High School Daze
Ch. 10
Chuckie ran up the sidewalk as fast as he could, heading for the Tuck residence. He had to stop to take a few puffs from his inhaler. He got a call from Frankie; She told him that Shenzi was very upset about something, and didn't want to tell anyone, and Frankie assumed that she would open up to her boyfriend. Both of them hoped that she would, so they'd find out how to make her feel better. They didn't want her to miss the prom, which was the next night.
When he arrived at his destination, he hastily knocked on the door. Frankie opened it, and quickly gestured for him to come in, so he ran inside. "Where is she?"
"She's in her room," Frankie pointed up the stairs, "I think her door's locked."
He ran up the stairs, and gently knocked on the door. "Who is it?" He heard her heavy voice.
"It's Chuckie," He replied, "Can I please come in?"
He heard her sniffling, the door getting unlocked, and flopping on her bed. "Okay, come in."
Chuckie entered the room and gingerly closed the door, leaving it slightly open. When he looked at her bed, his heart broke when he saw her sobbing into one of her pillows. It was already soaked with her tears. She looked like she was having trouble breathing properly as well. "Oh, Shen." He sat on her bed, and gently hugged her, letting her cry in his chest. "Shh, sh sh sh." He rubbed her back and stroked her hair in comfort, with his head laying on hers. He was rocking her a bit as well. "You're okay, baby girl. Pangborn won't bother you ever again; No one will. I won't let them."
"It... it's not that," She pulled away slowly.
"What is it? You can tell me." He wiped her tears away.
"My..." She wiped her eyes, "M-my dad... hates me!" She buried her face in his chest again as more sobs escaped her throat.
"What? No, he doesn't!" Chuckie insisted, "You've told me that you and your father were very, very close, and still are."
"N-no," She shook her head while drawing away again, "Not the wonderful father I've had my whole life. I mean my..." She sniffled and wiped her eyes, "My b-blood father."
Chuckie's heart fell at that. He heard bad things about him from Friar Tuck; All he remembered was that he was sexist, and divorced Maya, Shenzi's blood mother, because of the baby's gender. It made him sick just hearing about it. "What happened? Did you find him somewhere or something, and meet up with him?"
"No," She shook her head, "I-I found his phone number, so I called him. I wanted to bond with someone I'm related to by blood, you know?" He nodded in agreement. "So anyway, after I told him who I am, he told me the truth. He didn't even seem sympathetic." Her eyes squeezed shut, and tears leaked out. "He said that he only wanted a boy. And he... he made my blood mother choose between me, or him, so she chose me. She divorced him."
"Your um," Chuckie hesitated, "Your father, the one you've had your whole life, he told me what he heard from your blood mother."
"O-oh," She muttered, "I just... I just can't believe that my only blood relative hates me for something so..."
"Stupid?" He finished for her when she hesitated.
"Yeah," She nodded, "Exactly." When another tear fell, Chuckie kissed it away. She couldn't help but giggle through her tears when he jokingly made a gross face from the salty taste.
Chuckie smiled lovingly at her upon noticing. "There's that smile." He wiped the tearstains off her cheeks, and kissed her forehead. "Don't let that jerk get to you. He's not worth your tears. He doesn't deserve to be related to someone as amazing as you. Nor does he deserve you in his life."
She sniffled, as her smile grew. "Thanks, Chuckie." She hugged him again.
"It's my pleasure," He rubbed her back some more, "I hate seeing you that sad."
"H-hey guys," Frankie hesitantly spoke up from the doorway, with Felicia and Friar Tuck behind her. "How'd it go?"
"I," Shenzi wiped her eyes, "I'm feeling better."
"That's good," Felicia smiled, "Do you want to tell us what made you so sad? We hate seeing you like that."
"Well..." She hesitated.
"If you want, I can tell them," Chuckie offered.
"I'd like that," She timidly averted her gaze, "Thanks, Chuck."
"No prob," He kissed her temple and set her head on his chest, in case she needed more comfort, before he turned to her family. The family that loved her for who she was. "You see um, she found her blood father's phone number, so she called him."
