Hey Everyone, happy new year! the Second one of the year...woot! Anyway thanks to Bugle Girl, Mouse, Dodger, and Spades for reading and reviewing! and thanks to Ducky who help me write this and who helped this story become what it is! I heart you...and I miss you!!!! And I can't wait to see everyone at school again...I'm going stir crazy by myself! anyway enough of my ranting!
Jack and I went downstairs to fine Bumlets and Skittery wrestling on the floor. Les looked intrigued while David looked concerned. Mush and Spot were whispering and looked very mischievous.
"Wow, I don't trust that look on Spot." I told Jack.
"I wouldn't trust dat look on anybody." Jack said.
"He's up to something and judging from the way him and Mush keep looking at David, I think it involves him, you might want to warn him."
"Why whaddaya tink dey'll do?"
"With my brother in cahoots with Mush, Lord only knows."
"Aight I'll keep Davie in me sight."
"Thank you, I'd really hate myself if anything happened to him."
"Don't wohhy bout it Angel." He smiled.
"Okay"
"I'm thirsty!" Dodger said. I was about to tell her to get up and get something when Blink stood up and walked into the kitchen before returning a few minutes later with a glass of water.
"WOW!" I said.
"Cool ain't it?" Media laughed.
"Weird."
"Whaddaya talkin bout?" Spot asked.
"Dodger said she was thirst and Blink just got her a glass of water!"
"So?"
"She didn't even ask, he just went."
"Dat's true."
"He's like a puppy!"
"I ain't a puppy!" Blink said.
"Really now?" I asked with my eyebrows raised.
"Yeah really."
"She has you trained!"
"SHHH!" Dodger hissed.
"What? He would have figured it out sooner or later."
"Poor Blink." Dreamer said.
"How did you do that Dodge?" I asked wanting to take notes.
"I didn't do anything, I just said I was thirsty."
"And he got up and went!"
"Apparently."
"I am in awe of you sister dear!"
"Soon you will possess this power." She said.
"Should I be scahed?" Jack asked.
"Why would you be scared love?"
"Because ya talkin bout controlin me."
"Me? Never."
"You're full of it Angel!" Spades said. I picked up the nearest pillow and chunked it at her, hitting her.
"SCORE!" I yelled.
"Datin Jack has improved hah aim." Skittery said.
"Hehe."
"What's that?" David asked indicating to my hand.
"Oh it's uh promise ring." I smiled.
"OH MY GOSH!" Media said running up and hugging me.
"Down girl down."
"They don't call me the leach for nothing." She said squeezing so hard my ribs hurt.
"Uh Media ya might wanna let go a hah, she's toinin blue." Jack said.
"Okay."
"Well I'm glad you're so happy." I said grinning ear to ear.
"Of course I'm happy for my little nut butt."
"Wow." David said.
"You have witnessed NOTHING yet." Mush said.
"Ya tink dat's bad?" Jack added.
"Oh come off it, you make it sound like we're weird or something." I played.
"I know I find, horseplay to be immature and uncalled for." Media said taking on her poker face.
"What?" Ellie asked.
"Yeah that was pure and total bull shit!" I said.
"Indeed it was."
"So uh yeah,"
"So does that mean you two are engaged?" Mouse asked.
"Not quite. A promise ring is just saying that I'm spoken for though not officially engaged. Make sense?"
"It's like you're more than dating but not engaged." Mush said.
"Who's more than dating but not engaged?" My mom said walking in.
"Oy vey." I said to myself. "Uh, me."
"And you were so- congratulations! I'm going to go tell your father!" she said dashing out of the room.
"Get ready to kiss that apartment goodbye." I told Media.
"He doesn't have to know when Jack comes over."
"True. Thank the Lord on high!"
"Yeah there are some things you just don't tell Uncle Nate."
"Yeah like sleeping arrangements in Michigan."
"That would be one yes."
"Oh heck yeah, I'm not entirely sure he's okay with PDA…"
"My parents aren't…okay with what we did."
"Really?"
"Oh heck no, half the time I went to Mush's I'd tell them I was with you."
"You still do." Mush said.
"Thanks." I added.
"You're welcome." She said sitting back down next to Mush.
"All right everyone it's getting late and you all have homes to be going to." My Dad said walking into the room almost tripping over Hershey who ran underneath him
"Umm, my parents are sleeping." Bumlets said. A chorus of agreements ehoed.
"Uh, if you want them to go Daddy, Media and I could drive them home." I said sweetly yet pitifully.
