(A/N: This is a lo-o-ong one. O_O It was inspired by the AGU episode "Wouldn't It Be Nice?" Enjoy!)
We Meet Again
Chapter 18
On a nice day in September, Shenzi woke up bright and early. Today was the day the students choose an elective class to take, and she was psyched for it. She already had one in mind, so she hoped that the list wouldn't be full. She changed into a half black half white hooded dress without sleeves, a black short-sleeved cropped cardigan, black knee-high sneakers with white laces, black bow earrings, and a white extension. After having breakfast, she and Frankie boarded the bus after waiting for a minute. "Hey, Frankie?"
"Yeah?"
"What elective are you planning on taking?"
"Oh, that's easy; Living Skills Class."
"Me too!" Shenzi exclaimed with joy.
"Cool! I hope our friends take it too."
After the bus arrived at the school, all of the students made a beeline for the electives sign-up lists. Luckily, there were hardly any signatures for Living Skills, so Shenzi and Frankie signed in first thing. Their friends did as well; Chuckie was reluctant, pointing out that participants would be paired up in fake marriages, but was sold when Shenzi pointed out the possibility of him getting paired up with her. She and Frankie giggled when Chuckie almost immediately signed his name on the list.
Near the middle of the school day, the class officially started. Shenzi was assigned to sit at a desk with Lil at her right. Tommy and Phil were across from them, while Chuckie and Fridge were in front of them. Harold and Susie were near the back, while Angelica and Tyler were in front of them. Darryl Spears and Brianna Penelope were near the front, with Phil and Kimi behind them. Sean was with his friend Justin in front of Harold and Susie.
"The cornerstone of all successful relationships are the three C's," Ms. O'Keats lectured the students, and gestured to the chalkboard, which had three words that started with "c" listed in chronological order. "Communication, cooperation, and compromise." She then looked depressed. "Three things my ex-boyfriend although lacked. The man has a sensitivity of a potato." She then perked up. "But I digress. After choosing mates, you will be assigned occupations, and together you will plan a wedding. Learn to budget, and make provisions for children."
If Shenzi had been sipping a drink, she would've done a spit take at the last part. Children? She didn't remember hearing about that. She had turned 13 only a month ago; Wasn't it a little early to think about raising a child? "Um, Ms. O'Keats?" She timidly raised her hand, "I'm not sure I'm ready for a husband. I only turned 13 a month ago. Can't we do a class pet instead? Like a goldfish, or a hamster?"
"Not a husband, Shenzibeth," Ms. O'Keats answered her, "For this class, and for a special field trip tomorrow, where you'll learn about the life of the wedded, you'll be known as Spouse 1 or Spouse 2." Not knowing how to respond, she set her hand on the desk.
"You think you're too young for marriage?" Lil whispered to her with a kind smile, "Phil and I are 12."
"That is true," Shenzi whispered back with a shrug.
"I have written half of the class' names on pieces of paper," Ms. O'Keats announced with a brown lunch bag in her hand, "The other half will choose a partner from this paper bag." After heading to the back of the classroom, she started walking down the aisle.
"Chuckie, Chuckie, Chuckie!" Shenzi whispered with hope, amusing Lil.
"Shenzi, Shenzi, Shenzi!" Chuckie was repeating her actions.
"Sean, Sean, Sean!" Angelica whispered to herself.
"Angelica, Angelica, Angelica!" Harold whispered with hope. When Ms. O'Keats stopped at his desk, he dug through the bag with anticipation. When he pulled out a piece of paper, he was surprised at the name that he picked out. "Lil DeVille?"
Lil's eyes widened upon hearing her name. "Harold Frumpkin?"
"This should be interesting," Phil snickered.
"Frankie Tuck?" They heard Bobby's voice from near the back of the classroom. Frankie's heart stopped upon hearing him. Maxie was paired up with Roxy, while Darryl drew out Susie's name, and Brianna picked Fridge. Interestingly, Sean drew out Tyler's name, while Nicole picked Kimi. Phil had Leslie Myers.
When it was Shenzi's turn, she nervously dug through the bag. 'Chuckie, Chuckie, Chuckie!' Feeling lucky, she pulled out a name, and looked at it. But her eyes almost popped out of her head when she saw the name; Because it surely wasn't Chuckie. "Tommy Pickles?" She gazed over at the purple-haired boy, who looked as surprised as she did.
