Chapter 2
Bubble Gum Pop
Dawn of the Dead - Does it Offend You Yeah!
I step out of Papa's truck and take a deep breath of air. This early in the morning it's cold and fresh. Ah, Monday morning, nothing like it. You can almost smell the despair coming off the school.
"Alright baby," my papa says in his rough voice and gives me a half hug. "I gotta get to work. Tifa's givin' you a ride home after school so you stay here until she shows up."
I roll my eyes at him, but return the hug. "Don't worry Papa. I'll be a good girl and wait for Tifa."
He leans down and presses a kiss to my forehead before getting back in his truck and driving off. Most high schoolers would be embarrassed as hell to have their parents give them a hug and a kiss on the front steps of the school, but I'm not. Papa is Papa and nothing will ever change that. It's not worth being embarrassed about him.
I readjust my back pack on my shoulder and head for my locker. I'm sure there's plenty of weekend gossip to catch up on so the sooner I get to class the better.
"Hey Marlene." Pricilla waves at me as I walk down the hall. "Have you heard about Rin and Amber, they got caught making out at George Edward's party on Saturday? I didn't know they were lesbians." She leans forward and whispers the last word as if she's going to get into trouble just for saying it.
I laugh and wave a hand at her, "Oh please Priss, I've known about that for months. What's really interesting is that Kenta and Mary broke up last night."
"No," She looks suitably scandalized. "Why, I thought they got along great?"
I click my tongue and shake a finger in front of her face. "That's for me to know and you to find out. You know my rules."
"But I don't have anything new." She wails. "Rin and Amber were all I had."
"And I gave you Kenta and Mary," I scold. "You just didn't have enough. I have to get to class. I'll see you later."
She pouts, but I keep walking. See I'm a gossip broker- well, I call it research. Gossip can be such a buzz word. Whatever you want to call it, I collect it. I treasure it. Someday when I thirty or something I will write the ultimate teen high school series and be rich for the rest of my life. I've got it all planned out, merchandise, games, even a movie deal if I'm lucky.
When I get into class Denzel is already there, slumped in his chair and sulking. He's obviously pouting about something, but if I know him like I think I do then it's gonna be a while before he tells me. Well let's try to cheer him up, at least get a smile out of him before I have to pry for information.
"You know if I could patent your grumpy look I'd make a fortune." I smile at him and drop my backpack to the ground.
He groans and glances up at me. "How can you be so cheerful this early?"
"It's a talent," I say smugly taking a seat.
"Yeah, right." He mutters.
I tolerate him and start unpacking my books. I've known Den for like ever, my babysitter, Tifa was his next door neighbor. He was a bratty little kid that always followed his brothers around like a lost puppy. I couldn't stand him, but he was the only kid near my age in the neighborhood so we ended up playing together a lot. I put up with him but sometimes I wonder if we're actually friends. It's more like I know what he's been through and he knows what I've been through so we trust each other.
I'm organizing my notebook and pencils when the teacher walks in and the bell rings. Oh goody, English at eight o'clock in the morning, I am just thrilled. Plus our teacher really likes to lecture about the inner meaning of whatever it is we're reading. It's reeaally boring.
About ten minutes into class the teacher starts one of his rants. I sigh and push my notebook aside. I'm not going to understand any of this so I might as well use the time to pester Den. I dig in my backpack and pull out two cheap notebooks. The fist one has Denzel's name written on it in the absolutely brightest pink marker I could find. I even went out of my way to put curlicues and flowers around it. I slide that one towards him and grab the other one. He shoots me a glare and opens the notebook as fast as he can to avoid being seen with such a girly thing on the front. I just give him my sweetest smile, I did it to annoy him because he complained about having to do this.
He flips through it to the first blank page, about half-way through the book and I turn my attention to the other notebook. This one has the same style of writing on it along with the curlycues but it simply says ME. I flip it open and date the first blank page I come to, then write 1st period English and Denzel's name.
This is my little trick. Granted it only works if you're sitting next to someone and not behind or in front, but it's how you pass notes without actually passing anything.
