After yesterday's fiasco, I decided it was best to avoid getting on Roger's bad side. However, I still needed to get back at Rita, because there was no way I was just gonna let her get away with killing my star performer. I'd need a way that couldn't be traced back to me. Maybe I could... wait! What was I doing? Plotting wasn't my genius! I do everything spontaneously. On a whim. However, I did know of someone else who would come in handy. I ran upstairs and sped into my room.
"Azazel!" I called frantically, checking all the places my roommate could have hid. He wasn't in bed nor was he in the bathroom. I looked literally everywhere, I'd even checked the laundry basket and my sock drawer just to be sure, but he was still nowhere to be seen. "C'mon, 'Zaze, I need your help!" I sighed harshly when I saw a slip of paper flutter to the ground from my set of drawers. Noticing the neat, small flowing hand writing and recognizing it as my roommate's, I decided it would be a good idea to read it.
Cockroach,
Having breakfast in the third library.
I put this on your sock drawer in hopes
that you'd find it faster than last time
I face palmed. Wow. You would think I would have a little more observation skills. You know, considering I'm technically a genius of sorts. However, I was also surprised Azazel had that much confidence in me. I read on:
I ask that you do not bother me, as I am
studying for the next placement test. I know
you don't see the importance, but I do.
- Azazel, 5th place
P.S Good luck with Rita, but please leave
me out of it.
I snorted at his signature. The little snot was so proud of his ranking. I suppose I would be too, if I was anywhere near the single digits.
I sighed again as I thought of the matter at hand. What was I supposed to do without him? I'm lucky if I can tie my shoes without his council! I guess today was a barefoot day, if you know what I mean. Who knows, maybe I'd get smacked in the face with a good idea.
XILIX XILIX
It was rather sunny out today, and the fresh breeze was calling my name. I decided it was okay to take a break from scouting out ideas and enjoy the day.
I stretched out on the soft green grass and smiled. I liked it here in England. Germany was cool too, but there was a lot more nature out here. A couple of butterflies drifted across the sky startled by something or other. I felt my eyelids grow heavy and was about to give in to the sleepy mid-morning warmth when I heard a voice, or rather two voices. They sounded like girls, but that meant absolutely nothing to me.
Curious, I pulled myself up and crept over to them, being sure to remain hidden.
"Oh my gosh," one girl whispered to the other," Did you see what happened yesterday?"
"To Rita?" the other asked. The first girl nodded in confirmation. "Yeah I saw. I feel bad for her..."
I tuned out after that and was about to walk away from the girl drama, but my attention was caught again after I heard my name.
" That bug freak, Cockroach is it? I'd feel bad for anyone that kid touched. Just thinking about it gives me the creeps!" she exclaimed. I looked at my fingers questioningly. Huh. They seemed clean enough to me. I guess they were a little dusty from laying in the grass, but I do wash them frequently.
"What's with that person anyway? That bug fetish? Barf! No wonder he has no friends!" The girls cackled with their atrocious laughter.
My hands balled into fists, my nails digging deep into my skin. I had plenty of friends! I had Azazel, and all my little nano creations! How could anyone ask for more!
"And did you see its ranking? I don't know why insists on keeping that kid here! I mean Cockroach is anything but a genius!" one girl whined, the other sounding her agreement.
I sniffed loudly and wiped my palm over my face, leaving behind a smear of dirt across my cheek. I wasn't crying. Not even close. I just had... allergies or something, that's all. Nothing so simple could make me cry! The girls both turned and looked at me surprise etched on their faces. After a second, one girl looked down, ashamed at being caught. The other, however, let no regret show.
"Get outta here, creep!" She shouted, her tone as if she were talking to a disobedient dog. "You're dirtying my air!"
"Sorry," I forced my face into a smile. "I don't speak arrogant snob." The girl's face burned with indignant anger. She knelt to the ground, and for a moment, I thought she was going to cry. But alas, I would not get such satisfaction. No, instead she picked up a rock. I knew what was going to happen next, but I wasn't going to cower from it. I was about to send another jibe her way, something that doubtlessly would get that rock and a few others pelted at me, however, before I could even think of exactly what to say, I was interrupted by a soft, calm voice.
"Please," a dark haired boy with thin rimmed glasses uttered. His voice was sleepy and smooth, and he had a black bag with him. He held his hand gently placed in front of the rock wielding girl, blocking her aim, "Melonie, put down the rock and take Evelyn inside. You're frightening her," he stated calmly. Torn, Melonie looked between me and the stone a few times.
"Fine," she grumbled "But you better not eavesdrop again, you little creep!" She called to me, dragging Evelyn behind her.
"Tausend danke, 'Zaze," I said. "You literally saved my skin. That rock looked particularly painful," I joked and clapped him on the back. He wiped away a smudge of dirt from my face, a ghost of a smile on his lips. I must admit, I preened a bit, proud of my accomplishment. Being the weird little bugger he is, Azazel's face has a tendency to lean more towards the emotionless side.
