Chapter Six: Grottos and Gremlins

Hannah stood outside the Dragon's Wing, her cards in hand. However, she didn't think she would play tonight. Her mind was still reeling from her and Petey's talk the other night. She desperately wanted him to know that he was loved. She had felt a honest sisterly connection to the boy from day one.

She walked in and was greeted by the clerk. "Come to join in," he asked.

"I think I'm just going to watch tonight," Hannah responded, "I've never really played." He ushered her toward the door that led downstairs and she waved in thanks. As she hit the bottom step a familiar voice hit her ear.

"Hannah you came," Beatrice squealed, running to give her friend a hug.

"No better time like the present right? Plus I couldn't stand being alone in my room all day, what with Ivy busy with cheerleading, trig club, drama club, helping Neal with a syllabics for shop…"

"And she's on the honor roll," Beatrice interjected, "Honestly I wish I had half the energy that girl does… or just knew where she got it all from."

"Invader Zim energy drink."

Hannah and Beatrice turned toward the small, lanky frame that was there class president, Earnest Jones. Hannah had accidently called him Indiana once and the boy nearly jumped out of his skin, regaling in his favorite scenes. From that point on, Hannah couldn't help but call him Indy.

"It's true," he continued when he noticed the confused stares of the two girls in front of him. "She told me once."

"Going to have to ask her where she gets it," Hannah murmured to Beatrice. The two girls walked over to the table where Earnest had set up his dungeon map. Round the table sat Algie, Fatty and Melvin each with their own twelve sided dice and a set of cards.

"I see the young lady has the newest set of monsters," Melvin said. Hannah looked down at the cards in her had. The box read "Dark Magic Academy"

"Oh… yeah I bought it awhile ago. I think I'm just going to watch tonight though, but I want to learn."

"I'd be more than happy to help you mi' lady," Melvin continued, giving Hannah a kiss on the hand.

"Thanks Melvin," Hannah replied. 'What was with all the guys doing that,' she thought. As the boys sat down to play, Hannah joined Beatrice by the Con Sumo game. "Also I wanted to ask you something B," Hannah said as the girls came to a rest against the wall.

"What do you need."

"Well… I've been thinking about something Petey told me the other night and I was wondering…" Hannah trailed off, trying to figure out just how to explain to Beatrice what she had planed.

"Well…" Beatrice persisted.

"I've got an idea for Petey's Halloween costume."

"Oh no, Petey doesn't do Halloween. And he sure as heck isn't going to let you dress him up, not after last year."

"What happened last year?"

"Gary kind of… bullied Petey into wearing this pink bunny costume."

Hannah was starting to understand why Ivy had an issue with the whole "Gary + Petey" thing. "Well my idea isn't anything like that. I think he'll like it once his in it, but I'm not going to make him."

"Okay… what's your idea," Beatrice asked. Hannah leaned in and whispered her plan into Beatrice's ear. "You want to WHAT," She cried out busting into uncontrolled laughter. "Okay I'm in, what do you need me to do?" The rest of the evening was spent planning and plotting between the two girls. Hannah was happy to have Beatrice on board.

"Are you freaking serious," Ivy asked as Hannah filled her in on tonight plotting. Ivy was already in bed reading a book when Hannah had gotten back.

"Yes and I need you on this one. No one can do make-up like you."

"Damn strait girl, but I doubt his going to go for this. Last years fiasco."

"I know I know Gary and the bunny costume B told me, but I've got a good feeling about this. I really think this could help him open up and maybe even move on from Gary."

"I'd give anything to see little man move on from that nut job." A silence fell between them as Ivy thought about Hannah's idea. "Okay, I'll do it. But you have to promise, if doesn't want to…"

"I won't make him," Hannah interrupted, "I promise." She got up and crossed to the dresser as Ivy went back to her book. "Besides, B and I have our own costumes to think about too."

"Oh… and just what are my besties doing for All Hallow Eve?"

Hannah giggled, "The Doctor and his companion Rose."

Ivy stared at Hannah for what felt like an eternity, "the hell…"

"Don't tell me you've never seen Doctor Who?"

"Can't say what I have… sorry kid."

