When Opposites Attract

Erm. Nosebleed warning. o.o
This chapter makes me explode every time I read it… 

Anyway, enjoy! 
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The next day, I set my alarm half an hour early. I had enough time to make myself an actual breakfast, not just grab a measly granola bar. After I cleared the table, I paced around my room, looking at the various outfits I set on my bed. I decided on a slightly long white t-shirt under a red and unzipped sweatshirt, thick black leggings, and red Converse with checkerboard laces. I brushed my teeth, took my medication, and managed to keep my hair at least a little bit under control, having attacked it with a brush for seven minutes.

Before I left, I paused at the bathroom mirror, and put on a little makeup. I never really had a use for it before, but I didn't care as much now. A new school meant a new look: and I didn't want to look stupid, like I did last year. Finally content with my appearance, I walked out of the house, and saw Giggles already inside her car. It surprised me that she was an early bird, but then again, I didn't know her that well.

Giggles saw me, and waved at her rearview mirror, before bringing the car to a halt in front of my curb. She nodded me over, and I smiled, sitting in the passenger seat.

"Ohmygoodness- you look amazing today!" she giggled.

The rest of the car trip consisted of Giggles complimenting me, and her singing along to obnoxious pop songs on the radio. Despite her bubbly personality, Giggles simply made me smile. The air felt... happier with her around; you couldn't not be cheerful with Giggles there.

After she parked in the student parking lot, Giggles pouted as we exited the car.

"I wish we were in the same classes. We're only in Drama together!" she whined.

"Then I'll hang out with you after school sometime. We should go to the mall, I mean if there's one nearby"-

"Of course! I totally want to give you a makeover!" Giggles squealed with joy, squeezing me in a hug. I sighed, hugging her back, before stepping back, gesturing across the lot. Cuddles just got out of his sun-yellow car, and hoisted up his backpack onto his shoulder.

"Is that Cuddles?"

"W-what?" she stammered, immediately turning red.

I smirked at her as Cuddles noticed us, and made his way over.

"You definitely like him, Giggles."

"C-Cuddles? N-no!" she whispered, her face turning a shade darker. "Besides, it wouldn't work out"-

"What wouldn't work out?"

We looked up to see a totally oblivious and smiling Cuddles, who looked a bit confused. Giggles squeaked, her eyes widening. I burst out laughing, making Cuddles seem even more puzzled.

"What's going on...?" he asked, looking between us.

"N-Nothing! Nothing at all"-

"Oh, it's something. I believe Giggles has something to say to you." I interrupted, taking the chance to give her a push towards Cuddles. In her nervous state, Giggles immediately fell into Cuddles, and turned beet red.

"Oh, look at the time! I gotta go, don't wanna be late!" I glanced at my watch, taking the chance to leave them both alone. I could still faintly hear their conversation before I got into the building.

"Why is your face so red?"

"...I-I-I"-

I chuckled, and walked up the stairs, glad I was starting to familiarize myself with the school's halls. The students flowed down the hallways, chatting at their lockers, some trying to drag on the time before they got to class. I took my chemistry binder, and headed to the classroom. I was on time, and saw Mr. Sniffles setting up beakers and Bunsen Burners.

"Mr. S, what're we doing today?" I asked, looking back at the students beginning to file in. Their expressions were struck with disappointment when they noticed the chemistry equipment.

"Working with chemicals." he said simply, tossing me a pair of goggles.

Oh joy.

Splendid walked in, but Cuddles wasn't there with him as he sat at the table across the aisle. I smiled at this, wondering if Giggles finally told him how she felt. Splendid looked at the empty seat, a look of confusion on his face.

"Huh. Wonder where Cuddles ran off to." he directed his look up at me, and smiled sheepishly. "And I'm sorry about yesterday at the library."

"I-It's okay." I mumbled, quickly turning away in embarrassment.

The last few people walked into class, Flippy among them. He spoke with Mr. S for a moment, before walking over to my desk, sitting down next to me. I gulped, thinking back. Cuddles told me to be careful around him. Giggles warned me too... what was so dangerous?

