WARNING: This story contains graphic depictions of violence and other mature or controversial themes/topics that not all audiences will find suitable. Please continue reading at your own risk.
***
♪ Yes, I didn't talk to anyone. ♪11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqik3pV2BEw
♪ I was made fun of by everyone. ♪11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45XJ0JtDHJ
♪ It's something I wish could be undone. ♪11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMknAb32Uo
♪ She asked me. I wish I'd had respond. ♪11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyjF1KKrD9
♪ But hear me out: We're all worth being loved! ♪11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmjUtlSv8B
♪ Please hear me out: We're all worth being loved! ♪11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2KcuYBaBp
♪ I'm crying out: We're all worth being loved! ♪11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeetMbd1RAL
♪ I have no doubt we're all worth being loved! ♪
♪ Please, I beg you all, let's become friends! ♪11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVsLErJOHC
♪ Let's not judge each other by what's been! ♪11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpib7b3YfH
♪ It was years ago! It came and went! ♪11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxuLV99175
♪ That's a past chapter! New one begins! ♪
***
Something
***
She placed her finger beneath the girl's chin, lifted her head and asked, "Tell me, hun... what is your name...?"
"My... name...?" puzzled the girl.
Gently setting her other hand on the side of the girl's hair, Xandra replied, "Yes, darling... your name...."
"...Well... it's Maricela."
In the previous chapter of Something... Xandra's evil would continue as she'd meet one of Ikjot's long-lost backstabbing enemies—Maricela! And for once... it was Maricela being fooled instead of doing the fooling, courtesy of Xandra! The next day, Xandra even went so far as to have her dog Logan destroy Helena's room, weekend homework AND, with her own rock throws, their mother's two thousand dollar window! And what's worse is Xandra placed the blame on her OWN sibling, Helena! Xandra would stand outside of Helena's home, laughing over the pain that her own little sister was so unjustly given!
Helena cried, "BUT, MOM—!"
Then Xandra heard Kyra's belt bashing against Helena. "AH-AAAAAAAAH!" cried Helena with great pain, much to Xandra's quiet laughter to it all; she didn't want Kyra overhearing that she was still out there.
As for Ikjot, 1098 discovered a part of him that may have never been revealed without a mind reader like her: A wild part! She got Herbertia to believe her on this, and Herbertia made Ikjot feel comfortable enough to show it to her! He went into a wild song that fully spoke of his true, wacky personality, all ending in a great show that made Herbertia quite pleased! The question is, was Herbertia truly impressed with Ikjot's way... or just another person using it to make fun of him?
"Really liked it?!" Herbertia happily finished Ikjot's question. "YEAH!" She folded her arms. "No kidding! And I know even with that multi-colored pebble, you're probably still too shy to ask this but no—I'm not giving you these compliments just to make fun of you, Ikjot!"
Glad we got that confirmed, Herbertia! It seemed Ikjot had a genuine fan to his true self for a change... or so he hoped. The question is... will he still keep trying to pose for Xandra?
***
Something11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnw1ucTsCb0
1411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvIBir1AeG
Ikjot Gets Bold
***
During the thickly cloudy and bright day at a local Righteous Korrigan park, Orabel and Hermon were walking through the grass and under the trees while they talked.
Hermon told Orabel, "So... what do you do for a hobby? I mean, not to be rude or anything—"
Orabel simply placed a finger over his lips and said, "Hermon... I start the conversations, remember?"
"Oh, uh... right!" muffled Hermon, since his mouth was unable to open with Orabel's finger keeping it sealed.
"Good!" she said with a pleasant smile. "Now then... I've decided to tell you what I do for a hobby!"
"Isn't that what I suggested...?"
She said, "No, it's what I suggested..." and chuckled.
"Oh...."
"Now, where was I...? Oh, right! Did you know that my dad works at one of the most famous pizza places?!"
"Oh, you mean that business that you see here and there?"
She sighed with disbelief, saying, "NOT HERE AND THERE! IT'S EVERYWHERE!"
"Oh.... Right!"
Very elated, Orabel continued, "So, yeah, anyway, he's like totally one of the most important people you'd ever know!"
Oh, boy... I guess I forgot to mention that in addition to her impressionableness, Orabel was also a bragger.
Orabel went on to tell Hermon, "And did you know that me being his daughter makes me share in that importance—why do you think I'm liked so much?! Did you also know that one of this state's counties contains my surname, Nunan, within it?" And she excitedly grabbed Hermon by his shoulders, touched her nose to his with a still-excited smile and concluded, "And I'm Orabel 'Nunan' of Unxiane?!"
Not wishing to put a dent in Orabel's pride, Hermon responded with an uncomfortable smile, "Yes, that's, uh... super!"
"SAY IT LIKE YOU MEAN IT, MAN: SUPER!"
"SUPER!"
"THAT'S THE SPIRIT!"
Also in the park were Somer, Julian and 1098 who walked the same grassy fields. Somer looked down to 1098 and asked, "So, 1098, what do you think of this lovely evening...?"
Unamused as always, 1098 replied, "Lovely...? I doubt it.... 'Boring' is the better description."
"Uh..." puzzled Somer and Julian before looking to each other, confused and soon shrugging their arms.
As 1098 continued to walk, she soon stopped with widened eyes and puzzled, "Uh...?" while seeing Orabel and Hermon as they'd walk through the park.
Somer stopped with Julian and asked her, "Hey, what's up?"
1098 looked to them both and asked, "Can I be excused...? I have to speak with someone."
"Speak with someone?" asked Somer. "Who? A stranger?"
Setting his hand to Somer's shoulder, Julian said with a comforting smile, "Somer, let's let 1098 walk alone for a while."
Somer looked to Julian and said, "Yeah... I guess she'd be fine on her own for a bit; maybe that will help her find the beauty in things."
Julian smiled and told Somer, "So true! Sometimes people... have to find it on their own." And Julian looked on at 1098 who went her own way. He smiled with confidence.
Seeing how far away she'd gotten from Somer and Julian, 1098 looked in Orabel and Hermon's direction. She walked towards them.
"Now, let me tell you about this one girl at our school: Nydia," Orabel told Hermon.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4byq5MVNdQ
"Hmmm, I've heard of her before," said Hermon.
"Yeah, and I'm telling you again. So...?"
"Um... right! So, are you and Nydia still friends?"
"No way! I mean, okay, I understood her for being a weirdo. But she went behind my back and called me ugly! Xandra told me the other day."
"Wow! This Nydia sounds like a real trip!"
"She is! You try being someone's friend forever and think you'll feel good about them backstabbing you like that. It isn't right!"
"Hey, I think there's a hotspot in the underworld for girls like her."
Orabel laughed, "Darn right there is!"
1098 stepped before the two and said, "Um... excuse me...."
"Hm...?" puzzled Orabel and Hermon with confused looks, looking 1098's way.
Hermon asked, "Orabel, who's this—?" before Orabel would place her hoof over his mouth again.
"I'll ask the questions," said Orabel before telling 1098, "Aren't you that kid I see at school?"
1098 nodded while saying, "That is correct. I wanted to ask you something...."
"Um... sure, but it's gonna have to hurry 'cause I'm kinda on a date...."
"It's okay, Orabel," said Hermon. "I can wait—"
Orabel grabbed him by the ear and muttered, "It is not okay! I'm trying to be on a stupid date with my boyfriend...!"
Overhearing her words, 1098 said, "Okay, he can stay then.... I'll just ask you in front of him: Would you still accept Ikjot if he weren't an extrovert?"
Orabel, not knowing that 1098 was affiliated with me, laughingly shrugged and asked, "Who the heck cares about Ikjot?!"
"Who's Ikjot?" asked Hermon.
"No one important..." said Orabel.
1098 told her, "That's funny.... I hear you and he are supposed to be friends."
"WHAT?!" exclaimed Orabel.
1098 thought, I wouldn't want to reveal anything that proves I'm affiliated with Ikjot.... It could destroy his plans—plans I still don't approve of. He has the perfect girlfriend, yet he wants to be able to read her mind in order to prove that she's not making fun of him. What more can Herbertia and I do to prove that your girlfriend is honest, Ikjot? What a complete numbskull he is....
Orabel laughed with disbelief, "Look, I'm not Ikjot's stupid friend!"
"Funny.... You hang around him quite often. I was beginning to think otherwise—"
"HOW THE HECK WOULD YOU KNOW THAT?! AND NO I DON'T!"
1098 looked down, realizing she had to quickly think of an explanation. "I... heard someone talking about it...."
"Oh yeah...?" asked a displeased Orabel before getting up in 1098's face. "Who...?"
1098 nervously said, "Um..." and looked from left to right, repeatedly. "I... I heard it from one of the girls in my class."
"Really? What does she look like...?"
"Um..." said 1098, trying to formulate an explanation. Then suddenly, she smiled with deviousness... and said, "She's a white horse around my height, and... she has dirty-blonde hair in a short ponytail, along with big red lips and teeth."
"Uh-huh..." puzzled Orabel. "This girl sounds a lot like... Ilana!"
1098 victoriously thought, YES! Then told Orabel, "I see, so you know her?!"
Orabel laughed, "All too well! She threw rocks at Wynfred's dog one day—oh, wait, you don't know Wynfred, do you?"
1098 puzzled, "Um..." and thought, Okay... it would be wise to sound completely unaware.... She then told Orabel, "No."
Orabel told 1098, "Wynfred's one of my classmates and she's had a lot of problems from Ilana! I hate that girl honestly!"
1098, knowing Herbertia's problems, looked down with sternness and said, "Well..." and back to Orabel, "Ilana's been giving my friend trouble too."
"Hm...?" puzzled Orabel. "...Really?"
"Yeah..." said 1098, nodding. "She's been spreading around this awful rumor about her, saying that she's a liar."
Orabel laughed, "Wait a minute.... You're friends with Herbertia, the pig of the school?!"
"Ah...?!" gasped 1098 with shock. "What are you talking about?! Herbertia is no pig!" 1098 thought, Darn... I guess everyone, even Xandra and her girls, have bought into that rumor—possibly just to fit in with everyone else. Shoot...! These stupid humans and their cliques!
Orabel laughed, "Yes she is, and you need to get away from her before she turns on you or something!"
Looking to Orabel with puzzle, Hermon asked, "Hey, isn't this Herbertia girl the one you told me about who was a liar or something...?"
"Oh, she's totally a liar!" laughed Orabel. "The girl's a witch!"
"HEY!" angrily said 1098. "Herbertia is no witch! If you want to talk about someone, talk about Ikjot who—" but she immediately stopped herself.
"Who what...?" puzzled Orabel.
"..." and 1098 looked down with guilt, "It's... nothing really...." Turning back to Orabel, she continued, "Listen, all I wanted to ask is if you would still accept Ikjot if he weren't the extrovert you know him to be—"
"Okay," interrupted Orabel, "do you like Ikjot...?" 1098's eyes widened while Orabel continued with a giggle, " 'Cause you sure are talking about him a lot!"
"I DO NOT LIKE IKJOT!" defensively said 1098.
Orabel giggled, "Aw, come on...." And her laughter ceased but she kept an excited grin. "Admit it! You know you probably do!"
"You do talk about him a lot..." Hermon added.
Now very annoyed, 1098 said, "HEAR ME OUT: I WOULDN'T LIKE IKJOT IF HE WERE THE LAST MAN ON EARTH!"
To Hermon, Orabel slyly giggled, "Riiiiiiight," and Hermon giggled with her in response.
1098 remained insulted as she turned up her nose with closed eyes and a, "Hmph!" Then turned away from them and walked off.
"Make sure to send Ikjot roses!" playfully teased Orabel.
"YEAH!" laughed Hermon. "Send him flowers!"
The very annoyed 1098 thought, Those idiots.... Me and Ikjot—please! Besides, why would I want him anyway? Not only am I an Effect who has no use, nor is designed, for earthly love, but I also wouldn't like Ikjot because he lies and is such a... 'player' as these species would call it. Just look at what he's been doing to Herbertia! Hmph... now Orabel thinks I have a crush on him—the nerve! Just then, 1098's eyes widened with puzzle as she overheard some girls passing by. Looking to the side, she saw them laughing and talking about something that captured her attention....
"So like, yeah!" said the first girl (a doe) to the other three. "And there was a time when this guy wanted to shake my hand, and I acted uncomfortable about it so he could feel it was like TOTALLY awkward to give a girl a handshake!" Then that girl laughed with the others.
"Wow, you sure got him!" happily said the second girl (a penguin).
"Naaaaaah," said the first girl. "What I hope got him was my plan to make him develop the unjustly worst levels of paranoia possible. I mean, if a girl makes a guy feel like he's constantly not welcome to do things, such as hug her or even say 'hi' to her—"
The third girl (a white cat) added, "He could develop the illusion that society in general, not just girls—"
The first girl concluded, "Is unaccepting of him? BINGO!" and laughed with them.
"Because they'll be so confused from the hurt that they won't know it's specifically a girl to blame...?" puzzled the fourth girl (a rabbit).
The first girl said, "Exactly! If we do this to all guys, then all guys will seem like the bad guys while, as usual, girls like us seem like the victims!" and laughed with the others. "You see, we'll make 'em feel that no one cares about them and they'll go on to betray other gals who trust them! Then society will preach that all men are bad, once again helping us women to seem like victims!"
"WOO!" cheered the second girl. Then she calmly said, frowning, "Although wait, there... are women who never deliberately hurt a guy's feelings yet still wind up getting betrayed by them."
The first, third and fourth girl told her, in unison, "Shut up, Delilah!"
