Hope your holidays were a whole lot more interesting than mine. (which they probably were)
Lost In Conversation Chapter Nine: Misdemeanor (starting with Vicky's POV)
" Alright, twerps! Fall in line!" I blew the whistle hard and the little teenage terrors all succumbed to my demand.
Part of what I loved about this job was the immediate fear and power I had over my students. Three classes totaling 90 twerps in all and for each one I held the fate of their high school career with a single letter. Even though P.E. is a required course, the truth is, all you have to do is show up and you pass but...
I ran things a little... differently. Heh, heh.
I went down the line of students marking off their names on the attendance record. " Okay maggots, today we're climbing the rope (a few audible groans, one whip of my death glare quieted them)... and as usual, you start off with an 85 for just coming and dressing out. If you climb the rope successfully, you get a 100 but fail miserably you get dropped to a 70 and if you don't try at all, not only will I drop you to a 50 but you'll have to drop down and give me fifty. Do I make myself clear?"
" Ma'am! Yes, Ma'am!" Was the concurrent reaction I received from the class. Beautiful.
I got to the last student in line which happened to be Turner. He didn't bother making eye contact though I saw that he looked a little shifty. I peered at him closely and his eyes slowly looked towards my direction but turned away quickly. Six years, 36 inches, no buck teeth or stupid pink hat and I could instill fear into my old target.
I was quite impressed with myself.
" Hey twerp, seen my sister?"
I had set the whole class to line up in alphabetical order every time I blew the whistle. The last four people in line were usually a kid named Sanchez, Tang, Turner, and Wicker. But for some reason, Tootie was nowhere to be seen.
Timmy gave a slight shake of the head and went back into his stupor. I always knew the kid was screwy (I had a hand in that), but really, what the hell was up with him? I caught Trixie stealing a glance out the corner of my eye.
Really, could these idiots be more obvious?
Something was up and I planned on keeping my eyes on the 'power' couple. I heard the familiar sound of sneakers crossing the glossy gym floors and turned around to find the prodigal sister coming towards me.
" Well, well. A little late, are we?"
Tootie ignored my retort and stated quietly but strongly, " I need to talk to you for a minute."
A deep sigh escaped my mouth and I allowed her to take me out of eavesdropping distance. Then, the very eye I used to scout out potential troublemakers caught a glimpse of the annoying pop star sitting on the bleachers.
What did he want?
I stopped Tootie before we got any closer.
" What is it, twerpette?"
Her eyes laid low for a second then they flicked upwards looking past me. " I... really don't know about climbing the rope... I'm a little scared of heights and you know how clumsy I am, I might slip." I realized then that she was looking at the rope behind me.
I sighed. " Look, how about when it comes your turn, I do a demonstration just to check the rope and show ya how it's done... is that okay?"
I knew I was giving her special treatment, but I couldn't help it. She was my little sister after all and pretty much the only family I have right now that I actually care for. Truth be told, she was the only family member I have ever cared about. I may have bullied her, but I'd be damned if anyone else did.
Tootie contemplated this for a second then gave a slight smile. " Yeah, that's cool. Thanks." I returned her smile and ushered her back over with the rest of the class. I blew the whistle and everyone came to attention, even Turner.
" Alright, you stooges. Prepare yourselves. First up, Applegate."
A hunched over, shy looking blonde girl stepped up to the rope and prepared her trek upwards. Her hands started to fail her when she was halfway up and she shook until she eventually fell back down on her ass. The poor kid was still a little shaken up and peered up at me with wide watery eyes.
" And that gives you a 70. Thanks for trying, kiddo." I smirked a little and scribbled the grade beside her name.
The girl could no longer hold back her tears and ran into the nearest locker room. The boy behind her, Armstrong, was already starting to buckle down in fear.
Man, I loved my job.
Timmy's POV
Irony, when something is contrary to the actual meaning.
Situational Irony, when a situation is opposite to what it appears to be. Normally used for a humorous effect.
For example, right now, it seemly appears that I'm standing in line in between my girlfriend and my bully. But actually, I'm standing between the girl of my dreams and the girl who has infiltrated them. To the outside world, the situation appears to be the first but only I know that the situation is actually the latter.
