Chapter 2: Another Piece
Saturday Night: Two weeks after Jacob incident
Chelsea yawned hugely, covering it with a hand. K.C. looked over at her and raised an eyebrow.
"Tired?" she asked as if it wasn't obvious.
"No," Chelsea said, denying the obvious. K.C. shrugged and yawned. Chelsea shook her head and smiled. "Are you tired?"
"No." K.C. stood up from the bench she was sitting on and adjusted her dress. It was a single strapped mini, revealing her tan muscular legs, with ruffles falling out in layers down to her mid-thigh and ruffles on the strap. Its color was a pumpkin orange with black trim along the edges of the ruffles. An orange rose tipped in black and with black leaves was pinned to the front of the strap. Her thick brown hair was curled and pinned up with little roses similar to the one on her dress. Her heels were black and lifted her off the ground by an inch.
Chelsea smoothed out the skirt of her own dress, which was a tube top with a floor length skirt. In the center at the top of her bodice a black rose with bright green leaves was pinned as a broach. The dress itself was a lovely ruby red with black flower designs starting at the left side of her waist to wrap around her right side and back over to stop at mid-thigh at the front. Patches of black flowers were splotched around the bottom end of her skirt. Her blonde streaked hair was curled and pinned up halfway in the back with a red rose barrette. Her shoes were black, one inch heels, with a single clear strap decorated with a red bow.
"You look amazing!" The two girls turned to see Chi and Tama walking towards them, Tama in black slacks, a dark blue button up shirt, black dress shoes, and a black windbreaker, and Chi in black slacks, a lavender button up shirt, black dress shoes, and a black jean jacket. Both of their ties hung loose around their necks.
"Wow. The difference in your outfits is astounding," K.C. commented, plopping herself back down on her bench. Chelsea laughed while Tama and Chi looked a little depressed. "But you look good in lavender!" K.C. winked at Chi. He blushed.
"Where's Ashley?" Tama asked as he walked over to Chelsea.
"We don't know. Walking probably; she likes to spend some alone time before coming to dances. She's not one for crowds." Chelsea smiled at him while he slipped a corsage on her wrist. He smiled back at her. They turned their attention to Chi, who had just put K.C.'s corsage on her wrist.
"Speaking of missing people, where's Tasuki?" K.C. asked. Chelsea glared at her but K.C. ignored it.
Chi shrugged. "We left him at home. He might come he might not."
"I hope he doesn't," Chelsea mumbled. K.C. rolled her eyes, Tama looked down at the ground, and Chi shifted uncomfortably.
"Listen Chelsea, I know what he did was messed up, but can't you let it go?" Tama asked as he returned his gaze to her.
Chelsea shook her head. "Not unless he apologizes, and it's going to have to be big," she snarled. K.C. moved slightly but it went unnoticed.
"And if he does come?" Chi asked.
"He had better not let me see his face," Chelsea grumbled.
Tama cleared his throat, and in an attempt to clear the danger zone commented to Chi, "So Mr. Goodie-Two-Shoes what do you think of K.C.'s dress?"
Chi's face immediately turned a bright red. K.C. watched him from the corner of her eye as he said, "I've learned not to comment on her cloths, unless I really mean that I like them." The group laughed. The tension gone they were free to talk and joke. After long minutes Tama checked his watch.
"The dance starts in a couple of minutes," he told the others.
Chelsea craned her neck, searching the grounds as other students arrived, looking for Ashley.
"Do you see her?" K.C. asked. Chelsea shook her head, and just as she pulled her cell phone from her small, red handbag Chi nudged K.C. with his elbow and pointed, saying, "Over there." The others turned in the general direction, watching as Ashley approached black heels in hand.
"You walk barefoot?" Tama asked, staring at her tiny bare feet.
"Heel hurt," she responded blandly.
"Forget the shoes you look gorgeous!" Chelsea squealed. And it was true. Ashley's dress was black and white, with a knee length skirt. Black straps sloped gracefully off her shoulders, and white, lacey floral designs weaved in an intricate pattern at the top of her bodice. A wide, white silk belt was wrapped around her waist and tied in a bow on her left side. Pinned to the knot of the bow was a white, black tipped rose with dark green leaves. Her blonde hair was curled into gentle waves and hung loose. No one failed to notice the corsage on her wrist.
"Who's the lucky man?" K.C. asked.
"Somebody we know?" Chelsea prodded.
"You'll find out soon enough," Ashley answered. "When does the dance start?"
