Author: Vix
Email: Vix_chic@hotmail.com
Rating: PG-13
Category: Future Children; Halloween
Disclaimers: I own everyone and everything except for original Roswell characters. This is solely for entertainment purposes.
DIDN’T CATCH 1-16? Go and check them out at:
The Roswell Sheriff’s Station
Author’s Note: I know it’s way past Halloween but I wanted to the holidays , so expect the Thanksgiving one around Christmas and Christmas around the New Year. Sorry =0(.
FEED ME OR ELSE.
“So he knows?” Amanda asked as she dug her spoon into her quart of vanilla ice cream.
“Yep.” Nicole said as she sucked down her mint pistachio with Tabasco and fudge.
“Is this a good thing or a bad thing?” Amanda asked as she thought about the consequences that this would bring about.
“Matt and Mark seem to think that it’s the end of the world.” Nicole said as she took another spoonful.
“They think everything is the end of the world.” Amanda said rolling her eyes.
“Tell me about it.” Nicole agreed.
“So are you going to marry him?” Amanda asked causing her friend to choke.
“What?” Nicole asked her eyes wide.
“Are you going to marry him?” Amanda asked again suppressing a smile.
“No!” Nicole shrieked as if the thought was terrifying, “I’m only seventeen.”
“I didn’t mean now.” Amanda said her smile coming to light, “I meant eventually.”
“Are you going to marry Josh?” Nicole countered.
“That’s not the point.” Amanda avoided her cheeks becoming bright red.
“Confess!” Nicole commanded as she laughed at her friend’s embarrassment, “Are you going to marry lover boy?”
“If he asks.” Amanda whispered to her spoon.
“I KNEW IT!” Nicole said as she did her little happy dance.
“You don’t get of Scott free little missy! Are you going to marry Randy?” Amanda asked after composing herself.
“Why would you even ask that?” Nicole asked trying to evade the question at hand.
“Well, There’s one human for each alien. I mean Josh’s parents, your parents, Eddie and Thomas’s parents. I figure there’d be one for you and one for Josh, and Thomas and Eddie.” Amanda said shrugging.
“What about the twins?” Nicole asked.
“They even get dates?” Amanda asked jokingly.
“Point taken.” Nicole said nodding her head.
“Point not taken! I so resent that!” Matt said as he glared at his sister and her best friend.
“I even have a date tonight!” Matt said as both girls just erupted in laughter.
“With who?” Nicole managed to say between bouts of giggles.
“Vanessa Martin.” Matt smiled as he walked off.
Amanda and Nicole were silent as they watched Matt retreat down the hall to the bathroom…
Amanda looked seriously over at Nicole, “Poor girl.”
Nicole burst out laughing again as her friend too doubled over.
*
“Hey Bro. Ready yet?” Mark asked as he walked into their room.
“Almost.” Matt said throwing his brother a sideways glance as he looked back at the mirror.
“So where are you going to take her?” Mark asked as he flopped down on his unmade bed.
“Out.” Matt said distractedly as he took off his shirt and went back to the closet.
“Figured that much, but you promised her out of alienville. Unless you want to drive to Arizona or Carls Ban there’s no place to take her.” Mark said as he scratched his eyebrow, a trait of the Guerin Men.
“Is Buckley Point Alienville territory?” Mark asked, thinking out loud.
Matt laughed despite himself.
“Hey guys.” Michael said as he entered the room without knocking.
“Hey dad.” They called back in unison.
“Hey Mark could you give me and Matt a little privacy?” Michael asked as his twin son was already standing up to leave.
Matt looked back at his father as he closed the door behind Mark, “What’s up dad?”
“Matt I know his is your first date and you’re young and all but I think we need to have an important discussion.” Michael said as he put his head in his hands, God he didn’t
want to do this.
“Are you ok?” Matt asked as he ran a hand through his unruly hair.
“Fine.” Michael said almost in perfect mimic of his son as his hand took a journey through the Guerin spikes.
“What did you want to talk about?” Matt asked his mind briefly remember the ‘talk’ his poor cousin Eddie had ranted on.
“I know you know to be careful about hiding your powers and stuff, but there’s other things you can’t do…” Michael said staring at the floor; he was going to Kill Kyle for suggesting this, “with girls.”
“Oh God.” Matt said his eyes wide as he stared at his father in disbelief.
“I understand certain… urges you might have being a teen and all, I was once young too. As a matter a fact your mother and I were…” Michael began.
Matt quickly cut his father off for fear of what he’d say, “I’m not having sex.”
“Good.” Michael said as he skyrocketed out of the room.
Michael sank against the door behind him his head rolling back, and he thought running from the FBI was hard.
*
Matt shifted uneasily as he stopped the Explorer outside the Crash Down.
He checked his complexion in the mirror. His jaw was taunt, he was nervous, and if he didn’t stop running his hand through his hair they would soon become spikes of death.
He took a deep long calming breathe before moving towards the Crash Down’s back entrance.
As he came to the door he opened it ever so much and watched as the twins giggled in the back room.
“So… excited or what?” Veronica asked as she whirled around the back room still in uniform.
“If I didn’t know better I’d think you’re jealous.” Vanessa said as she buttoned the top of her blouse, “You’ve been pestering me about this nonstop.”
“Jealous? Wrong twin babe, wrong twin.” Veronica said as she picked up a pillow and started to grip it tightly, “Your twin makes a move and mine? Is stuck in friggin’ tar!”
