HAH. I knew I'd update by tonight. Yayness, yo. :D Yeeaaah. This chapter is slightly longer than the last. It's around 3800 words (did a word count on MW), prolly close to 4000. But, there's a lot of dialogues in this one. Girl talk is easy to write. fup. Yeeaah. Let's get on with it. 8D
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An Unlikely Adventure
By: TehNaruto-Obsession
Chapter 21: Slight Commemoration
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It had been exactly a week since everything that took place in the strange marsh. Everyone could always remember what had happen, despite the fact that they were all extremely tired afterwards. The aftermath ended up with extreme exhaustion; of course, who wouldn’t be deadbeat from all of that walking and action?
“Vertical!” exclaimed a voice that echoed the hall of DISOM in the first floor, the sound of feet pattering reverberating along with it, “31… 32… 33!” (
A/N: My friends and I say that after every set of ten jumps we count and do in double-dutch games at lunch sometimes. Random? Yush. XP)
“Faster, Emily, faster!” Another voice chimed in, holding two topes and twirling them with intertwining directions that went along like a form of a figure eight, “You can do better!”
“I’m trying!” The same earlier voice exclaimed, who was apparently double-dutching- who appeared to have the name of Emily, her light brown hair bouncing up and down, “36… 37… 38… 39… 40…”
“So Em, where have you been?” asked another friend of Emily’s—that twirled the other end of the set of ropes—who went by the name of Kelsie, a girl with auburnish red hair, turning to glance at the other, Rickie, the other brunette in the group, having a bit of a darker shade of brown in her own hair.
“Doing stuff, you know me… I like to wander around,” replied Emily as she continued with her speed jumping.
“Kind of funny, actually. Whenever that huge group of people in our class always anonymously leave, so do you,” Rickie added suspiciously, switching hands with the ropes for fun by turning around backwards.
Emily did a backflip, successfully proceeding with her own skipping to the beat, “Well, I don’t know. Maybe it’s just mere coincidence?” She paused and jumped out, walking over to Kelsie, “Here, you can go in.”
Kelsie ran over and readied to jump in, “Well, you never did say that it wasn’t either- maybe it just isn’t,” She started off, entering the ropes in a sassy fashion, “I don’t know. It just sort of… intrigues me.”
“Oh, NOW you’re trying to be smart?” asked Em sarcastically, jumping along as the ropes she twirled did so too, “Really, I’m just off somewhere… random places and such.”
“Then why didn’t you take Cujo, then?” asked Rickie, who was doing the same as Emily, “He sort of… missed you.”
“Oh, trust me, he’s been on a lot more adventures; he wouldn’t miss me that much,” Emily stopped skipping and kept on twisting, “Probably more exciting to the one I went to.”
“Ooh, where’d you go, Paris?” asked Kelsie with a grin, “Italian shops are the best!”
“No, no,” Emily shook her head, “I went to this… place… nowhere around the world, actually. You know how random my journeys are.”
“Yeesh, if it’s not Europe, I am so not there!” giggled Rickie, taking Kelsie’s spot with the double-dutching, after she had done a finale with a few sets of simple cartwheels upon her exit, “It’s just… sort of strange how you always disappear, then, that’s all.”
“I can tell,” said Emily, “Say, I don’t happen to be going with anyone, but you guys got a date for the dance tonight?”
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“Don’t be SO bummed,” said Ash, pacing the floor in front of Mark, “It’s not like you’re emotionally scarred for life just because you don’t have a date.”
“Gee, that makes him feel a LOT better,” Shade crossed his arms, “Frankly, I would feel even worse if that was directed towards me!”
“So maybe I’m NOT good at pep-talks,” She rolled her eyes, “But at least I have a date.”
This had hurt Shade a little inside, but he didn’t exactly show it, “I’m just saying, Ash, if you want to cheer somebody up, I think you might need to practice in the mirror. Get some charisma classes.” He laughed to himself softly.
“It’s okay, guys,” Mark said, “I think I’ll be perfectly fine without somebody to go with. There’s always friends, right?”
“True that,” nodded Shade, “Whoever said dances are all for the couples?”
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“Not a chance,” replied Rickie, “I’m lonely like a fish.”
