Chapter 3
Miles´ stunt really seemed to have done the trick. Immediatly livening up the situation even more and bringing a sort of happy and relaxed climate into Town Hall Square. Music was playing on several sectors, people were happily talking, buying or merely looking around. Even the slightly snobbish citizens of Cygnuville found themselfs loosening up and simply having a good time, enjoying something different from what they were used to. In fact, everyone seemed to have a blast. Including two young teen boys, who were currently standing in front of a Cygnuville stand, which had a large sighn – Avenir technology.
"Woooow. Look at that, Chichi."sighed Phil dreamily, eying the brand new laptop – something which was only in shops for a month now.
Chichi fixed his eyes on the said laptop for a while, before Phil let out yet another dreamy sigh.
"I don´t believe it... the Ultrasonic´s new EX-126 Tablet?! Amazing, you can link that with anything from computers to cell-phone. And it has easy access to the internet, plus a lot of various functions..."breathed Phil in absolute excitement.
Chichi eyed it with professional interest, his brain already hard at work – thinking, calculating, pondering upon the various uses this object could have and whether its worth the price even while Phil started talking to the stand salesman – a fairly young, stylishly dressed man from Cygnuville.
"I am astonished that a young one your age knows so much about this. It was only released about three weeks ago."said the man, not really hiding his feelings about Phil´s extensive knowledge on the subject.
"I keep an eye out for new equipment. Its a passion of mine."commented Phil brightly, still eyeing the tablet with a dreamy look on his face.
The man smiled and fixed his glasses, happy to know that someone shared his love of electronics.
"How much does it cost?"asked Chichi breaking the pair´s musings.
The man frowned a bit.
"Since its a relatively new add on the market, I´m afraid that the price is too high for you two. Even without the taxes it costs 52,50..."
Phil instantly cringed while Chichi let out a low whistle.
"Wow... that is a bit over the top..."he said quietly as Phil´s face adopted a sad look.
The man nodded somberly.
Just as Chichi racked his brains for a solution he felt a hand on his shoulder and heared a deep sigh.
"Chichi...we talked about this too many times..."
Chichi froze and turned, his face adopting an innocent grin as he faced Mom, who was holding Buba´s hand-knitten shoping bag, which was already half full. Buba, who was standing behind Mom returned the smile, but Mom´s face sported a look of sad disaprooval.
"But Moooom... I´m not planning to buy it..."he started, moving away from the stand while giving Phil one of their hand signals behind his back.
Getting the hint, Phil hurriedly turned back to the conversation with the salesman, as Chichi walked out of the stand.
"Sweet seedling, I´ve told you that I will NOT tolerate such gadgets around the house."said Mom reminding him unnessesarily something he knew full well by now.
"But Moooooom... this thing is not a danger to the enviroment at all..."said Chichi trying once more to reason with her.
Mom however was adamant.
"Maybe not, but it gives out bad karma Chichi. I don´t want the harmony of our home disturbed by it."she said gently, almost imploringly.
"Now Vi... you heared Chichi. He´s not planning to buy it."said Buba, coming to his resque.
Chichi smiled as Mom looked back at Buba.
"Of course I´m not. It´s too expensive for me anyway."he said quickly.
Though in truth, it really wasn´t. He still had more than enough money stashed safely in his Gzorbial statuette at home. Over his working summer in Megacity he earned much more than he could spend at his rate. Plus the pocket money he recieved from Pop and of course the cash he scored from various deals he assisted Miles with – repairing objects in the Hidehole, not to mention Miles´ van – Chichi was getting something which could ammount to a standart sallery – something he saved as much as he could for whenever the Hidehole would need an upgrade, or when he´ll be needing something like custum-made clothing, which he still had the promise off from Megacity, or if a special trip came up – like a concert in the Butterfly Legion.
Mom fixed Chichi with a suspitious look.
"And if you had the money for it...? Would you buy it?"
Chichi gulped – his Mom DID indeed see trough him sometimes.
"Of...of course not..."he said swiftly, shaking his head franticly.
Mom quirked an eyebrow as her precious son gave out a sheepish laugh. Buba barely restrained a giggle.
"See, Vi? There´s nothing to be araid of. Chichi is merely looking over the elecronics with Phil, that´s all."said Buba in a gentle voice, though seeing trough him even more, than his mother did.
"Yup. Just looking around, Mom. That´s all..."nodded Chichi.
Mom fixed him a look once more, then looked at the electronics stand and sighed.
"Sometimes I really wish you didn´t take so much after your Grandpa Noah."she said, more to herself than him.
Buba giggled now, she could well imagine Noah Tofu being positively on cloud nine at that stand – jumping up and down like a precious 5 year old, while doing his best to evade detection by his wife, who would promptly pummel him upon discovery. She could also imagine Iris Tofu positively fumming and dragging her husband away from the stand by the ear, ignoring his whines and pleas.
"Come on, Vi. We still have things to buy and then we can go have a talk with Beth at her stand. Chichi, you go along and enjoy yourself. And please be carefull with whatever you buy, ok?"said Buba looking gently at her beloved grandson, who returned a smile and a nod.
Waving him, Buba turned and started to walk away. Mom returned him one more look of pleading, but turned as well and quickly chaught up with Buba.
"Phew. That was close."said Chichi to himself as soon as they were out of reach.
He loved his mother ever so dearly, but... she just DIDN´T understand his love for technology – partialy because of her lifestyle and of course because of his Pop´s and Grandpa´s numerous gadgets, which did not always work safely.
Returning to the stand, he found that Phil was going over his savings which he took for the occasion. Spoting him, he quirked a small smile.
"Talked yourself out of it?"he asked with a grin.
Chichi returned the grin.
"With some help from Buba. But I think that she´s well aware, that we´re not just checking things out. Putting that behind us, what are you doing?"he asked eyeing the money in Phil´s hand.
Phil sighed.
"I´ve been saving this for the new Joystation 3. Even with as much as I have, I´m still missing almost 10 dollars."he said sadly, his sadness reflected by the salesman.
