Falling Up

Chapter Two

            “Everything?  You really mean it?” Jakko grabbed Sharon’s hands and shook them, his deep blue eyes lighting up.

            “Ouch,” Sharon frowned, jumping a little, her right hand still sore from earlier.

            “Sorry,” Jakko grinned, shrugging.  “I was just glad you remembered something Per- sorry... Sharon.”

            “That’s all right I guess....” Sharon tried not to meet his eyes.  “Areli?  You’re quiet,” she muttered, watching him closely through her stormy grey eyes, her dark blond hair still messy from sleeping in that morning.  “Is something wrong?”

            “Aurgh, worry about me for once,” Jakko frowned.

            “Why should I worry about the idiot Seaweed Head?” Sharon asked, trying to pull her hands from him.

            “Well, because Areli and I are one and the same person!” Jakko frowned, letting go of her hands.

            “Stop saying nonsense like that,” Sharon shook her head.  “Areliii!” she waved her bandaged right hand in front of his blank face.  “Ooooiiii!”

            “Don’t die on us here,” Jakko chuckled, earning himself an angry look from Sharon.

            “That’s not funny!” Sharon said, her nose wrinkling.  “Don’t laugh!” she whined, looking close to tears.

            “Sorry, I’m still here,” Areli’s red eyes gleaming sadly, like those of a hut dog.  He put a gentle hand on her head, his gaze shifting to watch Jakko.

            “You do that again and I swear I’ll wring your neck,” Areli said, his voice showing every sign he was serious.

            Sharon did not like the dark look in his eyes.  She felt something was different from when she had first met him a few days ago, although it felt like she had known him forever.  At least it had seemed like forever until she had remembered what had happened before waking up in the coffin.

            “Stop fighting!  You two are such big babies!” Sharon raised her voice, not intending to do so.  “Can’t you stop arguing for even a few minutes?” she asked, sitting up and accidentally bumping her forehead against Jakko’s, who had decided to lean forward at a very inconvenient moment.

            “Ouch!” they exclaimed at the same time, Sharon laying back down, holding her forehead and Jakko jumping back, making a face.

            “What is your head made of?” Jakko winced, touching his forehead carefully.  “That hurt!”

            Sharon stuck her tongue out.  “That’s what you get Seaweed Head, especially when you lean forward like that!”

            “No, it’s because you sat up at the precise moment I leaned forward you uncute brat!” Jakko said haughtily, crossing his arms, a defiant look in his eyes.

            “No it isn’t!” Sharon exclaimed, sitting back up, both hands still holding her forehead.

            “Then how about you prove it?”

            Sharon froze, her eyes going wide.  “What did you just say?” she asked, her voice shaky.  She pulled her knees up to her chest, wrinkling her forehead, watching Jakko closely.