You could just see the look of shock in 1098's face after hearing what those girls were up to.... She grew a stern expression and thought, Wow.... With girls like them, it's no wonder Ikjot's turned out to be the way he is. Of course! Girls must have deliberately backstabbed Ikjot in the hopes that he would become bad just so they could seem like the helpless victims when they were really the ones who started the mess in the first place! Now it all makes sense! From here, 1098 bore a very sad face and looked down with guilt.... She said, "Of course.... What was I thinking? Blaming Ikjot for being the bad guy when it was never really his fault. I... I feel so terrible now...." And so, 1098 kept walking. "...Maybe I should get home and apologize to him."
THANK YOU, 1098! THANK YOU FOR FINALLY SEEING WHAT I'VE GONE THROUGH! YOU'RE TOO KIND! Sheesh... but you'd needn't worry about me betraying people. I wasn't... doing that... was I? Oh, who was I kidding? Of course I was... and to poor Herbertia, no less....
***
At a pizza parlor—no, this wasn't the stupid franchise that Orabel said her father owned—Ilana and Hobbs sat at one of the outside tables, sharing a whole pizza between the two of them. Ilana shyly said with a smile, "Hobbs, I don't know what to say..." before picking up a slice of pizza and taking a bite. She continued with her mouth full, "Thank you!"
"No problem!" said Hobbs, holding his slice. "What are boyfriend and girlfriend for...?" And he took a bite.
Fully swallowing her slice, Ilana grabbed another and said, "So, uh, Hobbs..." and chugged that slice in her mouth, making her cheeks stuffy while she went on to say, "I wanted to tell you about Herbertia...."
Rolling his eyes, Hobbs sighed while saying, "Ugh..." and looked back to her. "No kidding! She's a total liar...." He then looked from side to side before leaning forward and whispering, "But she's also a bit..." and took a fearful gulp, "freaky...."
"Freaky...?" asked Ilana, holding another slice before chugging it into her mouth.
"Yeah, like me and Xander punched her and she didn't even move!"
Now shocked, Ilana quickly swallowed her slices and exclaimed, reducing her cheeks back to normal size. "WHAT THE HECK?!" she exclaimed.
"I KNOW, RIGHT?!" nervously exclaimed Hobbs. "When I hit her... it was like striking my hand against a brick wall or something; Xander said the same thing!"
Ilana put up her fist and laughed, "If I hit her, I bet you she'd go down...."
"I wouldn't try it..." warned Hobbs, worried. "She's really strong...."
"Like I'm not?!" laughed Ilana. "By the time I'm done, that lying witch will be on the ground crying for her mom or something!"
Hobbs set his hand on Ilana's hoof and said, "Ilana... I don't want you to get hurt."
Sympathetically smiling, Ilana told him, "Don't worry. I'm not gonna get hurt." Then she laughed with saying, "But that stupid Herbertia will!"
Giving Ilana a high-five, Hobbs happily said, "I hear that!"
***
By night—possibly around six to seven p.m.—Somer, Julian and 1098 had returned back to the hotel. Julian was in the shower. Herbertia was looking over the homework I completed for me, Xandra and those girls. As for 1098, she was just flipping through channels on the television.
While I worked that homework stuff, I peeked through our hotel room window and saw something that shocked me: SOMER WAS SITTING ON THE PORCH AND SMOKING! Poor girl.... Yet another friend I had was giving their life away to the power that was cigarettes! Well... I knew it would be sad for Herbertia's mother to die, but I just hoped that Herbertia wasn't doing this too.... I even wanted to go outside and tell Somer about it, but even that multi-colored pebble I had inside of me wasn't enough to give me that level of spunk. I guess I was just going to stay inside, feeling helpless and knowing there was nothing I could do... but I still felt bad for her. Again, I really wanted to help... but what if I would anger her? What if I would anger Herbertia and lose the girlfriend I currently had...?
"Hey, what's up?" asked Herbertia from behind me.
I quickly widened my eyes with shock, turned my head and said, "Uh..." For I was a little—okay, very—reluctant to speak my mind.
"Hm...?" puzzled Herbertia, tilting her head at the way I was acting.
While she'd flip through the channels, 1098 said, "He's worried about Somer smoking...."
"Huh...?" puzzled Herbertia to 1098. Herbertia then looked to me and asked, "Ikjot, is this true...?"
I couldn't lie to her—hadn't I done that enough?! I looked down with sadness and said, "Yes...."
Herbertia remained silent with a face of worry.... She walked to me, placed her hand on my shoulder and said, "Ikjot... me, Somer and Julian have been smoking and drinking for the longest.... My mom started at three... I started at four... and dad started at... four also, maybe?"
"Three and four...?" I puzzled.
"That's right..." said Herbertia, nodding.
Clutching both sides of my head, I looked down while saying, "Wow, that's... insanely young to start smoking."
Herbertia grew a bit of a displeased look and told me, "Ikjot... don't judge us."
Firm in my opinion, I said, "Yeah, but... I just worry about you guys, because I don't want you to get cancer."
"Ikjot... how are we going to get cancer? It's just smoking—oooooooh...." Then she giggled while saying, "You buy into that rubbish the media tells us, huh...?"
1098 thought to herself, I'm not sure how this whole 'smoking' thing works for the humans but... it is beginning to sound like a topic that Ikjot might want to drop.
I said, "Well... I've learned from my parents of people who died from smoking—"
"They were probably pre-existing conditions. I don't think it was the cigarettes that killed them...."
I uncomfortably said, "Well..." but that was it. I could hide what I wanted to say no longer—perhaps the multi-colored pebble was kicking in.... I said, "Herbertia, I just don't want you or your mom to die from this, that's all. I love you guys and I want you to be safe."
1098 thought to me, Please drop it, Ikjot. I understand you wish to look out for them, but this sounds like a choice that you mustn't dictate.
I thought back, Ah...? Who's...? I looked around, thinking, That sounded... familiar.
"Hm?" puzzled Herbertia, noticing me looking around.
Don't be alarmed, 1098 thought back to me, much to capturing my attention as I eventually looked to her. She went on to think to me, I can communicate this way with anyone responsible for spawning me into existence.
Whoa! I thought back with widened eyes. That's... so cool!
1098 nodded, keeping a bored frown while keeping her eyes on the TV. She thought, Indeed. Now.... please stop trying to tell these two what to do. Herbertia's thoughts sound rather defensive about it.
I thought back, I'm just trying to protect these people, 1098.
She and Somer are old enough to make and understand their own decisions, Ikjot, 1098 thought back, still flipping through channels.
"Ikjot, we're not going to die!" laughingly replied Herbertia.
But I kept pushing it, saying, "Herbertia, it may seem like fun and games, but this is going to get you all hurt! You think I want to see my girlfriend die just because of some stupid cigarette? No, I don't!"
"Ikjot, I'm not going to die!" laughed Herbertia.
"HERBERTIA, I'M JUST TRYING TO SAVE YOU AND YOUR MOM! I DON'T WANT SOME CIGARETTE TO—"
"YOU ALREADY SAID THAT! Ikjot, I understand your concerns for us, but we don't believe cigarettes are bad in our family! It helps us ease our problems, y'know?"
