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Gwen's Bedroom
November 4, 2000
9:18 AM
The phone buzzed in her hand, interrupting the music playing softly through her headphones, ruining one of her favorite songs and the reflective daydream it had drawn her into. Gwen opened her eyes, furrowed her eyebrows and shot a wicked glare at the thing for intruding. As if it could care. All she got for the effort was another hard twinge of her headache, a quick, sharp pain stabbing at her stuffed-up sinuses that temporarily overshadowed her prickly throat and overall (and bizarrely oxymoronic) hot-and-shivery, achy feeling. She consciously relaxed her forehead with a sigh. Head colds sucked, and there was precious little anyone could do about them. At her mother's suggestion she'd taken a steaming hot shower for as long as she could after waking up with the dull, throbbing pain. The hot vapor did wonders for her nose and sinuses, providing the only real relief possible until the water started running lukewarm. The feel of the water pelting on the back of her head, neck and shoulders was pretty good headache relief, too. Maybe she'd take another one before going to bed - that would take care of the cold symptoms and make her drowsy, a nice twofer.
She ignored the incoming message and pressed the 'Play' button to get the song going again. More than likely it was from the Doofus (there were only a few other entries in her contact list, and when she was home it was either him or Michelle; Grandpa never started many text conversations even when he was around) and he would wait for a reply - it was funny in a way, since Upside Down had her day dreaming about him anyway. It wasn't the first time the track to the 'Curious George' movie got her thinking of him - that lovable, cuddly self-propelled disaster of a monkey was a fair reflection of Ben over the years - but this was the first time the song got her pondering them.
And with each new day
I can feel a change in everything
OK, that was a little over the top, every day isn't violins playing in a shower of rose petals when it comes to that boy; on the other hand, it was also true that they'd been dealing with some mind bending changes recently. Either way, there was no ignoring their time together had been an adventure that would be the envy of little George, and her Ben was way more adorable, if not trouble prone.
I'll find the things they say just can't be found
I'll share this love I find with everyone
Gwen knew the song wasn't about them, but the words and upbeat music seemed to fit her life, right now at least. No one could have predicted they'd have found what they did in each other, or what they could keep finding; at most, their families just hoped they'd stop being antagonistic at the start of their first summer together. She'd overheard her parents questioning Grandpa about his sanity in agreeing to take the two of them on the first trip. They were like "two savage little badgers on a good day", as her Daddy had put it, not that she was the least bit salty about that. But her grandfather had been confident they would grow on each other if given the chance.
Well! Safe to say the places he took them, and the things they did and learned about each other and themselves were more than enough chances. And they did way more than grow on each other!
She admitted to herself, at least, that she lo- um... come on Gwen, it's OK to think it, really! ... she loved her Doofus, and not just the way family normally did. For good or for bad - and how was love bad, again? - that is what she felt, and she liked it, reveled in it, even if she couldn't bring herself to tell him that just yet. But she was wanting to more and more, just like she wanted to let the world see they were together and made each other happy.
I don't want this feeling to go away
Please don't go away
Is this how it's supposed to be
Is this how it's supposed to be
A lot of her nightmares were about him going away, but that's not what these words were talking about. They weren't tragic, they were more ... hopeful. Now that she, they ('cause she pretty much knew Doofus felt the same things about her, even if he couldn't say so either) were getting a handle on this relationship thing, who wouldn't want it to stay? The second to last line may have been a question, but the last one really wasn't.
The song ended as the phone buzzed impatiently again, snapping her out of her reverie. Just like him, she thought with a little smile. She blinked a couple times, not upset about the interruption this time. This was the third time she had pushed 'Replay', almost fifteen minutes wast- no, not wasted, but gone anyway. Cold or no, time to get back to the real world.
She looked at the phone and brought up the text app.
Ben: hey dweeb ive gotta help dad with some stuff around the house for a while
Ben: want to come over in the afternoon
Ben: bring some homework the rents like it when we do that
Ben: and I could use some help on math
Ben: maybe we could go to the arcade or something too
Gwen grinned to herself. Since last year both sets of parents were happy with their tutoring sessions, and his resulting grades. Bs and a stray A minus or two went a long way to smooth over the amount of time they spent together, even if they used almost as much time investigating their lips as they did actually doing their homework, when they could get away with it. And it wasn't just her teaching Ben all the time, either - amazingly enough, she really did get her assignments done during their study time, too.
As much as he complained about school, they discovered he liked learning new stuff with her; he just needed a teacher who knew how to make it interesting and took the time to find out what approaches worked for him. Gwen found out she could be that kind of teacher, somehow translating what most of the kids she knew saw as dry, useless information (Ben sure used to!) into something that was relevant to him. Or at least worth his while. Seeing him 'get it' for the subjects he was struggling with was sometimes even more fun than when she did with her classes. His transformation from being confused and frustrated by the gibberish of homework questions he wasn't prepared for into confidently using new knowledge to answer those same questions and know he got them right was awesome! As much as watching him change into the aliens he was also learning to use so well; except that his new academic success was all him, and didn't need a boost from an alien device. The pride and gratitude radiating from the smile he gave her when he did made whatever struggles they had totally worth it!
How's that for finding things that everyone said couldn't be found?!
She sighed again, this time in frustration at another cruddy effect of the nasty cold. Of course she wanted to go over, but not feeling like this. She barely made it through karate without falling over yesterday, something both Sensei and her Mom lectured her about (and wouldn't it have been nice if Sensei believed her when she insisted it wasn't anything at alllike the last time she felt bad at the dojo!); no way she was going to be allowed to leave the house until she was better. That might have seriously messed up the weekend, since their study time had become an essential part of their overall together time. As luck would have it, though, they had movie night at her house last night, so she at least got to snuggle up and use his chest for a pillow - the 'Princess Bride' again, go figure! Her parents weren't quite as uptight as his about Friday nights these days; as long as the door was open and a light was on, they could spend time on their own in her room watching a movie on her laptop. It wasn't their fault she didn't have a TV in her room, forcing them to huddle side by each to watch the small screen.