- What's wrong? I write on the first line and tip my notebook towards him a little bit.
- It's been a long weekend. He writes in his notebook and moves it a little closer.
- What happened?
- I don't want to talk about it.
- You sure?
- Yes.
I sigh and bite my eraser for a moment. - When you do want to talk I'll listen...
He taps his pencil on the desk agitatedly and doodles in the margins for a moment. That's a trick I learned from Tifa, tell someone you're willing to listen they're more likely to tell you. Plus, he should know I won't give up so easily. He ignores my attempt.
Then I notice that he hasn't done something very important. "Date and class." I hiss at him and a guilty look crosses his face. I know he doesn't really understand my thing with keeping records. He knows it's all research, but he thinks it's pretty worthless. Another glare prompts him to write down the requested information. It's important if I ever want to rebuild this conversation.
As soon as he's done writing he continues to ignore me. I let it sit for a few minutes but I've never been that patient.
- Are you ready yet? I write and elbow him gently to get his attention.
He glares at me, but I can tell he's about to cave. - Secret.
I roll my eyes and frown. Yeah, I broker information, but Den's life isn't for sale. He's my best friend and I won't tell anybody about his stuff no matter what they offer me. - Yes, secret
- Cloud's coming home.
I pause at that, OMG. I mean I know all about the screwed up state of his family. I was there for the whole thing and I was probably the only person he talked to about it. But if Cloud is coming home that takes all this stuff to a new level. - Coming home, like getting out of the Institute?
- Yeah.
- Isn't that a good thing?
- Yeah.
I frown at him. Good thing or not, it's bugging him. - You don't seem happy about it.
- It's complicated. He responds sighing. - He's not cured. He still freaks out if anyone touches him and on Saturday he had a Zack moment that was creepy beyond words.
- Why are they letting him out then?
- I don't know, maybe they're getting sick of him.
- That's not very nice Den.
-Sorry... That's all he can write. I guess I can understand, he has some pretty deep problems with what happened.
- So he's coming back to live with you?
- Yeah, we're converting the storage space above the garage into a room for him. I have to go through all the boxes of stuff that Mom wouldn't throw away.
Oh darn, those boxes are all stuff that belonged to Cloud and Zack. I helped him pack them up. - Do you want help? I could probably talk Papa into letting me. Then I remember that he's no longer eleven and might not want me to see him freaking out. - Unless you want to be alone.
He thinks for a moment then shakes his head. - Ask if you can come. Be warned though, painting is going to be involved.
- I'll ask. Don't worry too much.
- I'll try. He gives me a faint smile and closes his notebook and slides it back towards me.
If someone else did that it would be rude, but with Den I know he just want's time to think. It's okay, I should probably be taking notes on the class anyway.
Lunch finally rolls around and by that time I'm feeling almost as much despair as my fellow students. I still don't have a clue what's going on in English and Math just plain hurts. I am so glad that I have Art for second period. I don't think I could get through the day if the two hated subjects came in a row.
I sit at my usual table and start attacking an apple, I always eat fast because lunch is the best time for me to do business. By this time of day everyone has heard the basics and wants to either get the straight story or they want to add something extra to it. I'm usually the best person to tell because everyone knows that I get full stories every time.
Denzel finds me a few minutes later and plops into the opposite seat with a sigh. I grin and perk up. It always cheers me up to have him to harass. "How was geography?"
He rolls his eyes at me, geography is my special subject and I know he's regretting not taking it with me last year. "Spent the whole period talking about the politics of Wutai."
"Who's the royal family?" I quiz him really fast.
"The Kigai's?"
"Kisaragi's" I correct, "They have five major officials, who are they?"
He glares at me this time. "Three are ministers: Gorkii, Chekhov and Shake. The national warrior is Staniv, and the minister is Godo."
"Good," I grin at him nod my head encouragingly. "What's their major trade?"
"Mar," He groans, "I just did this for the last hour and a half. I am not reciting more for you."
"Oh all right. Have you heard anything good in the halls?"
He shrugs and prods the green beans on his tray with a fork. "Nothing you don't already know I'm sure."
