Trevor made his way to the school library, after following Tali there. She was sitting at a computer as Trevor made his way over to her.

Tali Rexx: You don't know when to quit do you?

Trevor Mach: Yeah, it's a bit of a problem isn't it?

Tali Rexx: Doesn't bother me.

Trevor Mach: Look, I wanted to apologi-

Tali Rexx: Thank you by the way.

Trevor Mach: Huh? For what?

Tali Rexx: Catching me in the hallway. I appreciate it. That bitch Erica is really asking for it.

Trevor Mach: Oh yeah. Heh....no problem. I was just-

Tali Rexx: Even though you're a pervert.

Trevor Mach: Hey! What?! I was just-

Tali Rexx: Uh-huh.

Trevor Mach: *cough cough* What are you doing in here?

Tali Rexx: Just studying.

Trevor Mach: That didn't look like studying. I saw a shirtless dude on the screen.

Tali Rexx: Hey! Now you're spying? It was a wrestling website.

Trevor Mach: Oh...alright then. That would explain the shirtless dudes.

Tali Rexx: It's an interest of mine. Problem is, it's hard to find good Edo wrestling online. I have to order tapes.

Trevor Mach: Right. If only there was a forum for that sort of thing.

Tali Rexx: Right.

Trevor Mach: Can I join you?

Tali Rexx: *sigh* You really insist upon yourself you know?

Trevor Mach: Alright! I'm sorry. I just wanted to make sure you were all right. I'll go. I'll go.

Tali Rexx: No, you can stay if you want. It doesn't bother me.

Trevor Mach: Awesome. So what are we looking at?

Tali Rexx: Well this is what I was really interested in seeing. It's results from a Joshi promotion in Edo.

Trevor Mach: Oh cool. That doesn't look like skanks brawling like they show on TV here.

Tali Rexx: Right? They treat wrestling with respect, especially with the women. At one point All Edo Women's was the biggest promotion in the country.

Trevor Mach: Interesting. I bet it pisses you off that you can't get that here in Eagleland.

Tali Rexx: You can, it's just hard to find, and in a place like this High School, it's impossible.

Trevor Mach: You should try and-

Tali Rexx: No, I've given up on that dream. I'd rather just be left alone.

Trevor Mach: Oh, well I'll-

Tali Rexx: Not by you idiot. By everyone else. That's why I'd prefer to be in here. It's quiet. I can think. Besides, other than Sarah and Lucca, no one really notices when I'm not around, except when they want something from me.

Trevor Mach: I notice you.

Tali Rexx: Yeah, and you want something from me. I wore a skirt today, and you've been unable to take at least one eye off my legs the entire time you've been in here.

Trevor Mach: That....might be true. I'm sorry.

Tali Rexx: See? Pervert.

Trevor Mach: I'm just me. A new guy in town, trying to make a a friend, that's all. I think you're interesting too.

Tali Rexx: ....Sit back down.

Trevor Mach: Alright! By the way, that Swift guy invited me to join the "Wolves" today.

Tali Rexx: Oh yeah? That black eye paid off huh? It could be tough.

Trevor Mach: How bad could it be?

Trevor stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around his waist. He walked into his dark room and looked around, thinking that it was still looking quite bare from not completely unpacking yet. He unfurled a poster of NCW Star Little Mach, and placed it on the wall.

Trevor Mach: There, that's looking better. I think I have Dig Dug in here somewhere too.

Trevor suddenly stood upright, with the feeling he was being watched. He quickly turned around and looked out of his window. The curtain across the street quickly closed as he turned.

Trevor Mach: Huh? Wait...was she...looking at me?

Later that night Trevor tossed and turned in bed. He saw images that seemed hazy and unfamiliar, of he and his cousins finding a cave in the outskirts of Onett. Something was lurking inside, something evil. It seemed to attack his cousin Dougie as he quickly bolted awake.

Trevor Mach: What was that? What time is it? Oh, you got to be kidding me.

September 5th 2000

Tired and battered, Trevor limped his way into the school.

Tack Angel: You look rough.

Trevor Mach: Thanks.

Tack Angel: Swift really beat the crap out of you yesterday huh.

Trevor Mach: Oh that? Nothing I can't handle. It's sleep man. I didn't get any sleep. You deprive me of sleep and you might as well run me over in traffic.

Tack Angel: It looks that way.

Trevor Mach: Plus, my "new ride" isn't working, and I had to walk here. Needless to say, I'm exhausted.

Tack Angel: Uh-huh. Well I hate to pile it on, but you're about to get it. Here she comes.

Trevor Mach: Here WHO comes?

A girl in a black dress with shoulder length black hair, and a pencil behind her ear confidently pushed her way towards Trevor and Tack.

Tack Angel: "Rovering reporter for the school paper" Nerma.

Trevor Mach: Oh boy.

Nerma: Get out of my way! Hello! Hello! Hi! I'm Nerma, and you're the new kid right?

Trevor Mach: That's me.

Nerma: Great! I want to talk to you about joining the "Wolves". It's all over school this morning!

Trevor Mach: Word travels fast.

Tack Angel: It wasn't me.

Nerma: The new guy is already making powerful friends and enemies. It's exciting stuff. Want to talk about it with me?

Tack Angel: Alright, it was me.

Trevor Mach: No, I really don't want to right now. Maybe later?

Nerma: Sure! Sure! Take your time, and by that I mean I hope lunch sounds good. Oh...uh...and hey Tack. You're pants are looking real cool today.

Tack Angel: Huh? Oh...uh...thanks Nerma.

Nerma: Hehe....well I better go. I hear we have another new transfer student today too. So many exciting things happening!

Trevor Mach: What the hell was that?

Tack Angel: That's just Nerma's personality. I've known her for years. She's a childhood friend and-

Trevor Mach: She was totally into you!

Tack Angel: Huh?!

Trevor Mach: "Huh?!" Don't "Huh?!" me! You totally know she's into you right?

Tack Angel: I don't know what you're talking about.

Trevor Mach: Seriously?

Tack Angel: Seriously. No girls look at me....not like I look at Amy anyways. *sigh* My sweet Amy.

Trevor Mach: ...I'm perplexed by you right now. Absolutely perplexed.

Tack Angel: I'm an enigma. Yes.

At that moment Tali, Sarah, and Lucca walked by. Trevor held his gaze down and simply smiled and waved before walking by.

Lucca: Odd. In my monitoring of this boy this week, he was always appeared quite interested in Tali, yet today he simply walks away. My hypothesis is that something has happened to change the dynamic. Tali?

Tali Rexx: I have no idea what you're talking about.

Lucca: Your heart rate has increased. I can see it in your face.

Tali Rexx: I really don't kno-

Sarah: It was me. I had a word with him yesterday.

Tali Rexx: Y-yeah, I'm sure that's it. Wait. You did? What did you say?

Sarah: Heh, I might have told him that you uh....don't swing that way?

Tali Rexx: You did what?

Sarah: You wanted him out of your hair, and I took care of it for you. Besides, it's not entirely untrue. I mean in the past you-

Tali Rexx: I know my own past Sarah. You sure do like to bring it up though. *sigh* I'm going to class.

Sarah: Wait! Come back!

Lucca: Now you've done it.

Sarah: I was just trying to help.

Lucca: Were you? It seems you did that for you.

Sarah: ....

Lucca: Am I wrong? No, it's impossible. You know why? Because I use-

Later in class...

Dr. Andonuts: SCIENCE! That's right class, Science is what it's all about, and when I say it, I mean everything. We can break down everything into scientific formulas....except for why my wife left me, and why my son Jeff never visits. That's not important to the class though! What is important is our first big lesson this year. I want to deep dive into quantum mechanics. Does that sound too much for High School? Too bad, you're gonna love it. We'll start with my own personal theory on parallel universes. Would you believe that right now, there is another you out there, and they-

Trevor started to nod off as another teacher entered the room to whisper in Dr. Andonut's ear.

Dr. Andonuts: Oh...uh...it appears we have a new student joining us, our second this week, and from Onett no less. I know some people from there. Class, let's give a warm Saturn City welcome to Helena Harris!

Trevor suddenly let his hand holding his chin up slip, as he fell forward and hit his head on the desk. No way he just heard that right. A fit, bubbly brunette, still in her Onett High School Uniform entered the room, smiling and waving. She especially lit up when she locked eyes with Trevor.

Helena Harris: Hi everyone. I'm Helena. Let's all get along this year alright?

All the guys were already excited to meet her, as she walked by to sit next to Trevor. She quickly leaned over as she put her books under the desk.

Helena Harris: *whispering* Didn't think you could get rid of me that easily did you?



 

Trevor limped inside of his house, and dropped his bag at the door. Sporting another black eye and busted lip, Trevor collapsed into a chair, as his Dad walked into the room.

Richard Mach: Trevor? Are you home?

Trevor Mach: I'm surprised you are.

Richard Mach: Look at you. Did you get into a fight again or something?

Trevor Mach: Not exactly.

Richard Mach: Oh? Wrestling again?

Trevor Mach: ....Yeah.

Richard Mach: Well, I'm surprised. I mean, you can do whatever you want, I trust you, but I thought you swore off it after what happened in Onett?

Trevor Mach: I just....I needed some time to think. This is supposed to be a fresh start right?

Richard Mach: ...Right son. I'm glad you see it that way. I was worried you'd carry that burden with you even here. It wasn't even your fault that Dougie is in-

Trevor Mach: I don't want to talk about it. I just want to get something to eat.

Richard Mach: You read my mind son. I ordered take out. It's in the kitchen.

Trevor Mach: Awesome. Say Dad, you know that Helena is in town?

Richard Mach: So I do. Her mother showed up at work and surprised me. We're working on a project together, so it looks like they're here for the long run.

Trevor Mach: ....Great.

Richard Mach: I thought you liked Helena.