She grinned about the unexpected bonus from their cuddle time during the movie; his hair had a heady new scent after he got cleaned up from soccer practice. It lingered on the pillow he used long enough to lull her to sleep after he went home, better than the lavender spray she sometimes used. She'd have to check out his gym bag next time he came over to find out what the new shampoo was, and make sure he kept using it. It was ironic too; she was sure his mother bought it for him. No way the little freak picked it out himself, and Aunt Sandy surely wasn't trying to find a scent her niece would fall for.
Gwen: Wish I could, but not today. I don't feel so good.
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Ben: huh? what's wrong?
Ben using punctuation marks was about the same as shouting and scowling with worry. She smiled with appreciation, but she didn't want him getting worked up over a simple cold.
Gwen: Don't worry, nothing serious. You know how I had a sore throat last night?
Gwen: It turned into a bad cold. I feel like crap, stuffy nose, sinus headache, that kind of stuff. You don't want it.
Gwen: I'm gonna do some homework tomorrow, maybe I can help you then.
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Ben: oh bummer
Ben: yeah tomorrow could work
Ben: at least now I won't get your cooties so thanks for that ;^)
Ben: hope you don't have a yak attack \:###...
That made her laugh out loud, causing another stab at her sinuses. Cheeky little dirtbag! And what was with the new emoticons?
Gwen: Eww! That's gross Doofus! I have a cold, not the flu.
Gwen: And you didn't mind my cooties last night! :o XD
Two can play that game!
Ben: :O
Ben: all right I give lol
Ben: gotta go dads calling at me c ya
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Ben: hope you feel better
Gwen grinned again. There were times she almost missed how they sniped at each other with all kinds of put downs, sarcasm and burns at the start of the first summer - until Michelle came along, only Ben was able to not only keep up with her verbal barrages, but dish it out in a way that made her have to think to keep up her side of the game. The mean edge had faded away as their familiarity and playfulness took its place. Not today though. She realized she never told him how much she liked having the hero boyfriend she had now over the inconsiderate prick he was back then. She made a mental note to fix that. Soon.
"All right. Time to get this done", she said to herself, pushing up from the low pile of pillows she'd been lounging on to sit cross legged on her bed. The poster design for the dance she started was beckoning on the laptop next to her right hip, temporarily forgotten twenty minutes ago when she got carried away by the Jack Johnson song. The poster was screaming a retro "Bubblegum Rock" theme in bright 60s psychedelic colors, and she had been looking for a reference to some recognizable songs to add to it before getting sidetracked. She looked back at her phone and brought up her song catalog, meticulously alphabetized by artist and organized into multiple playlists. She opened the one labeled 'Dance Tunes' and started a mental filter to pick the ones that would go with the theme; she had agreed to be the chairman of the DJ committee for the Bellwood Academy Fall Dance, and she needed to get her playlist ideas together for the meeting on Tuesday after school. The computer had an Internet search for "bubblegum rock hits"' open in a browser with a 'Top 50' list, and her phone had titles from that overly maligned late 60s - early 70s era, although some were more recent covers of the originals.
Maligned or not, Gwen liked the style of music; that's why she agreed to work on the DJ list to begin with. She didn't listen to it all the time, and it certainly wasn't going to take the place of what the Doofus played - nothing else got her attention and made her feel the way his music did! But bubblegum was mindless fun, with easy to understand lyrics - no deep meanings to decipher and agonize over! The music composition was bouncy with an easy to recognize rhythm and bright melodies.
They were also often simple to the point of being trite; Ben had flatly refused to even consider learning a few of the tunes Gwen jokingly mentioned a few weeks ago - he said it was 'demeaning' to him for her to even suggest he play something that 'any beginner' could do. That sparked an intense and stupid argument about their lack of musical complexity and his overblown sense of rock-godliness. Thankfully the blowup didn't last long; it helped that she was impressed with his spot on use of that word and told him so - her angry compliment caught him flat footed, and completely derailed his argument leaving him glaring dumbfounded at her. Well, almost. ("Oh yeah!? Well, you... wait. Did you just say I used the perfect word for why I'm mad?!" "YES. ... And don't let it go to your head, Doofus. It's not like this is the first time you've ever done that.")
After that, the ridiculousness of the fight finally dawned on both of them, causing their angry glares to dissolve into a fit of giggles against each other. He caught her completely off guard a week later when he blew her away with a recording he did playing the Joan Jett cover of Crimson and Clover one Friday night, even if she had to hear it using headphones. Even without hearing the lyrics, his parents would have recognized the song, and they were under enough of a microscope without adding gasoline to their smoldering suspicions. She returned his peace offering after it finished, though, replying to his goofy, shy smile and "Was that OK?" question with her own...
"You did that for me?!"
"Well, yeah. Duh! You didn't think I learned it because I liked it?"
"You... Come here, you.." Ben took a hesitant step towards her, as Gwen stopped just short of glomping him. She grabbed two fists full of his shirt at his shoulders and pulled him to her and planted a solid kiss on his lips that he just melted from.
She giggled at the memory of his stunned but happy reaction. Yup, that one goes on the list!
There was no denying the songs from her Grandpa's musical era were upbeat and danceable, though - they were manufactured to be that way, after all - and the list filled up quickly with the likes of I Think We're Alone Now, Sugar Sugar, songs by the Monkeys, Partridge Family and the Osmonds (not really bubblegum but close enough, and good for a slow song or two - gotta have some of those or the rest of the committee would have a hissy fit). Add in some 70s glam like Fox On the Run, Saturday Night and I Only Want to Be With You - The Sweet and Bay City Rollers hits always went over well once kids got dancing - and Gwen had a respectable list for the committee meeting.