"Maybe, maybe not. Try me."
There's a pause for a second, but he doesn't say no. "Lauren Baker just about made Rin Hikari cry in the middle of class. Adam Folk said that if he doesn't keep his grades up then the Coach is going to kick him off the basket ball team. Oh, and Nicos swears that he watched a porno over the weekend that had Ms. Hertzberg in it."
"Eww," I cringe at that last one. "Why do you boys have to be so disgusting?"
He laughs at me and shakes his head. "Hey, it wasn't me."
"Whatever, I know full well that you've got a stash under your bed."
"Marlene!" He hisses his cheeks turning cherry red.
"Oh come on," I wave the core of my apple at him. "It's not like I'm going to tell anyone, just don't pretend you're any different."
He glares at me and I smile, I know that blush won't leave his face for the rest of lunch. It might be harsh, but at least he's not sulking anymore. Den has a tendency to sulk a lot. Ever since the accident he's been pretty moody and bitter. I antagonize him because everybody else babies him. He doesn't need to be babied, he needs someone to remind him that there is a real world out here.
He may be mad now, but I know he won't stay that way long. Plus, he's not that mad or he would have already left the table. He pulls his black hoodie closer to his neck and shivers. "I've got something else."
"Ooh..." I grin. "What is it?"
He grimaces but I know he wants to tell me. "It's about Cloud."
Oh, not gossip, but if he wants to tell me then I'll listen. "Alright," I wave a hand and lean closer. "I won't tell anyone."
"Tifa told me this story last night. I guess she was at the party the night of the accident." I listen as he tells me the whole thing. Loz, the drink, Tifa getting them to take Cloud home.
"And she feels guilty?" I ask worriedly when he finishes.
He stares down at the table. "I don't know. I told her it wasn't her fault but that doesn't mean she listened."
I sigh and smile. "It's so romantic."
"Romantic?" He looks confused.
"Of course dummy. He saved her from that scumbag. That's romantic." It's just like a story and I know where that goes.
"Freaky you mean."
"No, romantic." I can't help myself. It's not like I didn't know about Cloud's crush. Even as kids it was obvious to both of us. "Do you think they'll start dating once he gets out?"
"Marlene," He rolls his eyes at me. "Cloud can't even function much less date someone."
"So?" I giggle, narrative rules don't let something like that stop them. "I can see it now. She'll help him heal and they'll be together forever."
Den scoffs and runs a hand through his sandy brown hair. I giggle again, I bet he doesn't realize that he picked up that particular movement from Zack. "Well I think it's cute," I tell him still smiling.
"The world doesn't work the same way as stories Mar." He glares and sits back.
"Hey Denzel," A voice sounds next to us and I look up to see Alice smiling at him shyly. I have to turn my face to hide a grin.
"Um, Uh, hey Alice." His blush intensifies and he almost trips over his own feet trying to stand up. I am trying so hard not to giggle, he has an enormous crush on Alice. She's a year younger than us and he swears, very pretty.
"So... how was your weekend?" Alice continues fidgeting with her lunch tray.
"Fine, just fine." He blurts out, staring at her. She waits expectantly for him to say something but he doesn't. Ask her to sit with us you idiot!
"Oh, well..." She looks away after the second has turned to several. "Have a nice lunch. I'll see you later."
I wait until he sits back down to kick him under the table.
"What?" He yelps and jumps.
"She was waiting for you to invite her to sit dummy."
He groans and puts his head in his hands. "I know, I know. She just makes me nervous."
I giggle at him. "You should just ask her out."
His face goes white at the prospect. "No way, she would never say yes."
Oh for the love of... Men, are they all this oblivious? I'm like ninety percent certain that she likes him.
"Hey Marlene, can I ask you a question?" A freshman girl sits down next to me with a shy smile.
Den digs out a book and immediately buries his nose in it. Darn, of all the times to be interrupted.
"Sure." I smile back at her, business is starting.
After school Tifa picks us up. We make a quick stop at my house to ask Papa if I can go help and to grab some painting clothes before going over to their place. It only takes one look at the storage room to make me wish I hadn't volunteered.