“Put the pillow down and step away.” Vanessa joked as she pushed her hair away from her eyes.
Veronica took the pillow and threw it at her sister’s head playfully, “I just wish he’d make a move.”
“He made you sit on his lap in the Crash Down in front of everyone. That’s a move.” Vanessa said shrugging as she tossed the previously projected weapon on the couch.
“Since then it’s like I don’t exist. If there isn’t another guy around me that wants me he is oblivious. I have to kick his testosterone into overdrive for any kind of reaction.” Veronica whined distraught as she slumped on the couch.
“You could jump his bones and see what happens.” Vanessa suggested.
“Not a bad idea.” Veronica agreed as she glanced up at the clock, “Isn’t it about time Door-Matt got here?”
Matt’s eyes widened as he pushed the door back in place, and then knocked heavily on it.
“Right on time.” Vanessa said as she walked towards the door, “Wish me luck.”
“Luck.” Veronica said as she watched her sister hesitate slightly.
Taking a final breath she opened it not surprised to see Matt grinning at her.
“Ready to go?” He asked before waving briefly to Veronica in the background.
“Yeah.” Vanessa said stepping towards the door, Matt moving back for her to exit.
As he went to close the door he leaned inside and called to Veronica, “Mark’s at home. Call him. Get together. Jump each other.”
He quickly shut the door as Veronica’s mouth hit the floor.
Vanessa stood beside, “Just how long had you been listening.”
“So off we go.” Matt said moving towards the car, just smirking at her.
She laughed silently and walked to the Explore, Matt opened the door for her.
She climbed in and he took a minute to appreciate her long legs that shown passed her skirt. She had on a black skirt and a white top both clashed nicely with each other, and the white brought out the darker tint of her skin.
He closed the door behind her and went to his side of the car and jumped in.
“So where are we going?” Vanessa asked as Matt started up the vehicle and drove out of the parking lot
“Out of Alienville?” Mark offered as he turned off onto HWY 285 South.
“Yeah, I know that. But where?” Vanessa asked finally checking him out.
He had on dark denim jeans and a white button up shirt on.
“Hondo. Kind of… We can take the old highway. It’s really pretty this time of year. You know, not too hot, not too cool, not that it gets cool in New Mexico.” He was babbling his mother was invading his body and making him babble… he was insane…
“Cool.” Vanessa said smiling at him.
He smiled back nervously before looking out at the road. They traveled in tense silence as they neared the old highway Matt reached over and lifted the sky roof.
He slowed down a bit and turned till he was in the center of large spans of even desert.
“What are you doing?” Vanessa asked looking out side of the car apprehensively.
“Well I figured we’d want some privacy, and we are outside of Alienville.” Matt said as he stepped out of the car without removing the keys.
He walked around the back and opened the trunk pulling something out and then quickly appearing at Vanessa's side
With a blanket over his left arm and a picnic basket over that, he opened the door to her and waited patiently as she slid out and followed him.
He waited till a little ways into the desert to put down the blanket. He set the basket beside him and helped her down to the ground. He reached inside the basket and pulled out a candle. Setting on the ground, beside the cover, he lit it and the light showed brightly in the otherwise dark area.
“You didn’t have to go through all the trouble.” Vanessa said taking in everything in front of her.
“And you didn’t have to come with me, so I guess we’re even.” Matt said removing two forks and two spoons from the basket beside them.
He offered her one and she took it.
“Up for some pizza?” Matt asked bring out a small container.
She laughed at him and leaned back against her arm.
“I’m not Betty Crocker, OK?” He asked smiling at her as he brought out two Styrofoam plates.
“You in an apron…” Vanessa looked up as if she was visualizing that.
“Shut up.” Matt said his cheeks slightly pink.
“You and your brother are so different.” Vanessa said shaking her head slightly.
“Yeah, tell me about it.” Matt smirked as he watched Vanessa reach for a slice of pizza.
“You’re the responsible one. Always thinking things through.” She said wiping at her mouth after she sat down her food, “Where are the napkins.”
Matt’s eyes widened slightly, “Seems I don’t think everything through.”
Vanessa giggled as she picked her pizza back up.
“It’s not that Mark doesn’t think things through. He does, he just waits till * after * he’s done something to think the situation out.” Matt said shrugging, “He gets it from our dad. Really impulsive. I take after my mom.”
“I know. I love your mom.” Vanessa said putting the pizza down, “Did you at least remember drinks?”
“Coke or Cherry Lime?” Matt said bringing out two bottles.
“Thank you.” Vanessa offered as she reached for the coke.
“Welcome.” Matt waited in silence as she put the bottle to her full lips and take the liquid in and swallow slowly before setting it back down.
Matt blinked a few times before noticing that Vanessa was looking at him expectantly, “What were we talking about?”
“You being like your mother.” Vanessa offered pushing a piece of hair behind her ears.
“Yeah well she’s a great person. Full of life and … everything. She’s one of the most loving people you could imagine, but she has a temper and if you make her mad enough… Well let’s just say that me and Mark spent a good amount of time hiding in the attic.” Matt said smiling widely before eating his own pizza.
“So, do you have a temper? Like your moms?” Vanessa asked curiously as she started to drink some more of her coke.
