Chapter Five: Raindrops
Today is the day… It has almost two months and you always chicken out when you try to tell her. Now it's time… Chad thought, shaking. Zelda was sitting on the bleachers, waiting for him to get out of football practice. She was reading a book with a smile on her face. God, she is beautiful. After practice, he made his way to her. Alright… You can do this… "Hey Z, I am done with practice."
"Oh…" She said, putting her book away. She then turned to him and let out a smile. "So Mr. Quarterback, how was practice?"
"It was okay…" He said, blushing. Why does she have to be so damn cute? "So what are you reading?"
"Oh a cookbook… I am cooking dinner tonight and I want to cook something new. Nigel is going to join me. My father is always busy so I usually eat alone. The only time I get to eat with him is Sunday." She replied.
"Hey Z, there is something I want to ask you." Chad said. Come on Chad, you can do this. She is right in front of you.
"What is it Chad?" Zelda asked.
"It is just… I was going to… well you see…" Chad mumbled. Damn it Chad, why do you always do this? Just say it… She let out a giggle.
"You are always nervous around me." She said.
"NO I AM NOT!" He snapped. She giggled even more.
"You know Chad, we have been friends for a month and you act like this all the time." She replied. "You can tell me anything. We are friends."
"Thanks Z…" He replied. "Are you ready to go?"
"Sure thing…" She said, standing up on her but she misplaced her foot in the wrong place and she was about to fall until Chad caught her. "I am so clumsy."
"Are you okay?" Chad asked, staring at her.
"Yeah…" She said, blushing.
"Zelda Uno…"
"Yes Chad Dickson…" She said, smiling.
"Will… you…well…" He mumbled. Damn it Chad, just say it. "Zelda, I was wondering if well… What are you cooking for dinner tonight?" I blew it..
"Oh, some pasta and I am baking garlic bread." She said, smiling.
"Oh okay, that sounds good…" Chad said. I can't believe I can't even tell her that I want to take her on a date. How is that so hard? Why is it so hard? Damn, I am such a chicken. Then her phone started to ring. She answered it while he was still holding her.
"Oh of course Mr. Beetles… I will love to. I will be there around six. Okay, goodbye Mr. Beetles." She said, hanging up.
"Who was that?" Chad asked.
"Oh, last week I babysit Mr. And Mrs. Beetles' son Joey and Mr. Beetles called if I can watch him again. It is an emergency." She said. "I guess I have to call Nigel that we have to cancel our dinner plans."
"I hope you are still up to studying for our Pacific History Class" Chad said.
"Of course, but you have to let go of me first." She said, giggling.
"Right… sorry…" He said, letting her go. She let out a giggle while he blushed even more.
"Well, can I ride the bike today?" She asked.
"Sure…" Chad said. Damn, I really suck at this. I talk to girls all the time and she is the only girl I get nervous around. He turned to her and found her smiling. I wonder how she feels about me. "Hey Z…"
"Yes Chad…" She asked.
"Do you like someone? I mean like a crush?" Chad asked. She turned to me and smile yet a hint of pink was on her cheeks.
"I can't say it is a crush. It is more than that." She said.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"I love him." She said.
"Really?" He said, giving her a fake smile. She is into someone else. She loves someone else. How can this happen? I was with her the whole time and there were no potential friends that were boys that can make her fall in love. Damn it Chad, you shouldn't be so selfish. It is her life. "What is he like?"
"Well, he is smart, funny, kind and good in sports. He always put a smile on my face and cares for me deeply. Sometimes I want to tell him how I feel but then I get scared that he only sees me as a friend." She answered, blushing. "But there are other girls that like him as well and it makes me feel sad because I don't think I am beautiful like they are."
"You are beautiful." Chad said. She turned to him and found him blushing. "I mean, any guy will die to be with you."
"Oh Chad, you are so sweet." She said. "I just wish I can tell him but then I am scared that our friendship will be ruined."
"I think you should tell him." Chad said, forcing a smile. I need to be a supporting friend even if her heart is not for me. "I mean, he might feel the same way about you."