Not that it mattered. She wasn't really intending to go - she and Ben never talked about it since they didn't need to attract that kind of attention. And while Michelle would make it tolerable if she went without him, some of the Neanderthal boys in her class were starting to pay attention to her. Ugh!
She closed the list and attached it to a message to Michelle, one of the other four girls on the committee. The two of them would end up making most of the final list for the DJ; the other girls wouldn't have much of anything ready and end up going along, then tell the rest of the school how they spent so much time to get it perfect. "Like usual", Gwen sighed to herself as she sent the text.
Gwen: Hey 'Chelle, what do think of this for the DJ song list meeting on Tuesday? (Attached file: BGR-list)
Her friend must have been using her computer too, because she got a reply eighteen seconds later.
Chelle: Hey CG, I was just working on mine too
Chelle: Hang on a sec
Chelle: Heres what Im thinking of (Attached file: dance_songs)
Gwen was browsing through the new list, when about a minute later her phone chimed repeatedly as a new set of texts appeared.
Chelle: Your list has songs I dont know
Chelle: I want to hear them
Chelle: aaand I need to get away from the gremlins
Chelle: I'll be there in ten minutes
Gwen grinned - her little brothers were impossibly cute, but they were a handful. She didn't doubt Michelle needed a break from them, and she hadn't had much time to hang out with her best friend lately, other than school. Twelve minutes later the girl was flopping on Gwen's bed, half-heartedly complaining with the biggest grin about their latest outrage - sneaking into her makeup case and using half a tube of white face paint on their chins to play Santa Claus!
She had already compared the two lists and highlighted the titles that were unique to each other's lists in a display window, and connected the phone to the clock/radio on her nightstand. The first song on her list was tee'd up in the music app before Michelle even got there. Gwen hit the start button just as the olive-skinned girl sat up and said "OK, enough about my little monsters, let's hear... what ... your songs sound like..." her voice trailing away as the intro of the song gave way to the melody and lyrics. Michelle stared at her in mock astonishment, then peered at the computer screen.
"Seriously?! How did you have time to do all that? I just told you I was coming over like, a few minutes ago!"
Gwen gave her a sly look. "Twelve, actually. What took you so long? I had this ready five minutes ago."
Michelle snorted in exasperation, then shoved Gwen's arm hard enough to almost push her over. "One of these days I'm going to catch you when you're not ready for something, and I'm gonna laauughhh..."
Gwen laughed instead as she sat back up. "Maybe. ... But not today." she said with a grin. Michelle settled in next to her to listen and compare notes about the lists.
The song finished playing, and then the next several on the list went by as the girls commented on whether or not they would be good for the dance, along with some pithy observations on which of their classmates might actually be decent dancers or total klutzes.
They got to one that was another of Gwen's recently discovered favorite oldies, but she wasn't surprised that 'Chelle didn't recognize it - the title was odd, and it was only a moderate hit when it was released in the 80s; now it hardly ever got any radio play. When she did hear it on Bellwood's classic rock channel recently, though, Gwen was hooked. Finding it on Napster a few days later had made the day a little brighter, like unexpectedly seeing a box of "junk food with no nutritional value" favorite cereal in the pantry after her mother came back from grocery shopping.
"Yeah, what the heck is that? The Ooh Ooh Song? What kind of title is that? I thought it was a typo!" Michelle asked.
"No, it's a real song. Tell me what you think of it." Gwen started the song and sat back to watch the other girl's reaction. A driving rock back-beat came pouring out of the speaker, followed by a vibrant organ background melody, and then a strong middle soprano voice with some electronic effects singing rapid fire lyrics. Pat Benatar was one of the high profile women in rock and roll, with a tendency to combine thought provoking lyrics with catchy melodies. No crazy guitar riffs or power chords, though, so not something she shared with Ben. She got enough of his "granny tunes" put downs as it was. After the first fifteen seconds Michelle was bobbing her head and moving her shoulders and arms to the music.
"That's pretty cool, but it isn't really bubblegum, is it? ... Oh wait, that kinda sounds like it" as Benatar started harmonizing sugary vocalizations of ooh oohs.
Gwen smiled. "No one else will figure that out. ... Except maybe the teachers, and they don't count. And I'm sure no one will get that the words are actually kind of depressing."
"They are?" Michelle asked just as a new verse started up. After listening carefully, her eyes got wide and she held her breath for a moment or two. "Wow. They are. I'd never have guessed it from the music, it's really happy sounding. ... Why would you want to play something like that? 'Specially now that you've got a boyfriend and all." she teased with a smirk.
Gwen ducked her head but still smirked right back at her. "Because I know what the last line is." she said, just as that line was playing through the radio speaker.
Y el amor que sentimos es mas profundo
"Yeah, I don't know that language, Crazy. Italian?"
"Spanish. It means 'The love that we feel is deeper." Gwen replied, before realizing what she was saying and clapped a hand over her mouth.
Michelle cocked her head and an eyebrow at her, along with a hint of a smile. "So what are you trying to say? ... And to who?"
Gwen felt her face burning again, and let her hand fall back to her lap. The translation was way more than she could admit to - not to herself, not out loud, and not to him either. And if she couldn't to her Doofus she certainly couldn't to the girl in front of her! "Only that the last line changes the whole meaning of the song. If you know what to listen for. ... That's all!" she said, a little defiantly.
Her friend got that irritating, knowing half-smile of hers and murmured "If you say so..." in a sing-song way, before Gwen slapped her knee.
"Right. That goes on the list. And we'll see if anyone else picks up on the subliminalmeanings." Michelle thankfully let it go with a smug look. "So let's hear the rest of the list..."
Eight minutes later her phone chimed with new texts from Ben. "Speak of the devil..." Michelle said, then gave a short laugh at Gwen's mock glare that would barely knock a moth off a bug zapper.
Ben: hey dweeb are you feeling ok now
Ben: whatcha doin
Michelle leaned over to watch while Gwen sent a reply.
Gwen: Yeah, I'm better.