“Well that’s the thing. DeLucas in general are known for their terrible tempers… and well Guerrin’s are known for their violent burst of anger… The three of us; Mark, Nicki, and Me… well we got both of them not just one or half and half.” Matt said sipping on some of his Cherry Lime drink.
“It’s weird how parents can be such a part of us no matter what.” Vanessa said thoughtfully, “Veronica is the dramatic over-reactor of the two of us. She takes after dad. I am the calm thoughtful one, like mom. When we were little, well you remember us.”
“Two demons. Well one demon and one angel.” Matt said getting a nostalgic tone.
“I remember your sister beating the crap out of Mark the fist day of fifth grade.” Matt said laughing, “But then the principle let them off with a recess detention because you weaseled her out of it.”
Vanessa looked away at his accusing gaze; a grin on her tan features, “I had no other choice. She’s my sister. We were like yin and yang. Good and Evil.”
“I remember you tying her down to her desk by her shoe strings in the sixth grade. You’re so not the good kitty.” Matt said laughing.
“Why do you call us kittens?” Vanessa asked quirking her head to the side.
“Just always have.” Matt said trying to feign indifference. He failed.
“Tell me.” Vanessa said looking him straight in the keys.
“Four reasons I guess.” Matt said leaning back to look at her in the dancing candlelight.
“Do tell.” Vanessa commanded, as she too got more comfortable on her side.
“Well when we were younger you two were in separable like those two Siamese cats in ‘The Lady and the Tramp’.” Matt looked at her expectantly but she shrugged.
“Come on you have to know what I’m talking about. They walk around causing a ton of trouble and sing, ‘We are Siamese’.”
That was as far as Matt got before Vanessa broke out laughing, rolling onto her back, “OK, OK, I get it.”
“The second thing is when we would fight or anything you to would like pounce. You reminded us of those wild jungle cats. Plus it doesn’t hurt that you have those cat eyes. That was number three.” Matt said taking another bite of pizza.
“OK, that was three. What’s number four?” Vanessa asked when Matt didn’t continue.
“That reason didn’t come till you and your sister started to work at the Crash Down…” Matt said scooping up another piece of pizza.
“I don’t follow.” Vanessa said taking her second piece also.
“Well when you were fourteen Aunt Lizzy let you two start working. And you and Veronica had to wear the traditional ‘uniform’.” Matt said putting his pizza back on his plate, his cheeks turning slightly pink.
Vanessa groaned at the thought of her outfit, “We hate those things.”
“Yeah well me and Mark love them.” Matt said grinning stupidly.
“You look amazing in them.” Matt said avoiding her eyes, “Kind of like sex kittens…”
Vanessa’s mouth hit the ground. She didn’t know what to say…
“Don’t hit me.” Matt said leaning away from her.
“Do I look like my sister?” Vanessa asked fully aware of her sister’s anger management problems.
“Well you are twins…” Matt said shrugging.
“I just didn’t think you two thought of us like that… you know- back then.” Vanessa said sitting up and gulping down a mouthful of carbonated goodness.
“OK since the first day you started working can you remember a time when me and Mark came in and * didn’t * sit in your section?” Matt asked getting a little braver.
“Yeah.” Vanessa said automatically…
Matt looked at her with raised eyebrows and a disbelieving smirk.
“OK, so no I can’t.” Vanessa said smiling goofy at the ground, her cheeks a blaze.
“So… are you going to the Halloween Dance? I heard that it’s a masquerade theme this year.” Matt said before taking a long relaxing gulp of his drink
“Well there have been a couple of guys who’ve asked me…” Vanessa began but was cut of abruptly as Matt spit his cherry lime liquid everywhere.
“Who?” He tried to roar but it came out strangled as he began to cough at the soda that had rebelled at his ejection.
Vanessa giggled.
‘Real smooth man. I really blame Mom.’ Matt thought as he wiped at his face with his sleeve.
“What’d you say to them?” Matt inquired after Vanessa had settled down.
“I said no.” Vanessa became very still, she met his eyes, “I kind of had someone in mind.”
“Really?” Matt asked, a hint of relief in his voice.
“But that guy never seems to get the hints.” Vanessa said pointedly.
“He gets them.” Matt said leaning back, a smile playing at his lips.
“Does he?” Vanessa watched the cocky grin dawn his handsome features, “Well, all I have to say is that Mark better hurry up and ask me.”
Matt’s eyes popped out and his jaw slackened,
Vanessa fought to keep a straight face, but she broke, “Just picking.”
“That is not funny.” Matt said remembering to breathe.
“You obviously weren’t sitting where I’m sitting then because I thought it was hilarious.” Vanessa said picking up her stuff and setting it aside so that she could lay down.
There was silence.
Vanessa’s hopes fell as Matt started to clear his side of the cloth.
Matt lay down beside her to look up at the stars, “So do you want to match or what?”
“Excuse me?” Vanessa asked looking at him.
“When we go to the dance together, do you want to match or what?” Matt asked smirking at her.
“You didn’t ask me yet.” Vanessa pointed out smoothly.
“Vanessa would you like to go to the dance with me?” Matt said after heaving a great sigh.
“Not if you ask me like that.” Vanessa said smiling nonetheless.
“Please Vanessa PLEASE!” Matt begged getting to his knees, “Go with me and end my suffering!”
“That’s more like it.” Vanessa laughed as she sat up and pushed him down so that he sprawled across the cloth. She walked over to him on her knees and braced herself on her hands beside him, "I’ll go with you.”