"You really think so?"
"Yeah…" Chad said.
"Then I guess I will tell him one day." She said.
I think I should give up telling her how I feel. I mean… It is useless now. She loves someone else. Chad thought, hiding his frown.
"Chad, I love you…"
Did I lose that girl? That girl that made half my childhood worth living… That girl that knows how to drive me insane… That girl that made me fell in love with her just by her stupid jokes… Is she really gone?
"Chad. I love you…"
"Chad, are you okay?" Zelda asked, looking at him.
"Oh yeah…" Chad said, giving her a fake smile. I lost the only girl that matters to me.
"Oh no, where is my little girl?" Mrs. Sanban said, worrying and crying. "I am so worried. She might in so much danger and we are not there for her."
"Everything is going to be okay. We already contact the police so they are searching for her right now. We have to stay home just in case she comes back." Mr. Sanban said, hugging his wife. "She is going to be fine. It is my fault that I was so hard on her." I can't stay here and do nothing. I have to fix this problem. I am the reason why she ran away. He then grabbed his keys. "You know what, you stay here while I look for her."
"Be careful honey…"
"I will…" Mr. Sanban said, walking in his car. "This is all my fault, why did I yell at her?"
"OH MAN, I CAN'T BELIEVE I DIDN'T CHECK THE TIME!" Zelda screamed, skating through the streets and in the rain. I was studying with Chad at his house that I forgot that I had to babysit Joey. I only have an hour to get ready. And why does it have to rain? Today is not my day. The rain grew heavily so she skated faster but she stopped when she heard crying. "What is that?" She followed the weeping and found a little girl in a pink sweater and black pigtails. "Hello, are you okay little girl?"
"I don't know where I am. I am lost and it's raining. I miss my mommy." She cried. "I want to go home."
"Well, how about we get out of the rain, I can take you to my house and we can contact your parents." She said.
"Okay…" The little girl said. Zelda carried her and skated away. "Oh, my name is Mushi."
"My name is Zelda…"
"Team, Mushi Sanban is missing and it is up to us to look for her." Nigel said.
"It is going to be hard to find her in this rain." Hoagie said.
"WE WILL NEVER FIND HER!" Kuki cried loudly. Abby hit Hoagie on the shoulder and turned to Kuki. She rubbed her back to calm her down.
"Hey baby, we will find her." Abby said.
"Yeah, we will search everywhere for your sister." Wally said. Kuki stopped crying and let out a small smile.
"Thanks guys, I am so worried. She is never on her own and I am worried something bad happened to her." Kuki said.
Mushi was giggling away after taking a hot bath. Zelda was drying her off with a towel. "Hold still…" Zelda said. "I can't dry you off if you keep moving."
"But it tickles…" Mushi giggled, squirming around. Mushi then looked around her room and found drawings on every wall even the ceiling. "Did you draw all theses?"
"Oh yes, can you keep a secret?" Zelda said.
"Oh yes Zeddy, I can…" She replied.
"I draw out my dreams." Zelda whispered.
"I see that you dream about a guy with blonde hair." Mushi said, giggling.
"Yes, he is the main character of my comic and apparently I can't figure out a name for him." Zelda said. "He keeps coming in my dreams."
"Maybe it's a memory of a lost lover." Mushi said. Zelda let out a giggle after hearing that.
"Maybe he is… In my dream, he is a great leader that fights for justice and good." Zelda said. "He can be stubborn and serious sometimes but he truly cares for his friends." She then pointed to a drawing of a little girl in a ninja outfit holding hands with the hero. "He also has feeling for his partner, she is a cool ninja. She is the opposite of him, carefree and silly. But when they work together, they are unstoppable."
"Wow, it looks so cool. But the guy looks more like a Chad." Mushi said. Zelda blushed in front of her. "Did I say something wrong?"
"No, he does look like a Chad." She said, smiling. She then turned to her drawings. Now that I think about it, it does look a lot like Chad. Is the boy in my dreams Chad? "Well, you are all dry now." She then walked in her closet and pulled out a big box. "I am happy that I saved my old clothes." She pulled out a small pink sweater with bunnies on it and a short. "You can wear theses."
