Thread: ugh

RE Lights in the North Nova's drabble Smashed Pumpkins For Juno '3 ---------- Jon and Robb are eight when they meet Theon, who is their own age, and Brady is still seven. Because he is a year younger at first Theon treats the blonde like an infant the fact that Brady still looks like a girl doesnt help in the least but he mostly lays off when Jon and Robb are around. Because Brady was their friend first and Theon Greyjoys big secret is he just really wants the other kids to like him. Jon suspects this, but he knows that Theon would probably punch his lights out a term he learned at hockey practice if he says anything, so instead he keeps quiet and tolerates it. Plus Robb actually likes him, and Robb is his brother and best friend tied, of course, with Brady so Jon would do anything for him. Theon still doesnt respect Brady when hes eleven, and Brady is ten, so when Brady says that smashing pumpkins and egging people at Halloween is too mean Theon rolls his eyes and calls him a stupid baby. Jon kind of wants to hit him but Robb steps in like he so often does and tells Theon that he thinks its a dumb idea. Its better just to get candy on Halloween, and besides, Ned will kick all of their asses if they get caught. Jon blushes a little when Robb swears. This is a new thing that Theon brought to the group. It isnt that they havent heard the words before, they have especially Brady who grew up on what Catelyn calls the wrong side of the tracks but they didnt use them because you just werent supposed to. It wasnt a good reason, but it was the way things were, and they had been content. But along came Theon and everything changed. A part of Jon knew it was just growing up, but he wasnt a fan of it. Theon ends up giving in because the unspoken agreement in the group is that Robb is the leader, plus everyone sees the sense in his logic. It is the first year that they are allowed to go out alone as a group so long as they stay within certain neighborhoods and they have big plans to go to every house now that they dont have the babies dragging them down. Weeks of preparation went into their costumes, including a lively debate about what they should be that resulted in the breaking of one of Catelyns vases. After they buried the vase on one of the far corners of the Stark property Robb had initially wanted to own up to it, but they all knew theyd be grounded for life so it was really the only rational thing to do they decided to go as characters from Star Wars. Robb says hes going to be Han Solo, and even though thats Jons favourite character he agrees because Theon does, and hed rather they not argue again today. They decide Brady should be Luke even though hes the tallest because Bradys blonde and itll be the easiest and cheapest costume to make and the second unspoken agreement in their groups is they never talk about how Brady is a lot poorer than they are. Theon says he should be Darth Vader, because even though Vader is evil hes also the coolest, and Jon should be Yoda because hes short. At first Jons embarrassed about this, his height is starting to become a sore point, but he relents quickly because everyone knows that Yoda is the best character. Jon ends up having to use green face paint instead of a mask because some cop came to their school to talk about how masks were dangerous and hard to see out of, and even though Catelyn doesnt like him that much no child under her care is going to be hit by a car because they cant see whats going on around them. On the night of Halloween, Theon hides his mask under his cape and puts it on when they get down the block from the Stark property, and the first thing he does with the Darth Vader voice control is call Jon a pussy for not doing the same. But its all in good fun, and it ends up being a really good night until they get to the dentists house. When they get to the end of the driveway to compare what the guy has given them, they find out it is toothbrushes and raisins. Theon is furious not only because thats really lame, but his toothbrush is pink. He says hes going to smash one of the pumpkins Robb agrees to do the other one, and the normally quiet Brady begs them not to. Its really mean, Theon. His voice is kind of high, and Jon knows that means that hes upset but trying not to show it. Some kids probably worked really hard on those pumpkins, and its really stupid that youd smash them, okay? Stop being such a baby, Miller. Theon uses last names when hes mad. You dont have to come and smash them if youre gonna fucking cry about it, just go wait on the sidewalk. Ill wait too. Jon doesnt normally break from the group, and hes glad they cant see him blushing under his green makeup when everyone turns to look at him. Theres only two pumpkins anyway, and we dont want to get caught. He does his best to sound like he couldnt care less, and thankfully Theon and Robb seem to buy it. They all walk down the sidewalk a little bit, but then Theon and Robb cut through a gap in the hedges. Jon and Brady wait dutifully, and its then that Jon notices his friend is wiping roughly at his cheeks. If the other two were there theyd all ignore it, but theyre gone so Jon asks him whats wrong. Nothing. Bradys immediately defensive, and he looks away from Jon, down the well-lit street. I think its mean to smash pumpkins too. Jons voice is low, and he purses his lips as he studies the back of Bradys blonde head. Hes relieved when his friend turns back to face him, and he pulls a stupid face eyes crossed and tongue stuck out that usually makes the slightly younger boy laugh. He only smiles a little, so Jon pulls him into a hug. He wouldnt have done it if Theon was around, but Theons off being a jerk so the others can take what Theon says about their hugging. Someone smashed mine. Brady finally admits during the hug, and Jon tells him hes sorry when he lets the taller boy go. I had to beg them to let me have one and I spent two hours on it. And then this morning I woke up and someone took it off the porch and smashed it. Thats bullshit. They both giggle and blush when Jon says it, and theyre still laughing when Robb and Theon come crashing out of the bushes. They all take off running and they dont stop until two blocks later.