Chuckie felt his heart crash down to his feet. She picked Tommy? He couldn't believe it! But then again, it was luck of the draw. When he heard a certain someone yell out his name, his heart leapt in fear. "Chuckie Finster?!" Angelica exclaimed in anger and "terror", "I got Chuckie Finster?!"
"Oh man," Chuckie hid his face in his arms. "I'm doomed."
Shenzi leaned forward, and patted his shoulder. "You'll be alright, Chuck."
"I doubt it."
"We'll be with a teacher or two during the field trip; What can she do?"
"Oh, you don't want to know," Angelica whispered to them.
That made Shenzi angry. "Okay, you'd better treat my best friend good, or I swear I'll..."
"Alright, that's enough out of you two," Ms. O'Keats ordered, and they both stayed quiet. "Just like in life, you'll have to learn to live with your choices. And Mrs. Pickles, one thing to learn is to treat your spouse with respect." Angelica glared at Susie when she stifled laughter. "Now, let's see what disappointments the world of employment has in store for you."
Although Shenzi was glad that she at least picked a good friend, she was worried about Chuckie. She wished that she picked him; At least then, he wouldn't be with a girl who seemed to be out for his blood. If anything happened to him, she'll get expelled, and may very well be arrested, for killing Angelica. She cared a lot about Chuckie, and she wasn't afraid to defend him.
With Tommy, he was very surprised that Shenzi picked his name. Like their friends, he expected her to get Chuckie, but nope; She got him! At least she was a good friend. He wondered how the field trip would go.
On the way out, Shenzi trailed behind nervously. She hoped this field trip wouldn't change anything with her and Chuckie; It's not like the marriages were real, so why was it a big issue? She wish she knew. "Oh, Shenzibeth?" Ms. O'Keats' voice made her stop walking.
"Y-yes, Ms. O'Keats?"
"Can I talk to you privately for a moment?" The red-haired teacher requested.
"Um, s-sure," Shenzi stuttered timidly, before walking up to her desk. She waited until the other students were gone before saying anything else. "What's up?"
"Well Ms. Tuck, you know how you've been... giving Chuckie so much love and affection?" Shenzi blushed at this. "Don't deny it; I've seen you two in my classes, and at the parties here."
"Um, I uh, y-yeah I know what you're talking about," She nodded, "What about it?"
"For today, and during the field trip, I think you should give Mr. Pickles that attention, since you picked his name."
"Y-you want me to um, y-y'know, with Tommy?"
"Mm hmm," Ms. O'Keats nodded, "But only for today and the field trip; After that, Mr. Finster will continue to be the lucky one."
Shenzi's eyebrows raised in surprise. "The lucky one?"
"Yes Shenzibeth, don't be so modest," Ms. O'Keats smiled, "You are a lovely girl with a lovely personality; Any boy would be lucky to have your attention."
Her blush deepened as she timidly averted her gaze to the floor. "Th-thanks, ma'am."
"You're very welcome. Now run along, before you're late for math."
"O-okay," She nodded, "Thanks again; I'll be sure to um, give my attention to Tommy." She then headed for the math classroom.
In phys ed, she was still a bit wary. The fact that she felt like someone was staring at her didn't help in the least. Considering she wore her cropped ringer t-shirt, again, and white shorts with a black waistband, it was a bit obvious that she would get stares. She also wore white Converse high-tops with black laces, her socks that she always wore in gym, black barbells, a white and black sports bra, and had her hair in a high ponytail with a small, white bow band. The unsettling feeling grew whenever Mr. Pangborn was close to her. Was he the cause of her discomfort? Most likely, considering she only felt it in gym class.
During the class, Tommy felt a strange obligation to stay close to Shenzi. Why? He didn't know. Was it the marriage concept combined with he fact that she picked his name by luck of the draw? The class was told to treat their respective partners like they were actually dating, or married, for authenticity or something like that. Either way, he was sticking to her like glue.
As Mr. Pangborn did attendance, Shenzi thought back about Ms. O'Keats' words. Lucky? Since when were boys lucky to have her attention? Since when was anyone lucky about that? She wasn't that attractive, and she always felt like she had a weird personality. "Shenzi Tuck!" She flinched and snapped out of her thoughts upon hearing the gym coach/vice principal shout her name.
"H-here!" She squeaked out.
"You okay, Shen?" Tommy quietly asked her, "You seemed to be in a daze."
