for more cake," Chuckie took the other plate, and the orange-haired girl walked away to leave them be. The two ate as they watched the semi-grey clouds roll by. "Those clouds look a bit dark; You don't think it's going to rain, do you?"
"I'm not sure," She shrugged, "It might. Hopefully it won't start until the party's over."
After a while, the party had come to an end, and while the guests helped the Tucks put the chairs and tables away, it started to rain, so they picked up the pace. Then to Shenzi's surprise, Chuckie asked his parents and hers if he could sleep over, since it was summer and school was out. Thankfully, they allowed him to stay, so long as they "kept the bedroom door open." After stopping at home for Chuckie to grab his sleeping bag, toothbrush, toothpaste, and pajamas, Chaz drove him back to the Tuck house.
"Hey Shen," Chuckie greeted Shenzi when she answered the door.
"Hi Chuck," She smiled at him, "Come on in." She stepped aside to let him walk in the kitchen. "Have you guys had dinner yet?"
"Not yet," Chaz shook his head, "If it's fine with your parents, Chuckie can eat here."
"They're fine with it," Shenzi said, "I asked them just in case, and they said they'll make extras."
"Cool, thanks," Chuckie nodded.
"Okay, you have fun, Chuckie," Chaz told his son, "And behave yourself." With that, he left as the young redhead blushed. After they had one of Shenzi's favorite homemade meal, which was simple spaghetti, since it was her birthday, the two friends hung out in her bedroom clad in their pajamas. Shenzi's were the same ones from that morning: Black and pink flowers cami and shorts. They already brushed their teeth after eating.
"So, you like your gifts, Shen?" Chuckie asked her best friend as she put them in their appropriate spots.
"Uh huh," She nodded, "They're all great; I can't wait to use them."
"That's good," He smiled and nodded, while sitting on her bed. "Do you ever make your bed in the morning?" He laughed a bit at the disheveled covers.
"Yeah," She shrugged, "But I forgot today, because I got a wakeup call against my will."
"What happened?"
"Well..." She sat next to him, and whispered it in his ear. "Ohhh," He laughed some more, "Yeah, that can make you forget things."
"Yep," She nodded, before she started staring out into space, getting lost in her thoughts. Chuckie was waiting for her to say something, but he didn't receive anything. He then recalled the way she said that her sister and mother got her out of bed, and from that, he got an idea. He stuck out his left index finger and poked her side, making her flinch harshly and let out a loud squeak.
"Chuckie!" She giggled, the soft fabric her pjs were made of providing almost no protection. It was almost making it worse. "Don't!"
"Don't what?"
"Don't poke me!"
"Just that? Don't poke you?" Chuckie playfully teased her, "Okay then, it's your call." With that, he pinned her on her back, and started tickling her belly over her shirt.
"Eek! Heheheheahaha!" She burst out laughing and started squirming. "Nohohohot thihihihis agahahahain! Chuhuckihihihihie!" Their movements combined made her shirt ride up to expose a bit of her lower belly to him. When he noticed this, he smiled evilly at her before he held her down by her shoulders with one hand, and poked at and teased her bare skin just above her shorts with the other. She let out helpless giggles as she tried to bat his hand away, but he was persistent.
"You know Shen, I never understood why you wear shirts that show your stomach if it's this ticklish," He teasingly remarked. He then pulled her shirt up to just below her belly button, and made his attack again.
Shenzi's eyes squeezed shut as she wiggled and squirmed to attempt an escape. Her shoulders hunched up when he moved his hands to her neck and collar bone, where her skin was also bare. "Chuckihihihie, stohohop ihihihit! That t-tickles! Hehehehe!"
"That's the idea, braniac," He playfully teased her. After sitting on her legs, he moved one hand to her knees. She tried to kick her legs as his other hand tickled her flat belly along her shorts' waistband.
"You guys having fun?" Frankie peeked in, clad in her own pajamas. They were exactly like the younger girl's, but they were mint and yellow-ish green with polka dots and chevron stripes. Plus her barbells were silver. "Let me help you out... Chuck."
"Nohohoho!" Shenzi yelled, "Hehehehelp mehehehehe!"
"Sorry baby sister, this is too fun to resist." Frankie walked up to the bed, and carefully sat on her sister's arms so her wrists were above her head. She then pulled her shirt up to the top of her ribs, so all of her belly was out for them to see, her shorts already low enough. She then started teasing her bare sides like she did last time, but this time, she only used her index fingers, as Chuckie focused on her lower belly and her hips.
"Guhuhuhuhuys!" She squealed, "Pleheheheheahahase stohohohop!" As her right side was teasingly tickled, she yelped when Frankie poked her belly button.
"You get her there, Chuck."
"Alrighty."
"No!" Shenzi tried to protest, but the redhead started wiggling his left index finger in her belly button as his other hand tickled one of her armpits. Tears flooded her eyes as her laughter increased to hysteria. "Stohohohop, plehehehehease!" She begged them, "I cahahahan't tahahahahake ihihihit!" She squirmed desperately when Chuckie and Frankie tickled up and down both of her sides with all of their fingers.
All of a sudden, from the strong endurance, she mustered up enough strength to yank her arms free and pin Chuckie on his back. "Haha! Revenge, Finster!" She shot both hands up his shirt, and tickled his armpits with her own long nails.
"Nohohohoahahahaha!" He burst out laughing, "Frahahahankihihie, hehehehelp!"
Shenzi let out a scream when Frankie started dragging her index fingers down her sides. "Nohohoho!" She protected herself and hunched over, but she then felt wiggling fingers on her bare back. "Stohohohohop!" She fell on her side as her sister attacked her belly and back at the same time, and Chuckie tickled up and down her side that she wasn't laying on. Before long, she was on her back; When Chuckie held her arms up, Frankie teasingly tickled her armpits. "Guhuhuhuhuys!" She squealed, "I cahahahahan't breheheheahahahathe!" Her laughter started straining when Frankie's hands trailed down her sides. "Pleheheheahahahase stohohohop! IhIhIhI c-cahahahan't...!"
"Oh!" Frankie stopped and jumped on the floor, as Chuckie let her arms go. "Sorry sis, I couldn't understand you at first."
"Me neither," Chuckie admitted.
"It, it-it's okay," She panted, as she shielded herself with her arms after pulling her shirt down.
"Okay, I'll leave you two alone." Frankie walked to the doorway. "Have fun. And happy birthday, sis." She winked teasingly before she headed for her own room.
"S-sorry Shen," Chuckie rubbed the back of his neck.
"It's okay, Chuck," She playfully poked his belly over his shirt, making him flinch and giggle, "At least I didn't pass out... or wet myself. I love these Pjs, and I'd hate to stain them."
"Yeah," He nodded, before he saw the time. "Um, it's uh, almost 11." He sat on his sleeping bag. "Why don't we get some sleep?"
"Okay," She agreed, shifting under the covers. "'Night Chuckie."
"'Night Shen, and happy birthday."
"Thanks."
With that, the two friends drifted off to sleep after taking off their respective glasses.
(A/N: I hope you enjoyed this mediocre chapter! XD You know the disclaimer. Do you know where I got the chapter title from? ;) Sorry that it didn't focus on their birthdays that much.)
