Summary: Remake of my original story "Bluebells and Lavenders". Drastic change ahead, beware!
My beta reader is BluebellsAndLavender, so if there is any problem with the grammar, feel free to take it up with her!
"speaking"
'thoughts'
The main characters are in their senior years (grade 12).
A/N: Today's chapter title is by Florence + The Machine.
Fun fact!: This song was featured in Degrassi's season 12 summer final (:
~oOo~
An Ikarishipping Fanfiction
Re: Bluebells and Lavenders
Chapter Nine
"Shake it Out"
~oOo~
Previously...
Shaking her head, she crumpled the note and put it in the front pocket of her bag; she didn't want to deal with it now since she was already running late to get back home.
~oOo~
The boy had sat there on the very same spotless white couch. He shook his head slightly as he tried to get his bangs out of his eyes. He glanced over to his right and saw the mothers convulsed in a simple-minded conversation that probably had something to do with shopping and whatever girl stuff that they liked.
Johanna decided to take Mrs. Shinji to the fireplace and look at pictures of Dawn when she was but a toddler. This gave the older Shinji a chance to talk to his brother.
Reggie leaned towards his brother but kept his head looking straight. He whispered quietly that it made Paul feel like he was a Senior who could barely hear. "Guess who I met today?"
The lilac haired boy grunted without a care. His dark beady eyes looked down at the plush carpet beneath him. His hair tickled the base of his neck like feather being slowly dragged across exposed skin. He lifted his hand and scratched the back of his neck, playing with the ends of his hair before crossing his arms again.
"I met Dawn at the school library today."
He didn't move. Nor did he care. He sat simply on the couch, cussing mentally at himself that he had forgotten his mp3 player at home.
"Apparently, she wants to go into fashion and voice acting." Reggie added with a smile. He looked at his brother and saw no reaction from him. He sighed and ruffled his brother's hair.
"Hey!"
He laughed. "You're just too quiet, Paul."
Paul grumbled something inaudible and adjusted his seat.
The door had creek opened and shut softly. Johanna had walked towards the front door to greet her daughter while the Shinji's remained in the living room. Reggie faced his brother with an adequate smirk. Paul curtly turned his head around and got up.
"Paul, where are you going?" Asked Mrs. Shinji.
"Washroom." He replied blatantly.
The mother let out an exasperated sigh as she placed her hands on her hips. "Honestly..." she whispered angrily.
Paul continued down the hall and stepped into the washroom, locking the door behind him. He wasn't exactly going to the washroom. He needed an excuse to get out of there. He didn't want to have anything to do with Troublesome. He gently turned on the faucet and the water exploded out of the tap. Paul cupped his hands together as he placed them under the running water. His face was dangerously close and he splashed water on his face; but quickly rubbed his eyes with his wet hands as his eyes stung slightly.
"Augh..." he moaned. He turned the tap off and shoved the towel on his face as he used the soft fabric to absorb the water out of his eyes. He wiped his wet hands on the towel and proceeded to get rid of the access water. His partially slanted cat eyes opened and he saw himself in the mirror.
"Damn. I feel like some troubled teen or something," he muttered.
A knock rapped on the washroom door as if it were an emergency.
"Paul? Paul, sweetie, are you alright?" Said the voice.
He sighed. "Yes, mother. I'm fine." His arm flew straight to the handle to turn the small knob and pressed down on the cool silver handle to open the white door.
"Goodness Paul. You had me worried!" Mrs. Shinji exaggerated.
Paul rolled his pepper black eyes. "Mother, in all honest truth, I'm almost eighteen. I can do whatever I want."
"That's no way to talk to your mother."
The violet haired boy groaned. It was Troublesome. A girl (if she was one) he'd rather not waste his time on. He ignored the bluenette and his mother and made his way back to the living room. He stopped mid-way and turned his body just a little bit. "Are we going to discuss about whatever it is that we're supposed to be discussing? Or are you guys going to loiter around the washroom? I have homework to do." And with that, he left the narrow hallway.
His feet didn't lift off the ground one bit, making his socks clean the floors of the Bertliz household. Paul set himself back into his seat and resumed his distant cold self. He took out his pokegear and scrolled down the small list of names until he landed on one. He scornfully frowned and shut off his phone, tossing it back into his bag that sat at his foot.
