This chapter references the song Anywhere by Evanescence. Also, there is cuteness, awkwardness, and mild angst swirled around in here.
Neither of them knew what to say to the other. Anti-Cosmo was wondering if his affection for her had been more obvious than he'd thought, and Anti-Wanda was simply confused.
Eventually, Anti-Cosmo sighed. "I'm sorry if my brother put you up to this."
Anti-Wanda tilted her head, not quite sure what the other was talking about. "Huh? Your brother didn't put me up to nothin'. I'm here 'cause my sister's tryin' to match-make me."
"Look, Anti-Wanda, this can't possibly be a coincidence. Anti-Schnozmo is trying to 'match-make' me, as well."
Anti-Cosmo watched as Anti-Wanda's full lips pursed and a thoughtful look covered her features. Understanding slowly replaced her confusion, and she let released a drawn out, "Ooohh..." Embarrassment flooded through her, but she wasn't sure if it was from the situation itself or the fact that her cheeks were probably more purple than they'd ever been before. "Oh."
Anti-Cosmo sighed and shook his head. "Oh, indeed."
"Well..." Anti-Wanda shifted awkwardly on the bench. "Do you...wanna sit?"
Anti-Cosmo shrugged and sat himself next to her, trying to ignore the erratic beating of his heart. Anti-Wanda's bubblegum eyes held a silver sheen in the moonlight, and she smelled like rain water and freshly cut grass. Some strands of her sapphire hair had fallen from her braid, framing her heart-shaped face. He had to restrain himself from staring.
Meanwhile, Anti-Wanda was growing increasingly anxious. The last thing she wanted was to be attracted to the man beside her, but, the whole time she'd known him, he just made it so hard not to fall for him. He was polite, intelligent, and well-mannered, much more so than any other man she knew. She had to avoid looking at him, out of fear that she would lose herself in his gold-flecked green eyes.
She bit her lip. "I-I don't wanna date you." Did she? No, she didn't. She did not. If she kept telling herself that, maybe it would become true.
Anti-Cosmo couldn't help feeling disappointed, but he would reluctantly respect her wishes. "Alright."
"It-It's not that you ain't, uh..." Unfortunately, Anti-Wanda had mistaken his sadness for anger. "I just think- I mean, you're very-" She sighed loudly and ran her hands over her face in frustration. She just couldn't figure out how to properly explain herself. "Please, don't be mad," she said in a small voice.
"Mad?" Anti-Cosmo asked, surprised and confused by her request. "Now, why in the devil's name would I be mad?"
Anti-Wanda suspiciously searched his features, failing to find any trace of malice. Feeling suddenly embarrassed, she shrugged. "I don't know..." Anti-Cosmo raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. "I just..." Anti-Wanda shrugged again. "I don't know. I just thought you'd be mad."
"Um, any particular reason you would make that assumption?"
"Party-summy-what?"
"I mean, why did you think I would be cross with you?"
Anti-Wanda bit her lip and turned her head away, and Anti-Cosmo almost didn't catch the sadness in her eyes. Heart swelling with unexpected sympathy, he tentatively placed a comforting hand on her thigh. She yelped in a sudden rush of fear, and he jerked his hand back in surprise.
Anti-Wanda let out a shaky, "Sorry." She swallowed her tears and silently berated herself for being so weak in front of a man.
"Anti-Wanda," Anti-Cosmo said hesitantly, despite already knowing the answer to his own question, "are you alright?"
Anti-Wanda clenched her fists on her lap and squeezed her eyes shut.
"Anti-Wanda, look at me," Anti-Cosmo requested gently.
She didn't want to. If she did, she might start crying.
"Look at me." This time, his voice was a little more demanding.
She couldn't defy a man; it was never a good idea. Anti-Wanda risked looking at him, fighting to keep her tears from falling.
Anti-Cosmo's heart broke at the pain on her face. "Something you want to share?" he asked cautiously.
He wanted to help her. Anti-Wanda could see it in his eyes. He actually wanted to help her. She wiped her eyes on her sleeve and sniffed. "Wh-Why are you bein' ni-ice?"
"Because, at the risk of sounding cliché, a pretty girl shouldn't cry." He rested his hand over hers, sending heat into both of their cheeks. "Now, what's got you so upset?"
Anti-Blonda peeked out from the bush she was hiding behind. Nothing was happening. Why was nothing happening? Those two should have been all over each other, by now! She heard something crawl up beside her. She looked to her left in surprise and annoyance.
"Didn't I tell you to wait over there?" she asked, pointed toward the other side of the park.
Anti-Schnozmo shrugged. "I couldn't see from over there."
Anti-Blonda sighed and readjusted her glasses. "Fair enough. Just be quiet while I work."
"Work?" Anti-Blonda raised her wand and conjured a CD player. Anti-Schnozmo pointed at it. "What's that for?"
"Ya know what gets love rolling?" Anti-Blonda pressed the CD player's 'power' button. "Music."
Anti-Blonda loved this song; she would never admit it, but she was a sucker for romance. The song described the struggle that two forbidden lovers had to face to be together. So romantic! Anti-Blonda couldn't help smiling as the heartfelt lyrics began.
Dear my love,
Haven't you wanted to be with me...