"But there are better ways to ease your problems besides killing yourself... is all I'm saying. Herbertia, this could kill you and I don't want that. I don't want that for your mother either!" Honestly, any other girl would have told me off at this point—probably even broken up with me. I was finding it amazing how Herbertia was willing to accept this more extroverted side of me all along.
Herbertia said, "But, Ikjot..." and she took out a cigarette, "I feel just fine...."
I quickly became nervous, saying, "UH—Herbertia, you can't smoke in the room!"
Herbertia shrugged with a sly, carefree smile while saying, "Nonsense.... I like breaking the rules." Then she took out a lighter.
"WH-WHAT IF YOU SET-OFF THE FIRE ALARM?!"
Herbertia laughed and said, "IT'D BE COOL IF I DID THAT! but, for you..." and she put the lighter and cigarette in her shirt, then smiled sweetly, "I'll be a good girl."
To that, I smiled back sweetly as well....
Herbertia continued, "I'll just go outside and smoke, I guess!"
"WHAT?!" I exclaimed. "HERBERTIA, HAVE YOU HEARD NOTHING I JUST TOLD YOU?!"
Herbertia pulled back out her cigarette and held it before my nose, saying, "Ikjot, come on, you should try it! It's not that bad!"
I pushed it back and said, "I think I'll pass..." before folding my arms with disgust.
Herbertia pleasantly said, "Awwww! You're finally starting to learn how to escape being an introvert!"
My eyes widened while I became shocked to realize she discovered what was going on with me. I looked to her and puzzled, "WOW! How did you... know...?"
Herbertia shrugged with a smile, saying, "I can see it on you, Ikjot!" She looked to 1098 and asked in displeasure, "You can too, huh, boyfriend watcher...?"
Indeed, 1098 was briefly watching us at this point. She quickly looked back to the TV with a "Hmph!" while folding her arms with her nose in the air.
Herbertia blew 1098 a raspberry in response.
I said, "Well... back on topic, just don't smoke anymore and you'll be fine."
"Is that a threat...?" playfully replied Herbertia.
Just then, Julian, standing in his robe, opened the bathroom door and laughed, "YEAH, IT IS!"
Herbertia looked to him, laughing while she said, "DAD, SHUT UP!"
Honestly, my own family didn't believe in the child talking to their elder like that.... I mean, 'Shut up?' But I guess not all families were the same, though that's not saying that I was implying Herbertia to be poorly raised or anything.
I told Julian, "I hear you, Herbertia and Somer have been smoking for quite some time...?"
Nonchalantly, Julian said while raising his hand, "I've been doing it since I was eight!"
Herbertia realized and said, "Oh, I thought it was four."
"Was it four?" replied Julian, putting a finger to his chin and puzzling on it.
1098 looked to me with a smile and said, "You know, Ikjot, your species have this thing called 'free will,' yes?"
Herbertia's eye immediately twitched as she turned her head completely around to 1098 and said, "You... did not just share a smile with my boyfriend... did you...?"
1098 rolled her eyes and said, "Oh, here we go...."
I said, "Now, Herbertia—"
"Because if you did," continued Herbertia to 1098, "I'd like to know why. The reason better not be because you like him or I'll rip you in half...."
"Look," I said, "there's nothing going on between me and 1098!"
Herbertia turned to me and said, "Darn right there isn't." Then turned back to 1098. "She knows better than to hit on my man."
Julian laughed, "Herbertia, there's no need to believe that 1098 would want anything to do with your boyfriend!"
"Yes there is..." Herbertia said with narrowing eyes. "I caught her sleeping with him, back at the cabin."
"Hm...?" puzzled Julian in shock. "Oh, you mean the shack."
1098 looked back to Herbertia and said, "Look, there wasn't anything going on between me and Ikjot—"
"Then why were you sleeping with him?"
"I already told you there was nothing going on!" 1098 snapped just a little bit. "What more do you want?!"
Herbertia sighed with a smile of disbelief and paused... then said, "I would like you to keep your smiles off my man—!"
I said, "Let's get one thing straight here, Herbertia: I'm not interested in 1098 the way you're thinking, okay? 1098 and I are friends, just like I'm friends with Somer and Julian. Herbertia, you're the only one in this room who's more than a friend to me."
"See, Herbertia?" said Julian with a smile.
"I know I can trust you, Ikjot!" said Herbertia with a pleasant smile. "We've already established that." Then she looked to 1098 with disapproval. "It's 1098 who I can't trust."
Before 1098 would reply, I said, "There's no need to pick on 1098, Herbertia. 1098 is a good person...." I thought, I figured that out when we were alone together.... I mean, sure she stated her displeasure for me leading on Herbertia, but she still seems like a nice girl and she's quiet, like I used to be! I feel like she's someone who walks in my old shoes, and it's up to me to put her in a new pair.
Reading my thoughts, 1098 smiled shyly and looked down.
"Oh, good grief!" said Herbertia, noticing 1098. "Are you smiling at me or Ikjot?!"
1098 looked up at Herbertia and said, "I was smiling at you...."
Herbertia said with a pleasant smile, "Oh, that's good!"
But I puzzled because I knew that 1098 was lying. I thought, Wow.... She lied, but... why...?
Herbertia looked to me and said, "So, you wanna go out?"
"Go out?" I asked.
"Yeah!" Herbertia said with a nod. "You know, like a walk or something...?"
I said, "Oh, sure! Let's go!"
Herbertia briefly looked to 1098 and gave her a raspberry.
1098 was unamused.
***
As I walked down the streets of Righteous Korrigan with Herbertia that night, I couldn't help but debate over the whole cigarettes thing.... Seeing Herbertia hold her cigarette in one hand, and her lighter in the other, I immediately said, "Herbertia..."
"Ikjot..." said Herbertia, seeming to know what I was about to say.
I told her, "Look, I just don't want you to get cancer or anything. I've told Wynfred the same thing before."
"Did you tell her in this current past or the previous one?"
"Previous, but my feelings for cigarettes will always remain current. Herbertia, I just don't want you to get hurt."
Herbertia laughed, "Ikjot, I won't!"
"You will...."
"No I won't." And she lit her cigarette.
"Yuh-huh!"
"Nuh-uh!" She then put the cigarette in her mouth and pulled it out, blowing smoke from her breath.
I exclaimed, "HERBERTIA, I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU!"
She laughed, "Why not?! You see me doing it!"
"That's it, I've had it!" And I slapped the cigarette out of her hand.
She stopped walking and, visibly irritated, told me, "HEY!"
I too stopped walking and said, "LOOK, IF YOU PICK IT UP, YOU'RE SENTENCING YOURSELF TO DEATH!"
"SUDDENLY, YOU'RE BEING A REAL JERK, YOU KNOW THAT?!"
"I—!"
