A/N: This chapter is way longer than my other ones! I didn't know how to split it in half D: But I guess it's a good thing? Hopefully it's got good content haha!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own KND and I never will, unfortunately!
Operation: C.O.N.F.U.S.I.O.N
Wally and Kuki were back to normal now, much to the relief of everyone else. They weren't on a 'date' per se, but it was just the two of them which hadn't been the case for a long time.
Initially, she had dragged him to Rainbow Monkey Island, but seeing his face, they detoured. Instead, they ended up at the local carnival.
They had first gone on the Bumper Cars, then the Ferris Wheel and lastly got their faces painted - well, Kuki got her face painted. Wally didn't want to look like a 'dork'.
As they finally sat down to eat their fairy floss, Wally couldn't help but stare at the girl sitting beside him, happily eating without a care in the world.
Strange, to see how things were so drastically different now. Before it had been Abby in Kuki's place, but now, things were back to normal again. He couldn't stop thinking about their time together - he owed everything to Abby, but ever since Wally and Kuki started talking once again, they hadn't had time to bond as they did before.
When the two of them went back to the treehouse, no one looked up but Abby, who had a teasing smile on her face as he and Kuki were holding hands. It had become so much of a habit and a natural thing to do, that he didn't realise they were holding hands until then. Wally immediately snatched his hand away and scowled at Abby.
"So, how was the date, lover-boy?" she asked, taking off her headphones and putting down her magazine.
Hoagie pressed pause on his video game and raised both his eyebrows, perplexed.
"You were on a date?! With Numbuh 3?!"
Wally turned beet-red as Kuki giggled beside him. "N-no, shut up! It wasn't a date, alroight!?"
Abby and Hoagie shared a mischievous look before they started singing, "Wally and Kuki sittin' in a tree! K-I-S-S-I-N-G!"
Wally fumed and clenched his fists. "I-I-but, uh, ARGH, it wasn't a date!"
As he stormed off, he didn't miss the frown that framed Kuki's face. Ugh, now what did I do!? He wondered as he angrily marched towards his room. The last thing he wanted to do was make Kuki cry when they just had a fun day. He just didn't like the way Abby was teasing him when it clearly wasn't a date.
Wait, was it? he thought to himself, confused.
As he sat in his boxing ring, Wally looked up in thought. He didn't know why he was so mad at everything and everyone; he had a great time with Kuki, and he was ruining things.
He had a slight hunch as to why he was slightly mad, though.
Abby.
Well, they made small chit-chat as they used to before things went awry with Kuki - so it wasn't that bad. Just because they weren't talking much, didn't mean anything. He didn't care that much.
At least, that's what he thought but now...now, he wasn't so sure. He was missing her presence, the way her dark eyes twinkled and changed to a light brown when the sun hit them, the way her wavy hair came out on rare occasions and accentuated her sharp features and the wide, bright smile that only he ever got to witness.
He never even got to thank her for helping him with swimming a week ago. He had wanted to schedule another lesson but didn't want to annoy her. Plus, since they barely talked, he couldn't find the exact time.
Wally kept glancing over at his door, half-wondering whether Abby would come after him and kick the door down. A part of him was hoping she'd waltz in to demand why he was moping around. He was so confused about what he was feeling, but he didn't want to think about it.
He shook his head, scoffing.
It ain't nothin. I'm just bein' cruddy stupid! Kuki...is finally talkin' to me so I should be focused on that, he thought with a satisfied sigh.
-.-.-.-.-.-
"I was not!" Wally cried, his face turning red.
"Was too."
"Was not!"
"Was too!"
"Was-"
"Okay you two, cut it out!" Nigel said, who was trying to eat his dinner in peace. Hoagie snorted but continued to scoff down the mashed potatoes and beef.
"I was not starin' at Lizzie during the cruddy mission!" Wally grumbled under his breath, crossing his arms. Kuki giggled and patted his head causing him to swat her hand away. Still, a small grin twisted his lips that Abby noticed from across him.