“Well, I’m going with Armando!” Kelsie squealed with delight to hear her own self mention her boyfriend’s name, “And Monica’s going with Josh. They’re so off the wall!”
Emily rolled her eyes, “You guys remember them at lunch two weeks ago? It was hilarious! Charles caught on tape!”
“I remember that! That was SO mean,” laughed Rickie.
“I so saw that; the whole school did,” chimed in Kelsie, “He should keep make-out sessions a little private, you know?”
“Well, it was Mr. Carmona’s fault for letting Charles handle the main camera for the Publications class,” Emily said, “He should know how to trust the RIGHT people…”
“Yeah, poor Monica wouldn’t show her face for the entire two weeks,” Rickie added, “That dork-head got suspended for a month, thank god!”
“I still feel bad,” Emily played around with the two ropes that she held in one hand, “If I were Monica, I would’ve beaten the crap out of that boy! I sure would’ve!”
“Ooh! Feisty!” giggled Kelsie, the other two going along with it too with a playful laugh, “Looks like somebody knows how to show girl power!”
“Oh yeah!” exclaimed Rickie, “Can’t top that!”
“I’ve got the power!” called out Emily as the three headed to their dorm rooms, “Totally!”
“Well, we better get ready,” Rickie said after a bit of silence, “The dance is in two hours.”
“I know! I just HAVE to look extra nice,” Kelsie flipped her hair back, “Alright, Armando!”
“You are SO obsessed.”
“Psh, you don’t KNOW love, girlfriend.”
“Still, you are SO totally into that guy.”
“Well, duh!
“Uhhhh huh!” (
A/N: In case you’re wondering, this is usually a normal conversation between me and my friends, besides whenever we talk about Naruto and other stuff. XD)
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“Ugh, are you guys SURE this dress doesn’t make me look fat?” asked Kay, twirling around so that Madisen and Leah could see her from back to front with her outfit. It consisted of mostly blue and plenty of sparkles to make your eyes dazzle, along with other beautiful patterns that make it eye appealing, “I want it to be as nice as it possibly can!”
“It is NOT, Kay,” Leah shook her head, Madisen agreeing with her, “I think it looks extremely gorgeous on you!”
“Easy for YOU to say!” said Kay, looking over at the two, who were also dressed in light-colored dresses, “You guys are the ones that look pretty!”
“Don’t be silly,” said Madisen, “I think blue is a perfect color on you!”
Kay sighed, “Well I think it makes me look ugly! You know what? I’m finding something else!” She ran over to her closet, tossing an assortment of clothes over and about, making sort of a mess on the carpet, “I hate dances! Just because they make it so it seems like you have to dress nice!”
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“Al, put on the tie!” said Ash, tying a silky blue tie along with his formal outfit, “It’ll make you look sharp.”
“Nu uh! It’ll make me look dorky!” complained Al, pouting as he tried to not have Ash put it on for him, seeing as he hated wearing a tux himself.
“No it won’t,” She said, taking Al’s hands off her’s, which had been trying to refuse to accept the additional accessory, “In fact, girls dig boys with ties.”
“Ooh! Really?” He said, the sentence catching his interest.
Ash nodded, “It will. Now let me put it on.”
“Works for me!” Al grinned, liking the sound of it.
Why didn’t I think of that earlier? She thought to herself, following a roll in her eyes, as she finished placing the tie on Al.
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Just because there had been all of this chaos randomly flying around, it’s not like we can ever forget the DISOM spring school dance that was coming up that day. The Student Body community and Honor Society teamed up to finish up the plans they had thought up for the dance the week before- they really worked hard enough to try and make things right. Even if there was some slight turmoil and issues with either who’s going with whom to even what they plan on wearing. Those were the two biggest setbacks according to most of the student population.
“Oh my gosh! I love this song!” said Amanda, already dancing along eagerly to the alternative rock song that had begun playing as they entered from outside the elevator, “Burn This City is my favorite!”
“Um, yay Cartel?” asked Kevin unsurely as they walked over somewhere together, “I guess?”
“Oh yeah!” She grinned, taking his hands as they already started dancing around the center of the floor together, “You are SO right!”
