Chapter 3. Huzzah. --------------------------------------------------- Suddenly, Giggles' expression was filled with regret. She apologetically looked between Flippy and I. "Oh, sorry about that, Flaky. That's Flippy's seat, I didn't know he'd be back so soon." Back from where? I thought, trying to show my confusion to Giggles. But she was as clueless as usual, and went back to talking with Petunia. I glanced up at Flippy, and he searched for a chair. "It's alright. I'll just pull up another seat." he said, shrugging as he pulled a chair over, setting it next to mine. I felt my cheeks heat up, and I ran a hand through my hair. "D-Don't you need a desk?" I asked nervously. "I forgot my stuff for class." he said, looking over at me. "I'm assuming you don't have the notes, so we'll just be lost together." he laughed quietly. Together...? I tried to laugh as well, until the teacher's voice brought me to attention. Apparently the class was in the middle of discussing Romeo and Juliet. It was cliché, really, but I didn't mind. I already read the play, for enjoyment. "So! Can somebody tell me why, this famous relationship was set up to fail?" A few hands rose up, silently begging for Mime's attention, perhaps to sound smart for the class. I decided not to answer the question, despite already knowing the answer. I felt the air shift slightly next to me, and I glanced over, to see Flippy calmly leaning back in his chair. "Nutty?" "Because back then, people were way too dramatic." a boy with neon yellow-green hair said, eating a chocolate bar. "Ah... no. Splendid?" "Because nobody was there to save them!" Splendid said heroically. I could imagine his cape waving dramatically behind him. "Not quite... how about you, Flippy?" A few heads turned to the back of the room, where Flippy and I sat. I blinked in surprise, wondering why everyone was suddenly so interested in what Flippy had to say. He looked surprised as well, probably not used to being called on in class. "...because Romeo wanted something he couldn't have." he answered simply. Mime's eyes brightened; thankful somebody got the answer right. "Could you explain?" he asked. Flippy sighed, running his hand through his hair. "Romeo was a Montague, and Juliet was a Capulet. Both families already hated each other, and people died in that feud every day." Did I notice Flippy's hand clench, ever so slightly? "It was set up to fail, even before it started." he stated with finality, and the students looked to Mime to see if what Flippy said was correct. Mime smiled, adding his answer to the list on the whiteboard. "Very good response." I was surprised. Flippy didn't seem like somebody who would read Romeo and Juliet. Then again, looks are deceiving. But maybe he just retained information well, and was a good student. The thought made me glance over at him again, to see he was absentmindedly tapping his pencil. Then again... maybe not. Classes went by quickly, in a blur of rushed introductions and awkward stares. Giggles introduced me to practically the whole student body, and while I liked having new friends already, I appreciated alone time as well. I definitely wasn't going to get it at lunch. Giggles tugged me through a line of hungry people, and told me all the selections they had. (as if I couldn't read the menu) I wasn't that hungry, and took an apple from the array of fruits on a tray. Giggles laughed, taking a sandwich, fruit parfait, and soda. She paid for her lunch, and I handed a quarter to the cashier for the apple, embarrassed. "You're definitely sitting with us." she chirped happily, sitting me at her lunch table. I was surprised to see Handy amongst the people there. "Handy? You go to school here?" "Ah... yeah." he turned red, immediately defensive. "I'm just tall. And my voice"- "What he means is; he went through puberty twice." Petunia interrupted. The table snickered at this, and Handy turned even redder, before crossing his arms and looking away. What a temper... I thought, giving Giggles a look. She just shrugged, rolling her eyes at Handy before turning to Cuddles. Cuddles smiled, handing her a French fry as Giggles, well... giggled, and blushed. I suddenly felt awkward at the realization I was alone in a group of people. Splendid had Nutty to look after, as he tried to get the boy to stop gorging on candy. Lifty and Shifty were busy talking about whatever twins spoke of. Cuddles and Giggles were flirting. And Handy and Petunia... I didn't know the deal with those two. But something was there. I stood, quietly excusing myself so I wouldn't disturb them, and walked outside. There was a back courtyard behind the cafeteria, the paths lined with trees, leading to a clearing. A lone Oak tree stood in the center of the clearing, and I made my way over to it, sitting at the base. The rough bark was comfortable in a way, and I settled back contentedly. "Flaky?" I screamed, and frantically threw my hands upward, launching the apple into the air. After a moment, it didn't drop to the ground, and I looked up to see a fingerless glove-clad hand holding the fruit. I saw his reflection in the polished red skin of the apple, and glanced away. "Sorry, Flippy..." "What for?" he asked curiously, lightly tossing the apple up before catching it again. I inwardly groaned, knowing I was sorry for no logical reason whatsoever. "For saying sorry? I don't know." I sighed in frustration. I was always so awkward, ever since I was a child. I never got over my fear of practically everything. He snorted at my response, before lobbing the apple to me. I barely caught it, and turned it over in my shaky hands. "What're you out here for?" "I'm always here during lunch." he said thoughtfully, sitting back on the branch he was perched on. "What's wrong with the cafeteria?" "It's too... noisy. And the way people open those obnoxious chip bags..." he responded. "Are you referring to people squeezing the bag, until the air pressure makes the cellophane burst?" "...yes." he looked over at me, hesitating before hopping out of the tree to land on the grass. I flinched, clutching the apple tighter. "I wasn't aware we were playing Twenty Questions." he said, his eyes narrowing slightly. I blinked, my cheeks instantly heating up to a bright pink in frustration. Flippy smirked at me, before walking down the path, and after a while, he disappeared around the bend. I stood up from the tree, and looked down at the apple, before tossing it behind me. I wasn't hungry anymore. A rustle sounded, and I froze, seeing a flash of red and pink. Giggles sped up in front of me, a worried smile on her face. "Flaky! Why'd you leave during lunch?" she paused, looking at the serene area. "And why here?" I looked at my shoes, kicking at the ground. "Ah... I-I felt awkward there..." "Well, we'll all be sure to include you more! You're one of us!" she went on, talking about how friends stuck together, and were supposed to be there for each other. I smiled as she walked back to the building with me, grateful for somebody like her. Giggles was overly energetic, sure, but she was a reliable friend too. "...and yeah. Was Flippy there too?" "Y-yeah. Why?" I asked as we made our way to our lockers. "Huh. He always wants to be alone out there..." I stopped walking, facing Giggles with a stern glance. "Look, ever since I got here, everyone's being so... so obscure about Flippy! What's wrong with him?" I irritatedly asked in a hushed voice Giggles looked surprised, and glanced away. Did I notice a hint of worry in her eyes? "Flaky, we just don't want to worry you"- "We? As in...?" "Everyone. Especially Handy." I thought back to the way Handy's hands were bandaged up. What happened to him? And what did Flippy have to do with it? "J-Just tell me what"- The bell rang, interrupting me mid-sentence. Giggles looked relieved by this, and she turned before I could stop her, rushing down the hallway. "See you after school, Flaky!" I sighed, shutting my locker dejectedly. Just so I could put my mind at ease, I needed answers now. And I was determined to get them. --------------------------------------------------- FORESHADOWINGGGGGG-
It's a cartoon, but the characters are humanized in the fan Fic. Like so: This is what they look like originally: