(no subject)
Title: The Kiss That Counted
Author: myforgottenpain
Rating: R
Pairing: Vam
Summary: Sometimes we must loose a little to gain a lot. AU fic in which Ville and Bam meet as kids.
Disclaimer: I don’t own anything connected to HIM, Ville Valo, or Bam Margera. Nor do I imply that in reality they are anything but friends. I, however, could not pass up a great idea for a fan fiction!
Warnings: Very Angsty
Authors Notes: Another short story, but I haven't decided how long... I'm shooting for about ten chapters or so.
Sorry Slasher darling! You'll be first again next time! Promise!
Caribou: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reindeer
Just a few days after April had gone into the principals office to discuss the situation with her son, Mrs. Smith received a note that said he would be moved from her room to Mrs. Auvo's class.
Part of her was relieved that she was no longer in charge of trying to educate that little monster, however, she was not happy that someone had gone above her head to get it done, let alone deprived her of instilling the sort discipline that Brandon really needed.
Bam was thrilled when he found out what was happening, tears running down his cheeks as he hugged Mrs. Auvo happily, on his first day in her class.
The change in his school performance was surprising even to the people who believed in him. Mrs. Auvo's classroom was very relaxed and was based around the idea that if you give, you will get in return. She had all of her students sit down with her and write up a contract. It was based around the rules of her classroom and the mutual promise to do their best, teacher and student a like.
She liked to give her children lots of incentives to stay on task. She had already established that this was going to be a constant problem with Bam. Taking into account that Bam was a very intelligent child, she made a deal with him. If he got his work done early, not rushed though, and it was correct; he had her permission to work with some of the struggling students.
Bam flourished in this new role. He enjoyed the chance to help his fellow students and took pride in his special role in the classroom. It was also a big help to Mrs. Auvo, who noticed the other students benefited from the extra help.
She also had a special policy as far as silent reading, during this time of the day, the children could sit any place they wanted except for obvious choices, like her desk. Bam enjoyed sitting on a low bookshelf, so the light from the sun outside was more focused on him. When the day was nice outside, he cracked the window open. His concentration on his reading soared, because he had been given the chance to choose a comfortable location.
Not everything could be fun and games and even in her class there were times when she needed the students to work and stay on task. That didn't stop her for coming up with something for Bam's wiggles. Instead of forcing him to sit in his desk for hours at end, she allowed him to discretely move to the rug and sit there, as long as he was behaving and getting his work done. The few second it took to move to the rug and even just getting into a new position, helped relieve Bam of some of his need to be active.
There were times, even in this improved situation that Bam had rough days. But he was doing much better, his grades were up, his behavior problems were down, and he once more, loved going to school.
Just a month after Bam's move, the class had a surprise visitor.
It wasn't unusual to see Mr. Auvo come by the class. He often made surprise trips to bring the class treats or his wife lunch. The kids adored him, usually calling him “Mr. Mika” instead of using his last name. He told them it was okay to call him that, since he was an artist and therefor, not as professional as his wife.
Mika did not come alone this time, he brought with him two children. A small baby he had propped on his hip and a boy about the same age as the students in the classroom. “These are my nephews.” He told the class when they moved to the front of the classroom. “Their mother is visiting all the way from my home country, Finland. This is Jesse...” He said, indicating to the baby. “And his brother Ville.” He finished, indicating to the boy next to him.
Ville was the same height as Bam was, with short dark hair, and bright green eyes. He was dressed in what Bam assumed was a suit and was really a school uniform. Forgetting the talk he had with Mrs. Auvo about boundaries, Bam jumped from the bookshelf where he had been reading and ran over to Ville.
“Hello!” Bam cried happily, hugging Ville, who about jumped from his skin. “Will you be my friend?” He asked, smiling brightly at the other boy.
“Bam... you didn't even introduce yourself.” Mrs. Auvo said, smiling as she shook her head, not from disappointment, but from amusement at Bam's sparked interest.
“Bam?” Ville asked, looking to the other boy.
“That's me!” Bam said happily, raising his hands above his head, making the other students laugh. “You're Ville and we should be friends.”
“Okay.” Ville said, not sure what to make of this strange kid.
“Yeah! You should sit with me!” Bam decided for them, taking Ville's hand so he could hurry back to the rug. “You came on the best day.” Bam said, throwing himself back into one of the bean bags.
“Why?” Ville asked, carefully sitting down.
“No, no, no... not like that... you have to jump.” Bam said, sitting crossed leg now, bouncing back and forth.
“Why?”
