A/N: Hola, and welcome to my next story in my most favorite "What the?"
Trilogy. Once again, I apologize for the original commentary from here on
out, but all I have to blame is my laziness and overload of homework...
***
Alex slammed his car door shut and looked around. It was the first day of Winter Break and after spending six weeks straight on UC Davis's campus, he was ready to go home for the holidays. The only thing he needed to do first was pick up Tom from Stanford. He sighed and began to walk towards the dorm rooms, his hands stuffed in his jacket pocket to escape the freezing wind, and he felt his necklace bump against his chest every time he took a step. It had been two and a half years since he got that thing and he had never taken it off after he happily discovered that it was waterproof. Bad things seemed to pass him by when he wore it and sometimes he even suspected that somehow it's magic had helped him get into Davis.
As he trudged through the gardens of one of the most prestigious schools in the United States, he admired how clean and well kept it looked. Of course, Davis's campus was kept up to, but Stanford's looked three times more expensive. It had cost Tom an arm and a leg to get in. His family wasn't poor, his dad being a doctor and all, but they weren't exactly billionaires and they figured that Tom should help pay for some of it. Luckily, he was able to grab tons of scholarships to pay for some of it.
Alex walked up a flight of stairs to the second story of the dorm rooms, looked at a piece of paper with some numbers scribbled on it, then back at the number on the door. Tom had called him yesterday and asked if he would come and pick him up. The old car he had really belonged to his dad and after they got it back after it had been towed, he wasn't really allowed to drive it anymore. The two sets of numbers matched and Alex banged on the door impatiently.
A voice from inside called out, "It's open!" so Alex shrugged and walked inside. He grinned and closed the door. Tom was sitting on his bed with his laptop open, and ripping up the keypad, he was trying to type so fast. Alex shook his head, "Dude, you really have to relax. There's no way I would type anything for school that fast..."
Tom looked up at him and smiled evilly, "But I bet you do when you are e-mailing Phi..."
Alex blushed and sat down next to his friend, not quite comfortable with discussing his relationship with Phi yet with Tom, being that he was her older brother and all, "So are you ready to go or what?"
"Almost...I just need to finish this paper for my Bioengineering
professor..."
Alex looked at him, "Aren't you also taking Aeronautics and Astronautics
and Mechanical Engineering courses?" Tom glanced up for a minute as if trying to think of something to write, then turned to Alex, "Yup...Why?"
Alex shrugged, "I'm just thinking that you might have given yourself a little to much to do in your sophomore year of college...then again, you took half of your beginning required courses in high school last year, so what do I know..."
Tom grinned, "Well, maybe your right, but so far, I'm not doing all that badly, so I think I might stick with it for now...Do you know what a good career choice for you is yet?"
"Nope, still haven't figured out what I want to be when I grow up, even though I already did most of the growing...But don't even suggest that I become a doctor, 'cause there is no way that I am going to medical school on top of a four to six year college."
Tom laughed and closed his laptop, "Alright! I'm finished. Let's go."
He began to walk towards the door but Alex stopped him, "Aren't you forgetting something? Like a suitcase, or a duffel bag?"
Tom opened the door and stepped outside, "The best thing about going home is that you don't need one."
Alex grinned, "Don't be so sure. My mom called and said that Dad turned my room into his new office and all my stuff was stashed in his old one which is about the size of that cell I stayed in back in Tortall..."
As the two walked down to Alex's car, Tom glanced at his watch and began to jog, "Alex! It's already noon! We should have left an hour ago!"
Alex followed him, unlocked the car doors to let him jump in and started the engine, "I hope we don't keep anyone waiting..."
***Phi's View***
She banged her head against the desk and groaned. It was the last day of school before Christmas break and she was stuck in Friday detention. She just had to pick a fight with that annoying boy from PE...of course things like that were pretty tempting when you have a magical necklace on that will protect you from harm, including punches from stupid, stuck up jocks. It's not that she had anything against people who play sports or anything, it's just that he was teasing her because she screamed when she saw a spider and she lots her temper. Phi grinned. He never had a chance...