"Yeah, I-I'm fine," She assured him, "I was just... thinking."
"Oh okay," He nodded, "Well, I'm glad you're alright."
"Thanks Tom," She smiled timidly. Tom? Where did that come from? Since when did she give nicknames to her friends besides Chuckie? That was kind of unusual, even for her. Hopefully things would be back to normal once the field trip was over.
"Tuck!" She flinched and squeaked in surprise. "This is gym class, not talky time! Got it?" At the last two words, he poked her belly over her shirt, right on her belly button.
"Eek!" She squeaked again, and instinctively protected herself, "S-sorry; It won't happen again."
"It better not, Tuck."
When he walked away from her, she whipped around and grabbed Tommy's shoulder, surprising him. "Help me, Tommy!" She whispered hastily, "I always feel so uncomfortable around him! And not in the good way! What should I do?!"
"I, I dunno," He stuttered quietly, "I wish I knew, but I don't. Maybe uh, next time you wear a bigger shirt?"
"I've been meaning to, but I keep forgetting," She shrugged, "I just grab this one by habit. On my first day, I thought it would be more breathable, but it's just making me feel uncomfortable." She didn't notice him pointing behind her. "It's not the shirt itself, it's..."
"Tuck!" She flinched and yelped, while Tommy jumped, when Mr. Pangborn harshly poked her bare back, near her backside, "Save the chit-chat for after class!"
"Y-yes sir," She squeaked.
Tommy felt suspicious about the gym coach; Why was he so hands-on with Shenzi, and not with anyone else? Usually he just yelled to get a student's attention, and he expected the students to perform a certain task with no help, but with Shenzi, he seemed to touch her any chance he got. What a creep. He wanted to do something about it, but what? He was just one person; And one person couldn't do much, especially against the vice principal of all people. He didn't want to get anyone in trouble; Especially Shenzi, since she was the victim. The principal and the super intendant would never believe him if he reported Pangborn to them. "Pickles!" He jumped at the sudden yell directed at him, "This is gym class, not daydream island!"
"S-sorry sir," He hastily apologized. Since he was out of his thoughts, he went to do some push-ups on the floor. From his place, he saw Shenzi on one of the ropes; From where Mr. Pangborn was standing, it was guaranteed that he could see up her shirt. The thought alone made Tommy shiver; He could only imagine how she felt, but to his surprise, she looked oblivious to it, as if Mr. Pangborn wasn't even there. Either she didn't notice, or she was a remarkable actress.
Before long, the grueling class came to an end for the day. As the students prepared to head for the locker rooms, a loud squeak echoing off the walls made everyone turn to the ropes. It turned out, Mr. Pangborn had grabbed Shenzi's bare sides while she was climbing down, and she was taken completely by surprise. When Tommy looked, the former wrestler's hands were still on her; It even looked like they were a bit under her shirt. That made his skin crawl just thinking about it. Mr. Pangborn set the girl on the mat, his hands lingering more than necessary, before she moved away and hastily headed for the girls' locker room. Tommy felt even more obligated to stay close to her; She seemed like she needed it.
After grabbing permission slips, the students headed home after school was out for the day. Using her new PDA, Shenzi made a note to remind herself to give the slip to her parents for them to sign it, giving her permission to go on the trip.
The next day, Shenzi woke up groggily, and after freshing herself up, she started getting dressed for the field trip. Last night, she and Frankie each had their permission slips signed by both of their parents, so she took the note out of her PDA. They were quite surprised to hear whose name she drew out of the bag, almost as much as she initially was. She settled on low-rise biker shorts, a pastel pink tartan mini skirt, black Converse low-tops with light pink laces, a black x-front cropped tank top that showed a small strip of her belly, a light pink extension, black bow earrings, and a pink and black horseshoe embroidered cropped cardigan. After Frankie was ready, the two girls waited outside for the bus to come after having breakfast and saying goodbye to their parents.
When the bus came and after they entered it, Shenzi saw Chuckie sitting by himself. She figured that Angelica hadn't been picked up yet. She stopped at his seat, and patted his shoulder. "You'll be alright," She whispered to him, before sitting at a seat nearby with Tommy. Frankie walked further until she stopped at Bobby's seat, where she timidly sat. Lil was across from them with Harold. Shenzi's heart sank when she saw Mr. Pangborn sitting with Ms. O'Keats near the front; She immediately regretted wearing a crop top for the field trip.