“Whoo hoo!” cheered Ash, running over to where Kevin and Amanda were, joining along, while Al just watched nervously. One by one, everyone had started entering the dance with interested faces. Soon after it started getting a little crowded and a few rock songs had finished playing, a lot of people had gone to the crowded dance floor. At this time, the fast, upbeat music turned to slow, romantic music. Shade sighed to himself, taking a seat next to Kay, deciding to sit this one out. He eyed the romantic moment that he wished he could be a part of; only Florence wasn’t there to make it happen… While the melodious harmony continued playing and the blissful couples had gone along with their dancing, he tried to get himself to get on a positive outlook, just as he had always done. It didn’t exactly seem to come through this time.
“Hey, Shade,” greeted Kay silently, who was scooting her seat next to him, “You lonely too?”
Shade lowered his gaze upon hearing this uncomfortable question, “Yeah… Guess so.” They both turned to each other then, again, laid their eyes on the charming scene that had been the slow dancing.
“Say, Shade?” asked Kay after some silence.
“Hmm?”
“I-I know that I’m not… exactly a… Florence… but… w-would it be okay if…”
“… If?”
“If we put aside this loneliness and just dance along with everyone? …You know, maybe, as… friends?”
Shade was slightly surprised to hear this question being asked; normally it would be Florence who would say it, only in a different expression, “S-Sure…”
His reply seemed to have sounded nervous at first, but after the thought of it being sort of redundant, he got up from his seat and held out his hand. Kay smiled and took it, the two walking over to the dance floor. They both didn’t know what to do at first with this awkward scene, just trying to go along with things. Kay placed her arms on his shoulders while Shade placed his arms on her’s. (A/N: I know it isn’t exactly correct, since I know slow dancing steps, but this was sort of a thing out of friendship, anyway. XD)
“So, how are you taking this all with Florence gone and both of you separated?” Kay had come to ask, the two still going along with the music and dancing, she felt slightly awful for asking that question, “It doesn’t sound too easy to be able to handle.”
“It’s not,” He sighed, “But I guess it’s what we have to do…”
Kay lowered her gaze, both of them still having their arms over each other’s shoulders while shifting directions at the same time, “You know, if you still need someone to talk to, I can be some help… if you consider it, that is.”
Shade and Kay changed their position, taking each other’s hands, “I’d love that, actually…”
She giggled softly, “I always thought you were either talking to Ash or Florence… or maybe somebody else you’re close friends with.” Shade raised one of his arms, Kay doing so too, so that the other would be below, and then started twirling her around once.
“I know,” Shade had replied with a slight grin, “I guess it’s just that I’ve known both of them a lot longer; I should probably take more time getting to know you and other people better.”
Kay spun around again so that she would return to the same direction she was at before, taking a step back as they broke off one hand and she faced him with her back turned, “Yeah, I don’t really think we’ve had a conversation in a while.”
“I guess I’ll hang around with you some more, then,” He said, “if you’re not too busy with Leah and Madisen, that is.”
“That would be real great,” Kay stated. After she had said that sentence, the unhurried song had stopped, “I’d be nice to get along a little better.”
“Yeah, b-but… just as friends, mmkay?” teased Shade.
“Sure, friends would work,” She grinned with please.
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“Yay! They’re playing Rockstar!” said Ash, bouncing up and down to the Nickelback song, “Been there, DONE THAT!”
“Yeesh, excited much?” asked Shade, listening to her singing along with fluent, perfect lyrics, proving she actually knew them AND the song. Of course…
“Hey, hey! I want to be a ROCKSTAR!” She shouted with enthusiasm, “Heck yeah!”
Emily and Rickie sat together as they watched the final dance taking place, until it was, obviously, time to head back for his or her dorm room’s and head on over to catch some sleep or meet up with friends before curfew.
“Kelsie sure is having fun with Armando, huh?” asked Rickie, turning her head over to her slightly mourning friend, both still dateless at this point in time.
“Yup, she sure is,” replied Emily, not actually focusing her attention on them, “How fun it would be to dance with a boy…”
“Oh please, don’t get it over your head,” Her friend complied, “It’s just a boy, it’s not like you’re life is going to crash if you don’t even have a boyfriend.”