Ha, ha.
Another example, the rope that my classmates are going up and down appears to be an ordinary rope but actually, it's a special trick rope that's set to be cut when Tootie attempts to climb it.
Or maybe this couldn't be called irony but a sick joke. A harmless prank. What did I know about irony, anyway? I had a D in English, you do the math (which I also had a D in).
All I knew was Trixie's specific instructions that rung through my head all night and into today.
1. Get to the gym before anyone else.
2. Switch out the ropes.
3. When it's Tootie's turn to climb the rope, I set the timer on the remote that came with it for 30 seconds. When Tootie is close to the top, the rope 'breaks', Tootie falls on her ass, Trixie would have it on her camera phone and send it to the whole school via email. Then she gets to laugh and brag about Tootie's fat ass 'breaking' the rope in gym class.
Ha, ha, ha.
It would be easy since Vicky always goes in alphabetical order and Tootie therefore, will be the last to climb... so there would be no interruption in Trixie's moment of redemption.
Ha, ha, ha, ha.
" Sanchez!" Vicky shouted. The dark skinned Hispanic girl in front of Trixie made her way to the rope and started climbing at a steady pace, something the classmates before her failed to do. She touched the top of the rope and slid easily back down.
The first success of the day... out of thirty kids. Well, actually 27 since Trixie, me and Tootie hadn't gone yet.
But then, I already knew how Tootie's attempt was going to turn out.
" Tang!" Vicky yelled. Trixie looked back at me and gave her glorious Hollywood smile accompanied with a wink and skipped over to the rope.
Though she was looking down at the clipboard, I could tell Vicky was staring at Trixie. It was the same analyzing stare she gave me earlier, she knew something was up and all she had to do was look at us to tell.
The ability to read people was something Vicky always had and it had cost me countless thrashings in the past.
Nevertheless, Trixie climbed the rope with ease and slid down even more gracefully than the girl before her. Her subjects clapped for her and Vicky just grunted. Then it occurred to me that Trixie had probably practiced climbing that rope so she'll look even better when Tootie failed.
Wow, amazing how you never realize just how vain a person is until you get to know them.
" Turner!"
My turn. Yippee.
" Hey, Tim."
I turned around and Tootie smiled at me with those luscious lips. She held out her hand and said, " Good luck."
I took her soft yet somewhat clammy hand in mine and shook it. Something told me that something was fishy with this picture, but I was so grateful for the chance to touch that milky skin again. Plus, it seemed that the doomsday I had expected wasn't coming since Tootie had hardly did anything all day but maybe wave or brush pass me.
Yeah, something was definitely wrong with this picture.
I stepped up to the long braided string of doom and began my ascent. The rope was hard and stung my hands as soon as started climbing. I ignored the burn that coursed through my fingers and the feeling of sharp pins prickling my thighs and pulled towards the red band that marked the goal. I dared to look down and a dizziness swelled inside me. I didn't realize how far of a drop it was. If Tootie fell from here...
I shook the thought out of my head and continued upwards. The red band was right in my grasp and I covered it with my hands. I looked down again and prepared to descend. My hands started to slip and suddenly I was sliding down the rope way too fast. When my feet finally touched the bottom, my hands were on fire and some skin peeled off.
Suddenly, I knew what had happened. Sabotage.
I looked back at Tootie and she had a knowing smirk on her face. She wiped her hands on her gym shirt and held them up in a defensive manner. I should've known.
" Okay Turner, your landing earns you a 70. A solid 'D'. Nice job." Vicky laughed maliciously.
Gritting my teeth, I headed over where the rest of the class was and took the timer out of my pocket. Thirty seconds. Beep.
With a smirk of my own, I turned around and waited for Tootie to start her climb to ultimate humiliation.
Imagine my surprise when Vicky started climbing instead.
Holy Shit.
Chip's POV
I guess you can say my day started out normally.
Let's see... I woke up.
Showered.
Dressed.
Brushed my teeth.
Fended off the usual crazy fan as I tried to get the morning paper.