She was a senior in high school, and extremely bored. This was her second detention of the year, which was pretty good for her, but her mom would still be mad. However, the thing that was bothering her most right now was that Tom and Alex were coming back from college for a week and she wanted to be home when they got there. She sighed and leaned back in her chair, looking around the room, especially at the clock that was hanging over the door. Good only five more minutes and twenty-two seconds to go...wait a minute, the clock just stopped. She slammed her head back on her desk and a boy diagonal from her smirked. She glared at him, slouched down in her chair, and began to fiddle with her necklace. So...bored...
The bell rung and Phi jumped to her feet and practically sprinted towards the parking lot, trying to remember where she parked her motorcycle. It wasn't that she really wanted a motorcycle mind you, it was just that she couldn't afford anything else besides a bicycle and she wanted something that went fast.
Her friends still made fun of her for riding it though, but she had grown used to the ridicule and fonder of her bike. One especially nice plus that she enjoyed was being able to swerve in and out of traffic on the freeway and other busy streets, which came in handy during rush hour.
After running through the parking lot, she finally found her bike trapped behind some idiot who had tried to park in her spot . She glared evilly at the teen who was coming up to her, the same guy who had smirked at her in detention, "I suppose you want me to move my truck so you can get your motorcycle out, huh?"
She continued to glare but answered curtly, "If it wouldn't be to much trouble...YES!"
The boy stepped closer, "Fine, but it's gonna cost you..."
She sighed and got onto her bike, strapping her helmet on, "On second thought, I don't think I need your help at all..." She revved up the engine and went flying out of the parking spot, managing to kick up a good amount of dirt into the boy's face and make a lovely scratch on the side of his truck. He swore at her as she tore out of the parking lot. It serves him right, she thought.
As she drove down the street towards her house, she remembered that Tom had told her never to go above fifty on a motorcycle. She frowned and slowed down a bit. Of course, he hadn't been very happy about her choice in transportation at all, and for that matter, neither had her dad. They both claimed that motorcycle accidents resulted in the most deaths of any other kind of car crash, although Tom didn't seem to worry. He knew that nothing too bad could happen as long as she had her necklace on, but he still freaked out sometimes because he thought that she would forget to wear it. Unlikely...
After fifteen minutes of driving, she finally pulled up in front of her house. Phi sighed with relief for two reasons. One was that there was no sign of Alex's car in the driveway, and two, because it had just started to rain and riding a bike in the rain was really not a fun thing to do.
She jumped off and wheeled her bike under to overhang of the house in the side yard to protect it from the water and ran into the house, swinging her half-empty backpack behind her. As she tiptoed into her living room, trying to hide from her mom, a voice called out from the kitchen, "Phi? Is that you?" Oh crap...
"Ya mom...Um, what can I do for you?"
Her mom stepped out of the kitchen with her hands on her hips, "You can start be telling me where you have been..."
"Um..." she crinkled up the detention slip that needed to be singed by a parent in her hand, "Hanging out with my friends?"
Her mom frowned but walked back into the kitchen. Phi exhaled. She would ask Tom to sign it. After all, he is older than 18...he counts as an adult...She began to walk upstairs to her room when a thought struck her, "Oh! Hey mom, where are Tom and Alex?"
"They called about an hour ago. They got stuck in some traffic and won't be home for about another hour or so. While you're waiting, you could start your homework or help me in the kitchen, your choice."
Phi scowled, "I think I'll go do my homework..." That way it would be easier to goof off.
She flopped down on her bed and pulled out her Physics textbook and stared at it blankly. It wasn't fair. How could they give homework to kids on vacations? It kind of defeated the purpose of the whole "vacationing" idea. She rolled over onto her back and stared at the ceiling. The smell of Christmas cookies began to waft up to her room and suddenly she was very hungry. She looked out the window and wished that Tom and Alex would get home soon so they could eat. They would also be more exciting people to be around then her parents were.
Finally, after about half an hour of zoning off, she heard the screech of a car pulling up into their driveway and the slam of a car door. She leapt up and ran down the stairs. Her mom made it to the door first and opened it to Alex and Tom, who were both very wet. Her mom grabbed Tom in a big hug, despite the fact that we was dripping wet, and led them both into the living room to sit down, rushing over to the closet to get towels for them to sit on.