"I just wanted to bond with a blood relative," She mumbled, but she was still heard.
"We understand," Felicia assured her gently.
"A-anyway, and he told her the cold, hard truth. He didn't want a girl; he divorced her blood mother because of something so trivial. So, she believes that he hates her." He rubbed her back when she sniffled and held onto his shirt. The three sat on the bed with them, feeling sympathy for the youngest out of the whole household.
Friar Tuck was worried that this would happen; He had prayed that she wouldn't try to contact the man that he knew would cause her this much pain, but living in a family that you aren't related to by blood can get to you, he assumed. All Maya's relatives seemed to had passed on, and her first husband may as well not exist. He just gave his own daughter too much pain to be a part of her life. When Shenzi drew away from Chuckie, she laid on Friar Tuck's shoulder; He held her closer when she sniffled pitifully.
"Shen," Frankie crawled up to her, "If your blood father is as bad as you and Chuckie say he is, then he doesn't deserve you. He doesn't even deserve to be related to you."
"That's right," Felicia agreed, "He didn't even deserve your blood mother; From what I've heard, she was a wonderful woman. He doesn't deserve either of you."
Shenzi wiped her eyes, before she let a small smile form. "Thanks guys. I, I feel a lot better now."
"That's good," Friar Tuck, her loving father, kissed her forehead as her smile grew.
"Hey, you know what'll make you feel even better?" Frankie asked her.
"What?"
"Shopping for prom dresses!" She smiled with excitement, "Susie's taking us to the store today, and then out for lunch."
"Oh yeah," She giggled, "I actually forgot about that. When're we going?"
"Whenever we were ready," Frankie took our her phone, "I'll call her, and tell her we're ready to go." She waited for answer after dialling. "Hey, Sus? Shenzi and I are ready to go. Come pick us up when you are. Shen had a bit of an issue; We'll explain on the way, if she's up for that. Okay, thanks." She hung up, and turned to her sister, "She's on her way."
"Cool," She smiled. Frankie walked out of the room, and in her own.
"We'll leave you two alone," Felicia said after a moment of silence, "We're glad you're feeling better, Shen. Remember, no matter what happens, that jerk is not worth your tears."
"Uh huh," Friar Tuck, "In fact, he should be the one crying about not having you in his life." Chuckie and the girls laughed with him, before he and Felicia exited the room.
Chuckie looked down at his girlfriend. "He's right," He said as she cuddled on his chest and shoulder. "Your blood father's the one who should be upset about you staying out of his life, not the other way around." He kissed her soft hair. "I don't even know how you're related. You're too sweet, smart, selfless, and overall amazing to be related to a jerk like him."
"Thanks Chuck," She said quietly.
"No prob." He pecked her lips, and it turned into a makeout session. When she laid on her back, with him hovering above her, their heads whipped around to look at the door when they heard light knocking.
"Having fun, you guys?" Frankie teased them, "Sorry, I didn't think you would be making out right now, considering the door's open. Shenzi, I wanted to tell you that Susie is here, and waiting outside."
"Oh, okay." She pecked Chuckie's lips. "I'll see you later."
"You too; I'll walk you out."
"Okay." Hand-in-hand, they followed Frankie down the stairs and out the front door, where Susie was waiting in her purple Convertible. "Whoa!" Her eyes widened at the vehicle. "Sweet ride, Susie."
"Thanks," She smiled at them, "I got it on my 17th birthday. Angelica got one too, but in red. That's how she's getting there."
"Ooh," Shenzi's eyebrows raised up, "Neat. Let's get to shopping!" She jumped in the backseat with Frankie, where Lil and Roxy were already sitting, since Kimi was sitting shotgun, and Susie started driving once they were buckled in. When the car stopped in the parking lot of the dress shop, Susie turned it off, and they all hopped out on the concrete. "I like your car, Angelica," Shenzi smiled at the older blonde.
"Thanks, Tuck; It is nice, isn't it?" Angelica ran a hand along the red exterior. The seats had leopard-print covers, while Susie's had rainbow zebra. "Red is a classic color for convertibles, unlike purple."