“Great.” He said as he tipped her over making her fall too.
“Not fair.” Vanessa huffed as she looked up at the beautiful stars.
“Here.” Matt said softly his vision entrapped by her beauty in candlelight. He lifted his arm and placed it under her head for a pillow.
“Thanks.” Vanessa said quietly as she snuggled closer to him.
*
“Welcome to the Crash Down can I take your order?” Veronica said as she came to a halt in front of Mark’s booth.
“MIB.” He said shortly looking down at his sketchbook. He’d never be as good as his dad.
Veronica looked down at the picture. “They’re beautiful.”
Mark slammed the book shut instantly, “Mind your own damn business.”
Veronica turned on her heel and went straight towards the back to get him his Men In Blackberry Pie.
Mark looked towards the back room and shook his head. He didn’t mean to piss her off, woe be on to who ever did though. He knew it was only a matter of time before she came over fists flying.
He just couldn’t get the picture right. The eyes were too far apart, and then they were too close, too wide, too small, and too open. He couldn’t get them right no matter what he did.
Veronica came storming over to his booth and he prepared himself for a fight and a half but she shocked him as she quietly placed the food in front of him and walked off.
“Kitten,” Mark called in a1 burst of inspiration, “come here.”
Veronica turned around fire in her eyes.
“Please just sit down and shut up.” Mark said as she opened her mouth to yell.
“Why should I?” Veronica asked hands firmly on her hips.
“Veronica.” Mark said standing up and grabbing her shoulders, forcing her into the booth, “Stay.”
Veronica looked around the deserted café. Her eyes were everywhere but straight ahead. There was only one other occupant in the café.
A boy her age, in her grade, that was smiling at her.
“Veronica, look at me.” Mark said gruffly.
Veronica rolled her eyes as she glanced at him then away again.
Mark gritted his teeth, “Veronica I really need you to look at me.”
She smiled flirtatiously at the boy across from her.
Mark followed her train of eyesight and glared intently at the boy. The opposing male backed down quickly.
“WHY DO YOU ALWAYS DO THAT?” Veronica asked seething in anger.
“What?” Mark asked standing up to meet her then shoving her back down in the booth.
“When your cousins were here you did the same thing. You ignore me and boss me around until there’s competition. Then you act like I’m your personal property.” Veronica said pushing his hands away and standing back up.
“You can’t ignore someone and boss them around at the same time! Besides no one informed me that I was even in the position to have competition.” Mark roared at her standing up this time to participate in the yelling match not to push her back into the seat.
“Well if you’d open your damn eyes you’d realize you have always bee in the position to have competition.” Veronica yelled back.
“Fine! I am in the position. I recognize it. HAPPY?” Mark asked throwing his hands up.
“Ecstatic.” Veronica said moving to leave.
“SIT DOWN!” Mark roared his voice booming.
“Why?” Veronica asked as she titled her hips and put her hands on them.
“I want to sketch your eyes.” He said quietly so that she could hear.
“You just had to ask.” Veronica said in a huff and plopped down in the seat across from him, already posing.
She had her elbows on the table and her chin in her hands her eyes looking bewitchingly enigmatic.
“When did you start sketching again?” Veronica asked as she placed a long dark stray strand of hair behind her ear.
“Recently.” Mark said in a gruntal reply as his hands flowed across the page.
“I remember when we were younger and you used to have me pose for you." Veronica said not blinking one of her beautiful cat eyes, “Why did you start again?”
Mark’s hands stopped in their path… he wondered briefly if he should tell her why he brought his old sketchbook out… To think… to figure out what to do about the dance and you… no answer seemed like it would do his ego good so instead he grunted a non-response and continued with his work.
“I used to love being sketched. I especially loved the picture you did with me as a Egyptian princess… by the statue of Bast.” Veronica said smiling at the memory.
“Weren’t we doing a project on the Civilizations in like fifth grade?” Mark asked smirking, “Bast, goddess of cats.”
“I’ll never grow out of that nick name will I?” Veronica asked rolling her eyes.
“Nope.” Mark said as he concentrated on what appeared to be his sketch, when in reality his mind was elsewhere.
“What are you going to the dance as?” Mark asked careful to keep his tone uninterested.
“An Egyptian princess.” Veronica mumbled to herself.
“Good.” Mark said as he started to carefully fill in the pupils.
“I guess I shouldn’t make any plans with the competition, right?” Veronica asked her head cocking towards the long forgotten boy on the other side of the café.
“Done.” Mark said finished. He was actually satisfied with his work, for once.
“Thank you.” Mark said as Veronica looked at him expectantly.
Veronica raised her eyebrow, but when she received no response she sighed deeply before returning to work.
Mark watched her sway to the back room then started to flip through the book in his hands.
Pictures of her were everywhere.
He found the one he was looking for. From Fifth grade.
He ran his hand over the pencil sketch lovingly. It was a beautiful sky set behind a glorious princess in elaborate markings. The princess’s eyes pierced through the picture straight into his own. The princess’s hand laid gently on a statue of bast complete in Egyptian text.
He grinned. If she had ever looked closely, and of course known Egyptian text, she would have known that it said, Here Kitty Kitty.
He had spent a while trying to look up the hieroglyphics for it but he had found it worth it.
He flipped to a clear page and set to work.
*
Veronica waked to the back room for her brake but found Mark leaning against the doorframe.