"IT WAS COOL WHEN YOU WERE JUST BEING AN EXTROVERT, BUT NOW YOU'RE BEING A DICTATOR!"
"I'M BEING A DICTATOR 'CAUSE I DON'T WANT YOU TO DIE FROM SOMETHING! SO WHAT IF I'M A DICTATOR?! AT LEAST I'M NOT BEING QUIET ANYMORE! HONESTLY, I NEED A GIRLFRIEND WHO'S OKAY WITH ME EXPRESSING MY OPINION—!"
"AND I AM! BUT YOU'RE ABUSING YOUR POWER!" She bent down to pick up the cigarette while saying, "I'm taking a smoke!" She grabbed hold of it and leaned back up while saying, "And there's nothing you can do about it!"
"LOOK, THIS ISN'T GOING TO BE AN ARGUMENT," I said while slapping it from her hand again, "BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO STOP SMOKING OR YOU'LL KILL YOURSELF! WHAT, YOU'RE TRYING TO MAKE ME CRY OVER LOSING MY GIRLFRIEND TO SOME TOBACCO?!"
"WHO THE HECK CARES WHAT I DO WITH MY LIFE?! I DON'T TELL YOU TO—NO, I DIDN'T TELL YOU TO SLEEP WITH 1098; BUT YOU DID, HUH?!"
"WHAT THE HECK DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH ANYTHING?!"
"OH—OH, WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH ANYTHING?! THAT HAS A LOT TO DO WITH ME, IKJOT—ME!"
"I—!"
"NO, I CAUGHT YOU SLEEPING WITH 1098!"
"THAT DOESN'T MEAN I DON'T LOVE YOU! 1098 RESTED WITH ME BECAUSE YOU AND EVERYONE ELSE IN THAT CABIN WERE MAKING TOO MUCH NOISE FOR HER TO SLEEP! WE HAD SCHOOL IN THE MORNING, YOU KNOW! NOT JUST 1098 AND I, BUT YOU TOO!"
Slightly calming herself, Herbertia said, "Okay... let's just stop yelling...."
I folded my arms. "Fine by me...."
"Look..." she said, smacking her forehead, "I honestly don't know what's been going on with you and 1098—"
I sighed... and told her, "Herbertia, I just told you that—"
"BUT! ...But... I know that you're my honest boyfriend, which is why I'm not going to blame you for anything, and I haven't! I swear!"
"Yeah... well it sure sounded like it...." And I looked down, folding my arms. "You... You don't even know the problems I've had in my life...."
With a sad frown, she placed her hand on my shoulder. "Bad girls...?" she guessed.
"Yeah... and that's been an issue for as long as I can remember. But I've already told you those stories...."
"And I remember them—I always will, but... Ikjot... you've got to understand something: The past happened." My eyes widened while she continued, "It's over, and..."
I was growing very angry. "It's over...? IT'S OVER?! How—?!"
"Eh-eh-eh, no yelling...."
"Right.... I'm sorry...."
She hugged me and said, "You just need a hug...."
I hugged her and said, "Yeah...."
"Now..." and Herbertia picked her cigarette off the ground, "about these cigarettes...." She then held it to my mouth. "I want you to try one—you know, to get high."
"Um... no."
Holding it closer to me, she said, "Aw, come on! It'll make you calm and relaxed..." and she gave me a calm smile, "like me...."
I pushed her hand away and said, "Herbertia, I don't smoke. Never have, never will."
She put it to my nose and said, "Come on! Just do it—!"
Again, I pushed it away and said, "The answer remains 'no!'"
Herbertia quickly gave me puppy-dog eyes.
I told her, "That's not going to change my mind either."
And Herbertia gave up the puppy dog look, disappointed. "Aw, come on! Just take one smoke?!"
"Nada."
"TAKE IT!" she said while getting more agitated.
"Nope," I said, looking down and shaking my head.
She brushed it against my nose and tempted, "But don't you like the smell of it...?"
"Herbertia, this is useless! Now get that thing out of my face!" And I slapped it from her hand.
"HEY!" Herbertia exclaimed, seeing her cigarette roll into the street. She quickly ran after it, not aware of a car that was driving up.
I yelled, "HERBERTIA!" I jumped into the street to grab hold of her, rolling her out of the way from the vehicle.
"MY CIGARETTE!" she panicked before the car ran it over. "NOOOOOOO!"
I looked down with sympathy while saying, "Herbertia, I'm sorry that your cigarette got—"
"Destroyed? Pfft! Nah!" she said while pulling out a small box from inside her shirt. "I gots PLENTY more!"
I gasped in response.
Herbertia popped open the box's top, took out one cigarette and prepared to light it.
I snatched both the cigarette and lighter away from her.
Herbertia said, "HEY!" She reached for the cigarette and lighter.
I'd stopped Herbertia from coming any closer by pressing my hand against her forehead. I said, "Herbertia, THIS has got to stop! THIS IS KILLING YOU!"
"WHY DO YOU WANT TO TAKE AWAY MY STUFF?!" she told me, visibly getting angry again while she stopped running in place.
"THIS STUFF IS POISON TO THE HUMAN SOUL! KEEP MESSING WITH THIS STUFF AND YOU'LL DIE! YOU THINK I WANT TO—?!"
"LOSE YOUR GIRLFRIEND TO TOBACCO—" she mockingly finished my sentence. "YES, I'VE HEARD IT BEFORE!"
"SO STOP THIS—!"
She grabbed the box and lighter from my hands while interrupting, "AND LET ME TELL YOU ONE DARN THING: I TAKE ORDERS FROM NO ONE! NO ONE! YOU KEEP YOUR PAWS OFF MY STUFF!"
I grabbed her items again and said, "No...."
With fire suddenly in her eyes, Herbertia growled and punched me in the face.
I fell to the ground with a bloody nose and mouth, releasing her cigarette and lighter as a reflex.
Upon realizing what she had done, Herbertia immediately gasped with worry, leaned down to me and placed her hand near my back. She stared at my injuries while saying, "IKJOT, I am SO sorry! Are you okay—?!"
I cried, "NO, HERBERTIA, I'M NOT! MY WHOLE FACE HURTS! PLEASE, PLEASE DO SOMETHING!" I didn't mean to be antsy, but the pain was UNBEARABLE!
"I will!" said Herbertia before kissing my lips.
"NO, NO!" I protested. "I need you to get me some first aid or something; I'm in DESPERATE need here!"
She stopped kissing me and said, worrying, "I don't know if I can, Ikjot!" She held her head in panic, seemingly staring into headlights. "No, of course I can't! I don't HAVE any first aid with me!"
"CALL SOMER, PLEASE!"
Herbertia sighed with disbelief. "...What are you—nuts?! If I call my mom, she'll think YOU provoked me into doing this—and you kinda did, by the way."
"FINE, LEAVE ME HERE TO DIE IF YOU THINK THIS IS MY FAULT!"