"You want the window seat, Shenzi?" Tommy asked her.
"Y-yeah," She nodded, and after she stood up, he scooted over. "Thanks." Stepping over his feet, she sat by the window with her backpack on her lap. When the bus took a sudden left turn, Shenzi fell and landed on Tommy's lap, with her backpack falling on his feet.
"Oomph!" He exclaimed when her bag hit his feet. "You okay?" He asked her when she sat back awkwardly.
"Y-yeah, I'm alright," She nodded, "Sorry about that." She hastily picked up her backpack. "You alright?"
"Yeah I'm fine," He assured her, "Your backpack's not that heavy. And... you aren't either."
She blushed and averted her gaze timidly. "I-I don't know about that last thing; I must be at least 120."
"120?" Tommy's eyes widened, "Are you nuts? You have to be in the 90s, tops!"
"... Y-you really sure about that, Tommy?"
"100 percent," He replied, "Seriously, you're not fat at all. You're slender, and... p-pretty," He stammered timidly.
Shenzi had never seen him act shy before, unless it was around a girl he liked. "R-really? I am?"
"Yeah you are," Tommy nodded, "I'm kind of surprised that Chuckie hasn't told you that."
"He actually has. So have my parents and sister," She shrugged, "I just... I just feel like everyone just says that to me to make me feel better."
"Why wouldn't they mean it?"
"I dunno; They don't want to hurt my feelings."
"Shenzi, how could you think that?" Tommy asked her, "You're one of the prettiest girls in school; Why would you think otherwise?"
"I don't know. I uh, I just can't help but think otherwise when I look in the mirror. Plus in my old school, I was... told that I'm ugly."
"Don't let them get to you," Tommy told her, "You are a pretty girl; Don't let anyone tell you different."
"I'll, I'll try not to," She twisted her hair around her wrist absentmindedly, "Thanks, Tom."
"No prob, Shen."
He was very surprised when she laid on his shoulder absentmindedly. "I um, Ms. O'Keats told me to give you "public displays of affection" like I do with Chuckie," She timidly explained.
"Oh o-okay."
Soon, all of the "couples" were on the bus, so the field trip offically started. When Angelica came, Shenzi heard Chuckie yell in pain; Turned out, Angelica wanted to sit by the window, so she stepped on his feet to do so instead of asking him to make room. The emo's blood boiled at that; What happened to treating your "spouse" with respect? "Ms. Pickles, remember what I said," Ms. O'Keats scolded the blonde, "You must treat your spouse like a person, not like a door mat." Angelica just turned to the window. "Before we arrive at City Hall and the marriage bureau, we would be visiting various shops to research wedding costs," Ms. O'Keats announced, "Oh, and I'd like to thank Principal Pangborn for volunteering to chaperone today." Shenzi whimpered quietly and tried to hide herself with her knees to her chest. Tommy felt bad as he watched her. He wished he knew what to do for her.
"You okay, Chuckie?" Shenzi asked her best friend after she came out of "hiding."
"Yeah, I'm alright," He assured her, "Just a little sore." He rubbed his feet over his shoes. "Those tall shoes are killers on your feet in more ways than one."
"Finster!" Chuckie jumped at Angelica's sudden yell, "What're you doing, talking to another girl?!"
"Oh boy," Shenzi muttered.
"Now she understands the marriage concept," Tommy whispered to her.
"I-I was... I uh..."
"Don't "uh" me!" To everyone's shock, Angelica shoved the redhead on the bus floor!
"Chuckie!" Shenzi exclaimed in concern; She was thankful that Tommy let her check on him.
"Angelica Pickles!" Ms. O'Keats glared, "How dare you injure your spouse like that! And just because he was talking to Ms. Tuck; If he wants to talk to a friend, then he has every right."
"Hmph," Angelica turned to the window again in a huff.
"Are you okay?" Shenzi asked Chuckie.
"I think so," He rubbed his head, "Marriage is scary."
"Yep," She nodded in agreement, while helping him stand up. When he sat back in his seat, she shot a death glare at Angelica, who didn't seem to notice, or care, before she sat back with Tommy, being extra careful to not step on him. "Some people just make me sick."
"Same here," He agreed, "Hopefully she won't kill Chuckie for not opening the door for her or something."
"Yeah," She nodded.
