Chapter Eight

It was a long, hot journey up to the volcano. When they finally got there the question was "who is going to the top to throw her in?" In the end, Max decided to go. He picked up Lavagirl's limp form and half-carried, half dragged her to the top of the volcano. He dropped her into the cavernous hole, and then scurried back down as fast as he could. The kids waited with baited breath. After a few long seconds, she appeared. Slowly she walked towards them, Max ran to meet her. As he got closer he noticed she looked sad.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

She nodded, then shook her head, then sighed.

"Max, can you do something for me?"

Max nodded. "Anything."

"Max. Make me normal. Sharkboy and I are not compatible like this. His powers and mine can't mix. Please make me normal. I'll do anything. I just want to be with Sharkboy. Please." Tears gathered in her eyes.

Max sighed. "If it's what you really want."

"It is."

Max his eyes and daydreamed. He dreamed of a beautiful girl with pink hair. Her skin was creamy and soft, her outfit was a plain short dress that brushed her knees. Pink sandals covered her feet. Max opened his eyes and there she stood, completely transformed. She held out her hand strained as if pushing something. Nothing happened. She smiled happily.

"Thank you, Max! Now I can be with Sharkboy! You won't regret this."

"Let's hope I don't." Max muttered under his breath.

00000

Sharkboy reached Danny's house around midday. The house was dark and it did not look like anyone was home. Sharkboy walked up to the door and slowly pushed it open. He stuck his head in. Nobody was there.

"Hello?" He called. "Anybody home?"

He heard the familiar whirring sound of Tucker's wheelchair. A few seconds later Tucker himself entered the room.

"Hey Napoleon," he said sourly.

"So I'm Napoleon now?" Sharkboy asked happily.

"Yeah."

"Where is everyone?"

"Where do you think? They took her to the volcano."

"Oh good. Do you have anything to eat? I'm starving."

Tucker looked at him disdainfully. "You really don't care do you?"

"Care about what?"

"About Lavagirl? That she died? That you killed her."

"Oh, I care. She forgave me."

"You saw her?"

"Well, not exactly. But I have a feeling that she has."

"If it were me I wouldn't."

"If it were you I probably wouldn't want your forgiveness."

Tucker's face grew hard. Sharkboy grimaced.

"Listen, Tucker, I didn't mean—"

But Tucker had left. Sharkboy slammed his fist on the wall, shaking the pictures hanging there.

"Great Sharkboy. Real smooth." He muttered to himself.

Later that evening Sharkboy was sitting at the kitchen table with his head in his hands, staring at the burn marks that littered the floor which he could see through the hole in the table. Just then the front door swung open. Sharkboy quickly stood and ran over to greet the kids coming in. Max, Marissa, Linus, and Danny were standing in the doorway.

"Hey guys, where's Lavagirl?" Sharkboy asked, not wasting time with salutations.

"I think you're going to need to come up with a different name for her." Marissa said with a sly smile on her face.

"Why?" Sharkboy asked, puzzled.

They parted revealing the pink adorned girl behind them. Sharkboy stared at her in shock. She looked exactly as she had in his dream. She smiled and ran to him.

"Sharkboy!" She cried, throwing herself into his arms.

He stumbled back as she collided with him, his arms out in surprise. Suddenly he realized this was the first time they had ever hugged. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly. She felt so good in his arms. She pulled away slightly so she could look him in the face. He swallowed hard.

"How—why are you—how are you—" he stammered.

"I wanted to be with you, Sharkboy." She whispered. Her hand went up to stroke his cheek. "I love you."

Tears glistened in Sharkboy's eyes and he struggled to keep them back. He pulled her into him and placed his mouth on her hair.

"You know I would never, ever hurt you." He whispered. "I'm so sorry."

"I forgive you. With all of my heart."

He took her face in his hands and kissed her gently. It was a short kiss but a meaningful one. They hugged once more and as they did they heard applause. They drew apart, blushing. Marissa was crying and Linus started whistling. Sharkboy laughed. Soon they were all laughing and crying. A whirring sound near the door made Sharkboy look up. There sat Tucker, observing the spectacle in front of him. The two boys' eyes met. Something clicked in Sharkboy's heart and he felt like he had seen those eyes before.

Suddenly eyes hardened and the moment was broken as two gray fireballs bore into Sharkboy's head. If looks could kill Sharkboy was a dead man. He was taken aback by the measure and force of hatred that was emanating from this small nine-year-old boy. Sharkboy turned away but he could still feel the heat of the stare in his back, and he could not shake the feeling that he had seen those cool, gray eyes before. A long time ago.

A/N: Thanks for reviewing everyone! I really appreciate it and I'm glad ya'll are enjoying it. :-D