Kimi rolled her eyes, "Angelica, stop it. Purple is a great color for convertibles."
"Thanks girlfriend," Susie smiled at her best friend, "Let's get in there." The girls walked in the shop, with Angelica's credit card handy; She had agreed to pay for their dresses, to their surprise, but they decided to not question it. Meanwhile...
"Found anything yet, Chuck?" Tommy asked the redhead.
"Not yet; Shenzi hasn't texted a picture of her dress yet," Chuckie replied, "She wants us to match."
"That's sweet," Tommy remarked, "Kimi's the same way."
"So is Wally," Phil chimed in, carrying his selection, "She already provided a photo of her dress."
"Same with Lil," Harold told them, "I actually want us to match too."
Chuckie took out his phone when his text tone for his girlfriend went off. The song was "Accidentally in Love" by the Counting Crows, since 5 years ago, they re-met by accident. She, like him, thought it was perfect. "Okay, she picked out her dress. Now for my tux. Can someone hold my phone?"
"I'll do it," Maxie offered, and the redhead gave it to him. He raised his eyebrows upon seeing the picture. "Ooh, nice. That's pretty."
"Yep," Chuckie agreed, "But it doesn't do her justice."
"Same with Roxy and her dress," Maxie remarked, "I already found my tuxedo for the prom. It's cool how we're all matching with our dates."
"I found mine too," Bobby piped up, "I'm matching with Frankie."
"This prom is going to be great," Chuckie remarked as he looked for tuxedo pieces that would match with his girlfriend's dress, "I know it."
Soon enough, prom night came. The girls and guys had their dresses and tuxedos, along with their shoes and corsages, hanging in their closets, awaiting the big night. Charlotte and Drew hired a limo to drive them all to the school, without telling them except Angelica, who showed major excitement. The kids' parents were told, though, and they promised to keep it a surprise.
"Can you believe it?" Felicia asked Friar Tuck, as their daughters were getting dressed for the big night. "Our little girls are going to their prom."
"It seems like it was only yesterday, they were having a pretend prom with princess costumes," He remarked.
"Right?" She agreed, and sighed, "They're growing up so fast. Before long, they'll be getting married, and... moving out," She finished quietly.
"I never want that day to come," Friar Tuck admitted, "I want our little girls to stay here."
"Me too, but... we can't shelter them forever. They'll want to move out, follow God through their path in life. Possibly... start families."
His heart skipped a beat at that. He couldn't imagine his little girls being mothers! He just couldn't! He hoped they would, if they wanted to, but...
"We're ready," Frankie called out from the staircase.
Felicia stood up with excitement. "Let's see them!" The two teen girls walked down the stairs, and entered the living room. "Ohhh!" She gushed, "You girls look so beautiful!" Frankie's dress had one strap, on her right shoulder, a zebra-print bodice, a black bubble skirt that stopped at her mid-thighs, and a pink ribbon between them. She also wore black hoop earrings, a ponytail band with a large, hot pink chiffon bow, and nude colored stiletto pumps. She was carrying a pink flower lapel pin in one hand. Shenzi wore a blue strapless dress with a black sash in the middle, and a short, darker skirt. She was also wearing a black sequin bow tie choker, a black mini roses hair clip, black rose earrings with white pearls, a matching rose ring on her right ring finger, a navy extension in her bangs, two full-head extensions that faded from sapphire to sky blue, and black studded heeled combat boots that provided 4 inches of extra height. In one hand was a sapphire blue rose corsage pin. "Honey, come see them!"
Friar Tuck stood up, and smiled upon seeing his blushing, beautiful daughters. "You two look wonderful; Just like your blood mothers."
Shenzi's blush deepened as she averted her gaze. She had seen pictures of Maya of course, but didn't think that she did her blood mother justice, no matter how many times her loved ones said otherwise.