"OKAY-OKAY, I'm sorry!" She got up and started pacing back and forth with worry while saying, "Oh, this is all my fault! If we go home and Somer sees what happened to you, she'll kick you out—!"
"WHY?! WHY WOULD SHE KICK ME OUT FOR SOMETHING YOU DID?! YOU PUNCHED ME IN THE FACE, HERBERTIA!"
"YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND! MY MOM THINKS YOU'RE BAD OR SOMETHING! SHE'D SIDE WITH ME BY DEFAULT!"
"HERBERTIA, THIS PAIN IS KILLING ME—LITERALLY! I FEEL LIKE I COULD DIE FROM THIS! HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN HOW STRONG YOU ARE?!"
She begged, "IT WASN'T MY FAULT!"
"TELL THAT TO MY BLEEDING FACE! ALL THIS JUST BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T WANT TO STOP SMOKING!"
She looked down with guilt and said, "Okay, fine... I'll stop smoking, but you HAVE to promise me you'll tell Somer that you bumped into a pole or something."
"WHAT?!"
"IKJOT, PLEASE—!"
I held my jaw and made a long scream before saying, "I'M IN SO MUCH PAIN!"
Immediately kneeling before me, Herbertia rubbed the side of my face and said, "It's okay, it's okay! You'll be alright—!"
"HOW COULD YOU SAY THAT?!" I cried. "YOU HIT ME HARDER THAN ANY CAR OR TRUCK COULD! JEEZ, THIS IS EVEN MORE PAINFUL THAN WHEN YOU FLEW ME THROUGH THE TREES!"
Herbertia looked down with guilt.
I said, "I MEAN, I SAVED YOU FROM A SPEEDING CAR JUST SO I COULD GET HIT?! YOU KNOW WHAT?! I SHOULD HAVE JUST LET YOU GET HIT, SINCE YOU'RE SO STRONG AND ALL!"
Herbertia's eyes began to shed tears while she whimpered, "You're... right..." and sniffed, rubbing her nose. "I should have just..." and she turned away from me, hugging herself, "died...." And again, she sniffed.
I then grew a depressed face.... Looking down, I thought... maybe I did deserve this. I mean, after all, here I'd been hurting Herbertia all this time, still crushing on Xandra behind her back and I hadn't gotten any payback for it. Then again... Herbertia herself could have still been secretly evil and just playing me for a sap this whole time. Was I really wrong for being so careful as to not fully trust her?
Regardless, what I had done was still wrong, unjust and all of the above.... I didn't want Herbertia to get in trouble, especially since I hadn't gotten in trouble for the things I'd done up to this point. In fact, all this time 1098 had been covering for me, even though she knew what I had been up to in terms of my true feelings for Xandra....11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JFZn2WVlJ
And so I told Herbertia, "No, Herbertia.... Don't—Don't say that...." And I groaned in pain from my hurt face. Herbertia slowly started to calm down while I continued, "Listen...." And Hebertia turned back to me with puzzle while I went on to say, "We'll... We'll go along with your accident plan being that I'm the one who was responsible for my facial damage.... I—I'm sorry for ever thinking otherwise...."
"You'll..." Herbertia said with a sad sniff, "really take the blame for me...?"
"Yes, I'll... say that I bumped into something. But I'm doing this only if you can promise me that you'll stop this smoking and drinking stuff, and tell your mother to stop too."
"Ikjot, I don't know if I can get Somer to stop...."
I rolled my eyes and said, "Fine...." Then looked back to her. "Just make sure that you stop—that is my only wish from all this."
"I'll do my best to stop—"
"Herbertia, doing your best is no good. Give me the cigarettes and your lighter...."
Herbertia bent down, grabbed the small box and lighter and handed them to me. "Here!"
I immediately grabbed them both, stuffed them in my shirt—no....
"What's wrong?" puzzled Herbertia while she watched me take the lighter back out.
"It's a lighter! If I have a lighter in my shirt, I could accidentally set myself on fire!"
"Oh...."
I said, "OW—GOODNESS!" holding my chin in pain, still feeling it from her punch earlier.
Holding out her arms to me, Herbertia offered, "Here! Let me help you...."
"Th—Thanks..." I said while I held my hand onto one of hers, letting her pick me up.
While picking me up, Herbertia said, "You can lean on my shoulder as we walk home...."
Resting my head on her shoulder, I asked, "Are you sure, Herbertia...? I wouldn't want to make you sprain your shoulder or—oh, right, you're too strong for that."
"Duh?!" laughed Herbertia while she began to walk in the opposite direction with me.
I just kept the lighter in my hand.
Holding one arm around my back, Herbertia offered with her free hand, "Mind if I hold the lighter for you? I mean, just to save you the stress, of course—?"
"No, thanks.... I can't trust you with anything smoking-oriented. I'll keep it with me, thanks...."
"Ugh," said Herbertia, rolling her eyes. "Okay, Ikjot....."
***
Somer was now back in the hotel room, sitting beside 1098 while watching TV. But outside, she'd left cigarettes all over the ground.
Julian, who looked through the window and saw this, looked to Somer and said, "Hey, Somer, shouldn't we pick that stuff up...?"
"Aw, pshaw, Julian!" laughed Somer, dismissively waving her hand while rolling her eyes. "This hotel has maids, doesn't it?"
"Yeah, but couldn't we get in trouble if the manager discovers that we littered?"
"That manager has paying customers. If she could make me high, I'd understand if she didn't like me littering."
With an unimpressed look to Somer, 1098 said, "...That... makes no sense."
Just then, Julian could see Herbertia and I approaching the door while he said, "Hey, guys, Herbertia and Ikjot are back—" before realizing my face, exclaiming, "OH MY GOODNESS! WHAT HAPPENED TO IKJOT?!"
"WHAT?!" exclaimed Somer while 1098 grew a face of shock. Somer immediately ran from the bed and to the window to take a look outside, as did 1098 who followed from behind. 1098 then became greatly shocked to see my face while Somer exclaimed, "WOW, WHAT HAPPENED?! HEY, I BET IKJOT TRIED TO HURT HERBERTIA OR SOMETHING!"
1098 would have told Somer something, no matter how introverted or bored with life she was; but Somer's voice and all others were blocked out from her mind while she thought with wide worried eyes, Ikjot... what happened to you...?
Looking to their window, I could see them watching us. I immediately looked away, not feeling up to making much eye contact since I knew I was about to lie to their faces anyway.
Patting my shoulder, Herbertia said, "It's okay, Ikjot. We'll be alright...."
But I just looked down with worry.
***
Minutes later, Herbertia and I sat on the first bed—the one closest to the mirror and handwashing sink... while Julian, Somer and 1098 sat on the other—the one closest to the door. Before anyone would say anything, Somer immediately stood up, rolled-up her sleeve and said, "What were you doing hurting my daughter, Ikjot...?"
Before I could reply, Julian said, "That's enough, Somer—!"
"THIS GUY TRIED TO HURT HERBERTIA AND I KNOW IT!" said Somer.