Mrs. Shinji and Dawn had made their way back to the living room. Paul's mother sat next to Reggie, and Dawn sat next to her own mother. Both seniors refused to look at each other.
"Patrica and I will be going to Jubilife City to do some business. And because it's dangerous for Dawn to stay here by herself for a week, I want her to stay with you two. If that's alright with you guys, Reggie," she paused and turned to look at Paul. "And I hope it's alright with you too, Paul."
Paul didn't say anything; but Reggie had.
"It's quite alright, Mrs. Berlitz. Dawn could sleep in the guest bedroom, couldn't she mom?"
Mrs. Shinji nodded. "Yes! And you don't have to worry Johanna. The guest room has its own key, so my boys won't be able to enter the room – not that they would anyways." She added an eerie laugh.
Mrs. Berlitz looked at her daughter. "See, Dawn? You have nothing to worry about."
Paul noticed the way Dawn had replied to her mother's comment. She scoffed, crossed her arms and rolled her annoyed blue eyes.
"We'll be leaving next week. So Dawn would be moving into the guest bedroom by the end of this week, how about?" Patrica suggested. Mrs. Berlitz clapped her hands together and flashed her teeth.
"Yes, that would be lovely."
~oOo~
The Shinji's were finally back home. Patrica walked into the kitchen and started making dinner. Reggie and Paul walked up to their respective rooms. The grumpy Shinji closed the door and sat at his desk, turning on his desktop computer. He got up, made his way to his white bookshelf, and grabbed a textbook. His computer was on and he walked back to it, quickly typing in the password that allowed him to enter his account.
He double-clicked the internet icon and watched the window pop up instantly. He typed in the url for Pokedex and saw a message. He twitched the mouse over to the envelop icon and clicked it.
An uncharacteristic smile was painted on his grouchy face as he read the message.
Salvia Mint
Good evening, Paul! How's the weather in Veilstone? You've started your second term, right? How's that fairing out for you? I really miss you. I'm so lonely over here that I've been caught sneaking out of the house twice; but I have a strategy to prevent myself from getting caught again!
Paul noticed that Salvia was still online and quickly wrote a reply.
Paul Shinji
Afternoon, Salvia. The weather in Veilstone is the same as always. It hasn't rained in days, but I guess it's because we live in a terrain area. Trees are still short and stubby. What about over there? Is Snowpoint City still surrounded by snow? You must be extremely cold, huh? Strategy you say? I'd love to know more about your so called strategy.
He waited for her reply.
Salvia Mint
Have you ridden on a dirt bike yet? I clearly remember you saying how you would love to ride one, ha ha. As for Snowpoint City, it has been snowing quite a lot. Father had instructed me not to go out so carelessly without being fully protected from the cold. To be frank, I'm tired of not being able to take care of myself. And I do have a strategy! It's called 'lying' or 'putting pillows under the covers to make it seem like I'm sleeping'.
A chuckle escaped from his mouth.
Salvia Mint
Oh! I bought something for you! I had it sent last week, I'm not sure if you received it yet. Anyways, I must go to bed. Night time falls quickly here in Snowpoint. I'll talk to you later then, Paul.
Paul Shinji
Alright. Good-night Salvia.
With that, the conversation between the two friends ended.
He heard his name, followed by a couple of knocks. Paul got up from his seat and let the door open for the one on the other side. He shot his head up wearing a look of hidden despair and arrogance. "What?"
"Just want to spend time with my brother."
He rolled his eyes and turned around. Without saying anything or doing anything, Reggie walked in as if he was invited. He pulled up a chair and straddled the wooden chair as he watched his brother resume to his internet life.
"What have you been up to?" Asked Reggie.
"It's to none of your concerns, Reggie." Paul replied bitterly.
"Talking to Salvia again?"
He felt the pulse in his body quicken. Paul remained calm and watched the computer screen as if he were in class.
"I'll take that as a yes then." Reggie murmured. A long tired sigh left the older brothers' mouth as he rested his head on top of his arms that were lying parallel on top of the back of the chair. "I thought you guys broke up?"