“Because it's fun.”
“No, why is it the best day?” Ville asked, his voice thick with his accent and he was clearly trying to think through their conversation.
“Oh...it's Friday, so it's pizza day!” Bam cheered, getting a warning look from Mrs. Auvo. “Sorry.”
“What's that?”
Bam turned and looked to Ville, “What?”
“Pizza?” Ville asked.
Bam's jaw dropped, “You don't know what pizza is?”
Ville shrugged.
“Wow.... you have missed out. It's the best ever, it's cheese and sauce and yummy!”
Ville believed his new friend, even if he still didn't understand why it was so great.
“Mr. Mika!” Bam cried, standing on the bean bag as he waved his hand.
“What Bam?” Mika asked with a smile.
“Can Ville stay for lunch and have yummy pizza with us?” Bam asked.
“Yes he may.” Mika said, turning to tell him wife how he would bring them back something to eat.
“Yeah! You can stay.” Bam told Ville, sitting back down again.
Even though he had heard his uncle answer the question, Ville smiled and thanked Bam anyways.
“Alright boys and girls, let's get back to silent reading alright? Bam, you may share your books with Ville there, if you can both be quiet.”
“Alright Mrs. Auvo... I don't think that will be a problem. Ville is a very quiet person.” Bam said, taking his books from the shelf, so he could show them to Ville. Curled up on the bean bags, Bam started silently reading to Ville.
“What's that?” Ville asked, indicating to one of the words.
“Ham...”
“What's ham?” Ville asked, looking to Bam.
“Umm... it's a meat.”
“Oh...”
“Don't you eat ham?” Bam asked in an interested manner.
“I like caribou.” Ville said.
Bam's eyes went wide, “Wow... what's that?”
Ville shrugged, “Meat?”
Bam nodded, “It sounds like a good meat.”
Ville nodded, “It is.”
“That's a neat word.” Bam said randomly a few second later, grinning at his friend.
“What is?”
“Caribou.” Bam answered, making Ville smile.
“Would you like me to spell it?”
Bam's eyes went wide like that was the nicest thing he had ever heard. After nodding quickly and in an over exaggerated manner, he crept over to his desk for paper and pencil.
Ville looked at the little nub of a pencil Bam gave him, “You write with weird things.”
“It used to be longer.” Bam said, sitting right next to Ville.
“What happened to it?” Ville asked as he wrote out the word caribou.
“I sharpened it a lot. Mrs. Auvo said we eat the pencils and that's why she is always running out of them. I said the pencil sharpener eats them and that's why they are so small... she laughed. Mrs. Smith gave me detention when I told her about how the pencil sharpener eats the pencils.”
“Who is Mrs. Smith?” Ville asked handing Bam the paper.
“My old teacher... she was mean... I hope you never get her as a teacher.”
Ville's eyes went wide and for a moment he looked worried that he might. “I hope I never do.”
Bam smiled at the paper, then was animated again. “Can you write another neat word?”
“Like what?”
“Umm... your name!”
“Lots of people have my name.” Ville stated, since it was a common name where he was from, as he took the paper and wrote his name on it.
“I've never heard of anyone named Ville before.” Bam said, watching as Ville spelled his whole name. “Your name isn't Auvo?”
Ville shook his head, “Valo, like my papa.”
Bam nodded, “Oh... okay...”
“Can you write me something?” Ville asked softly.
“Umm... alright.” Bam carefully, and as quietly as he could, ripped off some of the paper. He wrote his name Bam Margera and the word ham.
Ville smiled as he took the paper back. “I like the word ham.”
Bam smiled, “Caribou is better.”
Almost right after Bam said that, Mrs. Auvo had them take care of their things and get ready for lunch. Bam pleaded with her to let Ville walk with them and finally gave into it. In the cafeteria, Bam introduced his new friend Ville to all of the lunch ladies, who smiled and said it was nice to meet him. Since it was Friday and the class had done well through the week, she let them eat lunch in the classroom, so they could read or draw while they ate.
Bam sat on the rug with Ville. He split his slice of pizza in half, giving Ville the part at the bottom with no crust, since the crust was sort of boring. They took turns drinking from the chocolate milk container and using the spoon to eat the apple sauce. Ville tried the dip for the veggies, but didn't like it very much.
Mika returned with Ville's lunch and sighed when he saw the kids, “I wish I would have been faster,” he said to his wife, who was watching Bam with pride in her eyes.
“I tried to tell him that you were bringing something for Ville, but he said... and this is a direct quote... No, no, no... I have to share my pizza... that's what good friends do.” She even waved her hand the same way he did, when he said no.
“Well I should get this to them anyways, one piece of pizza will not be enough for two growing boys.” Mika went over to the boys and handed Ville his lunch.
Bam's eyes went wide, “Is there caribou?”
Mika's eyes went wide, “How did you know?” He teased, winking at Bam, who smiled brightly at him.
“Ville told me all about it.” Bam said as Ville pulled out things from the bag. “He's really smart.” Bam whispered to Mika, who chuckled.
“Yes he is.”
Ville pulled out the sandwich and showed it to Bam.
“Is that what caribou looks like?” Bam asked, poking the roast beef sandwich skeptically.
“Maybe it's American caribou?” Ville offered.
Bam nodded, “That sounds right. See.. you're smart.”
Both satisfied with the answer, they each took a half of it and ate it. Mika walked away from them, barely able to contain his laughter.
***
“You should come and stay at my house. We would have so much fun!” Bam said happily.
Ville smiled, “I bet.”
“We'll have to ask his mother, when we get home.” Mika said.
Bam noticed the frown that appeared on Ville's lips, then looked to the adult. “But... sleep overs are what best friends do.”
“You're best friends already?” Mika asked.
Bam nodded his head so quickly, his curls bounced. “Yes! And because he's my best friend, he needs to eat my mom's pie.”
“He has too?”
Bam nodded again, “He might die if he doesn't... and we don't want that.” His lie was more of a behavior he had picked up from his brother, who was constantly on the verge of death if he didn't get something he wanted.
“I thought Ryan was your best friend?” Mrs. Auvo interjected, crossing her arms.
“He is my other best friend.” Bam explained, “He's great... but he doesn't know what caribou means.”
“And you do?” She challenged, amused at his reasoning.
Bam acted like it was obvious that he did. “It's meat.”
“It's reindeer.” Mika said.
Bam's eyes went wide, “like Santa's reindeer? Like Prancer and Dasher....”
Mika nodded, smiling even though his wife was giving him a look that said, she didn't know if this was a good thing to be telling a child.
“Ville ate Santa's reindeer?” Bam asked in an amazed tone.
Mika nodded, “I have too, they are yummy.”
“Ville!” Bam yelled, running back over to the other boy. “You are so cool!”
Mika smacked his hand to his forehead and sighed, “Kids.”
***
“You should let him go.” Mika was saying.
Ville crept closer to the doorway, so he could over hear the conversation of the adults.
“Why?” Anita asked.
“Because it would be nice for him to spend some time with a kid his own age. It's a once in a life time experience.”
“He isn't going to live here forever.” Anita pointed out.
“They could be pen pals?”
Anita thought about that for a moment, “That might not be so bad.”
“Well...” Mika went on. “If they can be pen pals, then what is the harm in him going over to visit?”
Anita frowned, still not convinced.
“You would be free to go shopping in Philly all by yourself.”
“You've forgotten about Jesse...”
Mika smiled, “Who said I wouldn't watch him?”
Now Anita was interested, “Very well... if it means that much to him...”
“Thank you momma!” Ville interjected happily, running off to get ready for his trip.
***
“Who is that?” Phil asked, watching a car pull up to the driveway.
“I have no idea.” April said, walking over to the man who was stepping out of it. She instantly realized who it was and smiled, “Hello Mr. Auvo!”
“We are not at the school, you can call me Mika.”
“Nice to see you Mika. How can we help you?”
“I assume Bam told you about my sister's children staying with me for a little bit.”
They nodded, chuckling in remembrance of the last few days. “He can't stop telling us about it.” April commented. “He's very attacked to your nephew...”
“Ville...yes... Ville has taken quite a liking to your son. I was wondering... would it be alright for him to visit? Maybe spend the night? I know it's last minute, but we just got permission from his mother.”
“Oh that would be fine!” April said, interrupting Mika. “Is he here?”
Mika nodded and told Ville it was alright to come out. Ville came out from the backseat, no longer in his school uniform. He moved closer to his uncle and smiled shyly at them.
April squealed, “Aren't you about the cutest thing ever!” She exclaimed, pulling the little boy into a hug.
Ville wasn't as surprised as when Bam hugged him, but at least it made more sense. “Nice to meet you.”
“And look at those pretty eyes. You are just darling.” April laughed in an excited manner. “Bam is going to be thrilled.”
“I'll take him down to Bam.” Phil offered, holding his hand out for Ville, who took it after staring at it for a moment in confusion.