At their first stop, at a jewelry store, Lil was admiring the wedding/engagement rings with Harold. "I've always wanted to get married on a beach, with bagpipes," Harold told her.
"B-bagpipes?" She stuttered awkwardly, "The beach part does sound nice."
"What's your dream wedding?"
"Oh, I-I don't know," She shrugged, "I never really thought about it. Although I'd like to wear a dress that's different from the traditional ones. One that's kind of short instead of dragging on the floor. And I'd never wear high heels; I'd fall on my face." Harold watched and listened intently as she talked; He was starting to see her in a different way. "I would wear sneakers, flats, or even boots to be more comfortable."
Before long, the bus stopped at a bakery where wedding cakes were made, along with other sweets. "So um," She moved her foot awkwardly, as she and her "spouse" stood in front of a tall wedding cake. "D-do you want to be spouse 1, or 2?"
"It doesn't matter to me," Tommy shrugged, "Which do you want to be?"
"I don't care," She shrugged, "Um, how about we flip a coin to decide?"
"Sounds good to me." Tommy took a quarter out of his pocket. "Okay, so heads you'll be 1, tails I'll be 1?"
"Fine with me."
Tommy flipped the coin in the air, caught it in his hand, and slapped it on his arm over his blue and green shirt. "It's tails."
"Looks like you're 1," She smiled as he stashed the coin back in his pocket.
"Yeah," He nodded.
After hearing them by the sweets selection, Chuckie turned to Angelica. "Um, An-Angelica?" She sharply turned to face him. "Do you want to be um, spouse 1, or spouse 2?"
She scoffed at the question. "Duh, 1! 'Cause I am clearly number 1 in the school, while you're just..." She waved her hand in front of her face with another scoff, "Just number 2." Chuckie hung his head in sadness.
Shenzi's eyes widened and her teeth gritted in fury. "That tears it! WHY I OUGHTA...!" She lunged in for the kill, but Tommy held her back with his arms around his waist. The students, chaperones, and even some chefs in the bakery were watching the scene. "Let me go!" She then turned to the blonde, who still looked angry, but now at her. "You are so disgraceful and ungrateful! No offense to Tommy, but I would do anything to be in your place, as the one who got Chuckie!" The redhead watched and listened in surprise. "I would give anything to be his spouse, whether it's for real or not! So you'd better appreciate him while you still have him!" She and Tommy walked back to the cake display. "Man, she makes me sick!" She seethed angrily. "Tommy, if I didn't care about you like I do, then I would ask you to trade spouses, so I can be good to Chuckie."
"If the chaperones allowed us, I would," Tommy said, "Also, it'd be kind of awkward to be married to my cousin, even though it's fake."
"True," She shrugged, "I just wish she would be nicer to Chuckie; He deserves it."
"Everyone wishes she was nicer," Tommy remarked, "Except herself. It's all "me, me, me" in her eyes. And everything else."
Shenzi giggled at the last part. "That is true. I just feel so bad for Chuckie. He deserves better."
"Yes he does," Tommy agreed, "He deserves... you."
"Me?"
"Yep," He nodded, "You treat him like a king. I'm surprised you aren't dating him already."
Shenzi giggled with a timid blush. "I just treat him like what he is, and what he is, is my best friend." Tommy wasn't bothered in the slightest by her calling Chuckie her best friend. He knew that no relationship, romantic or platonic, lasts forever; He was perfectly fine with him and Chuckie moving on, although they were still great friends.
Soon, it was time to leave, and head for the next stop on the field trip. On the bus, Shenzi watched Chuckie and Angelica, for in case Angelica hurt Chuckie again, physically or emotionally. When the bus stopped, she and Tommy looked, and saw that they stopped at "Ever Bridal", a bridal shop. "Ooh, this place looks interesting," She perked up.
"This should be good for you," Tommy smiled at her, "You are a dress tailor, after all."
"Yep," She giggled, "Although I think being a racecar driver sounds cooler."
"Oh, I dunno," He said modestly, as they and the students disembarked and entered the shop. "Chuckie was lucky to pick the role of movie director; That's my dream career."
"Is it really? That sounds fun."
"Yep," He nodded, "What's yours?"
"Oh I'm not sure yet," She shrugged, "Maybe I'll work in fashion or something."
"I think that sounds good," He assured her.
"Thanks," She smiled timidly, before she looked at the selection. "Aren't these dresses beautiful? I wish I could wear one."
