SHOCK! HORROR! SURPRISE!

I update FAST don’t I? Yup, I’m sure you can finally brush off those cobwebs and detach yourself from your chair to finally click this up and read it.

You know, cos I’m sure you guys haven’t moved an inch since last time I updated. You just been sitting there… waiting waiting for an update… yup.

Ahem, anyways, this chapter was beginning to get TOO long, and I realised I needed to update soon before you guys all get sick of me and leave.

So I cut the home bit away and decided to make this stand-alone, although I’m unsure if it can really hold it’s own as a stand-alone chapter.

Date chapters are HARD to write, I mean DUDE(ETTE’S), I dunno what the hell it is about em but I’ve never had as much trouble trying to write something like when I was writing this.

Erm… so yea, just sit back and chill mon peeps, big up to yo mothers and all that.

I own nowt.

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Gaz stood, waiting awkwardly, leaning on the wall of the cinema. The sky above was patchy, but pleasant enough for the day, yet it hinted at an ending summer and the creeping ageing affect of autumn.

She was wearing an armless black dress with slight frills that ended above her knees. She also wore a light and dark striped purple long sleeved top under her dress which almost draped over her hands. She had a pair of black and dark purple striped leggings and her favourite heavy metal boots. Around her waist she had a loose hanging sliver studded belt and she had her usual old backpack hanging from her left shoulder.

A small breeze blew but Gaz didn’t shiver, although she knew Todd would be doing so, he could shiver on the hottest day of the year if there was a wind blowing.

People walked past her, usually in twos and threes, rarely on their own, as people went into the cinema next to her, the automatic doors swishing open and closed. Inside she could hear the sounds of different screens playing different movie trailers, but her attention was focused on the street itself.

She checked her watched for the hundredth time; it was only about thirty seconds since she last checked it. Gaz cursed herself for being so stupid.

This was a date, it wasn’t like she was taking a driving test or going to some job interview. It was just her and Todd, watching a movie, probably laughing about how crappy it was afterwards, walking around for a bit, maybe shopping, then home. That was all that was happening. Well, except for the holding hands and the romance and the possible kissing.

Gaz frowned at herself; she shouldn’t be complicating all this. Todd told her to act natural. However, she’d soon realised that it was a lot harder than it sounded. She wanted to act nicer to him that usual, she wanted to show him how much he meant to her and how much she really loved him.

But she’d never actually done any of this before. Practice made perfect, which meant messing it up a whole lot of times before finally getting it right. She didn’t want to mess it up with Todd, she wanted to get it perfect.

‘Damn it, it’s just a god damn movie!’ She mentally growled, ‘Nothing life changing! Just a movie with Todd!’

She sighed and admitted to herself, she was nervous, very, very nervous, more nervous than she’d been in a long time.

‘Stupid lovable Todd, making me all anxious,’ She half scowled half grinned, ‘I’m probably worrying over nothing. This will go fine, I just have to be myself with him and everything will go fine.’

She sighed and the butterflies in her stomach died down slightly. She suddenly wanted a nice cold high-in-sugar drink but she didn’t want to move from fear of missing Todd.

Gaz looked around looking up and down the street and through the large car park but she still couldn’t see Todd or even Johnny’s terrible car. She sighed, it didn’t matter, Todd had that odd gift of being able to just materialise out of nothing no matter where they where. Gaz couldn’t really admit it to Todd but sometimes he spooked her out and she sometimes worried that he was becoming more and more like Johnny. However, his saving grace was his complete lack of anger and secure gasp on reality, he’d may sometimes show traces of a deeper anger or show an uncanny knack for handling weapons and moving silently, but his heart was good and his intentions never harmful.

One thing Gaz knew was a problem for Todd was Shmee, that bear was… well something was wrong with it. She hated it and she was sure it hated her back, especially as Todd was leaving it home more and more since meeting Gaz.

The girl smiled, she enjoyed thinking she’d helped him overcome something that had been plaguing him since an early age. He’d told her about when he’d been locked up for a whole year about it. He’d tried to co-operate, but nothing worked. In the end he faked it all, having no more panic or anxiety attacks and they’d believed him, letting him out of the hospital and making him walk several miles to home.