I was in too much pain to stand, but not enough to keep me from yelling, "LOOK, I'M THE ONE BLEEDING HERE, NOT HERBERTIA! WHY DON'T YOU SHUT YOUR MOUTH, OR SO HELP ME, I'LL—!" Then I screamed while Somer immediately pinned me to the bed.
"WHAT?!" Somer said before striking me in the face with her fist.
"MOM, STOP!" begged Herbertia who pushed Somer back to the other bed. I immediately reached for Somer, only for Herbertia to hold me back and say, "IKJOT, STOP!"
HOW COULD I JUST 'STOP'?! SOMER HAD JUST MADE ME BLEED EVEN MORE THAN I ALREADY WAS!
"HERBERTIA, WHAT HAPPENED OUT THERE?!" angrily exclaimed 1098.
Herbertia said, "HEY, YOU STAY OUT OF THIS—!"
"HERBERTIA!" I interrupted.
Herbertia responded, "IKJOT, SHE'S A TOTAL—"
I simply narrowed my eyes to show Herbertia that I wasn't having it.
Herbertia knew she had to keep me happy at this point. After all, she didn't want me ratting her out. Following her long pause of thought on that factor, she finally said, "Okay.... Fine...."
Somer gasped with disbelief towards me. She was silent for a couple of seconds before saying, "Did you just brush off your girlfriend?! My daughter?!"
I said, "BRING IT!"
Somer immediately got up to swing a punch at me.
"LOOK," Julian said while holding Somer back, "BOTH OF YOU NEED TO STOP!"
I said, "JULIAN, SHUT YOUR MOUTH! WHAT DO YOU MEAN 'BOTH' OF—?!"
"OH, SHUT MY MOUTH?!" said Julian before he'd prepare to hit me.
Fortunately, he called off his attack when Herbertia pled, "DAD, STOP! PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT IKJOT'S ONLY MAD BECAUSE HE DOESN'T HAVE ANY BANDAGES!"
I added, "YEAH, WHEN IS SOMEONE GONNA GET ME SOME?! I'M STILL BLEEDING AND MY FACE STILL HURTS!"
Looking to 1098, Julian sighed and asked, "Somer, when's the last time we got bandages...?"
"We used them all up on Ikjot the first time he got hurt," said an unamused Somer.
I said, "Look, you all got SO much money from Mr. Bourdon that you should be able to buy some more, right?!"
"Sure, now try asking like a HUMAN BEING!" angrily replied Somer.
"HUMAN BEING?!" I angrily snapped back. "I DON'T ADHERE TO—!"
"Ikjot..." interrupted Herbertia while she placed a hand on my shoulder, "just be nice..." and hugged me. "I miss the old you...."
Honestly, I always had a habit of overdoing things. There was actually a time at Our Lord's Appearance Catholic Church and School when I became an extrovert, only to somehow become a jerk in the end—I had to set my limits, here and now! I sighed and told Herbertia, "Well, okay...."
"How did you say this happened again?" 1098 asked me.
I said, "Well... I was walking the streets with Herbertia when, suddenly, a car came speeding towards us. I held her hand and the two of us went running, but I ran my face into a pole in the process. By the time I fell, the car had passed us by."
"Gosh..." said a stunned Somer, rubbing the back of her head. "Now I... feel a little bad for attacking you earlier. Um, I..." And she looked down, guilty. "Thanks for... saving my daughter, Ikjot."
I smiled, though my face did hurt to move that way.
"Wow... you guys have had one crazy night," Julian said before looking to Somer. "I'm gonna need to dip into the money that Mr. Bourdon gave us."
With a nod, Somer told Julian, "That's okay!"
Julian got up from the bed, walked to the nightstand between both beds and picked up some dollar bills from atop. Nope, they didn't even hide that money in one of the drawers. I mean... who'd leave that much cash out in the open?! I guess they weren't as careful as other people I knew in my life.
Just then, Herbertia realized something, snapped her fingers and said, "WAIT! Instead of spending more of Mr. Bourdon's money on something other than the rent—I mean, we bought the costumes and the bandages after all—why not we just use something else to improvise for Ikjot's face?"
"Like...?" puzzled Julian.
"Something else...?" I puzzled.
"Herbertia, I think I need real medical bandages here."
"Oh, phooey!" said Herbertia. "People just want you to think that medical bandages are more effective than..." and she jumped off the bed, ran to her backpack, reached inside, then walked back with some tape and a bunch of, "SHEETS OF PAPER!"
My jaw dropped with shock... and I said, "HER—HERBERTIA, YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS! I NEED REAL—!"
"OH, SHUT UP AND TAKE IT, DORK!" happily said Somer.
I said, worried, "BUT—!" Just then, I heard Herbertia whimpering and looked at her.
Herbertia once again had puppy dog eyes and told me, "You... don't like my idea...?"
I rolled my eyes with a sigh, folded my arms and said, "Okay, fine...."
"YAY!" she cheered before running to me with the paper and saying, "Okay, let's put this on you!"
"Wait, not so—!" but before I could finish saying Not so fast, Herbertia was already taping the papers all over my head.
Somer and Julian laughed while 1098 puzzled with suspicion.
"...Fast..." I finally finished my sentence with a muffled groan since my whole face, including my mouth, was covered. All they could see in the paper were two holes for my eyes, and a... rather small hole for my nose; a bit too small in fact.
"Done!" said Herbertia with a smile.
With folded arms, Somer said, "Let's just hope your boyfriend is appreciative...."
Unamused, I muffled my words with saying, "Put a sock in it, Somer—"
Herbertia hand-covered the space where my mouth was and said, "Uh-uh-uh, remember our agreement...?"
And Somer blew a raspberry at me.
So per Herbertia's wishes, I said nor did anything in response.... Shucks.
1098 chuckled, "Can you breathe under there, Ikjot...?
I muffled, "Well, I... My breathing feels a bit restrained."
"Want me to make the nose hole bigger?" asked Herbertia.
I muffled to Herbertia, "Eh, you could...."
With that, Herbertia placed her thumb in the nose hole and told herself, "Okay, let me see...." She scratched around the nose hole a few times, causing that opening to become slightly bigger. "Okay, how's that?"
"This should work..." I muffled.
"You sure?"
"Positive."
Setting her hand on my shoulder, Herbertia said, " 'Kay!" and smiled to me.
I smiled back to her—too bad she couldn't see that through the wrappings.
Obviously, Ikjot seldom remembers that I'm a mind reader... thought 1098 with an intense expression, knowing the true story behind my injuries. All he wanted for you, Herbertia, was your safety; and you repay him like this.... I did warn him prior to drop the debating with you, but... still....
***
By around midnight, I and Herbertia slept in the first bed while Somer, Julian and 1098 slept in the second. Once more, 1098 and I were the two who had yet to fall asleep.