Chichi eyed the various hardware in the stand, spotting several of the things he needed. Suddenly an idea came to his mind. Pulling out the list he showed it to the salesman.
"We need a few of the things you have."he started simply as the manager looked at the list.
"Mon Dieu, c'est beaucoup."he said more to himself than anyone.
Chichi grinned and pulled out the money he had – an ammount that greatly overcome that of Phil´s. Both Phil´s and the salesman´s jaws fell open.
"How much money do you HAVE?"asked Phil in awe.
Chichi now sported his infamous tenthousand-watt grin. Only he and maybe Miles actually knew how much cash did he earn.
"More than you´d think."answered Chichi smugly, as Phil sighed.
Chichi turned his gaze on the similary awed salesman.
"If I take so many things full price, would it be possible to give my friend here a discount on that Tablet?"he asked politedly pointing to his best friend with his thumb.
Phil was completly shocked.
"C...Chichi...you..."he stuttered as the salesman fixed his glasses once more and looked over the list.
"With as much as you have here, jeune homme... I´d say... you´ve got a deal."he said pointing to the list with his index finger before offering Chichi a hand-shake.
Phil´s expression instantly turned to one of utter joy as Chichi smilingly shook his hand with the man.
As the man started to gather the things on the list, Chichi turned to Phil with a happy smile.
"Business."he said with a mischievous wink as Phil let out an amusing chuckle knowing full well just WHO taught him this.
...
The Sector number 2 was extremly lively. It was stocked full of stands full of clothing or fashion both from Beauvillage and Cygnuville – which explained why the female population dominated in overwhelming numbers. Girls, young ladies and women of all age were going over the numerous stands, chatting excitedly or curiously looking over various items which would aid them in their quest to become exceptionally beautyfull.
One such stand – Petite Fleur stand from Cygnuville was packed full, which was saying something considering its giant size. The reason for it was simple – Petite Fleur was a well known firm in the country which specialized in stylish clothing, which was very hard to come by on this side of the country. A Cygnuvillan firm, it exported very little outside its town and certainly not on this side of the country, where its chief rival MegaBeauty from Megacity has practicly a stranglehold on the local market. Indeed and not just in beauty, Megacity and Cygnuville are at fierce competition – something which probably explains why do the two big towns hate eachother so much. Beauvillagers however didn´t have any participation in this and they generally accepted goods regardless of town origin. Every woman in Beauvillage (save for a few, such as Mom, Buba and Bee) pretty much adored the clothing desighns from Cygnuville – they were almost completly opposite from their Megacity counterparts. Instead of being focused on efficiency as well as a stylish look, Cygnuvillan clothes were wonderously styled, elegant and dashing – each desighn a pure work of art, though in no way less expensive than the Megacity ones.
"Ah, this will suit you incredibly, mademoiselle..."said one of the salesman with delight as Lola tried a brilliantly styled dress emerging from behind a trying booth.
"What d´you think, Lily?"she asked uncertainly.
Lily smiled gently at her best friend. The silky dress was a brilliant dark-blue with yellow floral patterns. It did indeed suit her nicely.
"Perfect."nodded Lily giving Lola a thumbs-up.
"I´ll take it."said Lola brightly to the salesman who whooped in joy.
"Excellent. You will not be dissapointed, mademoiselle."he said happily before turning towards the cash register just as Lola once more went to the trying booth.
"D´you think Billy will like it?"asked Lola as she peeled off the dress and started putting on her ussual clothes.
From behind the curtain she heared Lily giggle.
"Of course he will, Lola. But I have a sneaky feeling that he would like you in whatever you wear."she commented fairly though her voice betrayed a small laugh.
Lola giggled to herself, knowing Lily was completly right. Billy found her beautyfull in whatever she wore – he even said as much, before mischievously adding that he would find her even more pretty without any clothes at all, earning himself a playfull smack on the head. Lola giggled while blushing slightly as she recollected that memory. Once they paid, both girls exited the stand with their purchases happily, bags in both of their hands.
"That sure took a while. What´s up for business next?"asked Lily.
Lola couldn´t help but giggle.
"That question sounded too much like Miles."
Realizing this, Lily blushed shightly as Lola took a look around.
"There! We can check out that stand."she said pointing to a stand, which held necklaces and various cheap jewlery.
As they approached they took their time glancing from piece to piece.
"I´m not sure I need one. Besides none of these can compare to my gemstone necklace."said Lily quietly referring to the necklace of Balthazar Bunglewood, which she always wore under her shirt.
Lola nodded.
"You´re right. Compared to that these pieces don´t stand a chance."she said also quietly as not to offend the saleswoman who was there.
Moving from the stand, they strolled down the crowded alley.
"Shame, I really wanted something like that too."said Lola sadly.
"Ask Chichi to make you one. He DID make it for April afterall."suggested Lily, smiling a bit.
Lola smiled gently.
"Never knew he also has a talent for THAT too."she said remembering April´s lovely necklace, which as April excitedly explained to her was made by her beloved Chichi honey-bun.
"Perhaps its because WHO he was making it for."suggested Lily slyly.
The two girls shared a giggle.
"We can only hope."remarked Lola happily, hoping that her block-head of a brother would finally get together with the girl.
"Well if it isn´t our two perfect girls."said a sneering voice right behind them.
Lola and Lily turned only to find Cherie standing there along with Nina and Zoe – all three sporting bags as well, though a LOT fuller than theirs. Cherie approached them looking extremly smug.
"Just what in the world are you two doing here, hm...?"she asked.
"About as much as the three of you are doing."remarked Lola, glaring her.
Cherie laughed.
"I very much doubt THAT. I doubt that YOU could afford it."
Lola sniffed.
"Oh really? As you can see, we CAN!"she said gesturing to the bags.
Cherie´s eyes narrowed.
"I don´t see the point. Especially since you two already have all the attention you need. The rest of us however have to work for it."said Cherie betraying a note of anger.
Lily laughed.