“My poor Todd,” Gaz half-whispered to himself, “Having to suffer for so long without me being there for him…” she suddenly realised she was talking to herself and quickly shut her mouth. She didn’t want to pick up on Dib’s annoying habits.

“Gaz?” The girl’s head turned quickly and then her eyes widened to see Todd standing right next to her, clutching the strap for his worn out satchel-bag. His big wide dark brown eyes instantly telling her he was as nervous as she was but also intensely happy and glad to see her.

It was times like this that Gaz almost forgot that Todd was only sixteen years old, even though he was just about an inch higher then Gaz now and was even beginning to sprout one or two facial hairs on his chin. He was really starting to mature in his looks and body shape, which meant from the time Gaz met him to this point now, she’d notice summer growth spurt from a childish looking teenager to a much more mature looking young man but with still a hint of that scared little boy in him. She guessed he’d always look very young in his eyes.

He was wearing black pants, all star shoes and a long sleeved black top with a beige t-shirt over it featuring a picture of a smiling rotting zombie giving the thumbs up and the words ‘Brains! Good for what ails ya!’ printed above and below the zombie.

Gaz knew that if she was any different she would have considered him rather attractive looking, and while she knew she should be thinking that, the idea never really crossed her mind except only as a stand-off observation. She liked him for his personality, not his looks.

Still, she couldn’t help but feel a dash of pride knowing her boyfriend wasn’t bad looking.

Todd smiled nervously, “H-h-hi Gaz.” For a second, it looked like he was judging his next move, then he held out his arms.

Gaz quickly embraced him, happy to finally with the person she loved so much, “Hi Todd.”

The two held each other in a very natural, calm and loving way. He world around them seemed to drop away and for a moment, it was only the two of them, arms held lovingly around each others thin bodies, Gaz’s head resting just slightly on Todd’s shoulder.

Gaz realised why people must like hugging so much, it was comforting and nice and loving when with someone who truly meant something to you.

They finally let go, allowing the world to return to existence around them.

Todd was grinning but he bit his lip and he looked away, “You’re looking… good.” His eyes widened and he looked back to Gaz panicking, “But not in a, erm, that way! I just mean…” He gulped, “Oh crap I’m messing this up so much.”

“You’re not messing anything,” Gaz smiled, “And don’t worry, you look good as well.”

Todd blushed and smiled, “Really?” It was odd seeing this maturing young man act so much like a kid.

Gaz nodded, “Yes, really,” She chuckled, “Now come on or we’ll be late for the film.”

Todd nodded and walked up beside Gaz, who kept her arms in her pockets. Todd seemed to do the same, although he did seem to show a touch of disappointment but quickly went back to smiling happily at Gaz.

The two walked into the cinema, through the swishing doors and under the blast of warm air that hugged them upon entering. They manoeuvred past the groups of people and got in line for the shortest queue.

After a few moments of waiting and small talk about what they’d heard about the Daria movie, they approached the ticket clerk, who was a twenty-something looking woman at an average height, a slim, athletic looking build and long black hair. She was wearing a red and white uniform of the cinema, but one could spot that she was wearing a black skirt instead of pants.

Her name tag read ‘Mandy’ and she looked at the two with a bored, tired expression. “Yar?” She spoke with a polish accent, but it was clear she had no trouble speaking English.

“Two tickets to Life of the Mundane please.” Todd asked rather politely.

Gaz raised an eyebrow. “You’re not paying for me.”

Todd looked to her and his eyes widened again, “But… we’re on a date! I should pay!”

Gaz shook her head, “I still want to pay for my own ticket.”

“But, but…” Todd tried to argue, “But this is, like, manners and stuff!”

“I don’t mind paying for my own ticket,” Gaz put her hand into her pocket, searching for a five dollar bill that she was sure was in there.

“Gaz, come on,” Todd smiled at the girl, “Please? Lemmie pay?”

Gaz rolled her eyes and sighed at her boyfriend but also smiled, “Alright. But I buy the drinks.”

“Agreed,” Todd laughed, causing Gaz to laugh to, before turning back to the bored looking clerk. He coughed and said, “Two tickets to Life of the Mundane.”

“You already asked me,” Mandy replied, “Agh, whatever.” As she brought up the tickets she mumbled, “Czy ta pierdolona robota się kiedyś skończy?”

Todd raised an eyebrow at the phrase and looked to Gaz, who only shrugged.