"We did." Paul said strongly.
"Do you still have feelings for her? Or is it the other way around?"
"No, and no." He said bluntly.
Reggie sighed. "I really hope you don't still have feelings for her, Paul. I know how much you loved her, but you ought to be careful."
"She's not like that, Reggie." He snapped, clicking the left button of the mouse rather harshly.
"I know she's not. But you tend to..." His voice drifted off.
Paul turned in his seat. His entire front faced his concerned brother. His brows cocked downwards and a small crease formed between them. "I tend to what?" His voice was dark and dry.
"You tend to...over-think everything." Came Reggie's reply. His eyes wandered to the corner of the room, avoiding his brothers menacing gaze.
"I don't over-think, Reggie."
He sighed. "Yes. Yes you do, Paul. I don't want you to think that your ex is leading you on and wanting you back. You seem to take things way too seriously. I know you may think I'm annoying, but I just want to look out for you."
Paul scoffed. "Maybe I get that from you. After all, when you and whats-her-face broke up, you were pretty heartbroken. When whats-her-face was being all...friendly and happy towards you, you thought she wanted you back. Don't be a hypocrite when you're the one who had that happen. And I'm not going to think like you. I'm not you, Reggie."
"I...I know you're not, Paul." His voice had started to break.
"If you don't mind, I'd like to be alone." Paul said ruthlessly. His body was now back to facing his desk. His elbow rooted to the table and his cheek rested on the back of his hand.
Reggie looked down at the clean floor. "Uh yeah. Sure." He stood up and put the chair back against the wall and closed the door behind him.
Paul ran his free hand in his pale-purple hair and muttered something incoherent.
Ding.
Someone had logged into their Extralink account. Paul moved the mouse over to the pop up window and clicked on it.
+pAUL
I thought you were going to bed?
Paul sat there and stared at the screen for what he felt to be three painful minutes.
PrincessSM
I was, but then I couldn't really fall asleep.
Too much thinking on my part.
+pAUL
What kind of thinking?
Wait, do I even want to know?
PrincessSM
Ha ha!
Well, I don't know. Do you want to know Paul?
+pAUL
You tempting me, Sal?
PrincessSM
Does it matter?
:)
Paul couldn't help but laugh at his ex's reply. He ran his hand through his hair; the purple strands fell back in place as if he hadn't touched his hair at all.
+pAUL
How's school over there anyways?
People giving you weird looks as always?
PrincessSM
No!
They haven't done that. I actually made friends here!
They're all very nice, Paul.
I told stories to them about Veilstone and
He waited for her to finish the sentence. But it never came.
+pAUL
And what?
What else did you tell them?
He patiently sat in his seat and continued to stare intently at the screen.
PrincessSM
I also told them about you.
+pAUL
Oh.
Paul shifted in his seat. He recalled the conversation he had with his brother moments ago and mentally scolded himself.
'It's over between us. She knows that.' He thought.
PrincessSM
But that was before we...you know...
…
…
broke up...
Now he felt completely uncomfortable.
+pAUL
Oh.
He couldn't think of anything else to say other than 'oh'. He muttered something under his breath. His hands went through the softness of his hair again, this time, they pulled his hair back strongly into a small ponytail; it resembled more of the tail of a rabbit than the tail of a horse or pony.
PrincessSM
I'm sorry
this must be awkward for you, huh?
+pAUL
Just a bit.
PrincessSM
I'm really really sorry!
It was never my intention!
I mean, I know we broke up...
um, no never mind! I'm sorry, Paul.
+pAUL
No, no. It's fine.
You uh, should probably get some sleep
It's not healthy to stay up so late
PrincessSM
:)
Thanks. And yes, I will.
Thank you for always looking out for me, Paul.
I really appreciate it. Really.
…
Anyways, good night – er, evening.
+pAUL
Yeah.
Night, Sal.
PrincessSM has signed out
He got up from his seat and left his computer on and running. He grabbed a book and headed downstairs to read in hopes to get the uncomfortable and awkward conversation out of his mind.
Paul walked passed his brothers room but had stopped before he put his second foot on the ground. He scuttled towards the closed door and pressed his ear against it.
