Chapter 6: According to My Research…
Disclaimer: I do not own The Magic School Bus or any of the related characters. The Magic School Bus series is created by Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen and owned by Nelvana. This entire story is a work of fanfiction and is meant for entertainment purposes only. I am not making a profit from this story.
Notes: We've officially reached the halfway mark of this story! I know some of you are wondering about Tim - but don't worry I have plans for him ;) Now, let the drama begin…
10:00pm
Dorothy Ann nervously peeked into the flashy building as the rideshare drove away. She could faintly hear pulsing pop music coming from inside the establishment.
"Okay Wanda, you're the expert so lead the way!" Keesha declared.
"According to my research, we're supposed to pay the cover fee at the entrance and receive a ticket for our purchase. Then, a security guard called a "bouncer" will check our tickets, stamp our hands and let us in. Once we're inside, we can purchase beverages, dance and use the washroom facilities if needed," Dorothy Ann stated.
"Pfft thanks for the 4-1-1 DA. Now who's ready to partayyy?!" Wanda whooped as they went inside to buy their tickets. The dance floor downstairs didn't look very crowded. Dorothy Ann supposed it was still too early for the regulars to arrive.
"Can I please see your tickets?" a gruff voice inquired.
"Mr. Sinew?" Wanda asked in surprise, recognizing the bouncer as Janet's physical education teacher who competed against Ms. Frizzle in the teacher-athlon when they were in elementary school.
"It's just Garth now. I quit teaching and decided to open my own gym. Val recently hired me to work nights as a bouncer here. This is my side hustle," Mr. Sinew explained as he checked their tickets and stamped their hands.
"Wait, did you say Ms. Frizzle hired you?" Keesha exclaimed.
"Hello class," a sunny voice melodically greeted them over the music.
"MS. FRIZZLE!" The girls chorused in surprise at seeing their now retired teacher working in the DJ booth with Liz perched on her shoulder. She looked very much the same as she did when they were kids, albeit with a few silver streaks in her auburn hair. She even wore the dress she had originally donned when they spent the night at The Sound Museum.
"After Cornelia C. Contralto II passed away last year, she left The Sound Museum to Ms. Frizzle who had it remodeled into a club. I saw an ad about it online a few days ago and thought we could go clubbing and also say hello," Wanda grinned.
"Right you are Wanda, and it's always a pleasure to see my former students. I presume your parents gave you all permission to come here tonight?" she winked.
"Of course, they're chill," Wanda laughed while the girls avoided eye contact with her.
"Excellent! Now how about we get this party started?" Ms. Frizzle exclaimed, changing the song and dimming the lights. A catchy hip hop number started pumping from the speakers and bright lights flashed around the room as more people filled the club.
Dorothy Ann turned to Phoebe who mirrored her own excitement. That shot Phoebe took earlier must have given her the liquid courage Wanda was talking about. The night was young, so Dorothy Ann felt her research could wait. It was time to live in the moment.
"Come on!" Wanda laughed, pulling them onto the floor with her and Keesha.
11:00pm
"Water break?" Keesha shouted over the music. There were more people in the club now. The girls gave her a thumbs up and weaved their way to the drinks station.
"Four water bottles please!" Dorothy Ann called out to the staff. After paying, they moved off to the side to rest and rehydrate.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" a voice snarked from nearby.
Janet was standing in front of them with her hands planted on her slender hips. She was wearing a chic black designer minidress. Her makeup was flawless and she had somehow managed to tame her curly long red hair into an elaborate updo. She regarded them with a mixture of distaste and morbid curiosity.
"I get why Wanda and Keesha are here, but not you two. Plant Girl, I thought I smelled loser. And Book Bag, Halloween isn't until October," Janet threw her head back and cackled at her own joke.
"Then, why are you acting like such a witch?" Dorothy Ann shot back. She was sick of Janet picking on her because of her close relationship with Carlos. Phoebe gasped and Janet's mouth twisted in anger as she took a threatening step towards Dorothy Ann.
