Friday, December 18, 2015

Monster College - 5

"Monster College - 5"
orig. 10/23/2015
MH Elly x Jackson (21+) / Holt (21+)
"Confession" scenario - PG
Non-Canon Cartoon: Monster High (after HS)

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Elly stopped where she was, her hand in mid-air. 

She'd been walking as fast as possible to get to her class on time and came across an interesting scene. Frankie and Jackson were right there in the shortcut hall in front of her. The two were chatting in a very friendly fashion, and then they hugged, laughing. "That could be anything," she mumbled to herself. It doesn't mean anything! They're friends. That's all. A light tapping announced the arrival of another on the scene. Elly turned and saw the flower ghoul that had greeted her the day she found the map. "Oh, hi! I was just..."

"I see what you were doing," she said in a falsely soothing voice. "And I don't blame you for being upset."

"What?"

"I mean, you've been dating them, right? And I heard it was getting doubly serious."

Elly coughed in embarrassment. "Well, I don't know about that, but yes, they both like me. I like them."

"And they both like her. In fact, they've liked her long before you." She gestured down the hall.

"What the hell? He wouldn't -"

"Didn't you know? Jackson and Holt were supposed to start dating Frankie when they each worked out how to deal with their other half." Blossom covered her mouth with her hand in mock surprise as the other woman's ears laid back.

"I have to go," Elly blurted out and ran blindly off in the opposite direction. 

"Oh, my! Did I cause a little trouble?" The plant girl's mouth curved into a wicked smirk. She walked forward, intent on interrupting the two friends' conversation.

Moments ago Jackson had turned a corner, rushing to his next class with his green pack jammed with books. He'd chosen this secluded hallway because it was a shortcut from the music floor to the sciences, and he was running late. Others knew about this, of course, and he almost bumped into a girl as he jogged quickly forward. He was about to stammer out an apology on the run when he saw who it was.

"Hey, Frankie!" He called out happily, stopping in his tracks. 

She spun about with a grin. "Jackson!" The two rushed over to meet. "How are you two and Elly doing?"

"Great." He blushed and dropped his head shyly. 

"That's fangtastic!" She squealed.

"I mean, really great." He lowered his voice, moving closer so only she could hear. "I think we're in love with her." He paused. "I know I am." Frankie's eyes widened further and she threw her arms around her friend, laughing with delight. 

"Did you tell her yet?"

"Nope. I was going to maybe do it tonight at the club. That way we both could..."

"Blossom?" Frankie tilted her head quizzically at the titter of laughter behind them. "Hi! What're you doing there?"

"Oh, nothing," she called in a sing-song voice. "I'll definitely be going to the club tonight. I guess I'll see you there with your lovely girlfriend!" She smiled a sickeningly sweet smile at the human, who leaned back a little out of her way.

"Uh... yeah."

"I wouldn't miss it for the world!" She laughed again as she strolled down the hallway.

"What in the world was that about?" Frankie asked.

"I don't know," he said, puzzled.  "If I know her, it's probably not good." He said goodbye, and went off to his class like usual. He got there on time, which was lucky considering how late a start he'd gotten and then chatting with Frankie along the way. He also did very well that day and was quite pleased with himself as he walked back to his room.

It's been a good day, he thought as he sat on the couch and closed his eyes momentarily. Maybe it really is the right time to tell her. If it goes like everything else did today, it'll be awesome.

But when he went to dial Elly on his phone, she didn't answer. The first time he tried he figured she was busy and she'd text him or something when she was done with whatever she had to do. He sent a text himself, just in case, and closed his eyes again to relax for a bit. He woke, startled, hours later when his phone chimed to let him know Holt had to be at the club soon. There were no messages although it was dark out and he knew she had to have gotten his. 

"What's going on?"

At her dorm room, Elly was curled in a tight ball under a thin blanket. "I know I'm being stupid," she moaned softly, "He wouldn't do that to me, neither of them would." She hadn't trusted herself to reply back to him yet because she didn't want to alarm him. Jackson had both called and texted her multiple times and she knew he was going to be worried anyway, so now she was really upset. She was starting to cry when he finally panicked in his dorm and called one more time.