"Hey, Candice, it's – oh. Volkner. Um, is Candice there? I sort of wanted to talk to my friend."
'What is he doing?' Paul asked. His brows met in the middle as he continued listening, mentally questioned his brothers' motives. His cheek was already glued to the door and his ear was flattened like waste in a garbage disposal. Paul listened to the conversation; he cussed a little, wishing that he knew what the other person was saying instead of knowing the things that came out of his brothers mouth.
"Look. I know that. But couldn't you at least let me talk to her?"
He straightened up quickly as he heard footsteps making their way towards the door. Paul backed up and headed downstairs swiftly. He smelled the sweet tangy aroma of saute chicken that his mother was cooking. He flinched and rolled his eyes at the sound of steel pots meeting the cold surface ground of the kitchen.
"Paul, honey?" Patrica asked. Her voice was soft and light-hearted as usual. It reminded him of someone; he doesn't quite remember who, but it annoyed him a little.
"Yeah?" He called back in a sour monotonous tone.
"Can you come in here for a minute? I need your help." She replied.
Paul groaned inwardly as he dragged himself into the kitchen of horrors.
His mother hunched over a pot of boiling water that was set on top of the stove. Paul winced at the sight and tapped on his mother's shoulder, ushering her to move away.
"What are you trying to do? You know you can't cook, mom." He said blatantly.
She sighed. "I know that, honey. It's just that you and Reggie do way too much. I want to take on the responsibility. I am your mother, you know."
He rolled his eyes. "Yeah I know. You made us watch the video of our births every year on our birthday."
Patrica laughed and playfully slapped her son's shoulder.
"What are you even trying to make?" He asked as he peered into the semi-boiling pot of water.
"Soup." She replied cheerfully.
Paul sighed. "Mom. As I've said before, you can't cook. Leave the cooking to Reggie or me, okay?"
"But I'm your mother! And I should be taking on that job. You and Reggie are still young! You guys need to live freely without having to do such a tedious task," she replied.
"Mom-"
Patrica shushed her youngest son. "No 'but's, Paul. And that's final." She paused as she turned the nob on the stove a little higher. "Now, could you please help me cut the vegetables, honey?"
He stood there and eyed the peeled carrots, potatoes and whatever else was on the counter. He gripped the book in his hand. He was ready to refuse, and head back into the living room to read when he suddenly remembered something. Paul shuddered at the thought. He felt every beating pulse in his body rapidly rise.
"Fine." He said finally.
His mother smiled at him and leaned over to kiss his cheek. "Thank you sweetie."
~oOo~
He had finally finished helping his mother chopping the vegetables. He insisted that he would make the stew or soup or whatever she wanted to make. But Patrica shook her head stubbornly and lightly pushed her youngest son out of the kitchen, saying a simple 'thank you' and going back into the kitchen to make dinner.
Paul sighed grumpily and trudged towards the brown couch and sat there with a proper posture and opened up his book. He tossed the bookmark onto the coffee table and placed his feet on top. He leaned back and was quickly immersed in the strange world that he had opened up.
One would never think that Paul Shinji was the type to read a book about a young boy going to some place to learn magic and be some sort of set-in-stone hero to save the Wizarding world. However, he was and would be that type of guy. Paul flipped the page of his book. His fingers idly rubbed against the cover that sported a fire bird; its head held up high and wings spread out with grace.
His eyes narrowed at the book. Anyone could tell that he was seriously sucked into the world he was currently reading. His brows furrowed together; his eyeballs went from side-to-side as he read with speed.
"Paul. Can I – whoa! Uh, sorry bro. Didn't notice you were reading..."
Paul's eyes were glazed with anger and annoyance. He kept his gaze at his brother before he scoffed at him and returned to his book.
Reggie scratched his head and took a few side steps to the side before he entered the kitchen.
Noises escaped the kitchen. Paul's frown deepen into a grim expression only a serial killer would wear. He took the bookmark and placed it gently in his book before snapping it shut and stomping back upstairs to the peace and quiet.
