Changed (Em and Bebe)

[Bebe Tenko]

Bebe sat around in her pajamas, arm twinging awkwardly. It had started bleeding again last night, much to the shock of Bebe's mother and father. So here she was, back from the hospital, with new bandages and even less freedom. Bebe wanted to log onto her WIM, or maybe check emails, or even put in something other than Shaman King, but it just wasn't possible at that moment.

Bebe looked out the window, her pink hair messy and falling into her hair. Her loose yellow jacket hung over her undressed frame, her lime green bra looking very much like a fashion accessory instead of a top. The stabbing had taken a lot of life out of her.

Not to mention Emma refusing to speak to her. The meeting at the institute had come and gone, and Bebe was just waiting for news on how her interview had gone for the internship - but what if Emma had told her mom to not let her through? Bebe didn't even know what she'd done...

"Brittle bones. They didn't drink enough milk when they were alive. I drink three glasses a day."

Bebe was drawn momentarily to the paragon of weirdness himself, Tao Ren. Then she turned back to the window. Nothing but a blue sky.

"Damn it all," Bebe muttered.

[Emma the Loyal Sharpette]

Emma shifted her car's gear to park, as she let go of her foot on the brake. She looked up at the house she parked in front of. Emma had never been to Bebe's house before, but she figured she should start now. Emma sat in her seat for a moment to collect her thoughts, and her words she wanted to speak to Bebe. She let her hands slide over the steering wheel, as her mind flew of so many things she wanted to say. Emma figured she should just let it flow once she saw Bebe. She quickly opened her door, and hopped out. She grabbed the large bouquet of flowers she bought, and walked silently up to the front door. Emma didn't even know if Bebe was home, but she figured she should at least try to patch things up with her dear friend.

Emma looked at the door before her, not knocking or ringing the bell. She was afraid. What if Bebe hated her for not believing her? What if Bebe didn't want to be friends anymore? Emma sighed, tightening her grip on the flowers. She slowly reached her hand to the door, and knocked three times. Emma took in a deep breath, awaiting what would happen. She just hoped that she wasn't too late to apologize.

[Bebe Tenko]

Bebe pulled her eyes away from the screen just as Ren Tao told Yoh he was the fabled third opponent, the one thing between Yoh and his dream. And she gasped.

It was Emma's car in the drive. Bebe nearly passed out in shock - what was Emma doing in her driveway? And sure enough, the blonde walked out of the car. Bebe leaned closer to the window, as if leaning by it would summon the girl to her. The shuffling of feet by the doorway became audible to Bebe - it must've been her mom, going to answer the door.

The teen pressed herself against her pillow. This was her first visitor. Chad had called her every day, but he didn't visit, mostly because Bebe's parents thought it was a bad idea. But Emma - Emma was visiting her!

Bebe looked down at her outfit. "Oh for God's sake." She zipped up her jacket, the Little Miss Sunshine logo splayed over its front. Better. Despite the fact that it clashed horribly with her female boxers. It would have to do.

Click. Whirl. The front door opened.

[Emma the Loyal Sharpette]

Emma waited patiently by the door, as it suddenly opened. She was greeted by a woman she assumed was Bebe's mother. Emma didn't expect to deal with parents, although she didn't really know why. Of course Bebe's mother would be home. Bebe needed someone to take care of her, and duh, it was her parent's house. Emma looked up at the woman. "Um, hi. My name is Emma. I'm here to see Bebe. Would that be possible?" Emma looked up at the woman, not sure what really to expect.

Emma tried to look behind the woman to see if Bebe was around, but she couldn't see her. She suddenly thought of the possibility of Bebe not even being here. What if she was hurt so bad they had to take her to a special hospital on the East Coast? What if she was traumatized so much she had to get counseling all the time? What if she went insane and was sent to a mental institution? Emma knew she was probably letting her mind run away with her, but for a brief moment, Emma could feel every fiber in her body truly afraid for Bebe's well-being. Emma sighed, wishing she could talk, or at least just see Bebe.

[Bebe Tenko]

Bebe heard the dulcet tones of her mother's voice talking to Emma's sweet and concerned voice. Bebe quickly ran a few fingers through her hair. Emma was the kind of person who looked good no matter what; she'd go into conniptions if she saw Bebe Tenko, the funky-glam gangster of East High, dressed in little more than boxers and a sweatshirt. The least her hair could do for her was cooperate.