"No not that won't be necessary but you all need to go to sleep, I'll let you decide the sleeping arrangements but keep it appropriate. And Angelica I need to speak with you for a moment." He said walking to his office. I dragged my feet and walked in behind him.
"Yes dad?"
"I would like to know what you think this promise ring means."
"Um, I think it means that although Jack and I aren't technically engaged yet we will be and will marry, in time."
"And you will have boundaries during this time?"
"Yes."
"And I am glad to hear that."
"Is that all?"
"Yes, and I love you."
"I love you too Daddy."
"Night."
"Night." I said sighing with relief as I went downstairs.
"Oh and Angelica,"
"Yes Daddy?"
"Remind Aaron and Aleisha that they're not married yet."
"I don't think I have to, especially with Riley on duty, but yes sir."
"All right."
"Night." I said sighing with relief as I went downstairs.
"Evryting okay?" Jack asked when I got to the living room.
"Yeah."
"So where are we all going to sleep?" Les asked.
"Um, I was thinking sleeping bags on the floor in here?" I answered.
"Kinda like inside camping." Ellie said.
"With no snowmen." Ace laughed.
"Yeah cause you'd kill it!" Mush teased.
"Hehe." I laughed walking to go get the sleeping bags. I grabbed one and the whole pile fell on me. "JACK, CAN YOU COME GIVE ME A HAND?!" I shouted from the back room.
"Angel, wheah ah ya?"
"I'm under the sleeping bags!"
"Ya s'posed ta sleep in em not undah em."
"No duh."
"Deah ya ah." He said pulling them off of me.
"Yep here I are."
"So do I gotta sleep downstaihs too?"
"Yeah, but I'll be down here so it'll be good."
"Aight."
"Sorry."
"Foh what?"
"That my dad is, well a bit old fashioned."
"Ah it's a good quality."
"If you say so." I said rolling my eyes.
"Well tink about it from his poispective, he's gotta a bunch a kids ovah at his house wantin ta sleep tageddah."
"Yeah, I suppose."
"Ah ya gonna miss me?"
"Yep. I've kinda gotten used to it."
"Yeah, but we'll be taggeddah."
"It's not the same though."
"Nah, but it's bettah dan nuttin."
"That is true, I mean he could have made you go home."
"Yeah."
"Come on I'm sleepy." I said grabbing half of the sleeping bags.
"Lead da way."
"What you don't know your way around yet?" I asked laughing.
"It's dahk."
"It's not that dark. Oh, I need to exercise Shoni tomorrow."
"I taught ya was s'posed ta go apahtment huntin tamahrah?"
"I am and will, but I'll get Shoni tomorrow night."
"Aight."
"Hey are you coming with us tomorrow?"
"I dunno, am I?"
"Do you want to?"
"I dunno, I can only be around ya so much." He said.
"Oh shush you."
"Yeah I'se comin."
"Cool."
We settled down in the living room and fell asleep to an old musical called "Carousel". I awoke the next morning to find that half the group was up and talking, which was actually what woke me up. I attempted to roll over and go back to sleep but a hard floor is not conducive to sleeping. Media noticed me stirring and immediately pounced on me.
"Wake up!" She said attacking me.
"Mmph, get offa me!" I said my head buried under my blanket.
"Not until you get up." She said tugging my blanket away.
"Sleepy time!" I whined trying to find somewhere dark to stick my head.
"No it's time to get up."
"No, sleep," I said settling on Jack's side.
"Oh no you don't." She said pulling me away from him.
"You're evil." I pouted.
"And you're a baby now wake up."
"No."
"You're not gonna fall asleep so get up."
"Fine!" I said getting up and going to my room where I flopped in my bed.
"You can't hit Hershey." She said sticking the puppy in my face. Hershey started licking my chin, which made me laugh.
"How can I take it out on you?" I asked the dog.
"Ya can't." Media said flicking the lights on.
"GRRR!"
"You sound like that bear."
"Ugh." I said shuddering.
"Did it really scare you?"
"No, I was pretending to be scared for you."
"No, I mean seriously it scared you."
"Didn't it scare you?"
"At the time no, thinking back on it yeah but I'm not gonna dwell."
"Let's just say that it's not an experience that I wish to relive." I said picking Hershey up.
"It's understandable."
"I'm glad you think so. Oh we have to go house hunting today."
"Just us girls or are the guys coming too?"
"Jack is, I don't know about Mush."
"M'kay."
"Okay now out I need to get dressed."
"I shall meet you downstairs."
"Aye lassie that ye shall."
