(Summary: Sequel to 'Some Devil'. You'll just have to read and see what happens cuz at the moment, I'm not even sure of what's going to happen. Rated PG. I own nothing.)
Reya sat on the park bench, leafing through a catalogue for prom. She was going with a group of friends to the senior prom, and finding a dress was a nightmare. Everything was either too big, too small, too revealing, too foofy, too frilly, or just a bad color. The catalogue was snatched from her hands, and when she looked up to shout at the low-life, she broke into a smile and snatched it back. "Just once, will I be able to go somewhere without being stalked by you?" she asked, and he smiled mischieviously.
"I'm the fly you can't swat away," he said, trying to snatch the catalogue away from her again. She side stepped him and shook her head.
"Nice try- hey!" He tried again, and she dodged him. But this time she lost her footing and fell over, flat on her back, and Wonka laughed.
"Sorry," he said, helping her up. "Didn't mean to make you fall, although you should always watch where you're going"
"Man, what was I thinking," she said sarcastically.
"So what are you looking at anyway?" He tried yet again, and she jerked away.
"Prom dresses," she said, moving away from him.
"Hmm," he said, tapping his finger to his cheek. "I'm thinking bright pink"
"I'm-a-thinkin' you're crazy," she said, smiling.
"Not you too!" he said, over dramatically. "You're the only one left who thinks I'm sane!" She laughed and shook her head.
"Can the act, drama queen," she said, glancing at her watch. "Besides, I gotta go home for dinner"
"First you call me crazy, now you're leaving me?" he said, still being dramatic. She walked over and pat him on the shoulder.
"It happens," she said, and walked off, waving over her shoulder. "See you tomorrow," she said, turning and giving him a smile. He waved and walked off, waving his cane in front of him.
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Reya surveyed the contents of the freezer, and found her container of ice cream. "Mom," she called. "I'm going for a walk." She waited and soon heard a muffled 'okay'. She grabbed a spoon and walked out the door and into the night.
There was a warm breeze in the air, and it was a full moon. She hummed as she walked, and heard footsteps behind her. "Fancy meeting you here," she said, not bothering to look. She heard a chuckled and turned to face Wonka.
"A coincidence, I swear!" he said, holding up his hands.
"Don't lie. Besides, you're terrible at it." She smiled, and he walked over, tapping his cane on the pavement below him.
"What was that song you were humming?" he asked.
"Nothing," she said, glancing at her ice cream. In a blink of an eye, it was snatched away from her, and she gave a shout and tried to grab it from him.
"It wasn't nothing," he said playfully, and jumped on top of a bench, wiggling the container around mockingly. "C'mon," he said.
"Hey! Gimme that!" she said, jumping for it. He jumped off the bench and backed away, still holding it in front of him.
"Tell me," he teased.
"Anywhere by Evanescence, okay? Give it to me"
"Goodness me! I guess no one should ever come between a woman and her ice cream," he said, still not giving it back. "But then again, I am curious now. I've never heard of that song. Perhaps you're lying?" He raised an eyebrow and she rolled her eyes.
"I'll loan you the album. C'mon"
"Sing it," he said, giving her a mischievous grin.
"No!" she said, reaching for her ice cream. He looked at the lable.
"Brownie Batter, eh? My favorite. Would be a shame if I ate it, now wouldn't it"
"Willy!" she protested, diving at him, but he moved out of the way and she landed on the ground instead. He squated down and looked at her, wagging his finger.
"You must love being on the ground today," he said with a smile. He pointed to the ice cream. "All you have to do is sing." She looked at him, knowing she couldn't win, and sighed.
"We're leaving here tonight/ There's no need to tell anyone/ They'd only hold us down/ So by the morning's light/ We'll be halfway to anywhere/ Where love is more than just your name..." She sang, and snatched the ice cream back.
"That's it?" he asked.
"You didn't say anything about singing the full song," she said, standing up. He smiled and stood up and walked with her through the park.
"Have you picked out a prom dress yet?" he asked as they walked.
"Not yet. I'm going with a group of friends. No date"
"That's the better way to do it, if you don't mind me saying." She looked at him.
"You went to prom"
"Of course I did. Don't be ridiculous, my dear"
"But, I thought you were homeschooled." He smirked.
"I was, but Mandy wasn't." Reya gave him a mischievous glance and smiled.