Bebe waited for her mom to stop talking to Emma. She was just going on about how it was nice for Bebe to have a friend stop over, even though she was a yakuza - nice, Mom - and a bit anti-social. She fawned over something Emma had in her hand.

And then it came. The 'my daughter is upstairs, in the purple room' statement. And Bebe braced herself. Someone was coming to see her - Emma, her best friend! What if Emma still acted like something went wrong?

"Actually... my Over Soul dropped out, too," Yoh told Ren on the screen.

[Emma the Loyal Sharpette]

Emma smiled as Bebe's mother talked to her. It made her feel more relaxed. She figured that maybe this wasn't such a bad idea after all. Emma conversed with Bebe's exceptionally nice mom, until she was given instructions of where to go. Emma nodded at the woman. "Thank you so much, Mrs. Tenko." Emma said, as she turned to face the stairs. She slowly climbed them, keeping one of her hands on the banister. She finally reached the top, and looked around. She spotted a door slightly ajar, letting a glance in at the beautiful purple walls. "Well, that must be it." Emma mumbled to herself. Emma quickly adjusted her bright green and white silky top. Her dark jeans flared out over her brown sandals, which Emma hated wearing. She only wore them because they looked cute. She suddenly realized she was becoming more interested in how she was looking for Bebe, then actually talking to her. "Don't worry how you look, stupid. Worry about what you're going to say!" Emma quietly scolded herself.

She took a deep breath, and gripped the flowers more tightly than she needed to, and made her way to the door. Emma knocked on it softly a few times, before letting herself in the room. "Bebe?" Emma said, as her eyes fell on the petite girl. She looked awful. She looked hurt and bandaged. Emma could almost instantaneously feel tears in her eyes. She instead put a smile on her face, to hopefully cover the slight mist in her eyes. "It's so good to see you. Here, I brought you these. I hope you like them." Emma handed Bebe the large bouquet of yellow and orange roses. "I thought you might like a little color in here...besides these awesome walls." Emma smiled at the purple walls. She turned her attention back to Bebe, not sure how to get this thing going. "How are you?"

[Bebe Tenko]

"Bebe?"

Bebe looked up and immediately her eyes began to sparkle with tears. Emma was just standing there, as if she wanted nothing more than to comfort her ailing friend, clutching a beautiful bouquet of day-glo roses. Bebe took them happily and set them in an empty Tupperware vase full of damage counters from her Pokemon cards.

"Thank you so much, Emma!" Bebe cried, trying to be happy and trying to conceal the world of pain she was in. It wasn't working too well. "These are so beautiful... I love how bright they are." Bebe fingered an orange rose petal, letting her cracking skin drink some of the dew left on it.

"So who lost their Over Soul first?!" Ren screamed from the television. Bebe quickly turned the volume down, WAY down - Ren Tao and Yoh Asakura could wait. Bebe sat up on her bed, grasping her legs precociously and looking at Emma.

"How am I?" Bebe repeated. "Heh. I'm freaking bored. I want to get out of my room - thought I'd never say THAT, but it's true, too true. I'm surprised my mom let you see me, actually... she's afraid that I was stabbed by rival yakuza, so she hasn't let me see anyone. Not even Chad." Bebe sighed. "But... I know I can't go back to school. I'm in so much pain I can barely move. Don't think I'm throwing myself a pity party; my arm feels like someone shoved a metal rod up it and twisted my muscle until it ripped."

Bebe glanced down her jacket to see if her bra was hooked. It was. She was so disheveled she didn't even know.

"Seeing you makes things a lot better, though," Bebe admitted with her first true smile of the conversation. "I was afraid that... that I'd done something to hurt you without knowing it. I was worried... you should know what happened to me. I think someone stabbed me. Well, I know someone stabbed me. I just don't know who. Ryan thought it might be Marco, but I can't imagine anyone from East high wanting to... to..."

Bebe cut off. "...Want to put in something other than shonen anime?"

[Emma the Loyal Sharpette]

Emma felt a huge weight lifted once she saw how happy Bebe was to see her. She let a huge grin spread across her face, as she sat down on Bebe's bed with her. She listened as her dear friend talked about the pain she was in and her situation. Emma felt so sad that she couldn't do anything for her. She just figured Bebe needed someone to talk to, so Emma just listened as she continued talking.