"Yeah." She said walking out the door.
"What am I going to do Hershey? My whole family thinks I'm nuts." I said. She looked at me with an expression that had pet me written all over it.
"I guess you think I'm nuts too huh?"
"Woof."
"Cute."
I showered, dressed, and found everyone eating cereal when I returned downstairs.
"Don't you all have school?" Dodger asked the younger ones.
"Yeah but mom said we could stay home since no one could drive us all." Spades answered.
"Oh,"
"Hey Dodger, when are you leaving for school?" I asked buttering a piece of toast.
"Sunday after church."
"Okay. Yeah Media and Spot, classes start Monday."
"Yeah yeah." Spot muttered.
"What are you complaining about, your first class isn't until 11!"
"So?"
"I've got all 8 'o clock classes!"
"Hehe."
"MM" I said sticking my tongue out.
"Can't believe ya leavin already!" Blink said.
"Me neither, I don't want to." Dodger said.
"I'll be back." Mush said limping off.
"When will ya be back?" Blink asked Dodger.
"Spring Break."
"Blink, don't worry, I'll take you up to see her one weekend." I said.
"Aight."
"Only question is, when." I said to myself.
"When are we leaving?" Media asked.
"As soon as we eat and get Mush and Jack back." I said noticing that Jack had scurried off as well.
"Okay."
"Speaking of which, where did those two go?"
"I have no idea."
"I'm not sure I wanna know."
"Why?"
"With those two, Lord only knows what they're up to."
"Hm."
"Hm you say? Say you hm?"
"Indeed I say hm."
"You are catching on." I said waving my butter knife at her.
Jack had left the table after Mush in dire need of the bathroom. He headed upstairs to the bathroom and found Mush rummaging through the Medicine cabinet.
"Whaddaya doin?" Jack asked.
"Why?
"Because I really need da bathroom!"
"This seems vaguely familiar."
"Yeah,"
"But would appear that you really do have to go, so I'll leave."
"TANK YA!!!!!"
"You're welcome." Mush said heading back downstairs. I was finishing up my toast when Mush rejoined us.
"Hey, have you seen Jack?" I asked.
"Uh yeah, he'll be back in a minute." He said rubbing his shoulder.
"Baby, what's wrong?" Media asked.
"I left the Vicodin up North"
"You've gone this whole time without pain medicine?"
"Lower your voice, the whole kitchen doesn't need to know."
"We can get you some before we go apartment hunting."
"Actually I think I still have my prescription Aleve from when I had my wisdom teeth pulled, if you want some." I offered.
"Please."
"Okay, it's in my room I'll be right back." I said jogging up the stairs. I grabbed the bottle and tossed it to Mush when I got back downstairs.
"Thanks Angel." He said taking one.
"No problem." Just then Jack rejoined us and Mush, Media, Jack and I went off in search of an apartment.
"They don't seem to be working." Mush said as we drove along in Purity.
"That's because you've found something wrong with every single one of them!" I said.
"What?" Jack asked.
"Mush has found something wrong with every single apartment we've looked at!"
"I was referring to the drugs."
"Oh. Oops."
"Way to make assumptions Acorn." Media teased me.
"Well it is the truth." I said.
"Yeah, apartments suck."
"Well those are the only ones in our price range."
"That is unfortunately true."
"Yeah. And no way my dad will let us move into those."
"Well we've gotta find some place."
"How?"
"No seriously, they're not working." Mush said.
"The drugs or the apartments?" I asked.
"Both."
"Well as for the drugs, they're like a year old, and the apartments, what else are we going to do?"
"You haven't checked the Southside yet."
"Those are uber expensive!"
"Then I don't know."
"My point exactly."
"That one was cute but it was in a ghetto neighborhood." Media said.
"It looks like that's the best we can do." I said kind of downtrodden.
"I can get a second job, we can try to go higher."
"I think my dad would oppose that, simply because he's insisting that we stay in school."
"I can go to school and work."
"Two jobs?"
"The one I have now is part time, so it'd be like a job and a half."
"Yeah, I guess, let's talk to my dad he'll know what to do."
"Okay."
I turned Purity back towards home to tell my dad what we had found.
"No." he said firmly.
"But it's the only one we can afford!" I protested.
"That area is notorious for muggings and break ins."
"What else are we going to do? We can't exactly afford the upscale ones."
"Don't go to the upscale ones, but start looking a step up."
"Dad, we can't afford it!"
"You can afford half of it."
"What about the other half?"
"I've got the other half."
"Are you serious?"
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
"N-no."