She looked down his lean body. His open dark blue shirt, over his tight black wife beater, to his baggy denim jeans… and of course his stylish combat boots.
“What do you want?” Veronica asked narrowing her eyes and hiding her shaking hands behind her back.
Mark ran a hand through his hair before approaching her.
He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close.
Veronica’s eyes widened as Mark glanced ravenously at her lips.
Mark tightly bound their lips together his tongue plunging into her warm mouth.
Veronica opened her mouth wider allowing him access to her sweet depths. Taking full advantage of the situation.
The intensity of his kiss heightened as he moved down her jaw to her throat. Her fingers clawed at his strong shoulders. His kisses were like iced fire. Such contrasts yet such direct passion…
Then he was gone.
Veronica snapped open her eyes to find the door swinging behind him, a piece of folded paper jammed in the window.
She took the paper and opened it.
It was a drawing of a Egyptian Prince kneeling in front of the statue of Bast.
Veronica smirked at the picture… leave it to Mark…
*
Mark caught Matt’s eyes from across the room and a smirked spread across his face, ‘Nice outfit.’
‘This coming from the King of the Damned?” Matt sent back through their twin link.
‘It was worth it.’ Mark replied his head titling towards Veronica’s scarcely clad body that shimmered in the dull light.
‘Ditto.’ Matt agreed turning to grin at his date that looked very interesting in strips.
Vanessa looked up at him her hair tied back in a white bandanna, her legs in bellbottom like jail pants and a short halter-top that had matching strips.
“Did you get handcuffs with that?” She asked as she eyed his own costume.
Matt looked down at his ‘COPS’ shirt and vest with holster. “Depends.”
“On?” Vanessa asked daring him to say it.
“Can we use them?” Matt asked his cheeks searing with a dull heat, but his eyes remaining calm.
Vanessa looked him over as she leaned back, “We’ll see.”
“We’ll see about what?” Veronica asked coming up behind her sister clinking the entire time. The heavy metal waist pieces were jarring together as she swayed her hips.
“Hand cuff use.” Vanessa said calmly.
Veronica’s eyes widened a bit but not in surprise… in interest.
“Mark you don’t…” Veronica leaned back into her date whispering into his neck.
“Nope. They’re his believe it or not.” Mark said suppressing both a groan and a laugh.
“Damn.” Veronica said whole-heartedly causing the other pair to raise their eyebrows at her obvious reflect of despair.
“I wanted them.” She offered quickly before grabbing Mark and making her escape.
“Your sister has issues.” Matt said laughing as he watched his brother walk behind his date’s twin like a sulking rottweiler.
“Tell me about it.” Vanessa said grabbing Matt’s arm and dragging her jailer out on to the dance floor.
*
“So you decided to come half clothed?” Josh asked looking Amanda over critically, “I like it.”
“Shut up.” Amanda said blushing slightly as she covered her midriff with her arms.
“No,” Josh said grabbing her arms from around her, “You look beautiful.”
“You’re a cute elf.” Nicole said seriously as she stood in front of Randy, his arms around her shoulders.
“And you’re a sexy pixie.” Randy whispered into her ear.
Nicole bit her lip and walked off dragging her boyfriend behind her.
“Eraser room?” Josh and Amanda asked each other simultaneously before braking out in a grin.
“You want to dance before your set?” Amanda asked; Josh nodded. He allowed Amanda to grab his scientist’s coat and pull him towards an empty spot near the stage.
*
“You look great Jenny!” Squeaked one of her ‘friends’ for about the millionth time since she had arrived, a fake smile planted over her depressed lips.
She couldn’t believe what she had asked of him… She chanced a look towards the corner… he hadn’t moved since he arrived, ten minutes after she did.
*
Thomas readjusted his shoulders against the brick wall for the tenth time, tense and hurt, he knew she shouldn’t have come.
“You ok?” Eddie asked appearing at his side with Julie behind him.
“Peachy.” Thomas called over the stereoed music that was playing the first 15 minutes of the dance.
Eddie laughed and gave him a ‘yeah right’ look, “Are you gonna be able to play?”
Thomas nodded he needed to play. It would at least take his mind off of… things.
“Good.” Eddie said slapping him on the shoulder in a brotherly manner.
*
“It’s locked!” Randy grumbled as he kicked the Eraser Room door.
“Just as well, we’re about to start our first set anyway.” Nicole pouted at the door.
“Let’s go then.” Randy said kissing her soundly the moving to leave.
“One thing though…” Nicole said trailing off with a wicked smile.
She started to bang loudly on the door, “MARK! VERONICA! The band is starting soon.”
With that she left with Randy, who was rolling his eyes- but laughing just the same.
*
Nicole slowly walked towards the front of the stage, her pixie wings glittering behind her. The dark blue a deep contrast to the rest of her outfit.
Randy smiled up at her, Amanda and Julie flanking him at the same table.
“I feel your golden touch…” Nicole began her eyes looked onto Randy’s… maybe she would marry him… when she was like thirty…
*
Mark exhaled deeply blowing hot air against Veronica’s moist skin.
Veronica shivered against him.
“Cold?” He questioned in her ear mockingly.
“Freezing.” Veronica exhaled loudly leaning back into the wall behind the stable she sat upon.
Mark ran his hand down her bare shoulder, the contact searing his skin with heat form her body.
“Your sister said …” Veronica began her eyes falling on the chair jamming the door, “… the band.”