“I’ll go get some drinks,” The teenage girl replied and turned out of the line, walking towards the refreshments bar.

‘So far so good,’ She thought as she asked the teenaged clerk for two poop colas. The clerk was an obvious goth, a thin scrawny build with the full pale skin, black makeup under one eye as well as a large shock of spiky red hair. But it looked silly when combined with his work uniform, a bad clash of personal and professional styles.

He obviously didn’t enjoy his job and when he turned back to Gaz, she spotted his nametag read ‘Jack’. He looked about Dib’s age and she was sure she’d seen him somewhere before but she brushed it off as Todd walked back over to her.

“Ok, got the tickets,” he grinned, “Want to go sit in now and make fun of the adverts?”

“Sure,” Gaz replied, silently eager to sit down after standing for so long outside.

“Hey, pay for drinks first,” Jack grumbled.

Gaz wordlessly glared at the clerk as she handed over her money and waited for the change.

The clerk mumbled something about how evil geniuses shouldn’t have to get part time jobs and handed Gaz her change. The couple then proceeded to find the theatre the film was being shown in and took two seats at the back near to the right corner. Unsurprisingly, the theatre was rather empty save a few people but the two quietly agreed that they preferred it this way, less people meant less noise with meant better movie watching.

However, as the two sat down onto the oddly comfortable seats, a sudden awkwardness set in. Gaz tried to keep the mood light by making some jokes about how, in the news, Umbrella corp. was buying everything up and taking over the world, but it seemed like Todd wanted to say something, yet he could only look to his hands and up to the adverts to joke about them or fill his mouth with the straw of his drink.

Gaz raised an eyebrow at him, “Todd? What’s the matter?”

He looked startled, but quickly re-gained his composure, or at least he thought he did but he only managed to look even more suspicious. “Nothing, I’m just… you know…”

“No, I don’t know,” Gaz replied with a soft voice she only used for Todd, “Come on, tell me, what’s wrong?”

“Well…” Todd looked down and sighed, “It’s just… I never really thought this would happen, you know?” He looked up to her eyes, “With you being asexual, I thought I’d never even get past admitting how much I love you to you.” He smiled slowly, “And for you to feel the same back… for us to be doing all this now… it’s just.” He chuckled lightly, “It’s really, really good.”

Gaz smiled at the teenage boy, “Hey, you know I never thought I’d ever be doing this either. It’s kind of a shock to even be on a date, never mind be on a date with someone as awesome as you.”

Todd blushed, “Thanks.” He grinned, “You’re pretty awesome yourself, you know.”

Gaz chuckled and leaned back in her seat, “Naa, you’re more awesome than I am.”

“No way,” Todd laughed as the awkward air vanished, “You’re like, the mega awesome.”

Gaz was about to reply, but the advert suddenly went off and the room darkened quickly, signalling the beginning of the trailers to upcoming movies and eventually the start of the movie itself.

Most of the trailers where rather uninteresting and boring looking, apart from one very creepy and gothic looking film called ‘The Vanity Fair’, which was about a bunch of sideshow freaks lead by some fire-breather .

Both Gaz and Todd agreed to check it out once it was released.

The lights became even dimmer and the movie finally began to show, Gaz sunk slightly lower into her seat to get comfortable and linked her fingers across her stomach with her elbows resting on seats arms.

So far this wasn’t so bad; it was just like a normal outing, except she didn’t have to buy her own ticket. Maybe having a boyfriend wouldn’t be as difficult as she thought, even if she was desireless for him.

She thought about what Dib had said sometime in the past, ‘When you get one, you just make it work… because you want to spend time with each other, so staying together is easy.’ She could hardly believe that Dib, for once, was right about something. She turned to look at her boyfriend, her boyfriend, who was busy watching the movie, and she smiled.

She wanted to be with Todd, so she knew they would last regardless of how either of them interpreted their feelings for one another. The most important thing was that they loved one another and with that alone their relationship was valid.

She couldn’t recall the name of the guy who’d said it, but the words that popped into her mind, in all their clichéd cheesy glory, in all its unbelievable simplicity, rang true. She looked back to the screen and whispered, “All you need is love.”

“Mmm,” Todd mumbled turning his head, then is eyes, to Gaz, “You say something Gazzy?”