"I'm sure you will someday," He smiled at her. And he had a strong feeling who would wear a groom's tuxedo. That person would be...
"Um Angelica, I don't think we have to try on these dresses," Chuckie timidly remarked from outside a dressing stall.
"Oh lighten up, Finster; We can't afford these anyway. Not on your crummy salary, with you being a director of cheesy horror movies."
"Directors make a lot of money. At least I'm not working in a circus."
"Trapeze artists make a lot more money than some doof shouting "Action!""
"Okay everyone, it's time to leave this graveyard of shattered dreams," Ms. O'Keats announced.
"Angelica, hurry up!" Chuckie whispered hastily; He didn't want to be left behind.
"Uh oh." She was suddenly stuck in the corset dress that she was trying on. "Get me out of this, quick!"
"What'd you say?"
"Get in here, Finster!" Chuckie shyly entered the stall, and was surprised to see her encased in the dress she brought in. "I'm stuck!" He grabbed on the bodice of the dress and started pulling as hard as he could. "Ow, my nose! My nose!"
"Stop whining, and suck in your head!" Chuckie told her.
"Tuck, Pickles!" They heard Mr. Pangborn's voice from outside the stall. "Finster, Pickles!"
"Here!" The redhead exclaimed.
"H-here!" Angelica squeaked out. Now pressing his foot on the mirror for support, Chuckie pulled even harder, and he fell back when the dress finally loosened and she was free. Surprisingly, she was still wearing her clothes; No wonder she got stuck. "Phew," She sighed in relief, "Y'know for something this expensive, they could have put in a zipper or something." Chuckie was exasperated at the lack of "thanks" in her dialogue. When they exited the stall, they were shocked to find the store empty. "Oh no!"
"They're gone!" Chuckie exclaimed in fear.
"I have eyes; I can see that, Finster." They ran outside, just in time to see the bus drive away. "Well, I hope you're happy," Angelica glared at the redhead in front of her.
"Ohh!" He groaned in exasperation.
Meanwhile, the bus made its next stop at the marriage bureau. "And this is where you get your marriage license," Mr. Pangborn lectured the students with a lack of interest, "The first step in that amazing adventure called "life.""
All of a sudden, an angry woman burst into the room. "Fishing, fishing, fishing! That's all you ever talk about!"
A man, apparently her husband, who was dressed in fishing gear, burst out soon after. "I'm a fisherman!" He then ran after his wife.
"And there's your fairy-tale ending," Ms. O'Keats lectured the students.
"I hope that doesn't happen to either of us," Shenzi remarked to Tommy, "Whether we're with different people or not."
"Well Shen, if it does, then it isn't meant to be," Tommy shrugged, "But I'm sure you and Chuck... I mean your future husband, will be together forever." She smirked at his slip-up; He was a "Sheckie shipper", like all of their friends. "I-if you don't, then you deserve better."
"Thanks Tom."
After a while, they were on their way to the next stop. "Y'know, we've never had a lot of chances, if any at all, to really interact," He pointed out as they sat in the park with the other students and the chaperones.
"Yeah, you're right," She agreed, "So um, t-tell me about you."
"I can't believe they left without us," Angelica vented as she and Chuckie stood at an intersection. "This downtown air is not good for combination skin."
"Don't worry, I saved our schedule," Chuckie took out his PDA, "We have to meet our class for lunch at the horse statue right now, and here it is." He gestured to a geometric horse statue in the park.
"That doesn't look like a horse," She remarked.
"It's not supposed to look like what it is," He pointed out, "It's modern art. Besides, how many horse statues can one park have?"
At a golden-colored horse statue that had a sign reading "Stallion Park", the students were eating the lunches they brought. "You really filmed your first movie at 37 months?" Shenzi's eyes widened, "That's very impressive."
"Thanks," He shrugged with a modest smile, "I guess I can say I've had a thing for movie-making my whole life. So, you really grew up in a church?"
"Yep," She nodded, "Not literally, though. I did visit a lot when he couldn't find a babysitter." She then giggled at a certain memory. "My, my dad recalls times when I watched him do his job, I would run up to him at random times."
Tommy laughed with her after swallowing a bite of his hot dog. "You did? How many times?"
"He stopped counting after 30," She giggled. "Um, I-I wonder where Angelica and Chuckie went?" Tommy looked around, and was confused when he didn't see them anywhere.