A gentle smile adorned hers. Wally and Kuki looked so happy - as if they were already a couple. They were able to tease each other about the simplest things too and could pair the other with a person of another gender without being bothered about it.
It was so frustrating to know that they liked each other and acted as if they were dating but refused to say anything.
Abby almost felt jealous of them. They were cute...but it seemed so ideal that her heart pricked with a burning sensation that she couldn't get rid of. Ever since that swimming lesson a week ago, she couldn't help but admire Wally more than usual.
Abby stared down at her plate of mashed potatoes. She didn't even like mashed potatoes; they tasted like bland mush.
She let out a sigh. Abby was stuck. She missed talking to Wally. It was strange because, before the whole Kuki dilemma, they never spoke much, but now things were different. Their friendship had changed so quickly.
Kuki and Wally were still bickering, despite Nigel's constant attempts to stop them from chattering but they didn't listen. Abby hid her eyes from view, her cap assisting her, but her eyes involuntarily glanced up.
At Wally in particular.
He was grinning as he looked at Kuki, intently as if she was the most beautiful girl in the world.
He isn't wrong, I can see why he likes her, Abby thought, Numbuh 3 is pretty. But for some reason, that thought hurt her even more.
No one ever liked her.
No! Stop! Don't go there Abby, it ain't right, you're stronger than that, She shook her head, in irritation, frustrated at her own thoughts.
She didn't realise she was crying or was close to until Hoagie nudged her. When she blinked, she realised her eyes were wet.
"Hey you alright, Numbuh 5? You haven't touched your food," he inquired, with wide eyes, trying to peer into her face.
Abby quickly blinked away the tears beginning to brim over her lids and turned her head away. A little sniffle left her, but she covered it up with a cough.
"Yeah, I'm fine, baby. Just a little sick," she said with a croak. To emphasise that she was feeling fine, she picked up a forkful of mashed potatoes and shoved it into her mouth.
Hoagie seemed satisfied with her answer and nodded, focusing his attention back to his plate.
"Can you please pass me the salt, Numbuh 1?" Abby asked, cringing at the bland taste of the potatoes. Wally glanced up at her and willingly set out to grab the salt, half-laughing half-scoffing at something Kuki said.
"I'll do it, Ab-"
"Numbuh 5 asked Numbuh 1, Wally, not you," she said, harshly. Abby instantly regretted the tone in which she said it and inwardly cringed at how cold her words came out. Everyone stopped what they were doing to stare at Abby, flabbergasted.
Wally sat there, with a frown on his face, the salt gripped tightly in his hand as he looked at her, his eyebrows brought down into a furrow. He was more than offended. He was hurt. It wasn't like he had done anything to her for her to be so mad at him, so he didn't understand why she was being rude.
Abby bent her head a little, the cap hiding his view of her face.
"Numbuh 5's sorry," she muttered, her voice attempting to sound sturdy but failing. It trembled slightly and Wally wanted to ask her what was wrong; he sensed something was nagging at her almost immediately.
"Uh..it's alroight, Abby," Wally replied, not entirely sure what had just happened. He shared a glance with Kuki who looked just as confused as him. He was mostly concerned though - it wasn't typical of Abby. "Don't worry 'bout it," he added when silence rung out throughout the entire treehouse. "'Ere's your salt, though. Should make ya happy, Abs, since you're bein' so salty."
Everyone stared at Wally this time, shocked at his use of 'Abs' to address Abby - a nickname that no one ever used. Wally ignored it and grinned at the slightly upset girl across from him.
His attempt at a 'joke' didn't go missed by Abby though, and she let out a genuine laugh.
"Please don't evah do that again, fool. Your jokes are as bad as Numbuh 2's!"
The others, seemingly shaking their head and trying to forget the awkward moment, all shared a laugh.
Everyone except for Hoagie, that is, who looked wounded at the comment. "Hey! I think my jokes are pretty funny, thank you very much!" he said, defensively.
