10...reviews...in less...than 24 hours? Then it became 13 in a matter of days? That's a record! *can't...breathe...* I love all of you who reviewed!
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I'm seeing some new faces and some familiar faces, which is good xD I'm really glad you're liking it so far, and just because of your feedback, I decided to update! Sorry it took so long-the mouse on my laptop got messed up again, but it's all good now!
Plus, I saw the previews for season 2! Yay! I'm so excited! Aaaaaaand I saw some Etharah in there ;)
'We saved the world-'
'And we looked *hair flip* pretty amazing while doing it'-that at the end was hilarious xDD Gotta love Sarica and their friendship!
Anyway, please read and review and enjoy!
Chapter Two: Power Ranger Geeks At Heart
Elementum lepores sunt normaliter pro quis signum periculum et potest esse utile vincens creaturae in nocte. Haec lepores includit terrae quattuor elementis aer, aqua, terra, et ignis. Quisque elementum habet sua incantatio. Sed cavendum est, si non eos dicere, errare potest aliquid ...
"What'cha readin'?"
Benny nearly jumped. He had been so absorbed in his spell book that he didn't notice Erica walk over, leaning over from behind the couch, her face next to his. Just inches away...
"Um, just touching up on some element spells," he answered before looking back at it. His finger traced along each drawing that stood for each element. For air, a white spiral, for water, a blue outline of a water drop, for earth, a small boulder, and for fire, a simple flame.
"But...it's in Latin. How can you understand?"
Benny was surprised. Normally, Erica wasn't ever interested in what he was doing.
"My grandma taught me," he said, eyeing her curiously now. Utterly shocking him, Erica walked around the couch, sitting down next to him; turning her body in his direction, she sat indian style.
"I'm bored. Entertain me," she said, taking a sip out of her coffee cup. Benny had a pretty good idea that it wasn't coffee in there.
Benny stayed still, frozen in shock. He snapped out of his reverie when she started to look creeped out.
"Um...okay," He said, putting the book on the other side of his legs. He ran his index finger across the encantation for the spell he wanted before he sat up straighter. He closed his eyes, opened his hands and extended his arms a little, then said, "Aperire ignis."
A small ball of fire appeared, hovering over Benny's hand.
Erica's eyes widened.
"I can make it bigger," he said, and the flame grew as he spoke, his arms extending out a little wider, his fingers spread apart. He was grinning at the amazed look on her face.
"Can you do anything else with the fire?" Erica asked him.
"I can use it as a beam, so far as I've learned," Benny said. He whispered the counterspell, "Converterent ignis," to put out the fire.
Just then, Ethan emerged from the restroom, dusting himself off absentmindly as he headed into the kitchen. Sarah, who had came out of her room just in time to see him pass by her, smiled and bit her lip before sneaking up on him. Benny looked over his shoulder simutaneously as Sarah hugged Ethan from behind, making him jump and grip her arms.
"Did I scare you?" Sarah asked him as he turned around, her arms unwinding. Her hands, however, were barely touching his sides. "I'm sorry."
"I-It's okay," Ethan stammered, blushing. "Um..."
"Do I have to come up there and literally force you two to kiss?" Benny commented loudly.
Both Sarah and Ethan looked down at where Sarah's hands were, then at each other-also realizing the lack of space-before shying away. Ethan shuffled awkwardly to the side.
"So, um...do you have anything I can eat?" Ethan asked Sarah, wondering if the vampiresses had actual food besides blood.
"That's what he said," Benny snickered.
"Shut up, Benny," Ethan said in annoyance, his cheeks pink again. Sarah rolled her eyes, putting her hand on her hip.
"Yeah. What're you in the mood for?" Sarah asked him.
"A kinky, canoodling mood," Benny snickered again.
"Shut up, Benny!" Ethan and Sarah nearly snapped.
Benny chuckled and stood. "My bad, dudes. How about we watch a movie or something?"
"Cool, did you bring any?" said Ethan, walking over to him and Sarah followed. Now the girls were standing across from the guys.
