Whoo hoo, I got yet another song request. People are actually enjoying my stories…heh, go figure. Well anyways this next song most definitely is a personal favorite. When I first heard it I applied it to ever romance and couple I could think of. It's just one of those songs that fit no matter what. So without further delay I give you the next chapter.

Requested by and dedicated to…
Paulagirl

Chapter Nine: Chemicals React
(By Aly and Aj)

Abby bit her lip as she continued one her way home, using her hat as a veil over her eyes and hunching her shoulders slightly. The sky was dark overhead with shadowing clouds that threatened to release a down pour at any moment, and yet she rejected a ride offered to her by her friend Kuki and insisted on walking home without a jacket or an umbrella.

She simply needed the time alone…to sort her head out and analyze just what was happening to her. It was nearly impossible to understand and the feeling was so new to her, so foreign that she thought she might not be able to suppress her self induced aggravation.

Well…it all wasn't self induced…or at least that's what she told herself to relieve some of the stress. It had to have been partially his fault. It was his fault and he didn't even know it…but Abby did and she would blame him accordingly. Yes, that certainly put her at some ease but that didn't explain anything; she was beating around the bush, avoiding the reasoning behind it all entirely.

Now Abigail Lincoln was never one to avoid a point because she was always so straight forward…but not with him. When it came to him she was guarded and careful, more than usual. He caused something totally different to erupt from within her. Whether it be his heartfelt laughter or that charming boyish grin…

God, he had no clue what he did to her…

You make me feel out of my element
Like I'm walking on broken glass
Like my worlds spinning in slow motion
And you're moving to fast…

He made her feel so vulnerable.

Abby cringed at the thought. She was known for how cool she was able to be and how collected she was in even the most difficult situations. She had faced some of the greatest villains of her time; she had been attacked by savage robots and dodged fire balls the size of airplanes, heck, she had gone through puberty for goodness sake…but this right now, the emotions she felt right now, they may have seemed miniscule in comparison but effected her ten times worse.

The way her heart would pound was abnormal, the rosy cheeks were completely new and everything seemed different around him. It was as if nothing could go wrong and that just being in his presence brought about a sense of security she didn't even know she needed.

He certainly aroused more in her than he knew. Maybe that explained why she would snap at him so easily than apologize in less than a heartbeat. It might even explain why she snatched off her hat more often to hit him with it. Maybe she was trying to cover up something.

Abby pouted shamefully.

Now she was hiding things, which she never usually did. She just wasn't being herself anymore and she couldn't tell if that was a good or bad thing, all she knew was that she wanted a resolution; she wanted to understand just how could one person…one boy, hold so much over her and without even knowing it.

She promised herself she would not be the one…sorta like Kuki and yet here she was. She had to laugh at the irony.

Were you right, was I wrong?
Were you weak, was I strong?
Yea, both of us broken; caught in the moment
We lived and we loved
And we hurt and we jumped, yea
But the planets all aligned when you looked into my eyes
And just like
The chemicals react…the chemicals react

Abby's steps become slower and shorter as she approached home. A roll of thunder passed overhead before that first drop of water fell from the sky falling just past the brim of her hat. It wasn't that long after the drops came in groups creating a gentle shower that grew heavier and heavier with each step she took.

Maybe she shouldn't have rejected that ride…She chuckled once again spitefully as she brought her arms up to hug herself. She was definitely cold now as the water began to soak through her clothes, but the weather came second to her slight predicament.

It made her wonder…

Did he even feel the same way? Did his heart become lighter when he saw her or did thoughts of her keep him up at night. Hmm…Abby shook her head at the thought, droplets of water flying off her red hat. This had to have been one sided because he was her best friend. He always had been and always would be no matter what.

Not even a couple of rouge emotions should change that…she didn't want anything to change and yet at the same time she wanted to be the only girl he looked at, the only girl he smiled at in that special way.

"Pathetic…" She practically growled to herself. It was the only word she could think of at the moment.

Here she was, walking in what now could be classified as a down pour, silently wishing that he would take note of her affections and return them. He certainly did have a strange affect over her. She didn't understand this sudden infatuation, she didn't even know where it came from.

But something told her it had been there for a while, or it wouldn't be bothering her so much…

You make me feel out of my element
Like I'm drifting out to the sea
Like the tides pulling me in deeper
Making it harder to breath…

We cannot deny how we feel inside
We cannot deny…

Even in the pouring rain and even when the sky was dark and ominous, he smiled. Hoagie always seemed to have a smile on his face. It made people wonder just what was so wonderful to have him constantly happy. It made people curious as to what went on in that head of his. Such cheerfulness and optimism wasn't normal, but if you asked him what fueled such disposition he would give you a simple answer

Abby…

He strode through the rain with his umbrella tilted back as a smile grew just at the thought of her. She wasn't his girlfriend, certainly not, but that did not mean he could not admire every little aspect about her. He took joy out of seeing that bright red hat everyday and he would relish in hearing her dismiss yet another of his rather corny and overused jokes.

She was the highlight of his day and all he wanted to do was make her happy. He didn't understand it and he honestly didn't care. All he knew was that he cared about her, even if she didn't accept his feelings. That really didn't matter to him

He'd still smile.