“YES it will,” She vaguely exclaimed, throwing her hands up in the arm, “I’m doomed to be the only girl who is single without a boy in my life!”
“Hey, you got your girlfriends,” grinned Rickie, “Pals forever, right?”
“Right,” Emily said, holding out her right hand while Rickie did the same, both of them doing their ‘secret handshake,’ “The best… and if Kelsie were here, then it would be us three. Go us!”
“Hah, for sure,” Rickie stood up from her seat, her ponytail bouncing, “Hey, I’m going to go get something to drink. I’ll be back, mmkay?” She pointed over to the table with refreshments and condiments. Emily nodded and got up from where she sat as well, feeling the need to wander around. She noticed that most of the people who had attended the dance were on the dance floor, either with their friends or with somebody else meticulous. Emily looked around and saw a lot of the people she “sort of” knew. One of them, in particular, was Mark, the two catching each other’s eyes and walked over to each other.
“Hi,” She greeted a bit nervously, clasping her hands together, her arms close, “… You’re Mark, right?”
“That’s me,” He replied with a nod, “I think I remember you from somewhere…”
“R-Really now,” Emily’s tone grew a bit tenser.
“I think so,” He muttered, “I don’t think I’ve seen around so much.”
“Didn’t think so,” She replied a bit shyly, “I’m not a popular person around here; been here for three years.”
Mark titled his head slightly, “Wow… And I thought I knew everybody here.”
“It’s okay,” Emily shrugged, seeing the repentant expression on his face, “I get that a lot… kind of used to it, actually.”
“Well, allow me to say that I’d rather not,” He said, “I refuse to leave anybody out.”
“Thanks,” She said gratefully, holding out her hand, “I’m Emily. Between you and me, you’ll remember me as the girl who helped you and the rest of the people out in the swamp.”
“Ohh,” Mark became aware of her right away after that was said, “So that’s how I recognize you.”
“Mmhmm,” grinned Emily, “Just promise not to tell anyone, though, okay? It’s a long story.”
“Sure thing,” He nodded, “My lips are sealed.”
“Thanks a lot; means a lot to me,” She said, glancing around, “Well, I better get back now. Rickie might be waiting for me.” Emily waved meekly, “I’ll see you around, Mark.”
“Same with you, Emily,” He waved back, walking off in the opposite direction.
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“Awww, isn’t THIS just a sweet song?” Amanda asked, looking at Kevin in the eye as they held each other’s hands again, pulling back then getting closer as they walked over slowly, moving along to another slow song that played.
“I think so,” said Kevin as he took off one hand he twirled her around then back so that she they were both facing each other, “Sounds… okay.”
“Come ON, Kevin, admit that you loved at least one song in this dance,” She said, putting her arms on his shoulders, “For me?”
“Okay, okay,” He grinned, “Since you’re begging, you know, being nice and all. I’ll spare you a favorite.”
Amanda gasped, sarcastically scoffing, “Ke-vin!”
“Fine,” Kevin rolled his eyes, “I ‘liked’ the songs.”
“… Good enough,” She said, putting her arm around him, “Since I love you, I can spare YOU a thank you.” Amanda grinned enjoyably as they both continued on once again.
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Eventually, the dance had come to an end and everybody had at least a point in the entire time that they were able to get on the dance floor. Others who didn’t probably just sat back and talked and just hung out with their friends or probably just didn’t have the “dancing vibe” that night. Not everybody does…
“More! More!” cheered Ash, throwing her hands up in the air with excitement, “Oh yeah! That dance was awesome!”
The atmosphere was no longer as colorful and lively as the time during the dance, but full of white fluorescent lights that usually lit during the afternoon and a lot of cleaning up.
“Did you drink too much punch?” asked Shade, crossing his arms.
“… I didn’t drink any punch,” She laughed, “Smarty.”
“Maybe you just had sugar before the dance,” He guessed.
“Or she’s just naturally hyper?” added Kevin.
“That’s true,” agreed Shade, “THAT WOULD WORK TOO!”
The abnormally huge group hung around near the entrance, out of the way of everything so that the school committee would have an easier time fixing up things. You know, it’s good to give people the easier way to get things done.
