Chapter 33:
Soon school had ended and students were leaving the school to do whatever it was they had to do. And for our heroes, some of them had things to do. Will and Cassidy had swim team practice while Alchemy and Selece had gymnastics practice. As for everyone else, they headed home to do whatever homework they had to do except for Irma and Caleb who had detention and Angelo who was going over some things for the Carnival. Now at Simutech, John Vanders along with Donald & Hanna Robertson were busy working on the chip they've been working on for some time now.
"I can't believe how far we've come with this software.", Hanna said.
"Believe it, Dear.", Donald said to his wife. "We've made some great progress with our work. From upgraded computers to vehicles that can drive themselves and better medical equipment. We'll change the world with our work."
"But we need to make sure it works properly.", Hanna said. "I fear what would happen if things were to go haywire."
"We all do, Hanna.", John said. "That's why we do all of these test."
"On that we all agree on, my friends."
The three of them turned to see Riddle walking up to them with a friendly smile.
"Hello, Riddle.", John said to the man.
"Hello, John.", Riddle said. "How are things?"
"Very well.", John said. "The microchip technology is coming along well."
"We're even thinking of testing it with some robotics.", Donald said.
"Is that so?", Riddle said.
"Yes.", Hanna said. "We think it will be able to work well with robots that work on assembly lines that factories use."
"That does sound interesting.", Riddle said liking where they were going with things. "Well if you need any of those kind of robots, let me know and I'll have some brought here."
"Well now that you mention it, we could use a few of them.", John said.
"Very well.", Riddle said. "I'll have some brought to you in a day or two. But for now, why not go home and get some rest. I think you three have worked long enough for today."
"I think you're right.", Donald said with a yawn. "I could go for some rest."
"Same here.", John said as he shut the computers down for the day. "Let's call it a day."
"No argument here.", Hanna said as they all left the research area with Riddle.
"Have a good evening, my friends.", Riddle said to them.
"You too, Riddle.", John said as they left the Simutech building.
Once they were gone, a smirk grew on Riddle's face as he headed to his own car and drove off.
"Excellent.", Riddle said as he drove down the road. "Soon the chip will be ready for our robots making them more powerful than they are now. And with this tech, Metamoor shall be ours!", he said pleased with how well things were going.
About an hour later, Irma and Caleb had left school after serving detention and were now at a local diner continuing their plan to make Will and Matt think they were seeing each other in secret.
"So you really think that by eating here together, like this, the students that are here will think that we're seeing each other?", Caleb questioned as they were sitting as a table in the corner of the diner.
"You got it, Rebel-boy.", Irma said as they were eating their food. "Some of the girls here will spread the word about us being here together and I'm sure some of the others will hear of it and tell Will and Matt."
"Who will be surprised and maybe a bit jealous of us.", Caleb figured getting a nod from Irma who smirked a little. "Which will make them want to get back with us."
"Now you're getting it.", Irma said. "Next we'll go to the movies, sometime this weekend."
"If it'll help us get them back, I'll do it.", Caleb said.
"Then let the games begin.", Irma said as they clanged their glasses together before finishing their food.
Meanwhile, Angelo was heading home when Selece caught up with him after gymnastic practice. Seeing as it was just them walking together, Angelo figured that now would be a good time to ask Selece out on a date.
"Ummmm... Selece?"
"Yeah, Angelo?"
"I was wondering what you were doing tomorrow.", Angelo said.
"Nothing I can think of right now.", Selece said. "Why?"
"Well... I was wondering if you'd like to go to the movies.", Angelo said. "We can get something to eat at the diner they have next to the movies. But if you don't want to..."
"Sure!", Selece said with a smile. "I'd like to go out with you.", she said. "So long as nothing comes up."
"Cool!", Angelo said with a smile as they finally came up to Selece's home. "So we go to the movies tomorrow."
"Yeah.", Selece said with a smile before she headed inside her home. "See you tomorrow!"
"See ya!", Angelo said as he headed home. "Wow! That was a lot easier than I thought."
As for Selece, once inside her home, she walked towards the kitchen while humming a happy tune which Micheal and Donald who were watching a sports show.
"You okay, sis?", Micheal asked.
"Uh-huh.", Selece said as she walked into the kitchen where her mother was cooking dinner.
"And why are you so happy?", Hanna asked her daughter.
"I'm going to the movies with Angelo, tomorrow.", Selece said in a calm dreamy voice as she got a can of soda and walked out of the kitchen.
"What is wrong with you, young lady?", Donald asked his daughter as she headed upstairs to her bedroom.
"It seems that our Selece has a date tomorrow.", Hanna said with a grin as she stood at the doorway of the kitchen. "With Angelo."
"No way!", Micheal said.
"Yes way.", Hanna said.
"That explains a lot.", Donald laughed. "The girl is love strucked!"
"And here I thought Angelo had a thing for Will.", Micheal said.
"Things change, son.", Donald said.
"I guess so.", Micheal said feeling happy for his sister.
As for Selece, she went to her bedroom and laid on her bed with a happy sigh as she stared up at the ceiling smiling while thinking about her soon-to-be date with Angelo. A guy who she's had a crush on for a long time now. One she's kept in check so not to damage her friendship with him. But now with him asking her out, there may be something that can happen between them.
"Could something happen between us?", Selece asked herself. "Maybe. I'll just have to wait and see.", she said as she continued to strare up at the ceiling when a thought came to her. "I better find something to wear for our date!", she exclaimed as she got up from her bed and went to her closet to pick an outfit for her date on Friday.
Meanwhile, in another part of Heatherfield, Caleb and Irma were in a clothing store, at the mall. Irma was trying on some clothes in one of the changing rooms while Caleb sat outside the rooms waiting for her to come out and show him what she had picked. He used to do this with Will, when they were together which brought back some good memories. But being here with Irma doing this didn't sit right with him.
"Are you sure we need to do this?", Caleb questioned.
"Of course.", Irma said as she was changing into the outfit she picked. "When a girl goes shopping, she will bring her boyfriend. If she has one that is."
"I know that.", Caleb said. "But I'm not your..."
"I know that!", Irma said cutting Caleb off. "But we want others to think that there's something going on between us. Remember?"
"Right.", Caleb said with a tiring sigh. "I remember. We need somebody from out school to see us together like this and spread a rumor or two about us."
"Good.", Irma said as she came out of the dressing room in the outfit she picked. "So what do you think?"
"Ummmm... Wow!", Caleb said as he perked up a bit being impressed by Irma's outfit. "It looks... nice?"
"Really?", Irma questioned with a slight blush by Caleb's smile. "I'm not all that good at picking outfits sometimes. I normally have Hay-Hay help me pick out clothes."
"Well you did a pretty good job with this one.", Caleb said making Irma smile some more. "What else you got?"
"Just two more and then we can go.", Irma said as she went back into the dressing room to change.
'This may be fun after all.', Irma thought to herself as she began to change outfits.
'This may not be to bad after all.', Caleb thought to himself as he waited for Irma to come out in another outfit.
But what the both of them didn't know was the two sets of eyes were watching them from a distance. Two pairs of gossiping eyes. The next day, Selece met up with the girls, except for Irma, and as was more than excited about her date with Angelo later that day after school.
"Well it's about time he asked you out!", Will said happy for her friend.
"You go, girl!", Cassidy said.
"So what movie are you going to see?", Taranee asked.
"I... Haven't thought about that yet.", Selece said realising that she didn't have a movie picked out yet. "I guess I'll pick when we get there."
"What will you wear?", Cornelia asked.
"I picked an outfit that will do me justice.", Selece said proudly when the Grumper Sisters came walking up to them.
"Can we talk to you for a minute, Will?", Courtney asked. "It's something important."
"What is it?", Alchemy asked.
"Ummmmm... I don't think Will wants to have this broadcast.", Bess said.
"Whatever you have to say, you can say to the girls here.", Will said to the Grumper Sisters as the other girls nodded in agreement.
"So spill.", Selece said.
"Well... Yesterday we saw Irma and Caleb together at the mall!", Bess said surprising them all.
"No way!", Hay Lin.
"Are you... Are you sure about this?", Will asked surprised by this most of all.
"Yeah.", Courtney said. "And before you ask, we checked around with some other students and learned that Caleb and Irma have been seen at other places together."
"Places where most couples would go.", Bess said. "We figured that you should know seeing as well... you know."
"Yeah.", Will said. "Thanks.", she said as the Grumpers walked off.
"Hold it.", Elyon said to the Grumpers. "Why be all nice and tell Will this instead of broadcasting it to the whole school on the radio show?"
"Well, unlike Lair, Will hasn't really done us any wrong.", Bess answered while Courtney nodded in agreement before they walked off surprising the girls.
"Who'd of thought they'd use their gossiping skills for good?", Cornelia questioned before turning to Will. "You going to be okay?"
"I guess so.", Will said. "I mean it's not everyday that your ex-boyfriend starts dating one of your friends a few days after you break up with him.", she said as he eyes began to water.
"It's okay, Will.", Selece said as she hugged Will. "You get through this. Plus, you got the rest of us to back you up."
"You got that right!", Taranee said. "But you know, I wonder how Matt is going to take this?"
"Who's going to tell him?", Hay Lin asked.
Speaking of which, Matt, Nigel, Eric, Micheal, Drake, Aldern, and Angelo were hanging out in another part of the schoolyard when...
"So you're taking my sister out to the movies, huh?", Micheal asked Angelo.
"She told you, huh?", Angelo asked.
"Yep!", Micheal said with a grin. "And as her big brother, I must insist that you do her right."
"Don't worry, man.", Angelo said. "She's in good hands.", he said as they bumped fist.
"And that's why I'm glad I'm an only child.", Eric said. "No little sisters or brothers to worry about."
"Same here.", Matt said. "So what movie are you two going to see?"
"No idea.", Angelo said. "I'll just let her pick when we get there.", he said when Martin came up to them.
"Hey, guys.", Martin said. "Ummmm... Matt? I got something to tell you."
"What is it, Martin?", Matt asked his friend.
"Well... I just heard this from... Courtney.", Martin said.
"You mean your girlfriend?", Nigel asked surprising Martin. "Dude, we all know about you two."
"Not to mention Bess and Uriah.", Eric said. "So don't sweat it, man."
"So what did Courtney tell you?", Matt asked.
"That she and Bess saw Irma and Caleb together at the mall yesterday.", Martin said surprising the guys.
"Say what?", Micheal questioned.
"It's true.", Martin said. "And not only that, but they heard others talk about seeing them in other places together as well."
"Whoa!", Angelo said.
"When has this been going down?", Eric questioned.
"Who knows.", Martin said. "I figured that you should know about this before it got around the school. Sorry, Matt."
"Don't worry about it.", Matt said to Martin. "And thanks for filling me in, man."
"No problem.", Martin said as he went to join up with Courtney.
"Aw man.", Angelo said. "Who of thought they'd get together after getting dumped only a few days ago?"
"Well, sometimes people can get together only after a few days.", Eric replied.
"In the movies maybe.", Nigel said.
"Well some movies base their plot off of some things in real life.", Micheal said.
"Hmmmmm... Good point.", Nigel said.
"You going to be okay, man?", Angelo asked Matt.
"I'm pretty shocked by all this, but I'll be okay.", Matt said as they headed inside the school. "If they want to get together then who are we to judge."
"Well said.", Drake said.
"Couldn't agree more.", Aldern said.
"You're a bigger man than most would be.", Angelo said when they saw Irma and Caleb walking together. "Speaking of which."
As they were walking together, most of the students couldn't help but stare at Caleb and Irma seeing as Irma used to be with Matt and Caleb used to be with Will. To see them together after getting dumps only a few days ago is something you rarely see with some people. Soon the girls caught up with the guys and were just as surprised to see Irma with Caleb.
"I see it and still don't believe it.", Taranee said.
"Believe it.", Nigel said as the school bell rang. "And with that I'm off to get some breakfast."
"Don't eat the toast.", Eric said. "That stuff is hard!"
"They'd make great throwing weapons.", Drake joked getting a laugh out of some of the others as they headed for the lunch hall.
"You going to be okay?", Matt asked Will.
"I was going to ask you the same thing.", Will said getting a small laugh out of Matt.
"Thanks.", Matt said. "But I'll be okay."
"Same here.", Will said with a smile that Matt returned.
"I think that Caleb and Irma are faking it.", Angelo whispered to Elyon who nodded in agreement.
"We just have to prove it.", the Meridian queen whispered back. "But how?"
"I say we play along and let them expose themselves.", Angelo said. "You know. Give them enough rope to hang themselves."
"Works for me.", Elyon said as they along with the other walked into the lunch hall.
Once in the lunch hall, students got what they wanted for breakfast. As for our heroes, once they got their breakfast, they met up at their table to eat and talk about what they could talk about. Which meant that Irma and Caleb would be sitting with them.
"Hey, guys!", Irma said in a happy tone as she and Caleb sat together at the table.
"So when did you two get together?", Selece asked in a calm tone.
"Well, after getting dumped, Irma and I started to hang out together.", Caleb explained. "And before you know it, here we are. Of course, we're taking it one day at a time. You know, not rushing things."
"Well, I hope things work out for you both.", Will said as she noticed the small smirk on Irma's face.
"Yeah.", Matt said. "Same here."
"Thanks.", Irma said flashing a fake smile before everyone began to eat their breakfast. "By the way, Hay Lin, any chance of you making a costume for Caleb?"
"What kind of costume?", Hay Lin asked.
"Well I looked up some stuff about Sailor Moon and found that Darien had another look besides Tuxedo Mask and Moonlight Knight.", Irma explained. "He also had a knight's outfit."
"Oh yeah.", Hay Lin said remembering the outfit in question. "It was all black. Including the breastplate and cape."
"That's the one.", Irma said smiling. "Think you can make it?"
"All but the breastplate.", Hay Lin said. "I'm no blacksmith."
"I can take care of that.", Caleb said.
"Then I guess you have a costume.", Hay Lin said knowing there was more to this.
"Thanks.", Caleb said to Hay Lin before eating his breakfast.
Later that day, during Lunch, Irma was pulled aside by Elyon, and Cassidy.
"Okay, Irma. "We're going to only ask you this once.", Cassidy said. "Are you and Caleb really together or are you just acting to make Will and Matt jealous?"
"Why would you even think that?", Irma questioned doing her best to fake feeling hurt.
"Because you pulled something like this to make Joel Wright jealous when he lived here.", Elyon said.
"Well this is different.", Irma said. "Caleb and I are together. At first it was just us hanging out then we went on a date or two and saw that we developed some feelings for each other."
"And so now you two are a couple, huh?", Cassidy questioned not buying what Irma was saying.
"Well we're taking it one step at a time.", Irma said with a small smile. "Maybe what we have will grow, maybe not. But for now, we're okay with what we have. Now if you two would excuse me, I have to get my lunch and go eat with Caleb.", she said as she went into the Lunch Hall.
"Do you buy it?", Cassidy asked Elyon.
"Honestly, I don't know what to think.", Elyon said. "She could be telling the truth."
"Maybe.", Cassidy said. "I say that we just let them be and see what happens.", she said getting a nod of agreement from Elyon as they headed into the Lunch Hall.
Meanwhile, Aldern and Drake had pulled Caleb aside to talk about the same thing.
"Are you seriously asking me this?", Caleb asked his two friends. "What is wrong with me being with Irma?"
"Nothing.", Aldern said.
"We just want to make sure that it's for the right reason.", Drake said.
"Look. I get it, my friends.", Caleb said. "Me and Irma together does look like we're trying to get to Will and Matt. But we're not. We're not serious as of yet. But we're taking it one day at a time. Maybe what we have will become more. Only time will tell."
"Just make sure that you don't go and mess this up.", Aldern said to his close friend.
"Thanks.", Caleb said to Aldern and Drake before heading inside the Lunch Hall.
"They're up to something.", Drake said as he and Aldern headed into the Lunch Hall.
"Maybe.", Aldern said. "I would like to believe he' being honest about him and Irma."
"Then let's see what happens and hope for the best.", he said as they went to get something to eat.
As for Irma and Caleb, once they got their lunch they sat together away from prying eyes to eat their lunch and talk about how their plan was going.
"I can't believe how well this is going.", Irma said before eating some of her food.
"What are you talking about?", Caleb questioned. "Neither Will or Matt got angry about us being together."
"Oh, they were angry.", Irma said. "They're just not letting us see it. I bet you that they'll let out their anger in other ways. All we have to do is keep up the act and sooner or later, Will is going to pull you aside and ask you if what you and I have is real while Matt will do the same with me. And we'll tell them that it is which will not only shock them but maybe crush any chance they have of getting back with us."
"But I thought we wanted to get back with them.", Caleb said.
"Of course we do.", Irma said. "But we can't just up and get back with them the first chance we get. We have to do this right."
"Meaning?", Caleb questioned.
"Meaning that when we do get back together with them, we won't have to worry about them breaking up with us over Corny.", Irma said. "Or anybody else that could get in the way."
"I see.", Caleb said thinking about Angelo and how he planned on dating Will. "I hope this plan works, Irma."