Mark almost laughed at her out of breath appearance, “Later.”
“Now.” Veronica said putting her hand against Mark’s bare chest feeling the muscles twitch. She ran her hand down his upper body feeling he sticky perspiration on his skin.
She smiled at him as he laid his head on her shoulder and groaned.
“It’ll give us a chance to steal the cuffs.” Veronica offered in a seductive tone.
Mark’s head had barely came up before he was yanking her out of the door, the chair threw across the room.
Veronica’s laugh echoed the halls as he made a beeline for his identical brother.
*
Thomas cleared his throat before turning his mike on, nodding towards Nicole he started the last song of the night; Nicole right behind him,
“You’re like ice,
but twice as nice.
You’re like stone,
but you hate to be alone,
You’re not ready to be set free,
and I’ll protect you if you ask me
But don’t toy with me
not when I gave you everything
Don’t toy with me
Thomas and Nicole voices echoed off the gym walls vibrating deep in one person’s heart.
*
Jenny’s ‘friends’ chattered brainlessly behind her as she watched the stage with rapt attention her eyes finding Thomas’s.
She smiled at him. Her first real smile all night.
After the song played out she kept singing it in her head not paying a bit of thought to her ‘friends’ … not that they noticed the lack of it…
“Self project much.” One of the haughty blondes said watching the band slowly descend from the stage.
“What a group of losers right Jenny?” Another ‘friend’ asked.
Jenny looked at her surrounding peers a sense of uneasiness coming over her.
*
“I’m about to leave,” Thomas began his eyes going from Nicole to where Jenny was standing and back to his cousin.
“What do you want?” Nicole asked suspiciously.
“Please go ask her when she’ll be home.” Thomas pleaded keeping his voice low.
“Why don’t you go ask her yourself? Chicken little.” Nicole said accusingly before she saw the pained look in Thomas’s eyes.
“I’m gone.” Nicole gave in throwing her hands up in the air and stalking across the gym. Tapping Jenny in the middle of a conversation with her clique.
*
“Jenny can I see you for a moment?” Nicole asked pulling her out of another awkward question she didn’t want to ask.
Jenny looked at Nicole with a mixture of appreciation and curiosity.
“Thomas’s wants to know when you’ll be home cause he plans on leaving soon.” Nicole explained quickly feeling Jenny’s friend’s eyes on her.
“Tell him not to worry I’ll find a ride.” Jenny whispered so no prying ears could hear.
Nicole looked at her nodding her head before she turned to walk off, one of Jenny’s little follower’s voice stopped her.
“Why were you talking to that reject?”
“What?” Jenny asked pretending not to have heard her.
“That reject you were gracing with your presence.” Another one said the sneer evident in her voice.
“Like Jenny even paid attention to half of what she said. She doesn’t matter.” Said another one from the crowd.
Nicole waited for Jenny to yell and defend her… she waited in vain. Nicole stormed off grabbing Thomas and dragging him outside with her.
“You’re little adoptee in there is bad mouthing me and I’m planning on not beating her senseless for your benefit.” Nicole said quickly.
“She’s what?” Thomas asked his eye widening.
“She’s bad mouthing me. Talking to her little reject friends about me.” Nicole watched Thomas’s face contort with something close to anger but … more caring and sad… disappointment?
“I’m gone.” Nicole said waiting for Randy to come outside for her.
He was there soon wrapping an arm around her shoulders guiding her to the car.
Thomas hurried after them kissing Nicole on the forehead he ran back into the gym to find Jenny…
*
“Freak girl looked pissed.” A girl from the clique said causing everyone to laugh except Jenny.
Jenny looked at where Nicole had dragged Thomas watching as the door opened and the latter reappeared and started to walk towards her.
“Jenny what’s wrong with you?”
Jenny’s attention was drawn short as she glanced at the person who had made the comment, her ‘friends’.
“She was looking at one of the band geeks.”
By now Thomas was in close enough range to here the comment and he stopped looking expectantly at Jenny’s back.
“He’s not a geek.” Jenny said quietly.
“Not a geek?” One of the girls cried in a shrill voice, “You mean he’s less than?”
“No.” Jenny said in a silent manner.
“Well what do you mean?” The accusing tone came into the comment.
“What do you mean?” Thomas asked inaudibly behind her.
“He’s not a geek.” Jenny said her voice a little stronger.
“Yes he is. Thomas Whitman is the Geek of Freaks. All of his little cousins are outcasts; below us.” One of the blondes said glaring at the boy behind Jenny.
“NO THEY’RE NOT!” Jenny screamed anger finally surfacing, “They’re just not blonde and stupid. That’s why you don’t like them. Unlike you if they had an original thought in their head it wouldn’t explode!”
“Jenny you better watch what you’re saying. You’re reputation is a mighty big thing to lose for them.” One of the clique-ets said in warning.
“I gain more then I lose. I can find a couple of brainless bottle blondes anywhere. What I can’t lose is my family. And those little outcasts as you called them. Are My Family. And each of them are better than all of you combined.” With that Jenny stormed off grabbing Thomas’s arm and yanking him with her.
“Nice performance.” Thomas said as they hit the air outside.
“You too.” Jenny said throwing her arms around him in a hug.
Thomas, even though caught off guard, wrapped his arms around her.
“Wait till I tell Nicole.” He said smiling like a village idiot.
“What?” Jenny asked pulling back slightly confused.