Trevor Mach: I'm conflicted about a lot of things I guess. It's supposed to be a fresh start, not a reminder of the past. Plus, I've been thinking about someone else, but from what I'm told....that might be a waste of time. Still...she's...something else. Can't put a word on it yet Dad, but she's something.

Richard Mach: Wow, you're actually sharing with me. I appreciate that.

Trevor Mach: Well, it's really to prop you up for a request to help me fix my car this weekend.

Richard Mach: It broke down already?

Trevor Mach: Dad, it's a Pinto! Of course it did!

Richard Mach: Ha, I guess you're right. Yeah, I'll help you. I owe you after all. You didn't have to come with me to Saturn City. You could have stayed with the rest of the family back home. I'd have been lonely without you son.

Trevor Mach: Sure Dad. I'm happy to be here....I think?

Richard Mach: Tell me more about this girl.

Trevor Mach: Well...

Tali looked out her window at the darkened window across the street. She didn't know why, but she wanted to see him, to talk to him and clear things up. Sarah had been calling, but Tali didn't answer, as she plopped down on her bed and pressed play on the VCR. She watched Edo Joshi Wrestling as she ate her dinner. Suddenly, she heard a knock at the door.

Tali Rexx: Dad?

Lucca: It's me. Can I come in?

Tali Rexx: Oh Lucca hey. Yeah, come on in.

Lucca: Evening. I hope I'm not here too late.

Tali Rexx: You're always so formal. You're welcome any time. It's the weekend after all.

Lucca: Sarah has been calling.

Tali Rexx: Yeah, I noticed that.

Lucca: Bad reception?

Tali Rexx: Just didn't feel like talking.

Lucca: Are you mad at her about what happened with the new neighbor?

Tali Rexx: You're always very perceptive.

Lucca: It's in my nature I suppose. It runs in my family. All the way back to-

Tali Rexx: I know. I know. You can trace back your family history all the way to 1000AD. You might have mentioned it 10-20-100 times? I lost count.

Lucca: This guy must have left an impression.

Tali Rexx: On the set wall he did, when I threw him through it.

Lucca: You know what I mean.

Tali Rexx: I don't know Lucca. I don't know how I feel right now, but I know that I want to make my decisions for myself. Sarah has thrown a wedge into that.

Lucca: You know why.

Tali Rexx: I know. Really I do, and I care about her very much, but we're better as friends.

Lucca: You think she agrees?

Tali Rexx: Of course not. She's great. She's my best friend....as are you of course. We grew up together. We snark on the same things. We always seem to walk the same roads. I just...think that our bond is stronger that way? Does that make sense?

Lucca: To me it does.

Tali Rexx: I don't know about this guy across the street. He's definitely an odd one. Comes into our school, and in one week he upsets the system. I-

Lucca: You like that, don't you?

Tali Rexx: Heh. Of course I do.

Tack Angel came home, tired and worn out himself. He took off his shoes at the door and put his jacket on the wall, when he suddenly heard a sound from inside of it.

?: Hey? Is that you son?

Tack Angel: Dad? Are you IN the wall?!

Wayne Angel: Yeah...well I'm on the other side of it, doing some wiring work.

Tack Angel: Oh...alright then.

Wayne Angel: Could you let me know when dinner is ready? Gosh, I'm so hungry.

Tack Angel: Will do Dad.

The goth styled Tack stood in sharp contrast, to his well lit and beautiful home, and bright, bubbly family. His older sister and mother were laughing up a storm as they prepared dinner.

Barb Angel: Tack! I'm so happy you're home son! I missed you!

Tack Angel: I was only gone a few hours!

Barb Angel: And I missed you in those few hours. I love you son!

Tack Angel: Jeez Mom I get it! I love you too. *sigh*

Barb Angel: Rough day?

Tack Angel: They all are. I'm just glad it's the weekend. I'm going to shut myself in my room and play video games.

Barb Angel: Not before you give your Mom a big hug!

Tack Angel: Sure sure.

Barb Angel: By the way, you got a phone call today.

Tack Angel: I did? From who?

Barb Angel: You know who. Hehe.

Tack Angel: Tiffany?

Barb Angel: Yep. She called today, asking how you were. You two were such good friends. I'm glad she's still keeping in touch.

Tack Angel: R-right. Good friends.

Images flashed in Tack's head, of his childhood friend and crush.

Tack Angel: What did she say?

Barb Angel: She was just checking in. The family is doing well she said. They're fully moved into Onett now.

Tack Angel: Oh yeah? That's....good. I met someone from Onett recently. I was hoping he'd know something about her, but I guess he left right when she arrived, so no help there.

Barb Angel: A new friend?

Tack Angel: I think so.

Barb Angel: You going to call her back?

Tack Angel: I don't know. I kind of...need to think about it. I need to go upstairs really quickly. I'll be right back.

Tack ran up to the upstairs bathroom and splashed water in his face, trying to calm down. He hated thinking about her, and how she broke his heart. She probably didn't even realize it either. He resolved himself to ignore it, and look forward. He deserved better, someone like Amy Stuart, but how could he get her to notice him? How?

Last edited by Machismo (4/23/2021 2:22 pm)