“Is there anything special we should know?” April asked, taking Ville's over night bag from Mika.
“Not that I know of... my sister never said anything anyways.”
As they discussed what time Ville would be picked up, Phil took Ville inside so he could change into something else. After he was done, he took him down to the pond where Bam, Jess, and some of their friends were swimming.
The pond, was several yards away from their house and tucked back in a section of woods. The land was flat for a deceptively long time, then drastically sloped down, in a way that caught most people off guard. It did for Ville, who would have slipped right down onto his bottom if Phil hadn't caught him.
They got down to the pond, lead almost as much from the loud yelling and laughing of the children as the path.
“Bam! Look who's here!” Phil called, waving to his son.
Ville's eyes grew some what larger when he realized finally why they had came here. He slowed down and lingered behind Phil, watching the other children nervously.
Bam came out of the water, which fell from everywhere on him. He beamed and ran over to Ville. “Ville!” He cried before hugging him, getting Ville pretty wet in the process. “Are you staying for dinner?”
“The night.” Phil said.
“Yeah!” Bam cheered, hugging Ville again, who let him, but didn't return it. Then Bam went to hug Phil who knew better than to let his guard down around a wet Bam.
“Save it for later... I love you.. but I don't want pond water all over me.”
“Awww...” Bam tried to look disappointed, but couldn't stop smiling. He turned his attention to Ville, missing the apprehensive look on Ville's face. “Let's swim!” Bam cried, taking Ville's hand to lead him to the water. He came to a sudden stop and realized Ville had refused to move. “Come on Ville... the pond is over there.” Bam said, pointing to the body of water, as if it wasn't obviously in sight.
Ville shook his head and even backed further away from it.
Phil realized now that Ville actually looked frightened of the water. “Bam I...”
“Come on Ville....” Bam tried, pulling on his friend, who was pulling away.
“No!” Ville cried before they both went tumbling to the ground. Ville hurried to his feet and ran back up the the little slope and didn't stop until he put a few yards between himself and the pond.
“Ville!” Bam cried, running after Ville.
“Phil?” April's voice came crackling over a walkie talkie they had the children take down to the pond, in case they needed to get their attention.
“One minute... we have a slight situation.” Phil answered, before hurrying after the children.
Bam caught up with Ville a few minutes after the other boy had run off. He found Ville sitting on the ground, an upset look on his face. “Are you alright?”
“I'm sorry Bam...”
“It's alright... we don't have to swim.” Bam didn't understand what was happening, just that Ville looked less upset when he heard that. “Let's go back to the house and play video games!” Bam offered just as Phil caught up with them.
Phil was happy to see them smiling and chose not to discuss what had happened, since both boys seemed content. He followed the pair back to the house, smiling at their excited talk about all the fun things they would do together.
***
“Bam, show Ville how we wash our hands.” April said, trying to minimize the mayhem as everyone gathered for dinner. As normal, a few of the boys friends stayed, familiar faces, children who didn't have the chance to have family dinners unless it was with the Margera clan.
“I think he knows how to wash his hands mom.” Bam responded in one of his more, cockier moments.
After they washed their hands and Jess and Bam fought over where they would sit, everyone settled in and food was passed around.
“What is this?” Ville asked in a curious manner, examining the meal.
Bam looked at the gravy covered pork chops and grinned, “More American caribou.”
Ville grinned at the inside joke and the pair laughed, even though April tried in vain to tell him what it really was.
After dinner, as Phil made sure the other children got home safely, and Jess went to stay with one of his friends, April let Bam pull out sleeping bags for himself and Ville.
“Some day... you'll have to go camping with me. It's so much fun!” Bam said.
Ville smiled and said he would like too.
April dished them out ooey, gooey, buttery popcorn and put in a kids movie for them to watch. Ville missed the majority of the jokes, since his knowledge of American culture was limited, but laughed anyways; mostly because of the way Bam laughed through out the show.
Phil returned home and watched the end of the movie. The kids had fallen asleep on the floor, so they focused on quietly taking care of the bowls and turning lights off, leaving them there, sleeping peacefully.
“It's a shame...” April said when she was in her room with Phil. “That Ville couldn't be here more often. They are so cute together.”
Phil nodded in agreement. “He is a very nice kid too.. a nice change from the rowdier type our boys attract.”
April nodded as she slipped into bed with her husband. “Bam is going to be heart broken when he realizes Ville is not coming back.”
“At least they can write to each other.” Phil said, drawing his wife close.
The concept of being Ville's pen pal did little to sooth Bam when Mika came to pick him up the next day. He had planned out what they would do for the next week and weekend and didn't understand what they meant by Ville had to go home.