Phi grinned and walked down the stairs, "I see neither of you brought umbrellas..."
Her brother turned around, "I wouldn't be talking Phi...your hair is still dripping..."
Alex smiled, but stayed where he was. It was good to see Phi again, and she hadn't really changed at all in three years. She had grown a little more, taller and in other ways, but the only real difference was that her hair was cut shorter to her shoulders. She walked over, sat down next to Tom, and handed him something discreetly as their mother came back with the towels, then went back into the kitchen, "Er...I need you to sign this..."
Tom sighed and unfolded the paper, reading everything carefully with that poker face of his that Phi hated. You could never tell what he was thinking, "Phi...what is this for?"
"Nothing...okay...I was...fightingwiththisboyfromPEbeacusehewasteasingmeaboutmyfearofspiders..."
He stared at her, "What?"
She gave him her best puppy-dog look, "Pwease sign it? I don't want Mom or Dad to find out...It's only my second one this year..."
Alex laughed, "Only your second? So, what about this boy in your PE class?"
Tom looked from Phi to Alex, "You understood what she said? I must be getting tired or something...Fine, I'll sign it...but this is the last time I'm saving your butt..."
She grinned and quickly folded the paper back up as their mom came back into the room, "Diner will be ready as soon as your father gets home. Alex, you're certainly welcome to stay if you want since your parents are out of town."
"Thank you."
"It's no problem dear..."
Alex turned to Phi as her mom left again, "What's for dinner?"
She frowned thoughtfully, "I'm not quite sure because I went upstairs to do my homework as soon as I got home..." Alex snorted disbelievingly and she elbowed him in the side, "But I think there is going to be ham, mashed potatoes, some kind of green vegetable, bread, and other stuff..."
Alex leaned back, "That all sounds good to me...Better than McDonalds anyway, which would be where I would probably be going if I didn't stay..."
They heard the sound of a second car coming in, and Phi jumped up and jogged to the dinning room table, "Dinner time!"
Their dad came in, hung up his rain jacket, and then paused before sitting down at the table to give Tom a quick hug, "It's good to see you boys again, and it's good to see that dinner's already on the table! Your mom must have gotten off of work early to do all this."
He sat down and Phi smiled, "She took the whole day off..."
Their mom sat down next to her husband, "Shh! Don't tell him that! If he thinks that I went to work today too, then that's even better!"
Their dad grinned and started the meal, which lasted about an hour. At the end, every one was full to bursting and wiped from the day's work.
Tom and Phi's parents retired early after cleaning up after diner and Tom went up to get out his stuff, most of which his mother had put away in the down stairs closet. Phi sighed and sat down on the couch next to Alex, who had just turned on the TV quietly and was channel surfing. He smiled as she sat down next to him, "It's good to be here again..."
She grinned, "Oh really? Why?"
He blushed, "Well, the home cooked meals are a nice change, and the hills, the weather...you."
This time it was her turn to blush. He put the remote control down next to her and leaned over.
Tom had just managed to gather a box of his things and was just about to go upstairs when something caught his eye. He grinned as he watched Alex lean over and kiss Phi who put her arms around his neck. He shook his head and walked upstairs, thinking to himself, I will have to keep an eye on them...
Phi pulled away when she heard Tom's door close and grinned at Alex, "I think he saw us..."
Alex looked at her, "We better stop then before we worry him to much..." He stood up and walked to the front door, "I'll see you guys tomorrow..."
She nodded, then headed upstairs. When she was just about to step into her room, Tom opened his door and poked his head out, "It looked like you two were having a good time down there..."
She glared at him and her blush deepened. He laughed and shut his door as a pillow came hurdling at him and he sat down on his bed to go through the piles of his old clothes, trying to find his extra pair of jeans for the next day.
A/N: Okay...that was the first chapter of my new story! I hoped you all liked it okay, and if you are wondering, which I know some of you are, they will meet up with some of the Tortallian folk eventually, don't worry. I just need to find a good intro-ness first, if ya know what I mean. Oh! For all you readers from the last story who wanted more Phi/Alex, note that I am putting more in for you guys now that they are all a little older...(To Gabie from the last story: I won't tell you how old I am! That would ruin the fun and my author's name! Shadows have no age! Wahahahahaha!!)(I'll tell you this much: I am a younger teenager...)
***
Alex slammed his car door shut and looked around. It was the first day of Winter Break and after spending six weeks straight on UC Davis's campus, he was ready to go home for the holidays. The only thing he needed to do first was pick up Tom from Stanford. He sighed and began to walk towards the dorm rooms, his hands stuffed in his jacket pocket to escape the freezing wind, and he felt his necklace bump against his chest every time he took a step. It had been two and a half years since he got that thing and he had never taken it off after he happily discovered that it was waterproof. Bad things seemed to pass him by when he wore it and sometimes he even suspected that somehow it's magic had helped him get into Davis.
As he trudged through the gardens of one of the most prestigious schools in the United States, he admired how clean and well kept it looked. Of course, Davis's campus was kept up to, but Stanford's looked three times more expensive. It had cost Tom an arm and a leg to get in. His family wasn't poor, his dad being a doctor and all, but they weren't exactly billionaires and they figured that Tom should help pay for some of it. Luckily, he was able to grab tons of scholarships to pay for some of it.
Alex walked up a flight of stairs to the second story of the dorm rooms, looked at a piece of paper with some numbers scribbled on it, then back at the number on the door. Tom had called him yesterday and asked if he would come and pick him up. The old car he had really belonged to his dad and after they got it back after it had been towed, he wasn't really allowed to drive it anymore. The two sets of numbers matched and Alex banged on the door impatiently.
A voice from inside called out, "It's open!" so Alex shrugged and walked inside. He grinned and closed the door. Tom was sitting on his bed with his laptop open, and ripping up the keypad, he was trying to type so fast. Alex shook his head, "Dude, you really have to relax. There's no way I would type anything for school that fast..."
Tom looked up at him and smiled evilly, "But I bet you do when you are e-mailing Phi..."
Alex blushed and sat down next to his friend, not quite comfortable with discussing his relationship with Phi yet with Tom, being that he was her older brother and all, "So are you ready to go or what?"
"Almost...I just need to finish this paper for my Bioengineering
professor..."
Alex looked at him, "Aren't you also taking Aeronautics and Astronautics
and Mechanical Engineering courses?" Tom glanced up for a minute as if trying to think of something to write, then turned to Alex, "Yup...Why?"
Alex shrugged, "I'm just thinking that you might have given yourself a little to much to do in your sophomore year of college...then again, you took half of your beginning required courses in high school last year, so what do I know..."
Tom grinned, "Well, maybe your right, but so far, I'm not doing all that badly, so I think I might stick with it for now...Do you know what a good career choice for you is yet?"
"Nope, still haven't figured out what I want to be when I grow up, even though I already did most of the growing...But don't even suggest that I become a doctor, 'cause there is no way that I am going to medical school on top of a four to six year college."
Tom laughed and closed his laptop, "Alright! I'm finished. Let's go."
He began to walk towards the door but Alex stopped him, "Aren't you forgetting something? Like a suitcase, or a duffel bag?"
Tom opened the door and stepped outside, "The best thing about going home is that you don't need one."
Alex grinned, "Don't be so sure. My mom called and said that Dad turned my room into his new office and all my stuff was stashed in his old one which is about the size of that cell I stayed in back in Tortall..."
As the two walked down to Alex's car, Tom glanced at his watch and began to jog, "Alex! It's already noon! We should have left an hour ago!"
Alex followed him, unlocked the car doors to let him jump in and started the engine, "I hope we don't keep anyone waiting..."
***Phi's View***
She banged her head against the desk and groaned. It was the last day of school before Christmas break and she was stuck in Friday detention. She just had to pick a fight with that annoying boy from PE...of course things like that were pretty tempting when you have a magical necklace on that will protect you from harm, including punches from stupid, stuck up jocks. It's not that she had anything against people who play sports or anything, it's just that he was teasing her because she screamed when she saw a spider and she lots her temper. Phi grinned. He never had a chance...