Ate breakfast.
Drove to school.
Taught first period.
Gave my second period class some music to work on and slipped down into the gym to observe Vicky's class for awhile.
Okay, so that last part wasn't a normal part of my day.
But I couldn't help it, for some reason I couldn't wait until watch duty to see her. This fascination with Vicky Wicker was becoming deadly. I don't even think she knew I was there. Maybe it was because I sat in the bleachers at the other side of the gym... but then again, some of the kids had noticed me and waved.
Therefore, I think she was just purposely ignoring me.
Despite her attempts earlier to both avoid me and talk to Tootie privately, I still managed to hear bits and pieces of their conversation.
Vicky made have had a keen eye, but I had a keen ear.
Which helped me out in the long run, even when I was scouting talent as a judge in that singing competition a few years ago-what was it?- oh, California Idol.
Not one of my better experiences.
I heard her call Tootie 'twerpette' and marveled at the way she said. It was so... soft and playful. The very same name she would refer to her female students with a voice full of malice, undeniable hatred, and a tinge of annoyance, she used as an affectionate nickname for her little sister.
The woman was amazing.
Then I heard something about heights and climbing. But by then, my mind had started replaying old childhood memories as it had a million times before.
I began to focus back into reality when I heard her call Timmy's name. I remembered how the little guy could barely reach my knee years ago but now he had me by at least 3 inches.
Funny how time changes things.
He had a great start but tripped up on the landing. Even with his atlethic stature, the kid was still just as big of a klutz as ever.
I expected to see how Tootie fared on the expedition but surprisingly Vicky took the trek instead, then suddenly their conversation made sense. I couldn't help but smile as the ferocious red-head started her journey up the obtuse rope.
She attacked it with such vigor and confidence like the obstacle the students before her had struggled with was nothing more than a small hurdle. She reached the top in mere seconds and smiled triumphantly and reassuringly down at Tootie. At some point, her ponytail had came loose and her fiery hair hung loose in the air. Her round tan thighs held firmly to the ragged instrument and the smoothness of them was breathtaking.
At this point, I had to wipe away a trickle of drool form my mouth (my publicist would've killed me).
Then, just like that, my red-headed amazon fell right out of the sky.
Vicky's POV
Ever heard of those people with life-threatening experiences that claim that time stood still and their life flashed before their eyes?
Well, I just became one of those people.
It was so weird... one second I'm looking down at Tootie beaming up at me and the next I had this sense of falling. It felt like I was on that "Big Drop" ride that I rode at the carnival last year. I was frozen in midair. Everyone's mouths dropped opened at a snail's pace, the air was thick and stoic. My limbs felt limp and utterly useless as they gave way to the wind.
Images flashed in staccato moments.
(My first day of Kindergarten, some boys had started making fun of the color of my hair and I stood and cried in the middle of the playground... then, a dark haired boy came up, handed me a tissue, flashed a set of perfect teeth and introduced himself.)
(Seeing Tootie for the first time in the hospital and the feelings of curiosity, anger, and jealousy that overwhelmed me because the tiny infant had taken my mother away from me for so long.)
(3rd grade, playing on the jungle gym with the dark-haired boy. Some older kids tried to pry us off but he held his ground and defended me as the kids started to pounce on him. I scream; "Leave him alone!" and punch the biggest one straight in the eye. The kids run off and me and the boy laugh until the bell rings.)
(Tootie's 5th birthday, just as she blows out the candles I dunk her headfirst into the triple layered vanilla icing.)
(7th grade, spring play, Snow White. I played the witch and sat in the background after I was 'killed' by the dwarves. The prince 'kisses' Snow White and the crowd cheers. After the show, the dark-haired prince slips backstage. He whispers "Good job." and sneaks a kiss on my temple.)
(Tootie's first creampuff recital, the first and only one mom and dad went to. After the show, I sneak backstage shout "Congratulations!" and spray Tootie down with a water gun. The other girls stand and laugh as she starts wailing.)