I widened my eyes in shock when I heard an all-too familiar voice say in my mind, So, Ikjot, tell me what really happened.... I briefly looked around the room before the voice continued, Don't move around too much—it could awake Herbertia.
Just then, I looked at 1098 from across the room, seeing that she was staring at me. I thought, You want to... discuss something?
That's right... 1098 thought back, nodding. Then she smiled. Jeez, for a second there, it was like you couldn't recognize it was me talking. Have I really not spoken to you enough all this time?
I shyly looked down, knowing how stupid I seemed in that moment.
Don't sweat it, thought 1098, keeping the smile. But the smile soon turned to a frown. Now... I read your mind and discovered that Herbertia hit you, correct?
Ah? I puzzled, not expecting that she'd know about that incident... 'til I remembered she could read my mind, of course. I grew a guilty expression and thought back, Well... yes.
1098 closed her eyes, shaking her head. and thought back, Guess she didn't like someone trying to boss her around....
...Yeah... that was my fault—all my fault—
1098 stopped shaking her head, reopening her eyes and staring at me. She thought, No it wasn't. You were only looking out for her, that's all. Did she at least apologize...?
Um... I... can't remember.... (She actually did apologize; but I couldn't keep track of everything in my mind, especially with all the pain I still went through—and paper didn't help me with that.)
Well... regardless, you still didn't deserve to be brutalized; no one deserves that.
Well... I mean, maybe it was my fault. I mea—
No, Ikjot.... A good girlfriend would—11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoa3nShBOwk
Wait... I mean, just a little off-topic here, but weren't you mad at me about tricking Herbertia before? Don't you think that this is what I've had coming to me for the longest...?
That's... kind of what I wanted to apologize to you about.
Hm...?
Ikjot, I came across these four girls at the park today. They were talking about their plans to make the entire race of males turn evil, then hide their hands behind their backs and appear as the victims of those guys—even though they were the ones who made them turn bad in the first place.
My eyes widened. Wow.... That's a lot to take in, but I see what you're saying. Man... what jerks! They're no different th—
Than the other girls you've come across...?
...Yeah....
...They are so sick.... I am very sorry for being so mad at you before. And 1098 tightly clutched hold of her blanket. Now I'm mad at Herbertia....
I shook my head, sympathetically. No-no, she didn't mean any harm....
1098 just rolled her eyes. She didn't want to listen to you about the cigarettes, then got mad at you for looking out for her....
Well... yeah.... But, I'm sure that she'll change, right...?
That's a question that comes from your heart.... I'm reading her mind and she is deeply sorry for what she's done, but... I just want you to be safe.
Wow... you seem to care about me a lot all of the sudden....
Well... I just wasn't for you playing your girlfriend the way you did... but I understand your reasons behind your mistrust for Herbertia.
Well... it's just that so many girls have started out just like her. They smiled in my face, acted nice and everything, just to get me nice and close....
Something that disturbs me is that woman you met online who took advantage of you....
Oh, yeah... her.... Xandra did me a lot of things, but she never went so far as to be an adult seducing a minor.
1098 narrowed her eyes with stern disdain. What an evil twisted monster that was. And as for Xandra... well, she's not as bad but also far from being good, nonetheless.
She would have been good had it not been for me, 1098.
1098 just rolled her eyes. I don't know, Ikjot. Conspiring to injure someone smaller than her doesn't sit well with me as a person who's trying to be good.
I sighed and thought back, She was just looking out for me, 1098. Nydia shouldn't have called me a frog with warts, especially not behind my back.
Has it ever occurred to you that Xandra was calling you that to your face?
Xandra would have no reason to do that. I'm doing everything right this time, remember?
Yet she's made you do all that homework for her and her girls. Certainly a friendly way of her to repay the little guy who took time preparing a whole mini concert for her.
I looked away, not wanting to give in to seeing her point with that. And I thought back, N-No one's perfect, 1098. She just has to grow and learn over time that there's certain ways you don't treat people.
I'm pretty sure when you were ten the first time around, Ikjot, you understood not to take advantage of people.
Yes, because me not speaking when spoken to is certainly a kind way of treating classmates who were just trying to be my friends.
1098's eyes narrowed with disdain. She thought back, Those girls were making fun of you, Ikjot. They knew you weren't going to respond... otherwise they would have had no need to try talking to you in the first place. You were easy entertainment for them.
It took a moment for me to process the gravity of what 1098 had dropped on me right then. Were those girls... really only interacting with me back then because they already knew I'd not respond? No.... No, certainly they had... some kind of hope that I was going to say something. I turned over in bed and thought back, Those are... good people, 1098. Xandra and her girls are kind only if you're kind to them. Isn't that how any normal people respond? They treat others as they're... treated.
1098 just rolled over, not wanting to discuss this any further. She thought to me, Get some rest, Ikjot. Maybe then your mind will be awake enough to understand.
To that, I narrowed my eyes with disdain. No.... She was just an Effect. A being not like the rest of us. How would she know anything about those girls, let alone anyone else?
Ouch.... Well, Ikjot... you can be stubborn all you want. But 1098 MIGHT have a point.
Meanwhile in Sanne, come Monday morning, Marta's plan of attack will be ready to take action, and Penelope is the belle of the ball! Could this finally mean the end for Tiane...?
Elsewhere, in an undiscovered cabin of Ikjot's city, two girls continue to suffer unnecessary abuse at the hands of two very violent guys.... When will they have their freedom? All these questions and more are soon to be answered. Tune in next time for more Something!
***
In our next chapter of Something... brace yourself for all kinds of mischief from Xandra! She's backstabbing left and right this particular school day, from betraying her own clique members, to even her own sister and... and even Ikjot?!
Xandra paused with slight shock while saying, "But... Voleta... I'm only doing this because Ikjot called you 'fat' behind your back."
Watch out, Ikjot Harsharan! Your head could be on Xandra's silver platter next! Don't miss it... next Something!
***
Something11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfhTCNV3m1
1511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiAwzlnJCy
Ikjot's New Face
***
♪ Yes, I didn't talk to anyone. ♪11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61Km0ew8uX
♪ I was made fun of by everyone. ♪11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyXBPQWCz4
♪ It's something I wish could be undone. ♪11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWu17f5z33
♪ She asked me. I wish I'd had respond. ♪11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bgHgpNFGe
♪ But hear me out: We're all worth being loved! ♪11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzOGIYLVl9
♪ Please hear me out: We're all worth being loved! ♪11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpZr74gNRQ
♪ I'm crying out: We're all worth being loved! ♪11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkgw02pF6E
♪ I have no doubt we're all worth being loved! ♪
♪ Please, I beg you all, let's become friends! ♪11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFBxncqK3D
♪ Let's not judge each other by what's been! ♪11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteDs4kpm8p
♪ It was years ago! It came and went! ♪11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PqcN6ehoR
♪ That's a past chapter! New one begins! ♪
***
© 2013 Trerchry.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnZRYfdfb7
All Rights Reserved.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IncKpkHOk