"Elly? Are you okay? Please call back." He held the phone out and stared at in in chagrin. "Damn it." He couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. But Holt hadn't said anything to her lately, and he knew he hadn't upset her when they last talked. He was certain because when he'd kissed her goodnight she'd melted softly in his arms. She wouldn't have done that if she were angry at him or anything. He stood up, stretched and then walked purposefully out the door without a thought about the club. It took about fifteen minutes to cross the pathway between the girl and boy dorms and reach her room. Unfortunately for him, it only took a single knock before Elly saw who was coming and bolted.

"Wait," he yelped, darting around the hall corners and finally out the door after her. "Elly, wait!"

"I can't right now! I'm sorry!" Her voice had a terrible catch in it that wrenched at his heart. Jackson strained to run faster but he was at his limit. She was simply faster than a human. In panic, he did the only thing he could do: he pulled his iCoffin from his pocket and plugged in the headphones. His fiery persona flashed into existence and caught up with her in seconds.

"Elly!" 

"Holt?" She sagged and he caught her before she fell. "Let me go, I - I'm not ready to talk yet..."

"Nah, we gotta talk now." He held her tighter when she struggled and lifted her feet off the ground. "I said no - ugh, that's it!" People were openly staring at the couple and he knew it might be hard to have peace and quiet where they were. They needed someplace quiet. He glanced around to get his bearings and then ran off to the east as fast as he could. Holt was extremely nimble on his feet. He dashed around monsters ambling around campus and through the streets of town until he'd reached his destination. Elly only peeked out from her hands when she heard the rumble of water, loud in her ears. Holt had let her go and when she looked for him he was seated close by on a worn rock shelf, behind a great waterfall splashing only feet away. His earbuds were out, but he was still himself and he instantly guessed what she was thinking.

"It's the waterfall," he said quietly, his eyes meeting hers in a serious gaze totally unlike him. "I don't have to have them in." He held out a hand. "Please - whatever it is, we'll fix it."

"Maybe you can't." She bit her lip when he dropped his hand in defeat.

"I want to. I don't like seeing you upset. It's probably my fault, too. It usually is." Once more he seemed different now, and she was intrigued enough to open up a bit more.

"Um." She took a deep breath, inhaling the clean scent of the water and feeling the spray caress her face. I'd better just say it, she thought and went on bravely, "Blossom told me you and Frankie were going to date once you got your dual nature under control."

Holt spluttered in surprise. "That's what has you upset?"

"Yes! You - you two... " she stammered to a stop and then blurted out, "Heath told me it was true, too. And Abbey. And..."

"Everyone?" He shook his head. "I know them well enough to know they also said I really liked you. Right?"

"Yes." She fidgeted, her hands grasping each other and twisting.

"And I'd be surprised if no one mentioned that Frankie has been dating someone for years. Since high school."

"I didn't know that!"

He blew out air in a huge gust of wind that smelled faintly of smoke. "Damn, girl, you really had us worried. Nerd boy even gave me free reign just to catch you just now." He stood up with a slight grimace as his knees popped, then walked closer.

"I'm sorry, I just, it's not that I didn't trust you, I really did. My life has always sucked, so I guess I just felt weird about it."

He shook his head. "Ah, so it is my fault." She leaned away, dismayed, but he caught her and tugged gently until she walked into his arms of her own accord. "We should have been clearer about how we felt," he apologized. "I know you had some bad times and you won't forget them, but we can make better ones."

"Oh," she gasped. "This isn't like you. I mean, I didn't mean anything bad. You're just not usually so calm."

"I know," he grinned. "Weird, isn't it? When I come here I sort of chill out. It's a nice place. I like to write music sometimes." His voice trailed off and when she stared incredulously at him, his gaze was far away and even soft. "I'd wanted to take you here under better circumstances, but, eh."

"Holt." She swallowed past the catch in her throat, feeling rotten for having put them both through so much.

"Mhhmm?"

"I'm sorry. I should have told you." 

His lips quirked in a smile. "Yeah. You should've."

"Hey."

He chuckled. "I said before it's my fault, too. I never told you how I felt. That must have been confusing, especially when y'heard about Frankie and us." She nodded. Holt's smile widened and he placed his forehead to hers in that way he had, to stare into her eyes. "You can ask normie-me, too, but we both feel the same way. I love you." Elly blinked several times, frozen in shock. She opened her mouth but nothing came out at first, and all she could do was hug him as tightly as she could. 

After she'd calmed down a bit, she rubbed her cheek against his, purring softly. "I love you, too. Both of you. All of you."


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