Chapter 15

"So, how weird is Home Ec?" Lex laughed with Randy and Howard as they walked home.

"Super. I really don't feel like a skeleton should be teaching me about food and nutrition."

"I know right?" They talked until coming across the familiar corner where they separated.

"See ya tomorrow?" Randy said.

"Like always." Lex replied, walking back to her home.

"You seriously need to grow a pair and ask her out." Howard said to Randy.

"What if she rejects me?"

"Randy, what are you again?"

"Pathetic?"

"No! You're the Ninja! You face monster and robots all the time and you're afraid to ask out a girl?"

"I'm not afraid!"

"Sure…whatever you say Randy. See ya." Howard waved as he walked to his own house.

"Yeah, see ya." Randy mumbled as he trudged over to his front door. Once inside, he hurriedly ran upstairs to his bedroom and shut the door. Taking the glowing Nomicon out of his backpack, he opened the book and went inside.

"Hello Randy. Ready for today's lesson?" Nomicon asked expectantly. Randy suddenly got that jealous feeling he'd gotten at Lex's house the day before. 'Why am I jealous? He doesn't like her…right?'

"Yep, I'm ready!" Randy said, hiding his emotions with a grin.

"Good, we're going to work with shruken today."

"Cool!" Nomicon brought out an array of ninja stars of various shapes and sizes.

"All I ask is for you to hit the dummies." Nomicon pointed to a set of wooden dummies that all stood upright a good distance away, all awaiting for the target practice. 'Throwing things will probably help my jealousy' Randy thought hopefully.

"Sounds easy enough!" Randy said, picking up a simple, silvery star and tossing it straight at a dummy's head. To his surprise, the throwing star missed entirely and hit the wall behind its target.

"Just warming up!" Randy chuckled when he saw Nomi's slightly confused look.

"I can do this." Randy mumbled to himself. He threw another star, barely grazing another dummy's shoulder. He tried again and again, but was messing up terribly. Feeling slightly ashamed, Randy tossed one last star lazily, aiming for the target on its chest but instead getting the star stuck in its arm.

"I give up!" Randy sighed, sitting down with a pout.

"Randy, what's the matter?" Nomicon asked, walking over to his student in concern.

"Nothing. I'm fine." Randy said rather stiffly.

"Randy, don't lie to me. I know something's on your mind, now what is it." Randy stood up and looked straight at Nomicon.

"I'm going to ask you a question, Nomi. All I ask afterwards is that you provide an honest answer."

"Of course."

"Do you like Lex?" Nomicon's eyes widened and he stammered a bit. "W-what do you mean?"

"Do you like Lex? As in, LIKE like her." Nomicon stared back at Randy, not even knowing how to answer. Randy knew exactly what that meant.

"I can't believe it. You like her too."

"I'm sorry Randy. I cannot control the affections I feel towards her."

"Yes, you could've! You KNEW that I liked her and what happens? You fall in love with her!"

"Randy, there's no need to shout. We can sort this out civilly."

"I can't believe it! Now I really need to ask her out!" Nomicon's eyebrows furrowed and he lowered his voice. "Let's get something straight. I'm still feeling affectionate to her, so I can't let that happen."

"Unless she falls for you first, you're going to have to let it happen!"

"I doubt she would fall for one so reckless!"

"I don't think she's going to love a book either!"

"There will be no more talk of this!" Nomicon shouted.

"Today's lesson is over. I will see you…when I feel it's right."

"Whatever." Randy left the book and slammed it shut, putting it back on his dresser. He could practically hear Nomicon's murmurs of displeasure. Despite his confidence in the dojo, Randy felt somewhat defeated and discouraged. He didn't know how to ask Lex out! He didn't even know how she would react! Would she say yes? What if she laughed and rejected him? She could end up with Nomicon! The thought worried Randy as he sat there on his bed. What would he do?

"We should still take it slow." He muttered to himself.

"Yeah, I'll be able to do this!" 'I hope.' Suddenly, he heard his phone buzz as it vibrated on the bed. Picking it up, he saw that it was Lex calling. Gathering up his courage, he answered nervously.

"Hey Lex."

"Hey Randy! What's happening?"