"Ooh, there's your ride," Felicia pointed out upon hearing a vehicle engine, "Have fun, girls." She and her husband walked them out, and smiled at their reactions to the limo: Their jaws dropped down, and their eyes were so wide, they felt like they would fall out. "You like the limo?" Felicia smiled at them, "Drew and Charlotte arranged it for you, and your friends; They didn't want us to tell you about it until you would see it for yourselves."
"It... it's awesome!" Shenzi smiled widely with excitement.
"I can't believe it!" Frankie exclaimed with joy. She and her little sister ran as fast as they could in their high heels, and she opened the door for Shenzi to enter, and followed her. The boys were already in there, along with Angelica, Kimi, Lil, and Roxy. Shenzi immediately sat next to Chuckie, with Fridge at her other side.
"Hi, Chuckie!" She kissed his cheek, and blushed at his tuxedo, "You look so handsome." He had a black tuxedo jacket and pants with black dress shoes, a cobalt blue shiny dress shirt, and a turquoise bow tie. He was holding a royal blue and silver rose corsage, which he put on her left wrist. She pinned the corsage she brought on his left lapel.
"Thanks Shen," He blushed, "And you look absolutely stunning." He pecked her lips. "Blue looks great on you."
"Thanks," Her blush deepened, "It looks great on you too; It really compliments your hair." She ruffled his red hair, which he left wild for her. "I love your... outfit, Kimi."
"Thanks Shen," Kimi smiled at her. Instead of a traditional dress, she put together a unique outfit; a black cropped strapless bustier top with rainbow beads on it, a pink high-waisted, high-low prom skirt, purple and black costume-like Mary Jane pumps, two ponytail bands with large, black chiffon bows, a light pink ice cream charm necklace, matching dangling earrings, black waterproof eyeshadow, and had a black roses corsage on her wrist from Tommy. He was sitting to her right, wearing a black slim-fit tuxedo jacket, matching pants, black tuxedo shoes, a fuchsia pink dress shirt, a Mad Hatter bow tie, and a black flower corsage pin on his right lapel.
Bobby was matching his date as well, in a black classic tuxedo jacket, matching pants, a pink slim-fit dress shirt, white tuxedo shoes, a zebra-print bow tie, and had Frankie's corsage pin on his left lapel. The corsage he gave her, which was on her left wrist, had a pink flower and a black wristband. His sister was in a blue Dana Mathers prom dress with a skirt that reached the floor in the back, but stopped above her knees in the front, and one silver strap that wrapped around her upper torso and bare back, dark denim pumps, blue three-tone cluster earrings, a blue extension, and a blue and white corsage on her right wrist. Maxie was in a midnight blue tuxedo jacket, matching pants, a light blue ruffle-front vintage dress shirt, a dark blue bow tie, dark blue oxford dress shoes, and a turquoise rose corsage pin on his right lapel.
Phil was wearing a white tuxedo jacket and pants, a seafoam green dress shirt, a black bow tie, and black and white tuxedo shoes. He was holding a seafoam green and white corsage for Wally, when she's picked up. Lil was in a light pink strapless dress that had boyshorts in it for the long, but revealing skirt, a light pink extension, pink high heel stud earrings, had a light pink flower corsage on her right wrist, and instead of pumps, she wore light pink bow sneakers. Harold was matching her in a burgundy tuxedo jacket and pants, a light pink dress shirt, a black necktie, black dress shoes, and a light pink roses corsage on his right lapel.
Darryl was patiently waiting for his date in a black tuxedo jacket and pants, white tuxedo shoes, a red shiny dress shirt, and a white bow tie with black polka dots. He had a red flower corsage for Susie when she's picked up in the limo.
Angelica was in a short dress with a black skirt and light yellow bodice, gold chain ankle pumps, a gold crown necklace, black hoop earrings, black eyeshadow, a black dahlia hair clip, and a gold rose corsage on her left wrist. Sean was sitting next to her in a black tuxedo, black tuxedo shoes, a gold dress shirt, a black bow tie, and a gold flower corsage on his left lapel.
Fridge was waiting for Nicole in a white tuxedo with a light blue dress shirt, a midnight blue bow tie, black and white tuxedo shoes, and held a blue and white orchid corsage for her.