Dorothy Ann fiercely glared back at her, until she noticed a couple of familiar faces entering the club from behind Janet. In the dim light, they appeared to be Arnold and Carlos. But that wasn't possible. How would the boys know they were here?
As they drew nearer, the red haired boy wearing a yellow collared shirt tucked into his gray pants stumbled into someone and began profusely apologizing as he nervously repositioned the glasses on the bridge of his nose. Okay, that was definitely Arnold.
The other boy had to be Carlos, but there was something off about him. He donned a red collared shirt, chinos and a navy bomber jacket so his wardrobe checked out. She'd seen him wear that ensemble before. But his expression was devoid of its boyish charm. There was no goofy smirk or careless swagger. She felt as though the air had been sucked from the room when his stormy, determined gaze passed over the crowd and collided with hers.
Carlos nudged Arnold and nodded in their direction before making their way over as Janet continued speaking.
"You think you're so great because you're going to be a double major with a scholarship at Walkerville U this fall. We'll see who's laughing when Carlos finally realizes what he's been missing while he wasted his spare periods and free time with you. Once frosh week starts, he'll either hook up with me or another girl on campus. Learn your place Book Bag," Janet venomously seethed.
Wow. That was colder than usual. Dorothy Ann wondered whether Janet had been holding back this entire time or if something had seriously pissed her off earlier in the night. Either way, she felt beyond hurt and humiliated that Janet had laid out all her private insecurities about her feelings for Carlos right in front of him and their friends.
"No, you need to learn your place Janet. It's never going to happen with you and me, so quit bothering my girlfriend, got it?" Carlos firmly said. Dorothy Ann's mouth hung open in shock and Janet jumped in surprise when she turned around and saw him. Then, her eyes welled with tears and she ran to Arnold.
"Aren't you going to say something to him? I'm your only cousin so defend me you spineless coward!" she screamed. Arnold clenched his fists and glowered at his cousin.
"I am NOT a coward. I came here for two reasons and neither involves talking to you. Carlos needed a wingman tonight. Tim wasn't answering his phone and Ralphie couldn't come because Keesha would have killed him for crashing her girls' night. So Carlos asked me to tag along. Why are you even here? Did you come to bother me and my friends like you always do?" Arnold demanded.
"You seriously think I dressed up and came all the way out here to harass you and your stupid friends?!"
"Yup, sounds like that's right up your alley."
"How would I even know they were going to be here? It's not like they broadcasted it on social media or anything!"
"I'm sure you found a way."
"Ugh forget it, I'm leaving! I can see I'm clearly not wanted here!" Janet cried in exasperation, wiping her eyes. As she was going, another boy their age approached her.
"Hey girl, what's wrong?"
"Piss off asshole."
"How about you, beautiful?" he asked Dorothy Ann, unfazed by Janet's rejection. She awkwardly backed away from him as Carlos protectively stepped in front of her.
"Sorry buddy, she's taken," he growled, steering Dorothy Ann away from the group.
"Get a clue! We're kinda in the middle of something," Wanda admonished after Carlos and Dorothy Ann had left the club room.
"Who the hell do you think you're talking to Pinkie?" the boy menacingly said.
"Don't speak to her like that!" Arnold shouted.
"And who do you think you're messing with string bean?" the boy snorted.
"Not much," Arnold rebutted, tucking his glasses in his pocket protector and puffing out his chest before falling down when the other boy socked him in the face.
"Get him out of here Garth," Ms. Frizzle instructed, gesturing to the boy who had hit Arnold. As Mr. Sinew escorted him off the premises, Wanda ran over to kneel where Arnold was lying down.
"Oh my god, are you okay Arn? I'm sorry you got hurt because of me!" she cried. Arnold bolted up, holding one hand over his right eye.
"I'm totally fine Wan! Thanks for asking. I just need to use the bathroom real quick," he cheerfully reassured her. He staggered up and ran to the men's restroom. Once he was inside, he took a look at himself in the mirror. Yup, less than ten minutes into his first clubbing experience and he already had a bruise just above his right eye. Thankfully his glasses hadn't broken.
