☆ [Lorax]: Hindsight
Title: Hindsight
Author: Jubilee
Characters: Once-ler
Rating: G+
Genre: Friendship
Note: This a fic that's going to be divided in parts. It's based on headcanons the fandom has come up with concerning Once-ler's childhood, and I thought it would be interesting to write out. Also because I want to make Koondy cry. This is the first series of flashbacks.
-----
"Tori, where are you going?"
"Oh I'm going back to the forest."
"To draw?"
"Mm hmm." She slung her bag across her shoulder. "I'll be home in a few hours."
"Well alright, but be careful. It's quite a walk. Do you want me to call your friend Henry to go with you?"
"Mom I can take care of myself. I'll see you later, love you."
"Okay."
It took Tori a while to reach Once-ler's home on foot. She estimated it was about an hour's walk from Greenville. She needed the exercise since she didn't do much, though it did get tiring. Finally reaching his house, she stopped and took a few breaths, her hands on her knees. "Wow, I gotta learn how to drive…or get a bike."
Melvin walked up to her and gave her a whinny in greeting. She smiled and pet his snout. "Hey Melvin! Good afternoon! I've got a treat for you ~ !" The mule smiled brightly and wagged his tail when Tori took out a vivacious red apple. "Fresh from the market!" She held it in her hand and he began to eat it, the girl scratching him between the ears.
"Oh, Tori!"
"Good afternoon Once-ler."
"Hey! Afternoon! So you did come after all."
"Of course. I said I would."
"You look a little exhausted. Did you walk all the way over here again?"
"Ah ha…yeah."
"Aww, I told you to call me! I wouldn't have minded!"
"It's fine. I need the exercise. I just wanna sit down…"
"You look dehydrated. Do you drink water?"
"Not…often."
"I'll get you some," he said as he led her inside the house. "You have a second floor?" she asked when she saw a staircase nearby.
"Oh yeah, it's not very big though. It's like a living room." He poured a glass of water and handed it to her. "Here you go."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
She drank it all in one go and handed the glass back to him. He looked a little shocked. "Wow you were really thirsty!"
"Walking for an hour over hills does that to a person."
"Well, you can rest upstairs if you'd like. There's a couch and some other chairs there." He waved and walked up the staircase with Tori right behind. Sure enough there was a small living room. She sat down on the couch and he next to her.
"So you really live here alone huh?"
"Yup."
"Ever wanted to move back?"
"Not particularly. Where I come from it's…eh…dry and barren. I love living here because it's so lush and beautiful!"
"Really? Where do you live?"
"I grew up in a town in the southwest. Y'know, with farmland, cows, and stuff."
"Oooh, I see." She twiddled her fingers. "You don't find it awkward that I ask a lot of questions?"
"No, not at all!"
"Okay. Uhm…I-I just think you're a real interesting person and I-"
He gave a chuckle. "Yoooou don't know how to talk to guys, do you?" he teased as he poked her shoulder.
"Pfft, no, of course I do! Just not cute ones."
"…you think I'm cute?"
"Handsome-cute if you will."
"Oh…" It was his turn to get shy. "Ah ha ha." He fumbled with the buttons on his vest.
"Hey I'm an honest person," she grinned mischievously. Nobody was gonna get away with making her flustered. She always had to have the last laugh. "But anyway, what's your family like?"
"My family's…nice!"
"So you must've had a good childhood huh?"
"Uh, I guess you can say that. Er, well I guess I should start from the beginning."
--
An eight-year old Once-ler waited outside on the porch with his little backpack slung on him. He was waiting for his father to take him to school. It'd be his first day of second grade and he was excited.
"Ready to go son?" his dad said as he walked out of the door.
"Yes daddy! I can't wait to get there!" replied Once-ler with the cutest smile anyone ever saw.
"Alright, then let's get goin'! Say bye to yer ma before we go."
He rushed inside and found his mother in the kitchen washing dishes. "Mommy I'm going to school now with daddy!"
She smiled at him and knelt down. "Well have fun Oncie. Do yer best now!" She hugged him and kissed his head. He giggled and then rushed out the door to join his father in the car.
When he got into the classroom he sat down at a table closest to board so he could see. Excitedly he got out his paper and pencil, ready to learn. This is how the school year went by. He handled all his subjects well and got the hang of cursive writing in no time. He never missed a homework assignment and helped the other kids if they were struggling. Though as friendly as he was, not many acquainted themselves with him.
During a parent-teacher conference, Once-ler sat on the rug and played with the other children while his teacher spoke to his parents.
"Mr. and Mrs. McGraw, thank you for coming. Your son Once-ler is a pleasure to have in class," the woman said to the two proud parents sitting across from her.
"We're raisin' a fine boy! Gonna prepare him to be a good man when he's mah age!" Mr. McGraw said as he crossed his arms and smiled.
"Our lil' Oncie is our pride an' joy!"
"And you should be very proud! He's incredibly smart for his age. We're thinking about putting him in a gifted class next year to make it more of a challenge and exercise his brain more."
"Sounds like a fine idea!"
"I'm glad you think so Mr. McGraw. Your son is also very creative and does he ever have a voice! When we sing songs he sings the most vibrantly. Sometimes the rest of the students look at him in awe. You also might want to consider putting him in music classes! We have free ones here at the school."
"Ma, we've got a real treasure," the man said proudly.
"We sure do!"
And that was how it went for the rest of his academic life. Never did he get anything lower than an A in all his subjects. He was one of the brightest students in the district and his teachers revered him while some of the students envied him.
---
"Wow, you sound like you were such a great kid!" Tori said as she looked at Once-ler in fascination.
"Ha ha, weeelll yeah I suppose."
"Did your parents take you for music classes?"
"Oh, yeah! When I was old enough my dad signed me up for guitar lessons and I would practice singing and vocal exercises."
"Did you do a lot?"
"Well, my dad taught me how to build things and my mom taught me everything else."
"Really? Did she teach you how to cook?"
"Yeah, by age ten I already knew how to do a variety of simple meals. So when she was sick I'd make her breakfast in bed."
---
Once-ler stood on a chair as he finished cooking the eggs. He placed them on a plate and then set it on the tray. Accompanying them were pieces of toast, a sausage, and a hashbrown with a glass of orange juice. His father was at work and Once-ler's mother was sick in bed. Because his brothers still didn't know how to do things on their own, he decided to take the initiative and watch over her.
Slowly he walked up the staircase. Pushing the door open with his hip, the little boy walked over to his mother's bedside where she was reading. He barely was able to see beyond the edge, but he smiled widely and said, "Here you go mommy. Breakfast!"
She set the book down and put a hand to her chest. "Oh Oncie, you shouldn't have!"
"But you're sick and I don't want you to walk down to the kitchen!" He handed her the tray and she set it on her lap.
"This looks delicious."
"That's 'cause you taught me!"
Ruffling his hair she chuckled. "Are you gonna take care of yer momma when she's older?"
"Yes! I'm going to get a good job and be rich and then I'm going to give mommy what she never got to have!"
"Oh Oncie, I love you."
"Me too mommy! I love you too!"
Once-ler had a rather peaceful relationship with his mother. When he had nightmares she held him and read to him until he fell asleep. She'd teach him how to wash, cook, clean, and sew, and how to shop, though he went his father's way and shopped for bargains instead of things they couldn't afford.
And he was going to keep his promise. He was going to help his mother out when he was old enough to land a job.
---
"Your mother sounds nice!"
"Yeah, she was."
"What about your father?"
"Oh, he was equally supportive! I love both of my parents. He's the one who inspired me to chase after my dream."
---
"Son, it's okay if yer invention was another failure." He reeled in his line. They were both sitting in a fishing boat in the middle of a lake.
"I know dad but…"
"Now don't give up! Yer darn smart, almost like a genius! Why, you've invented so many things to help us around the house, and yer only eleven years old! I dunno how you do it son, but I'm very proud of you, even of yer failures."
"…really?"
"Of course. What matters is that you try and learn from yer mistakes to get better at what you love doing best."
"Well…I like to invent things and…I like to sing."
"Is that what you wanna do when yer old enough?"
"I'm not sure. I love singing and I'm getting better and better with the guitar, so I might want to be a singer! But I also love inventing things to help people!"
"Well just remember Once, that whatever you choose, make sure it's yer choice and not anybody else's. It's gonna be yer life, not theirs. Whatever makes you happy."