"Then go back and keep looking."
"Yes sir!" I said running out to Media's car with her, Mush and Jack.
"What did he say?" Media asked.
"He said to look a step up and that he'd cover half."
"Oh my gosh that is awesome!"
"I know!" I shrieked.
"Yay." Media said as we headed into town again.
"Yep yep."
"I'm hungry." Media thought out loud.
"Me too." I said my stomach gurgling to reinforce that statement.
"Are you two hungry?" Media asked Jack and Mush.
"Are they ever not?" I answered for them.
"I'm not." Mush replied numbly.
"What?' Are you sick?" I asked shocked.
"No."
"What's wrong?"
"I need drugs, wow that sounded odd."
"Hehe."
"Can you get it without a doctors note?" Media asked.
"No, it's a narcotic." I smirked.
"So, are we going to the hospital…?" Media asked whoever would know the answer.
"No." Mush said.
"You sure?'" I asked again shocked.
"Just go to a, any store that has drugs and I'll find something."
"Okay." Media said a little concerned.
"There's a Walgreens up here." I said. Media whipped through traffic and parked.
"Are we all going in or just us?" she asked Mush.
"We'll stay here." I answered. Media and Mush headed inside and Jack and I were left alone.
"So, ya dad is helpin ya?" he asked.
"Yeah, shocker."
"Sometimes it sounds like ya don't get along wid im dat well."
"Uh it's not that I don't love him, I do, just our personalities clash, a lot."
"Oh."
"It's the whole old fashion thing."
"I sahhy."
"Nothing to be sorry about."
"Aight."
"Yep. So how are you?"
"I'se good. Ya self?"
"Good."
"Uh, it's wahmah heah dan up North."
"That's because we're in the South, closer to the Equator."
"Dat it true."
"Yeah."
"Dis is pathetic."
"What the conversation?"
"Yeah."
"So what do we talk about?"
"Uh, I dunno."
"So here we are, stuck with pathetic conversation." Just then Media's cell phone started ringing.
"Whad we do?"
"Answer ya dork!" I said grabbing it. "Aleisha's phone." I said answering it.
"Oh, who is this?" a woman asked me.
"Oh her cousin Angelica."
"Oh hello, this your Aunt Karen."
"Oh hi Aunt Karen."
"Hello, where is Aleisha honey?"
"Her and Aaron ran into a store."
"Oh, oh yes her fiancé. Why are you in the car?"
"Oh my me and my…person are waiting for them."
'Oh Jack?"
"Yeah."
"Yes, your mother told me about him, he sounds like a nice boy."
"I think so."
"You better since you're dating him."
"It's sorta more than that."
"Oh?'
"He gave me a promise ring yesterday."
"Aw, that's sweet."
"Yeah."
"So was the week at the house nice?"
"Yeah."
"The water worked okay?"
"I didn't have any problems with it."
"And the heater?"
"Once we figured out how to use it yeah."
"She always did have trouble with it, well it's been nice talking with you hun, but I have to go."
"Bye Aunt Karen."
'Bye Angelica, and please have Ali call me back."
"Okay." I said hanging up.
"Who was dat?"
"Media's mom."
"How did she know bout me?"
"My mom, she kinda has a big mouth."
"Oh, so dat's wheah ya get it." Jack smiled.
"No, I don't tell everybody what's going on with everybody else."
"Aight sahhy I said it."
"It's okay." Just then there was aloud thud on the window next to me and I jumped.
"AHH!"I shrieked.
"Hehhehe." Media giggled getting in her car.
"Duck butt!"
"Yes?'
"Your mom called."
"Oh darn."
"Is that a bad thing?"
"No she will just probably want to interrogate me about everything." Media said as Mush took his meds.
"Okay, why?"
"Cause her youngest girl is engaged duh."
'Oh."
"Have you met her mom?" Mush asked me.
"No I have never met my aunt."
"Then why did you have to ask?"
"More of a sense of curiosity."
"Ahh."
"Yeah."
"Okay I sense hunger pains so lets go eat." Media said as my stomach growled.
"Quiet you!" I scolded my tummy.
"Haha, is Python acting up?' Media cackled.
"Yes."
"What?" Jack asked.
"Remember the restaurant yesterday? And everyone joking I was pregnant?"
"Yeah, so ya named ya stomach afta a snake?"
"It's a joke love. By the way you two what was with that sex talk thing?"
"What?' Media asked.
"Yesterday when you told Mush he said of had the sex talk with Jack, and what sex talk?"
"Hehehhe, that was funny."