"It's so cute." Mushi said. "I promise to take good care of it."
"It's yours. I can't wear it anymore." Zelda said, helping her put on the sweater and shorts. "Well Mushi, I need some information about you so I can figure out where you live. Your parents must be worried sick about you."
"I don't think so." Mushi said, turning away.
"What do you mean?"
"Daddy was mad at me because I accidently knock down his favorite coffee mug. I didn't mean to but he got so mad at me and started screaming." Mushi said, crying.
"Oh Mushi, parents tend to do that but deep down they love you." Zelda said, wiping her tears. "There was a time I bleached my dad's favorite black T-shirt and he was so mad at me. I was scared but in the end, everything turned out okay. He can get another shirt but he can't get another me just like you. Your Daddy is going to get over the mug and buy a new one but he can never buy another Mushi."
"So Daddy stills love me even when he yells at me?" Mushi asked.
"Of course, he loves you so much." Zelda said, smiling. Then her cellphone started to ring. She pulled it out of her wet jeans pocket. "Hello… Yeah I am going to babysit for the Beetles. It is just something came up… I found a little girl and she got all wet. I took her home to dry her off and I am taking her back home…Her name… Her name is…"
"Mushi Sanban…" Mushi said.
"Her name is Mushi Sanban." Zelda repeated. "Oh you have their address, that's great."
"YEAH, MUSHI IS GOING HOME!" Mushi cheered.
"Thanks Dad, you are the best. After I take her home, I will come to the work. I love you Dad." She hung up and let out a sigh. "So who is ready to go home?"
"ME!"
The KND in Sector V was in a hovercraft, flying around town looking for Mushi. Kuki was still worried and was shaking and holding back tears. Wally didn't like seeing her like this so he walked towards her and sat beside her. "Hey Kuki, everything is going to be okay." He grabbed her hand. "Mushi is going to be okay."
"I can't lose her Wally. I am supposed to protect her but I didn't." She cried. "She is gone and I am worried that she is with bad people like teenagers or adults. I can't…"
"Hey, I will beat all those cruddy teenagers and cruddy adults for you." Wally said, smiling. "Just believe in me…"
'Oh Wally, I do believe in you." She cried, hugging him. "I am just worried." Then the alarm set off. "What is going on?"
"Our scanner found her and she is with someone." Hoagie said. "It looks like a teenager. I can't see his face because of the hooded jacket and the umbrella."
"He is probably taking Mushi hostage so he can use as ransom." Nigel said. "Number 2, follow him. Number 5, ready our weapons. We are going to need it."
"But it is only one teenager." Abby said.
"We can never underestimate a teenager especially when he is using Mushi as a shield." Nigel said.
"Yes boss…" Abby said.
"Number 3, don't worry we will get your little sister back." Nigel said.
"Oh Zeddy, you are pretty cool." Mushi said, sitting on her shoulders and holding the umbrella. "My big sister Kuki told me that teenagers can be very dangerous."
"Well, I am not so dangerous." She said, giggling. It is so cold here. It is like snow.
"No, I like you."'
"I like you too Mushi." Zelda said. "But I think your parents are going crazy looking for you. I have to get you home."
"Will I ever see you again?" She asked.
"We will…" She said. Zelda paused when a ship appeared in front of them. "What the…"
"GIVE US THE GIRL AND YOUR LIFE WILL BE SPARED!" A voice said loudly.
"Mushi, I want you to hold tight okay." Zelda said. "I am going to run very fast."
"Okay…" Mushi said.
"GIVE HER TO US NOW!"
"MAKE ME!" She screamed back. She dashed towards the ship while it was firing plasma balls at her. And here I thought this place was peaceful…
"WOW ZEDDY, YOU CAN RUN REALLY FAST!" Mushi cheered, giggling away.
"YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GET AWAY FROM US!" The ship continued on zapping them but Zelda did her best to dodge it.