Tama smiled. "You got here just in time. The doors open in about…right now."
The group of five fell in to line.
Patience wore thin as the counselors ushered the students in two at a time. When they were finally inside they put their stuff in the locker room and made their way to the dance floor. Students were massed everywhere. K.C. and Chelsea took hold of Ashley's hands, guiding her through the mess of people.
The dance floor beneath their feet at last they moved to a clear area away from the mingling bodies.
"I hate crowds," Ashley said. "Why do they have to group like that? There's no space to walk! Gosh! Inconsiderate much!"
"You better stay close Ash," Tama commented. "In a crowd like this a shorty like you could get lost."
Ashley glowered at him, turned on her heel, stomped towards the nearest table, and sat down. Tama immediately went to apologize while the others laughed.
"He's not very good at being mean," K.C. commented. "I'm not sure if that's good or bad."
"In your guys' point of view it would depend on the situation. In our point of view it is a good thing," Chi said.
"Let's not get too deep now," Chelsea said, moving towards Ashley. "We came here to have fun, not discuss life problems. Let's save that for after the dance." Chi and K.C. shrugged, and then followed.
"So when are we going to meet Mr. Mysterious?" K.C. asked, sitting down next to Ashley.
"When he gets here," came the reply.
"He didn't mail you the corsage did he?" Chi questioned. "Did he say he was going to meet you?"
"No he did not mail me the corsage and yes he did say he would meet me," Ashley responded, smiling at him. "As a matter of fact he drove me here."
"He could drive you but not walk with you?" Chelsea inquired curiously.
"He told me to catch up to you guys while he took care of the bike."
"Bike?"
"Motorcycle gees."
"He, he, he! Who is 'he'!?" Tama nearly yelled.
Ashley raised an eyebrow at him, then looked around him at the other side of the gym. A smile lit up her face and she waved enthusiastically. Everyone turned to see who it was…and froze. Coming towards them was Tasuki. He was dressed similar to Chi and Tama, with the only difference being a white button up shirt that showed off his tan and the two top buttons undone and a black leather jacket.
K.C. smiled knowingly but Chelsea turned a fierce glare on Ashley. "You came with him?" Ashley nodded slowly. "Even after what he did to you?"
"He apologized."
"And you trust him?"
"And I'm honored she does." Chelsea whirled to see Tasuki standing directly behind her. She flushed. "I learned my lesson, and I don't intend to do what I did again."
"Prove it!" Chelsea hissed at him before stomping away.
"How can he if you won't' give him the chance!" Ashley shouted after her, jumping out of her chair, tears welling up in her eyes. Tama and Chi fidgeted.
"I'll go talk to her," K.C. said, leaving the group in search for Chelsea, determined to set her straight.
"I think I'll go get some punch," Tama said, pulling at his collar. He left in a hurry, Chi following. Tasuki winced.
"Maybe I should have stayed at a distance," he said, closing the distance between him and Ashley. He cupped her face in his hands and brushed her tears away with his thumbs. "Oh I made you cry and I promised I wouldn't."
"It's not you it's Chelsea," said sniffling.
"And who is the cause for her being angry at you? I am, so yes it is me. I'm sorry I've caused so much trouble."
"Don't worry about it," Ashley whispered, snuggling up to him. She breathed deep. "Mm! You smell like s'mores."
"I eat them whenever I feel like dirt, which now has been for a long time. The scent kind of stuck."
"It's alright. I love s'mores." Ashley pressed her face against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, running her fingers through her hair. Feeling content he looked around the room at the dancing students. Some were acting like idiots; some were dancing simply for the sake of dancing, while others were pressed together, taking each other in, looks of ecstasy on their faces.
"Hey," he whispered in Ashley's ear. She turned her face up to him. Her blue eyes danced with the flashing lights, exaggerated by her make-up. "You want to dance?" The smile that appeared on her face was bright and lovely.
"I'd love to."
Chelsea paced the floor of the empty lobby, doing her best to stem the flow of tears. She had no clue how Ashley could forgive the monster. She shivered. Just looking at Tasuki made her remember that day…
"Where's Ashley?"
K.C. looked up from her Inuyasha manga. "In there," she answered, nodding at the gym. "She's practicing a dance with Tasuki." Chelsea flopped down next to her. There was a moment of slice, which K.C. took to read a couple more sentences from the manga before marking her page.