"I can help you take care of that," Phoebe briskly said, materializing beside him with a first aid kit. "I borrowed this from Ms. Frizzle."
"No no no Pheebs, you really don't need to do that. I'll be fine, you shouldn't even be in here," Arnold stammered in embarrassment at seeing a girl in the men's room.
"You need medical attention," Phoebe insisted so Arnold let her tend to his wounds.
"Thanks Pheebs," Arnold gratefully whispered when she was done. Phoebe curtly nodded and began putting the supplies back into the kit, while he quietly assessed her.
"I was surprised to hear you came along with the others. I'm glad to see you finally getting out more. You look really pretty tonight. Like yourself...but better? Sorry if I'm not making any sense," Arnold rambled as he tried to compliment her. Phoebe froze for a moment, before standing up and beaming at him. She had initially been annoyed that he injured himself for Wanda's sake, but her resentment vanished when he finally acknowledged her.
"I'll see you at grad Arnold," she winked, exiting the men's restroom to return the first aid kit and leaving behind her flabbergasted classmate.
"Where did DA and Carlos go?" Phoebe asked Keesha and Wanda.
"I wouldn't worry about those two lovebirds. It looks like Carlos' balls finally dropped after seeing DA wearing that sexy dress and being hit on by that random guy. I have no doubt he'll take care of her," Keesha snickered.
"I've already called a rideshare to take us home. Are you coming Arnold?" Wanda asked as Arnold was leaving the washroom.
"Um, sure," Arnold hesitantly replied as his eyes briefly met Phoebe's before darting away. He quickly waved goodbye to Ms. Frizzle and speed walked towards the exit. Phoebe smirked in satisfaction at his bumbling departure.
Wanda warily watched his retreating figure. Over the years, he had grown to be the tallest of the boys in their group, making it easy to spot him in a crowd. The bright orange hair atop his head had darkened to a handsome auburn that matched the scruff on the sides of his face and chin whenever he forgot to shave. But Wanda kind of preferred him that way. It didn't give him a messy appearance, but rather added to the awkward, endearing charm he retained from childhood. She always wished he could be braver, but not to this extent. She hoped he was okay. Whenever she tried to meet his gaze, he'd look away in embarrassment, which was a shame because she had become rather fond of those baby blue eyes. He didn't seem to have that problem with the other girls in their group.
Tonight was no exception. It was awfully bold of Phoebe to go into the men's washroom, despite the fact that it was obvious she was only providing medical assistance. She had seen her holding the first aid kit. Wanda was suddenly filled with confusion and anxiety at the unsettling feeling in the pit of her stomach. What happened between Arnold and Phoebe? Why did she care so much? And what was the second reason that Arnold had come to the club? He had only told them the first - to be Carlos' wingman.
"Have a good night class! Please send your parents my regards. Thank you for supporting The Sound Museum," Ms. Frizzle called out over the music.
"Thanks Ms. Frizzle!" the girls said goodbye and followed Arnold outside to the rideshare that had just arrived. Keesha sighed in exhaustion and texted Ralphie.
Keesha: Leaving now. Will let you know when I get home.
Ralphie: All of you?
Keesha: Carlos ran off with DA.
Ralphie: LOL about time. I hope he remembers to use the condom I gave him.
Keesha: WHATTT?!
Notes: I really wanted to include Ms. Frizzle and Liz in this story because they're awesome! I also wanted to make the clubbing experience somewhat safe - unlike what happens at most all ages nightclubs. Having the Frizz own the club kept things under control - for the most part.
Mr. Sinew from the episode "Works Out" also cameos as a bouncer here.
The Halloween insult and witch rebuttal is a reference to one of my fave lines from the early 2000's Mary-Kate and Ashley movie, "Our Lips Are Sealed"!
The next chapter will be up soon. *Starts prancing around while throwing flower petals around the room* Hey, it's gonna focus on DA and Carlos sexy time, so I can be a little punny! As always, R&R!