"Trust me, Rebel-boy. Everything will work out in the end.", Irma said confident in her plan before eating some more of her lunch. "And let's not forget about the little surprise that you and I set up earlier this week."
"If that doesn't help, then I don't know what will.", Caleb said as he went back to eating his meal.
Later that day during Study Hall, the radio show had to do a special broadcast to announce the Homecoming Court nominees. The room was big enough for everyone to fit in seeing as Angelo wanted everyone in the Newspaper Club there in hopes of bringing them a bit closer together as a team. So once they finished doing their regular reports...
"Okay ladies and gents. It's time announce the nominees for the Homecoming Court.", Angelo said. "Let's start with the Senior Class. "Take it away, Cassidy!"
"And the nominees are...", Cassidy said as she read off the list of people to vote for.
Once she read the list off, she passed the mic to Micheal who read off the Junior Class nominees. Once he was done, he passed the mic to Alchemy who read off the list of nominees for the Sophomore Class. And when she was done, she passed the mic to Angelo who was ready to read off the nominees for the Freshman Class.
"Thank you, Alchemy Ethel.", Angelo said. "And now it's time for th Freshman Classes nominees.", he said as he looked at the list. "First, the nominees for Miss Congeniality. And they are... Danna Smith and Helan Goodman, followed by our very own Hay Lin, Elyon Brown, and Alchemy Ethel! Congrats, ladies! And good luck to all five of you."
"Woo-Hoo!", Hay Lin cheered for herself and her friends who had beaming smiles of their own.
"And now for the Mr. Nice Guy nominees.", Angelo said as he began to read off the list. "And they are... One Eric Lyndon, Mark Thompson, Stan Jones, Frank Wilkens, and our very on Martin Tubbs. Congrats, man!"
"Me!?", Martin questioned in surprise.
"That's what it says, man.", Angelo said showing Martin the list. "Right there in black and white."
"Wow!", Martin said surprised that he was a nominee.
"And while Mr. Tubbs recovers from the shock, it's time to read off the nominees for the Freshman Homecoming Lord and Lady.", Angelo said. "And like with the King and Queen, Prince and Princess, & Duke and Duchess, I was told that the Lord and Lady nominees as couples. So this should be interesting. The first couple is... Andrew Hornby and Sondra Andrews. One of our popular couples. Next we have our very own Michel Robertson and Cornelia Hale.", he read making the couple smile.
"Surprise, surprise.", Irma mumbled to herself. "Just wait until you fin our little surprise.", she said to herself with a small smile.
"Next we have Carlos Hernandez and Wendy Henderson.", Angelo announced. "Next we have... Oh snap!", he said to which a small smirk grew on Irma's face but stopped hoping no one saw her. "Wow! Looks like this was put in before hand. I think.", he said looking at Irma out of the corner of his eye. "Our fourth nominee is Caleb Hart and Will Vandom.", he said earning gasp from all but Irma.
"Say what!?", Cassidy questioned.
"That what it says.", Angelo said. "Can't take it back now. But here's one that I didn't see coming, but they deserve it just as much as the other couples. Our fifth and final nominee for the Lord and Lady of the Homecoming Court is... Nigel Ashcroft and Taranee Cook!", he announced shocking Taranee.
"WHAT!?", Taranee questioned not believing her ears.
"It's on the list, T.", Angelo said with a grin as he handed her the list. "You're in."
"I... I... I...", she said as she read the list while shaking a bit.
"And that folks are your nominees for Homecoming Court.", Angelo said through the mic. You know what to do next! Cast you votes and hope for the best. And now we give you some fun jams.", he said as he had Martin switch to a song to play. "Well this is a strange turn of events. Will and Caleb."
"You okay with that, Irma?", Hay Lin asked her best friend.
"What can I do?", Irma questioned while shrugging her shoulders. "The nominations began before Caleb and I got together. I'll just have to wait and see what happens.
"Guess you're right.", Hay Lin said before turning her attention to a still shocked Taranee. "Ummmmmm... You okay their Taranee?"
It was then that one Taranee Cook fainted from the shock of it all.
A/N: Well, folks. How's that for a surprise!? Nigel and Taranee! Possible Lord and Lady. It could happen. And it looks like Irma and Caleb are still trying to get back with Matt and Will. Good luck with that. And it looks like John, Donald, and Hanna are making great progress with their tech. Which Hollens and Riddle plan on make great use of. Looks like out heroes have their work cut out for them.
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