A little Oneshot, just for fun. -

Disclaimer: I don't own COTT. Yet... XD

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Neil lay back on the worn cushions of the makeshift dorm. Not exactly a salon, he thought, but he didn't need professionals to manicure his nails. It was lucky his hands were both steady with a file. This way, he could get his nails back to their pre-rock climbing state. He shuddered. Never again.

"Hey, Neil!" Jay strode into the room, a smile hovering on his lips. "You want to go catch that movie with us this afternoon? It's got zombies," he added casually.
Neil pouted from his armchair. "I'm kind of busy here," he said apologetically. "Manicures take time, you know."

Archie entered the room, bouncing a superball. "And here I thought manicures were for girls. Besides, you said you didn't need nails to look good anyway," he covered up hurriedly at Neil's affronted expression. "Come on, Neil, let's get out of here."

Neil looked between his friends with suspicion. Random movies? Coming from Archie, whatever. But Jay? Who would have thought he would even think of such things on a school night?

Before he could answer, Theresa and Odie rushed into the room. "We've got a situation," Odie said seriously. Jay frowned, and Archie... snickered? Neil shook his head. Something definitely wasn't right here.

"What's going on?" Jay asked, all too casually.

"Some sacred item washed down the stormwater drains at school, apparently." Theresa said slowly. "We need three people to go down there and get it."

Herry threw up his hands in mock despair. "And I was going to visit Granny!" he stated jerkily. Atlanta glared at him, jabbing him in the ribs with her elbow.

Jay nodded. "I'll go," he announced. "Team?" Jay grinned back at the others.

Archie winked, then called out; "Well, I guess I'll go too. How about you, Neil?"

"Not a chance. Atlanta can go." Neil breezed.

"How about we toss a coin?" Atlanta proposed. Neil smiled pityingly.

"If you insist," he began, drawing a coin from his pocket. Archie quickly whipped out his own. "I've got it," he said with a grin.

"I'm calling! Heads." Atlanta said triumphantly. The whole room was silent as Archie flipped the coin into the air. "Tails," Neil breathed as it fell...

Archie caught the coin and slapped it on the back of his hand. "Atlanta wins!" he crowed, removing the top hand.

Neil's jaw dropped – and his face curved into a grin. "Check again," he urged, and Archie looked down.

To his horror, the coin was tails side up. "But," he stammered, "It was a double sided coin! Two heads!" The others, aghast, leant towards Archie to look for themselves.

"I never lose a coin toss, remember?" Neil smiled prettily at his friends aghast expressions. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have a manicure to finish."

The remaining six heroes retreated, muttering darkly.
"Someday, Neil..."

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Happy August, everybody!