"Uh oh." He raised his hand. "Ms. O'Keats? Mr. Pangborn?" The chaperones turned to the duo. "Chuckie and Angelica aren't here with us."
"What?! Oh my goodness!" Ms. O'Keats frantically looked around the area, and saw that he was right.
"They knew we were meeting here," Mr. Pangborn pointed out, "How many horse statues can there be in one park?"
"We have to go back to the bridal store," Ms. O'Keats decided, "Knowing Angelica, she probably got caught up shopping."
"This is a disaster; A disaster, I tell ya!" Chuckie rambled fearfully as he paced in front of a bench, where Angelica was sitting indifferently. "Y'know, I'm not the only one who can try to think of something that would help us. Do you have anything in your purse that would help?"
"Let me see; Lipstick, lipliner, lip brush, cell phone... Oh! Cell phone! Cell phone!" She took out her cellphone with excitement.
"Yes! Way to go, Angelica!" Chuckie cheered.
"Oh, no juice."
"Way to go, Angelica." He slumped down in disappointment. "I hope Shenzi's alright with Tommy." He thought back to when she defended him from Angelica's insults in the bakery, before they went to the bridal shop. Wait, what? That's it! "We need to get back to that bridal shop!" He grabbed the blonde's hand and attempted to start running. "Come on!"
"I don't think so," She pulled her hand away, "I'm waiting here for our class."
"Fine, I'm going!" And with that, he ran off. After he covered a few feet, he made a prediction to himself. "3, 2, 1..."
"Wait up!" He never thought he'd smile from hearing Angelica's voice. But little did they know, they were going the wrong way.
At the bridal shop, the group didn't find the two stowaways. "They left here an hour ago," Ms. O'Keats told Mr. Pangborn.
"An hour?! I don't think I can handle the stress!" He held out his tongue nervously. "Doeth thith look thwollen to you?"
"I'll call the police," She said in annoyance, "Useless; Just like Arthur," She muttered to herself.
"He enjoys touching me, and yet he can't handle stress," Shenzi mumbled.
"Huh?" Tommy looked at her in curiosity.
"N-nothing," She timidly shook her head.
"Y'know, for someone who saves schedules, you sure have a lousy sense of direction," Angelica glared at Chuckie. As time went on, his temper was decreasing.
"Okay, I'll ask someone," He said through gritted teeth. "Get off MY BACK, WOMAN!" He snapped, effectively surprising her. "Um, e-excuse me sir, is there a bridal store arou...?" The man he was about to ask spoke Korean to him in response. "Uh..." Chuckie then turned to a woman. "Excuse me, can you...?" The woman held her purse away from him and shook her head snootily. It was then when the two noticed all the strange symbols throughout the area.
"Everything's in Korean!" Angelica exclaimed.
"Oh really?" Chuckie rolled his eyes, "Maybe that's why it's called KOREA TOWN!"
The two then passed by a butcher shop, where some chickens were hanging in the window. "Boy, I must be really hungry, 'cause that chicken is looking pretty tasty," Angelica remarked. She reached into her jeans pocket, and to her surprise, she found a dollar bill in it. "Hey, I found a dollar!"
"Yes!" Chuckie cheered, before he saw a row of payphones across the street. "There are some payphones over there! We can call a..." He stopped when Angelica walked out of the shop with a small bowl in one hand, and a spoon in another.
"You ever tried kimchi? It's not that bad." Chuckie slouched over in despair. "Can you believe it was only a dollar?" WHAT? Anger filled him up as he walked over to her menacingly. "What?" She started backing away from him.
"You. Just. Ate. OUR WAY BACK!" He screamed, making her fall on a potted bush.
Angelica sat up, and spit out a leaf. "Chill out Finster, we'll find help. You expect me to go hungry?"
Chuckie shook with fury, before he took a deep breath. "Okay, this isn't getting us anywhere. I think it's time we use the 3 C's we learned yesterday: Communication, cooperation, and compromise." There was a beat of silence before it was broken.
"Bossy!" Angelica exclaimed.
"Selfish!" Chuckie yelled back.
"I wish we never got married!"
"WE DIDN'T!" He screamed. They jumped when thunder suddenly clapped in the sky, followed by rapidly pouring rain. "Oh great."
"I sure picked a bad day to leave an umbrella at home," Angelica muttered, trying to shield her head with her backpack.
