Chapter eleven 'Knockout'
"Rachel! Rachel you'll never believe what we're going to…Rachel?" Gar asked. He tilted his head to the side and stared at the door that belonged to the dark girl. He sighed and raised his hand to knock again, today was going to be awful if she was in a bad mood.
"Come on Rachel please open the door! I promise I have good news!" Gar pleaded.
The skinny boy felt a light tap on his shoulder but he didn't seem to notice. He was obviously too absorbed with what Rachel was doing that was so important that she wouldn't open the door for him.
"Look I don't know why you're not answering but if you would just let me in we could…"
"Ahem," A voice from behind Gar interrupted.
"Oh, sorry I didn't think…Rachel!" Gar squealed as he turned to face the violet haired beauty.
There was a light smile playing on her face and she looked almost happy to see him. If it wasn't for the dark make-up and slight glare her eyes were giving him Gar would have been sure that she was in a good mood. None the less he found himself unable to stop staring at the girl.
Rachel rolled her eyes at him and casually pushed past him into her room. She left the door open, which Gar took as a welcome to enter. "What can I do for you today Gar?" Rachel asked picking up a stray book from the bed and getting ready to resume her normal reading position.
"Actually, I want you to put that book down right now," Gar answered.
Rachel looked up at him raising one perfectly plucked eyebrow. Gar couldn't help but wonder if Kori and her had been spending more time together because last time he had seen Rachel her brows were definitely not as neatly plucked.
"Why?" She simply asked as she set the book down beside her. She looked up at him with a slightly curious expression but the other side of her seemed slightly pissed off too. Gar had to tell himself to remain clam and not run away from the girl.
"Eh heh, well I talked to Nurse Bee yesterday," he began watching the pissed off look escape Rachel's face and become filled with complete curiosity. Gar took this as a good sign. "And she told me that if you really wanted to I have permission to take you to that book store down town so you could pick out a couple new books. I mean it must get really boring reading the same books for two years. We only have a few hours though so we'd have to leave now…"
Rachel's lips broke into a smile. It wasn't quite a grin but Gar figured it was the closest thing he was going to get to seeing Rachel overly ecstatic. "Really?" She asked quietly. "We can go right now?"
Gar had to stop himself from staring too long at her. She was even more beautiful when she was excited about something. "Yeah, I just have to sign us out and we can head down."
"Alright then let's go," Rachel said tossing the old book back onto her bed and practically rushing towards the door.
Gar didn't think he had ever seen Rachel this in tune with her surroundings. Every corner they turned onto she kept her eyes busy as if he was drinking in every sight to remember everything.
"So…" Gar began gazing curiously at the violet haired girl that was keeping in step beside him.
Rachel snapped out of her trance and turned her head towards him. "What?" She asked. Normally she would sound pissed when she said this but for some reason her voice was more of a question.
Gar shrugged keeping his signature grin plastered on his face. "You kinda seem far off. Are you okay?" He asked.
"Yes, I'm fine," Rachel answered.
Gar sighed obviously thinking that she didn't feel like talking to him right now. He wondered if he was ever going to be able to understand women.
"It's just…I haven't been in town in two years," Rachel answered. "I almost forgot what the town's really like. It's funny I used to hate it out here but it's really kind of…nice."
"Maybe you just have the right company with you," Gar said wiggling his eyebrows flirtatiously at her before he could stop to think what he was doing.
At first he thought maybe he had gone too far but Rachel merely rolled her eyes and put a half smile on her lips while almost inaudibly replying, "Maybe."
Gar was almost completely lost in this moment. Did she actually admit that she liked his company? Did that mean she did really like him? Thoughts swirled around his head and he was trying so hard to come up with answers that he nearly walked right by the bookstore. Luckily he caught himself just in time.
"Oh, right here!" Gar exclaimed, pulling himself away from his thoughts.
Rachel looked up and the sign that read 'ye old shope' and smirked silently. "So, can we just go in or is there a secret knock you're going to perform?" She asked jokingly.
Gar chuckled a bit and quickly pulled the door open for her. The bells chimed in an overly cheerful tone. "After you," Gar said.
Rachel nodded at him and walked in cautiously. It was like she was entering an unknown land that she was scared of and yet eager to discover at the same time. Gar felt lucky just to be part of this moment.
"So, what are you looking for? Can I help?" Gar asked catching up with her.
Rachel seemed lost for a moment and then she turned to him with a pleasant expression on her face. "I'm not looking for anything specific Gar. But if you find something you think I'd like you can show me. I'll read almost anything." She let out a small sarcastic laugh. "At this point I just need something new. Being cooped up for two years does that to you."