Were you right, was I wrong?
Were you weak, was I strong?
Yea, both of us broken; caught in the moment
We lived and we loved
And we hurt and we jumped, yea
But the planets all aligned when you looked into my eyes
And just like
The chemicals react…the chemicals react

In the back of his mind there was a sense of pessimism that quietly reminded him just what and who he was dealing with. Abby just wasn't any girl…she was the girl; the girl you wanted but could never have, the girl everybody wanted but couldn't have. She was so independent and strong that she didn't need anybody else. Even if she did, why would she choose him?

His smile turned bitter for a fleeting moment. Abby didn't need him even if he felt as though he needed her. If she should turn to anybody else she should turn to someone who could match her accordingly. He was such a nerdy kid, handsome, but nerdy overall. She was…everything he wasn't…almost like the other side of him.

He knew she'd call him cheesy for that one…the other side of him…hmm. Yes, she certainly was like that missing other half. Whenever he was around her he had a sense of completion that no one else couple provide. He would withstand an eternity of beatings from that red hat of hers if that meant being by her side.

"Ughhh…Damn you Abigail Lincoln." He cursed under his breath. "You just had to be so perfect…"

She even had him talking to himself…not that he hadn't done that already with his "detective" phase. Although that didn't matter…what mattered was that this girl gave him the sense of walking on air and that he would do just about anything if it meant her returning his feelings.

Okay now he just sounded desperate…

Kaleidoscope of colors turning
Hopes on fire; sun is burning
Shining down on both of us
Don't let us lose it….Don't let us lose it

That's when he saw her and upon seeing her, the rain slowly began to let up to a gentle shower that almost seemed to fall in slow motion.

Abby glanced up in question, noticing the grey clouds breaking apart, but not pausing the leak of water that fell to the ground. The sun was slowly breaking through and she smiled lightly.

Closing his umbrella, he watched her, taking note of the ghost of a smile that came to her lips even though she was soaked and getting soaked further…well if she didn't mind the rain, then neither did he.

Were you right, was I wrong?
Were you weak, was I strong?
Yea, both of us broken; caught in the moment
We lived and we loved
And we hurt and we jumped, yea

Something told Abby to look over her shoulder…she just had this feeling, so she did and her smile grew as she pulled her head down, hiding her eyes from him. He knew she did that on purpose, so he approached her, just stopping before her so that she had tilt her head back.

"Have a nice bath?" He asked rather meekly.

Abby examined her now water heavy clothes that sagged and clung to her body. She chuckled lightly before shrugging her shoulders carelessly. "Abby didn't bring her umbrella to school with her."

Hoagie nodded before glancing at the Umbrella in his hand. "You want me to walk you home?' He asked waving his umbrella at her. She chuckled once again.

"Abby don't think an umbrella would matter at this point Hoags. She's soaked through." She said gesturing to her clothing. He nodded slowly.

"Um…okay…" He said rather awkwardly while lowering his gaze.

We lived, we loved
We hurt, we jumped
We're right, we're wrong
We're weak, we're strong
We lived to love

"But…" She began, drawing the word out. "Abby still wants you to walk her home…if you don't mind?" She said quickly. Hoagie perked a brow at her before he grinned upon seeing that sweet smile on her face.

"Alright then," He said taking her hand within his free one. She furrowed her brow as her cheeks turned red at the contact. Noticing the change in her expression he quickly pulled away, smiling sheepishly. "Sorry I…"

He trailed off as Abby reached for his hand once again, knitting her fingers with his own. He glanced between their intertwined hands and her uncharacteristically bashful expression before smiling widely in that way she always admired.

"Abby doesn't mind…" She said lowly as she tilted her head back a bit. Hoagie caught glimpse of those hazel orbs and swallowed nervously.

"You better be careful Abby," He laughed anxiously. "I just might get the impression that you like me." He joked.

She tensed.

He paused.

And we hurt and we jumped, yea
But the planets all aligned when you looked into my eyes
And just like
The chemicals react…The chemicals react

She smiled nervously at him and nodded. His brow furrowed in confusion.

"Abby does though…" She said quietly. Hoagie blinked stupidly.

"You do…what?"

He just needed her to elaborate so that his heart did not start pounding in his ears for some off chance that she might…

"Abby does like ya Hoagie," She said carefully. "Ya understand? Abby likes ya…a-a lot." Oh goodness she was stammering.

Hoagie just stared at her for a moment. His heart seemed to skip a few beats before moving erratically as a light blush dusted his cheeks. She smiled at him before turning away quickly. He cleared his throat nervously before squeezing her hand reassuringly.

"Good," He said quickly with a nod. She turned to him perking a brow. "Because I like you too…" He said lowly as he leaned in towards. He placed a tender kiss on her cheek and she could feel her blush deepen as she ducked her head, hiding under the shadow of her hat. "A lot…" He added.

Abby laughed lightly before tugging on his arm, silently telling him to follow her.

The chemicals react…

This one was kinda mellow and at the same time it wasn't. It gave a better look on the innocence of their relationship, not to mention the insecurities any teenager would feel with the matter of liking someone…bleh. So this one was a bit more realistic than the past few so I hope you enjoyed it, Please review.

~Rolyn~