"That's what I'm here for," he whispered. "I'm going to study at the pond. Please, try to stay out of trouble."
"No promises," I chuckled, "See ya". Azazel gave me a slight wave as he walked away.
After a few moments of standing alone in silence, I caught sight of an ant trail marching a few feet away. I turned along side them and began marching next to them, following them to their destination. "Left, right," I chanted, "Left, right, left." I stuck closely to them, making myself a place in their line, but also being careful so as to not take any of their little lives.
I was too busy concentrating on the insects to pay much attention to my immediate surroundings. "Owww..." I moaned rubbing my head. I had run into something- erm someone. "Mello!" I cheered when I saw who it was, "I missed you!" He looked at me incredulously.
"What do you want?" he asked after a moment.
"Well..." I began, "I actually didn't mean to run into you, pun intended, but since you asked."
" Forget it," he snapped, yanking Matt as he tried to leave. Matt didn't struggle or let out any sound of protest, instead he just sighed in resignation.
"Oh, hi Matt," I greeted.
"Hey," he responded, not looking up from his game.
"Anywayz, I just thought of how you could repay me! And it isn't even that hard," I goaded.
"I don't even owe you! Seriously! F*ck off!" he fussed. I grabbed his wrist and tugged a bit.
" Be my friend. For a week. That's it, just one," I commanded.
"What? That's it?" Matt asked. " I thought you were going to say he had to be your scape goat, or test dummy or something!" Matt exclaimed with- lest my ears deceived me- disappointment.
"Nope," I shook my head, "I just need him to help me prove a point is all," I explained.
"No," Mello refused, almost instantly. He tugged Matt again. I think he was trying to escape from me or something. It wasn't going to work.
"You'll follow through with this, or else," I warned. He sent a burning glare at me, but I faced him head on anyway.
"Or else what?" he growled.
"Or else I'll never leave you alone. Never ever ever!" Mello clutched his head and looked a bit like he was going to barf or have a massive brain hemorrhage, or both, possibly at the same time. He breathed heavily. I was just going to tell him never mind and to forget it, but he began to speak before I could.
"Fine," he ground out painfully, "I'll be your friend for exactly one week, no more. And then, you will get and stay the f*ck out of my life."
"Deal!" I agreed easily firmly shaking his hand. "It starts now!" I tightened my grip around his wrist and started running, dragging him along with me.
"Where are we going?" Matt asked, as Mello was in a state far beyond caring. I gave them an excited grin before replying.
"Everywhere!"
XILIX XILIX
I flopped down on my bed, exhausted. It was almost midnight, and Azazel was already sleeping soundly in the bed opposite mine. Early to bed, early to rise, I suppose. I think he once told me that he went to bed so early because it kept the brain functioning at maximum capacity. I have my doubts on that theory, though. All my best ideas come when I'm swimming through that drunken stage of sleep deprivation. I sighed heavily, my whole body screaming for some sleep.
It was fun, my first day with Mello as my friend. Sadly, it was mostly one-sided, me dragging him around and Matt following silently, aside from the constant beeps and tunes from his video games. Either way, I'm not discouraged. He just has to warm up to me is all, and I have another six whole days. Maybe tomorrow I can try getting him to swim in the pond with me?
I pulled myself out of my warm bed, stifling a yawn. I plodded heavily over to my work-bench and pulled out two drawers. From the first drawer, I withdrew Ludo's sorry remains, and from the second I fished out a handful of various cogs and gears as well as a pair of thin wire-like tweezers and magnification goggles similar to the ones that jewelers wear. I began to repair Ludo as quietly as possible, so as to not wake my roomie.
It took me no more than an hour or so to completely resurrect my bio-mechanical friend. He was now better than ever, with a new stronger titanium exoskeleton. I even managed to make him a little unicycle out of his spare parts!
I cranked his antennae around a good three or four time to give him a test run. Despite being nearly certain that he would work just as well as ever, I couldn't help the feeling of glee that sprung from my heart into my throat. This was my magic. My talent. My genius.
The little creature slowly came to life, gears ticking together in a metallic symphony. He skittered over to the unicycle with movements precisely accurate to an actual cockroach. A few seconds later he was balanced on his wheel and swayed slowly back and forth. No longer than a minute later, the music box circus music from within him died down and he scuttled away into a hiding place behind the tools.
With Ludo's condition finally taken care of, I released a massive yawn. I glanced over at my LED digital clock, my eyes so tired I could barely make sense of the numbers, 2:03 am it read. For a single moment I debated on going back to my bed, but instead I just grabbed my stuffed giraffe for a pillow and passed out then and there on my desk.
A/N: Heya, guys! Thank you for reading the second installment of "The Cockroach". When Cockroach is talking to Azazel and says "tausend danke", it essentially "means thanks a bunch" . Now that we have a few chapters under our belts, I would like to know: Is it better to have short, consistent updates, or longer ones sporadically? Either way,you've already come down so far on the page, you may as well pop your thoughts into that little review box down there. Please and Thank you!