Before long, everyone was gathered in the long, luxurious limousine. Wally was wearing a seafoam green strapless empire dress, nude-colored pumps darker than Frankie's, seafoam green and gold shell earrings, a mint dahlia hair clip, and had a mint rose corsage pin for Phil. Susie was in a white, strapless maxi dress with red flowers and black polka dots, red and black retro pumps, a red rose acrylic necklace, matching earrings, and held a red rose corsage pin in one hand. Nicole wore a turquoise and royal blue ombre strapless maxi dress with a full skirt, white platform pumps, ziegfeld white pearl earrings, a matching necklace and bracelet, and had a royal blue rose corsage pin on hand.
On the way to their school, the couples mingled, chatted, or kissed. Shenzi laid on Chuckie's shoulder, as he held her closer. Before they picked her and Frankie up, he had told the others about what happened with her blood father, and told them to not bring it up, in case Shenzi cried again. After he told them everything, Fridge looked like he wanted to punch a hole in a wall, just like how Chuckie felt after he first heard what happened. But it seemed like Shenzi was completely over it, and ready to have fun at the prom, which he was relieved about. He kissed her forehead when she smiled up at him. She really did look lovely in her prom dress; Like a beautiful princess. Simultaneously, she thought he looked like a handsome prince in his tuxedo. He was her prince, and she was his princess.
When he looked through the slightly tinted window in front of him, he noticed that the school was in view, before the limo stopped at the entrance. "We're here, guys!" He announced, "Come on, let's get in there." He opened the door to let Shenzi, and everyone else, exit the vehicle. After the limo door was closed, they headed for the main entrance, where the event was taking place outdoors.
Before long, the prom was in full swing, a while after the group arrived. As "Meant For Me" by Chrissy Chase was playing, the couples were slow-dancing all around. Shenzi rested her forehead against Chuckie's, before an idea came in her mind. "And if you feel my love just let it show," She began singing quietly, making a smile grow on his face, "And if you want my heart just let me know; 'Cause you are meant for me." They shared a sweet, loving kiss for a few seconds, with Chuckie's hands on her cheeks, and her own hands on his shoulders. "Sometimes I feel frozen, and the words I say," She continued singing after they separated, "You carry my breath the wrong way. But then when I touch you and I disappear; safe in your arms you take me."
"And if you feel my love just let it show," Chuckie started singing with her, "And if you want my heart just let me know; 'Cause you are meant for me." They kept this up until the song was over. As they danced, she occasionally felt a bit undsteady in her high heels, but Chuckie supported her the whole time, although he wasn't used to her being almost his height.
When a different song started playing, Shenzi looked behind her back at Nicole, who was dancing with Fridge. "You take good care of my big brother, Boscarelli," She playfully smirked, "Or I will get you."
"I will," Nicole assured her.
After a while of dancing, eating, mingling, and kissing, the teacher who arranged the prom stepped up to the microphone, and turned off the music to get everyone's attention. "Attention, students. It's the time of the night that you all have been waiting for; The prom king and queen!" The students clapped and cheered, all of them hoping for the positions. "Without further ado, the positions of Jim Jr. High School's prom king and queen go to... the adorable couple of Lil DeVille and Harold Frumpkin!" Angelica spit out her fruit punch in shock, as the winners stepped up. Lil received a silver "Queen" tiara, and a white and gold "Prom Queen" sash, while Harold got a red, gold, and white crown, and a white and gold "Prom King" sash.
Chuckie noticed that through her enthusiasm, Shenzi looked a little disappointed. It broke his heart; What could he do to perk her up? Just then, an idea came in his head. "Um, Sh-Shen?" She looked up at him, clearly trying to look happy for their friends. "I uh, I have to use the bathroom real quick."
"Okay," She nodded.