"No Bebe. You didn't do anything to hurt me. I was lied to, and I made a huge mistake thinking you and Zeke and everyone else was out to get me. I'm so sorry. I never should have believed any of it." Emma apologized, knowing it couldn't make up for everything that happened. Emma looked down as Bebe mentioned possibly Marco being the one to stab her. Emma knew not to say anything...too much. "I wouldn't put it past Marco. That asshole." Emma mumbled. She hated Marco. She hated him so much for screwing with everyone's lives. He ruined everything he touched. Emma could feel her anger rising, but she refused to let Marco effect her anymore.

Emma turned her attention to the TV. She smiled at Bebe. "No, it's fine. I just want to talk...if that's okay." Emma reached her hand out and took of Bebe's in her's. "Bebe, I can't begin to apologize for all of this. I cut you out of my life, and it was the biggest mistake ever. I feel like this all happened to you because of me. I wish you hadn't gotten involved." Emma could feel a few tears running down her cheek now. "Just get better, Bebe. I need my best friend now more than ever." Emma thought of Marco and Sharpay and started to cry a little more. She could never tell Bebe about that situation, but she could at least feel some comfort now with her.

[Bebe Tenko]

Bebe sighed as she heard Emma speak about Zeke. "He's in a right sort over you... I think you should make up with him as soon as possible. Actually, I'm shocked you came to me first. If I was you, I would've gone to Zeke... just because love seems to rule all. Right?" Bebe shook her head, greasy hair falling into her face again. "Or maybe I'm wrong. I don't know, I'm a bit weary right now."

Bebe leaned over to her remote, turning Shaman King back up. "Have you seen this show? It's one of my favorites. I have all 60 episodes on a bootlegged DVD." Before Emma could interject, Bebe laughed. "There's no other way to get things in Hong Kong. That's where my dad is most of the time."

Bebe shrugged, realizing she was avoiding Emma's biggest bombshell: that she needed her. Bebe finally sucked in some air and spoke. "Miss Emma... I need you now too. We need each other. And if we're going to get through this period, we're going to need to be strong." Bebe started tearing up. "Like, not crying like I am now... Miss Emma, I love you, so much; you're the best friend I've ever had, and I would give ANYTHING for you!"

Bebe sucked in a deep breath and steadied herself while switching to the first episode of Shaman King. "Actually... I really like this show because Yoh and Manta - they're the main characters - they remind me of you and me. Because Yoh is the freak no one would talk to, and Manta is his first true friend. You and me, me and you."

Bebe had a hard time admitting this, but she needed to tell Emma how much she really meant.

"...We'll get through it. We're all in this together, right?"

[Emma the Loyal Sharpette]

Emma smiled sheepishly at Bebe. "I...um...kind of already went to Zeke. But I promise you were totally on my mind, and I knew I just had to make things right with us the whole time I was there." Emma suddenly felt the need to make Bebe seem like the most important person in her life. Emma was a big believer in friends over boyfriends...but she hoped that she wouldn't have to ever choose between Bebe and Zeke. It was too hard.

Emma turned to look at the television screen flashing an unfamiliar show. Emma shook her head. "No, I haven't seen this. Is it good?" Emma wasn't really up to date with all the shows Bebe watched. "Maybe we could have a viewing party sometime and you could show me."

Emma was about to ask her more about this show, when Bebe began to speak very emotionally. Emma watched and listened as tears began to well up in her eyes as well. She never had anyone tell her how much they loved and needed her...except for Zeke, but that was different. This was the best kind of love. Emma couldn't help but feel that what Bebe was saying to her seemed to be the exact way she felt about Bebe. Best friends.

Emma reached forward and pulled Bebe into a gentle hug. She didn't want to hurt her dear friend, but she had to hug her. "I love you too Bebe. You truly are the best friend I've ever had. I don't know what I would do without you." Emma let go, and pulled herself back. She smiled at Bebe, still with a few tears running down her cheeks. "We will get this through all of this. We'll make it work, and life will be bigger and better than ever before."

[Bebe Tenko]

Bebe laughed. So Emma HAD seen Zeke. That was a good sign... that was exactly what she wanted to hear. Having those two patch things up meant that all three of them could patch things up.

So Bebe started up Shaman King. "Viewing party? I've got nowhere to go. Wanna start right now?" Bebe gave a grin that betrayed the real pain she was in, and pressed play. "Hope you don't mind subtitles."

As soon as Bebe felt Emma envelop her in a hug, though, Bebe's glib words left her. She couldn't say anything. Bebe remembered when they first met - Emma a prima donna with paint on her outfit, Bebe an introvert with definite violent tendencies. Now Bebe was laid up with a wound, and Emma was the biggest friend she could ever have.