'I can't wait to go to Unova...' He thought bitterly. He reached back to his room and shut the door tight. He sat on his bed and scooted back, taking a pillow and putting it between the wall and his back. He leaned back and crossed his legs. He resumed reading when another noise sounded in his room. He wanted to throw his chair out the window, but he knew it was impossible and that he would get in trouble. Paul got off his bed and headed towards his computer. He moved the mouse just a bit and was greeted by the 'Welcome' screen. He typed in his password and was let back into his account.
-^-Shuu
Paul!
:D
He squinted at the screen and believed it to be some sort of prank.
-^-Shuu
Oh come on dude!
Don't leave me hanging like this!
TALK TO ME!
…
Please?
):
+pAUL
You have ten seconds to explain why you're talking to me.
Go.
-^-Shuu
UM
WAIT
KAY NO
I GOT THIS
+pAUL
three seconds have passed.
-^-Shuu
HEY, YOU SOUND CRANKY
AND THIS SEEMS CRAZY
BUT I AM SO BORED
SO LOVE ME, MAYBE?
+pAUL
…
I'm sorry.
But was that supposed to be funny?
-^-Shuu
Um...yes?
Paul wanted to go over to the school, walk into the boys dorm, head over to the Seniors side and drag the green-haired twit out of his room to give him a good beating or two.
+pAUL
You realize that tomorrow
I will hunt you down
and beat the crap out of you.
-^-Shuu
Uhm.
OH
LOOK AT THE TIME
SORRY PAUL
I HAVE TO DO HOMEWORK AND STUFF
-^-Shuu has signed out
Paul shook his head. He noticed that he had received a couple more notifications on Pokedex. He clicked on the small world icon. Most of the notifications were from Drew, Ash and some girl named Ursula. He ignored every one of them and closed the window. He shut his computer off completely and went back to his book.
The boy turned on the radio and drowned in the world of Witchcraft and Wizardry as well as whatever music was playing. Twenty minutes into the book, a familiar song played on the radio. He lowered the book slightly and carefully listened to the song. A small smile appeared on his face as he mouthed the words to the song; he occasionally sang along, but his voice was barely a whisper, so he didn't have to worry about his nosy mother and brother accidentally listening in on him sing.
"...shake it up...out...it up, shake it out..." Paul's toes nodded against the rhythm of the song as he continued reading.
Another twenty minutes later, a weak, yet loud knock was heard. Paul lifted his head up ever so slightly and called out. "Yeah?"
"Paul, dinner's ready." Reggie replied.
"Kay." He said blankly. He put the bookmark in his place and turned the radio off. Paul set the book on the desk and left his room, flicking the switch down as he opened the door.
Once again, he didn't bother to lift his feet off of the ground as he walked, allowing his socks to catch any dirt that may had lingered around the wooden floor boards. He slowly walked down the stairs, not trusting the framework of it; he flinched as he somehow got a splinter from clutching the stair rails.
"Glad you can join us, Paul." Patrica greeted warmly.
He gave her a small shrug before claiming his seat at the dinner table. Patrica and Reggie smiled upon their third family member. He pretended that the awkward creepy joker smiles were non-existent as he said a small prayer and began to eat.
Patrica and Reggie followed suit; after they prayed, they focused on their dinner in front of them.
"So, Paul..." Reggie started.
"Hnn?" He stuffed another portion of rice in his mouth after he swallowed the other two portions that were already occupying his mouth.
"What do you think of Dawn?" He asked with a playful smirk.
He stopped chewing and faced his brother.
oOoOoOoOoOo
A/N: Were you guys surprised? I hope so! I decided that I'd make this chapter centered around Paul. I hope I did a good job, this is the third/fifth(lol I don't know, I lost count) time I've written in the boys perspective. I tried keeping his regular cold hearted personality but of course, people change and/or gain different traits. So in here, he doesn't seem to be that much of a jerk.
Also, can anyone guess what book Paul's reading? If so, do tell! : D
I decided to be funny and write in that whole "Call Me Maybe" parody...thing...I mean let's face it; that chorus has become a meme (and I don't care what people say. It's a catchy song ;A; ).
Next chapter will be centered back to Dawn, I promise you. But there will be some chapters where it'll be about Paul, just so you all know.
Anyways, thank you for reading, you guys are awesome!
-EPRika-