When Chuckie stopped outside the boys' restroom inside the building, he took out his phone, and dialled Chaz's cell phone number. "Hello, Dad? Yeah, the prom's going good. But Shenzi and I didn't win Prom King and Queen, and she's a little sad about it. Can you get something for me that would cheer her up? I'll pay you back every penny; I promise. Oh good, thanks. Okay, I'll meet you at the lunch tables. I can't wait to see what you have in mind. Bye." He hung up, and entered the restroom, since he actually had to use it. A while later, Chuckie waited by the outdoor lunch tables for Chaz to come. His heart leapt with anticipation when Chaz walked up to him, with his hands behind his back. "Hey Dad," He said quietly, "Thanks for doing this. What'd you get?"
"Well, I was looking through the mall, and when I saw this, I immediately thought of her," Chaz took out a small, white plastic bag containing a black felt crown with turquoise, purple and forest green large roses lining the front, and an elastic band.
"This is beautiful," Chuckie smiled, as he took it out and admired it in the dim light, "And dark. Just like her. Thanks, Dad."
"No problem; You just present your lovely princess with her crown, okay?"
"Will do. I'll see you at home."
"You too. Have fun." With that, Chaz walked back to his car, and drove back home.
Once he was alone, Chuckie took out his phone, and sent his girlfriend a text.
Shenzi was mingling at the food table, feeling glum, as she waited for Chuckie to come back. She hated being depressed, she wanted to be happy for Lil and Harold, and she didn't want the first factor to ruin her whole night, but for some reason, them winning seemed to chip away at her already low self-esteem. She jumped when her phone vibrated from under the bodice of her dress, and played "Unconditionally" by Katy Perry as her text tone for Chuckie. She looked, and saw a text from him.
Can you meet me at the outdoor lunch tables? It's important. Oh, and come alone.
She furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, before looking up at her girl friends, who were trying to cheer her up. "Um, Chuckie wants me to meet him at the outdoor lunch tables, alone."
"Ooh," Frankie teased her.
"Stop it," Shenzi groaned and rolled her eyes, clearly not in the mood for jokes. "I'll be back in a few." With that, she headed for where her boyfriend was. On the way, she wondered why he wanted her to meet him where he told her to, and why it was vital. When she arrived, she saw Chuckie standing at one of the tables, with his hands behind his back. "Hey Chuckie," She greeted him quietly, although he still heard her, "How come you wanted me to meet you here?"
"Well," He walked up to her, "I hate seeing you sad over Lil and Harold becoming Prom King and Queen. So, I asked my dad to get something for you, to cheer you up."
"Aww," She smiled timidly, "That's very sweet of you, but you don't have to..."
"I want to," He insisted, before he unveiled the small bag, "Here you go."
"Th-thanks," She untied the bag handles, and her eyebrows raised up in surprise as she took the tiara out. "Oh, Chuckie," She breathed out, admiring the gift in the dim light, "It's beautiful!" She lunged forward, and hugged him tightly. "Thank you!"
"You're welcome," Chuckie hugged her back and kissed the side of her head, feeling relieved that she was happy. They drew back after a few seconds, but her chest was still on his. "Here, let me see it." She gave the tiara to him. "Thanks." Using both hands, he carefully put the tiara on her head, being careful of her ears, before he took a step back to admire her. "Perfect." He held her hands as she blushed timidly. "You're my Prom Queen now." He kissed her flushed cheek.
"Thanks Chuck," She shyly averted her gaze, "But... I wish I had a king's crown for you."
"It's okay," He assured her, "I don't need a crown to be your Prom King." He brushed some hair from her face. "Having you as my queen is enough." He kissed her lips, making her blush deepen. "Let's get back over there."
"Okay." Hand-in-hand, the couple walked through the main building, out the entrance, and back to the prom, where they met up with their friends.
"That's a cool tiara, Shenzi," Kimi pointed out.
"Thanks," Shenzi smiled, "Chuckie gave it to me." She side-hugged him for a second.
"Aww!" Frankie gushed, "That's so sweet and romantic!"
"What's going on?" Lil walked up to the group, with Harold by her side.
"Chuckie gave me this tiara," Shenzi told her.
"Aww, that was sweet of him," Lil smiled, "It looks great on you."