"Explain woman."
"I was playing, like someone should of talked to Jack, because you were "pregnant"."
"Uh huh."
"What?"
"You didn't have that playing tone."
"You don't know everyone of my tones hum."
"I know a lot of them, and I know the I'm just playing tone, and that was not it."
"Oh, yeah well, I don't know where that came from."
"Yeah whatever."
"Ya know, sometimes I do just say things, so chill."
"Okay okay."
"Okay, so where do we want to eat?'
"Food." We settled for Schlotzsky and ate there as it started to rain. "Oh great."
"Lovely rain." I mumbled.
"We should play in it!" Media chirped.
"And that is why you get sick." Mush smiled.
"How about we look for the apartment first." I advised. We sprinted out to the car and began our search once more. We finally found one that everyone agreed on and headed back to my house to tell my dad the news. He approved of our decision and he called the complex and discussed when we would move in. Media called her mom to double check that our plans were good and decided we would move asap. But I did have work the next day so we would concentrate on packing for the time. Spades had been out with Skittery but made it home for dinner as Mush headed home to sleep and Media went to talk with her parents. Jack stayed for dinner. The last time he had been our only guest was when I hated him so it was interesting to see how things had changed. Jack and I kissed goodbye while my dad wasn't looking and I went to bed not wanting to get up in the morning. But 8am rolled around and I flopped out of bed and stumbled downstairs.
"Morning sweetie." My mom greeted me putting eggs in front of me as I sat down at the table.
"It's been forever since I've worked." I mumbled eating my egg.
"Yeah, you'll see Jack." Spades said trying to encourage me.
"Yeah." I said smiling.
"Ya such a goil." Spot said.
"Really and I thought I was a boy."
"Ha ha." He replied dryly.
"You love me and you know it."
"Ya me sista, I hafta."
"Oh, your sister leaves tomorrow." Mom said sadly.
"She'll be back before ya know it."
"All my girls are leaving me. Well, not you because you're too young." She said to Spades.
"I know mom." Spades said.
"An dis is why I'se glad I'm aboy." Spot said.
"Oh you don't get off that easy Sean." My mom said straightening his hair.
"Ma!" Spot protested.
"What are you gonna do when he moves out mom?" I asked.
"I don't know." She answered getting teary eyed.
"Good job." Spot said to me.
"Hhehehe." I giggled.
"Dad already left and said we should be there early." Spades told me.
"And you just now thing to tell me this?"
"I just remembered to."
"Well hurry grab your stuff we'll be late."
"I'm already ready."
"Well then lets go!" I said ushering Spot and Spades out the door. We got to the hotel just in the nick of time because a grey hound bus had just arrived full of guests who were touring Texas and were staying here for the night.
"Does dis mean I getta drive dat?" Spot asked smiling.
"No." Blink said coming out of nowhere.
"Hey Blink." I greeted him he looked kinda down.
"Heya Angel."
"What's wrong?"
"Dodger's leavhin tammaroh and I'se been woikin all day taday, it stinks."
"I'm sorry, you could always call her."
"Yeah I guess."
"She's not going to be gone forever ya know."
'Yeah but ya wouldn't like it if Jackie had ta leave foh a while."
"Is he leaving?'
"Wha- no."
"Don't scare me like that!"
"I didn't mean ta."
"How bout in a couple weeks I take you to go see her?"
'Dat would be good."
"Then in the mean time if you miss seeing her face you can just look at me."
"Tanks, but it ain't da same."
"That would be kinda weird if it was."
"Yeah it would."
"Cute Blink real cute."
"Aight, ya ready foh da rush?"
"Am I ever ready?"
"No but it comes."
"Yeah." I sighed.
A wave of people flooded the concierge's desk and the first hour of the day was hectic to say the least. I finally got to see Jack at my lunch break.
"Heya Angel."
"Hey yourself, Jackie Boy."
"Dis mohnin was psychotic."
"Yeah, nightmarishly so."
"So how was ya ride on Shoni last night?"
"Didn't happen. By the time I got home I was so exhausted, I conked."
"Dat's too bad."
"Yeah, um, after we get married, can I keep him?"
"Yeah, I mean I don't know if he'd be able ta stay wid us, depends on wheah we move."
"Thank you."
"Ya welcome. So uh I may not be woikin heah too much longah."
"Really why not?"
"Da theatah Angel."
"Oh right I forgot about that." I said smacking my head with my hand.
"Yeah we'se still get set up so I'll still be heah a little while longah."
"So that audition you told me about…"
"Yeah?"