Abby smiled at Hoagie, nudging him with her elbow. As everyone went back into eating their dinner again, Wally was glad Abby was back to her usual self, but he watched her with wary eyes, occasionally glancing up at her to make sure she was okay.
What made her go off like that? He asked himself, his lips set in a thin line. It was strange to see her suddenly mad at nothing and it didn't sit well with him at all.
After dinner, they were clearing everything up when Wally saw Abby slowly walk off in the direction of her room. He followed her hurriedly.
"Oi, Abby?" he called, tentatively.
She froze at the sound of her name and turned slightly. Wally shoved his hands in his pockets, suddenly nervous as their eyes collided. Abby's eyes looked so sad...but so guarded.
"Can I talk to ya, for a second?"
"If this is about what happened during dinner, the-"
"No, it ain't 'bout that," Wally cut in, but then backtracked, "well, it is. But not that. Just...I just wanna know if you're alroight, y'know?"
Abby was shocked. She had half expected him to demand why she was being so nasty during the dinner.
So, instead, she shrugged and smiled at him."Numbuh 5's alright, boy. No need to worry."
"Roiiiiiight," he said, in a tone that made it obvious that he didn't believe her at all. He narrowed his eyes at her suspiciously. "Well, um, if you ever wanna talk, you know that -"
"I know," she cut him off, suddenly, enveloping them into a profound silence. They stared at each other; one with a knowing look and the other, troubled.
Abby looked away first, uncomfortable. "Look, Numbuh 5's tired, and she needs her beauty sleep."
And lots of it, she thought to herself.
Wally cleared his throat as his ears flushed red. "R-roight, sorry for holdin' ya up. I was just...yeah. Just wanted you to know you can talk to me," he said, awkwardly.
Abby, just as awkwardly, smiled and turned, walking away. As soon as she was out of sight, the awkward smile on Wally's face dissipated into a frown as he cringed to himself. He slapped his head multiple times as he began to pace back and forth.
"Stupid, stupid, stupid, why'd you go and have ta say that for, ya moron!?" he yelled to himself. When Wally turned, he came face to face with Kuki who had a slight frown on her face. He jumped back in shock to see her so close.
"Woah, Kooks! Didn't see ya there?" he said, the realisation coming out as a question.
"Is Numbuh 5 going to be okay?" she said, cutting straight to the point. At the mention of Abby, his stomach clenched, weirdly. He ignored it and cleared his throat.
"Yeah, I think she should be alroight. Numbuh 5 will get through whatever it is she's goin' through cos she's strong. We all know that."
Kuki stared at him as if he had said the wisest thing ever. Wally blushed and pushed past her, walking as fast as he could to avoid her. But as always, Kuki was right on his heels.
"Awwwwww, you're so sweeeeet, Wally!"
"Ugh, I am not!"
"Are too!"
"Am not!"
"Am not!"
"Are too!"
"Ha!" Kuki exclaimed, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "You silly billy, you just admitted it!" She pointed her sleeve at him while giggling at his red face.
Wally was fuming. "ARGH!-I meant am not, now shut up Kuki!"
She pouted and crossed her arms. "No!"
Wally grumbled as he settled into the couch near the TV, Hoagie sitting on the floor near it, fixing a device. All the while, he glared at the Japanese girl in front of him who refused to move.
"We've got to do something to make her feel better, Wally!"
Wally rolled his eyes. "I told ya she'll be fine! If she wants ta talk, she'll come and talk to us."
"Waaally," she emphasised his name in warning, one eyebrow raising.
"What?!"
"When us girls say something is fine, it usually isn't. You should know this!"
"How would I know that!? I'm a boy, not a girly girl!" he said, irritated.
"Yeah, Numbuh 4," Hoagie spoke up, wiggling his eyebrows at Wally, "you should know thi-" At the enraged look Wally shot Hoagie, the latter backed away, his hands up in surrender.
"Sorry, geez, I was just trying to have some fun," he muttered as he got up and walked away.