"Thanks."
"Hey, Shen?" Chuckie addressed his girlfriend.
"Yes, my king?" She smiled up at him.
He smiled lovingly at her. "Why don't we have one last dance together, before the night's over?"
"Okay," She nodded. The couple walked on the required floor, and danced the night away, either at a fast or slow pace. When they were slow-dancing, Shenzi had her head laid on Chuckie's shoulder, and his head gently laid on hers. He occasionally kissed her soft hair, and sang some song lyrics to her. After a while, she felt fatigue took over. She let out a yawn, getting his attention. "I'm getting tired, Chuckie."
"Okay then," As she laid on his chest and shoulder, he took out his phone, "I'll call that limo driver; Drew and Charlotte gave me his number." After he finished his request, he hung up. "Okay, he's on his way. Let's find our friends, and ask them if they're ready to go." They managed to find all their friends, who luckily for them, were ready to head home. When they headed for the parking lot, Chuckie noticed that Shenzi was a bit wobbly. "You okay, Shen?"
"Yeah," She nodded with a yawn, "I guess being tired, and wearing high heels is a bad combination. I'm feeling tipsy."
"Here, um." With his hands under her knees and behind her shoulders, Chuckie hoisted her up in his arms with some struggle. "Phew," He puffed out, "I gotta join a gym." Shenzi giggled sleepily at his joke. But after only a few seconds, his arms were getting exhausted, "Okay uh, I need to rest my arms." He carefully set her on her feet, being cautious of her high heels. "Who else can carry her? I don't want her falling on her face, and if I carry her the whole way, there's a bigger chance of that happening."
After Nicole assured him that she didn't mind him doing it at all, Fridge lifted the small, emo girl up with ease. "See how it's done, Chuck?" Nicole playfully teased the redhead, and he jokingly sneered/smiled at her in return. By the time they arrived at the parking lot, which was currently limo-free, Shenzi had fallen asleep peacefully in her brother figure's strong arms. "Hey, Chuckie?" Nicole addressed the redhead.
"Yeah?" He turned to her from admiring his girlfriend.
"It looks like all 4 of us are matching," She gestured to him, herself, and the pair of practically siblings.
"Oh yeah," He chuckled, "I didn't notice that before." He looked at Shenzi when a sleepy moan was heard from her, but she didn't look disturbed in the slightest.
Once everyone was at home, they all slept the night away. If only that was the case for everyone...
"No, no, it's not true," Shenzi muttered in her sleep, before she shot awake. "NO-O-O-O!" She screamed, waking up Frankie in the next room.
The blonde rushed into the younger girl's room in concern. "Shen, you okay?"
"I..." Shenzi cried pitifully, "I had the w-worst dream!" Frankie filled up with sympathy. "Can... can you call Chuckie, and ask him to come over here?"
Despite her sympathy, she hesitated. "It, it's almost 2 in the morning."
"Please?" She implored, with tears still falling.
Frankie sighed in defeat. "Okay, I'll call him." She grabbed her phone in her room, selected "Chuckie", and waited for an answer.
In the Finster household, Chuckie flinched awake with a snort when his phone suddenly rang on his bedside table. When he looked at the Caller ID after putting on his glasses, his heart froze when he saw it was Frankie. Uh oh; That could only mean Shenzi was having a problem, and was keeping it under wraps. Again. He quickly pressed answer. "Hey, Frankie."
"Hi, Chuckie. Um, can you come over here, and possibly stay overnight? Shenzi had a very bad dream, and she asked for you."
Chuckie let out a yawn. "It's 2 in the morning."
"I know," She retorted, "But Shenzi really wants you. So, can you please come over here? She needs you."
Chuckie sighed in defeat, as his eyes burned from fatigue. "Okay; I'll pack a bag, and write a note for Kimi and our parents. I'm on my way."
"Thanks," Frankie said, "See you later." She hung up, and turned to her emotionally shattered sister. "He's on his way."
"O-okay," She sniffled.