"If dressing up and applying make-up is your idea of getting attention, I´ll happily look at the results."sniffed Lily in humor.
Cherie rounded at her.
"Easy for you to say, Ms Mystery! You´ve got all the boys in school going over you and your Great Mystery!"
"That´s the point! Those boys look up to her because of her writing talent not her looks!"said Lola defending her best friend in a heartbeat.
"And what´s it to you, Tofu?! You´ve already got what you want!"remarked Cherie remembering who Billy chose as his girlfriend.
"Yes I have."replied Lola fiercely, angrily remembering just WHAT Cherie did before they got together.
"Jealous, Cherie?!"asked Lily raising an eyebrow.
Cherie laughed.
"I´m afraid not, Robins! I have no need to go over old grounds! I have found someone different."
"Just who do you have in mind?"asked Lola raising an eyebrow also.
Cherie sighed theatricly.
"The one and only man in Beauvillage, who can really appretiate a woman of my caliber – the incredible Michael Miles."
Lola and Lily looked at eachother, then suddenly exploded in laughter.
"What´s so funny?!"exclaimed Cherie outraged as Nina and Zoe fixed them with an angry look.
"You and Miles... yeah, right... and I´m a moutain goat."chortled Lola.
"Oh, its soooo easy for you to laugh, Lola when you´re sharing a house with him!"remarked Zoe angerly – indeed this was something most girls in Beauvillage were VERY unhappy with.
"Do I look, like I´m trying to date him, Zoe?!"exclaimed Lola, angered at what was implied.
"You got Billy and now you´ve taken Miles away too?!"exclaimed Nina with equal anger.
"He chose to live with the Tofus! Lola didn´t do a thing! The Tofus took him in after he arrived in Beauvillage! In fact, it was Chichi who brought him in – as his friend!"argued Lily in equal anger.
"I can´t understand just why did a cool person like Miles befriend a stupid brat like him!"sniffed Cherie derisively.
"DON´T INSULT MY BROTHER!"bellowed Lola stomping the groung in anger – it always angered her deeply when anyone insulted her baby brother and that went double when it was Cherie.
"Chichi did nothing to you, Cherie! What gives you the right to insult him?!"remarked Lily in equal anger.
Cherie sniffed once more.
"If those projects of his aren´t a reason enough, Robins... but I suppose I should thank him for bringing my future husband into Beauvillage."
Lily´s eyes narrowed in pure rage.
"Miles barely knows you exist! What makes you so sure, that he will fall for you?!"
Cherie smiled slyly and gestured to the bags in her hands.
"Why do you think we´re here, Robins? I´ll use the experts of Cygnuville to help me show my true beauty and since the handsome Miles is here, I can go on with my plan to show him that I´m the best girl he could ever find."
Lily growled feeling unexplicably angry.
"Did you even bother to think, that maybe Miles isn´t looking for a girl of your type or class?"
Cherie however laughed openly.
"I don´t need love advise from you, Robins. Afterall, we all know how your relationships end up."she said before exploding in laughter with Nina and Zoe following suit.
Both Lola and Lily shook in rage, but were unable to come up with a counter-argument.
"Come on, girls. We still have to visit Vous Apporte La Nouvelle, so I can be properly prepared to catch the heart of my beloved Michael Miles."said Cherie moving past them.
"See you later, exceptional commoners..."she said adding insult to injury as the three girls headed towards the next stand.
Lola and Lily stood there for a while, still shaking with rage.
"Can you BELIEVE that bitch?!"breathed Lola in pure anger.
"And SHE thinks she has a chance with Miles?!"growled Lily.
"Believe me, Lily... I´ll do anything within my power to see that that DOESN´T happen. I wouldn´t have my worst enemy date Cherie, let alone a friend."
Lily only nodded as she glared the forms of Cherie, Nina and Zoe as they were entering Vous Apporte La Nouvelle stand – a famous Cygnuvillian beauty parlor.
"Thistime she´s gone too far."she growled.
Lola swiftly dropped the bags on the ground and embraced her.
"That was too cruel of her – what she said to you."said Lola softly.
Lily only dropped her sights.
"But she´s right."she mumbled sadly.
"NO she´s NOT, Lily!"exclaimed Lola, swiftly bringing her back to reality.
"Listen, none of those brocken down relationships were your fault. The guys you dated, let´s be frank about it – were jerks, who only looked at themselfs but never at you or your feelings. They didn´t have a single problem about breaking your heart. Like Christian, remember?! What a jerk that guy was! One day, Lily... one day soon you´ll find a guy, who will love you with his heart and soul – like Billy loves me. It just takes time. And as for arrogant bitches like Cherie, what can THEY understand?!"
Lily´s eyes watered a bit. She returned the embrace, happy that she has a true friend.
"Thanks Lola. I really needed to hear that."she said gratefully.
Lola smiled happily.
"Anyplace, anywhere, anytime."
Suddenly they heared a sound of someone falling to the ground.
"Ouch! Qui a placé ceux droite dans le chemin?!"exclaimed the person.
The two girls turned and found that a boy had tripped over the bags, Lola dropped on the ground.
"Pardonnez-moi... c'est de notre faute. Vous allez bien?"asked Lily, by habit switching to french whenever she heared someone speak it.
The black-haired boy smiled happily as he picked himself up from the ground, dusting his pants and turtle-neck sweater.
"Bien Entendu. Je suppose que je devrais regarder où je vais."he replied sheepishly as he picked up the bags.
Lola came closer as well, but she was kinda lost since unlike her best friend she didn´t speak french – or any other foreign language for that matter.
Noticing her, Lily understood.
"He´s ok. Says that no harm done."she explained.
Lola nodded dumbly, feeling a bit out of place.
"I also said that I should watch where I´m going. I apologize as well, I was admiring the stands."said the boy smiling at them.
"And how do you like Beauvillage so far?"asked Lola politely, knowing full well that this boy was from Cygnuville.
"I like it. I was very curious, so I chose to come along with my Papa."he explained and looked around once more.