"When is it?"
"Well, it was actually scheduled for when we was in Michigan, but I got a bettah one foh ya?"
"With who?"
"I ain't tellin ya, not yet anyway."
"Stink butt, when is it?"
"I ain't entiahly cointen (Certain)."
"Oy how am I supposed to get something ready if I don't know when it is?"
"Yah don't have ta get anyting ready, I'll bring ya da paht."
"OH?"
"Yah, oh."
"Wow…"
"What?"
"You."
"Dat a good ting or a bad ting?"
"Good. Definitely good."
"I can live wid dat."
"Well I hope so."
"Hey bummahs, we got woik ta do." Blink said.
"Since when did you become me muddah?" Jack asked him.
"Oh stop you're bawlin!" I said.
"Hey who ast you?" Blink said.
"No seriously, people are wanting to switch rooms." Spades said following after Blink.
"Oy fine." I said standing up. "Looks like the break is over."
"It would appeah dat way."
"So are you going to help me move tomorrow?"
"Yeah."
"Good. We're going after Dodger leaves."
"Aight,"
"Which is right after Church."
"So ya all packed?"
"Almost…I still have a few things left to throw in some boxes."
"Aight." Jack said as we headed to the lobby where angry looking people waited at desk, or should I say doom. First some lady said there was a peeping tom spying on her and she needed a new room without windows, which was impossible to get her since all the rooms had windows. I talked her into just keeping the blinds closed, which is what she should have done in the first place! I then got to deal with a mad mom whose daughter was rooming with her boyfriend and wanted the daughter with her and the boy thrown out. The switching I could do, but the whole thing about the boy being thrown out, they had to resolve in a non-public area. Then there was a luggage mishap where someone accused Jack of stealing their luggage and it turned out that they hadn't even brought the item in question with them. Those were only some the many, many confrontations that were dealt with that day. Finally, my shift was over and I heaved a sigh of relief.
"Dat was moidah!" Blink said.
"You're telling me. There was one point that I thought it was pick on the innocent concierge day."
"Don't even complain Angel." Spot said walking up.
"Why what happened to you?"
"Ona da cahs I pahked taday didn't have da key, it was hotwiahed!"
"WOW, only in Dallas."
"Yeah. So den I called it inta da cops and toins out da guy had stolen it."
"Did they arrest him?"
"Yeah aftah dey accused me a doin it."
"Good gravy…don't they realize that if you had you wouldn't have called it in."
"I don't cah, I just wanna go home."
"Me too!"
"Den let's leave!" Spot said as Spades walked up.
"Please tell me we are going to eat!" She said.
"Yeah, I'm starving." I said walking to the car.
We walked to the parking garage where I had parked my car. I stood at the entrance for a second trying to steel my nerves. "Don't freak out, there's not a psychotic weird person after you today." I told my self as we all entered. We got to my car without incident and headed home after the nightmare that was work that day. We were in the midst of eating dinner when my cell rang.
"Arg wu sentafinticate nar dunderford
Bida menti kosticated interserd
Thorphiliate stinded yilla billa zay
Wentora yate paravillintiniay, paravillintiniay"
"What is dat?" Spot asked.
"A song. Hello?"
"Hi Angel it's Mouse."
"Hey Mouse what's up?"
"Um, we have a problem."
"What is that?"
"We're stranded on the side of the highway."
"Which one?"
"I don't know."
"Describe landmarks!"
"There's a billboard for a dating service."
"Like those are so uncommon."
"I don't know talk to Media."
"Media, where the hell are you?"
"We're on I-35W heading South."
"What was the last city you passed?"
"Red Oak."
"Okay. I'll see if I can't find you. Oh can you see any mile markers?"
"Marker 103, and you better be able to find us for Bumlets sake."
"Why for Bumlets?"
"I guess for Mouse's too since she'll be grieving if I kill him."
"IT WASN'T MY FAULT!" Bumlets shouted.
"What did he do?"
"He actually didn't cause the accident, but he was mooning people."
"Wow. Did you call Mush?"
"Yes, I got his voicemail, because he's still working or something."
"Okay. I'm on my way."
"Okay, drive safely."
"Yes ma'am." I laughed.
I jumped in Purity and sped to where Media said she was and found them quickly. I pulled up behind them, turned on my hazards so I wouldn't get rear ended and walked up to them.
"You guys okay?" I asked.
"Yeah, it was fu- okay." Bumlets said being cut off by Media's sharp glare.
"I'm okay." Mouse said.
"So you got in a wreck?" I asked.