He smiled. "Thanks dad."
The big man gave a hearty laugh and ruffled his son's hair. "Son, I have a feelin' yer gonna amount to somethin' great. Just follow yer dreams, do what's right, an' you'll be fine. Never give up hope and keep an optimistic outlook, understood?"
Once-ler grinned. "Yes! I'll make you proud dad!"
"I know you will! Now whadaya say we get these here fish home to ma fer dinner?"
"Okay!"
---
"Your father sounds like a good man."
Once-ler laughed softly. "He was. The best father I could ever have. He believed in everything I did and only continued to give me encouragement." He got up and walked over to a table. Sitting back down he said, "This was taken a few years back."
Tori looked at the photo. There was Once-ler in his little overalls and big cheerful smile with his bright blue eyes, freckles decorating his cheeks. Two identical shorter boys were standing on either side of him with a happy expression
"Those are my twin brothers, Bret and Chet."
"They don't really look like you."
"Ha, they look more like mom. I was more like dad."
His mother was a pretty blonde woman with long hair and brown eyes, though she wore too much make-up, at least from Tori's perspective. A big burly man had his arm around her and a hand on Once-ler's head. His eyes and hair were the same color as his son, though he had a thick mustache and somewhat of a beard.
"Wow, your father is so…manly!"
"Yeah, the manliest man I knew!"
"You look like him. Well, the shape of your face looks closer to your mother's, but you have his eyes and hair. Also that same cheerful vibe."
"Thanks."
"Sounds like you have a nice family!" She handed the photo back to him. He looked at it and smiled. When he began to rub his thumbs against the glass of the frame, his smile grew into a frown. "Yeah…they were…"
"…were?"
He paused and spaced out again. Tori tugged on his sleeve. "Once-ler, are you okay?"
"Huh?"
"You seemed dazed."
"Oh, ah ha, sorry about that."
She stood quiet. "…things…they didn't stay that serene did they?"
"I hate to say it, but you've hit the nail on the head."
"…what happened…?"
Once-ler stood up and put the photo back. He turned around and smiled again. "That can wait until next time. I'm a little hungry. Do you want something to eat?"
"Again? Ah…w-well that'd be nice b-but I don't-"
"You're not imposing, don't worry!" he laughed.
"Well okay, uhm, yes I'd love to eat with you again!"
Once-ler cooked the two of them a very delicious meal as they ate in pleasant company at the table. "Really, you cook so well!"
"Mom knows best!"
"I'm so jealous. I don't know how to cook…" She laughed nervously. "It's shameful really."
"Why is it shameful? People learn at their own pace!" He pouted as he looked at his plate. "…uh, y'know, I can…teach you if you'd like."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"Oh, I'd be so grateful Once-ler! But it'd be too much trouble wouldn't it-"
"Not at all! Like I said, I enjoy your company."
"Uhm, well okay! When would you like to teach me? Ah, I'm going to be busy for the next three days though. Gonna take a drive to the beach with the family."
"Really? That sounds like fun! Oh…well…then it can start next week. How about Monday?"
"Sounds good! Do I need to bring anything?"
"Just an apron and your determination!"
"Okay, well, give me a list anyway of what ingredients you want me to buy."
"Are you positive? Because I don't mind-"
"You're already offering to teach me! Besides, I have some money saved up from watching over my neighbors' pets when they're gone."
"Alright, I'll make you a list!"
"Great! Monday?"
"Yup! It's a date!"
There was a pause of awkward silence and he quickly corrected himself. "Not…n-not THAT kind of date ah ha ha! Y'know a…like…like those-"
"I know Once-ler," she smiled, followed by a chuckle. "Don't get so nervous."
"I will remember that next time."
A knock came from the door and he got up to answer it. "Yes, can I help you?"
"Hey."
"Hey?"
"Did you happen to see a girl wandering in this forest? She's got short brown hair and big brown eyes with a dreamy look on her face-"
"Oh, yeah I have. Who might you be?"
"Name's Henry. I'm her friend."
"Okay, one moment."
"One moment? What does that mean?"
"Well, she came to visit me."
"And who the hell are you?"
Once-ler made a face. "I'm the Once-ler."
"Oh, you're that dork with the guitar who's been trying to sell that pink rag in town."
"It's not a rag. It's called a Thneed and it's-"
"Yeah yeah, the thing that anybody needs." He walked passed him into the house.
"Now hold on a moment! I didn't say you could come in-"
"Tori, there you are."
"Henry? What are you doing here?"
"I should be asking you that. Your mom was getting worried since you didn't take your drawing materials with you."
"I was hanging out here."
"With the lanky whackjob inventor?"
"Hey, my name's Once-ler, okay? And I'm not a whackjob!"
"Henry, be nice. Once-ler is a good guy. He's just a young entrepreneur."
"Whatever. Are you coming home or not? More importantly does your mom know you're out here?"
"She knows I'm in the forest but I didn't…tell her what I was doing here…"
"So she doesn't know you're hanging out with this guy?" He looked at Once-ler and shook his head. "She's a minor you know."
He looked offended. "Hey buddy, I'm not that kind of person!"
Tori gave a heavy sigh. "I'm sorry Once-ler. I'm gonna have to cut my visit short since I don't want my mom to worry."
"Alright."
She looked apologetic. "I promise next time I'll wash all the dishes."
"It's fine." He smiled.
"Well, I'm gonna get going." She put the bag over her. "I'll see you Monday!"
"I'll be waiting!"
He waved from his doorway and stood there until he couldn't see them anymore. Walking back inside, he began to clean up the kitchen.
"That little punk, talking to me like that. I'm not gonna have any of his sass! She can hang out with whoever she darn well pleases!"
"Feeling a little jealous beanpole?"
He turned around and found the Lorax sitting down on the bed.
"I'm not jealous. Where did that even come from? I'm just upset because of how that guy spoke to me! He has no manners! She has fun when she's here and he needs to shut his mouth! I like having her here, and Melvin does too! Dumb kid." He continued mumbling to himself as he viciously scrubbed the dishes.
The Lorax only smiled.
-----
A/N: Well this kinda sucked fhngjfkdsl At least that's what I think. Uh, I hope you liked it Koondy, even just a little! ;; Oh and...Henry is just there...fjnhgfjdks.
Author: Jubilee
Characters: Once-ler
Rating: G+
Genre: Friendship
Note: This a fic that's going to be divided in parts. It's based on headcanons the fandom has come up with concerning Once-ler's childhood, and I thought it would be interesting to write out. Also because I want to make Koondy cry. This is the first series of flashbacks.
-----
"Tori, where are you going?"
"Oh I'm going back to the forest."
"To draw?"
"Mm hmm." She slung her bag across her shoulder. "I'll be home in a few hours."
"Well alright, but be careful. It's quite a walk. Do you want me to call your friend Henry to go with you?"
"Mom I can take care of myself. I'll see you later, love you."
"Okay."
It took Tori a while to reach Once-ler's home on foot. She estimated it was about an hour's walk from Greenville. She needed the exercise since she didn't do much, though it did get tiring. Finally reaching his house, she stopped and took a few breaths, her hands on her knees. "Wow, I gotta learn how to drive…or get a bike."
Melvin walked up to her and gave her a whinny in greeting. She smiled and pet his snout. "Hey Melvin! Good afternoon! I've got a treat for you ~ !" The mule smiled brightly and wagged his tail when Tori took out a vivacious red apple. "Fresh from the market!" She held it in her hand and he began to eat it, the girl scratching him between the ears.
"Oh, Tori!"
"Good afternoon Once-ler."
"Hey! Afternoon! So you did come after all."
"Of course. I said I would."
"You look a little exhausted. Did you walk all the way over here again?"
"Ah ha…yeah."
"Aww, I told you to call me! I wouldn't have minded!"
"It's fine. I need the exercise. I just wanna sit down…"
"You look dehydrated. Do you drink water?"
"Not…often."
"I'll get you some," he said as he led her inside the house. "You have a second floor?" she asked when she saw a staircase nearby.
"Oh yeah, it's not very big though. It's like a living room." He poured a glass of water and handed it to her. "Here you go."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
She drank it all in one go and handed the glass back to him. He looked a little shocked. "Wow you were really thirsty!"
"Walking for an hour over hills does that to a person."
"Well, you can rest upstairs if you'd like. There's a couch and some other chairs there." He waved and walked up the staircase with Tori right behind. Sure enough there was a small living room. She sat down on the couch and he next to her.
"So you really live here alone huh?"
"Yup."
"Ever wanted to move back?"
"Not particularly. Where I come from it's…eh…dry and barren. I love living here because it's so lush and beautiful!"
"Really? Where do you live?"
"I grew up in a town in the southwest. Y'know, with farmland, cows, and stuff."
"Oooh, I see." She twiddled her fingers. "You don't find it awkward that I ask a lot of questions?"
"No, not at all!"
"Okay. Uhm…I-I just think you're a real interesting person and I-"
He gave a chuckle. "Yoooou don't know how to talk to guys, do you?" he teased as he poked her shoulder.
"Pfft, no, of course I do! Just not cute ones."
"…you think I'm cute?"
"Handsome-cute if you will."
"Oh…" It was his turn to get shy. "Ah ha ha." He fumbled with the buttons on his vest.
"Hey I'm an honest person," she grinned mischievously. Nobody was gonna get away with making her flustered. She always had to have the last laugh. "But anyway, what's your family like?"
"My family's…nice!"
"So you must've had a good childhood huh?"
"Uh, I guess you can say that. Er, well I guess I should start from the beginning."
--
An eight-year old Once-ler waited outside on the porch with his little backpack slung on him. He was waiting for his father to take him to school. It'd be his first day of second grade and he was excited.
"Ready to go son?" his dad said as he walked out of the door.
"Yes daddy! I can't wait to get there!" replied Once-ler with the cutest smile anyone ever saw.
"Alright, then let's get goin'! Say bye to yer ma before we go."
He rushed inside and found his mother in the kitchen washing dishes. "Mommy I'm going to school now with daddy!"
She smiled at him and knelt down. "Well have fun Oncie. Do yer best now!" She hugged him and kissed his head. He giggled and then rushed out the door to join his father in the car.
When he got into the classroom he sat down at a table closest to board so he could see. Excitedly he got out his paper and pencil, ready to learn. This is how the school year went by. He handled all his subjects well and got the hang of cursive writing in no time. He never missed a homework assignment and helped the other kids if they were struggling. Though as friendly as he was, not many acquainted themselves with him.
During a parent-teacher conference, Once-ler sat on the rug and played with the other children while his teacher spoke to his parents.
"Mr. and Mrs. McGraw, thank you for coming. Your son Once-ler is a pleasure to have in class," the woman said to the two proud parents sitting across from her.
"We're raisin' a fine boy! Gonna prepare him to be a good man when he's mah age!" Mr. McGraw said as he crossed his arms and smiled.
"Our lil' Oncie is our pride an' joy!"
"And you should be very proud! He's incredibly smart for his age. We're thinking about putting him in a gifted class next year to make it more of a challenge and exercise his brain more."
"Sounds like a fine idea!"
"I'm glad you think so Mr. McGraw. Your son is also very creative and does he ever have a voice! When we sing songs he sings the most vibrantly. Sometimes the rest of the students look at him in awe. You also might want to consider putting him in music classes! We have free ones here at the school."
"Ma, we've got a real treasure," the man said proudly.
"We sure do!"
And that was how it went for the rest of his academic life. Never did he get anything lower than an A in all his subjects. He was one of the brightest students in the district and his teachers revered him while some of the students envied him.
---
"Wow, you sound like you were such a great kid!" Tori said as she looked at Once-ler in fascination.
"Ha ha, weeelll yeah I suppose."
"Did your parents take you for music classes?"
"Oh, yeah! When I was old enough my dad signed me up for guitar lessons and I would practice singing and vocal exercises."
"Did you do a lot?"
"Well, my dad taught me how to build things and my mom taught me everything else."
"Really? Did she teach you how to cook?"
"Yeah, by age ten I already knew how to do a variety of simple meals. So when she was sick I'd make her breakfast in bed."
---
Once-ler stood on a chair as he finished cooking the eggs. He placed them on a plate and then set it on the tray. Accompanying them were pieces of toast, a sausage, and a hashbrown with a glass of orange juice. His father was at work and Once-ler's mother was sick in bed. Because his brothers still didn't know how to do things on their own, he decided to take the initiative and watch over her.