"I´m a stranger to Beauvillage, though... would you two lovely ladies consider to show me around?"
...
"Well... these will do nicely."said Billy happily as he picked up new adds for his bike.
Coming out of the bike equipment stand he looked over his shoulder and frowned. As expected, he saw his best friend walk after him, positively lifeless. Steve´s shoulders were slumped, his expression one of ultimate sadness – one that Billy was fighting to undo since morning.
Sighing to himself he looked around desperately, searching for something that would snap him out of it at least momentarily.
"Look, Steve... there´s a stand with Cygnuvillian Sports equipment – let´s go check it out."he said cheerfully, hoping that Steve´s passion for sports would win out.
Steve´s sad sigh told Billy at once, that it didn´t.
"If you´d like..."answered Steve in a voice that sounded as though from far away.
Billy pressed his lips but didn´t say a thing as the two boys made their way towards the stand. After five minutes of silently going over sports equipment they stepped out of the stand and Billy sighed, finally having enough.
"Look, Steve..."he began but was cut off short by Steve´s suddenly lively reaction.
"Billy, tell me... about you and Lola... how did you know, that she is the one?"
The almost child-like question chaught Billy off guard. He racked his brains for a sufficient answer – not really knowing how to put his feelings for the said girl into words.
"Well... if... if I have to be honest, I think it was always there, eversince they moved next to us, I guess..."he answered finally.
With a smile he recollected the memory as he started to tell Steve a very personal memory indeed – one he wouldn´t share with anyone besides his girlfriend or best friend – a memory of the time that the Tofu family first arrived in Beauvillage.
-Flashback-
"What´s THAT?"asked a 12 year old Billy Hubbub looking over the fence with his parents as the wierdest van he had EVER seen came to a stop infront of the empty parcel next to their house – where a wierd, giant hand-made house was already standing.
"Humph. Looks like our wierd neighbour is here."grumbled Titus, looking at the van with obvious dissaprooval – he had spoken with the new neighbour, when he was building the said house.
"We should go and greet them."said Beth Hubbub in obvious joy at the newcomers.
Her husband rounded at her, looking incredulous.
"You´re NOT serious, Beth!"
Beth however waved off the remark, completly animated over the prospect of new neighbours.
"Oh, don´t be silly, Titus. It´s only polite."
Titus humphed again, but shrugged as Beth dissapeared in their house.
Billy watched in complete curiosity as he saw the van´s doors open and to his complete surprise a goat, a sheep and a rooster jumped out and set their course directly towards the large garden. From the front seats stepped the brown-haired man he saw building the house with a friend of his during the last year. From the passanger seat stepped out a tall, pleasant looking lady with long sunny hair and fixed her glasses as she viewed the house with obvious happiness. With a loud exclamation she embraced the man and he, laughing along with her, spun her in circles – the pair laughing joyfully. Then he saw an elderly silver-haired woman crawl out after them, smiling at them before following the animals into the garden. Next up came out a small blonde-haired boy, looking around in bright curiosity as though taking in his surroundings. Suddenly the boy turned his head towards the van once more and fixed someone a radiant smile. Billy came closer to see who would walk out of the van now. Judging by the happy joyfull smile the little boy was giving out, he guessed that the next person appearing would be his sibling – possibly his elder brother. He supposed it was a good thing – he could always use another guy-friend to do stuff with. However his eyes opened wide and jaw fell open as the next person exited the van. A plainly dressed girl with incredibly beautyfull shiny brown hair stepped out and took a look around. In contrast with her little brother, she viewed her surroundings kinda tensly, almost as if she was afraid of what awaited her in her new home. Just as Billy heared his mother call out to them, exiting the house with her famous Bethburgers, the girl turned her head and her eyes fell upon him. Instantly he felt himself blushing slightly. The girl´s jaw fell open and her cheeks were staring to turn red. For a while the time seemed to come to a standstill as their eyes locked – bright blue facing brilliant brown. Observing eachother, the two barely took notice of a small argument that went on as the newcomers declined the hamburgers. Slowly, almost in a daze Billy raised his hand and waved at the girl in a gesture of greeting, his lips curling into a kind smile. The girl´s blush turned even more beet-red and she returned the gesture with a wave and an incredibly shy smile of her own – one that made a wierd, fuzzy feeling grip his heart...
- End of Flashback -
"So it was love at first sight, then..."nodded Steve as Billy finished telling the story.
Billy smiled, remembering the 12 year old form of his beloved Lola, her shy smile and adorable blush.
"Yes. I think, it definitely was."he answered with a happy sigh.
"I really envy you, Billy. You´ve found such an incredible girl and she really does love you."noted Steve sadly, though with a hint of a smile – truly happy for his best friend.
"That didn´t happen out of the blue, Steve. We litterally had to fight for it. I can´t even count the number of times our parents – well, mostly mine, tried to keep us apart. If not for those stupid feuds, we could´ve been together from the start."said Billy, kinda regretting that he didn´t get together with Lola earlier on.
"But then you wouldn´t have such a strong relationship."noted Steve objectively.
Billy fixed him with a questioning look.
"Its true. You two have crossed over many obstacles just to be together. That made your relationship grow beyond your years."said Steve brightly as though stating the obvious.
Suddenly however he sighed and his face once more took on a look of despair.
"I only wish I had something like that with Cherie."
Billy cringed inwardly. He knew of Steve´s feelings for the girl they both befriended back in kindergarden. Who in their class didn´t, afterall? Well... Cherie didn´t apparently. Or merely didn´t bother to respond to them if she did – something which immensly hurt Steve.
"Look, Steve... you..."
"I wish she would see me as more than her friend."said Steve, once more cutting him off.
"That´s my point, Steve. You HAVE to tell her. You´re just torturing yourself."said Billy imploringly.
Steve however shook his head.
"I CAN´T Billy. I... I´m just too afraid to risk our friendship."
Billy sighed to himself.