"Number 5, get him already." Nigel snapped.
"I am sorry but he is too fast. I can't get a lock on him." Abby said.
"MUSHI!" Kuki cried.
"Number 1, let me fight him." Wally said.
"Fine, Number 5 launch Number 4 towards the teenager. It will give us some time to get Mushi." Nigel ordered.
"Roger that Number 1…"
"They stopped firing at us but they are still following us." Zelda said, panting as she was running. I don't know if I can keep this up.
"GIVE HER BACK!" A voice screamed. She turned and found a kid with blonde hair jetting towards her.
"Hey, it's Number 4…" Mushi said. Zelda dodged the attack and found the kid aiming his gun at her. "HEY STOP THAT!"
"Look you cruddy teenager, give her to me now before I beat the crud out of you." Wally snapped. Zelda tapped her shoes and wheels popped out of it. She skated towards him. "EAT THIS!" He fires at her but she dodged it and leaped over him. "Crud…" He raced after her.
"This guy has some skills, I give him that." Abby said.
"He is heading to my house…" Kuki said.
"He is probably going to do his ransom scheme there. We have to stop him at once." Nigel said.
Chad, you are not going to let her go just like that. You are going to tell her the truth. Be a man… You can take rejection… You can do it. Chad thought. But his thoughts were interrupted when he heard screaming through the rain. He then found someone carrying a little girl with an umbrella.
"Hi Chad… Bye Chad…" The person said, skating away.
"WOW, CHAD IS REAL!" Mushi screamed.
"Zelda…" Chad said. That's Zelda but why is she running away with a kid.
"GET BACK HERE YOU CRUDDY TEENAGER!" Wally screamed, racing passed him in rage. "GIVE ME THE GIRL!"
"Number 4…" Chad said, looking at the situation baffled. He then noticed a hovercraft flying in the air, following them. "What is going on here?" He raced towards the other, trying to figure out why they will chase after Zelda.
"Okay Mushi, we are almost there." Zelda said. Then the ship hovered in front of them. "What is going on here?" She was about to run back until Wally blocked the path with his gun aiming straight at him.
"Cruddy Teenager, you can't escape now." Wally said.
"GIVE US THE GIRL!"
"Mushi, let me have the umbrella." Zelda said.
"Okay…" She climbed off her shoulders and into her embrace. Zelda grabbed the umbrella.
"Hey Mushi, do you want to fly?" Zelda said, smiling.
"Oh, I will love too." Mushi said, smiling back.
"Then hold on tight…" Zelda said. Wally fired at her and so did the hovercraft. Zelda leaped in the air avoiding the blasts. Instead, the blast hit both Wally and the hovercraft. Zelda glided calmly with her umbrella.
"Wow, I can see my house from here." Mushi said, pointing at a house.
"Then I guess that is where we land." Zelda said. She landed in front of the doorstep and pressed the doorbell.
"STOP RIGHT THERE!" Nigel screamed, standing with his crew. "WE WILL BE TAKING HER!" Then an Asian woman opened the door. "We are too late."
"Hello ma'am, I am here to bring you your daughter back."
"MUSHI!" Mrs, Sanban cried, grabbing her daughter and hugging her tightly. "WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? I HAVE BEEN WORRIED SICK!"
"Sorry Mommy…" Mushi cried, hugging her back. "I am so sorry."
"MUSHI!' Mr. Sanban screamed, racing towards them. Zelda moved away from the scene yet a smile was on her face. He hugged both of them and started to cry. "Mushi, where have you been? The police and I were looking everywhere for you."
"You were looking for me? I thought you were mad at me." Mushi said.
"Oh Mushi, I know I was hard on you but it was just a stupid cup." He replied. "You are far more important."
"I love you Daddy." Mushi said.
"Thank you for bringing back my daughter." Mrs. Sanban said.
"It was nothing." Zelda said, taking off her hood.
"ZELDA!" The KND screamed. They were beyond shocked. No wonder why we couldn't catch her.
"Wait, I know you. You are Henry's little girl." Mr. Sanban said.