Slowly he walked up the staircase. Pushing the door open with his hip, the little boy walked over to his mother's bedside where she was reading. He barely was able to see beyond the edge, but he smiled widely and said, "Here you go mommy. Breakfast!"
She set the book down and put a hand to her chest. "Oh Oncie, you shouldn't have!"
"But you're sick and I don't want you to walk down to the kitchen!" He handed her the tray and she set it on her lap.
"This looks delicious."
"That's 'cause you taught me!"
Ruffling his hair she chuckled. "Are you gonna take care of yer momma when she's older?"
"Yes! I'm going to get a good job and be rich and then I'm going to give mommy what she never got to have!"
"Oh Oncie, I love you."
"Me too mommy! I love you too!"
Once-ler had a rather peaceful relationship with his mother. When he had nightmares she held him and read to him until he fell asleep. She'd teach him how to wash, cook, clean, and sew, and how to shop, though he went his father's way and shopped for bargains instead of things they couldn't afford.
And he was going to keep his promise. He was going to help his mother out when he was old enough to land a job.
---
"Your mother sounds nice!"
"Yeah, she was."
"What about your father?"
"Oh, he was equally supportive! I love both of my parents. He's the one who inspired me to chase after my dream."
---
"Son, it's okay if yer invention was another failure." He reeled in his line. They were both sitting in a fishing boat in the middle of a lake.
"I know dad but…"
"Now don't give up! Yer darn smart, almost like a genius! Why, you've invented so many things to help us around the house, and yer only eleven years old! I dunno how you do it son, but I'm very proud of you, even of yer failures."
"…really?"
"Of course. What matters is that you try and learn from yer mistakes to get better at what you love doing best."
"Well…I like to invent things and…I like to sing."
"Is that what you wanna do when yer old enough?"
"I'm not sure. I love singing and I'm getting better and better with the guitar, so I might want to be a singer! But I also love inventing things to help people!"
"Well just remember Once, that whatever you choose, make sure it's yer choice and not anybody else's. It's gonna be yer life, not theirs. Whatever makes you happy."
He smiled. "Thanks dad."
The big man gave a hearty laugh and ruffled his son's hair. "Son, I have a feelin' yer gonna amount to somethin' great. Just follow yer dreams, do what's right, an' you'll be fine. Never give up hope and keep an optimistic outlook, understood?"
Once-ler grinned. "Yes! I'll make you proud dad!"
"I know you will! Now whadaya say we get these here fish home to ma fer dinner?"
"Okay!"
---
"Your father sounds like a good man."
Once-ler laughed softly. "He was. The best father I could ever have. He believed in everything I did and only continued to give me encouragement." He got up and walked over to a table. Sitting back down he said, "This was taken a few years back."
Tori looked at the photo. There was Once-ler in his little overalls and big cheerful smile with his bright blue eyes, freckles decorating his cheeks. Two identical shorter boys were standing on either side of him with a happy expression
"Those are my twin brothers, Bret and Chet."
"They don't really look like you."
"Ha, they look more like mom. I was more like dad."
His mother was a pretty blonde woman with long hair and brown eyes, though she wore too much make-up, at least from Tori's perspective. A big burly man had his arm around her and a hand on Once-ler's head. His eyes and hair were the same color as his son, though he had a thick mustache and somewhat of a beard.
"Wow, your father is so…manly!"
"Yeah, the manliest man I knew!"
"You look like him. Well, the shape of your face looks closer to your mother's, but you have his eyes and hair. Also that same cheerful vibe."
"Thanks."
"Sounds like you have a nice family!" She handed the photo back to him. He looked at it and smiled. When he began to rub his thumbs against the glass of the frame, his smile grew into a frown. "Yeah…they were…"
"…were?"
He paused and spaced out again. Tori tugged on his sleeve. "Once-ler, are you okay?"
"Huh?"
"You seemed dazed."
"Oh, ah ha, sorry about that."
She stood quiet. "…things…they didn't stay that serene did they?"
"I hate to say it, but you've hit the nail on the head."
"…what happened…?"
Once-ler stood up and put the photo back. He turned around and smiled again. "That can wait until next time. I'm a little hungry. Do you want something to eat?"
