Chapter 10: One in a Melon
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: This is the final chapter! Thank you to everyone who stayed for the ride on my Magic School Bus fic. I had a blast writing it :)
10:00am
Dorothy Ann slowly roused to the sound of sharp rapping on her bedroom door. She stretched her arms above her head and wondered why her alarm clock didn't go off. She usually had tutoring on Saturday mornings. Then, she remembered that summer vacation had begun and started nodding off again. Her eyes snapped back open when the knocking continued.
She shot up in bed as the events that transpired last night came rushing to the forefront of her mind. Lying to her parents. Sneaking out of the house. Going to a nightclub. Having sex with Carlos...
"No freaking way!" she shrieked, covering her eyes in mortification at her less than appropriate conduct from the night before. Maybe it was just a fever dream after the intense biology exam? When she tried to leave her bed to answer the door, the soreness between her legs made her wince in discomfort. Nope, it had all definitely happened.
"Okay, I'm just going to come in since you're clearly awake," Evan drawled from the other side of the door before she entered a split second later.
"Good morning Ev!" Dorothy Ann squeaked, pulling the covers up to her neck and nervously fiddling with the ends of her hair. She cautiously watched her younger sister march into her bedroom and critically look around the area. Evan's gaze finally settled on her older sister's figure hidden beneath her bedsheets.
"So, what do you think you got on your English exam yesterday?" Dorothy Ann asked with a forced air of nonchalance.
"At least an 85. I'm always prepared. You're my sister, so teachers have great expectations of me," Evan smirked.
"Ha ha ha," Dorothy Ann rolled her eyes at her sister's pun.
"You can't possibly be surprised that your boyfriend has rubbed off on me over time," Evan scoffed.
"He's not my-" Dorothy Ann paused, realizing that Carlos was now in fact her boyfriend.
"Thought so," Evan smugly stated as she bent down to peer under her bed. Dorothy Ann frowned in confusion when Evan's eyes lit up and she reached for something.
'What was under-oh shit!' she realized in horror.
"What's this for sis?" Evan grinned victoriously, holding up her escape rope.
"A personal experiment," Dorothy Ann fibbed, refusing to give herself up. "I wanted to see if its tensile strength was strong enough to-"
"Carry your weight when you used it to sneak out and meet Carlos last night," Evan interrupted.
Dorothy Ann flinched and stubbornly turned away from her sister. Evan sighed and stepped towards her to yank off the covers.
"Hey, I'm cold!" Dorothy Ann sputtered.
"It's summer," Evan deadpanned before gasping at her sister's appearance. Dorothy Ann groaned. She was too exhausted to take off her makeup and change out of her clothes when she climbed back up the rope last night. Carlos had walked her home before heading back to Ralphie's house.
"Fine, I snuck out. I'm sure my makeup was a dead giveaway," she sighed in defeat.
"Well that and you were also unusually quiet at dinner. You normally love to yammer about what was on your exams and how you knew the answer to every single question," Evan said in a singsong voice, ducking to avoid the pillow her sister launched at her.
"I just went out with the girls. Nothing too crazy," Dorothy Ann shrugged, continuing to avoid eye contact with her inquisitive sister.
"Sis...I think you should see this," Evan sighed, pulling her out of bed and pushing her towards her vanity set.
"AHHH-MMPPHH!" Dorothy Ann's scream was muffled by Evan's hands. Dark hickies peppered her neck and clavicle, dipping down into her cleavage. Damn it Carlos!
"Do you want our parents to hear you and come upstairs to investigate?" Evan hissed. "You need to shower and change clothes ASAP. I'll help you take off your makeup. It looks great by the way."
"Thanks Ev, Keesha did it." Dorothy Ann sheepishly admitted.
"Of course she did. You have nice friends," Evan smiled earnestly. She was right. Last night was really fun. She would never forget it. When her phone started ringing, she picked up the call as soon as she saw who it was.
"Do you have any idea how many hickies you left on me last night?" Dorothy Ann spoke through gritted teeth.
"If I remember correctly, one for each year that I've known you."
"You're history!"
"And you're mine, mi amor," Carlos gleefully replied on the other end. "Good morning, by the way. Hope you slept well. I'm picking you up for our brunch date in fifteen minutes. See ya soon!"
Dorothy Ann huffed and flung her phone onto her bed when he abruptly hung up on her. "I'm going to need to borrow one of your scarves Ev."
True to his word, she saw Carlos arrive in his mother's sedan at 10:30am sharp from her bedroom window. She slowly made her way downstairs. When the doorbell rang, her parents got there first.
"Good morning Mr. and Mrs. Hudson. How are you?" Carlos shook both their hands with a usual goofy smile gracing his face. "I'm just picking up DA for our brunch date. Boyfriend duties and all."
"Of course, son. Have fun kids," her father nodded.
"We're so glad she's still with such a nice boy like you after all these years," her mother gushed.