"Why are we waiting out here?" Chelsea asked, gesturing around at the area. They sat on the grass in a little park like section in front of the gym. Behind them were the stairs to the upper campus. The time was about half an hour after school.
"She doesn't want us to see it. She says it is a surprise," K.C. answered.
"Does she talk to you about her dance class?"
"Of course not. But it's obvious she's glad Tasuki's in it."
Chelsea smiled. In the week following the incident with Jacob she and her friends found themselves mingling with Tamahome, Chichiri, and Tasuki. Chelsea found herself attracted to Tama, K.C. learned she had an affinity for Chi, and although she denied it strongly it was no secret Ashley like, if not loved, Tasuki. What was nice was that the boys seemed to be returning their affections. Tama was nearly glued to Chelsea's hip, Chi couldn't stop thinking about K.C. and the affect she was having on him, and Tasuki, for all his playboy ways, was intrigued by Ashley.
The silence was suddenly shattered by the loud slamming of a door hitting a wall. Startled by the noise both girls looked to the doors of the gym to see Ashley charging out, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Ashley!" Tasuki ran out after her. "Ashley stop!"
She didn't stop, but kept her mad dash for the stairs. Chelsea went to intercept her. K.C. started to follow, but hesitated when something at the gym doors caught her eye. Anger filled her and she continued on to her friends.
"Ashley what happened?" Chelsea asked, catching her friend by the arm. "What did he do?"
"He-he was-I walked in-and he was…" Ashley wiped at her tears furiously. "He had his hands all over her!"
"All over who?"
"Jan eel!"
"Ashley it wasn't what you think!" Tasuki shouted. Chelsea turned to look at him. K.C. had him by the arm, a strange look on her face. Sudden rage filled Chelsea, and she stalked over to him. In a flash of black her fist caught him square in the jaw. He staggered back, eyes wide with shock.
"Asshole!" she shouted at him, just as Tama and Chi rounded the corner, finished with soccer and baseball practice. They ran over and Tama managed to grab hold of her hand before she could strike Tasuki again.
"Chelsea what is going on?" Tama asked.
"Ask him," she shouted, the pulled free. She went over to Ashley and walked off with her.
"Wait!" Tasuki shouted. Chi held him back. "Ashley!"
"What the hell is wrong with you?"
Chelsea stopped pacing to look at K.C. "What the hell is wrong with me?! What is up with her?! She just slapped him in our faces! And how could she just forgive him like that? How could she do this, knowing I wouldn't be happy?"
"I don't know why you're asking these questions. You know how she is. She could care less about what we think, unless she herself was worried, and she isn't going to let someone else's anger keep her from what she wants to do. And she forgave him because he truly was sorry. You should have seen the look on his face," K.C. said, sitting herself down on a table top.
Chelsea stared at her friend. "You know about this?"
"Yep. Ashley came to me for advice; right after Tasuki explained everything to her and apologized."
"And you told her to believe him, to trust him?"
"I told her I wanted her to do just that yes, but also to do what she felt."
"And?"
"What she felt the moment you pulled her away was maybe there was more than what she saw. And she was right."
Chelsea said nothing for a while, then, "Why didn't she ask me?"
K.C. sighed sadly. "She knew you would have told her no, don't believe him. You didn't want to let her go, be with someone other than us. But this is good for her Chelsea. Remember how she used to only smile around us two?"
"Used to?"
"She smiles around the boys. She lets them see her, what she is outside the blank faces and guarded eyes. Especially Tasuki. She smiles a whole lot more than she used to. Just let her go. We're going to drift apart now that we have Tamahome, Chichiri, and Tasuki. We'll spend more time with them individually. We'll still be friends, and we'll still be close. But it can't just be us like it has been. It won't work like that."
Chelsea nodded sadly as she sat down in a chair opposite K.C. Her friend watched her silently. "I just wish it could stay like it has been," Chelsea whispered.
"No you don't. If it was like that you would still have Jacob, you wouldn't have Tamahome." K.C. narrowed her eyes. "And if you dare to wish that I didn't have Chichiri, or that Ashley didn't have Tasuki, I will hurt you." Chelsea glanced up at her.
"Oh K.C. I'm so sorry! I've been acting like an idiot! Ashley must hate me so much!"
"No but she does think you hate her." The two girls turned to see Tasuki leaning against the frame of the door. K.C. hopped off of her seat and walked away.
"I'll leave you two at it. By the way Tasuki where's Ashley?"
