Chapter Nineteen: Behind the Black Lies Red and Blue

Tyson isn't sure what to think of his chemistry set anymore. He knows that Thorne stole one of his potions, and it made Rosaline into a real girl instead of a half life. "It's sad really," Tyson thinks to himself, "She had worse of a life then ghosts do. At least ghost hunters like Mom can help the ghosts go into the afterlife, but Rosaline would have had to linger in Thorne's footsteps for the rest of her existence." He halfheartedly delves into his potions, but he isn't sure if science was his purpose in life. It just feels like he's messing with nature for no good reason.

Ned tries to make the best of his worsening physical condition by getting a cane. The cane itself may be a bit lackluster, but with the right amount of confidence, it's almost cool. Plus it means he can be out in the garden longer without being forced to rest. His father always said that resting was for the dead after all.

In a good mood after gardening with his cane, he decides he needs to spend more time with the family. He even talks to Thorne, trying to know more about the boy that unwittingly was in the middle of this whole magical cheating mess.
"I know I've been distant lately, but I hope we can hang out some more. I know I'm not your father, but I'm the best you've got. I truly do care about you Thorne." Embarrassed, he looks up at the ceiling while Thorne jabbers happily to himself, not making much sense but talking with a huge grin on his face. Ned wonders if it's easier or harder to deal with insanity of this sort. Thorne can create his own reality, while Ned is stuck in this dreary mess of a relationship filled with lies and magic.

Nathalie doesn't let the pranks faze her anymore, especially this early in the morning. Besides, bright blue does go better with her eyes and makeup then that nasty neon pink ever did.

During the school day, Tyson doesn't know if he picked the right person to be best friends with, as with teenage-hood, Marilyn Lobos' personality has changed drastically. She's freaking him out with her newly-found stalker-like behaviour. Being a childhood friend, Tyson tries to let it go when she follows him around the school like a sick puppy, but to watch him when he's sleeping is unacceptable.
"I can't take this anymore Marilyn, leave me the fuck alone!" Marilyn looks stunned, holding her notebook like it was her lifeline.

"I, I just want to spend more time with you. You've become so dark, and I'm worried." Tyson snorts, not buying that for a second.
"You're like a freaking stalker llama, with your puke-brain face and your annoying whine." Marilyn goes misty-eyed, but Tyson doesn't care. "I don't want to be friends with somebody as ugly and clingy as you! Go fuck yourself, become a whore, I don't care. Maybe you need to beg a shrink and surgeon to fix your, it's the only way you'll find a half-decent guy in this town, you washed-up freak."

Marilyn stares at Tyson, both furious and unnerved by his mood swing.
"What the hell has happened to you Ty? I loved you, I love you, I-I don't know what you've changed into." Tyson laughs, he's just not pretty enough for the bitch now? "You're being such a prick, stop laughing at me! You were so cute with your scout badges and sweet smile, but now you're angry and bitter. I don't want to be friends with somebody like that."

"So you want me to be a happy little baby that loves sunshine and shit like that? Fuck you Marilyn, you think you have the worst life ever because your mom and dad just don't love each other anymore. Well, woo-fucking-hoo! At least your mom isn't a bloody slut. At least your father stays for the children, for some sense that he loves his wife. Not because he's a coward who loves his fish and garden more then his children. I'm tired of pretending I'm somebody I'm not, and if you want some happy-go-lucky little poser, then you go ahead!"

Tyson suddenly deflates, his emotions chaotic and out of control. He wails, harsh jagged tears running down his face. "I hate being so angry, so fucked up, but I just don't know what else to do. I'm a loser, I'll always be a pissed off loser." He whispers to himself, repeating the words loser over and over as a mantra. Marilyn stands there, shocked, unsure if she should comfort her old friend or just storm off and go home. She eventually leaves, but with much less anger then she had before. She pities the emotionally messed up little boy she used to call her friend.

Still sobbing, he calls another friend of his, Roxanne Broke. She was his school buddy, pair together by the school administers but grew as close friends far after the fact. The only reason she wasn't his best friend was because Marilyn was, and she claimed you couldn't have more then one best friend at a time. Ha, more like she wanted him to have no other friends.
"Roxanne, I-I'm sorry to call, b-but I just-, I just." He tries to calm his breathing slightly, but it only causes his tears to come stronger.
"Tyson, calm down! You can talk to me, shh-shh, it'll be all okay. I don't know what's wrong, but I'll listen. Alright Ty?" He murmurs a soft yes, and tells him about his fight with Marilyn. After he rants for almost an hour, Roxanne tells him that she has to get her homework done.
"I'm sorry Ty, I wish I could be there for you more, but I have a bucket load of homework tonight." Roxanne says soothingly, unsure of whether she's going to make her emotionally stunted friend even more upset by her leaving.
"I'm sorry I just started sobbing Roxie, I just didn't know what to do. It's like my emotions all bubbled up into a pit of tears and rage."
"It's because you don't let your emotions out when they need to come out, you just let them build and build until they implode. I do that sometimes, though I don't think I've ever lashed out like that." Tyson frowns, he hates what he just did.

"I know I was wrong for insulting her like that, but I just don't want her to think I want her friendship again. I just want to apologize, then let things be." Roxanne sighs softly, and Tyson isn't sure if it's because of what he just said or because of something else he doesn't understand.
"I would just avoid her Tyson, she's unstable herself. She's been playing with you since we were children, playing the hot and cold bitch game. She'll take it as some twisted sign you're destined to be together." Tyson nods in agreement, forgetting it's a phone call. "Anyway Ty, I got to go, but what if I come over tomorrow. We'll just hang out and have some fun!" Tyson lets her go, a huge smile on his face. He feels so much better, and he has a beautiful teenage friend coming over tomorrow to "hang out".

Tyson starts on his homework, thinking that he and Roxanne are doing their homework at the same time. The only thing that would make it better is if they be together while doing their homework, or just being together period. A smile graces Ty's face as he realizes he's starting to fall for his friend Roxanne Broke.