"Do you want to um... talk about it?" Frankie was disappointed when Shenzi shook her head. And so it begins... again. "Okay. I'll uh, be in my room if you need me." She hesitantly walked back in her room, and laid in her bed. When she heard her phone buzz, and the text tone for Chuckie rang out, she looked, and saw a text from him.
I'm right outside.
She leapt out of bed, quietly ran down the stairs, and opened the door. "Hi, Chuck. Sorry I asked you to come here at this time, but Shenzi's a wreck right now. She wouldn't tell me about the nightmare she had."
"Oh boy," He remarked, as they started walking up the stairs. "Here we go again. Well hopefully, she'll open up to me; Talking about it will make her feel better. It did last time, and it will again. Is she in her room?"
"Yeah," Frankie nodded, "I'll be in mine if you need me." She hesitantly walked in her room for the third time in under 10 minutes.
Chuckie stood at the doorway to his girlfriend's bedroom, and his heart broke at the scene before him; She was sobbing in her bare knees, with her arms on her shins. Her tiara was on her bedside table by her lava lamp, which was turned off. "Aww, Shen." He saw her briefly glance at him, before she continued crying. When he sat in front of her, she hugged him tightly and buried her face in his chest, quickly soaking his shirt. With a firm embrace, he rubbed her back, stroked her hair, and whispered soothing words to her, like he did yesterday. "It's okay, baby. It was just a dream; You're fine." He kissed the side of her head as her heart-wrenching cries didn't cease. "Do you want to, um... talk about it? I'm sure you'll feel better."
She cried for a few more seconds, before drawing away while wiping her eyes and sniffling. "Well, y-you remember my blood father?"
"Yeah," He nodded, "What about him?"
"I..." She sniffled, "In my dream, my dad, the one I've had my whole life, he-he suddenly had the same sexist thoughts," Her breath shook, as tears fell, "And... and-and you did too!" She finished with a sob, as her face fell in her hands.
"Oh Shen," Chuckie hugged her again, but this time, she didn't reciprocate. "It was only a dream. Your good dad and I don't have those thoughts at all. I promise." He kissed her tear-stained cheek, as she was starting to calm down. "Now, can you smile for me, please? I miss it." She didn't look like she could even think of smiling, even if she wanted to. "Um, o-okay uh, oh! Maybe we should call your blood father Mr. Sexist?" He saw the corners of her lips twitching upward at his bad choice of nickname. "Is that a smile I see?" She shook her head, so she was frowning again. "Aw, come on, cutie." He started gently, and playfully tickling her sides over her nightgown, making her eyes squeeze shut as his hands moved up and down. For good measure, he rubbed his nose on hers; That, combined with the soft tickles on her sensitive sides finally made her burst into a fit of giggles.
"Chuckie, stop!" She exclaimed, as she tried to push his hands away.
Chuckie drew his hands away, and laid them on her neck and cheeks, as her own hands protected her sides. "Do you feel better, Shen?"
"I do," She nodded, "Thanks, Chuck."
"It's my pleasure," He kissed her lips, "I hate seeing you so sad, my love." Her heart fluttered at his words as a blush formed. "When you're sad, I am too. Same with when you're angry, but I love seeing you happy. When you're happy, I am too."
"S-same here," She stammered timidly, "I hate seeing you sad, or angry. Just happy." She laid her hands on his chest. "Um, c-can you stay with me tonight?"
"'Course I will," Chuckie brushed her tearstains away with his thumbs, "I thought that you would want me to, so I left a note for Kimi and my parents before I came here. I have an overnight bag."
"C-cool," Her smile grew, "Thanks." She hugged him, with her head on his shoulder.
"You're very welcome," Chuckie ran one hand through her soft, ebony tresses as he kissed her head, "Anything for you."
She let out a yawn as she stayed put. "Let's go to sleep, my king," She giggled cutely in her hand.
"Good idea, my queen," He kissed her temple, before he laid down with her. "G'night, Tuck."
"G'night, Chuck."
And with that, the loving couple drifted off to sleep in each other's arms.
(A/N: Phew, another long one. O,O You know the disclaimer.)