“But he can come back right?”
“Maybe some day.” Mika said.
April watched Bam with a worried look.
“Can he stay over again next week?” Bam tried, having no real way to understand what someday could entail.
“Ville doesn't live here in America... he lives in Finland... he is going back to Finland.” Mika said, closing the passenger door. His nephew looked as miserable as Bam did.
Bam fidgeting in his spot, looking confused and upset. “But he can visit right?”
Mika sighed and looked to April and Phil, “Thank you for taking care of my nephew.” He attempted to get to the driver's side door and was stopped by Bam.
“Ville is my best friend!” Bam insisted, starting to get all worked up.
“I'm sorry... he has to go home to his family.”
Bam was desperate. “You can take Jess.”
“Bam!” April scolded.
“I'm sorry... someday you will see each other again.” Mika said, sliding into the driver's seat.
“When is someday?”
“I don't know.... could be years.”
Bam's eyes went wide. “Years?” He cried, now really upset. He had to wait a year for his birthday and a year for Christmas and Halloween. A year was a reeeeeally long time. He didn't know if he could wait a year to see his best friend again.
In his shocked state he didn't even realize the door had closed until the car was backing out of the driveway. “No!” He started to go after it, but was stopped by Phil.
“Bam...” Phil said, trying to comfort his son.
Bam struggled in Phil's arms, starting to cry as the car disappeared down the road. His attempts to get away were futile since Phil was much too strong for him. His face was bright red, snot leaked from his nose as tears rolled down his cheeks. His struggling finally stopped, his hands near his eyes as he wailed unhappily. Sniffling back the leak from his nose, Bam coughed and looked frantically around. Spotting his mother, he reached out for her, his tears continued.
Phil gently passed Bam to April, who held him against her chest, one arm under his bottom, so she could rub his back with her free hand. “Shhhhh... it's alright Bam.” She said comfortingly, rocking him gently back and forth.
Bam hiccuped and sat up, pointing down the road. “They took my friend!”
“I know Bam... but you'll get to write to him... that will be fun.”
“What if I never see him again?” Bam whimpered, his tears still falling from his big blue eyes, but some what slower.
April pulled a handkerchief from her pocket and wiped his nose with it, telling him to blow, which he did. Dabbing his eyes gently, she said, “You might see him again... who knows, maybe you will get to go to Finland some day?”
“Can we go soon?”
April smiled at the boy's innocent question. “No... but we can have some ice cream... how does that sound?”
Bam looked down frowning softly, “Okay...” He wrapped his arms around her neck once more, rubbing his eyes, as April carried him back into the house.
http://community.livejournal.com/__vam/3962425.html?view=56068921#t56068921
Author: myforgottenpain
Rating: R
Pairing: Vam
Summary: Sometimes we must loose a little to gain a lot. AU fic in which Ville and Bam meet as kids.
Disclaimer: I don’t own anything connected to HIM, Ville Valo, or Bam Margera. Nor do I imply that in reality they are anything but friends. I, however, could not pass up a great idea for a fan fiction!
Warnings: Very Angsty
Authors Notes: Another short story, but I haven't decided how long... I'm shooting for about ten chapters or so.
Sorry Slasher darling! You'll be first again next time! Promise!
Caribou: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reindeer
Just a few days after April had gone into the principals office to discuss the situation with her son, Mrs. Smith received a note that said he would be moved from her room to Mrs. Auvo's class.
Part of her was relieved that she was no longer in charge of trying to educate that little monster, however, she was not happy that someone had gone above her head to get it done, let alone deprived her of instilling the sort discipline that Brandon really needed.
Bam was thrilled when he found out what was happening, tears running down his cheeks as he hugged Mrs. Auvo happily, on his first day in her class.
The change in his school performance was surprising even to the people who believed in him. Mrs. Auvo's classroom was very relaxed and was based around the idea that if you give, you will get in return. She had all of her students sit down with her and write up a contract. It was based around the rules of her classroom and the mutual promise to do their best, teacher and student a like.
She liked to give her children lots of incentives to stay on task. She had already established that this was going to be a constant problem with Bam. Taking into account that Bam was a very intelligent child, she made a deal with him. If he got his work done early, not rushed though, and it was correct; he had her permission to work with some of the struggling students.
Bam flourished in this new role. He enjoyed the chance to help his fellow students and took pride in his special role in the classroom. It was also a big help to Mrs. Auvo, who noticed the other students benefited from the extra help.