I glanced at the desk, and up at him. Apparently he was dangerous to desks-

"Flaky, what're you staring at?" he asked, arching an eyebrow.

"W-what? Nothing! N-nothing at all!" I stuttered, hiding my face. I could practically hear Flippy smirk, and he set a beaker onto the Bunsen Burner, turning on the flame. He gestured to a container of some sort of chemical.

"Well, ladies first."

I blinked, desperately looking at the front of the classroom. I was so distracted by Flippy, and so lost in thought; I completely missed what Mr. S had said. He didn't even write anything on the board to help. I sighed, and carefully took a beaker of... whatever it was, and poured it into the glass.

"I h-hope that's right..."

"It actually is." he laughed, handing me another beaker of clear liquid. "You're supposed to add just a drop of this."

"That sounds e-easy enough." I said quietly, angling the beaker over the other one. My hands were unsteady already, and having Flippy right next to me didn't make it any better.

"Be careful with that chemical!" Mr. S. said sternly, suddenly chastising Nutty for fooling around. I flinched, shaking the beaker, and emptying the majority of the contents inside. Flippy's eyes widened as he stood up, quickly pulling me back from the bubbling and overflowing beaker. Mr. S. was too busy lecturing Nutty to notice anything, until the beaker exploded.

Everyone jumped, and I screamed as I covered my head with my hands. Flames began to spread on the table, burning away pencils and papers, and forming where the liquid was. Splendid hopped up, trying to tell everyone to calmly exit the room, but Mr. S. panicked; ignoring the fire alarm and running out. Splendid groaned, rushing out with everyone else.

But Flippy and I were frozen in place. I was frightnened, and wanted to run, but I just... couldn't. Flippy was another story. His hands shook violently, and he dropped the other beaker, shattering it into pieces.

"Flippy…?" I asked, tentatively placing a hand on his shoulder.
"I-I'm sorry…" he murmured, his voice wavering, taking on a deeper edge that I didn't recognize.

Before I could ask anything, he rose his head slowly, until our eyes met. The usual emerald-green color gradually became a bit lighter, and the pupils shrank considerably.

Flippy grabbed my hand with superhuman speed, and I winced in discomfort. I was suddenly pinned against a table, with nowhere to go.

"What. Are. You. Doing…?" he growled, his voice seething.

I blinked, turning away from him. "I-I c-c-could ask you the s-same"-

He clutched my chin in his hand, jerking it back so I faced him. "Look at me when I'm speaking to you." he ordered.

I had no choice but to comply, trembling uncontrollably. He smirked at this, his bizarre eyes boring into mine, and he let go of my chin. He looked like he wanted to rip me limb from limb. The thought made me instinctively try to scramble away, and Flippy chuckled, yanking my sleeves down over my hands to easily pull me back by the arms.

"What d-do you w-want?" I stuttered.

I gasped at the presence of a cold, unforgiving shard of glass pressing against my throat. Flippy's expression was menacing, even though he smiled.

"I want you to scream."

Ironically enough, I was so absolutely terrified; I couldn't scream. I was just frozen, shaking as I waited for the end.

"What, Flaky? Cat got your tongue?" he grinned sadistically, bringing the glass a bit higher up my neck, forcing me to tilt my head up. Flippy studied me for a moment, his eyes roaming over my face, before he leaned in.

I held my breath, freezing in place, and I squeezed my eyes shut. His breath tingled against my face, he was so close. Suddenly, he took my face with his free hand, and fiercely pressed his lips against mine, keeping the glass where it was. My eyes widened as I struggled against him, but it was useless. Why did I have to be so weak?

What the hell... wasn't he trying to kill me? I thought, and a blush immediately crept to my cheeks. The situation was extremely contradictory.
Flippy wasn't the nicest… but he most definitely wasn't a killer… right?

What caused him to be like this?

Eyeing the sprinkler system above (that strangely didn't activate when the fire started), I blindly reached back to the desk, grabbing anything I could take hold of. I found a stapler, and after silently praying I didn't miss, threw it at the sprinkler.

