Valentines part two: chaos

Woohoo! Valentines was originally going to be a one shot, but this sprang into my head at three in the morning, and would leave until I wrote it done.

There's also a moderately subtle reference to one of my favorite musicals. First one to comment with the correct show, character and song/line will get a virtual cookie (don't worry. It's a pretty famous musical).

So, without further ado, the dramatic (not really) finale (I hope) to Valentines!

Theodore "Tobey" McAllister liked order. Call him hypocritical for that, seeing as he caused massive chaos at least once a month, but the fact still remained: in his daily life, he craved order. That's why this situation between himself and "little miss know it all" Becky Boxford Drove him mad. He was tired of it all. That was the only way to describe it. He was tired of finding himself waiting to catch a glimpse of her throughout the day; he was tired of the little leap his heart made when she spoke to him, tried of inedibility thinking of her when nothing was on his mind. His exhaustion was driving him insane.

It was so different from what was between him and Word Girl. With Word Girl, a goofy smile came to his face whenever anything concerning her came up. He craved her attention like others craved illicit substances. But with Becky, a strange cocktail of emotions mixed itself in his stomach. Fury, embarrassment, glee, distress, resentment, shame, bliss, regret, and a host of others too fleeting to name properly washed over him every time he saw her. He dreaded this stew, but deep, deep down in his heart, he liked it. The rush of adrenaline that coursed through his veins was incredible, like nothing he had ever felt before, even when he saw Word Girl.

For months, he bargained with himself. If his heart didn't leap when she spoke to him, if he could get her off his mind, he would permit himself to arrange one of his "meetings" with Word Girl. He failed every time. Finally, he resigned himself. He wouldn't try to stop it, heck; he'd even begin to woo her, if it would keep the vicious gods from tormenting him further. By doing so, he made a shocking discovery.

He actually liked Becky!

Now, keep in mind, it wasn't the same passion burning he felt for Word Girl (though, to be completely honest with himself, deep down, that passion was beginning to wane). It was simpler, purer kind of thing. Everything about her made her feel self-conscious. Whenever she looked at him, he felt like she knew all there was to know about him. He suddenly felt all his faults at once. He felt just as spiteful toward her as always, but that didn't seem to matter.

Soon, a deadline appeared in his mind- valentine's day. This was one the one day of the year that was totally devoted to affection. This was his time to confront the confusion, confront the chaos that surrounded him whenever Becky was involved.

He prepared for it much like a soldier prepared to battle. He saved for special pink paper (he would have bought red, but that seemed a little too desperate), he cut out pictures of things that seem appropriate to put on a card from magazines; he even went into the neighbor's greenhouse and pilfered a dozen white flowers.

He was muddled about what to write in the card. Nothing too gushy or he might scare her off. But nothing too vague or she might not understand. After numerous attempts, he finally change up with something he felt was halfway decent

Rebecca "Becky" Boxford

Please be my valentine

Sincerely

Theodore "Tobey" McAlister (the third)

True, it was a little stiff and formal, but Tobey loved her full name. Out load, it was like the sweetest music to him. When it softly rolled around his head, it was like a prayer from some long lost faith. He never understood why she didn't use it. He loved it.

When the day arrived, Tobey was filled with a mixture of dread and excitement. He hid the valentine behind the numerous books he usually carried. He spotted Becky, moving through the crowd with single minded determination. He tried to get her attention, but she just passed him by without a second glace.

His next class was torturous. Since he didn't share it with Becky, he couldn't give it to her before class. He was therefore plagued by thoughts and questions about her.

Finally, the bell rang for recess. Tobey was one of the first ones out. He made his way the hall, focused on the task at hand. Emerging out on the blacktop, he stopped to study the scene. Scores of boys and girls were gathered into couples or small groups, gushing over multi-colored cards and pastel confections. Making sure to check twice, his heart fell when he realized that Becky wasn't there.

Tobey made his way to the back stairwell, his usual spot for recess. He was stocked to find it was occupied by the very reason he was heading there now. Becky Boxford. Spite began to burn in him like always, but increased by his fool's errand.

"What do you want?" she had spoken first, and the sarcastic comment that was burning in his throat suddenly died. She'd been crying. She was trying to hide it (for the sake of pride and all) but it was as obvious as a giant robot in the middle of the city.

With the loss of his sarcastic comment, all words seemed to dry out of his moth. "Well, i-er- here." His arms stretched out in front of him, holding the card like a shield. He kicked himself in the head. How could someone like him, who claimed to be a genius, be so stupid! Becky took the card with a look of confusion on her face. Several breathless moments passed as she studied the card.

"I know you probably have a plethora of people asking you that, since you're so pretty and smart, but" Tobey tried to save face after he was sure she as finished. He was cut off when Becky threw her arms around him. He stiffened in surprise, but a second later, he relaxed into the hug. Sudden warmth, like he never experienced before, filled him from head to toe.

"Thanks Tobey. Happy valentine's day"

His heart leaped. He had never felt better than he did now. "Same to you" he murmured in her ear

End