The whole place is dusty, full of spider webs and just plain icky. There are boxes stacked to the ceiling and most of them are covered in dust too.
Tifa claps her hands and rubs them together. "Alright, Mar you want to clean or carry boxes?"
"Hey,"Den objects, "Why don't I get a choice?"
Tifa laughs and ruffles his hair. "Because you're a boy and boys do the heavy lifting. It's a rule."
I giggle while he grumbles. "I'll help clean." Really neither option sounds good, but anything is better than going down the stairs outside with you're hands full.
"Alright then, lets get to work."
It takes Den about an hour and a half to get the boxes down to the garage. By that time Tifa and I are setting up the stuff to paint.
"Rude was about three pints in and more than a little tipsy so I was trying to delay getting him another drink." Tifa tells me one of her work stories while we unfold a drop cloth. "He gets impatient, which is saying something, I mean he's best friends with Reno. He thinks I'm taking too long and decides that the best way to get my attention is to start singing, which for Rude is just plain weird. I had just run to the back to grab some more glasses and when I got back it was to see him standing in his chair with one foot up on the table singing 'Ruby Tuesday' only he's replacing Tuesday with Tifa. Everyone in the bar is staring at him and laughing. About this time Reno decides that Rude can't have all the attention and gets up on the table to start swaying and singing along. So here I am, the only cocktail waitress in the bar and I have two grown men standing on a table singing 'goodbye ruby Tifa, who could hang a name on you, when you change with every new day, still I'm gonna miss you'." She actually sings the last part and I crack up. "Yeah, yeah laugh it up kiddo. I've never been more embarrassed in my life and then like half the bar joined in. Even my boss was singing."
I can't hold it in, I practically cackle at the image. "Drunks are funny."
She shrugs and starts to pry at the paint can. "Sometimes, but now every time I mess up my coworkers start singing it."
This time we both laugh and when Denzel comes back with a step ladder we're both doubled up. He stares at us for a second and frowns. "Right, and you think boys are weird."
I giggle and throw a paint brush at him. "That's because they are."
"She's right you know." Tifa grins and supports me. "Girls are perfectly normal."
He gives a disgusted sigh and we both laugh again.
"Alright guys," Tifa smiles and pours some paint into the roller tray. "Mar, you start blocking off the floorboards and windows with the tape. Den, you can take the roller and I'll do the touch ups."
"Why do I have to get the roller?" Den whines as I hand him the roller handle.
"Because you're the boy." TIfa and I say together.
He glares at us but dips his paint roller in the tray and stalks over to one wall. I grab a roll of tape and start blocking things off.
"So what's going on at school?" Tifa pours herself a small bowl of paint and starts filling in a corner of the room.
"Nothing much," Den shrugs. "I guess they're auditioning for the play."
"Are you going to audition?" I ask him incredulously. Den is way too shy to try something like that.
"God no," He laughs. "I might join the set builders though. Ms. Tilmitt was telling me that they're going to need a lot of painted scenery and she wants me to work on it."
"That's great." Tifa smiles for him. "It sounds like fun."
He shrugs modestly and shakes his head. "It's okay, I'm not sure I'm good enough."
I glare. Den is like the best artist I know. He's really good with just about everything our art teacher can throw at him. "Of course you're good enough, don't sell yourself short."
"She's right Den." Tifa smiles. "I would go to the play just to see your scenery."
He ducks his head and grumbles, but I can see him smiling. We're silent for a few minutes but i just can't stand silence so I fill it.
"I just can't wait for the spring dance." I sigh and tear off some more tape. "It's gonna be great, the theme is underwater."
"Ugh," Den rolls his eyes at me. "It's just a dance, everyone will stand around bored and it'll suck."
"Don't be like that," I fake pout at him. "It's a wonderful time for romance. You know, eyes across a crowded room, a sweet invite and then true love."
"Yuck!" he teases me back. "More like awkward talk and idiot's spiking the punch."
"Has anyone asked you Marlene?" Tifa interjects into our argument.