"Here's your sign." Media said referring to my question." Yes, yet no, my freakin break line broke or whatever so now I have to get that repaired we were driving propelling along since I couldn't stop and boom! We hit the barrier so now my car is destroyed!" Media said pointing to the crushed area spread across the front of her car and along the drivers side.
"Ih."
"Yeah…"
"So now we get to take you to work right?"
"And to class, well Mush may be able to help."
"That's good."
"My poor baby."
"Come on Media."
"I just got it fixed and it's dead, again."
"I know, what were you guys doing any way?"
"I was driving them around today cause I finished packing and got bored and they had no mode of transportation."
"Oh, um so do you two want to come home with me or go home what? And what about you Media?"
"Oh lets go to your house." Mouse said since no answered. We loaded up and I noticed Media was quiet and looked depressed but I knew not to confront her in public, nothing shut her down faster. We arrived in one piece and headed inside to let them eat since that was where they were going to next. My dad was a little annoyed that I brought them home so abruptly but understood once I explained it to him. Spot and Bumlets started playing X box once they ate and Mouse played with Hershey. Media was talking with my mom about cooking. Media called her dad, he took care of the towing situation and she got a hold of Mush at last. Mush came by and took Mouse and Bumlets home on his way to Media's. Dodger, Spades and I stayed up late talking which took its toll on us the next day in church. My alarm went off blaring in my ear as I rolled out of bed. I stumbled around my room trying to get dressed before going downstairs. Mom prepared a giant breakfast since Dodger was leaving that day. We piled into the van and during the entire trip to church my parents reassured Dodger over going back to a new semester. I don't think they could see that she didn't want to go back and leave Blink. We went to our Sunday School Classes and Media had a cup of hot cocoa waiting for me.
"You my cousin are a life saver." I said sipping at the hot beverage.
"After you helped me last night, I figured it was the least I could do." She said.
"Thanks."
"That and I will be poking you to make sure that you don't fall asleep."
"Hmm…"
"Besides you need to be awake so we can move afterwards."
"Yeah. Mush is helping right?"
"Yes, I'm helping." Mush said.
"Good, we'll have at least 3 strong guys." I said smiling.
"Spot is helping too?"
"Yeah, she tricked me inta it dough." Spot said.
"Hehe."
"She learned that from you." Mush said elbowing Media.
"No Mush, actually I learned that all on my own."
"Yeah, I take credit for bringing out her violent side, not creating it."
"Yes, see it was dormant but then Media woke it up."
"I wasn't talking about violence, I was talking about being sneaky." Mush said.
"Both statements are true."
"Yep yep."
Media kept her word and poked me when she saw me nodding off during church. After the service ended we all said bye to Dodger and the family drove her off to the airport. Media, Mush, Spot, Jack and I separated to load up the cars and met at our new apartment afterwards. Mush, Jack and I unloaded the stuff that we had while Media and Spot got the final load in Spot's truck. After battling with the dresser to get it in the doorway, moving went smoothly.
"I'se hungry." Spot said after they brought in the final load.
"Me too." I added my stomach growling at that moment.
"Lil Python." Jack said.
"She's got you in on it now too huh?" I asked him.
"Yeah."
"No speaking of this in public though okay?"
"Aight."
"Thank you love."
"So where are we gonna get the food?" Mush asked.
"Um, well, there's a Taco Bell down the road." I said.
"Mm, Double Decker taco." Media said licking her lips.
"Ok, uh moving break?" I said.
"Yeah." Spot said.
"I meant we all go instead of just one or two dumbass."
"Who're you callin dumb midget."
"Remind me to stuff you under the sink when we get back."
"You'd fit bettah."
"My point exactly, you wouldn't therefore it would be more painful for you."
"I like ta see ya try."
"Okay Children." Media said herding us out the door.
"I can still take you down." I whispered to him as we left.
"Ya can nevah take me down."
"Whatever."
"Stop whispering!"
"Yes mom." I said laughing.
"If you're gonna act like a baby then I get to be the mom, and I'll call you Python."
"And you all say I'm the weird one."
"No, not the weird one, just weird." Mush spoke up.
"Yeah yeah. Let's eat!"
"No, let's not, let's starve."
"Shush Med."
"What car are we taking?"
"Uh, not mine." I said.
"Not mine." Media replied.
"I got da truck, it seats 2." Spot said.
"My car seats 5." Mush said.
"Okay to Mush's car it is." I said.
"I ain't nevah ridden in ya cah befoh." Jack said.
