Chapter 4 - Dates And Dances
Flashback
Six years ago
"No games for you young lady until your grades improve."
"My grades are perfectly fine aunty."
"In fact, no going out. And no seeing the Thaur boy either."
"What? He's my best friend aunty."
"Exactly. You're spending more time with him then with anything else. Now go do something. But stay in the house or the garden."
Alison Hoover, aged eleven, stormed out of the house. 'How could she do this? Teddy's my best friend. Now I won't be able to hang out with him anymore.' She climbed the old apple tree to their secret hidden treehouse that she and Teddy spent months building. It's wasn't that big. But to be that high up feels really nice. Alison heard the doorbell ring. She also heard Teddy, in his squeaky eleven year old voice. "Hello Mrs Fuller. Is Alison home?"
Then she heard her aunt's voice. "I'm sorry Teddy. She's grounded. She won't be able to see you until her grades improve." There was silence. Alison heard Teddy's voice again. "Okay. Please tell her I stopped by." After a few minutes she heard ruffling of leaves. Moments later she saw Teddy Thaur, her best friend, struggling to get in the tiny treehouse. "Hi Teddy." Alison said, brightened. "How did you know I was here?" Teddy smiled. "You always said if you could live anywhere else, you wanted to live here. So I assumed that you would be in your favourite place when you're upset." Alison laughed. "You're magic Teddy." Teddy gave a proud face. "Yeah what can I say, I'm the best." Alison laughed and hugged Teddy who hugged her back. "You're my best friend Teddy."
End Flashback
(Alison's POV)
(Alison speaking) "My aunt always said, please spend more time with other girls then hanging out with that boy. My mother wasn't really fond of Teddy.
But how can I deny that I have more fun with him than anyone else? How can I deny that I feel closer to him than anyone else? He was my best friend for six years and counting.
In fact, we're like siblings. We could never be separated. We never broke friends. Not even for a minute ! That's why I predicted, when we grew up, we will still be friends. But as we grew older I realized something. I like Teddy. No I mean.
I love him.
(Normal POV)
Alison was walking past classes, doing an errand for one of the teachers. She past the bulletin board. There was a new sign there. She looked at it. She smiled, turned and walked away. 'Teddy's going to like that.' she thought a smile on her face.
(later)
(lunchtime)
Teddy was walking with Lay. Lay was talking about something. Teddy wasn't listening. 'Lay is just so beautiful.' Teddy kept saying to himself as he walked side by side with his love interest. Suddenly he caught sight of the same sign that Alison looked at.
The Golden Dance of Music!!
Boys ask Girls.
This Friday.
At the Gym.
Teddy smiled and stole a secret look at Lay who was reading the same sign. "Boys ask Girls. Hmm, sounds like fun." he said, trying to construct a conversation. Lay smiled. "Just be careful who you pick. I have eyes on the hot teen in the higher Tamer's class." Teddy froze. He knew who she was talking about. That suave, cool 19 year old teen with a wicked fashion sense and money. " Who? Theo? He's two years older than you." Teddy asked delicately. Lay blushed. "Theo took me to take new circus yesterday. He's a god. And a truly great kisser." Teddy felt himself steam. He turned and walked to the canteen while Theo (kinda appeared out of nowhere) was talking to Lay.
Meanwhile, Alison , the leader of the dance committee, was preparing the decorations. Teddy still looked steamed as he slammed his books on the table with a bang. Alison jumped and spilled her drink all over her plans. "My plans! Teddy!" Teddy snapped out of his thoughts. "What?" he said. "My plans. My drink. Your fault." Teddy looked at the destroyed plans. "I'm sorry. How can I make it up to you?" Teddy said, slowly losing his anger. "Well... you can help me with the dance?" Teddy smiled and hugged his friend. "Yeah, that's okay. Besides, it's not like I'm going with anybody." Alison froze. "Um, you must have someone on your mind..." Teddy stood up. " I'm not going. You can't make me anyway. Now, what's this year's theme?" Teddy tried drying the spoilt, wet plans. Alison stood there with her thoughts. ' Is he asking me? I don't know. He said it he's not going. I'm have got to get out of this silence.' Alison kicked herself mentally and said, "This year's theme is ... love. I know it's boring but, I wanted to do something. not disco, not future but love. To relax and spend the night with someone you love." Teddy look at Alison. There was a pause. Teddy leaned forward, probably to say something. Alison tensed. Was he going to kiss her? Teddy didn't say anything. Teddy just stared. Suddenly, he open his mouth to say something but sat down again. Alison sighed and turned to the plans and started discussing the plans with Teddy.
(Later, during class)
Teddy had received a note from one of the Tamers in the class. 'You and your girlfriend make a cute couple.' He turned and saw Gilbert waving at him. "Who's my girlfriend?" Teddy whispered. "Why Alison of course!" Gilbert mouthed back.