Benny's eyes brightened. "You bet I did!" He picked up his backpack. "All the Power Ranger shows and-"
"Benny!" Ethan complained, his eyes going from Sarah to Erica in embarrassment. "Out of all the shows you could've brought..."
"Like we're gonna watch Power Rangers," said Erica, her arms crossed and she and Sarah exchanged glances. Their faces suddenly lit up as they looked back at the boys.
"Depending on what you have," said Sarah, nearly on her tiptoes.
"Yeah," Erica said, nodding quickly with a huge smile.
Benny and Ethan exchanged glances.
"Well, uh, show em, Benny," said Ethan with a smile on his face.
"I got S.P.D..." Benny announced as he looked through his bag. "Dino Thunder...-"
Erica squealed, and he looked up.
"I'm sorry. That's my fave," she admitted, and Benny smiled at her. "I always loved the yellow ranger. She's so badass!"
"I know right!" said Sarah.
"I also have Ninja Storm," Benny continued, "Operation Overdrive, Jungle Fury...Oh! And Mystic Force too."
This time Sarah squealed.
"I love the pink ranger!" She said, and she and Erica looked like little children on Christmas.
"What should we watch first? I can't decide!" Erica said, practically fangirling with her best friend now.
Benny clutched his chest, his free hand on Ethan's shoulder. "Ethan...I think I'm in love." He sniffed, batting his eyes, fighting back pretend tears.
"How come you never told us you liked Power Rangers?" Ethan asked them.
"Because it would've ruined my reputation!" Erica hissed, and Ethan cringed back.
"Way to go, E," Benny muttered.
"The thing is, it'll be weird if two seventeen year old Duskers would be into Power Rangers," Sarah explained. "If people had found out at school then we would be...kinda..."
"Like us?" Ethan guessed.
"Yes, but no offense," Sarah said.
"And you BETTER not tell anyone," Erica snapped, and she gripped Benny by the collar, his feet dangling in the air off the floor. "Got it?"
"Aww, c'mon, it can't be that bad to be a dork again," said Benny.
Erica's eyes flashed yellow, and her fangs slid out of their sheaths; she hissed fiercely. "What was that?"
"Got it!" Benny squeaked.
Erica released him, and he landed on his butt. "Good!" She smiled sweetly at him before turning to Sarah. "I'll go make the popcorn."
"Kay," said Sarah, and Erica was gone in a flash.
Benny stood, dusting himself off.
I wonder why she's always like that, he thought. When we're alone, she seems sweeter...kind of reminds me of her old self. And now that she's a vamp, she thinks she's so tough. But I saw her reaction to Power Rangers...
He suddenly smiled, rubbing his hands together.
Alrighty then. Operation Get-Erica-Dorked-Up is in process. Engage!
"How 'bout you two pick one of the series to watch?" Benny said, making his way into the kitchen before Ethan and Sarah could object.
Erica was popping popcorn in the microwave, her back facing him.
"So...when did you become a fan of Power Rangers?" He asked, and she turned around.
"Why would you wanna know, dork?" she retorted, her fingers tapping against the counter.
"C'mon, you can tell me," said Benny, hopping on the countertop. "And last time I checked, weren't we all dorks at some point? You do remember when I first met you, right?"
Erica growled under her breath.
"What?" Benny asked. "You know you were as much of a dork as I am."
"Shut...up," Erica muttered.
"I bet you still are," Benny pressed. "You just think that you can just drop old Erica and leave her behind because you're a vampire."
"Shut up," Erica repeated, slightly rougher this time.
"If you think I'm afraid of you, I'm not," Benny blurted out, and he saw her grip tighten on the counter. "Because to me, you're still the human Dusker who wears glasses and clothes that makes you comfortable-not clothes you wear because everyone else thinks it's cool. You're still the dork that always got picked on-"
"Shut. Up," Erica's voice rose.
"You give everyone the cold shoulder because you don't wanna remember how you used to be," Benny continued. "I'm not buying it. I know that somewhere in that lifeless exterior that you're still a dork at heart."
