DISCLAIMER: The song is Testing 1,2,3 by Barenaked Ladies, the characters are Tamora Pierce's. As much as I wish I could lay claim to them, they don't belong to me. To set this story up, Neal is reflecting about many things...
Neal ran a hand through his hair as he flopped onto his bed. His thoughts wandered, from the days lessons to how abysmally he had done at tilting. Kel was good at itâmaybe he could get her to help him.
Maybe it would be fun
to get a new opinion
get a little work done
and forget
Maybe it would be cool
if I rocked it old school
tried to break a gold rule
and a sweat
Kel. Hmm...his best friend, even is she was younger. Kel had such a level head, a good thing for someone who was friends with himself. Mithros, even if he told kel how he really felt about her, she would probably just attribute it to his sarcasm.
Better than the first time
better than the worst time
if I could just reverse time
I'd be set
Testing 1,2,3
can anybody hear me?
If I shed the irony
would anybody cheer me?
If I acted less like me
would I be in the clear?
Sarcasm...Neal was sick of it. Because of it, people rarely took him seriously. He could pour his heart out, and everyone would just laugh. Normally, his cynicism suited him, but not now. Not when so much lay at stake.
She got a new apartment
it's out on the escarpment
and in her glove compartment
are my songs
She hasn't even heard them
since she found out what the words meant
she decided she preferred them
all wrong
Neal paced, dramatic even when alone. He sighed out loud, there was no denying it. He had feelings for Kel. He didn't want to tell her, for fear it would ruin their friendship. She would probably think she was just a passing interest, anyway. Damn it!
Kind of like the last time
with a bunch of really fast rhymes
if we're living in the past I'm
soon gone
Testing 1,2,3
can anybody hear me?
If I shed the irony
would anybody cheer me?
If I acted less like me
would I be in the clear?
Neal jumped as the bell rang overhead signaling it was time for supper. He quickly pulled on a clean tunic and smoothed his hair. Kel may not know now he felt for her, but he could still look nice.
We recognize the present
is half as pleasant
as our nostalgia for
The past'll be presented
recast and reinvented
until it's how we meant it
"Eat your vegetables," Kel prodded.
"Yes, mother," Neal answered and tried to dodge a cuff. Kel hit him in spite of his attempt to avoid pain during this meal. She smiled, and her face lit up.
"Just eat your vegetables. You'll need the strength if I'm to help you with your tilting." Neal groaned. What had possessed him to ask Kel for help? She is the best of the pages, a voice in his head said. You know that's not the real reason, a second voice said, you just want to spend time with her.
Testing 1,2,3
can anybody hear me?
If I shed the irony
would anybody cheer me?
If I acted less like me
would I be in the clear?
He's everything that you need
you wiped out on your ten speed
and either he will succeed
or just suck
Free time. He could be reading, or studying. But no, here he was, sitting on a padded tilting saddle, lance in hand.
"Let's see," Kel said, watching him closely as he nudged his horse forward, bringing his lance down and missed the target completely.
"It's not funny!" he exclaimed when he noticed Kel doubled over with laughter.
Testing 1,2,3
can anybody hear me?
If I shed the irony
would anybody cheer me?
If I acted less like me
Would I be in the clear?
Kel leaned over Neal, a worried look on her face. He lay in the dirt after falling from his saddle.
"Are you alright?" she asked
"Nothing's broken. I'm just bruised. With my gift, I'll be fine by tomorrow," he answered as Kel helped him to stand.
"How exactly did you manage that? I mean, you had a tilting saddle!"
"I don't know, I guess I'm just talented."
"I suppose you're done in for the day. Unless you want to continue..."
"No!"
Begin the...
Testing 1,2,3
can anybody hear me?
If I shed the irony
would anybody cheer me?
If I acted less like me
would I be in the clear, G?
Testing 1,2,3,
Testing 1,2,3
"Kel, my darling, you are insane, but I love you in spite of it."
She just laughed.