It popped open, water cascading down, drenching us both. Flippy staggered back, his appearance gradually returning to normal, and I took my chance, bolting out of the classroom. I didn't bother to glance back, and definitely didn't consider turning around to check on him. I knew Flippy was alright now… but I knew better than to return to that classroom. Instead, I ran down the hall and out of the school, water trailing behind me.

I immediately saw Cuddles with Giggles, their expressions stricken. Petunia stood next to Handy, her features solemn. Giggles turned around, and gasped, hugging me worriedly.

"Flaky! We were so worried!"

"I-I-I-I"- I stammered, still in shock. What had happened in there? I wouldn't know for sure, unless somebody finally explained what was going on with Flippy. Cuddles looked me over, his countenance hardening.

"Flippy was in there with her."

Petunia froze, looking over at me in shock.

"What happened?"

"I d-don't know! U-Unless somebody tells me what the hell is wrong with him!" I shouted. My mood was completely out of character, and people turned to look at me in surprise. Giggles shooed them away, and Cuddles sighed.

"...He used to be in a war, Flaky."

"A war...? He's o-only seventeen"-

"The W.A.R broke out when he was fourteen. Age didn't matter, he was drafted. Something about him... changed when he returned."

"Like?"

"To be frank, he has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Whenever something reminds him of the war, he's sadistic, Flaky. That's why we warned you."

"Well, you could've been more specific! That's serious!" I said, narrowing my eyes.

"We would have been, but you're too... sensitive." Giggles said, worriedly smiling.

"Sensitive. You put my life i-in danger, b-because you thought I was sensitive?" I crossed my arms, watching their faces flood with guilt. Except for Petunia's. She glowered at me, jabbing a finger in my direction.

"Look. It was for the best. You would've had another panic attack if we told you up front. At least you know about this now! At least you're alive! You got away from him without a single cut, and you're complaining! Look at Handy! His hands are bandaged up because Flippy completely went bezerk one day! So just do us a favor, and shut the hell up!" she snapped.

Petunia's rant threw everyone into silence. Her eyes widened at the realization of what she said, and she took a step forward.

"Flaky, I didn't"-

I shook my head, tears springing to my eyes, and pushed past her, racing back to my house. I couldn't take the insults, their judgemental tones, or condescending smiles, I wanted to get away from it all. Absolutely everybody I met found some flaw about me they wanted to pick at.

At least, that's how I felt.
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Gah... *runs around, flailing arms* That was… interesting to write. O_O
*runs and hides* 

 

Bumping stories so they don't get pushed back. 

 

Ah, sorry about this, but I'm officially I'm in the middle of testing, and finals are coming up... *dies* .

Anyway, this chapter has more Splendid in it! 
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Thank God it was the weekend. I had no desire whatsoever to speak to anyone after what happened yesterday. Petunia had shown a completely different part of her personality. So did Flippy...

I sighed, shaking my head as I walked outside, a gentle breeze making me shiver a little. But I didn't bother with trying to get my jacket, and continued down the street, making my way to the grocery store. I needed a few random ingredients for the kitchen, and knowing I'd need them later on, I decided to buy them now.

I walked past the automatic doors, and was greeted by Shifty. He wore a plain t-shirt with the supermarket logo on it, and still had that fedora atop his light green hair.

"Ah... where's Lifty?" I asked.

"Oh, somewhere in the back, borrowing something." he answered with a shrug.

Oh my.

"A-a-anyway, could you tell me where the s-spices a-are?"

"Aisle 7."

I quickly shuffled away; worried I would be considered an accomplice to theft if I stuck around. The supermarket was fairly empty, considering that I wanted to come as early as possible. I didn't want to run into anybody from school. Once I saw aisle 7, I hurriedly walked over to it, wanting to get out of the store as quickly as possible-

"Ouch!"

I tripped over a display, and landed on the cold linoleum floor. Why did I have to be so unaware of everything when I was thinking? Suddenly, a pair of sneakers stepped in front of me, followed by a red cape dragging across the floor.

"Flaky?"

"S-Splendid!" I scrambled to my feet, my face red.

"Are you alright?" he asked, his voice enthusiastic as ever.

"I-I'm f-fine! Just l-looking for the t-t-t-thyme!" I stammered.

