The Chronicles of Tasha and Tyrone

Chapter 8: Yellow Straws and Clumsy Kangaroos (Tasha)

Tasha and Pablo sat on Pablo's patio as they played 'The Game of Life'. Pablo made delicious blueberry popsicles that made Tasha's tongue blue.

"So what did you think of wall time during recess today?" Pablo asked Tasha.

Tasha could only think about what happened during wall time. Not being able to play kickball or jump rope wouldn't stop her from having a good time at recess. She stared at Tyrone's beautiful brown eyes and moose antlers for the whole twenty minutes. Tyrone gave her a subtle wink and Tasha fainted.

Tasha couldn't remember what happened next. She blanked out. The world was dark for about two whole minutes until she heard Tyrone's confident voice faintly.

"Move out of the way, Pablo. I got this," Tasha heard Tyrone say. In her fuzzy vision she saw Tyrone kneel down and lean over Tasha as Pablo crossed his arms. She could see Uniqua with a jealous expression on her face as Pablo showed clear envy of Tyrone trying to win over Tasha. Austin ate potatoes next to Pablo. Tasha could hear him chew very loudly.

Tyrone smiled at Tasha and her blurry vision became clear and she suddenly sat up.

"Oh, Tyrone! You saved my life! How could I ever thank you?" Tasha exclaimed with glee.

Tasha then got shot out of her flashback from today and back into reality as she heard Pablo say, "Uh, Tasha, are you okay?"

"What? Yes! Of course I am! Why wouldn't I be?" Tasha answered.

"Well, you didn't answer me for three-and-a-half minutes. Yes, I counted. Two-hundred-and-ten seconds of you smiling ridiculously and you still haven't answered my question. How was wall time for you?" Pablo asked.

"Amazing," Tasha answered.

Pablo's eyes narrowed, "I don't understand. It was torture. Why was wall time so good for you?" Pablo asked.

"Because..." Tasha was about to tell Pablo how strong Tyrone is and how wonderful he was nursing her back to health, not to mention his beautiful eyes and antlers, but she then realized that Pablo is definitely not the right person to talk to about that. She changed her mind and just said, "Because I was with my friends."

All of these thoughts about Tyrone reminded Tasha about her discussion with Austin just ten minutes ago. Where was Austin?

Tasha looked at her surroundings. While glancing at Tyrone's backyard, she spotted him talking to Uniqua. Her eyes widened. She growled.

"Where is Austin?!" Tasha shouted.

Tasha heard leaves crumbling and a familiar voice shouting. She then witnessed a purple figure falling onto the ground.

The purple figure was Austin! He laid flat on his back, groaning in pain and rubbing his head. All he could say was, "Ow!"

Tasha felt no bit of guilt or sorrow for Austin. She was angry at him for even letting Uniqua get within fifty feet of her future boyfriend, the love of her life, the beautiful moose with the gorgeous eyes and antlers, with undying strength and ability to care for the one he loves!

"Austin, what are you doing?" Tasha exclaimed.

"I-I-!" Austin stuttered.

Tasha was too angry to listen to Austin's trouble to speak. She interrupted her with great anger, "-Stop stalling! Tell me everything!"

Pablo was speechless. He helped Austin onto his feet and picked up his potatoes for him. Austin began to point to Pablo's tree and say, "I-I just fell from that tree and-!"

"Did I ask about you?" Tasha screamed at Austin in pure rage and displeasure.

She then realized that Pablo could not find out that she asked Austin to spy on her real love, Tyrone, and the distraction, the pink creature that calls herself one-of-a-kind and unique, so she needed him to leave the conversation so she can talk to Austin.

Tasha acted calm, "Pablo, will you do me a favor and make me a glass of lemonade from scratch?" She began to fan herself, "it's awfully hot outside, don't you think? And do you mind making more blueberry popsicles? They were delicious." She faced Austin, "I'm in so much pain right now."

"Don't you also think it would be a good idea to bring first-aid supplies for Austin?" Pablo asked.

"Yeah, that too," Tasha said as Pablo walked inside his house, "And don't forget to add a yellow straw in my lemonade!"

"I don't have yellow straws!" Pablo yelled in the distance, "I only have blue!"

"Then go to the store and get yellow straws!" Tasha rolled her eyes then faced Austin, "Can you believe that some people think I'll settle for anything less than for what I ask for?"

Austin shook his head nervously. They both took a seat on the grass.

Tasha began to talk to Austin mysteriously, "So, Austin, what did you find out about Tyrone and Uniqua? Did you do exactly as I asked of you?"

Tasha could see sweat coming from Austin's forehead. Was it from the hot weather, or was he hiding something?

"Um, I didn't-!" Austin began.

"Do you love your potatoes?! I shouldn't have to repeat myself, Austin. I need answers and I need them now!" Tasha shouted.

"I've been following Tyrone ever since you told me to spy on him and Uniqua, Miss Tasha. He was, uh, in his backyard the whole time, and Uniqua came two minutes before I fell and started talking to him," Austin explained.

Tasha became more furious than she already was. "How dare she?!"

She then faced Austin, begging for more details. "What did they talk about?!" she asked.

"Not much, honestly. Just the project and how much they're disappointed about the bad grade." Austin answered.

"Tell me more!" Tasha demanded.

"Th-there isn't any more," Austin said.

Tasha looked at Tyrone and Uniqua. They were laughing, and they looked like they were enjoying themselves.

"Then what are you doing talking to me?! Why aren't you spying on them like I asked you!" Tasha shouted.

Austin began to stutter, "I-I-!"

"-Don't make me go to your house and destroy your potatoes, because you know I will do that!" Tasha screamed.

"But I-!" Austin shouted.

"-Then go over there and find out what they're talking about, and come to my house after!" Tasha ordered.

"On it!" Austin said. He ran over behind the bushes in Tyrone's house as Tasha sat back down on Pablo's patio. She watched Tyrone wink at Uniqua. She had to resist the urge to go over there and order Uniqua to step away from her love with the pretty eyes and antlers, having power like no other yet he is responsible and will protect his love at any cost. And that love better be Tasha.

Pablo came running to the patio with a glass of lemonade and a yellow straw like she asked, a tray of blueberry popsicles and a first-aid kit. He set the lemonade and popsicles on the table on his patio and looked around for the injured purple kangaroo. "Where's Austin?" he asked.

"He went to his house for first-aid." Tasha lied. She glanced over at the bush as Austin gave her a thumbs up. She faced Pablo, "I think I'm going to take the lemonade and popsicles home, if that's okay. I'm tired and I want to rest."

"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow." Pablo said.

Tasha walked toward her house, and as Pablo went into his house, she went to the bush in Tyrone's backyard where Austin was.