“Wow, it’s so cloudy out,” Amanda said, tilting her head slightly, “I hope it rains, though, it’s about time that it did around here.”
“Yeah, it’s almost spring anyway.” Kay added, “Ouch for allergies…”
“But yay for my birthday!” said Shade, with vague eagerness, “Yeeaah…”
The group, later on, grew quiet. They all took meek glances above and beyond he area, most focusing their gaze on the strangely gray sky. Once there was a low roar coming from the sky, this had slightly shocked a few of them.
“Uh, hehe,” Kay said nervously, “Might… be stormy.”
The others timidly laughed weakly, following a slight beep coming from the nearby intercom, “Attention, students. To all of those who are still on the ground floor must report to their dorm rooms as soon as possible. NJHS and Student Body members may also proceed upstairs as well. Again, please report to your dormitories in an orderly matter. There is said to be a storm prior to the possible power out. A later announcement will be proclaimed once this all comes to an end. Thank you, students and faculty.”
“G-Guess we better… head back,” Shade said, before turning to the direction behind him to stare over at the sky once again.
---
“Cujo! Cujo!” exclaimed Emily, frantically darting around through the back of the building, “Where are you?” She called out everywhere, trying to spot her dog. Emily could hear the clouds rumbling and started to sprint.
“Emily!” Rickie called out in the corner, “Get back in here! You HEARD the announcement- we have to go back to our dorm rooms!”
“Not now! I have to find Cujo,” Emily sighed, “I don’t want him to be left out here in the rain!”
“There’s going to be a storm; it’s not just any rain shower. It’s best if we go back now- I’m sure Cujo will be okay.”
“Don’t worry, Rickie, I’ll be alright here. He means a lot to me.”
Rickie sighed hopelessly in slight defeat, “If you say so, Em. Kelsie and I will be in my dorm, meet us there.” She walked away and soon disappeared to the elevator on her way to the higher ground of the school. Emily gave an unsure gaze towards the ground, walking slowly as she continued on, now feeling droplets of water falling on her head with the sound of rumbling growing louder and more violent with each and every few steps.
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“What the heck, Shade?” asked Ash, strangely staring at him, “How can it NOT work? A lot of people were using that elevator just earlier!”
“I… don’t… know!” Shade replied, attempting to get the doors open, “Maybe it’s a malfunction or something!”
“Or maybe it’s because the power is out?” said Amanda, pointing to the hallway lights and electric outlets that were out of service, darkening the area, “Gosh, this storm hasn’t lasted for two minutes and ALREADY it’s getting to us. It’s sort of like a conspiracy,” She slumped against the wall, her arms crossed.
“I know,” sighed Kay, “I wanted to go back to my dorm… Marley might be barking for dinner by now.”
“Yeah, that dog sure knows how to bark too,” Madisen said, focusing her gaze on the ceiling above her, wondering about Marley almost just as much Kay was.
“There’s a bad lockdown too,” Amanda brought up with some concern, “They think this storm is like serious or something.”
“I think it is,” Shade said, “If it was really that bad enough to get a power out, then I think that it sort of… is.”
“Good point,” She agreed, “At least it’s really not that dark right now…”
“Yeah, or else we’d be in big trouble,” Ash muttered, “And Al doesn’t like the dark.”
“What?” shrugged Al as everybody faced him, “I think it’s going to eat me!”
“… Riiiight,” meekly nodded most of the group, giving awkward glances. It was sure a convincing story.
Shade sighed, “Well, what do you guys plan on doing for the next few hours?”
“Ooh! I know! I know!” jumped up Kay excitedly, raising her hand, “We can play… truth or dare!”
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End Chapter Twenty-One
HAH. Yush. Chapter twenty-two is the fun chapter. Yay truth or dares! it's always the old fashioned stuff. Haaah, fun fun. OH and thanks forthe ONLY THREE PEOPLE WHO REVIEWED CHAPTER 20 PART THREE OF PART THREE. Cough. Yeeeaah. JUST SAYING. I'll shut up. BYEEEE. I'll be working on Chapter 22ness nowwwzz.
TehNaruto-Obsession
P.S. Nine, ten, a big fat hen. BAH-KAWK. Fup.