She also had a special policy as far as silent reading, during this time of the day, the children could sit any place they wanted except for obvious choices, like her desk. Bam enjoyed sitting on a low bookshelf, so the light from the sun outside was more focused on him. When the day was nice outside, he cracked the window open. His concentration on his reading soared, because he had been given the chance to choose a comfortable location.
Not everything could be fun and games and even in her class there were times when she needed the students to work and stay on task. That didn't stop her for coming up with something for Bam's wiggles. Instead of forcing him to sit in his desk for hours at end, she allowed him to discretely move to the rug and sit there, as long as he was behaving and getting his work done. The few second it took to move to the rug and even just getting into a new position, helped relieve Bam of some of his need to be active.
There were times, even in this improved situation that Bam had rough days. But he was doing much better, his grades were up, his behavior problems were down, and he once more, loved going to school.
Just a month after Bam's move, the class had a surprise visitor.
It wasn't unusual to see Mr. Auvo come by the class. He often made surprise trips to bring the class treats or his wife lunch. The kids adored him, usually calling him “Mr. Mika” instead of using his last name. He told them it was okay to call him that, since he was an artist and therefor, not as professional as his wife.
Mika did not come alone this time, he brought with him two children. A small baby he had propped on his hip and a boy about the same age as the students in the classroom. “These are my nephews.” He told the class when they moved to the front of the classroom. “Their mother is visiting all the way from my home country, Finland. This is Jesse...” He said, indicating to the baby. “And his brother Ville.” He finished, indicating to the boy next to him.
Ville was the same height as Bam was, with short dark hair, and bright green eyes. He was dressed in what Bam assumed was a suit and was really a school uniform. Forgetting the talk he had with Mrs. Auvo about boundaries, Bam jumped from the bookshelf where he had been reading and ran over to Ville.
“Hello!” Bam cried happily, hugging Ville, who about jumped from his skin. “Will you be my friend?” He asked, smiling brightly at the other boy.
“Bam... you didn't even introduce yourself.” Mrs. Auvo said, smiling as she shook her head, not from disappointment, but from amusement at Bam's sparked interest.
“Bam?” Ville asked, looking to the other boy.
“That's me!” Bam said happily, raising his hands above his head, making the other students laugh. “You're Ville and we should be friends.”
“Okay.” Ville said, not sure what to make of this strange kid.
“Yeah! You should sit with me!” Bam decided for them, taking Ville's hand so he could hurry back to the rug. “You came on the best day.” Bam said, throwing himself back into one of the bean bags.
“Why?” Ville asked, carefully sitting down.
“No, no, no... not like that... you have to jump.” Bam said, sitting crossed leg now, bouncing back and forth.
“Why?”
“Because it's fun.”
“No, why is it the best day?” Ville asked, his voice thick with his accent and he was clearly trying to think through their conversation.
“Oh...it's Friday, so it's pizza day!” Bam cheered, getting a warning look from Mrs. Auvo. “Sorry.”
“What's that?”
Bam turned and looked to Ville, “What?”
“Pizza?” Ville asked.
Bam's jaw dropped, “You don't know what pizza is?”
Ville shrugged.
“Wow.... you have missed out. It's the best ever, it's cheese and sauce and yummy!”
Ville believed his new friend, even if he still didn't understand why it was so great.
“Mr. Mika!” Bam cried, standing on the bean bag as he waved his hand.
“What Bam?” Mika asked with a smile.
“Can Ville stay for lunch and have yummy pizza with us?” Bam asked.
“Yes he may.” Mika said, turning to tell him wife how he would bring them back something to eat.
“Yeah! You can stay.” Bam told Ville, sitting back down again.
Even though he had heard his uncle answer the question, Ville smiled and thanked Bam anyways.
“Alright boys and girls, let's get back to silent reading alright? Bam, you may share your books with Ville there, if you can both be quiet.”
“Alright Mrs. Auvo... I don't think that will be a problem. Ville is a very quiet person.” Bam said, taking his books from the shelf, so he could show them to Ville. Curled up on the bean bags, Bam started silently reading to Ville.
“What's that?” Ville asked, indicating to one of the words.
“Ham...”
“What's ham?” Ville asked, looking to Bam.
“Umm... it's a meat.”
“Oh...”
“Don't you eat ham?” Bam asked in an interested manner.
“I like caribou.” Ville said.
Bam's eyes went wide, “Wow... what's that?”
Ville shrugged, “Meat?”
Bam nodded, “It sounds like a good meat.”
Ville nodded, “It is.”