“He heard them making fun of her and she knew you didn’t say anything in her defense.” Thomas said his happy moment lessening by the second.
“I don’t think I can deal with her right now.” Jenny said cringing at the thought of what Nicole was going to do to her.
“Can we go home now?” Jenny asked looking up into his eyes.
Thomas’s breath caught in his throat but he composed himself quickly to answer, “Yeah.”
*
“You really shouldn’t do this.” Randy said from the passenger seat.
“I really don’t need your input on this right now.” Nicole snapped tapping her fingers against the dashboard.
“It’s my car. It shouldn’t be here, just like we shouldn’t.” Randy said his eyes narrowing.
“Listen I want a confrontation.” Nicole said her hands in fists.
“You won’t hit her. Thomas would kill you.” Randy said shaking his head.
“I want a verbal confrontation.” Nicole amended herself, “And it’s for Thomas’s own good.”
“Will you ever listen to me?” Randy asked exasperated.
“Nope.”
*
“Should we go check on them?” Alex asked looking out the window to the mustang that held his niece and her boyfriend.
“Judging by the anger I don’t think we want to.” Isabel said flicking through the channels.
Alex shrugged and wrapped an arm around his wife, “Is This one of those things they have to figure out on their own?”
“Yep.” Isabel said stopping on ‘Lifetime’.
Alex cringed at her choice, “Why do you think they’re here.”
“I’m betting on Nicole is having a fight with one of the kids.” Isabel offered.
Alex simply nodded before he kissed Isabel on the temple and laid his head back ready to sleep through the on coming chick flick
*
“This can’t be good.” Thomas said as he slowly pulled up beside Randy’s car, Nicole bounding out and towards Jenny’s side of the car.
“Tell me about it.” Jenny said as she took a deep breath and got out coming face to face with a steaming Guerin.
“How dare you do that to us?” Nicole accused fuming.
Jenny stared at her moment then took her arm dragging her towards the house.
Nicole wrenched her limb from the other girl’s grasp, “What do you think you’re doing.
“Come to my room and I’ll explain everything.” Jenny said turning around not giving Nicole a chance to yell or object.
“It better be one hell of an explanation.” Nicole said as she stomped up the stairs to the front door, walking straight past her aunt and uncle, and up another set of stairs.
“Shut up.” Jenny said as soon as Nicole walked through the door her mouth already open.
*
“Should we go referee?” Randy asked looking up at the stairs worriedly.
“I wouldn’t suggest it if you want your head to stay on your shoulders.” Offered Alex from the couch glad for another source of entertainment. He kept trying to sleep but Isabel would simply stab him in the ribs with her elbow whenever he got close.
“Hi Mr. and Mrs. Whitman.” Randy said noticing the two adults.
“Don’t call them that.” Thomas said before Alex could object.
Randy looked over at him quizzically, “Mr. Alex and Mrs. Isabel. They prefer that.”
“Ok.”
“Hi Randy.” Alex and Isabel said smiling at their son’s way of welcoming him.
There was a moment of silence besides the TV.
“Should it be that quiet up there?” Randy asked looking at the stairs.
“No.” Isabel said now drawing her attention away from the TV to the room given to Jenny.
The yelling started up again and the other four sighed in relief.
“Wanna go play videogames?” Thomas asked gesturing towards the basement room.
“Sure.” Randy said nodding as he followed Thomas down the stairs.
Alex looked at the back of Isabel’s head with puppy dog eyes.
“Go.” Isabel said smiling as she gave her complete attention to the movie.
*
“How can you be such an ungrateful little bitch? The Whitman’s took you in and you let your friends badmouth their relatives. Did you let them talk about Thomas too?” Nicole asked advancing towards Jenny.
“Did you even pay attention to the walls when you were painting them?” Jenny asked her voice calm.
“What?” Nicole asked confused.
“East and West. Not only is that where the sun rises and sets, but I used to live West of here. And sunset reminds me of something dying, being put out of its misery. East of there is where I live. A new beginning a new life.” Jenny said pointing to the East and West walls she had Nicole paint a sunrise and a sunset.
“I doubt you know this but my dad beat me, and one rainy night it was really bad, the worst ever actually,” Jenny said looking solely at the north wall that was covered in a rainy day scene.
“But then the best thing in the world happened. Thomas came for me. That’s what that wall is.” Jenny looked across to the mural of a princess that looked remarkably like her being rescued by a prince… a familiar prince.
“I wanted the path on the floor because it reminds me that you chose which path to follow. And the door opening to the princess’s castle is to remind me that there’s always an alternative answer. It really reminds me of Isabel. She wouldn’t give up finding me a place to stay.” Jenny said smiling brightly at the thought of her adoptive guardians.
“The ceiling is because of a dream I had about Thomas. One night, before I moved in here, he walked me home and told me that his safe place was the roof outside, you know? Just looking at the stars.” Jenny glanced outside her own window, “I was having a nightmare and then suddenly Thomas was there, and took me to his roof.”
Nicole’s eyes widened… dream my foot.
“That doesn’t explain why you won’t stick up for us.” Nicole said hands firmly on her hips.
“I did stick up for you. I stuck up for all of you.” Jenny said in earnest.
“I was there and your little brainless friends cracked on me and you just watched making you just as guilty as they are.” Nicole said sternly.