"Well, don't!" Wally snapped, crossing his arms. Kuki sighed and dragged him up from the couch.
"Come on, Mr Grumpy Pants! Numbuh 5 needs us! She would do the same for us if we were in a bad mood."
At that, Wally looked up and stopped fighting Kuki's grasp. She wasn't wrong. Abby listened to his problems and even tolerated his whining, plus she helped him with his fear. Abby was doing everything no one else wanted to do.
So the least he could do was help her somehow.
"Alroight, fine," he relented, causing Kuki to squeal in happiness. She jumped on him, wrapping her arms around his neck. He could feel the heat rising within him, and he let out an airy, almost dazed laugh.
As they planned, Wally watched as Hoagie came out again, but this time with Abby behind him, a smile etched on her face.
He couldn't help but stare suspiciously at the two of them, his eyes narrowed - why, he didn't know. It was as if his eyes were glued to the scene before him.
Why's she smilin' like that…? And with Numbuh 2?! He wondered, almost horrified.
Abby looked so happy with him, causing Wally to narrow his eyes at them. "Wally, listen! I've got it!" Kuki squealed from beside him, resulting in him tearing his gaze away from the two who were now sharing candy in the kitchen.
He glanced at Kuki who had a mischievous glint in her eye. "Maybe she just wants someone to understand her!"
Wally furrowed his eyebrows; he was sure that Kuki had finally lost it. "What in the crud does that even mean?"
"You know!"
"Um, no?"
"Maybe she just needs someone to talk to her, like Numbuh 2, silly!" she said, her grin growing wider each second. On the other hand, Wally still wasn't following.
"I don't get it," he deadpanned.
Kuki face-palmed and grabbed his cheeks, forcefully turning his head towards Abby and Hoagie who were now fixing 2x4 technology together.
"See how quickly he got her out of her room?! She looked so upset, but now Numbuh 5's smiling! We should get Numbuh 2 and Numbuh 5 together, Wally!"
Wally didn't like the idea, at all. He had no explanation as to why, but he just didn't.
"Is that necessary?" he asked, the words coming out awkwardly. Kuki sighed and put her hands on her hips.
"Of course it is! I've always thought they'd make a cute couple, don't you?"
"Yeah," he mumbled, annoyed as he turned away from Kuki to glance at Abby and Hoagie. "A cute couple."
He didn't know why it sounded so sour in his mouth and the thought made him want to vomit. But Kuki was happy with it, and since it meant spending more time with her, he was pleased with whatever. Well, slightly pleased.
Plus, if it meant Abby would be smiling more, then he knew he really couldn't complain.
Still, he didn't know why the whole situation was giving him an icky, disgusting feeling inside. He just wanted to get away. Instead, both he and Kuki continued to spy on two of their members; Kuki with excitement and Wally with suspicion.
-.-.-.-.-
Hoagie was quick to dissipate all of Abby's sadness with his lame jokes.
He even coaxed her into going into the kitchen just for the candy - and she couldn't say no. She'd always had a sweet tooth for candy, and she could eat a whole bag in an hour.
His presence was much needed and even helped soothe the numbness in her being. The hole that was left by Maurice and Cree and a lot of other people in her life would never be stitched back together - but having Hoagie and the others around meant a lot.
Lately, she had been going back into that dark phase in her life. Wally had been the one that was helping her a little, but now that he wasn't as constant in her life as he was in Kuki's, she didn't know what to do.
The fact that Hoagie took some time out from playing video games or working on 2x4 technology just to cheer her up, made her even more special.
They were currently eating candy as well as working on the 2x4 technology. Even though Hoagie was the one actually working on it, he was also teaching her certain things.
"So, you've got to put this h-"
It was mid-candy eating that Abby froze, the hair at the back of her neck prickling. "Hold on," she said, cutting him off. "Numbuh 5's got a feeling that someone's watchin' her."