(later)
Teddy was laying on his bed. His mind, full of thoughts. Usually, he thinks of Lay. But suddenly , his feelings for Lay passed. Like a dream in the night. Now only one word is in his mind. Alison ... Alison ... Alison
(later)
"Hey Teddy! Help me out with these decorations." Both Teddy and Alison were struggling under the loads of confetti and whatnot. Alison was on a ladder, hanging up heart shape balloons and Teddy was placing vases at the corners of the gym. The flowers for the vases will be laid there later.
Alison hanged another red balloon. " I wish the ceiling wasn't so high up. This ladder's old. I could fall any minute..." Right on cue the ladder gave way and Alison was falling. Teddy rushed to her and caught her, but couldn't support her and he fell to the ground. Alison was on his chest. She tried to get up but stopped. 'Since when did Teddy have muscles ?' she thought to herself. Then she realized what she was doing. In a minute she was on her feet. Teddy got up red in the face and dusted himself. I blushed a heavy maroon and went back to decorating the gym while Teddy stood and stared.
(later)
Alison hugged Teddy, "Thanks for helping, the gym looks heavenly." Teddy smiled and looked our handiwork. He grabbed his jacket. "Well, it's now seven. Might as well get some dinner. You coming?" I smiled and grabbed my jacket. "Sounds good. Let's go."
(later)
"Wow, that was great."
"I know, completely."
Alison was walking home with Teddy, arm in arm. They reached Alison's house. "Well, gotta go." Alison whispered. She reached up and kissed Teddy. "That's for catching me when I needed you." she said and walked into the house.
(the next day)
A new sign was put up the next day.
The Golden Dance of Music is on!!
Boys ask the girls
Girls, be smooth
You don't want to be dateless for one of the biggest dances of the school.
Alison was pleased with the new poster. It had a lot of decorations. 'Teddy's going to be pleased with this.' she thought as she placed another one of the posters on a locker. Bring!! The bell rang. All the students came pouring out. Alison felt someone tapping her on the shoulder. She turned around to see Jack tapping her shoulder. "Oh, hi Jack. Where are the other Keepers?" Jack shrugged and whispered something.
"I'm sorry Jack. I can't hear you." Alison said. Jack steamed and said in a soft voice, "Alison, would you go with me to the dance?" Alison steamed and said, "I was hoping someone else would ask me..." Jack looked downcast. "It's okay. I'll see you then." Jack turned and started to walk. Alison felt torn, her heart melted for this shy boy. She made a choice. "Jack?" Jack turned around. "Yes?" he asked looking hopeful.
"I'll love to go to the dance with you."
(later)
Teddy was making a choice. 'I know I said I didn't want to go to the dance... maybe Alison will go with me. After all, she is a great girl and I really don't want to be dateless for the biggest dance ever.' Elena and Zick came in shyly holding hands. Jonathan steamed but cooly said, "Hey guys. What's up?"
Elena giggled and said, "Jonathan just asked me to the dance." Teddy choked on the juice he was drinking. Lay had to pat him on the back. Zick just stared. "Po .. potato...He..w.what?" Teddy said, his voice hoarse. "He asked me to the dance. That a problem?" Zick stood up and hugged Elena. "I.. I'm really.. happy for you Elena." Elena smiled. "Thanks Zick."
Alison walked in and sat next to Teddy. Teddy felt himself turn red. "Hey everyone. Boy, am I starved. Can I have one if those rolls Zick? Thanks." Alison said, taking a roll. " Guess what? Zick asked Elena to the dance." Alison smiled. "I knew that would happen since last year. Glad he finally did it." Zick playfully punch Alison on the arm. "Guess what Lay, I've got a date too." Teddy repeated choked on his juice. Alison patted him.
"Yeah. I'm going with Jack Tulaseed. " Teddy smiled. "Um, I am very happy for you." Lay smiled too. "I'm going with Theo. He asked me two days ago." Alison swatted Lay. "And as usual, you only tell me this now. Who are you going with Teddy?" Alison said, turning her attention to Teddy who panicked. "Um, I'm ... I'm not going .. I told you this already." Alison's smiled fell. "Oh I see. You'll still come right? You could be the DJ?" Teddy stood up, suddenly feeling angry. "Look I just don't want to go. Yo can't make me Alison." Alison felt hot. She stood up and was neck to neck with Teddy. Well, face to neck, Alison was a bit shorter. "Look, this is a really big deal for me. It would really be nice if my best friend showed up to this dance."
"Well maybe I'm not just your best friend."
There was a pause. Everyone was staring at the two friends. Alison stopped. "What? You're not my best friend?" Teddy's face soften. "I don't want to be your best friend. I want to be your... look just forget it. I'm out of here. " And Teddy walked out of the canteen.
(Teddy's POV)
'Well, you big coward. You can't even say I love you. You couldn't say it to Lay and you can't even say it to Alison. She's probably angry at you now.
(Alison's POV)
Oh god. What happened. Oh god, that was our first fight. I certainly hope it was our last.
The End
Next 'Episode'
Summary : Alison and Teddy have their first fight and Alison is beginning to wonder why Teddy has started to avoid her. Meanwhile, Teddy is struggling to tell her that he loves her after he overhears that Alison ...