Gwen: Working on the song list for my school's fall dance.
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Ben: huh what kind of music
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Gwen: The theme for the dance is bubblegum rock. Not stuff you like.
Gwen: Except that Joan Jett tune you played. ;)
She could just hear him groan about the last message and what a crappy song it was. She might believe him about it if it weren't for the enthusiastic way he played it, or the grin he had while he did. He may have learned it because of her, but he couldn't disguise that he liked it too.
Michelle noticed the emoticon and asked "What's with the winky? Is that some special song between you two?", jabbing her in the ribs with an elbow.
"Oww! Stop it! I'll explain later." She rubbed at her side absently and focused on the phone again. He took less than a minute with his reply.
Ben: shows what you know
Ben: try this (Attached file: magic-1)
Too fast to get it on the 'Net. Sending the file that quick meant he had it on his phone, which was strange since it was so not his musical taste. If it really was a bubblegum tune, why would he bother with it after all the hate and discontent they went through a couple weeks ago?
"Well? Let's hear it! How bad can it be?" Michelle asked when the file download finished.
"He could have renamed some awful headbanger tune. Ever heard Interstellar Overdrive?" she grumbled.
Gwen frowned and shuddered at that memory. She was emotionally wrecked the night she went to his house to say her ill-considered goodbye, but when she heard the god-awful "music" blaring from his window, she almost turned herself in (she still didn't know where, but that didn't matter now) without looking back. If he hadn't finished the horrific screeching and sent that text to her, he might not have climbed out the window to investigate the buzzing sound from her phone, and she would have ended up wallowing in her misery alone on his roof. Instead, that wonderful boy found her and ended up talking her down, literally and figuratively, before showing her he really could play the electric guitar without alien help. And look where that had led to!
The frown gave way to a smile even as her finger hesitated over the 'Play' button on the phone. Whatever the song was it most likely wasn't as bad as that night outside his window - even if it was a prank, ever since then Ben's taste in music had been edging away from sonic catastrophes like that. She took a deep breath and held it as the song started, hoping for the best.
And this one definitely hit the mark!
"I don't know what you were worried about. That's a good one!" Michelle nodded her head approvingly as the up beat melody played and the front man sang about, of all things, spending a lazy morning in bed. Gwen found herself tapping her hand against her thigh to the fast tempo. It was a perfect example of the 70s music style - danceable rhythm, mindless words with no serious message and catchy melodies - but amazingly neither girl had it on her list.
"How did we miss that?" Gwen said, adding the title to the DJ list. Then she sent a message back to Ben.
Gwen: Good one Doofus! That's a great song.
Gwen: What are you doing with it, though? I thought you hated bubblegum.
.
Ben: told ya! im just awesome like that
Ben: broadening my musical interests
Ben: just like you said I should
Michelle snickered at that exchange. "Like he always does what you say! Wish I could have heard that conversation."
Gwen groaned and rolled her eyes, but before she could say anything a new message appeared on the screen.
Ben: ive got a few more you should look at
Ben: hang on
A few seconds later another text popped up with links to songs on his Napster account.
Ben: You Can Do Magic Strange Magic Black Magic Woman
Gwen recognized the titles, they played often enough on the classic rock radio channels. The first one by America was kinda like bubblegum, but the other two definitely were not. ELO and Santana would never be mistaken for that. What was the little goof thinking? Michelle knew them too and had a similar thought. "I don't think he remembers the theme. What's with this magic thing?"
That idea started to itch at her brain, but the phone chimed again before she could really think about it.
Ben: Witchy Woman Evil Woman
Gwen started to grin as the itch got more insistent. There was nothing remotely like bubblegum in these two songs, but that wasn't the point. The insufferable brat knew exactlywhat he was doing! It just wasn't something anyone besides her would get.
"Now he's going off about witches?! ... I think he's stuck on Halloween." 'Chelle said.
Yet another message scrolled on the screen, this one with an attachment that reiterated his magic focus. Guess they were supposed to hear this one since he sent the actual file...
Ben: like em? heres another (Attached file: Magic)
"All right, Crazy, Ben's obviously lost it! I know he's got ADHD but this is nuts! He's all over the place!"
"He does not!" she retorted a little too forcefully, making Michelle flinch. It was hard to not be over protective when it sounded like someone was attacking her Doofus, even when she knew that wasn't what Michelle just did. He was certainly doing his best to make her friend's case, though, from her point of view anyway. The itch in her mind moved to her finger as she pressed on the song title to start the download and play sequence.
Gwen immediately felt bad about barking and toned down her irritation. "Sorry, Chelle." she said softly. "Let's hear what this song is, OK?" Her friend had that worried look again but nodded yes, then stared at the phone as the song started.
The Cars tune took forever to get through the intro, but when the lyrics started they were about... summer? It was late fall, and the weather forecast said it would be cold enough to be dead winter in a few days - Gwen felt even worse about snapping at Michelle, the knucklehead was all over the place with his song choices, even taking into account the private joke.
Then the real theme of the song became clear when the chorus started, making Gwen cover her mouth with a hand as Michelle sucked in a sharp breath. Neither said anything, though, as they kept listening.
Oh oh, it's magic
when I'm with you
The rest of the words expanded the sentiment, the singer expressing how he feels when he's with his girlfriend. It wasn't until the chorus played again right after a guitar solo that Michelle whispered "That's the sweetest thing I've heard him say to you..."
Gwen ducked her head again and felt her face burning a deep crimson, even as the biggest smile spread across it as another line jumped out at her.
Just a little magic inside of you
The song faded out with the last line barely audible.
Your magic pulls me through
"Does he mean all that, Gwen?" Michelle said softly.
Oh my god I hope so! she thought. It was just as likely, though, that he was just using the song title to keep the joke going, so she snorted and forced a sarcastic tone.
"Pffft! You know Ben, not a romantic bone in his body! He just liked the title and the guitar solo." Still, he made a point of sending the song instead of just a link. Was he really saying something he couldn't in person? What kind of roller coaster was he taking her on?
