Chapter 9

"Where is she?" Randy tapped his foot impatiently outside Norrisville High with his bike.

"Getting her stuff? Getting lost in the halls? Fixing her face?" Howard guessed.

"I'm right here guys!" They turned and saw Lex running over with her bike and helmet, backpack slung over her shoulder.

"Ready to go?"

"Ready as always!" Randy said, hopping on his bike.

"Onward!" Howard shouted, riding away on his own bicycle in front of them.

"Howard! Wait up!" Lex laughed as she rode after him with Randy at her heels.

"Hurry up Cunningham! Last one home is Bash!" Lex called back with a laugh, the wind whipping her hair back and forth. Randy smiled warmly at Lex's happy expression and quickened his peddling. He like seeing her happy. It filled him with a warmth he never recalled feeling around Theresa. (Sorry RandyXTheresa fans!) He had to admit though, she was adorable when she was so open about her feelings when he was the Ninja. She had seemed so…fragile and he felt like the only one who could protect her from the dangers of the world.

"You coming or what Cunningham?" Howard called, snapping Randy out of his thoughts.

"Yeah!" Randy shouted back, picking up the pace until he was riding next to Lex. The trio rod through the surrounding neighborhoods until they made it to their street, all their homes in sight.

"Well, I guess we'll see you Monday?" Randy said, a hint of disappointment in his voice.

"Unless you troublemakers wanna hang out this weekend?" Lex suggested with a grin.

"Sounds Bruce! Right, Cunningham?" Howard exclaimed, nudging Randy slightly.

"Y-yeah!" Randy agreed nervously.

"Here, I'll give you two derps my number so we can get the details straight tomorrow." Lex said, taking it her phone. The three all swapped phones and gave each other their numbers before returning the phones to their owners.

"Bye guys! See ya!" Lex said with a friendly wink before she left.

"Alright, spill it. Why was she beat to a pulp today?" Howard asked.

"Well, you remember when you left yesterday…?" Randy explained the entire situation to Howard, leaving out the part where he had embraced Lex in romantic scenery under the moonlight. That was a tale for another time….

"So, it's because of her mom?"

"Yeah, she died when Lex was nine. Not long before she was about to turn ten. It's the reason she was all messed up yesterday."

"…You know what, Randy? You should act on your offer."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that you offered to help her, and I think one step would be taking her out."

"On a…like on a date?"

"No, for burgers. Yes, on a date! Wait…my first idea was better…"

"Howard, I don't know…"

"Are you really taking time to think about it? You like her, don't you?"

"Yeah." "And you want to go out with her?"

"Yep."

"Then it's settled! You will ask her out tomorrow!"

"But where would I take her?"

"…good point." Rand sighed and sat on the curb, running a hand through his hair.

"What would she even say?"

"I like to think she'd say yes as long as I'm not made a third wheel."

"You really think she'd say yes?"

"C'mon, who wouldn't go out with that face! Besides Heidi…or Morgan, or Cynthia, or Debbie, or Flute Girl, or Theresa or…"

"Get to the point, please."

"Oh, sorry. The point I'm making is that what does she got to lose? She's bound to go out with you!"

"You think so?"

"I know so!"

"…can't I give it a bit more time?"

"Fine, but don't wait too long, okay?"

"Got it! Thanks Howard!" Howard walked off to his house and Rand sighed again. "I can't do this."

Randy stood in the Ninja Nomicon dojo, listening to the Nomicon himself drone on about that day's lesson.

"…and that's when you… Randy? Are you even listening?" Nomicon asked, noticing Randy daydreaming.

"Huh? Oh, what! Yeah." Randy replied hastily. Nomicon looked at Randy skeptically and sat down next to him.

"Okay, what is on your mind?"

"What are you talking about? Nothing's on my mind."

"Randy… you normally don't pay much attention when I'm talking, but this is an excessive amount."

"That's not true! I was listening!"

"Oh really? Demonstrate the proper swing of the ninja scythe and slice the dummy in half." Nomicon said with a smirk, handing Randy the scythe. It was ancient but strong looking, with a shiny black handle and perfectly curved blade that looked immensely sharp. The blade curved in the way an animal's claw would, with little edges to it for maximum damage to an enemy. Sadly, it was quite heavy and Randy struggled slightly when lifting the scythe. Nomicon snorted when he attempted to hide his obvious laughter and Randy pouted, becoming determined. He raised the scythe and swung it, its weight causing him to twirl in a circle with it. Without hesitation, Randy swung the scythe again, this time at the wooden dummy in the center of the room, managing only to slice of the dummy's arm and get the blade stuck in its torso.

"Still insist on lying to me?" Nomicon said knowingly, a smirk still playing on his lips.

"Maybe…" Randy grumbled, making Nomicon chuckle.

"So, what has been distracting you?"

"You know that girl I mentioned not too many days ago? Lex? Well, Howard wants me to take her somewhere. Just the two of us."

"Like…a date, you mean?"

"Yeah…it's stressing me out and I don't know if I'm ready to yet or if I even LIKE her, like her."

"Well, I am most definitely not an expert on women, much like you."

"Hey!"

"However, if you want to ensure a date with her, impress her."

"Huh?"

"If she doesn't like you entirely romantically, make her. Show her that you're worth it, that you will treat her the way she deserves to be treated. Behave as if you deeply love her."

"Wow…and you said you weren't an expert on women."

"Well, training female ninjas helps."

"Wow, there were girl ninjas?"

"I believe there still are, possibly. The possibility exists."

"Is there a chance I could meet them?"

"Lex, remember Randy…?"

"Oh…yeah! Sorry…"

"I shall help you with this girl. Tomorrow, you are to invite her and Howard to a place of your choosing. I shall be going along with you."

"What?!"

"You heard me loud and clear, Randy. Good day…" And with that, Randy returned to his room, the Ninja Nomicon in his lap.

"Oh great! Just Bruce." Randy muttered, laying his head down on his pillow and setting the Nomicon back on his dresser.

"Well, night." He said before drifting off to sleep.