"Oh yeah, 'cause wet hair is the worst of our problems," Chuckie grumbled sarcastically.
"What was that?" She sneered.
"Okay, okay, arguing won't help us find our class," He said before a fight could break out, "Let's just try going back the way we came?" He started heading in that direction.
"Great plan," She rolled her eyes sarcastically.
"You got a better one?" He raised an eyebrow at her. After a beat of silence, she started following him as they ran through the rain. Little did Angelica know, Chuckie was actually on to something, with his idea.
On the bus, Shenzi started feeling nervous from the thunder and lightning. "Oh boy." She instinctively hugged Tommy from the side.
"It's alright, Shen," He tried to comfort her, "It's just a storm."
"Yeah, but... um, this is kind of embarrassing, but... I have a fear or phobia of thunder and lightning storms. I have ever since I was 2."
"You do?"
"Uh huh," She nodded, "Dad said that after Matt came along, my babyhood friends and I got lost in a forest, in a Reptar Wagon that Mr. Goof purchased for us. I've had a thunder/lightning storm phobia ever since. And one of monkeys too, for some reason."
"A monkey phobia?"
"Yep."
"Well, none of those phobias are nothing to be embarrassed of," He assured her, "I mean, I'm afraid of water, but I'm not embarrassed of it... anymore."
"Y-yeah, that is true," She shrugged, before flinching at a flash of lightning.
"Since Chuckie is out there somewhere... I'll protect you," Tommy held her closer, "You'll be alright."
"Thanks Tom," She smiled timidly. In that moment, she felt safe in Tommy's hold; Not as safe as when in Chuckie's, but still.
"Do you have a phobia for rain?" He asked her.
"Nah," She shook her head, "To be honest, I find it kind of relaxing to listen to, especially when I'm sleeping."
"Ah," He nodded.
Tommy was surprised when he felt small lips on his cheek for a second. "Thanks for being so nice and caring, Tom," She smiled up at him.
"N-no prob," He smiled back timidly. When he looked down, he was even more surprised when all of a sudden, Shenzi's pointy ears were replaced with Kimi's two ponytails. When he blinked a couple times, the emo girl was back in place. That was weird; Why did he just imagine Kimi in his arms instead of Shenzi? Did he like her? If he did, he couldn't imagine how Chuckie would react. He may not be the bravest boy, but he's quite protective of his little sister. He just might kill him if he was "making a move" on her.
"Ms. O'Keats! Mr. Pangborn!" Susie yelled out, snapping Tommy out of his thoughts and gaining everyone's attention. "I see them!" When they looked, they saw Chuckie and Angelica running through the rain! When the bus stopped, the students piled out, making the two stop.
"Chuckie!" Shenzi ran over, and hugged her best friend tightly, "I was so worried about you!" Everyone, including Angelica and Chuckie, boarded the bus, dripping water on the floor and on the seats, and headed back to the school.
"Thanks for taking care of Shenzi, Tommy," Chuckie smiled at Tommy.
"No problem," He smiled back, "She's a great girl. You're lucky to have her as a best friend." Shenzi blushed from hearing them. "So, how'd it go with you and Angelica?"
"As you would expect," He shrugged.
"Bad?"
"Yep."
"I'm just glad you're still alive, Chuckie," Shenzi smiled at him.
"Me too."
"Irritating!" Angelica yelled to him.
"Prissy!" He yelled back angrily.
"I wish we never got married!"
"WE DIDN'T!" The emo girl stifled giggles at Chuckie's scream.
"I'm sorry that it was her who picked you," Shenzi took his hand as they walked in the building, "No offense to Tommy, but I wish I picked your name."
"No offense to Angelica, but... I wish you did too." He kissed her blushing cheek, "You'd make a better spouse than her; Tommy should know."
"Yep," She giggled, "I tried my bets to be good to him."
"And it seems like your efforts worked," He pointed out.
"They did," Tommy nodded, "Like I said, you're a great girl, Shen. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."
"Thanks, guys." Her blush deepened. From that day, she felt like she had a much tighter bond with Tommy than before. Not as tight as her bond with Chuckie, but still.
(A/N: I hope you enjoyed this super long chapter! You know the disclaimer. At first, I was debating on whether to pair Chuckie either with Angelica, or with Fridge like in the actual episode. I finally chose Angelica so it'd be more original. Sorry that I didn't focus on Lil and Harold a lot.)