The phone chimed again, signaling yet another incoming message. Gwen groaned softly - how was he going to play with her feelings this time? - and looked at Michelle, who only rolled her eyes and shrugged her shoulders.
Ben: youve gotta check this out its a classic
The message was different this time, a link that came from a web site that shortened really long addresses, with no indication of the file it pointed to. This was new, and took the potential surprise element to a higher level. Eyeing the link warily, she clicked on it against her better judgement. It could lead to another song, or it could bring up all kinds of disgusting content or audio mayhem to counter the so far mild stuff (and one extremely surprising thing) he'd been sending. Gwen had learned over the years, when it came to practical jokes Ben was nothing if not creative and unpredictable, and he certainly knew how to find the dregs of the Internet. Now would be about the right time to unleash something gross to make the sentimental moment crash and burn. She just hoped it wouldn't be too outlandish - although it had recently been improving, Michelle's opinion of him could easily take a nose dive if this turned out to be something really nasty. The phone's browser started up and the two girls waited for the page to load...
A music video of a tall, lanky twenty-something-ish man with meticulously styled brown hair started, with an unmistakable, heavily processed disco-like melody. Gwen faced-palmed herself with a groan as the guy started to sing and muttered "Are you kidding me?"
We're no strangers to love
You know the rules and so do I
"Really Ben? Rick Astley?!" Michelle blurted out, then started to giggle as the mood from the previous song dissolved into parody.
Gwen laughed in spite of her mild irritation - it could have been way worse. She switched back to the message app and tapped out her reply, letting the song play while her friend fell over laughing.
Gwen: Doofus! I can't believe you did that!
Gwen: Rickrolling me?! Seriously? Who does that any more?
He took twenty seconds to answer back. Probably laughing his scrawny little butt off, she thought. She grudgingly admired the prank, though, that was a great set-up - nicely done, Doofus!
Ben: XD
Ben: all right Dweeb sorry about all that ;)
Ben: for real these songs should be on your list (Attached file: First, Second)
After the stunt he just pulled, Gwen knew she should still be careful about playing un-named songs - who knew what kind of crazy he was trying to pull this time? The rickroll was probably only a part of his plan.
But the itch wasn't gone - now it was giving her a feeling that these two were different, not a continuation of the cheesy prank. Maybe it was the unusual, unasked for apology. Ben almost never volunteered one of those, even as a joke, and she hadn't been that forceful with her response. Or maybe it was the usually unnoticed little voice in her mind that was somehow forcing her to pay attention now - go along with it, Gwen, you won't be unhappy with the result.
Michelle stopped laughing and pushed herself back up with a smirk when the phone chimed at the incoming messages, and shifted around until she could lean against Gwen's back to read the screen over her shoulder. "Come on, Crazy, let's hear 'em." she said.
Gwen saved both files into their own list, and went with his unstated but obvious play order and started the 'First' file, hoping she hadn't made a big mistake. She was relieved to hear a calm, moderately paced repetition of low-key chords from an electric guitar for an intro, even if she didn't immediately recognize the tune. That didn't last long, though, as the first five words were also the song's title - one that actually fit both the dance theme and the private joke he'd been stringing out:
Do you believe in magic...
Both girls took in a breath this time and held it for several seconds, listening closely to the rest of the words of the ancient 60s era golden moldie as the singer warbled on about the magic of music and dancing. The music, especially the guitar line, wasn't complex, but it did have a catchy, toe tapping rhythm and bright sound. It was so obviously not Ben's playing style, and definitely not something he would normally listen to, either; it's not like they just sat around for hours searching for obscure early rock 'n roll for the fun of it.
All right, sometimes they did, but not today. So how did he know it, and what was he thinking when he sent it?
It was a short song, so she didn't have time to ponder the question before she saw it was coming to an end with the words of the last verse.
If you believe in magic, come along with me
We'll dance until morning until there's just you and me
And maybe, if the music is right
I'll meet you tomorrow, sort of late at night
And we'll go dancing, baby, then you'll see
How the magic's in the music and the music's in me
Gwen shook her head and tried to sort out what she was hearing, and the feelings that were bubbling around because of the songs. She didn't just believe in magic, she was actually damn good at using it; but the dork knew that. He was her biggest fan since her first attempts even if he wouldn't say so, and her source of confidence when it was erratic and scary. He had also become an inspiration - she glanced at Michelle and realized again she never would have become friends with her if she hadn't tried to be more outgoing like he was. And his music almost always made her at least want to dance. So, yeah, he had his own magic, sort of ... But she knew that, too - so what was Ben trying to say? Or was she overthinking it again, and she should just take the song at face value without looking for a message, like they said they would at the beginning of the year.
It was just another catchy tune for the dance, with an inside joke only the two of them would get. Got it.
Then the second song started, another unexpected glimpse into that boy's scattershot thinking - Michelle was right, he was really all over the place today. This one began with an acoustic guitar intro, of all things, with a mellow sound she would expect from the soft rock station one or the other of their mothers usually had playing on their car radios. Ben, though, was more likely to fake gagging when he heard something like this than send her a copy... What the heck?!
The lyrics started, again with the title of the song at the beginning. Gwen gasped and hid her mouth behind her right hand (a lot of that going on today) - she and Michelle knew this one - and listened closely to the first verse...
Dance with me, I want to be your partner
Can't you see, the music is just starting
Night is calling, and I am falling
Dance with me
The rest of the song kept up the theme, an almost cloyingly sweet appeal, both lyrically and musically. It was a recent pop hit, and last year it had become a cliché part of how kids at school asked each other to go to a dance. She shuddered at some of the really over the top productions that simple act had become during middle school. She shuddered again at her next thought - is that what all this was?! Was Ben asking her...?
"Doofus!" she exhaled in a whisper.