She was a senior in high school, and extremely bored. This was her second detention of the year, which was pretty good for her, but her mom would still be mad. However, the thing that was bothering her most right now was that Tom and Alex were coming back from college for a week and she wanted to be home when they got there. She sighed and leaned back in her chair, looking around the room, especially at the clock that was hanging over the door. Good only five more minutes and twenty-two seconds to go...wait a minute, the clock just stopped. She slammed her head back on her desk and a boy diagonal from her smirked. She glared at him, slouched down in her chair, and began to fiddle with her necklace. So...bored...
The bell rung and Phi jumped to her feet and practically sprinted towards the parking lot, trying to remember where she parked her motorcycle. It wasn't that she really wanted a motorcycle mind you, it was just that she couldn't afford anything else besides a bicycle and she wanted something that went fast.
Her friends still made fun of her for riding it though, but she had grown used to the ridicule and fonder of her bike. One especially nice plus that she enjoyed was being able to swerve in and out of traffic on the freeway and other busy streets, which came in handy during rush hour.
After running through the parking lot, she finally found her bike trapped behind some idiot who had tried to park in her spot . She glared evilly at the teen who was coming up to her, the same guy who had smirked at her in detention, "I suppose you want me to move my truck so you can get your motorcycle out, huh?"
She continued to glare but answered curtly, "If it wouldn't be to much trouble...YES!"
The boy stepped closer, "Fine, but it's gonna cost you..."
She sighed and got onto her bike, strapping her helmet on, "On second thought, I don't think I need your help at all..." She revved up the engine and went flying out of the parking spot, managing to kick up a good amount of dirt into the boy's face and make a lovely scratch on the side of his truck. He swore at her as she tore out of the parking lot. It serves him right, she thought.
As she drove down the street towards her house, she remembered that Tom had told her never to go above fifty on a motorcycle. She frowned and slowed down a bit. Of course, he hadn't been very happy about her choice in transportation at all, and for that matter, neither had her dad. They both claimed that motorcycle accidents resulted in the most deaths of any other kind of car crash, although Tom didn't seem to worry. He knew that nothing too bad could happen as long as she had her necklace on, but he still freaked out sometimes because he thought that she would forget to wear it. Unlikely...
After fifteen minutes of driving, she finally pulled up in front of her house. Phi sighed with relief for two reasons. One was that there was no sign of Alex's car in the driveway, and two, because it had just started to rain and riding a bike in the rain was really not a fun thing to do.
She jumped off and wheeled her bike under to overhang of the house in the side yard to protect it from the water and ran into the house, swinging her half-empty backpack behind her. As she tiptoed into her living room, trying to hide from her mom, a voice called out from the kitchen, "Phi? Is that you?" Oh crap...
"Ya mom...Um, what can I do for you?"
Her mom stepped out of the kitchen with her hands on her hips, "You can start be telling me where you have been..."
"Um..." she crinkled up the detention slip that needed to be singed by a parent in her hand, "Hanging out with my friends?"
Her mom frowned but walked back into the kitchen. Phi exhaled. She would ask Tom to sign it. After all, he is older than 18...he counts as an adult...She began to walk upstairs to her room when a thought struck her, "Oh! Hey mom, where are Tom and Alex?"
"They called about an hour ago. They got stuck in some traffic and won't be home for about another hour or so. While you're waiting, you could start your homework or help me in the kitchen, your choice."
Phi scowled, "I think I'll go do my homework..." That way it would be easier to goof off.
She flopped down on her bed and pulled out her Physics textbook and stared at it blankly. It wasn't fair. How could they give homework to kids on vacations? It kind of defeated the purpose of the whole "vacationing" idea. She rolled over onto her back and stared at the ceiling. The smell of Christmas cookies began to waft up to her room and suddenly she was very hungry. She looked out the window and wished that Tom and Alex would get home soon so they could eat. They would also be more exciting people to be around then her parents were.
Finally, after about half an hour of zoning off, she heard the screech of a car pulling up into their driveway and the slam of a car door. She leapt up and ran down the stairs. Her mom made it to the door first and opened it to Alex and Tom, who were both very wet. Her mom grabbed Tom in a big hug, despite the fact that we was dripping wet, and led them both into the living room to sit down, rushing over to the closet to get towels for them to sit on.
Phi grinned and walked down the stairs, "I see neither of you brought umbrellas..."