"So was I before I got together with Lola. I was beating around the bush too many times, trying to find some way to tell her without risking it all and look how that turned out – my family and hers were nearly in a state of open warfare, all because I took stupid advise instead of relying on myself and just plucking up the courage. If I had, none of that would ever happen. Luckily thanks to Lily and Chichi everything turned out for the best, but sometimes I still imagine how it would´ve been if they didn´t help us. Anyway Steve, you have to understand one thing – admitting your feelings is ALWAYS a risk. But ask yourself one thing... what if you never tried? Cherie is not going to wait for you. She´ll move on to someone else – already she has a crush on Miles, though I saw only a handfull of girls who don´t. You have to tell her. Sure you´ll risk something, but just imagine what you will gain if you do."
Dispite taking all of this in, Steve still wore a look of skepticism on his face.
"I´m not sure about this, Billy... I mean, I´m not as brave or good-looking as you are."
"That doesn´t matter in love."said Billy crossly.
"What matters is what you feel for the girl. And what she feels for you – which you won´t know, unless you ask."
Billy knew he was being very firm with him, but he was his best friend for crying out loud. It would be foolish to give him false hope, or simply tell him that he´s right. Billy resolved to explain the situation to him exactly as it was – in the hope of actually resolving this problem. Though truth be told, he wasn´t really sure that Cherie felt anything other than friendship for him. Sure, they are good friends since kindergarden and Steve often hangs out with her and her best friend, helping them out as best he can... but judging from Cherie´s numerous crushes, he doubted she would see something of that in Steve. Still, in spite of all this, he incouraged his best friend to tell her – no matter the outcome. If he suceedes, he´ll be happy and if not, he will accept the truth and move on – perhaps even to some girl, who will return his feelings.
"I ´m really not sure, Billy..."
Billy fought the urge to smack his forehead. And Lola thought, that getting Chichi to notice April was difficult. This was proving to be impossible and even Billy´s golden patience was slowly but surely begining to run out. Suddenly however he got an idea.
"Listen, why don´t you ask for advice from a girl´s point of view? Ask Lola or Lily, they know how a girl works."
Steve´s face adopted hopefull look.
"You´re sure?"
Billy nodded.
"The more advise, the better. I´m to meet Lola and Lily at my Mom´s Burger Palace stand. You can come along and ask them. I´m sure they won´t mind."
Steve now sported a happy smile.
"You´re right. Perfect idea."
Billy returned the smile, happy that he had gotten trough to him.
"But first... there are a few more stands we haven´t seen yet."said Steve pointing to the stands.
Billy chuckled to himself.
"That´s the Steve Rowan I know."
...
The third sector was filled with excitement. Numerous stands from Beauvillage and Cygnuville were filled almost fully. Since the sector was devoted to fun and relaxation, it was certainly drawing quite a crowd with its numerous cafés, fun stands filled with attractions of all kind and stands filled with sweets and fast food – something which was mainly drawing the teenagers.
"This is so coool!"exclaimed April as she and Chloe returned from one of the Cygnuvillian attraction, sporting their won prizes – multicolored plush animals.
"You´ve said it, April. I can´t remember when I had so much fun."nodded Chloe happily as they returned towards Archie and Emily – the pair separating from Nick and Mia a while ago before encountering them.
"Wow... you two won so much?!"exclaimed Archie in wonder.
"Well, these two can really get their game on."explained Emily, eying the two girls happily.
Archie bowed his head.
"Damn. And I wanted to win one for you – and I wasn´t able to get a single one."
Emily smiled gently and promtly lifted his bowed head and placed a long loving kiss on her boyfriend´s lips.
"What matters to me is, that you tried."she said before kissing him again.
Watching the scene, Chloe grinned happily while April sighed longingly, hoping that she would be kissing Chichi for whether winning her a plush animal, or not.
A few seconds later the foursome took off, walking along the sector, looking for more fun to have. Though Archie´s eyes were darting from side to side – he apparently haven´t forgotten to keep a lookout for the thiefs as the three girls were chatting happily.
"I´ve just finished reading the Great Mystery. That was one nice ending."sighed Emily gripping Archie´s hand.
"We know... we finished the book yesterday."said April brightly.
Chloe giggled.
"More like Chichi finished it for us."
Emily quirked an eyebrow in question.
"We stopped by the Tofu´s yesterday and ended up with Chichi in the yard. He read the rest to us."breathed April dreamily.
"Which he probably wouldn´t if you haven´t persuaded him."said Chloe slyly, promting a beet-red blush on April´s cheeks.
Indeed, April asked him numerous times yesterday after he admitted to having read the book as soon as he got it from Lily. She even went as far to use her infamous puppy-eyed look – a surefire way she developed to break Chichi´s resolve.
"It was really romantic from Lily to have Detective Razor finally fall asleep after so long in the end – only because he was in Madame Resaque´s arms – you were right, she completly cured him of his insomnia."breathed April.
"Well... love can work wonders."said Emily happily, her eyes looking at Archie who was busy looking from stand to stand, determined to spot a thief.
Suddenly Archie gasped and pulled out his walkie-talkie, the three girls immensed in their conversation hadn´t noticed.
"This is Wise 4, saw a suspect walking trough Sector 3."
"Sector 3? On it Wise 4."sounded a voice of one of the policemen.
"Following suspect in order to verify."said another policeman, already on the suspect´s heels.
"Spotted another one at the candy stand."came the voice of another.
"Verifying."
"Come on what´s the hold up?!"asked an impatient Mia on the other side of the sector, looking at Nick who was holding the walkie-talkie while looking from side to side, hoping to catch a glimpse of the suspects.
"Will you shut the hell up?! I can´t hear a thing!"Nick growled back, pressing the device more firmly to his large ear.
"Oh no you don´t! There´s already a large line coming to the Tons-of-fun stand."she said, yanking his jacket.
"What´s it to me?!"growled Nick.
Mia huffed.
"You thought, you could just drag me here without something in return? You will win me one of those prizes."she said in a matter-of-fact tone.
Nick´s head snapped towards her – his expression between shock and complete incredulity.
