WiR:High School Edition - Chapter Three!
The day went on at a painfully slow pace, with Vanellope unwillingly sitting beside "Turd-bo"
shooting Joseph a pleading look every now and then. Of course, Ken (Turbo) was making sure this happened as infrequently as possible so that none of the professors would notice that something was up. After what seemed like a really painful eternity, class finally ended and Ken was nowhere to be seen. "Seems like he's already gone to the parking lot..." Joseph muttered to no-one in particular. Better not keep Vanny waiting... He thought as he started running to the nearby mall's parking lot.
-4:12 PM; Mall Parking Lot-
"Damnit!" Joseph cursed under his breath, "Where is that Turd-bo?"
This could be a trap, y'know said his conscience. "Shut up brain, i just gotta make sure she's safe, even if it means me getting beat up to death."
It's your funeral, buddy replied his conscience.
Suddenly, he heard multiple footsteps heading towards him. Although at first, he couldn't discern what directions the footsteps were coming from, he suddenly realized that one was behind him and three from in front of him. He instinctively ducked when he heard something whirl through the air. CLANG! Turbo's pipe had barely missed Joseph's head. As Turbo was recovering from the reverb/recoil of his attack, Joseph used the opportunity to his advantage by quickly grabbing the pipe, kneeing Turbo in his "area", Punching him in the face as softly as he could, but before his third punch could connect, Turbo had recovered already and countered the punch by crushing Joseph's hand, causing him to shout in pain and anger.
Vanellope tried to scream through the fabric that was covering her mouth, but to no avail.
Turbo was already beating Joseph half to death, when suddenly, Joseph countered by rolling sideways, grabbing Turbo's pipe (which Turbo completley forgot about, by the way) and hitting his leg, causing Turbo to lose balance and fall. Joseph took advantage of this by quickly grabbing a nearby rope and tying both of turbo's hands to a pole, then spraying his face with knockout gas that he'd found last halloween after yet another prank attempt at him failed.
Turbo was out cold to say the least. Joseph had won the fight fair and square. "Alright, I won. Now release Vanellope and nobody else gets hurt." says Joseph to Turbo's goons quite weakly, obviously battered up from the fight. "We aren't ones to betray terms and conditions, so here's your girl. But mark my words, boy. This isn't the last you'll see of us." They say, releasing Vanellope and dragging their unconscious leader back home.
Joseph looked at Vanellope, as if to say something, but when he opened his lips, Vanellope's filled the gap. They melted into each other, Joseph suddenly not feeling ANY of his injuries.
After what seemed like an eternity, (which was actually just a mere five seconds) they parted, and Vanellope just stood there with her arms wrapped around him.
"I... I... L-Love You, dummy" Vanellope stammered, but regaining her usual playful attitude.
"Waitwaitwaitwaitwait." "W-we c-cant date y-yet" Joseph stammers. "I-I mean, I Love you too, don't get me wrong, but we've only been friends about a month here and i'm not sure if i'm ready to go..." Vanellope giggled a bit at that last part. "I meant go out with YOU." "Not go, as in use the bathroom, boogerface." Vanellope suddenly pulls away gently from the hug and smiles at me. "That kiss was great, by the way." Joseph adds, giving Vanellope a curt nod.
Suddenly, heavy footsteps are heard walking towards them. Joseph looks behind him and sees Professor Bill walking towards him. "What happened here? Why is Joseph all beat up?"
He demanded. "P-Professor, I-I Can exp-" Joseph started. "I'm having none of it! Ken told me you challenged him to a fight, I am report-" Bill was going to finish his sentence had Vanellope not interrupted him. "LET JOSEPH FINISH!" Vanellope shouted defensivley.
Joseph winced slightly. "Fine." Professor Bill conceded. "It was Ken who challenged me. I have the note to prove it." Joseph takes the crumpled note out of his pocket and gives it to Bill. "Oh. Sorry to have under-analyzed this situation..." Bill said, full of shame for judging too quickly. "I guess i'll have to call in Ken's parents. Vanellope, would you mind escorting Joseph to the hospital? I have an appointment with the principal." Bill said, leaving the two alone.
"Don't take me to the hospital." Joseph says weakly. "No! You are going to the hospital and that's that!" Vanellope protests. "B-But, Whitey..." Joseph says, pointing at his bag. Vanellope looked at the bag, only to see that whitey wasscared shitless. "He'll be okay. Promise." Vanellope says, gently reassuring him with a hug. After which she picks up both their bags and walks him to the nearest hospital.
-About 3 and a half hours later-
"Thank goodness it's Friday!" Joseph shouts, walking out of the hospital hand in hand with Vanellope. "I have time to recover!" Joseph exclaims, grinning. "So... About the dating thing..." Vanellope says, squeezing Joseph's hand gently. "Oh. Yeah... About that... I'll ask you out when I'm ready." Joseph says, smiling at her warmly, but letting go of her hand. "But in the meantime, i'll leave you with this." He says, suddenly lifting Vanny up a bit and pressing his lips to hers gently. After a second and a half, their lips part, Vanellope beaming at him. "You better ask me out when you're ready, pea-brain." She says playfully. "Promise" he replies. "Pinky swear?" Vanny asks sweetly. "Pinky swear." Joseph says, twisting his pinky around Vanny's. "I'll hold you to that." Vanellope says, smiling.
A/N: WOW! That turned out A LOT longer than i originally planned. To all my readers, i'd like to say THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ THIS. Also, please read all the stories i mentioned in chapter one and follow/fave both the stories and their authors. Don't just support me, SUPPORT THE ONES THAT INSPIRED ME. More power to them, Especially Arcade Lackey for the BEST Jawbreaker fic in the universe. :) Again, Thanks for reading! :D