Hoagie raised an eyebrow, a grin on his face. "You mean you have an unCANDY feeling that someone's watching you HAHAHAHA-OW!" he exclaimed when Abby slapped the back of his head with her red cap.
"Na-uh! You did not jus' say that that's the lamest line Numbuh 5's evah heard in her life!" she exclaimed, annoyed. But, despite her words, a smile adorned her face.
Hoagie groaned and frowned, rubbing his ribs. "Fine, fine! I won't say it ever again, gosh. You guys never appreciate my puns!"
"Jus' keep it to yourself, Einstein," Abby retorted, chewing on some jelly beans.
"So, Wally," Kuki yelled from behind them, obviously trying to catch their attention by speaking loudly. "Do you want to go to that new ice-cream place that's opened?" Abby and Hoagie turned to see Kuki standing near the doorway with Wally.
Wally, however, seemed to look disinterested as he glared at the ground. "Yeah, sure. Cool. New ice-cream place, woo," he said, completely monotone. Kuki's smile turned forced as she not-so-subtly kicked his shin causing him to cry out.
"OW-I mean, oh yeah, totally! Can't wait to go there, I heard it was the best ice cream place ever opened in years!" he said, forcing a grin, the corner of his lips twitching as both Kuki and Wally glanced at Abby and Hoagie, trying to be subtle. And failing.
Abby narrowed her eyes as she judged their behaviour. They were acting way too weird, but then again, it was Wally and Kuki and they were weird together all the time. She and Hoagie shrugged after sharing a suspicious look with each other.
"New ice cream place?" Hoagie piped up, curious.
Kuki casually turned her head to look at the other two members. "OH! Numbuh 2? Numbuh 5? I didn't see you guys there!" she said, with fake shock. Wally stared at Kuki as if she had indeed lost her mind but went along with it.
"Okay, wassup, girl?" Abby asked Kuki, crossing her arms and immediately cutting straight to the point. She knew something was up and Kuki looked at her alarmed.
"Huh? Nothing!" she said, waving Abby off dismissively. "Just wondering if you guys wanted to go to the new ice cream parlour? With us?" she said and then added with more emphasis, "Which includes you and Numbuh 2? Together?"
Wally resisted the urge to face-palm and stared at the Japanese girl with his mouth open. If they didn't know what the plan was before, then they cruddy well knew it now! he thought, annoyed.
Hoagie and Abby spared a glance at each other, slightly scared and confused as to why Kuki was acting extra strange. Abby shot a questioning look at Wally who just shrugged and forced a more full grin, pretending to look innocent.
"Yeah, ya guys should come with us. I've heard it's got the best ice cream evah," Wally said.
"Uh, sure?" Abby said, cracking a smile at the two. "Numbuh 5's up for a sweet milky treat any day."
As they walked out of the treehouse and towards the new ice cream shop, Kuki waddled up beside her and leaned a little towards her, trying to whisper. "Sooooooo...do you like someone?"
Abby looked at her, her eyebrows furrowed. "Why are you askin' this question, girl?"
"Just answer the question, Numbuh 5! I mean, please?"
Abby bit her lip to stop from bursting out in disbelieving laughter. "No, Numbuh 5's pretty sure she ain't fancying anybody."
She suspiciously eyed Kuki as her face fell, looking disheartened all of a sudden. "Why you askin', Numbuh 3?" Abby asked, once again, hoping to get an answer. Now she was becoming curious.
"Oh," her face brightened up again, "nothing, really! Numbuh 2's really nice though, huh?"
"Numbuh 2?"
"Yeah! He's sweet and nice, and he'd be a good father too - what, with everything he does for Bradley!"
They walked into the ice cream shop together, all four of them, Abby still weirded out by the earlier conversation with Kuki and the eagerness on her face.
As they all ordered their ice creams, Kuki kept talking about random things with Hoagie replying; Abby added things, but only occasionally. Her mind was on other things, though. She couldn't help but wonder what Kuki and Wally were playing at.