“That's a neat word.” Bam said randomly a few second later, grinning at his friend.
“What is?”
“Caribou.” Bam answered, making Ville smile.
“Would you like me to spell it?”
Bam's eyes went wide like that was the nicest thing he had ever heard. After nodding quickly and in an over exaggerated manner, he crept over to his desk for paper and pencil.
Ville looked at the little nub of a pencil Bam gave him, “You write with weird things.”
“It used to be longer.” Bam said, sitting right next to Ville.
“What happened to it?” Ville asked as he wrote out the word caribou.
“I sharpened it a lot. Mrs. Auvo said we eat the pencils and that's why she is always running out of them. I said the pencil sharpener eats them and that's why they are so small... she laughed. Mrs. Smith gave me detention when I told her about how the pencil sharpener eats the pencils.”
“Who is Mrs. Smith?” Ville asked handing Bam the paper.
“My old teacher... she was mean... I hope you never get her as a teacher.”
Ville's eyes went wide and for a moment he looked worried that he might. “I hope I never do.”
Bam smiled at the paper, then was animated again. “Can you write another neat word?”
“Like what?”
“Umm... your name!”
“Lots of people have my name.” Ville stated, since it was a common name where he was from, as he took the paper and wrote his name on it.
“I've never heard of anyone named Ville before.” Bam said, watching as Ville spelled his whole name. “Your name isn't Auvo?”
Ville shook his head, “Valo, like my papa.”
Bam nodded, “Oh... okay...”
“Can you write me something?” Ville asked softly.
“Umm... alright.” Bam carefully, and as quietly as he could, ripped off some of the paper. He wrote his name Bam Margera and the word ham.
Ville smiled as he took the paper back. “I like the word ham.”
Bam smiled, “Caribou is better.”
Almost right after Bam said that, Mrs. Auvo had them take care of their things and get ready for lunch. Bam pleaded with her to let Ville walk with them and finally gave into it. In the cafeteria, Bam introduced his new friend Ville to all of the lunch ladies, who smiled and said it was nice to meet him. Since it was Friday and the class had done well through the week, she let them eat lunch in the classroom, so they could read or draw while they ate.
Bam sat on the rug with Ville. He split his slice of pizza in half, giving Ville the part at the bottom with no crust, since the crust was sort of boring. They took turns drinking from the chocolate milk container and using the spoon to eat the apple sauce. Ville tried the dip for the veggies, but didn't like it very much.
Mika returned with Ville's lunch and sighed when he saw the kids, “I wish I would have been faster,” he said to his wife, who was watching Bam with pride in her eyes.
“I tried to tell him that you were bringing something for Ville, but he said... and this is a direct quote... No, no, no... I have to share my pizza... that's what good friends do.” She even waved her hand the same way he did, when he said no.
“Well I should get this to them anyways, one piece of pizza will not be enough for two growing boys.” Mika went over to the boys and handed Ville his lunch.
Bam's eyes went wide, “Is there caribou?”
Mika's eyes went wide, “How did you know?” He teased, winking at Bam, who smiled brightly at him.
“Ville told me all about it.” Bam said as Ville pulled out things from the bag. “He's really smart.” Bam whispered to Mika, who chuckled.
“Yes he is.”
Ville pulled out the sandwich and showed it to Bam.
“Is that what caribou looks like?” Bam asked, poking the roast beef sandwich skeptically.
“Maybe it's American caribou?” Ville offered.
Bam nodded, “That sounds right. See.. you're smart.”
Both satisfied with the answer, they each took a half of it and ate it. Mika walked away from them, barely able to contain his laughter.
***
“You should come and stay at my house. We would have so much fun!” Bam said happily.
Ville smiled, “I bet.”
“We'll have to ask his mother, when we get home.” Mika said.
Bam noticed the frown that appeared on Ville's lips, then looked to the adult. “But... sleep overs are what best friends do.”
“You're best friends already?” Mika asked.
Bam nodded his head so quickly, his curls bounced. “Yes! And because he's my best friend, he needs to eat my mom's pie.”
“He has too?”
Bam nodded again, “He might die if he doesn't... and we don't want that.” His lie was more of a behavior he had picked up from his brother, who was constantly on the verge of death if he didn't get something he wanted.
“I thought Ryan was your best friend?” Mrs. Auvo interjected, crossing her arms.
“He is my other best friend.” Bam explained, “He's great... but he doesn't know what caribou means.”
“And you do?” She challenged, amused at his reasoning.
Bam acted like it was obvious that he did. “It's meat.”