"You think... you think we can get through Marco?" Bebe said quietly. She inhaled sharply. "I'm pretty sure he stabbed me, Emma. And if he tries anything when I come back... I'm pretty much done for."

Bebe sighed. "Did they find a band for Prom? Do you know? I was supposed to be helping with that."

[Emma the Loyal Sharpette]

((Bleh, sorry for taking so long to reply! Haha))

As Bebe started this viewing party of this show Emma had never heard of, she watched the screen for a few minutes, as images flashed of characters and a language she didn't know. Emma smirked slightly at the television, sure that she could get into any TV show that Bebe loved. She turned towards Bebe, as she began to speak again about Marco.

"Ummm..." Emma said. She really didn't want to get too involved with Marco about anything. Even if it involved revenge for Bebe, Emma knew it would end up badly. Marco would probably end up stabbing her too, and then finishing off Bebe. Emma shook her head, almost violently to rid her mind of these horrible thoughts. "I think if we figure out that this indeed was Marco who did this you, then we'll need some kind of plan to get him back. We need to use our brains to try and outwit him." Emma said. "That is if we find out this was Marco." Emma really didn't want to have any part to do with Marco, which is why she wanted to steer him out of the picture as much as possible...until the time was right to do something about it.

Emma smiled at Bebe. "You know? I'm not sure if they found a band. I know a few local bands have come after school and played, but I don't think they've found anyone just yet. They are all probably lost without your sense of music to help guide them." Emma winked at her friend.

[Bebe Tenko]

((Sorry about the uber-late replies!! I've been swamped...))

"Use our brains to outwit Marco?" Bebe sighed deeply, realizing instantly that outwitting Marco would be easier said than done, especially if he really did stab her. If someone had the brute strength to take down a yakuza and the brain to seduce a stalwart like Emma, he was going to be a tough opponent indeed. Bebe shrugged. "That's gonna be a tall order, I'm sure."

When Emma started talking about no band being picked for prom yet, Bebe nearly flipped a lid. "It's been WEEKS! We NEED a band! My God, do these people think they can operated at the last min -?!" Bebe inhaled sharply. Yelling took a lot out of her. There was no way she'd be back to school in a while. Quieting her voice, Bebe murmured, "Damn it. Damn it..."

She grabbed her arm, where she'd been stabbed, and bit her lip. "Maybe we should watch... something else. Or talk about... Oh Emma, look at me. I might never be the same!"

[Emma the Loyal Sharpette]

Emma nodded in reply to Bebe's thought process of it being difficult to beat Marco. She knew it wouldn't be easy. Marco had the brains and the sleaze to pull of these kinds of things. Emma bit her bottom lip, trying to think positively that they would somehow be able to pull of this kind of thing. It just seemed too impossible to her now.

Emma laughed as Bebe began to yell about the stupid kids at school who couldn't make a single decision. Her laughs were quickly put away by her concern as Bebe stopped suddenly. Emma could see the pain flashing on Bebe's face. Her expressions and her quivering voice caused Emma to reach her hand out gently to her friend. Emma placed a soothing hand on Bebe's arm. She didn't know what to do or what to say. She just wanted to touch Bebe, as if to let it speak for her.

Emma took a breath, trying to think of something....anything to say to make Bebe feel any better.

"Bebe, I can't sit here and tell you I understand what you are going through. I've never been stabbed by a crazed person before and lived to tell the tale..." Emma smiled at her friend. "But I want to know that no matter what happens, I'm going to be here for you. And so is Chad. And so is Sharpay. And so are the rest of the Wildcats. We are all going to be here for you." Emma kept her focus on Bebe, trying to see if any of these words helped.

[Bebe Tenko]

Bebe stared up at Emma. They were all going to be there for her? Bebe was floored. Nothing like this had ever happened to her before. To be honest, she never really had friends. And to think that now, she had an amazing boyfriend, a group of dedicated friends, and the life she'd always wanted? Bebe started to cry, but it was happy tears, not sad tears.

"I know," Bebe responded. "That's the great thing."

Bebe smiled. Her arm was killing her, but the doctors said that would be normal. As normal as having a deep gash in your arm was.

She sighed, wiping away some of the tears. She wanted to know what was going on at school, though. And everything else. "...What's going on at East High? Is... are people... talking about me?" Bebe didn't want it to sound egotistical; she just wanted to make sure that those insensitive jerks didn't think she'd been caught with drugs or something. "Like... are stories going around?"