Erica's entire body tensed up. She didn't know whether to be intemidated or flattered. He was telling the truth, telling her straight. No one's ever done that before.
What she did next came within a blink of an eye. She had him by the collar again, this time pushing him up against the wall.
"Why do you care so much?" She said through gritted teeth, her eyes gold again.
"Because I'm your friend," Benny panted from the impact; his heartbeat rate wasn't helping Erica at all. "Isn't that what friends do? Care for each other?"
Erica glared at him for a few more seconds before she let him down, closing her eyes. Her hand was still enclosed around his collar.
"I didn't know you'd take this so seriously..." She murmured. She opened her eyes, looking into his. "Why?"
Benny shrugged. "Maybe...I'm just a different person when I'm with you. Like you are sometimes with me."
Erica opened her mouth to say something but nothing came out. Her mind processed a few things. Up close, he had some really nice eyes, and his lips were now doubly tempting...
No, no, she scolded herself. I was not checking a dork out. No.
But...he is kind of attractive if you think about it, the human side of herself said in a small voice.
He's just a player. Why would I-?
Maybe he is, maybe he's not. I-I mean you've dated players in the past since you've changed. Remember J-Jesse? And Kurt?
*sigh* Maybe...
Erica closed her eyes again, her lips pursed. Benny's mouth went dry, so he licked his lips. The urge to kiss her was growing-like it was a need, like he couldn't survive from anything else.
"The popcorn's ready," she said, opening her eyes again without looking behind her shoulder.
"How'd you know?" Benny asked in disbelief.
Erica smiled up at him, tilting her head to the side, and the microwave beeped.
"Told ya," she said before walking away.
"Stupid vampire super hearing..." Benny mumbled.
"What was that?"
"Nothing!"
Erica, as she emptied the popcorn into a bowl, smiled again and shook her head.
Benny walked over to the countertop again, now standing across from her. She giggled without looking up at him, and it was breathless; without effort. Benny's eyes traveled over her. Her beautiful face, her long and slender body, her blonde hair. Even if she was human, Erica was still pure beauty in his eyes.
No wonder his past crushes have been blonde-they had all reminded him of Erica. Copies were never as great as the original. Sure she could be coldhearted, sure she could be mean and teasing. But the Erica that was standing in front of him was finally letting some of the old Erica come back in her life. The old Erica was the complete opposite-kindhearted, shy, a sweetheart.
Why did Erica have to let her go so quickly?
His eyes never left her as she went to the refridgerator and got out four cans of Sprite; she walked back over and put them on the countertop next to the popcorn.
Erica had been noticing that his eyes were still on her. She looked up and saw the look on his face; his eyelids were drooped by the slightest, his lips curved up into a crooked smile, his stance relaxed as he gripped the edge of the countertop.
"What're you looking at?" She asked him; normally when she asked it, it was in annoyance. But her tone was actually soft instead.
Benny's small smile grew. "You."
Erica smiled, looking down at the corn. If she was human, she was positive her cheeks would've been burning. No one really looked at her like that. It was almost like how...Ethan looked at Sarah.
"We should get back," She said without looking at him. She made way to pick up all the cans and popcorn bowl.
"I got it," said Benny, gathering all four cans of soda in his arms.
Erica smiled at him. "Thanks."
Benny smiled back at her, and Erica heard his heart leap.
They walked into the den, only to nearly drop everything they were holding.
Ethan and Sarah were sitting on the loveseat across from the three-section couch (which was where Benny and Erica had been sitting previously).
And they were flat out kissing. They were sitting right next to each other, barely any space between them, knees towards the other person's direction. Ethan's arms were on either side of Sarah's hips, his fists pressed into the couch. The pace was slow, but steadily building...
Benny and Erica's face scrunched up when they saw tongue and heard moaning.
"Ahem," Benny cleared his throat loudly, causing Ethan and Sarah to jump apart wide-eyed.
"I don't know whether to puke or be happy about this..." said Erica thoughtfully, and Benny chuckled beside her.