I sigh and pick at the tape. "Not yet but it's still a month away so there's always time."
She gives me a sweet smile. "I'm sure someone will. How about you Den, you asked anyone?"
He goes pink at the thought but shakes his head. "Naw, dunno who I'd ask."
"Well," Tifa grins slyly and I know something bad is going to follow. "You two could always go together."
"Yuck!"
"No way!"
Den and I object at the same time and we look at each other.
"Not in a million years." Den raises an eyebrow and cringes at me.
"Agreed," I nod. "That's just wrong."
Tifa laughs at us and shakes her head. "Alright fine, fine. I'm sorry I suggested it."
We relax slightly, just the idea of going out with Den makes my skin crawl and I'm pretty sure he feels the same. Best friends, no problem there, but we'll never be more than that. It would be like dating my brother: eeww.
"When I was in school all my friends would just go as a group." Tifa comments and goes back for more paint.
"Eh," Den shrugs. "There's no point in going unless you're trying to impress a girl."
I feel an evil grin spread across my mouth. He's just asking for it. "You could always ask Alice."
I swear he goes pink to his ears. Tifa catches my look and tries to suppress a smile. "Oh, who's Alice?"
"Just a girl," Den mutters his ears going from pink to red.
"That he has a crush on," I prompt and Den groans.
"Oh really?" Tifa's smile just gets wider. "What's she like?"
We both stare at Den fixedly. He's in for it now.
"She's nice," He mutters. "She's on the student council and she likes moogles."
"Sounds good." Tifa trades a grin with me and continues. "You should ask her."
Den keeps his mouth shut and stares at the wall ignoring us.
"I keep telling him that." I nudge him in the ribs and giggle. "But he's too chicken."
"Marlene..." He glares at me, but I don't pay him any attention.
"I mean she was even trying to talk to him today and he couldn't even respond." Something cold touches my arm and I jump as he rolls bright blue paint from shoulder to elbow.
"Denzel!" I shriek and throw my empty roll of tape at him.
"Well you should have shut up." He counters and threatens me with the roller again.
I jump to my feet and grab a wet paint brush. "If you weren't such a chicken then I wouldn't have to say it."
He lunges for me, but I jump back and paste one long blue line on his forearm. His hand comes back my way and my side is hit by the roller. I grin and dash inside his reach firmly planting the paintbrush on his cheek. He sputters, but grabs me around the neck with his free hand and rolls paint down my hair.
By now Tifa's rolling on the floor in laughter and we're both grinning. I struggle in his grasp and plant a kick on his shin. It doesn't do any good, he just laughs and rubs the roller on my head again.
"Enough," Tifa gasps and sits up. "That's enough. I have to take her back to Uncle Barret in one piece."
Den grins and lets me go. I reach up and touch the back of my head. It's sticky and my hand comes back blue. I glare and smack him on the shoulder, leaving a hand print. "Jerk."
He laughs and tries to wipe the paint off his cheek. "I'm sorry."
"No you're not."
"I am."
I snort. "Yeah right, you think it's funny."
He shrugs as if to say 'you're right' and dips his roller in the tray again before attacking the wall. I shake my head and find my tape again.
Alright here's this chapter. So far so good.
This incarnation of Marlene is based on pretty much every female best friend I've ever had. I'm not sure if that's a good thing because a lot of them I can't stand anymore but I was trying to capture a high school girl, so oh well. Point is that a lot of what's going on with Den and Mar is actual experiences from my time in high school, (Including the Porno thing). So I'm hoping it comes out fairly accurate.
Obviously updates aren't going as well as I had hoped but they're still going. School started this week so once again I'm not sure when I'm going to have time to write. Updates might be pretty sporadic for a while. I hope they'll go better this semester than they have in the past, I'm in a class that wants me to do an hour of writing a day so that might help.
A big thanks to my betas, Holy Wolf, myousa, my mom and my weekly writers group. They are all really wonderful and encouraging.
Also a big thanks to my reviewers: mom calling, ffangelwing and vLuna. You're all awesome.
So anyway, now that we're far enough into the story for things to actually be happening please read and review.
Palo