"Not much. Just finished talking to Nomi." Lex went silent for a moment before continuing.

"Cool. Hope he's doing well. Anyway, wanna come over? I just got Grave Puncher 6 and I thought you'd want to play!"

"No way, you got it?! That's so Bruce!"

"Heck yeah I got it! You coming?"

"Yep!"

"See ya!"

"Peace!" Randy hung up and smiled. 'Cunningham-1, Nomicon-0!' He thought excitedly as he jumped up and left for Lex's house.

The doorbell rang throughout the house and Lex slid down the stair railing.

"Honey, there are stairs for a reason!" Her father chuckled as he watched his youngest daughter run to the door.

"Took you long enough!" She greeted Randy as she let him inside.

"Hi to you too." Randy laughed.

"Hello again! My, how many times will you boys be dropping by?" Charles joked.

"Not often if it bothers you…sir."

"Manners, I like this one. What is your name? I never caught it when you two were studying."

"Randy Cunningham, nice to meet you sir!"

"Call me Charles."

"Alright si- Charles."

"Dad, he came to play video games." Lex said.

"Oh, yes! Sorry! You two have fun!" "Thanks dad." Lex grabbed Randy's hand and led him to the living room where the game was already on and two controllers sat on the couch.

"Ready to get your butt kicked?" Lex challenged with a smirk as she sat down.

"Only if you are." Randy laughed, taking a seat next to her.

"You are so on." The game started and the duo both got determined looks on their faces. Now, having played Grave Puncher since forever, it wasn't that hard to imagine that Randy had won. Again and again and again.

"That's no fair! You cheated somehow!" Lex laughed, throwing a pillow at Randy.

"I assure you I didn't! You just lost."

"Cheater."

"What's that? I can't hear you over the sound of how Bruce I am!"

"There is no way you beat me at my game! Maybe you rigged the remote!" Lex reached over to grab Randy's controller, to which he just laughed along with her and kept it from her reach.

"Give it Cunningham! I just want the remote!"

"You're trying to distract me!" "Am not!" "Are to!" Lex huffed and backed away. Then a mischievous little idea popped into her head.

"Fine, I guess you weren't cheating after all." She sighed, looking over to Randy.

"If only I was as skilled as YOU Cunningham." She purred, leaning her head on his shoulder with a smirk glued to her face. Randy blushed and glanced down at her before quickly looking back at the TV.

"You're trying to distract me."

"I'm not trying…" She laughed lightly, wrapping her arms around his waist and snuggling closer to him, "you're just distracted easily." Randy gulped and tried not to look at Lex.

"Aren't you even gonna look at me? If you're so good at this game, it shouldn't be that hard." Lex whispered, smirking when Randy shuddered. He turned towards her and she smirked back at his intensely blushing face.

"Guess what Cunningham?"

"W-w-what?" He stuttered in response.

"I…win!" Lex grabbed the remote from Randy's hands and laughed as she messed up his progress.

"No fair, you distracted me!" Randy complained as he tried to stop Lex.

"All's fair in love and war!" Lex laughed, grinning when the screen flashed "GAME OVER."

"Who's the cheater now!"

"Me, but you don't see me complaining, do you?"

"No fair, messing with my head like that." Randy mumbled quietly.

"Aww, what were you expecting?" Lex inquired with a devious grin. Randy was now the color of a tomato and Lex laughed again.

"Its not funny!"

"You're right. I'm sorry for messing with you Cunningham."

"Whatever."

"C'mon! You know you wanna forgive me!" Randy didn't look at Lex and crossed his arms.

"Please! I won't do it again!" He didn't move, though he smiled as Lex whined. "PLEEEEAAAASSEE?!" He shook his head playfully. Lex turned him around and kissed him full on the cheek. Once she pulled away, she grinned.

"How about now?" Randy nodded with a goofy, and slightly embarrassed, smile.

"Good. I can't have you mad at me, now can I? That'd be boring!" Randy chuckled and looked down at Lex. She may be crazy sometimes, but she'd soon be his.

Ah Lex, the queen of brain ninjas. (There's a reference, and I hope some of you have a Captain America moment and understand that reference.) two references! Wow, this was a meaningless note, but do I care? NOPE! :D until next time, so stayed tuned!