"She-uh-I-" Ethan stammered the same time Sarah stammered, "He-we-um-"
Erica put her hand up to stop them from stammering, and they went silent.
Lucky...Benny thought, giving Ethan a thumbs up and a huge smile.
"Have you even picked something to watch?" Erica demanded, squeezing her temple.
"Um, well...uh..." Ethan stuttered.
"We were trying to pick what to watch and then, um..." said Sarah, looking at Ethan.
"Our hands sorta touched and, uh...um...we looked at each other. Next thing I knew, we were kissing," Ethan admitted, avoiding anyone's gaze.
"Yeah."
Benny and Erica exchanged glances.
"Told you they were in a kinky, canoodling mood," Benny muttered to her.
"Benny, shut up!" Everyone said.
"What? Is it 'Shut up, Benny!' Day?" Benny said, and Erica giggled. "Anyway..." He sighed. "Let's just go with Dino Thunder."
"Dude, no way!" Ethan disagreed. "Mystic Force!"
"Dino Thunder is what Erica wants to watch," Benny said through gritted teeth, giving his best friend a knowing look. "Even though I like Mystic Force slightly better, we'll watch it later."
Erica smiled from beside him.
"It's okay, Ben," she said. "We can watch Mystic Force."
"YES!" said Ethan and Sarah in unison.
"You sure?" Benny asked her.
"Yeah." She picked up the Dino Thunder dvd. "I'll just watch Dino Thunder in my room."
"I'll go with you," Benny said automatically. Erica cocked an eyebrow. "You know...that is if it's okay..."
Erica's lips pressed in thought before she decided. She took two sodas from Benny's arms and put them on the coffee table in front of Ethan and Sarah, then the popcorn. She then smiled at Benny, taking one soda.
"Let's go then," she said, and she tugged him by the hand to her room. Benny was grinning beyond belief.
Ethan and Sarah exchanged glances.
"Oh well, more popcorn for us," Sarah said, and Ethan nodded silently in agreement; they both reached for the popcorn simutaneously and digged in.
"Want me to turn it on?" Ethan asked.
Sarah nodded eagerly and clapped. "Put it on, put it on!"
Ethan smiled and stood.
Erica let go of Benny's hand and turned on the light. The walls in her room were neon red, and she had Single Tear and Dusk posters on her walls. Her bed was queen sized with a bright red zebra print comforter and bright red sheets and pillows. The wood of her bed was painted black, and the carpet was very furry and black. All the doors-and dresser-were black too.
"Sarah's room is the total opposite from mine," Erica said bashfully. "She's all bright and fluffy. Y'know...light purples and whites..."
Benny continued looking around. He saw something hanging out of her closet, and his eyes narrowed.
"Is that...a guitar?" Benny asked, pointing.
"Um..." Before Erica could object, the guitar was already in Benny's hands. Stupid magic, she grumbled to herself.
"You play?" Benny asked her, sitting on her bed. Her guitar was light blue, the same shade as her eyes.
Erica reluctantly nodded. "Yeah...um..." She sat down across from him. "I learned how to play when I was eleven. I normally use this to let out my feelings."
"Can you play something?" Benny asked curiously, handing her guitar over. Erica bit her lip; she never played in front of anyone.
But then again, Benny wasn't just anyone.
She took the guitar, putting the strap on. She took a deep breath and started to strum.
Benny recognized the song automatically, and he was even more surprised when she started singing.
"You, with your words like knives
And swords and weapons that you use against me
You have knocked me off my feet again
Got me feeling like I'm nothing
You, with your voice like nails on a chalkboard
Calling me out when I'm wounded
You picking on the weaker man..."
Benny never realized that Erica had such a pretty voice when she sang. He's heard Sarah sing before, and it was incredible, but Sarah's singing and Erica's singing where two very different things.
"You can take me down with just one single blow
But you don't know, what you don't know...
"Someday I'll be living in a big ol' city
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Why you gotta be so mean?