Wally, on the other hand, was impatiently waiting for his ice cream. He tapped his fingers on the table, annoyed at the chatter of everyone around him. It was all starting to annoy him.
I just want my cruddy ice cream! Hurry it up, will ya? He thought to himself, absentmindedly.
"Can ya tell the waiter to hurry it up with my ice-cream?" Wally cut in through Kuki's and Hoagie's conversation.
They both stared at him wide-eyed, and Kuki kicked him under the table, a sharp pain shooting up his leg.
He hissed in pain but forced a shaky smile. "I mean, wow! This place looks awesome, eh?"
Kuki kicked him again, and Wally scowled at her, silently grinding his teeth together.
"What?" he spat.
Kuki looked at him pointedly before she cleared her throat and glanced at Abby and Hoagie. He followed her line of sight and his eyes fell on a certain dark-skinned girl who was chatting to Hoagie, her long eyelashes framing her dark eyes that seemed to be a shade of brown as the sun reflected against them. Wally could see her mouth moving as she replied to Hoagie, her lips forming bright, blinding smiles and his eyes narrowed.
The more he looked at her, the more his eyebrows furrowed and frustration brewed within him, a strange feeling swirling around in his mind and stomach.
"You know, I should teach you some of my jokes," Hoagie said, their conversation suddenly becoming clearer to Wally.
Abby raised an eyebrow at Hoagie. "Oh, really now? Ya think Numbuh 5 would wanna hear your lame jokes? Don't think so, boy."
He snorted in laughter. "Well, I think you're missing out on my coolness."
She rolled her eyes before slapping his shoulder, playfully, a small laugh leaving her lips. What Abby didn't realise or notice was that there was a pair of eyes scrutinising both her and Hoagie.
Wally had been glancing between Abby and Hoagie for quite a while, now. It wasn't like he could help it, he was talking to Kuki and enjoyed being around her, but his eyes automatically gravitated towards their part of the table. It was weird, hearing Abby's giggles.
"Oi Numbuh 2," Everyone turned to look at Wally, "do ya like Numbuh 5 or not?" he asked, bluntly causing the whole table to fall silent.
Abby's dark eyes slid to the side and at Hoagie with her jaw wide open. Her eyes then settled on Wally, his eyebrows raised and his lips set in a thin line as he stared at her before they slowly fixed on Hoagie's.
Wally wanted to get this matchmaking service over and done with.
What better way to finish this than to get Numbuh 2 to confess now? He said to himself. Honestly, Wally was utterly bored and just wanted to leave. He didn't want to stay in the ice cream parlour for another second.
"W-what? What are you saying, Numbuh 4?" Hoagie asked, completely shocked.
"Answer the cruddy question, will ya?"
"Why would geek boy here like Numbuh 5?" Abby spoke up, half amused half annoyed. She couldn't believe it; this entire time they were trying to set them up.
"Wally, now look at what you did!" Kuki whined. Wally ignored her and continued to look between both Abby and Hoagie in disbelief.
"Oh c'mon, you expect me to believe that!? Just kiss or somethin' already," he said, just as the ice cream arrived.
"Why?" Abby exclaimed, incredulously. "We don't even like each other, fool."
Wally raised an eyebrow, frustrated now. He apparently didn't believe her at all. "Sure you don't, Abby."
"I don't, fool!" she bit out, anger lacing her voice. Her chest tightened as Wally narrowed his sharp jade eyes at her. There was a sudden urge within her to burst out crying at that moment and to convince everyone that she really didn't like him. "I don't like Numbuh 2!"
Wally scoffed. "As if I'm gonna believe ya," he spat, bitterly.
He crossed his arms, and the table once again fell into an awkward silence. Kuki and Hoagie had no clue what had come over the two and why they were both so touchy all of a sudden.
Kuki glanced at Wally, who had his eyes hid from view, but she knew he was fuming silently. The waiter came with their ice creams but didn't place one down in front of Abby.
"Oh, uh, sorry, kid. I forgot what you ordered," he said, rubbing his neck sheepishly.