"Sorry," Gar said biting his lower lip. "I didn't mean to remind you of…you know what let's not talk about that place kay? Today everything's just going to be normal."
Rachel rolled her eyes at him and walked into a huge isle of books. "I don't think we could be normal Gar," she commented. "I mean I highly doubt if we were to cross paths on the street somewhere we would have instantly become friends. That took work."
Gar smiled at this statement. "Yeah, well I'm sure I would have still tried to be your friend."
"What makes you so sure?" Rachel asked.
"Iowno, there's something different about you. I like that," Gar stated. He could swear that Rachel was blushing at his last statement but she wouldn't turn to look at him so he wasn't so sure.
He watched intently as she picked up a book and examined the front cover, then the back, and finally she tucked it under her arm. Without another word she turned into the next isle. Gar attempted to follow but before he could take a step forward he felt a tugging on the back of his shirt. "What the…oh, hey there Terra," Gar greeted as he put on his best fake smile.
"Hey Gar!" Terra chirped. She batted her eyes at him in her typical 'look at me' attitude. "Come back for more books for your lady or did you just miss me that much?" She asked.
Gar desperately wanted to tell Terra to back off but he couldn't find a nice way to tell her this so he remained quiet.
"Gar do you know…Oh," Rachel appeared around the corner seeming almost shocked by Terra's presence. "Hi," Rachel replied trying her best to be friendly with the blonde girl.
"Hey, are you the girl Gar's been buying books for?" Terra asked smiling sweetly at Rachel.
Gar looked back and forth between the two wishing that they wouldn't have met each other.
"I guess so," Rachel answered shrugging slightly. "So, do you own this place or…"
"No," Terra cut her off. "My boyfriend works here, I just come here to hang out with him. I really can't stand books but he loves them so I have to deal with it."
Rachel nodded. "Sounds like you and Gar would get along. I don't think he likes books too much either," she meant it as a joke but Gar knew Terra was going to pounce on this subject.
"Actually," Terra began, "Gar and I used to date a few years ago."
Gar winced as he looked at Rachel's shocked expression. She obviously was not expecting that answer to come out of Terra's mouth. He was tempted to say something, anything to her but it wasn't like they were dating so what could he do.
"Anyway, I'm Terra," she announced sticking her hand out to shake Rachel's hand.
"Rachel," said the dark girl in a completely monotone voice. "It's nice to meet you." Gar knew she didn't mean that.
Terra smiled, obviously pleased with herself. "Well have fun book shopping I'll be up front, if you need anything call me and I'll go get the lazy guy who is supposed to be working."
"I heard that Terra!" Yelled a sickeningly sweet tone of voice just a couple of book cases over.
Rachel's eyes widened in absolute horror. She knew that voice well. Too well.
"Rachel what's wrong?" Gar asked noticing the look on her face.
"Terra sweetheart, if you're going to spend all your time talking to customers maybe you should get a job here too." The voice sounded even closer now. Rachel knew she had to make a break for it.
"You wish!" Terra playfully answered. "Oh, Rachel this is Mal I…where'd she go?" Terra asked.
Gar looked around completely confused. He hadn't even seen her walk away. "I don't know, um, hang on I'll go find her," he answered obviously very confused.
"Rachel?" Gar asked poking his around in between the isles. It took him a little while but he finally found her in the very last isle peering at the door intently. Gar wasn't sure if he should approach her or not. From the look on her face she seemed slightly pissed off.
"Rae…" Gar said cautiously approaching her, hoping she wouldn't stab him or something. Really, what was going on with her?
Rachel turned around quickly and upon only seeing Gar she let out a soft sigh and turned back towards the door. "I really appreciate you taking me here Gar, but I have to leave…now."
Gar inched closer to her. "Why? I thought you wanted books I don't get it?" He asked.
"I do want new books, but I'm not going to sink so low that I'll purchase them from that bastard," Rachel spat.
Gar was sure he had never seen her this upset before and ultimately he didn't know how to react. "Who Terra?" He asked.
"No, Malchior," Rachel hissed turning around to face Gar.
Now he understood everything. How could he have been so dumb! What else could Mal be short for? Gar's eyes widened and he looked at Rachel with a sad stare. "I'm so sorry Rachel I didn't know. If I would have known he was here I would have never…"
"It's not your fault Gar," Rachel cut in. "I just don't ever want to see him again so please, if you would, help me to get out of here without him noticing."
