Authors’s Notes: Natz and Christi at it once again. *…* denote thoughts

11) Against Better Judgement

* What are you doing? Why are you going to lunch with this girl? All she does is annoy and bother you… her and her silly perkiness. Well, may be it is not necessarily that bad. She is kind of cute and she is nice to you… maybe I will go. * Skittery’s mind rumbled on with thoughts as he walked down the sidewalk towards Tibby’s. He hardly noticed the other people walking towards him, their eyes set towards their own missions and agendas. All that entered his mind was the stunning emerald green of that girl’s eyes and the memories the eyes brought with them. Before he realized it, he was standing outside Tibby’s, staring right before the glass window at his reflection. He caught himself looking into the mirror, checking his clothes and adjusting his cap, ensuring that all was in its place. He stood there for a moment and then released the breath he had scarcely known he had been holding. Why was her nervous like this was a first date or something. It was just lunch… a lunch with Christi.

He turned around and saw that she was walking down the street behind him. Around her was the warm glow that seemed to follow her everywhere, along with her smile, the smile that hid something behind it. It was then he realized that she was not alone. She was smiling up at the guy who was holding onto her as if she was a treasure he had to protect. Kid Blink’s hand was gently supporting her back, his smile widening as he listened to the story she was telling.

“… and you wouldn’t believe the looks I got when I walked into the house with that coat. A fine coat it was too, but Pa wouldn’t have it.” In the middle of her lively story, she stopped when she realized that Skittery was standing outside the door, with his blank expression fixed upon his face.

The word, “ Jerk!” flashed across Skittery’s mind and Christi yelled his name and waved him towards them. He started to mentally debate whether he would walk up to Kid and slug him in the stomach or just walk away and leave the happy couple. Against his better judgment he started to walk towards them, each stride making him sicker and sicker. The last thing he wanted to do was to be with the “happy” people now.

`“Hiya Skit! I hope you haven’t been waiting long. I just ran into Blink and invited him to come with us. I hope you don’t mind.”

* Actually, I do mind* Skittery thought, but instead he said, “I just came to say that I have to do some thing, so I won’t be eating with you. Actually I already ate” And with that he pulled his cap further over his eyes, only minimally noticing that Christi’s face dropped a little when he said those words. Besides he did not care much anyway. It was just food to him anyways.

She looked up at him with the emerald green eyes, pleading. “ But Skit, I thought you were going to eat with us. You promised.” She nearly pouted and it almost broke him, but then all he had to do was look at Kid’s hand on her back, holding on protectively, and he decided that his presence was not needed there.

“ Well, You should never count on me, I am not the promise keeping type. Kid is more your type there.” spat out Skittery, almost venomously.

“ No need to be catty Skit.” warned Kid.

Christi stepped towards him, out of the reach of Kid’s hand and looked curiously, up into his face. She stood there for a moment and he was unable to unfix his eyes from her own. It was as if there was some controlling force in her stare. Slowly She said, “ Well, if you are not the promise keeping type you shouldn’t make them at all.” And with that she stepped away and back towards Kid’s hands.

He stood there for a few seconds, unsure of what to say in this situation. All he could do was to fiddle with the brim of his cap, adjusting it forwards and backwards. And then he scowled, made a disgusted sound, turned and stormed down the sidewalk and away from the probing eyes and protective hands.

Christi stood there, gazing sadly after him. She knew it had been a lie about him having some thing else to do, for he was a newsie, and what else did he have to do after he sold his papes but eat. She looked back at Kid who was also staring after him, a worried look on his face. “ Are you sure he is ok, Kid?”

“Yeah he is ok, just grumpy as usual.” Kid dismissed, the worried look on his face disappearing as if ithad never been there. When she had seen him walking along the street towards Tibby’s she had started to chat with him and thought it only natural that he come eat with her and Skit. She sighed, *oh well* .

“Hey don’t let him spoil yer good mood” said Kid nonchalantly.” He’s always got some issue or the other. I mean seriously, last year he wouldn’t let anyone get near him. Always out moping around by himself,” he said waving his hand as if to wave the thought of Skittery away from him.

Christi stopped and pulled a piece of her wild curly hair over her ear and sighed. She put her hand down to her side and at the same moment Kid Blink smiled at her, grabbed her hand and started to pull her towards the door. She stared down at her hand linked with his and she did not pull away, she did not say anything either…

~~*~~

10 / Bulma’s Hideout / 12