"You, with your switching sides
And your wildfire lies and your humiliation
You have pointed out my flaws again
As if I don't already see them
I walk with my head down
Trying to block you out 'cause I'll never impress you
I just wanna feel okay again
"I bet you got pushed around
Somebody made you cold
But the cycle ends right now
'Cause you can't lead me down that road
And you don't know, what you don't know...
"Someday I'll be living in a big ol' city
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Why you gotta be so mean?
"And I can see you years from now in a bar
Talking over a football game
With that same big loud opinion
But nobody's listening
Washed up and ranting about the same old bitter things
Drunk and grumbling on about how I can't sing
But all you are is mean
"All you are is mean
And a liar, and pathetic, and alone in life
And mean, and mean, and mean, and mean
"But someday I'll be living in a big ol' city
And all you're ever gonna be is mean, yeah
Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Why you gotta be so?..
"Someday I'll be living in a big ol' city
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Why you gotta be so mean...?"
Erica's voice trailed off, and she met Benny's gaze for the first time since she began singing. She bit her lip again. Ever since that song came out, that's what she'd sing when she'd play.
"That was...wow," Benny said. "You're really good."
"At playing guitar or singing?"
Benny smiled. "Both."
Erica smiled back. "Thanks."
Benny hesitated before he took the strap off of Erica before taking her guitar and settled it into his lap. He wrapped the strap around himself before holding the guitar properly.
Benny shocked Erica when he started to play, and his fingers made an interesting strumming method. She recognized the interlude as About a Girl by Nirvana-the unplugged version. And to be honest, she thought that was the better version.
And then Benny started singing.
"I need an easy friend
I do with an ear to lend
I do think you fit this
shoe
I do but you have a clue
"I'll take advantage while
You hang me
out to dry
But, I can't see you every night
Free
"I'm standing in
your line
I do hope you have the time
I do pick a number to
I do keep a
date with you
Erica was almost stunned at his singing voice, and she ended up singing along with him in perfect harmony.
"I'll take advantage while
You hang me out to dry
But, I
can't see you every night
Free
They both smiled at each other.
"I need an easy friend
I do with an
ear to lend
I do think you fit this shoe
I do but you have a
clue
"I'll take advantage while
You hang me out to dry
But, I can't
see you every night
No, I can't see you every night..."
Benny got really into his playing around this part of the song, and he didn't miss a beat as he strummed.
"Freeeeee
"I do
I do
I do
I dooooo..."
Erica gave Benny a questioning look.
"My dad got me into it," Benny explained. "And me and E were in our middle school band."
"What about your mom?" Erica asked him.
"She, uh...she's dead," Benny said awkwardly, taking off the guitar. He avoided her gaze after that. Her death had hit him hard.
Erica's hand came over his and he looked into her eyes.
"I'm sorry," she said.
Benny looked at her hand over his. He scooted away. "It's cool." He stood up. "I'll, um, put the dvd in."
"Kay," said Erica, looking at him closely in concern.
He must've been really close with his mom, she thought. Poor thing...
Erica scooted back against the pillows, and she opened her soda. Benny bent over to put the dvd in, and she couldn't help herself as she checked out his backside.
Benny got up and turned around, nearly jumping to see Erica standing right behind him. She looked up at him before wrapping her arms around his torso and hugged him. Benny wrapped his arms around her waist in return.
"What's this for?" He asked her, his cheeks pink.
"I don't know..." She murmured back, pulling away to look at him. "You just look like you needed a hug."
Benny smiled. "Oh. Maybe I should look sad and mopey more often."
Erica rolled her eyes, releasing him, and climbed back into her bed.
Way to ruin the mood, Benny, he thought. Now she-
His ears perked up as the theme song came on.
"Oooh! Oooh! It's on, it's on!" He cheered, plopping himself on the bed next to her. His impact made Erica spill her soda all over her shirt. Erica gasped. "Oops..." Benny smiled sheepishly. "Sorry."
"DORK!" She screeched, getting up. Benny swallowed nervously, half expecting her to vamp out, and the other half noticing that her light blue bra with navy polka dots were now visible under the dampness of her chest.
Erica's nostril's flared, and Benny sunk down lower.
"I am so dead..." He groaned.