"Ooo! Who's Mandy? Has Wonka been hiding a secret girlfriend"
"No," he said, shaking his head. "She was just a friend." She winked at him and giggled.
"I see. Uh-huh." He gently shoved her and laughed.
"We never dated, Reya," he said with a smile. "In fact, I've never dated anyone." She looked at him wide-eyed.
"Never? Wow. I guess I always saw you as the ladies' man." "Oh really?" he asked in a deep voice and tipping his hat. Reya turned red and held in a laugh.
"Don't feel bad, she said, waving it off. "I've never dated either"
"I don't feel bad about it, actually. I've really had no need for a girlfriend"
"Really?" she asked in a tone that made it obvious she didn't believe him.
"Well, I guess I've thought about it before," he said, tucking a strand of hair behing his ear. "But I never got around to it"
"You're better about it than me, then," she sighed. "I lay around at night and dream about finding the perfect guy"
"Is that so?" he asked, seeming interested.
"Yeah, I mean what girl doesn't? I just want one that makes me feel... secure, you know? Someone who's okay with holding me when I need him to and cuddling, and willing to protect me. Someone who understands me"
"Well, not to burst your bubble, Reya, but I highly doubt anyone will fully understand you." She laughed and nudged him and he laughed.
"Oh thanks!" she said, rolling her eyes.
"You know, if you do that too many times, they'll get stuck like that," he pointed out. She thought about it for a minute and laughed.
"Cool!" He laughed and put an arm around her.
"I rest my case. Incomprehensible, you are, my pet." He took his arm off her after a minute, and they walked down to a nearby park and sat on the swings to talk.
"What about you?" she asked after a minute. "I mean, let's say you were interested in a woman. What would she have to be like?" He contorted his face as he thought about.
"Gosh, I haven't given much thought to it. I guess... she would have to be loyal," he said at last. "Definitely loving and passionate, but not caught up in everyone else's opinion of her. Be who she is and not afraid to be seen in public"
"What about looks?" He shook his head.
"Looks shouldn't amount for anything because in the blink of an eye they could lose them. But, speaking realistically... I would hope she's pretty. I am human"
"That marks me off the list," she said with a smile.
"You're afraid of who you are?" he asked.
"No, I meant the pretty part. I mean, you've seen me at my worst. After all the things I've done, do you honestly think that this-" she gestured to herself, "-is pretty"
"Reya... who your were in the past doesn't matter. It's who you are now that effects who you could be in the future. And that's what matters." She lowered her head.
"It's just... I have moments where I do feel pretty. And not like concieted or anything, I just feel good about myself. And it's happened a lot more often because of the meds I'm on now, but when I think back on my dad..." she paused as tears formed. "...and how one little ugly lie killed him... and how it was me who told that lie. I can't help but feel it's my fault." She looked up and a tear rolled down her cheek when she blinked. He reached his hand over and stroked her cheek gently. "How is that pretty"
"Oh, Reya," he said sympathetically. "Your father, if he were here now, would say you are one of the most beautiful women on the planet, the most beautiful would be your mother, but you and your sister would tie for second. But he would hold you right now, and tell you that you're beautiful because he loves you. When you had your last conversation with him, he wasn't angry with you. He didn't once tell you he hated you, because he honestly didn't. He loves you enough to forgive you. The only thing left to do is forgive yourself"
"Easier said than done," she muttered, looking down again. He reached his arms out to her and gave her a bear hug, rubbing her back. "It's okay," he said softly. "It's okay if it still hurts"
She was silent and he held her for a minute and then let go gently. They walked back to her house, talking, trying to lighten the mood a little more. When they reached her door there was a note on it from her mom. "Gone to the store. Be back soon. Love, Mom," read Reya.
"So it's just your sister then?" he asked. "No, she's at a sleepover. Someone's birthday I guess," said Reya, smiling now. "Thanks for putting up with that... again. I know most men don't appreciate basket cases like me." He shook his head.
"When I said I'd be there for you, I meant whenever you need me, not just some of the time," he said softly. "And for the record, I think you're beautiful too." He kissed her cheek gently, tipped his hat and left without another word. Reya smiled to herself and leaned against the door, watching him go.
"Wow," she muttered to herself, and then finally went inside, turning in for the night.
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