"WHAT?!"
Mia glared him folding her arms.
"You heared me!"
Nick finally let go of the walkie-talkie facing her.
"In case you haven´t noticed... we have a SITUATION on our hands!"
Mia´s look darkened even more.
"AS IF I CARE! THERE WILL BE TIME ENOUGH TO PLAY YOUR LITTLE GAMES AFTER YOU WIN ME THE PRIZE I WANT!"
"WORRY ABOUT THAT AFTER WE FINISH OUR MISSION!"yelled Nick at the top of his voice.
Mia huffed and swiftly grabbed his hand.
"You´re not getting off the hook, Nicolas Meanfull! You are going to win me my prize and THAT´S FINAL!"she finished in a frustrated scream as she yanked his hand hard.
Not expecting it, Nick almost fell over as she dragged him clear to the stand. Regaining his ground in less then a second, he stopped her trying futilly to free his hand from her grasp.
"Awwww... Mia, this is sooo cute!"called a voice from behind them and the pair turned the tuggle-war stopped in mid-action.
Nick sported a look of bewilderment, while Mia froze in visible shock. Standing behind them, separating herself from the group of girls who were awwing as well, her elder sister Candy was walking up to them with a look of fluffy happiness.
"You´ve never told me anything."she said brightly looking at the pair of them.
Mia huffed and glared her sister.
"I don´t know why should I tell you a thing."she snorted.
Candy however took no offence, the radiant smile remaining on her face as she patted Mia´s shoulder gently.
"Now now, little sister... I understand. But why keep something like this a secret? You should be proud of it."
Mia brushed her shoulder from her sister´s palm, still keeping a firm hold on Nick´s hand.
"Who´s keeping anything a secret? And what should I be proud of?"she asked angerly – Candy was once more getting on her nerves.
Candy smiled gently and turned her sights on Nick offering him a kind smile.
"I´m sooo happy someone finally saw trough her tough demanour."
Nick was now looking as perplexed as Mia, even as Candy´s friends approached also interested in the pair for reasons neighter of them could grasp. Candy made a loud happy sigh and wiped the small tears from her eyes.
"My baby sister got a boyfriend before me."
The statement lingered only for a moment.
"WHAAAAAAAT?!"roared both Nick and Mia, instantly letting go of their hands jumping from eachother in the process and going deep-red in their faces.
"Now, now... its very cute. You two look made for eachother."said Candy once more placing her pams on both Nick´s and Mia´s shoulder – both of whom were turning redder by the second.
"If you think I´m dating him, YOU´RE OUT OF YOUR MIND!"bellowed Mia, positively terrified at what her sister implied.
"I would have to be INSANE to date this stuck-up blondie."exclaimed Nick pointing his thumb at Mia.
Mia instantly snapped her head at Nick.
"STUCK-UP?! Listen Mr Personality, you´re not exactly humble yourself."
Candy and her friends looked on as Nick and Mia positively rounded on eachother.
"Oh yeah? You´ve been doing nothing but complaining and dragging me from stand to stand since we arrived."growled Nick.
"What am I supposed to do around here, stupid?!"retorted Mia, glaring him.
"Help the brotherhood, THAT´S WHAT!"bellowed Nick.
"Oh, so I can´t have any fun because of your crackpot plan?! I have better things to do!"
"And YOU wonder why you don´t have a boyfriend?!"
Mia sniffed at the question.
"What would YOU know about it, giga-nose?! I don´t see YOU with a girlfriend!"
Nick narrowed his eyes as he drew nearer to her face.
"Do I look like I´m looking for one right now?!"
Mia laughed derisively as she unknowingly drew nearer too.
"You don´t even have to. Even Detective Wiseman wouldn´t be able to find a girl who would date YOU."
"Oh yeah?! And any search for a guy who would date YOU would be useless. In fact, I can´t even IMAGINE what stupid idiot would ever consider dating you!"
Candy giggled to herself while her friends looked shocked as Nick and Mia pressed their foreheads to eachother, baring their teeth at one another and growling – their argument gaining the fearfull attention of anyone who was in the vicinity.
"They look soooo cute together."she breathed as her little sister and "boyfriend" completly ignored everything around them and continuing the bickering, trading one argument after another.
"Oooooh! You piss me off so much, Nicolas!"exclaimed Mia for the whole street to hear.
...
"Hm... that was wierd."remarked Rodney Philips quietly as he watched another dubious chatacter pass them and another – one he knew – called Daniel Rogers dressed in working overalls, followed after him.
"I see nothing out of the ordinary, Rodney."said Angela Haveitall, who was right next to him.
Instantly after Miles´ innitiation feat, her father and the guests from Cygnuville decided to have a walk to view the Stands and the people. Angie´s hand was dangling close to Rodney´s but she repressed the urge to grab it once more – no matter how much she longed to. She quickly reoriented her attention to the guests, who were openly showing their appretiation at the event.
"I must say, the event is most illuminous, Mayor Haveitall."said Christopher Gee, viewing the various stands and the people with appretiation.
"Agreed."nodded Adam Brians happily, brightly waving to one of the women in the crowd, who recodnized him – the woman blushed and returned him the gesture.
"You have extremely good people here."said Milton Weasel, who was by habit taking in the people and their behaveour.
Johnatan Haveitall smiled and fought the blush, which was threatening to appear on his face in the wake of all the polite flattery.
"These people are the true treasure of Beauvilage afterall."he said sheepishly, his heart warming at the thought that these celebrities finding these ordinary people extraordinary.
Jean La Jolie made an impatient sound, clearly not happy with how his celebrities found Beauvillage.
"I see that your stands offer the exact opposite of ours, Johnatan. It would be better to set an equal tone instead of making this a show of differences."he remarked eying the differences of the various stands.
Angie glared him a bit – she HATED when someone critisized her father or Beauvillage at large.
"That´s only good. The market is supposed to be extensive, offering whatever the people need and what they desire. Afterall... different products and salesmen are the source of competition, which of course is the backbone of the economy."said Rodney evenly.