“After you left, when Thomas came back in they started to ridicule him and I couldn’t take it. Then they moved on to the whole bunch and I cracked. I told them off and I told them that they were NOTHING compared to my family.” Jenny said her arms crossed over her chest.
“Sure you did.” Nicole said not believing a word.
“Let’s go ask Thomas.” Nicole said turning to storm down stairs.
Once they reached the basement door they heard three laughing voices.
“Don’t feel bad Isabel snores too.” Alex’s voice drifted up to the girls.
“Nothing compared to Jenny. She has a cute snore though it’s a mix between a meow and a soft wheeze.” Thomas said laughing at his father’s interpretation of it.
“Nicole snores like uncle Michael!” Thomas told Randy who raised his eyebrows.
It was Thomas’s turn to demonstrate the sound and he did, with exaggeration of course.
“I DO NOT!” Nicole yelled as she walked through the door steaming.
Thomas nearly fell off the side of the couch while Alex and Randy started to laugh with even more enthusiasm.
“I’m so dead.” Thomas said looking downcast.
“Yeah you are, later. First I have a question.” Nicole said making him look up at her, “Did Jenny take up for us after I left?”
“You would have been proud.” Thomas said sincerely.
Nicole turned around and looked her over, “You’re not trying to save her from a permanent injury?”
“No I’m not.” Thomas said smiling with pride.
“Can I speak to you outside?” Jenny asked Nicole this time being polite enough to wait for an answer.
Nicole nodded her head and followed her half way up the stairs where she took a seat.
“I told my ‘friends’,” Jenny explained putting actual air quotes around the word friends, “that they weren’t worth losing my family. Thomas is my best friend. I owe everything to him and Alex and Isabel.”
Jenny watched Nicole’s face for any sign of emotion and there was none, “I know that some of you don’t like me because of how my clique acts and how I took part, but I know I’m not going anywhere, and that we should both just try to get along.”
Nicole looked her over for a moment before offering her hand, which Jenny shook.
“One word of advice.” Nicole said looking Jenny’s costume over.
“Yeah?” Jenny asked straightening the white dress to her sides.
“Don’t let Thomas near you with a blow dryer.” Nicole said hinting to the Marilyn Monroe Blow scene.
Jenny let out a laugh, a real one.
*
“I had a good time.” Vanessa said adjusting her arms to cover her mid-drift.
“Cold?” Matt asked moving forward to wrap her in his arms.
Vanessa looked up with her mischievous cat eyes.
“That was a trick.” Matt said laughing.
“It worked.” Vanessa said her smile widening even more.
“So I guess this means you want me to kiss you?” Matt asked.
“If you have to ask.” Vanessa began to pull back but Matt grabbed her and brought her mouth to his.
Vanessa’s mind blanked as her physical plane danced in glee. His kisses were like nothing she had ever felt. His mouth was not nervous or tense. His lips were soft and moist like pillows of sweet tasting spices.
As he pulled back he grinned at her pleased expression and closed eyes.
“Night Kitten.” Matt whispered in her ear before kissing her on the cheek.
As he strode towards his car she called over her shoulder, “Door-Matt!”
“Yeah?” He called back turning to lean against the side of the Jetta.
“Do you still have those handcuffs?” She asked in a mocking yet seductive voice.
Matt’s eyebrows raised as he went to reach for them, then his eyes simply went wide.
*
“I can’t believe we stole them.” Mark said eyeing Veronica’s hands that were swinging them in front of his eyes.
“I wouldn’t say that we stole them…” Veronica said a devious smile surfacing in her lips.
“…just borrowed.” Mark said his smirk mimicking her own.
“Did ancient Egyptians have handcuffs?” Veronica asked quirking her head to the side.
Mark let out a husky laugh as he dipped his head forward to kiss his… Mark sat up… his… he did not just almost label her…
“You OK?” Veronica asked her eyes opening after a moment of waiting for contact.
“Yeah.” Mark said as his mind raced and his fingers itched to sketch… it always helped him think…
“Will you do something for me.” Mark asked reaching behind the seat of the explore and pulling out his old worn sketch book.
“You’re weird.” Veronica said as she clamped the cuffs around both of her arms and posed against the black seat.
“You stole the cuffs.” Mark mumbled causing her to giggle.
*
“So you and Nicole ok?” Thomas asked walking up the stairs beside Jenny.
“Not yet but we’re on the way I guess.” Jenny offered yawning and stretching making the white dress sneak up her thigh slightly.
“I loved your outfit.” Thomas said looking at her eyes, “You look beautiful.”
“On the inside?” She asked seriously.
“No.” He said instantly, “You’re all pink and gishy on the inside.”
“Gishy?” Jenny asked laughing at his facial expression.
“It’s a word.” He said seriously before he broke out in to a goofy grin.
“Sure it is.” Jenny said shaking her head as she disappeared into her room to change.
Thomas stared at her door for a moment her words resounding in his mind, ‘can we go home now?’. He smiled to himself as he walked backwards into his room and collapsed on the bed his alien mask sat looking at him on the desk… he had forgot to even put it back on…
*
“So they wrork it out on their own?” Isabel asked as she turned the TV off and moved to get the living room lights.
“Go ahead and rub it in my face.” Alex said shaking his head with a smile as he wrapped his arms around his wife kissing her softly on the neck.
“Mr. Whitman how dare you accuse me of ever..” Isabel began before Alex removed his lips and gave her a disbelieving look, “Ok, OK. I so told you so.”
The End