“Nothing,” She hissed back. She paused then frowned at Todd. “Gazzy?”

Todd shrugged and smiled nervously, “What? We can’t have nicknames for each other now we’re together?”

“Well I don’t want to call you Squee, I know you hate that.” Gaz chuckled and scratched her chin, “And Zim’s stupid robot calls me Gazzy, so I’d rather not be called that either.”

Todd chuckled and smiled, “Well, alright then, I’ll try to think of something if you do the same.”

“Let’s just watch the movie first,” Gaz grinned back.

About one hour later the final credits began rolling and the couple stretched out of their seats, wincing slightly as the lights returned to complete brightness again.

Walking back out of the theatre Todd stuffed his hands into his pockets, “I can’t believe they put a musical number in there, I mean, what the hell Small?”

Gaz shook her head, “I know but at least the overall plot was good this time.”

“I wouldn’t say it was Oscar worthy performances though,” Todd muttered as they threw away their empty drinks, “Maybe an Emmy or something.”

As the two walked out, the paused for a moment to observe a very small girl with blond hair shouting up at the cinema clerk, Mandy, about how she was clearly old enough to go see the Daria film. Next to her another kid, a boy with a black and white striped shirt, stood nervously while the girl yelled about her being the rich and famous ‘Zimadonna’ and how she’d sue them for height discrimination.

The moment they got outside, Gaz stopped and stuffed her hands into her pockets. “Well what do you want to do now?”

Todd paused and looked around before shrugging. “I dunno… what do people usually do after going to the movies?”

“Erm,” Gaz chuckled, “Get something to eat?”

Todd laughed, “Alright then, but not at Mooby’s because it sucks.”

Gaz frowned, trying to think of somewhere half-decent the two could go. “Hum… what about… Eat or Die?”

Todd raised an eyebrow. “Is that place still open? Wow, I would have at least thought the place closed up by now, what with the death threats and all.”

“Whatever,” The older teen girl shrugged, “It’s still a good enough place to eat. Besides, after seeing all that pizza in that movie I feel the need to eat something noodle-shaped.”

Todd laughed and grinned, “Noodle-shaped!”

“Well,” Gaz half-frowned half-smiled, “Lets go before we starve to death.”

She turned to begin walking, but she saw Todd falter for a moment. He looked away, that familiar emotion of nervous hesitation entering his wide dark eyes. He’s hands rose up and began to tangle and untangle nervously.

The girl blinked. “What’s the matter?”

“Nothing!” Todd looked back up to, smiling but his eyes betraying him, “Nothing at all. Come on lets go.”

He began striding forwards, Gaz walking easily by his sides but her eyes locked onto his anxious face. She could tell he was thinking intensely about something, the urge to speak his mind out loud was all over him. But he couldn’t, and he wouldn’t. She knew that unless she asked, he’d never say a word; he’d just lock up and miss out on his chance only to severally beat himself up about it afterwards.

It was one of his great character flaws, a fear of failure backed by his self-hatred. It’d destroy him, and indeed it had been doing so for years, unless Gaz motivated him and constantly reminded him that whatever happened, she’d be behind him and never abandon him. She was never personally burdened by it, nor did she hate Todd for it, she’d support him no matter what he did and she would always support him.

After all, she loved the guy. She couldn’t hate Todd, not even for the universe.

“Todd,” Gaz spoke with a softness that could only be produced around the boy, “What’s the matter?”

“Wha?” Todd looked shocked, his wide eyes going even wider, which never ceased to amaze Gaz. “Oh, erm, nothing! Just… just nothing, you know?”

“You know you can tell me anything,” Gaz twitched a smile, “Come on? What is it?”

“I, erm, I… can…” He bit his lip and stopped walking, his head held down but his eyes looking to her. “Can I, erm, just, you know… hold your hand?” He immediately shut his eyes and braced for the, expectedly bad, answer.

Gaz blinked and unconsciously closed her hand up. Her heart skipped for a moment. Todd wanted to hold her hand, and she said she’d be fine with it. But in person, it was so much harder to do.

She felt nervous, what if she didn’t hold his hand right? What if he didn’t like it and let go? When should she let go? How tight should she hold it?