"Again? Ah…w-well that'd be nice b-but I don't-"
"You're not imposing, don't worry!" he laughed.
"Well okay, uhm, yes I'd love to eat with you again!"
Once-ler cooked the two of them a very delicious meal as they ate in pleasant company at the table. "Really, you cook so well!"
"Mom knows best!"
"I'm so jealous. I don't know how to cook…" She laughed nervously. "It's shameful really."
"Why is it shameful? People learn at their own pace!" He pouted as he looked at his plate. "…uh, y'know, I can…teach you if you'd like."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"Oh, I'd be so grateful Once-ler! But it'd be too much trouble wouldn't it-"
"Not at all! Like I said, I enjoy your company."
"Uhm, well okay! When would you like to teach me? Ah, I'm going to be busy for the next three days though. Gonna take a drive to the beach with the family."
"Really? That sounds like fun! Oh…well…then it can start next week. How about Monday?"
"Sounds good! Do I need to bring anything?"
"Just an apron and your determination!"
"Okay, well, give me a list anyway of what ingredients you want me to buy."
"Are you positive? Because I don't mind-"
"You're already offering to teach me! Besides, I have some money saved up from watching over my neighbors' pets when they're gone."
"Alright, I'll make you a list!"
"Great! Monday?"
"Yup! It's a date!"
There was a pause of awkward silence and he quickly corrected himself. "Not…n-not THAT kind of date ah ha ha! Y'know a…like…like those-"
"I know Once-ler," she smiled, followed by a chuckle. "Don't get so nervous."
"I will remember that next time."
A knock came from the door and he got up to answer it. "Yes, can I help you?"
"Hey."
"Hey?"
"Did you happen to see a girl wandering in this forest? She's got short brown hair and big brown eyes with a dreamy look on her face-"
"Oh, yeah I have. Who might you be?"
"Name's Henry. I'm her friend."
"Okay, one moment."
"One moment? What does that mean?"
"Well, she came to visit me."
"And who the hell are you?"
Once-ler made a face. "I'm the Once-ler."
"Oh, you're that dork with the guitar who's been trying to sell that pink rag in town."
"It's not a rag. It's called a Thneed and it's-"
"Yeah yeah, the thing that anybody needs." He walked passed him into the house.
"Now hold on a moment! I didn't say you could come in-"
"Tori, there you are."
"Henry? What are you doing here?"
"I should be asking you that. Your mom was getting worried since you didn't take your drawing materials with you."
"I was hanging out here."
"With the lanky whackjob inventor?"
"Hey, my name's Once-ler, okay? And I'm not a whackjob!"
"Henry, be nice. Once-ler is a good guy. He's just a young entrepreneur."
"Whatever. Are you coming home or not? More importantly does your mom know you're out here?"
"She knows I'm in the forest but I didn't…tell her what I was doing here…"
"So she doesn't know you're hanging out with this guy?" He looked at Once-ler and shook his head. "She's a minor you know."
He looked offended. "Hey buddy, I'm not that kind of person!"
Tori gave a heavy sigh. "I'm sorry Once-ler. I'm gonna have to cut my visit short since I don't want my mom to worry."
"Alright."
She looked apologetic. "I promise next time I'll wash all the dishes."
"It's fine." He smiled.
"Well, I'm gonna get going." She put the bag over her. "I'll see you Monday!"
"I'll be waiting!"
He waved from his doorway and stood there until he couldn't see them anymore. Walking back inside, he began to clean up the kitchen.
"That little punk, talking to me like that. I'm not gonna have any of his sass! She can hang out with whoever she darn well pleases!"
"Feeling a little jealous beanpole?"
He turned around and found the Lorax sitting down on the bed.
"I'm not jealous. Where did that even come from? I'm just upset because of how that guy spoke to me! He has no manners! She has fun when she's here and he needs to shut his mouth! I like having her here, and Melvin does too! Dumb kid." He continued mumbling to himself as he viciously scrubbed the dishes.
The Lorax only smiled.
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A/N: Well this kinda sucked fhngjfkdsl At least that's what I think. Uh, I hope you liked it Koondy, even just a little! ;; Oh and...Henry is just there...fjnhgfjdks.