La Jolie rounded on him, an argument already on his lips.
"Well said, Rodney. I very much like your opinions."said Milton Weasel smilingly, giving him a happy smile.
This comment made La Jolie swallow the remark, while Rodney blushed beet-red at his role-model´s praise. Angie fixed Rodney an appretiative, thankfull look for standing up for her father and Beauvillage in his own - intelligent way, something one wouldn´t know unless he knew Rodney Philips personally. She saw, that her father also understood that as he flashed Rodney a smile not unlike her own.
"That´s our Rodney – a wise one indeed. I take solace in the fact, that Beauvillage has people like him."said Johnatan, voicing his support for Beauvillage´s celebrated teacher.
"If your people are like Rodney here, mayor Haveitall... my opinion of Beauvillage could not get any higher."said Christopher Gee happily – furthering La Jolie´s annoyance.
"I have to say Mayor Haveitall, that I´m also greatly enjoying Beauvillage. In fact in contrast to most towns I know, I find it incredibly relaxing."noted Johnny Jack, who indeed looked extremly relaxed and carefree.
This seemed to surprise the party from Beauvillage, while the Cygnuvillian party nodded in understanding.
"Free from fan-girls, Johnny... am I correct?"asked Gee, smiling at his younger collague in understanding.
Johnny grinned at him.
"You´ve said it, Mr C... these people are very polite... I had yet to see a fan-girl attack here. In fact its a drastic change somewhat. Something I haven´t experienced since I was a teenager – very refreshing indeed..."
Smiling at the curious looks of the Beauvillage party, Johnny Jack grinned.
"You see... being the country´s most wanted actor and bachelour many girls tend to go after me, trying to gain my affections. Here I am surprised at the girls´ politeness. Some merely acknowledged me – waving but not doing anything less, but I had yet to see a Beauvillage girl who would approach me as they do in other towns."he explained with a relaxed smile.
"HEY! WAIT!"called a female voice from behind them.
Johnny Jack froze.
"Uh-oh... here we go again..."he said more to himself than anyone.
A young woman in her mid-twenties was racing towards them, a bright expression that Johnny knew quite well by now was present on her face, her long brown hair waving after her. Johnny squinted his eyes, already knowing what was about to happen. However, nothing came. Opening one of his eyes fearfully, he found that the woman did not stop by him, but by Rodney and Angela and engaged a conversation with them – well, with the former more likely than the latter.
"I wanted to thank you for my little sister, Rodney. You´re the best teacher in the world."she said excitedly.
Rodney Philips laughed sheepishly.
"Its no problem at all... afterall, Mary is one of my best pupils."
The woman however ignored that comment and moved closer to him.
"I feel really envious of her, you know. To have a sexy teacher like you... it makes me wish that I were younger... tell me, Rodney... is there a chance of you giving... private lessons? I could really use some... education..."she said in a deep, flirty voice that oozed with desire.
Rodney´s face took on a deep-red blush and for a second he looked too shocked to respond.
"Rodney has too much responsibilities to get along with. I´m afraid that right now, he will have no free time at all."said Angela crossily, stepping between them – a death-glare prominent on her face.
The woman returned Angela the death-glare, but spoke in an overly honey-sweet voice.
"Oh, Angie... I´m sure that Professor Philips will find some time for his former-student, am I right, Professor?"
Rodney sighed. This girl was from the very first class he ever taught when he began teaching on Beauvillage High, following his graduation in the university and becoming a teacher. In fact, Angie was also from the same class. And the girls of that class, as well as some from the classes that came after them, had developed their crushes on him over the course of their attendance in High School. Crushes, that apparently didn´t vane, even after all these years.
"Look, Sarrah... I..."he began before he felt Angie grab his arm with both of her hands and pressing herself towards him.
"Sorry, Sarrah. But right now, as you can see we are attending to our Cygnuvillian guests."she said as she pulled him away, just as the party began to move.
"Thanks Angie."said Rodney in appretiation when they were out of ear-shot of the girl.
"Anytime, Rodney... anytime..."growled Angie, doing the best to keep her anger at bay even as they walked on.
It always angered her whenever ANY of these girls and young women tried to get close to him. Any who thought they have a shot with him. Any who stupidly thought that they understand him. Angie was extremly protective of him since early childhood. Eversince she was a little girl, she knew Rodney Philips. Trough the friendship of her and his fathers, the two shared a bond. In the early years Rodney along with Mrs Longline used to babysit her – substituting for the absence of her mother and she came to view Rodney as her elder sibling. Though a decade older than her, Rodney used to be both her playmate and guardian – always spending time with her, showing her some things and teaching her many others – already then he had a natural gift for teaching, something he apparently enjoyed very much. Even Balthazar Bunglewood, who noticed this early on said as much, praising Rodney for his talent to teach.
A few years later, this relationship developed into something... more. They came to know eachother inside and out. But when she was 12, Angie began to feel more and more for him. Dispite the age difference, she developed a crush on him. Back then, she even told him as much. She remembered as though it were yesterday, the time she first asked him to be her boyfriend.
-Flashback-
"Angie..."sighed a 22 year old Rodney as they were sitting in the garden of Mrs Longline, who was back in her house.
"I´m serious, Rodney... I... I love you."said a young, 12 year old Angela nearly in tears.
She closed her eyes, determined not to cry. Suddenly she felt Rodney hug her tightly.
"I love you too, Angie... but not THAT way. I´m too... old for you. And there´s one more thing... You see, I already have someone I love. Don´t worry though... I will always be around for you, Angie... but only as a friend."
