Lotion Legacies

Eight the Choice Master

There was whoopie cushions buried in the dark of Nine's favorite arm chair. Eight, the prankster, was wearing a Bob the Builder tool belt for kids, and a bright pink sweat band. It was only to make Marina laugh of course. All of the Garde could use some laughs.

No one crossed Nine, except for maybe John who...lets just say 'doesn't always make the best decisions.' Six seemed to be the only one who realized this. Whether it was saving Sam from bad dates by walking in with a pair of bowling shoes (at least his third wheeling made Sam laugh and say, "Whoever loses pays for the rounds!" - because John was terrible at bowling), or buying ice for Marina ("John, I can just make ice.."), he was always trying to help. Maybe failing. Ella always laughed, so John didn't care.

Ella. She did things differently. Thumb always hovering over the record button, pictures always ready to be taken, and with many laughs to give, Ella had full control over embarrassment - paramount. She had a video of Eight fake crying over a melted popsicle.

Eight was known for jokes, but also for being there for people. He was gentle and caring. That's why Marina liked him.

That's also why she agreed to go on a date with him. Marina only hoped the jokes wouldn't ruin it. 

As she slipped on her blue blouse and small earrings, she couldn't help but wonder where this night was about to go. She hoped Eight would put the jokes aside and be genuine. Eight, on the other hand, was struggling. 

Rocking back and forth on his bathroom floor, Eight was hyperventilating. Marina had actually agreed to go out with him. Duh, Eight! Of course she would, you guys kissed.. but that kiss was slobbery, Eight. You can do better. 

Stupid Eight. He hits himself on his sweaty head. The room is getting hot, he can't think. Must not joke must not joke must not joke must not slobber on Marina's face and embarrass yourself. 

He checks the alarm clock resting next to the bathtub. It was 7:30 P.M. !! Almost time to pick Marina up!! 

Eight throws on his clothes: a spiderman onesie. He's having a heatstroke. His head is fuzzy. He sits on the rug and thinks of what he can feed Marina. He can do this. He fills a pillowcase full of bars of soap and drives to the store. He leaves the soap outside for the birds to eat. He comes back out with grape juice and french fries. It's now 8 P.M.. He's going to pick up Marina.

Marina emerges from the FBI base like a goddess stepping out of hell. Eight hugs his french fries and lets himself stare off at her. She's gorgeous. He is...plain. 

Somehow before she gets to the car, she already notices the onesie and giggles to herself. She likes the silly side of Eight. Marina would much rather be going on a date with silly Eight rather than depressed Eight. 

Eight steps out of the car to greet Marina with a hug. 

"Hello," Eight exclaims. "Are you ready for the night of your life?"

"Absolutely!" Marina replies enthusiastically. 

The date venue is very close. Eight practically just has to pull around the block. There is many flowers and an entire arcade awaiting them. Walking in, Marina opens her mouth in awe.

"You.. you did all of this?" She questions in shock. 

Eight sets down the grape juice and fries. "Yeah."

Marina spins around, looking at the glittering lights strung around the walls. "I never thought I'd want to see Christmas lights in an arcade."

"The Christmas lights really add to the blinking lights of the games." Eight shrugs.

"It's kind of blinding." 

Eight hands her a pair of sunglasses and they drift around the empty arcade, playing and playing until the sun falls completely and the french fries have thawed.

Marina rests in a go-kart, cracking open the grape juice and putting her feet up. She slides the sunglasses up and looks at Eight. She flips her hair and takes a dramatic swig of the juice. Eight pulls it away from her and takes a drink too without losing eye contact. 

That's probably the most saliva we'll share tonight, he thinks. 

"What else do you have up your sleeve?" Marina asks inquisitively, glancing up at the lights.

Eight literally pulls a harmonica out of the sleeve of the Spider-Man onesie.

"I don't know how to play this." He whispers before playing a fluttery, sporadic tune on the sound device. 

Marina stares at him in awe. "Let's start a band." She whispers.

And that's what inspired Eight to become the number one rockstar in America.