She looked down for a moment, cursing herself. She knew that it would please Todd immensely, and he’d probably understand if she wasn’t very good at it. Besides, in her own way she wanted to hold his hand. To her, it seemed a very close thing to do, a sign that they where linked together. Slowly she held her hand out and looked back up to Todd.

She smiled. “Sure.”

Todd’s eyes flew open and his face was the picture of overjoyed shock. “Really?”

She nodded. “We’re a couple. Couples hold hands. It’s only natural.”

Todd blinked. “But… are you comfortable with this? I mean, I know you said online you would be but… are you sure?”

Gaz nodded again, “Yes I’m sure. Holding hands is still one of the few close things asexuals can enjoy, at least for me anyway.”

Todd slowly smiled, “Alright. But just so you know, I’m happy you’re doing this for me.”

His hand stretched out and took hers, his fingers genteelly linking with hers, softly enough to be comfortable yet tight enough to not let go. The action instantly caused Gaz to draw herself closer to her boyfriend until they were almost shoulder-to-shoulder.

“I’d do anything for you,” Gaz replied as she enjoyed the comfortable closeness, “You know that.”

“And I’d do anything for you.” He grinned. “Damn I love you so much.”

Gaz chuckled as they began walking again, their hands still holding together. “I love you too! But if we stand around being romantic any longer I’m going to starve!”

“Agreed,” Todd nodded, “I’m starting to hear my belly complain.”

Gaz frowned without seriousness. “I’m surprise it can complain, considering how skinny you are.”

“Speak for yourself!” Todd countered, “You’re all skin and bones!”

The gentle argument continued between the two until they finally reached their chosen restaurant. A small place sided by two much larger restaurant buildings.

Eat or Die was unique in the way that the whole service was completely without any people there to serve you, unless perhaps the cooks in the kitchen and the faceless voice over the order intercom placed on the tables.

The place was decorated in a cold metallic grey, with open wires and neon lights hanging from the roof. The walls where covered in posters and stickers for underground bands and websites, giving the place an air of discarded and decaying youth. There where permanent stains on the walls. The place dealt only in Chinese foods, and an undeniable smell of oriental spices and cuisines circulated thought the air, greeting and yet simultaneously assaulting the senses.

The two teens sat down at a table situated against the only window, which overlooked the busy street. As they did so, they separated from each others side’s to sit across from each other, which meant Gaz finally let go of Todd’s hand. A tiny part of her was glad to have her hand back but a bigger part was sad because she’d let go. She rather enjoyed holding Todd’s hand.

Silently shaking the feel off, Gaz pressed the intercom button situated on their table and ordered some chicken chow main while Todd ordered chicken chop suey.

“Chicken is good,” Todd grinned, drumming his fingers on the table, “Especially in chop suey sauce.”

Gaz frowned, “I’ve no idea how you eat that stuff. It’s completely overstuffed with vegetables.”

“Well,” Todd shrugged, “I’m not a noodle fanatic like you.”

Gaz chuckled, “But noodles rock!”

Todd laughed and leaned back, sighing and smiling at Gaz who smiled back. “Well,” The boy announced, “For a first date this is going rather well.”

Gaz nodded, “It is more fun than I thought it’d be. I mean, I expected it to be fun but I thought I’d have to do all those stupid things you see in date movies.” She snickered, “Lesson learned, don’t trust movies.”

“Speaking of which, I wish to hear what you really thought about Small’s directing of that movie,” Todd leaned forward with a real interest showing in his eyes, “Come on, I know you must have thoughts about it.”

“Well,” Gaz scratched her chin, “I don’t think that cutting scene was any good… I’ve read the book and there’s no cutting scene.”

“It wasn’t even that realistic,” Todd nodded slowly, “I mean, what the hell was with all that bleeding, and a bandage?!” He smirked and shook his head, “Rubbish.”

Gaz’s eyes suddenly widened. “Hey… you know, speaking of cutting, you haven’t shown me your arm lately.”

Todd’s eyes widened in surprise, “Well… I dunno… we just stopped talking about it…” He smiled, “I completely forgot about cutting actually. Ever since I began feeling for you…”

“Well, can I see your arm anyway?” Gaz smiled as she grasped her own arm. “I haven’t cut in a long time actually. Ever since I came to terms with myself, you know?”

Todd nodded and drew back his left sleeve to show an arm covered in white scars, but no fresh cuts, not even one remotely close. Gaz did the same, showing she too hadn’t cut in a long time.