Abby let out an exasperated sigh that was mostly due to the conversation they had just seconds ago and turned to the waiter. "Can I please have a scoop of-"
"Can you please repeat that again?" the waiter asked again, fumbling with his note pad.
Abby stared up at the teenage waiter who looked beyond embarrassed. The expression melted into one of panic when Wally slammed his hands down on the table and snarled into his face.
"She wants a scoop of pistachio ice cream you dumb, cruddy teenager!"
The whole joint went silent at Wally's yell, and the members of Sector V were astounded.
"Wally," Kuki hissed, tugging on the sleeve of his sleeve. She was urging him to sit back down as he was now face to face with the waiter, his hand curled into a fist.
Abby was watching Wally with wide-eyes. Yes, she was surprised that he ordered for her as if he had read her mind, but she was more appalled at the fact that he was so mad.
The waiter shuffled away, scared and red-faced. Abby face-palmed and dragged her hand down her face.
"What's wrong with you, Wally?" she said, harshly. "Numbuh 5's glad that you ordered for her, but you can't just yell at people like that!"
"He was takin' too long!" Wally retorted. "We coulda been at the treehouse by now."
"Well, now we're probably gonna get kicked out of this joint because of you!" Abby snapped back. Wally went quiet at that and sat back, glaring, practically oozing with rage. She stared up defiantly into his angry expression with a glare of her own.
Why's Wally actin' more childish than normal!? She wondered angrily to herself.
Hoagie chuckled nervously, trying to break up the tense atmosphere. "Okaaay, then. Um, well, my ice cream is delicious!"
Kuki looked worriedly between Wally and Abby but continued to lick her rocky road ice cream. Hoagie turned to Abby, to get her to think about something else.
"Hey, Numbuh 5, guess what?"
"What?" Abby said, turning to him, her voice sounding tired.
"Where's the best place to get an ice cream?" he said, his eyes wide open with eagerness. Abby knew she was about to get hit with another horrible pun, but she wanted to entertain him; they were friends and she liked him after all.
"Where?"
Hoagie, before he even finished his pun, bit his lip to stop himself from bursting into laughter. "In Sundae school! HAHAHA, get it!?"
Kuki giggled. "Good one, Numbuh 2!"
Abby let out a snicker but then covered it up with her best poker face, not wanting to boost his ego. "Numbuh 5 thinks that was horrible."
"You have a smile on your face so that's a lie. You obviously liked it, admit it!"
"Alright, alright, Numbuh 5 don't find that one too bad." Abby let a smile grace her face and she turned.
"Whaddya-" She stopped herself from asking what Wally thought about it.
Right. We're not talkin' for some reason. She sighed, feeling both frustrated and upset at how things suddenly turned sour.
Wally had his head turned away, his lips twisted into an angry snarl. As the waiter rushed back with Abby's ice cream, Wally let out a sharp breath.
"H-here's your ice cream," the teen said, his eyes glancing in Wally's direction in case he burst again.
"Yeah, yeah, whatevah," Wally mumbled.
Abby nodded to the waiter in thanks and the teen took that as his cue to disappear as fast as he could. She shook her head in Wally's direction but he didn't seem to care, in his own world.
-.-.-.-
"Can you pass me the maple syrup, Numbuh 3?" Wally asked Kuki, even though it was near Abby's plate.
Kuki glanced at Abby before blinking at Wally. "But, Numbuh 5's closer to i-"
"Just gimme the cruddy syrup!"
"Okay, okay!" Kuki said, quickly grabbing the syrup and plopping it next to him. He snatched it and violently pressed the bottle, slathering the syrup all over his pancakes. "Man, who put a bee in your undies?" she added.
Wally shot her a look and she shrugged, innocently. Abby narrowed her eyes at him. He was acting way siller than usual and it was starting to get to her.
But if he's gonna ignore Numbuh 5, I'll do the same. Two can play at that game.