"She's with Tama and Chi, dancing with them. You might want to help. She's working Tama but Chi is still a little scared," Tasuki answered, winking at her meaningfully. K.C. shoved him playfully before running back into the gym to show Chi how to work it. The silence that was left behind her wake was deep, and for Chelsea, a little awkward.
She got up from her seat and started pacing the room, her gaze always avoiding his. She just couldn't talk to him. She wanted so much to forgive him, but something inside wouldn't let her. She slowly turned to meet Tasuki's gaze. He had been watching her the entire time. She didn't know what to say. All she could think of was…
"I'm sorry," they said in unison. At any other time it would have been funny. However, there was too much tension between the two.
Tasuki, fed up with the situation, started, "Look Chelsea I…"
"No Tasuki. I'm the one that should apologize," Chelsea interrupted, "I know you actually didn't mean to hurt Ashley, but I guess I'm just scared."
"Of what?" he questioned.
"Of losing Ashley. I know she will eventually leave but that doesn't mean I have to like it. All I want to say is that I'm glad she has someone like you." She smiled, glad she had worked off the nerve to get that off of her chest. "And I really hope that you can forgive me and I would love to hear your side of the story. Apparently no one else is going to tell me."
Tasuki laughed. "Of course I forgive you stupid. I would react the same way truth be told. And I'll gladly tell you. Ashley was but you didn't give her the chance," he said as he sat down. Chelsea took a seat next to him. "Now this is exactly what happened. None of it is a lie...
Tasuki groaned as he stretched languorously. He felt his muscles pull and his bones pop. With a satisfied sigh he dropped his arms and twisted around in a circle. He looked towards the door as he heard it open and his heart fell. It was just Janelle. He leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes. In the blackness of his closed lids he saw Ashley as she had been earlier that day in Dance class. He saw once more as her lithe body moved in time to the music, how her hips swayed, how her arms flowed like water into the movements…turned him on.
"Tasuki?" He opened his eyes to see Janelle staring up at him with a pouty look on her face. She batted her eyelashes at him and he wanted to puke. "Can you help me with the Tango we learned today?" She asked in a falsely husky voice. The urge to gag worsened. "Just for a moment."
Never one to be rude he agreed to help her and he couldn't help but feel revolted when she said she needed help in the middle section of the dance…the part that was all touchy feely.
Just as they were starting to dance the door opened and their stood Ashley, dressed in her practice cloths and ready to go. Her eyes shot as wide as saucers and her mouth fell open. As quickly as the surprise came it was gone and she was angry, very angry. Her face turned her pink and her eyes narrowed. She gripped the doorknob so hard her hand turned white.
"Oops," Janelle whispered, sliding away from Tasuki. He forgot all about her.
"Ashley wait a moment and let me explain. It isn't what you think," he said moving towards her. She did not give him the moment. In the blink of an eye she was gone, the door slamming behind her. Turning a glare to Janelle, who just stood with a sweet smile on her face, he ran after her…
"You know the rest," Tasuki said.
"I feel so stupid!" Chelsea replied, slapping herself upside the forehead. "It was just a simple mistake! And I should have known it had something to do with Janelle. That slut! She ticks me off! Tasuki I am so sorry I ever doubted you."
"Awe, it's alright," Tasuki told her as he ruffled her hair. She slapped his hand away and stood up. Tasuki followed her.
"From now on I will give you the benefit of the doubt. I will hear your side of the story if something else goes wrong instead of just judging you right away," Chelsea said as she held her arms open for a hug.
"And they said you couldn't be taught," Tasuki replied as he hugged her.
"We just get back together and already you're seeing someone else," said a teasing voice from behind them. Chelsea pushed Tasuki aside and ran to Ashley. The red head shook his head and laughed.
"Ashley will you forgive me for being rude, and mean, and stupid, and dumb, and unthoughtful, and stupid…did I mention stupid?"
Ashley laughed and hugged her friend. "It's okay Chelsea. And you did mention stupid. But that's okay too because I was acting like an idiot about the whole thing as well. You're not the only one at fault here. It seems K.C. was the only one with a brain in this situation," she told her.
"Come on you guys! Quit the mushy crap and get in here and dance!" K.C. shouted. Ashley tugged on Chelsea's hand and led her into the room. Tasuki followed them, still laughing to himself. These girls were absolutely silly.
...
I know the characters have issues. I'm going to move it along now. The pace is feeling a little slow. Just so you know, in the next chapter we will be three months ahead. The relationships are in full swing. Get ready for the M ratings.