The couple smiled at each other and replaced their sleeves.

“I’m so glad I met you,” Todd said quietly, “Without you I’d still be full of pain and still be alone.”

“I’d still not know why I’m asexual, or even have anyone to talk to,” Gaz counted, sharing Todd’s quiet voice, “I can’t imagine my life without you.”

“Same here,” Todd looked on to Gaz with soft eyes and moved to prop up his head with one hand, his elbow resting on the table. “God, you’re amazing. Thank you for being you.”

“Thank you for being you,” Gaz grinned in reply, “You’re the one who changed my life.”

“Only after you changed mine!” Todd laughed back.

The intercom suddenly announced that their food was ready and Todd darted out his seat to go pick them up before Gaz could even offer to go herself. She knew Todd was trying to treat her nice, so she let him carry the two plates over and set them down before he quickly tucked into his own food like it was about to be taken away at any second.

Gaz shook her head slightly, but she knew Todd never really ate a real meal at his own home, so she let him consume his chop suey while she quietly ate her own chow mein.

Evidently, Todd was finished before Gaz was only halfway though her meal. He slid back slightly in his seat and sighed. “Well that was nice.”

“Considering you ate it like it was going out of fashion,” Gaz commented before putting some noodles into her mouth. She chewed, swallowed, and added, “But don’t worry, I understand why.”

Todd sighed slightly and looked down at the empty plate. “It’ll probably be the best meal I’ll have in a while. My own cooking is hardly any good.”

“Why don’t you eat more at mine?” Gaz asked quickly. “I’d love if you came to dinner.”

Todd blushed, “Well, I mean, it’s your house and just… you know…” he smiled nervously, “Really?”

“Of course,” Gaz chuckled as she stabbed a piece of chicken, “It’d be fun.” She ate her chicken piece and added, “You could even come over right now if you want. It’s not like we’ve got anything better to do for the rest of the day.”

Todd’s eyes widened, “That’d be awesome! I mean,” He caught himself as Gaz chuckled lightly, “If you don’t mind or anything like that…”

The girl smiled, “Todd. You’re my boyfriend whom I love and adore. Of course you can come to my house!”

“But, what about your dad?” Todd asked quietly, but within the same moment he looked down at the table, “Oh, I’m sorry, I keep looking for all the bad things…”

“No, it’s fine,” Gaz assured him, “Really its fine you brought him up.” She sighed. “Well I guess he’d have to meet you sometime. It might as well be now…”

“I know you’re not on good terms right now,” The boy replied slowly, “I don’t want him to cause any trouble with you… I only want to see you happy.”

“Don’t worry,” Gaz twitched a small smile at him as she finished the last of her noodles, “He can’t do anything to me if you’re there with me. With you I’m invincible.”

Todd grinned, “You’re really awesome, you know that?”

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WOOP!

Romantic as HELLS YEAH, you knows it FOO.

Ahems, yes, so, CHAPTER OVER FOR NOW! Next chapter will be chapter 20, and therefore, the LAST CHAPTER.

I’ve never got to 20 chapters before… awesome.

Anyways, REFERENCES TIME!

1: Daria, awesome show indeed.

2: Tribute to ma GOOOOD friend InvaderMandy on dev art who bought me a DA sub and reads this fic all the time. So I put her in there and gave her some polish to speak, I won’t reveal what it says, but it’s definitely not a positive job statement…

3: Jack Spicer! He’s in the house, workin part time, complain and chillin and MAXIN out the coolage.

4: Umbrella corp, RES EVIL.

5: Vanity Fair, goes out to ma dear ikkle sis Atticus X and her awesome comic idea.

6: Brandon Small, loves his works.

7: Zimadonna and Anakras reference, LOVE THEM! ZAAR FOREVER YO!

8: Eat or Die, I Feel Sick reference as to where Devi and Tenna go to eat for NOODLEY GOODNESS.

Sometimes I wonder if I put in too many tributes and references… but than again, I loves putting in tributes and references, MUST HOMAGE. THE POP CULTURE COMMANDS ME.

So, in all, date chapter done, next chapter prepare for a lovely Father-Daughter moment brought to you by alternative sexual orientations! YAY!

R&R you lovely readers out there, make the review button smile with your clicking!