She ate her cereal quickly and dumped it into the sink before she calmly walked to the lounge room, picking up her headphones and her magazine. Abby's mind was on a particular blonde boy, though; she couldn't focus on the magazine or the music that was playing in her ears at all.
Even though she badly wanted to ignore him, she didn't think she could last very long.
Abby could hear him arriving with Kuki beside him, talking his ear off. Usually, she'd hear him reply back or complain about random things. He was silent now, not even bothering to respond.
She could feel his intent gaze on her but refused to acknowledge it. Abby wasn't usually the childish type but Wally had asked for it.
It was the same situation two days later.
They ignored each other, Abby more than Wally. The latter's anger and frustration had subsided and now he looked up at her guiltily. Abby, on the other hand, was trying not to look at him. She knew that if she did, then she'd either go off at him or forgive him.
"Numbuh 2, pass Numbuh 5 the chicken, please."
"But, Wally's closer-"
Abby shot him a similar look that Wally had shown Kuki earlier in the morning. Hoagie audibly gulped and hurriedly passed her the chicken.
Nigel placed his cutlery down with a large clutter and glared at both Abby and Wally.
"You two, cut it out, will you?! Numbuh 5, I thought you'd be wiser than Wally."
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean!?" Wally interjected, hurt. Nigel ignored him, staring at Abby.
"You're second-in-command, whatever it is that you're fighting about, sort it out. And quickly," he said, emphasising the last syllable.
Abby sighed. She knew Nigel was right, but her ego was in the way. Wally was mad at her, and she didn't know why. Abby hadn't done anything wrong, so she didn't understand why she had to be the one to talk to him.
She watched as Wally chatted to Kuki as if nothing had happened and everything was fine. Her blood boiled; she was angry, mad, and there was another feeling swirling within her stomach.
So he's talkin' to Numbuh 3 like everything's alright, but ignoring Numbuh 5? She scoffed to herself.
That feeling was one she was familiar of. And now, it was very clear to her.
N-no, it can't be. Numbuh 5 can't feel that about...Wally and Kuki! She thought, shuddering. As Abby looked up gingerly, she watched as Wally shot a crooked smile in Kuki's direction and said something that made her giggle.
The sight made her stomach clench tight with raw envy, but it also brought a burning and tearing sensation in her heart. Abby shook her head quickly, trying to get rid of that thought.
Ridiculous, she spat to herself. This is Numbuh 4, we're talkin' about, how's Numbuh 5 jealous!?
What she didn't notice was the fact that Wally had been staring at her the past week, checking up on her and wondering if she was going to look at him. He scolded himself for being a right jerk to her, but never got the chance to apologise to her.
She always ignored him as if he had the plague - and she was usually the one that always came to support him and stood by him, no matter what.
So it hurt. A lot.
More than a lot. It's cruddy painful. Wally thought bitterly, poking at his dinner before glancing at his chest. Hurts right here, for some odd reason.
As Abby cleared up and the others went to do their respective things, Wally came up behind Abby. She turned and jumped back when she saw a pair of emerald eyes staring at her, regret pooling in them.
"What're you doing here, boy?" Abby mumbled, not really interested.
Wally hung his head, dejected at her tone. "I just wanted to talk to ya."
"Numbuh 5 don't think that's a very good idea," she said, turning away. When she went to leave, her stomach heavy, Wally stopped her.
"Look, Abby. I...I'm sorry for bein' a cruddy jerk the other day. I don't know what came over me, ya know? It was strange. I was havin' a bad day."
She sighed and looked down at her hands. Abby didn't want to give in so easily, but she wasn't the type to keep a grudge against a friend for a long time.
"Numbuh 5's sorry too. Just a lot of things on her mind."
Wally nodded. "I get ya."
"Ya do?"
He shrugged, awkwardly. "I think so?"
Abby didn't know what had gotten into her, but it was as if the ice cream incident never happened. She blurted out something that even she hadn't come to terms with yet.
"Numbuh 5...Numbuh 5 thinks she likes someone," she whispered quietly.