The Valley of Mysteries | Book 1: The Beginning

Chapter 22 - CRACKERJACK

Aaron and Natalie were standing in their room, side by side. It was really small. A double bed was set by the windows. It was one foot away from the walls on either side. Next to the door was a cabinet and a single-seat couch. They looked at their surroundings and then at each other.
"You take the bed. I'll take the couch!" Aaron said.
"What's the spell?" Natalie asked.
"Spell?"
"Yeah! The one that'll turn you into 'Thumbelina' so you can fit on the couch!" Natalie laughed.
"I'll just sit! I've slept like that many times! Don't worry."
"No fair!" she pouted.
"What?"
"I won't be able to sleep, knowing that you're not comfortable!"
"Hey! I said I'll be okay."
"No! It's not okay!!"
"Natalie! After a really long time, you can sleep in an actual bed. You've been sleeping on the ground for over a month! Just get some sleep!"
"I was not the only one who did that! You've been by my side! In fact, you've spent more nights awake than I have! Plus, I'll fit on the couch if I curl! I'm small, you see!" she said.
"No! Please listen to me!"
"Nope! You listen to me. You're not sleeping on the couch and that's it."
"Then what do you suggest? I'm not letting you take the couch either!"
"Pick your side!" Natalie crossed her arms.
"Huh?"
"Pick your side!! Left? or right?"
"What?"
"Urgh! I'll take the left. You take right!! See you in the morning, Good night!! Wow, it rhymed." she laughed.
"Are you sure? I mean..."
"Yes! I'm sure. I've been with you for over a month. I know you. And I trust you. Now stop arguing and go to sleep!!" she gave him a pat on his shoulder and walked towards her side of the bed. Aaron walked towards his side.
"You said something about codenames earlier!" Aaron said, unfolding his blanket
"Oh, right!! Do you still think I'm dumb?"
"Yes!" he said. "Oh, uh. I mean... no!" he rubbed the back of his neck.
"Pfft. You still think I'm dumb." she sighed.
"I'm sorry!"
"It's fine. I just realised I do say dumb things sometimes."
"Sometimes?"
"Don't push it!!"
"Okay, okay." Aaron raised his hands in surrender. Natalie laughed.
"But I don't think you're Grumpy, anymore!"
"Really?"
"Yeah! So I have another codename for you!!"
"Yeah? What is it?"
"Agent... Crack..."
"WHAT? Grumpy was better." Aaron groaned.
"Let me finish, Grumpy!!"
"Okay, sorry. But I don't like it.
"It's Agent Crackerjack!!" Natalie clapped.
"What? What does that even mean? That I'm Jack and Crack?"
"Oh, God!! Which century do you belong to?"
"Hey!"
"Crackerjack means... umm... someone who's exceptionally good at what they do! You know... like a master... an expert... knowledgeable!"
"Oh? Th... thanks. No one has ever called me an expert or that!" Aaron smiled.
"Well, then they're dumb like me!" she laughed.
"You're not dumb! I mean, what kinda dumb person knows so many weird words... I didn't mean weird... I... just... uhh... thanks." he scratched his forehead.
"It's okay! I think I rubbed off of you! Don't worry, you're still a Crackerjack!!"
"Heh, thanks. Self-trolling, I like it!" he laughed.
"Well!!"
"Well, I think I'll give you another name too!!"
"Haan? And what will it be?"
"I don't know yet. I haven't thought about it! I'll... tell you tomorrow!"
"Okay! Good night!!" Natalie hopped into bed.
"Good night!" Aaron sat on the bed.
"Mmm. I missed you! Not you actually, one of your relatives!" Natalie mumbled.
"What? Are you sleep talking?" Aaron asked.
"Huh? No!"
"Then who did you miss?"
"Nothing! If I tell you, you'll change your mind about giving me a new codename."
"What? Say it!"
"I was talking to the blanket..." she grinned sheepishly. Aaron gaped at her for a moment then laughed loudly. He kept laughing and swaying back and forth. It made Natalie smile. She had seen him laugh over the past few days but this was different. He laughed his heart out. After a couple of minutes, Aaron stopped to catch his breath.
"Ahh! I don't think I've laughed that hard before!" he pressed his cheekbones.
"Who are you? And what did you do to Aaron?" Natalie giggled.
"Heh. Thanks!"
"What for?"
"For making me laugh!"
"Pfft. I'm just being me and hey, you're laughing at me!" she punched his arm playfully.
"Yes, I am!"
"Heh. It's fine. You look good when you smile and laugh!"
"I do?"
"Yeah! And the way you almost shut your eyes while laughing. It's cute." she giggled.
"I... what?"
"Yeah... you're like..." she closed her eyes tightly. Aaron laughed again.
"I think my jaws are going to break if I laugh anymore!! Ow!"
"It's good to laugh! It's funny, actually! We're not that different!"
"What?"
"Yeah. I mean I didn't use to smile or laugh unless Harrington was around. And you didn't use to laugh either. We both are kinda... dispirited!"
"Heh. No kidding!" Aaron said. They kept talking for a long time.