"Oh yes, I was heading home and I bumped into Mushi. I took her to my house to dry off. I didn't want her to get a cold." Zelda said. "I am sorry for not calling sooner. I didn't know your number."
"As long she is safe…" Mr. Sanban said.
"MUSHI!" Kuki cried, racing towards her sister. She hugged her tightly with tears running down her face. "Oh Mushi, I was so worried about you."
"I know and I am sorry Kuki but I had so much fun with Zelda. We were being chased by a spaceship and Wally was chasing us. It was so cool." Mushi explained. All of them let out a sigh.
"Mr. and Mrs. Sanban, I will love to stay longer but I need to go." Zelda said, bowing in front of them.
"But you have done so much." Kuki said.
"Please stay, you are all wet." Mrs. Sanban said.
"No, it is fine. I am in a hurry ma'am." She then bowed in front of them once more. "I hope to see you all soon but I got to go. Please excuse me…" She raced away, leaving them baffled.
"Mommy, I like her." Mushi said.
"I can't believe that Zelda was the one that dodged all of our attacks like it was nothing." Wally complained. "She can't fight."
"But she was so fast." Hoagie said. "I mean, she was like a ninja."
"She was the Ninja Warrior of the Kids Next Door." Abby said. "Number Five thinks she still have some juice in her."
"I am just happy that Mushi is back." Kuki said, smiling.
"Hey Number 1, where do you think Zelda was heading to?" Hoagie asked.
"Probably somewhere important…" Nigel said.
"Great, I left my umbrella over there." She said, walking in the rain. She was too exhausted and she only has half an hour to get ready. Then an umbrella covered her. "Hmmm…" She turned and found Chad with a smile. "Chad…"
"At your service…" He said, smiling.
"What are you doing here?" She asked.
"I was doing some errands and I found you getting all wet." He said. "Let's get you home. I know you have to babysit soon."
"You are too sweet Chad." Zelda said, kissing him on the cheek. He is always there to save me just like that boy in my dreams. Maybe Mushi is right, maybe Chad is that boy. "Well, let's go."
"Wow…"
"Chad, are you okay?"
"Wow…"
"Oh Chad…" Zelda said, waving her hand in front of him but he was still in a trance.
"Wow…" He repeated, blushing. She grabbed his hand and pulled him away. He was still holding the umbrella steadily.
"You are too funny Chad."
"Wow…."
They walked to her house, hand in hand. He was still lost in his lovely dovey trance and she didn't mind. She found it cute that he was amazed and astound by a simple kiss on the cheek. She made it to the house and let out a sigh. "Well, thank you Chad for walking me home. I need to get out of these wet clothes." She then snapped her fingers in front of him.
"Oh yeah…" Chad said, finally coming back from reality. Wait, how did I get here?
"Thanks again Chad, you are the best." She said, smiling.
"I am just happy you are home safely." Chad said, scratching his head. "Well, I guess I will get going. Goodbye Zelda…"
"Goodbye Chad and thanks for everything." She said, walking in the house but when she was about to leave, he caught a hold of her hand.
"Z, I… I …" Chad said, blushing.
"Yes Chad…"
"Nevermind… "He said, letting go. Again, I can't tell her. What is wrong with me? "I just want to wish you luck."
"Oh thanks…" She said, smiling. "Well bye…"
"Bye…" He said, watching her walk in the house and closing the door behind her. Damn, I suck… He walked away from the house and made his way home but then he cellphone started to ring. "Hello…"
"Dude, are you with Zelda?" Maurice asked.
"No, I just dropped her off at her house. She is getting ready to babysit for the Beetles."
"Well, the teens from Sector B are going to attack her." Maurice said. "And guess who is in charge of that attack."
"Johnny…"
"Yeah, Johnny tried to persuade Z to join the teens but it didn't go so well. Z humiliated Johnny and he wants revenge."
"What did she do?" He asked.
"Well, she told him off in front of the whole school that he wasn't her type. You know how Z is."
"Yeah, I guess I have to keep an eye on her when she babysits."