Ugh it looks like Carlos was right. Everyone seemed to infer that they were already in a relationship - except her. The "nice boy" remark was debatable though. Her cheeks flushed as she nervously tugged on the tassels of the scarf she wore to conceal the hickies he'd left last night. She narrowed her eyes at the innocent grin that remained present on his face while he spoke to her parents. She knew better now. That mouth had been all over her body. On her lips. On her neck. On her breasts. She could tell he was remembering everything too when she saw the hungry glint in his eyes as they roamed over her. She had opted for a modest babydoll t-shirt, maxi skirt and sandals. Her feet still hurt from dancing in heels at the club.
"Aren't you hot in that, dear? her mother asked with concern, pointing at her scarf.
"Not at all," Dorothy Ann squeaked as Carlos awkwardly coughed to hide his laugh.
"Shall we go?" Carlos offered her his arm. She pursed her lips and dragged him to the car as her parents waved goodbye to them on the porch. While Carlos drove, Dorothy Ann pensively gazed out the window. So much had happened over the course of a single day. She needed time to process everything. She turned to face Carlos in confusion when he pulled over on a side street.
"Good morning cariño," he breathed before his lips engulfed her own in a passionate kiss. She could get used to this.
"Don't think you're off the hook mister. I'm going to need to wear this scarf for at least a week and use foundation on our graduation day," she sullenly murmured through kiss swollen lips when he was done.
"Hey, at least we remembered to use protection. No Netflix and chill-dren for us yet," Carlos laughed, causing his girlfriend to playfully swat him as they continued on their way.
When they entered WcDonald's, the place was more crowded than yesterday. Dorothy Ann assumed they must have fixed the ice cream machine. Carlos walked over to the front counter to order.
"Hi Wanda, I'll have one big breakfast," Carlos said.
"One fruit salad for me please, Wan," Dorothy Ann requested.
"I'd also like a stack of pancakes," Carlos added. He frowned when Wanda stared absentmindedly off into the distance without entering their order on the register.
"Um, Earth to Wanda?" Carlos waved a hand in front of her face. She blinked a few times and went red with embarrassment.
"Sorry Carlos! I'm still a bit groggy from last night. I forgot I had a shift today and Phoebe called in sick, so it's just me, Clara and Brian taking orders," Wanda said apologetically.
"No worries," Carlos reassured her and repeated their order. Wanda never spaced out on the job. He wondered what was on her mind.
"Would you like pick-up at the front counter or complimentary table service?" Wanda asked as she entered their order.
"Table service for me and the missus," Carlos beamed. Dorothy Ann blushed and quickly went to sit at an empty table in the back.
Carlos whispered some additional instructions to Wanda before paying for their meals. Then, he sauntered over to sit across from her. He gently picked up her hand and kissed her palm with a wink. She squeezed his hand back and they didn't let go until Clara and Wanda came over with their orders.
"One big breakfast for a big boy," Clara set a plate of eggs, toast, sausages and bacon in front of Carlos.
"Here are your pancakes and fruit salad DA," Wanda giggled.
Dorothy Ann narrowed her eyes in suspicion then squealed when she saw the pancakes that Carlos had ordered. On the top pancake, written in cursive whipped cream, it said 'PROM?' Tears filled her eyes and she stared in wonder at Carlos.
"Sorry it took me so long to ask. I just assumed that we would go together. Ralphie helped me realize that there's a proper way of doing things," Carlos sheepishly scratched the back of his neck.
"Well missy, what's your answer gonna be?" Clara laughed.
"100% YES!" Dorothy Ann exclaimed and Carlos victoriously fist pumped while she wiped away her tears.
"Congratulations to the lovely couple. He looks like a keeper," Clara smiled.
"Yeah and she's one in a melon," Carlos joked, stealing some fruit from her bowl.
"Carlos!" Wanda and Dorothy Ann exclaimed. He was incorrigible.
"How about you Wanda? Are you going to prom with anyone?" Clara asked.
"Um, I'm actually going stag. I think I'll have more fun that way. Plus there's some personal stuff I need to sort out first," Wanda evasively said. Clara nodded in understanding and Carlos and Dorothy Ann shot Wanda confused looks. Wanda quickly shook her head, so they decided not to pry.
"That's quite alright young lady. You kids are still young. Everyone doesn't have everything figured out at your age. Just go with the flow and remember to have fun with it!" Clara cheerfully declared. Then she and Wanda left their table.
"Don't forget to send me a picture of the material of your dress so I can match my tie to it," Carlos said before digging into his brunch.
Dorothy Ann made a mental note to do it as soon as she returned home. She would also need to go back to Wanda's house to pick up her stuff. She thought she had her whole life planned out. But Carlos was the most unexpected, wonderful thing to ever happen to her. She would never forget last night. She would never forget this morning. Today officially marked the start of the rest of their lives together.
Dorothy Ann affectionately watched her boyfriend devour his food. Then, she sliced a generous section of the pancakes he'd ordered for them and stuffed the sweet treat into her mouth. A drop of syrup ran down her chin, but before she could grab a napkin Carlos reached over and wiped it off with his thumb. He popped the appendage into his mouth to languidly lick it off. She boldly met his hooded gaze with a flirtatious smile.
The fun was just beginning.
Notes: Aaand that's another wrap! There are definitely some loose ends in this fic - for now. I might consider writing a sequel to continue their journey :) R&R!