"Gwen?" she heard Michelle say, wonderingly. "Is he doing what it sounds like?" Gwen looked up at her. Her friend's brown eyes were wide open under raised eyebrows reflecting a mix of amusement, excitement, and hints of admiration and envy.
What else could it be? He had seen the same kinds of grandstanding go-with-me-on-a-date invitations at his school, too. Over the last two years they'd made all kinds of snarky comments about them in the weeks before their schools had dances. For a few of the more creative episodes, Gwen actually imagined herself being on the receiving end of things like that and unexpectedly liked the idea. When she called them sweet or romantic, though, Ben predictably snorted and made some comment about romantic mush before clutching at his throat making choking noises.
And now here he was, looking for all the world like he was officially asking her to go on a date! Maybe not publicly - there were all kinds of reasons why he couldn't do that, going to different schools being the least of the obstacles - but he wasn't just assuming they'd go together, like he normally did when they hung out. If they even went at all; neither one had ever shown any interest before just now. Still, the way it made her feel - wanted, special, eager and happy, to name a few choice adjectives - was so much better than she'd imagined it would! Her Doofus pulled off yet another surprise! She could feel the smile and a burn all over her face, and this was one of the times she didn't mind at all - in fact she kinda liked the feeling.
"Gwen! Come on back, Crazy Girl!" Gwen felt Michelle push her shoulder, breaking her momentary lapse into her private world. Her friend was laughing at her now. "Don't leave him twisting in the wind again! Say something back!"
Gwen looked back at her. Michelle had an evil smirk, "Look at you with that sappy smile! And what an adorable shade of red! Too bad Ben can't see you now!"
"Shut up, 'Chelle!" she grumbled, still smiling. "You're just jealous." She looked down at the phone and started typing.
"No shit! Doesn't make this any less cute, though, does it?"
Gwen: Interesting picks, Ben. Not really your style though.
Gwen: They're almost romantic! Trying to send a message?
The kabuki dances they watched at school had well established if informal rules, one of which required a coy response by the invited person - this would have to do for the text situation he started.
"Oh, come on! ... You can come up with something better than that, Crazy!"
"Shush, you! Who's the one getting asked out?"
Before Michelle could answer, the phone chimed with Ben's.
Ben: i told you im trying something new
Ben: what do you think
And then his reply stopped. A few seconds delay between lines was typical for both of them, but as ten seconds went by, then twenty-five, both girls shifted uncomfortably where they sat. An oppressive tension built in the quiet of her bedroom as the phone refused to make a sound.
That's it?! Gwen thought, frowning. "Come on, Doofus, don't leave me hanging..." she whispered to herself after half a minute passed. She heard Michelle exhale along with her when the phone finally chimed again.
Ben: oh, yeah...
.
Ben: I want to go to the dance with you
Ben: Will you?
Michelle made a happy squeal in her ear as Gwen sucked in a breath and the face-aching smile came back. Her friend was right, it was awful that Ben didn't get to see her reaction, but she would definitely make it up to him!
First, though, the script allowed for one more bit of drama.
Gwen: I don't know, maybe I should hold out for a better offer...
Michelle was leaning into her back again, watching as her fingers flashed over the keypad and snickered at the reply. Gwen pushed the 'Send' control, then bit at her lower lip and put the phone down and started counting seconds to herself.
When she got to fifteen she noticed her right forefinger was tapping against her knee (when did that start?), and she felt Michelle poke her in the ribs and murmur "You are evil..." She got to twenty-eight before Michelle piped up again. "Give me a break, Gwen! Who do you think you're kidding? You know you're gonna say yes, and we both know that boy is good at waiting you out!"
At forty-one she caved, stopped tapping her finger, picked up the phone and started typing.
Gwen: Oh all right... YES, of course I will!
Gwen: Good one, Doofus! :))
He replied right away. So much for him trying to be nonchalant - she knew he'd been watching his phone as closely as she'd done with hers, even if he'd never admit it.
Ben: cool!
And... that was it, he finished the play the way he was supposed to. The rules said the boy asking usually couldn't show much excitement, it just wasn't done. The reaction of the girl being asked and the crowd watching would be more than enough to make up for the asker's stoicism. Even the friends backing him up would be more enthusiastic than the boy was supposed to be. In this case, though, the unexpected punctuation would be all she'd get. That and Michelle bouncing and giggling excitedly on her bed.
Or so she thought before the phone chirped again.
Ben: sorry I couldn't do that in person
Ben: or that it was only you
Ben: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Gwen couldn't stop the grin forming on her lips - he had been paying attention to her invitation critiques after all! Of course she understood why he had to be careful, but the feeling of being special she had a minute ago just got stronger knowing her Doofus did all that on purpose instead of just stumbling into it.
Michelle picked up on it, too, as she brought her hands up to grip her shoulders and gave her a small shake. "That is so sweet!" she cooed into Gwen's ear. "If he keeps this up he's gonna totally blow his tough guy image." She dropped her hands from Gwen's shoulders and asked "Are you going to tell him I'm here?"
Gwen gave that a little thought before deciding. Her boyfriend (Yeah, yeah, and cousin too, but after the last couple of months and the Halloween party, that fact wasn't really the issue it used to be. With these two, anyway.) and her best friend were acting like friends to each other lately, something she was happy about. It was nice not feeling like she had to constantly try to keep them both happy all the time and just hang out. Letting him know was a bit of a gamble, though - what if he somehow got self conscious or something and reverted to his jerky self?
But what if he didn't? Wouldn't that be even better? Didn't he deserve the benefit of the doubt, at least this time?
"You know what? ... Yes. Yes, I want him to know there was someone else that appreciated what he did."
Gwen: Don't worry about it, you did good! ;)
Gwen: Besides, there was an audience after all.
Gwen: Michelle saw the whole thing! She said it was sweet!
His reply came almost immediately.
Ben: really?