A soft chuckle interrupted the moment and Gar didn't have to spin around to know who it was. "Rachel Roth. I thought you would never get out of that insane asylum," Mal said in a taunting voice.
Gar spun around to face the cold stare of Mal's piercing blue eyes.
"Hello Malchior," Rachel answered rather calmly. "It's been awhile hasn't it?" She watched as Terra appeared at his side.
"What's going on?" The blonde girl asked.
Rachel's lips twisted into a dark smile. "Terra, I figured Mal would have told you about us. We used to date too, a few years ago."
"Well, isn't it a small world," Gar said chuckling nervously.
Terra's face scrunches up in confusion. "Wait, I'm confused. She used to date him, and I used to date you," Terra began, directing her question at Gar. "But now she's dating you and I'm dating him? Man, it really is a small world."
Rachel rolled her eyes. "I think I'll just be on my way now," she answered heading towards the door.
"What? Heading back to your stash?" Mal asked, venom dripping from his tone.
Rachel turned around slowly facing him.
"Come on Rae, let's just go okay?" Gar asked trying to usher her along.
"You know, I've thought about what would happen if I ever saw you again. You manipulated me and taught me to be a coward, but that's over now and you don't get to me anymore Malchior." Rachel's tone was dripping with venom. Gar didn't know whether to pull her away from the store or run for cover.
"Yes, well, it's too bad that I wasn't expecting you. I would have bought you another gift." Malchior's eyes sparkled with a "ha-ha" grin. "It seems the last of my presents didn't do the trick because you're looking much better than before."
Gar's ears perked up at this statement. Was he indicating that he would rather Rachel be dead? That's what it sounded like. "Dude, wait just one minute I don't think…"
"When are you going to learn Rachel? No one needs you or wants you around. Why do you think I gave up on you so long ago? You're a pathetic waste of space," Malchior hissed as a small sadistic smirk formed on his lips. "You served your purpose and no one wants you anymore. I thought you understood that a long time ago when I handed you what you wanted."
Rachel's mouth dropped slightly open and she quickly closed it again. Gar noted this, realizing that she was obviously hurt by this statement. "Rachel don't listen to…"
"What? Are you trying to make her believe that you actually care about her?" Malchior asked chuckling at himself.
Gar watched him and his sick smile. The guy was practically begging Gar to yell back at him. Gar wished Rachel would just let the jerk have it. Next to Malchior Terra was looking at the whole situation confused. Obviously he hadn't told his new girlfriend about anything that had happened in the past.
"I do care about her," Gar snapped back at Rachel's former boyfriend. "And she's nothing like she was when she was with you."
Malchior laughed and shook his head. "That's just because you don't know her Garfield. This isn't the real Rachel. The real Rachel is a psychotic masochist who will always be that way. You can't change her, no matter how hard you try."
Gar balled his fists, ready to pounce. "Stop it!" He yelled. "What's your problem anyway? What has Rachel ever done to you? If anything she should be the one saying all of this to you! You're the one who practically told her to go kill herself! What did she ever do to you?" Gar could hear himself practically screaming now.
Rachel and Terra's faces looked somewhere close to shocked. Of course Terra's expression was more readable than Rachel's but Gar had a good feeling that she was slightly scared of him too at this point. Malchior on the other hand looked just as stoic as ever.
Malchior kept his smile on his lips as he opened his mouth and answered Gar's question. "What did she do to me? She lived. She's supposed to be dead and she's alive," he chuckled.
His answer was all that Gar needed. In one swift motion Gar's fist was slammed into Malchior's jaw and the teen's blue eyes snapped shut as he fell down upon the floor, unconscious.
It all happened suddenly after that, Terra screamed, Rachel gasped in shock and Gar just looked down at the mess he had created. This was bad, this was very bad. "I…oh God…" Gar looked around frantically. He had never punched anyone in his lifetime and he had just knocked out this guy that that probably had a good foot on him.
"Garfield, I think we should leave," Rachel answered for him. Her soft voice pulled him away from all of the thoughts spinning around in his head and he looked up at the girl he was so badly trying to impress. Somehow Gar figured that he had failed at doing so today.
Dear all lovely reviewers,
You may yell at me now…
But I would love it if you didn't. School's over now. I have graduation Friday but after that I should have time over the summer to give you all the updated chapters that you deserve. I hope you all loved this chapter and I'll try not to keep you waiting for the next one because I want to know what happens to gar too.
Xoxo-Megz