Splendid smiled, his blue eyes crinkling a bit at the corners, and he lithely hopped up, grabbing a bottle from the top shelf in the aisle. When he landed, he tossed it to me and I dropped it, my lack of coordination rendering me useless when it came to catching things.

"You know, you should let me buy you lunch." Splendid said, easily picking up the thyme for me. My face turned red, and my eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"W-why?"

"You're obviously not in a state to cook... I wouldn't want you to drop anything dangerous." he laughed.

I already did plenty of that in chemistry class... I thought, my cheeks turning a shade darker.

"O-oh, th-th-that's alright, S-Splendid! I don't want to trouble y-you." I said as I awkwardly walked to the cashier.

Splendid followed with his basket of foods, his cape waving behind him as he laughed again.

"You? A trouble? Nonsense! I insist."

I paid the cashier for the thyme, and turned to see Splendid packing his groceries in bags instead of the cashier. He really was nice... I just didn't feel like going to lunch today.

"W-well... I dunno..."

"Please?" he asked, giving me puppy-eyes. I blinked in surprise, glancing away. I could never deny anyone who gave me that look.

"F-fine."

We ended up going to a small café that served "the best meals ever", as Splendid put it. He got us a table by the window, and the hostess handed us menus, telling us a waitress would be over soon.

"You should try the peanut cappuccino. It's delicious." he suggested.

"I-I would... b-but I'm allergic to peanuts." I said, remembering the last episode I had concerning peanuts. It wasn't pretty.

"Oh, that's unfortunate." Splendid said, smiling at my timid expression.

As I was about to respond, somebody's cheerful voice interrupted me.

"Welcome to the Happy Tree Café, I'll be your waitress today..." the voice trailed off, and I looked up to see Giggles. Her eyes widened, and she broke into a long list of apologies, each one quickly running into the next as her voice sped up. I gaped at her in shock, while Splendid just looked confused.

"Giggles... its okay." I interrupted.

She paused, and smiled gratefully, her naturally cheerful disposition returning.

"Well, okay! What'll you two have?"

"Ladies first." Splendid said, gesturing towards me.

"A blueberry scone and a coffee, please." I said, turning towards Giggles.

"An egg white omelet, please." he said, simply radiating good health.

"And how would you like your coffee, Flaky?"

"B-black..." I mumbled.

They both looked at me in surprise, and I turned pink with embarrassment.

"...alrighty! I'll be back with your orders in a few!" Giggles said, walking back to the kitchen. Splendid chuckled as I twiddled my thumbs nervously, trying to keep calm.

"I didn't know you liked your coffee black."

"W-well, I started drinking it e-ever since I was a kid..."

After Giggles gave us our food, we ended up chatting long after we finished. Splendid was really a nice person to talk to, and I was relieved that things didn't get too awkward when we spoke. Well, as awkward as I was in general, I guessed I was glad things weren't too awkward. Splendid paid for everything, despite my request to pay, at least for my order. But he shook his head, insisting that he did.

We exited out into the parking lot, and he escorted me back home, since my street was fairly close by. I walked onto the front landing, and fumbled for my key in my pocket while Splendid patiently waited. I finally produced the key, and put it in the lock, opening the door.

"Thanks for lunch, S-Splendid. It was nice t-talking to you." I said, turning around to face him.

Splendid glanced off to the left, and I followed his gaze to Flippy's house. It looked like he was searching for something inside, as if he had x-ray vision. I knew he didn't, though... so what was so important over there?

"Splendid?" I asked, and his attention quickly turned back to me. His expression had changed slightly; I couldn't explain it, though.

"Ah, sorry Flaky. What did you say?" he said apologetically.

I paused for a moment, and shook my head.

"N-never mind. See you at school."

Splendid waved, before strolling down the street in the opposite direction of which we came. I shut the door, walking inside, and quickly stored the bottle of thyme in my spice cabinet. What was he looking at outside? The question was stuck in my head for the rest of the day, until I went to sleep.

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Bam. A small chapter. Sorry it was boring, I just need to lead up to a certain point. ^.^;