Then he went quiet for a half minute. Gwen felt her shoulders and back tense, waiting with furrowed eyebrows for the melt down she prayed wouldn't happen. Michelle had been watching the messages fly back and forth from her spot behind her, resting her chin on Gwen's shoulder. She picked it up when she read what he sent and felt Gwen's reaction.
"He's not gonna freak about me, is he?" she said, breaking the silence in the room with a worried voice. The phone dinged a few moments later with the answer to that question.
Ben: good ;)
Ben: i couldnt figure out how to ask you at your school
.
Ben: but tell army girl if she says that again ill have to go off on her
The frown melted into a big smile as Gwen let out the breath she was holding and relaxed her tight muscles. She heard her friend start breathing again with a short laugh.
"Tell him he's welcome to try!" Michelle said fiercely, even though Gwen knew there was nothing besides mirth behind it, just like Ben's text.
Gwen: She says you don't have to worry. She won't say that about you for the rest of the year.
Michelle smacked her on the shoulder blade. "That's not what I said!"
"No, but that's pretty much what you meant."
"Chose Cinglé" Michelle mumbled through her grin.
A few moments later, though, she sighed heavily, as if she just had a depressing thought, and crept around on the bed so she was facing Gwen, sitting cross-legged in front of her. She looked at her carefully, the grin replaced by her concerned face. Gwen knew that look, she had seen it more than once during the time between January and May when Michelle was particularly tuned in to her inner turmoil about her cousin. She never confronted her directly about it until the last Friday before summer started, but boy was that an ... experience. Why did she have that look now, though?
"Um, I don't want to pee on your parade, but... have you thought about how him going to the dance will work?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, almost everyone who pays attention at school knows about your boyfriend. ... Don't scowl at me, you know it's true! All the girls at your party know - even if it wasn't true then, that's what they were talking about. And remember the rumor mill before summer?"
Gwen shuddered at that; most of the things being said were just silly, but there were some ugly ones, too. Really nasty. She frowned at that recollection and shoved it all back down her tragic memory hole. "Yeah. So?"
"The girls saw Ben, and they even put his name to his face. But no one knows who he is. ... Except me." Michelle looked almost scared and swallowed hard. "And Marci and her sidekicks." she added quietly. Oh crap...
She looked right into Gwen's eyes. "You know they'll be at the dance. They may still be afraid of you, but they know how to play dirty."
Gwen sighed and looked away, the happy feeling draining from her along with what was left of her smile fading to a deep frown. Her bullies had been keeping a low profile ever since the fight at the museum, but they were trying for a comeback lately. And the second tier mean girls had never given up their scheming, even though she did whatever she could to not be in the It Girl spotlight this year. All it would take is one whisper that Ben was her cousin and the rumor mongers would have a feast, and their lives would become miserable.
"Yeah. You're right." she said in resignation. She looked down sadly at the bedspread between them. "Not to mention how we could explain Ben going to a dance at all, let alone to our school! Ben?! Our parents would never go along with it."
It just wasn't fair! All around her, at school and everywhere else she looked it seemed that there were kids their age acting like couples, even if it often only lasted a few weeks. It was OK for them to be open about it, sit together in movies and fast food joints, be silly and joke and laugh together, do the PDAs she wanted to do but didn't for fear of someone recognizing them... As long as other kids weren't disgusting about it no one paid them any mind. But for her and her Doofus - her partner, her hero - they couldn't do so much as hold hands without suspicious scowls from the adults for no other reason than the accidental circumstances of their birth.
"Guess I better let him know, before he tries to make any plans about it." she said dejectedly. "I hate to let him down like this, you know? After he put the effort into asking me." Let alone that he even wanted to go with her to the dance in the first place. Michelle was right, it was sweet of him to go through with this! He didn't deserve to have that flushed away.
Michelle put a hand on Gwen's knee. "I know. ... I'm sorry..." she said softly, her voice fading away. Gwen had to look away, the sadness on her friend's face was going to make her cry. She reluctantly picked up the phone and started a new message.
Gwen: Hey Doofus? Are you sure about this?
Gwen: I really appreciate what you did, but I don't think it will work.
.
Ben: huh?! why not?! what happened?!
He may as well be yelling, using punctuation marks like that. If he were here he would be. Gwen felt miserable as she replied.
Gwen: How do we explain this to our parents? Yours are already watching us like hawks.
Gwen: And there are kids at my school who know who you are and would cause trouble.
Gwen: More than we want to deal with.
She felt her eyes well up and a tear slide down her cheek as she sent the last message. Why can't people just let them be?!
Ben: oh you mean that bitch marci
Ben had to be furious that Marci could screw with her again. He never got over how that girl and the other two treated her. As much as Gwen didn't want anything necessarily bad to happen to them and had gotten him to promise to leave them alone, she appreciated his protectiveness towards her. She got a sad smile, the same one she saw on Michelle's face. Maybe it would have been better for all of them if he hadn't asked her after all.
Ben took less than ten seconds to send the next message.
Ben: dont wory about any of that
Ben: ive gotcha coverd!
Gwen was shocked at his reply. What could he possibly have in mind that would make him blow off both problems so easily?
Gwen: What?! How?!
The chime on her phone went nuts as he explained.
Ben: your nerdfest bubblegum music might be kinda fun
Ben: but i wasnt talking about your dance
Ben: i want to go with you to the one at my school
Ben: weve got a live band that plays current music
Ben: no one at my school knows you so thats not a problem
Ben: and i know how you can go without the rents being stupid about it!
The chimes stopped after the last message and both girls had a chance to finish reading - and how did Michelle learn to read upside down writing, anyway? Gwen's mouth dropped open at the last line - she wasn't used to thinking either set of parents were stupid, but she could see his point. She wasn't exactly thrilled with how they were acting, either. When she looked up from the phone, Michelle had a wide-eyed look and one hand over her mouth. She dropped it and said "He seems awfully sure of himself about those problems! Is he always like this?"
Gwen snorted even as she wiped away the tear track. "You have no idea" she murmured and sent a text back.
Gwen: What are you talking about Doofus?
.
Ben: paul plays guitar in the band thatll be at my school
Ben: he told me about it a few weeks ago
Ben: we just tell our parents were going to see him play
Ben: and maybe michelle could go with you
Ben: that would throw them off
Ben: what do you think
"That devious little SOB!" Michelle breathed out. "I never would have guessed he had it in him!"
"Yeah, people who think he's stupid just because he didn't get good grades are making a big mistake! He's pretty damn smart!" Not as smart as her, of course, but that went without saying. They looked at each other, grinning, and Gwen saw admiration in her best friend's eyes.
"So, what do you say? Want to go be a garage band groupie for a night?"
"Paul is the tall blond boy who tested for blue belt with you, right?"
"Paul Jones. Yeah, he's the one."
"Um, is he any good?"
"Well, you've heard Ben play. Paul has been playing a few years longer, and he and Ben practice together sometimes. Ben says he's really good! That's as much as I know, but if he's in a band that plays dances and stuff he must be good enough."
"Uh huh. ... All right, I'll cover your six. I don't see why my parents would say no." she said with a sly grin. "But you're gonna owe me."
Gwen rolled her eyes. "So what else is new?" She said before letting out a chuckle.
Gwen: That's actually a good plan, Ben! Nice thinking! :)
Gwen: Michelle says she'll go, too.
.
Ben: AWESOME!
Ben: thanks michelle i owe you one
Ben: the dance is on the 18th from 7 to 10
Ben: gotta go help dad some more
Ben: ill see you later Dweeb
.
Gwen: Not if I see you first Doofus!
Gwen stared at the phone after sending her last text, knowing he wouldn't say anything back for a while. When he was helping his dad, Uncle Carl insisted he not have his phone anywhere around so he would focus on the work. It would drive him nuts that she got to have the last word, though, so she grinned at that. The grin turned into a relaxed smile and a soft sigh as she looked at her friend.
"Thanks for agreeing to go, Michelle. It means a lot!" The girl grinned back at her and shrugged her shoulders. "I mean it! And to Ben, too - saying he owes you is a big deal to him! ... Just, whatever you ask, make it good. And make sure I'm there to see it!"
Michelle laughed. "I will! ... And you're welcome. It should be fun - at least the music, I guess." She stopped to think for a bit. "Hey, you don't think the boys at his school will ask me to dance, do you?" she said with her concerned look again. Gwen was surprised that Michelle looked spooked.
"Uh, probably? It is a dance, after all. I'm sure not all of them are dorks and morons, just like at our school. ... And you'll be making all the girls there jealous!"
"Yeah, right! So long as I'm not standing next to you!" This time it was Michelle's face starting to glow before she changed the subject.
"You know, Ben did a good job planning, Crazy - having that song list ready to go, knowing you two couldn't go to our dance but really talking about his, having the excuse for having me go with you. He's a scheming little shit, isn't he?" Michelle's face was covered in admiration. "The Colonel would say he had a solid battle plan."
Gwen had talked to her parents a lot over the year, and she knew that was high praise coming from her dad. She got a wistful smile, although it wasn't so much for the compliment. "Yeah. Yeah, he did, didn't he? He can be pretty clever when he wants to."
She looked at the photo of the three of them on her nightstand, from the night before the karate tournament last May. He had been really twitchy that night - at the time she didn't know why - and she and Michelle loved how flustered he got when they both kissed him on the cheek just before the camera went off! The poor guy had no idea they had plotted to maneuver him into that situation, but the result was priceless. Their parents thought it was a riot! Too bad they couldn't see their relationship as a good thing any more, and they had to figure out how to sneak around their suspicions. Maybe if they see how good she and her Doofus were together they'd get over it. Until then, though, they'd do what they had to.
And he had really done a terrific job with his surprise date invitation, especially with all the factors going against him. It must have taken him days to find the songs and have his plan ready to go, and then be ready to spring it when some random opportunity appeared. It was a stroke of luck that it fit so well with her focus on her school dance theme, and that Michelle was there for it. He probably could have forced a similar situation without the bubblegum music background, but this worked out perfectly!
Her Doofus did all of it for her sake, too. If it wasn't for her he couldn't have cared less about any dance. Maayybe he'd go because Paul was playing in the band, but that would be it. Instead, he did a wonderful thing so she could have the happy feeling of being special to him! If only she could tell their parents about this so they'd know a little of why she loved him!
Gwen snapped out of her introspection to see Michelle looking at her funny. "And if you ever tell him I said that I will deny it with all my being and disavow you! He's got a big enough ego as it is!"
Michelle laughed and said "Of course! ... oh, and by the way... today's the day you weren't ready after all! Don't try and tell me you knew Ben was going to pull this!" she said with a smug look, crossing her arms and looking directly at her.
"I was NOT sur-..." Gwen started, but stopped when Michelle stared and pitched an eyebrow at her.
"You so were!"
Gwen's defensive glare dissolved into a sheepish grin. "Yeah, I guess I was. ... But it was worth it! That was a great surprise!"
Then they were quiet for a minute, comfortable in the silence together.
Michelle broke it with a new subject. "No kidding it was! ... So, how far have you gotten with that book report for English? I swear, Mrs Spaznitsky hates me! I don't know what's going on in that book!"
Gwen laughed back. "It's Spanelli, and you know that! What part of the story are you having trouble with? ..."
/
NOTES
I know, the Curious George movie and soundtrack came out in 2006. The song is important to my story idea, and this IS an AU so I'm taking a bit of creative license, such as it is. The 'A' stands for 'alternate', amiright?
Since I'm taking liberties with RL history, I'm doing it again with URL shortening. It wasn't a real thing until 2002, but it makes my story work so...
Anyway, I hope these work ok. Leave a review and let me know what you think.
Songs I was listening to while writing:
Magic, One Direction
And, of course, all the songs in the story.