"We're going to have to remedy that," Hannah proclaimed taking her pajamas and heading for the bathroom. As she opened the door the sounds of the Jonas Brothers filled the room. "Dear God, TURN IT OF YOU NITWITS," Ivy screamed. Hannah surprised a laugh and shut the door.

Hannah couldn't concentrate in English, one because she kept getting distracted by the shear handsomeness of Johnny Vincent sitting beside her, but also because she needed think of a way to convince Petey to let her, Beatrice and Ivy dress him up for Halloween. As the bell rang, Hannah collected her books in a hurry, trying to get out so she could track down Petey.

"I want to say sorry for Lola," Johnny said coming between Hannah and the door.

"Oh… it's nothing," Hannah managed. She always melted at the knees when every Johnny spoke to her.

"Yeah well it's a big deal to me. It bugs me that she thinks she just run around on my, but I can't even think about someone else."

Hannah started to blush, "Sooooooo… you think about me?"

"I… I think… you really cool," Johnny stuttered. The two looked away from each, Hannah rocking back and forth while Johnny patted him leg. Nervously the two tried to think of something to say before Johnny broke the silence, "Well I better go, my bike's not going to fix itself."

"Yeah… I'll see you around."

"See ya," Johnny waved turning toward the door. Hannah jumped around in a circle, a huge smile on her face. She stopped when she noticed a few of the other students peering in at her. She regained her composter and hurried past the gougers. 'Come on girl get with it,' She thought to herself, 'you're on a mission."

Hannah ran down the stairs and out the door. She had a feeling Petey would be in the library studying.

"Ah hello young maiden."

'Damn it,' She thought slowing turning to meet Melvin's gaze. "Hi there Melvin."

"Are you in a hurry. I thought that perhaps we could discuses Grottos and Gremlins. That is if you still want to learn."

"Yeah, just… not right now. I'm already on a quest… a very important quest. Some other time?"

"Of course," Melvin said disappointed. "Continue on your quest."

"Thanks Melvin," Hannah turned on her heels and heading for the library. "Petey," she called spotting him just around the corner.

"Hey Hannah," he looked lower than normal today. Hannah ran up and gave him a big hug.

"I have a question for you cutie," Hannah said pulling away.

"I'm don't what to talk about it."

"Not what I was going to ask," Hannah responded gently poking Petey's nose. "I wanted to know if you'd let me dress you up for Halloween?"

"Oh No," Petey proclaimed backing away, "I don't do Halloween, not after…"

"I know I know the bunny costume," Hannah interrupted. "Petey I won't do that to you. I'm your friend no… you sister." Hannah gives Petey another hug. "I won't ever hurt you cutie," she whispered.

Petey let out a heavy sigh, "I don't know…"

"Okay," She said pulling away again. "I won't make you, I promise." She gives him a big smile and latches onto his waist. Petey laughs and throws his arm around her shoulder. They stand there for a moment before he pulls away.

"I've got a paper to write. How about we meet up later and go get some pizza or something," Petey asked

"Sure thing, how's about 7… by the main gate?"

"Yeah sounds good see ya."

"See ya cutie," Hannah waved as Petey made his way to the library.

"He'll come around," The voice pierced her ears and made her cringe as she turned her head to see Jimmy standing beside her.

"How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough, and I'll make sure little Petey's up for Halloween." Jimmy put a hand on Hannah shoulder and she surprised the urge to bite it off. "You can count on me." Jimmy turned and hurried off toward the boys.

"Jimmy," She called after him, but it was no use. "Just leave him alone," She murmured to herself.

Note: I feel like i have to explain a few thinks... first off there is an Invader Zim energy drink. It has Gir on the can and taste like liquid grape pixie stixs.

Second, Grottos and Gremlins has always confused me. I figured it was suppose to be there Dungeons and Dragons, but then they threw in the cards and I got confused. So for this fanfic I decided it would be some odd mixture of D&D and Magic The Gathering... I just didn't know how to get that across to well.

I would love to hear your thoughts on what the game is or how to improve it. I would love to go into more detail later on down the road, but right now I just really wanted to get this chapter out there. Thanks everyone =^_^=