Her brother turned around, "I wouldn't be talking Phi...your hair is still dripping..."
Alex smiled, but stayed where he was. It was good to see Phi again, and she hadn't really changed at all in three years. She had grown a little more, taller and in other ways, but the only real difference was that her hair was cut shorter to her shoulders. She walked over, sat down next to Tom, and handed him something discreetly as their mother came back with the towels, then went back into the kitchen, "Er...I need you to sign this..."
Tom sighed and unfolded the paper, reading everything carefully with that poker face of his that Phi hated. You could never tell what he was thinking, "Phi...what is this for?"
"Nothing...okay...I was...fightingwiththisboyfromPEbeacusehewasteasingmeaboutmyfearofspiders..."
He stared at her, "What?"
She gave him her best puppy-dog look, "Pwease sign it? I don't want Mom or Dad to find out...It's only my second one this year..."
Alex laughed, "Only your second? So, what about this boy in your PE class?"
Tom looked from Phi to Alex, "You understood what she said? I must be getting tired or something...Fine, I'll sign it...but this is the last time I'm saving your butt..."
She grinned and quickly folded the paper back up as their mom came back into the room, "Diner will be ready as soon as your father gets home. Alex, you're certainly welcome to stay if you want since your parents are out of town."
"Thank you."
"It's no problem dear..."
Alex turned to Phi as her mom left again, "What's for dinner?"
She frowned thoughtfully, "I'm not quite sure because I went upstairs to do my homework as soon as I got home..." Alex snorted disbelievingly and she elbowed him in the side, "But I think there is going to be ham, mashed potatoes, some kind of green vegetable, bread, and other stuff..."
Alex leaned back, "That all sounds good to me...Better than McDonalds anyway, which would be where I would probably be going if I didn't stay..."
They heard the sound of a second car coming in, and Phi jumped up and jogged to the dinning room table, "Dinner time!"
Their dad came in, hung up his rain jacket, and then paused before sitting down at the table to give Tom a quick hug, "It's good to see you boys again, and it's good to see that dinner's already on the table! Your mom must have gotten off of work early to do all this."
He sat down and Phi smiled, "She took the whole day off..."
Their mom sat down next to her husband, "Shh! Don't tell him that! If he thinks that I went to work today too, then that's even better!"
Their dad grinned and started the meal, which lasted about an hour. At the end, every one was full to bursting and wiped from the day's work.
Tom and Phi's parents retired early after cleaning up after diner and Tom went up to get out his stuff, most of which his mother had put away in the down stairs closet. Phi sighed and sat down on the couch next to Alex, who had just turned on the TV quietly and was channel surfing. He smiled as she sat down next to him, "It's good to be here again..."
She grinned, "Oh really? Why?"
He blushed, "Well, the home cooked meals are a nice change, and the hills, the weather...you."
This time it was her turn to blush. He put the remote control down next to her and leaned over.
Tom had just managed to gather a box of his things and was just about to go upstairs when something caught his eye. He grinned as he watched Alex lean over and kiss Phi who put her arms around his neck. He shook his head and walked upstairs, thinking to himself, I will have to keep an eye on them...
Phi pulled away when she heard Tom's door close and grinned at Alex, "I think he saw us..."
Alex looked at her, "We better stop then before we worry him to much..." He stood up and walked to the front door, "I'll see you guys tomorrow..."
She nodded, then headed upstairs. When she was just about to step into her room, Tom opened his door and poked his head out, "It looked like you two were having a good time down there..."
She glared at him and her blush deepened. He laughed and shut his door as a pillow came hurdling at him and he sat down on his bed to go through the piles of his old clothes, trying to find his extra pair of jeans for the next day.
A/N: Okay...that was the first chapter of my new story! I hoped you all liked it okay, and if you are wondering, which I know some of you are, they will meet up with some of the Tortallian folk eventually, don't worry. I just need to find a good intro-ness first, if ya know what I mean. Oh! For all you readers from the last story who wanted more Phi/Alex, note that I am putting more in for you guys now that they are all a little older...(To Gabie from the last story: I won't tell you how old I am! That would ruin the fun and my author's name! Shadows have no age! Wahahahahaha!!)(I'll tell you this much: I am a younger teenager...)