Chapter 13: A Walk in the Woods

Stephanie hadn't taken the late bus home. Instead, she pulled Robin along for a walk in the nearby forest. She knew that she could go home through Bella Woods anyhow, so it wasn't out of her way. Although it was an emergency route home, it took awhile to get there. Robin seemed like the athletic type to her; His long and lean legs gave that away. Though he was a little on the lanky side, Stephanie noticed the muscles pushing through the layers of skin on his arms.

"We're going in the woods?" Robin asked with a hint of annoyance.

"Yes," Stephanie replied. "You wanted to take a walk."

He knew better than to argue with Stephanie. Robbie regreted asking her to take a walk with him now that she dragged him into the wilderness.

"Are we going someplace special?" Robbie asked.

Slightly confused, Stephanie said, "Only if there's somewhere specific you'd like to go. This is the way I travel to go home once in a blue moon."

"Oh." Robbie stated, "It seems very nature-ish and peaceful."

A short giggle escaped Stephanie. She began to feel happy walking with this strange boy. Remnants of Nate vanished from her mind as the walk began, and Stephanie did not mind one bit.

"So, where ya from, Robin?" Stephanie asked.

Robbie choked. He hadn't considered the background tale of his fake character.

"I'm from the south," Robin blurted. "Been moving my whole life, so nowhere specific."

"Oh." Stephanie stepped over a fallen branch. How dreadful it would be to lose a limb like trees do.

Now entering Bella Woods, Stephanie felt a lot better. Something about slight breezes and birds chirping made her heart smile. It reminded her of old days where her four-year-old self ran free without worry. She wished for an innocent time like that again. She wished for life to be available, not covered by school and growing up. This kind of contemplation reminded her of Robbie; he was always causing trouble, but he really had no responsibilities. He kept to himself and did as he damn well pleased. Stephanie found herself briefly envying him.

"You are extremely quiet." Robin stated. He added, "Am I not good company? Do you miss that Nathaniel kid or something? It seemed to have struck a chord with you when we played against him. Not to be nosy, but what's his issue? He wear underwear three sizes too small or something?"

"Boy, you ask a lot of questions, Robin. If you are that concerned, Nate is a boy I have liked for a long time, and he would rather date the school slut than his best friend."

Robbie looked at Steph differently. She seemed so vulnerable, so hurt. He could never imagine such an energetic girl having emotional issues. He never realized how much she had grown mentally over the years. Stephanie was no longer a little girl dancing all over the world. She was a young woman with layers of personality. Robbie was intrigued. And as a disguised teenager, perhaps Robin could discover why Sportacus was so obsessed with her, or why she was having so many problems at school. It didn't take a scientist to see she was unhappy.

"Sorry if I intruded. I just don't understand teen- guys my age who overlook what is right in front of them. It's stupid if you ask me."

Stephanie slowed her pace. She looked into Robin's eyes and noticed a familiar sparkle of mischief to them. She responded, "If only other boys thought like you. Then us girls wouldn't be so worried about being liked."

"Well, I just met you and I think you're cool. Nathan is a moron. A certified moron. Imagine if they were to have a kid together; how ugly would that thing be?"

Instantly, Stephanie began laughing. It was relief not to feel sad for a few moments. Robbie laughed as well, but not as hard. Seeing as Stephanie had never really heard him laugh, it would not giveaway his identity.

"Thanks for that." Steph sighed and said, "I guess it's not the end of the world. I'm going to be nineteen in four months, heading off to college, and hopefully will meet a man that will make me happy and treat me well. Not that you want to talk about that stuff, since you're a guy and all. I just think sometimes people get caught up in high school drama and forget there really is a whole other world waiting for us after this. Maybe I need to remind myself of that. I've been feeling pretty upset lately. Too much going on."

Robbie was tempted to unveil his true identity. One whole day of mischief brought Stephanie out of her hole. Maybe she would welcome him with open arms. Or maybe she would just chew him out again like the day he took her Frisbee. Meh, save it. Focus on your mission.

"Do you want to come over for dinner?" Stephanie asked.

It caught Robbie off guard to the point that his eyebrows were raised and lips parted, ready to gasp. "Uhh, why not?" He answered kindly, but immediately had anxieties about twenty different things. Dinner would mean sitting, talking, revealing oneself. It would also mean meeting Stephanie's mother and father, two adults who would see right through his disguise just as Sportacus did in Lazytown.

"I mean, we are having spaghetti tonight, so nothing special. I just figured you might not have much to do tonight since it was your first day. And you have been following me. Stalking must work up an appetite."

"It does," Robbie replied. He felt a little calmer knowing that Pinky had a sense of humor similar to his own. "How far are we from your house?"

"About ten minutes. Let's keep walking, though. I don't like stopping for too long. Too many ticks in here."

The two ventured forth, keeping conversation casual. Robin enjoyed punk music like Blink-182, Weezer, and even a bit of country like Brad Paisely. Stephanie also enjoyed those musicians, along with acoustic singer-songwriters and oldies from the 1970's. They shared the same hatred for television, as it was a waste of time when trying to get things done. Stephanie did, however, like watching national dance contests. Robin let slip that he liked baking shows on the food channels.

"Baking, huh?" Stephanie asked. "I don't meet a lot of guys who like baking."

"Did I say baking? I meant cooking. Yeah . . . cooking everything from cakes to filet mignon."

In Stephanie's mind, this boy was somehow related to the Master of Disguise. She knew he looked familiar. Perhaps it was his nephew or little brother. Stephanie put the puzzle pieces together; there were far too many similarities for them not to be. As they reached the end of the forest, she decided to save a test to later determine if her assumptions were correct. If so, maybe this was Robbie's new low of being evil.

Does Robbie have family?

"Here we are."

Stephanie led Robin out of the forest right into the middle of a street. There were colonial houses lined up with mowed lawns, flowerbeds, two-car garages, and picket fences. It was a street straight out of a home and garden magazine. Cookie-cutter, but characteristic from each family's hard work, blood, sweat, and tears. Robbie felt as though he had stepped into an episode of the Twilight Zone, a show he and his father used to watch when he was a young boy.

"Which one is yours?" Robbie asked.

Stephanie pointed straight in front of them. "The one with the bright blue shutters. Come on, no one is home yet. We can grab some sodas and play some video games until my parents get home."

"Video games? Alright. Let's go in."

For the first time in years, Robbie was nervous. His insides twisted uncomfortably and he mind tried to catch up with all that was happening. Nowhere in his deal did Sportacus mention spending time at Stephanie's real home. This was not Lazytown. Robbie put his guards back up and walked forward.