"There's a first time for everything." Media said.
"I can't believe you just said that." I said shaking my head.
"You're the one who twisted it."
"How-What- oh never mind!"
"If we see a police officer, do not wave at them." Mush said as he started the car.
"Why not?"
"Because the last time that happened, I got pulled over."
"Because you waved?"
"Oh no no no, because Media waved and the officer thought I was kidnapping her, so he pulled me over!"
"Wow."
"I was hyper so I was waving really fast and I guess it looked like I was scared or something."
"Only you Media, only you."
"Aw dat coulda happened ta any caffeine addict." Spot said.
"Famous last words." Media said.
"Ok, no fighting in the car." I said putting a hand in front of Spot.
"Hehehe." Media laughed.
"Media, when are you going to start planning your wedding?" I asked.
"I was brainstorming with my parents last night."
"And?"
"We haven't even been engaged for a week, chill!"
"Ah ya gonna be dis bad when we get engaged?" Jack asked.
"She'll be worse." Mush laughed.
"No. I'll probably be off in la la land."
"Ain't ya always like dat?" Spot asked.
"No, just sometimes."
"All right are you guys ready to order?" Mush asked.
"Wouldn't it be a better idea to go in?" I said.
"Fine."
"Well, I'm just saying, that way we don't all have to order through one person."
"Okay Angel, be glad there are no snowdrifts here."
"And indeed there was much rejoicing." I said.
"Get out of my car." Mush said parking.
"Hehe. Tell Jack or Spot to get out first."
"Guys, out."
"Wha-" Spot started to protest when I shoved him out of the car.
"Why would you stay in the car anyways?" Media asked.
"I wouldn't a, but I like ta get out on me own will." Spot said.
"Tough Cookies."
"Tough cookies?" I asked.
"What?"
"Move towahds da dooh while ya talk!" Jack said.
"But…"
"Acorn doesn't know how to walk and talk at the same time." Media said.
"What the?" I said lightly punching her arm.
"You set yourself up."
"Whatever."
"Stop pouting." She said lightly hitting me back.
"Cat fight!" Spot said.
"Uh, no." Media and I replied simultaneously.
"Dat was freaky." Jack said.
"You say that about a lot of the things we do." I said bumping him.
"Cause it's true."
"And yet you fit right in." Mush smirked.
"Ya dat's why I love em."
"Aw how sweet." Media teased.
"You do it too." I told her.
"Say I love you?"
"No be all sweet and mushy."
"When?"
"Randomly."
"Can you give an example?"
"Like when you got engaged."
"I would have been worried if she hadn't." Mush said.
"Eh eheh." I mocked.
"Ya ready ta oddah?" Spot asked already waiting for his food.
"Yeah yeah. Hold your horses." We ordered and sat down taking up two little tables. After eating our fill we piled back into Mush's car and Media told Jack and Spot the game where you play 'volley ball' with the person's head in the middle, that being mine. So they did, and it hurt.
"I'm getting a headache stop it!" I said as they batted my head around.
"Hhaha, dat's what ya get foh dat sink comment." Spot snickered. I jabbed him in the ribs and was getting ready to retaliate when Mush turned a sharp corner and I squished into him preventing him from striking.
"Heheh." I cackled.
"Dat was creapy." Jack said smiling.
"You think a lot of things are creepy."
'Oh, is there something that you find creepy about yourself that you put on others so you can try to avoid it?" Media asked in her therapist voice.
"No." Jack said unsure of what she was doing.
"Or perhaps it is a void in yourself that was caused by a creepy person and you now search to eliminate the threat but must first locate whom ha-"
"Babe shut up." Mush said laughing so hard he was swerving.
"Media, to him saying something is creepy is like me saying ow. And would you stay on the road!" I yelled at Mush.
"He's stahin on da road, just not his lane." Spot laughed.
"I was playing with him Acorn, he's going to around for a long time he better get used to it." Media smiled.
"I wasn't swerving that bad." Mush said getting his straight face back.
"That's what you say." I told him.
"It's not like anyone was coming."
"No but still."
"I didn't do it on purpose."
"I don't care you were still swerving."
"Ah so instead of looking for the root of an action, you focus on the re-." Media began.
"Babe no."
"You are all hater tots."
"Did she just say hatah tots?" Jack asked.
"Yes, it is across between tater tots and hater thus producing the lovable phrase hater tots."
"Thank ya miss dictionary." Spot said. We arrived at the apartment and finished setting up. Since we where all tired and no one had work the next day the guys spent the night and we all slept on the floor.