-End of Flashback-
Angie got over that quite easily with help of her classmates and of course Rodney himself, who dispite being the cause of it, had taken upon himself to undo the damage as much as possible, while still dating a girl in Megacity collage... one, he didn´t tell anyone about – aside from his parents and Mrs Longline with whom he spent countless of hours with, just chatting. True to his word, Rodney made sure to spend time with Angie as often as he was back home from collage. Her friends and classmates, whom she had often hung around with also came to appretiate her oldest friend. Another few years passed and as Angie and her friends entered their first year of Beauvillage High they were in for a surprise. Rodney Philips became their homeroom teacher – fresh out of his collage. To their incredible astonishment, Rodney turned out to be an amazing teacher – focused, fair and friendly – gaining their respect over his very first week. Well... not just respect... With his young, still boyish and (many girls in Beauvillage remarked about him even now) sexy appearance, Rodney found himself the target of many female affections including Angie´s. With his healthy physique, spiky short black hair and even the reading glasses he wore in class, what girl wouldn´t be head over heels for him? Though no longer dating the girl from Megacity, Rodney resolved to remain alone for reasons only he knew. Even when he was finding himself to be more and more... popular among the Beauvillage female population. Angie´s crush on him was renewed and once again, now as a 17 year old girl told him of her feelings.
However Rodney once more politely declined her. Not only he insisted on being too old for her, this time he had another reason – she was his student. Not wanting to risk his newly attained dream-job, Angie relented for his sake though she felt, that thistime Rodney declined her half-heartedly (as though he was at least considering it). But what Rodney didn´t know was, that her feelings for him didn´t dissapear. In fact, over the years they seemed to only grow stronger and stronger. She became accustumized to hiding them well, while being around him for all this time. However now, and always when she saw his former classmates or ANY other girl flirt with him, a wild pang of jealousy came over her and she kept herself close to him out of habit. She was positively fumming even as they walked on, while gripping his arm with both her hands – keeping a deathgrip on him, as though afraid that if she let him go he would dissapear completly, never to return to her. The thought promting her to tighten her grip even more.
"Ow... Angie..."
The sound of Rodney´s uncomfortable voice brought her back to reality and she lessened her grip somewhat – though doing nothing to release his arm completly as they saw more young women approach them.
"I must say, I am astonished."noted Johnny Jack to his collagues, as the women left them after their short flirting with Rodney and Angie´s insistance, that they are in a hurry.
"Most of the time it is ME, who has to hurry away from the love-stricken ladies and girls... And here, no one even pays the slightest bit of attention to me."he said.
"You´re right, Johnny. In fact, the ladies of Beauvillage barely give any of us a second glance."nodded Adam Brians, also noticing this though not taking any offence of this.
"From what I´ve saw, all their attention are fixed on eighter Rodney here, or the intéressant Mr Miles..."remarked Christopher Gee.
"You see, my dear guests... I´m afraid that our lovely girls and ladies are becoming more and more infatuated with Rodney here, as well as with Detective Wiseman and Michael Miles. In fact, during the last two weeks the girls have taken upon themselfs to compete with eachother for their affections."explained Mayor Haveitall.
Jean La Jolie sniffed.
"I find myself hard to believe this. Even the country´s top celebrities are not enough to distract them from this..."he shook his head, not bothering to hide his irritation to this fact.
Angie glared him over the others.
"That is because these three respective gentlemen are worth it, Mayor La Jolie."she remarked in a calm voice, but her grip on Rodney´s arm tightened once more.
"Angie..."whispered Rodney quietly, understanding that her crush had not waned – however he found himself to be comfortable with the fact for some reason.
Neighter Angie nor La Jolie however took note of him, as they locked their glaring eyes.
"That may be true, my dear. But these people have their accomplishments and deserve the attention. Unlike these three gentlemen, they have earned their fame."argued La Jolie in the same calm voice.
"Maybe the girls and women of Beauvillage appretiate the three because of the fine men they ARE. Maybe they don´t need to have a famous person besides them or capture their attention. Maybe they want someone who is simple and easily approachable."remarked Angie, carefully hiding her irritation.
"That would definitely explain it."said Milton Weasel in deep thought, gaining the attention of both.
"Of course, these three live here and are under the eyes of the ladies all the time. Of course they focus much more on capturing the attention of someone who is right under their nose, instead of someone who is only here for a day - famous and therefore difficult to approach. With these three, the ladies seem to feel themselfs and free, instead of masking themselfs to make the best possible impression."
Angie smiled at Milton, as well as the other celebrities who agreed whole-heartily. Only La Jolie scrowled.
"I can now easily see, why Beauvillage produces so little art. When ladies throw away any talent they have in favor of some mediocre love interest. They have nothing to inspire them, nothing to drive them. Nothing to develop their talents for. Unlike back home at Cygnuville – our girls are ambitious, creative and aim high trough their talents. As evidenced in the talent contest I´ve made – Cygnuville Street Talent."
Mayor Haveitall scrowled now. The Cygnuville Street Talent was another in a long line of contests, which Jean La Jolie set up in his neverending pursuit of fame and recodnition for his town. This last one however was an incredibly popular contest – widely broadcasted and popular, in fact every one in the country watched this contest on TV – a contest for young hopefull talented children from Cygnuville, one where they had the oppoturnity to show their various talents and the winners were given assistance to further their talents – something that gained incredible popularity for both Cygnuville and La Jolie himself. That was perhaps the reason, why La Jolie was more and more proud these days.
"I disagree, Mayor La Jolie. Beauvillage has many great talents – as a teacher of these fine young people, I should know best. This love-chase as it is, has nothing to do with their it."remarked Rodney calmly, firmly standing behind the youngsters he teaches, or taught.
La Jolie once more sniffed.
"I have to say, mon ami... I see nothing to prove this claim."
Johnny, Milton, Christopher and Adam looked at eachother and sighed – this was one trait, which they greatly disliked on their mayor, no matter on how good terms he was with them. Both Angie and Johnatan Haveitall glared him again – this time they HAD enough!
Angie was about to say something, before she felt Rodney reach with his other hand and gently placed it on her shoulder – the gesture alone enough to calm her down. Rodney held La Jolie´s challenging gaze as he smiled pleasantly – he knew someone, who would prove La Jolie wrong – one of his most prized young students.
"Come with us, mayor La Jolie. You will see exactly how talented the youngsters of Beauvillage are."
...