Unfortunately, neither of the lovebirds seemed to notice the music in the background.
Anti-Wanda didn't want to tell him. What if he laughed at her weakness? Or, just brushed it off as nothing? Or, reminded her of how pathetic she really was? At the same time, he seemed genuinely worried about her. And, they were alone together - so she thought - and he hadn't done anything bad, yet. Maybe...maybe she could tell him?
Swallowing the knot in her throat, she risked it. "My-My pa, he..." Deep breath. In... Out... "H-He wasn't nice..." Anti-Cosmo entwined his fingers with hers. Anti-Wanda wished he would stop acting so sweet. "He was m-mean to my ma. He'd hurt her, and..." Her breathing hitched. Anti-Cosmo gave her hand a comforting squeeze. "And, he'd hurt m-me and my sis..." A sob wretched its way out of her throat.
Anti-Cosmo's chest tightened. He reached out and gently wiped away her cascading tears. "You don't have to keeping speaking, if you don't want to."
She couldn't stop. She'd come this far, right? Somehow managing to compose herself, Anti-Wanda continued with a sad smile, unconsciously leaning into the male, who wrapped his arm around her, still holding her hand. "Sis, thought a beau would help. Said not all guys were mean. Fixed me up with a fella who took a likin' to me. Name was Anti-Juandissimo. He was a right nice fella, for a while."
"For a while?"
Anti-Wanda swallowed thickly. "He turned 'round when we was alone. H-He'd hit me and say mean things and," she hiccupped, "m-made me b-b-bang him."
It took a moment for Anti-Cosmo to remember what the slang term meant. When he did, rage and terror swept through him. His voice was barely audible. "He raped you?" Anti-Wanda couldn't take it anymore, and sobs overtook her. "Oh, God..." Anti-Cosmo could practically feel her sadness, and he wrapped both arms around her, letting her cry into his neck. "Oh, Anti-Wanda..."
They stayed like that for a while. Anti-Wanda's crying eventually died down, but Anti-Cosmo refused to let go. Not until he knew she was alright or until she pulled away. Whichever came first. She pulled away and wiped her eyes and nose on her sleeve. She looked as broken as she felt.
Suddenly, something occurred to Anti-Cosmo. Something that sent pure fury shooting through his blood stream. "This Anti-Juandissimo...he didn't get you, you know, pregnant, did he?" Anti-Wanda covered her mouth to keep from crying again. Anti-Cosmo inwardly growled. If I ever meet that bitch, I'll kill him.
Anti-Wanda let out a shaky breath. "He made get one 'o' them, abortion-thingies." She swallowed. "I-I didn't wanna k-kill a baby..."
Anti-Cosmo couldn't stand seeing her so upset. He gingerly tucked a stray hair behind her ear. "This may not mean much coming from me, Anti-Wanda, but not all men are as cruel as that. Anti-fairies may be evil, but doesn't necessarily make us all heartless."
"I know," she sniffed. "I'm an anti-fairy."
Anti-Cosmo smiled and nodded. "Yes, you are." His eyes wandered to her lips, tracing over their shape. He restrained himself from kissing her. Now wasn't the time. Not when she'd just poured her heart out, like that. Not when he didn't even deserve the trust she had given him. He frowned. "Then again, that probably doesn't mean a single thing, coming from a Xye."
Anti-Wanda eyeballed him. "Former Xye."
"Same thing."
"No, it ain't." It suddenly occurred to Anti-Wanda that Anti-Cosmo was as afraid to feel as she was. "Xye are mean-spirited brutes, who terrorize and eat people simply 'cause they can."
Anti-Cosmo scowled. "Thanks."
Anti-Wanda smiled. "You ain't like that. You're really nice and smart and ya won't..."
She trailed off, prompting Anti-Cosmo to wonder, "I won't what?" They were barely aware of the song's bridge in the background.
Unlock your heart.
"You won't hurt me..." Anti-Wanda was amazed at how strongly she believed that.
Drop your guard.
Anti-Cosmo cupped her cheek in his hand. "I would never hurt you." He believed it, too.
No one's left to stop you, now...
Anti-Wanda reached up and held his wrist, keeping it in place. She whispered, "I know."
In unison, they pressed their lips together. Neither had ever felt such passion or love in such a simple action. Heat radiated through their bodies. They felt elated, drunk on their own emotions. It was a whole new kind of magic.
Anti-Blonda sighed in contentment. It was about time those idiots did something. As she subconsciously swayed to the music, she felt something pat her on the back.
"Nice work," Anti-Schnozmo commented.
"Eh," Anti-Blonda shrugged. "Big whoop. Anyone can turn on some stupid music."
Anti-Schnozmo grinned knowingly. "You like this, don't you?"
"Like what?"
"You know, romance, the love song. You like this stuff, huh?"
Anti-Blonda scowled, blushing furiously. "Well, I, uh- Ugh!" She raised her fist to his face. "If you tell anyone I have a soft side, I'll slug you!"
Anti-Schnozmo chuckled. "I don't doubt that."
I don't know about, but I kind of ship Anti-BlondaXAnti-Schnozmo. I also ship their counterparts! Don't ask me why. Anyway, stay tuned for the last chapter!