(9th grade talent show, the dark-haired boy stands on stage and sings his heart out. The crowd's in tears. I go to congratulate him after he wins, but he's surrounded by other audience members, many of them girls and one of them, a guy from a record company.)
(A year later, I get my first babysitting job with a boy named Turner. I turn on the TV and a dark-haired pop star makes his first appearance on TRL. I turn it off , pull out a machete and go upstairs to find the Turner boy.)
Then total blackness.
A rush of wind, and my back hits something...
... but it's not the hard floor.
I'm suddenly entrapped in something that felt similar to a pair of arms. Then I fall again but at a much shorter distance and roll until I'm on my back again. It took me a minute to realize I had my eyes shut the whole time, so I opened them.
I looked up at the dark-haired boy from my childhood. He looked pretty much the same, there was only one major difference...he was a man.
" Chip..." The name escaped as I let out a breath.
Wait... huh?
My eyes scanned the area and all I could see was ceiling. It suddenly occurred to me that I hadn't fallen to my death but rather had somehow ended up on the floor, unharmed, underneath Chip Skylark.
Somehow, death seemed more appealing.
My eyes fell back to my captor and drunk in the scene before me.
He was panting, as if he'd ran faster than he ever had in his life. His normally prim to perfection hair was a little ruffled giving it a dangerous edge. I noticed a few buttons had came loose off his collar and some of his tan skin was visible. His eyes looked intensely into mine...
" Vicky..."
As soon as his husky voice said the name, another scene flashed in my eyes. We were in a dark place and in this exact same position and Chip's state was about the same... only for a reason totally unrelated to the current situation.
WHAT!? Where'd the hell that come from?
I shook the thought out my head, almost slapping myself for even entertaining it. Then I shoved the once teen pop sensation as far away as I could. He landed with a thump beside me looking bewildered and a little hurt. As if I cared...
... at least, I think I didn't.
" I guess you're okay then..." He murmured.
I tried to sit up, but did the motion too fast. The result, my head spinning and bile rising at the back of my throat. Then I tried standing up, and almost fell back off my feet. Chip came to the rescue- again- and helped me balance myself.
Everyone was giving me blank stares. Wondering... anticipating... dreading what I might do next. Whispering to each other and nodding in affirmation making who knows what kind of comments and conclusions. I felt like I was on display.
Someone was going to pay for this.
I started to move but then realized that Chip was still holding onto me. A cold stare should've fixed it, but the annoying pop diva was persistent. I managed to shake off his arm and on slightly wobbly legs blew my whistle.
The incessant chattering ceased. I was back in control.
" Listen here, parasites and listen real good. If I find out that any of you mongrels had anything to do with this, I'll make sure that not only do you fail this class for the semester but also, that the rest of your pathetic insignificant high school career is one straight ticket plane ride to hell! Did I make myself clear? Eh?!"
" Ma'am! Yes, Ma'am!"
Music to my ears.
The bell rang at that moment, and the kids all rushed into their locker rooms.
A deep sigh left me and I started walking towards my office. A warm hand clasped my wrist. Guess who?
" Let go, Chip."
" A-are you sure you're alright, Vicky?"
" Yes, now let go."
" Look, Vicky..."
" WHAT?! What the do hell do you want from me?!"
"... nothing."
And he finally let go.
Howdy! I'm just gonna be honest, this chapter has been done for months. (gets weird glares from crowd) Hey! But it's not my fault it hasn't been posted... it's just that a lot of stuff came up and well... (glares get a little darker) nervous laugh Well, hoped all you Vicky/Chip fanatics enjoyed this chapter. You're gonna be seeing a lot more of them, I promise. ;) (Vicky/Chip fans in the audience cheers) (strictly Timmy/Tootie fans groan) Aw, don't worry. There'll still be plenty of Timmy/Tootie, they are the main characters after all. And thankfully, Timmy/Trixie shudders at the thought will be over soon enough.
(Timmy/Trixie fans occupy a small area and start booing)
(Rest of the audience glares at them and starts chasing them out of the arena)
Okie Dokie!
Next Chapter: The Beast and The Harlot (starting with Timmy's POV)
And always, read and review!
With Love,
Ranma Matsuri