“It's reindeer.” Mika said.
Bam's eyes went wide, “like Santa's reindeer? Like Prancer and Dasher....”
Mika nodded, smiling even though his wife was giving him a look that said, she didn't know if this was a good thing to be telling a child.
“Ville ate Santa's reindeer?” Bam asked in an amazed tone.
Mika nodded, “I have too, they are yummy.”
“Ville!” Bam yelled, running back over to the other boy. “You are so cool!”
Mika smacked his hand to his forehead and sighed, “Kids.”
***
“You should let him go.” Mika was saying.
Ville crept closer to the doorway, so he could over hear the conversation of the adults.
“Why?” Anita asked.
“Because it would be nice for him to spend some time with a kid his own age. It's a once in a life time experience.”
“He isn't going to live here forever.” Anita pointed out.
“They could be pen pals?”
Anita thought about that for a moment, “That might not be so bad.”
“Well...” Mika went on. “If they can be pen pals, then what is the harm in him going over to visit?”
Anita frowned, still not convinced.
“You would be free to go shopping in Philly all by yourself.”
“You've forgotten about Jesse...”
Mika smiled, “Who said I wouldn't watch him?”
Now Anita was interested, “Very well... if it means that much to him...”
“Thank you momma!” Ville interjected happily, running off to get ready for his trip.
***
“Who is that?” Phil asked, watching a car pull up to the driveway.
“I have no idea.” April said, walking over to the man who was stepping out of it. She instantly realized who it was and smiled, “Hello Mr. Auvo!”
“We are not at the school, you can call me Mika.”
“Nice to see you Mika. How can we help you?”
“I assume Bam told you about my sister's children staying with me for a little bit.”
They nodded, chuckling in remembrance of the last few days. “He can't stop telling us about it.” April commented. “He's very attacked to your nephew...”
“Ville...yes... Ville has taken quite a liking to your son. I was wondering... would it be alright for him to visit? Maybe spend the night? I know it's last minute, but we just got permission from his mother.”
“Oh that would be fine!” April said, interrupting Mika. “Is he here?”
Mika nodded and told Ville it was alright to come out. Ville came out from the backseat, no longer in his school uniform. He moved closer to his uncle and smiled shyly at them.
April squealed, “Aren't you about the cutest thing ever!” She exclaimed, pulling the little boy into a hug.
Ville wasn't as surprised as when Bam hugged him, but at least it made more sense. “Nice to meet you.”
“And look at those pretty eyes. You are just darling.” April laughed in an excited manner. “Bam is going to be thrilled.”
“I'll take him down to Bam.” Phil offered, holding his hand out for Ville, who took it after staring at it for a moment in confusion.
“Is there anything special we should know?” April asked, taking Ville's over night bag from Mika.
“Not that I know of... my sister never said anything anyways.”
As they discussed what time Ville would be picked up, Phil took Ville inside so he could change into something else. After he was done, he took him down to the pond where Bam, Jess, and some of their friends were swimming.
The pond, was several yards away from their house and tucked back in a section of woods. The land was flat for a deceptively long time, then drastically sloped down, in a way that caught most people off guard. It did for Ville, who would have slipped right down onto his bottom if Phil hadn't caught him.
They got down to the pond, lead almost as much from the loud yelling and laughing of the children as the path.
“Bam! Look who's here!” Phil called, waving to his son.
Ville's eyes grew some what larger when he realized finally why they had came here. He slowed down and lingered behind Phil, watching the other children nervously.
Bam came out of the water, which fell from everywhere on him. He beamed and ran over to Ville. “Ville!” He cried before hugging him, getting Ville pretty wet in the process. “Are you staying for dinner?”
“The night.” Phil said.
“Yeah!” Bam cheered, hugging Ville again, who let him, but didn't return it. Then Bam went to hug Phil who knew better than to let his guard down around a wet Bam.
“Save it for later... I love you.. but I don't want pond water all over me.”
“Awww...” Bam tried to look disappointed, but couldn't stop smiling. He turned his attention to Ville, missing the apprehensive look on Ville's face. “Let's swim!” Bam cried, taking Ville's hand to lead him to the water. He came to a sudden stop and realized Ville had refused to move. “Come on Ville... the pond is over there.” Bam said, pointing to the body of water, as if it wasn't obviously in sight.
Ville shook his head and even backed further away from it.
Phil realized now that Ville actually looked frightened of the water. “Bam I...”
“Come on Ville....” Bam tried, pulling on his friend, who was pulling away.
“No!” Ville cried before they both went tumbling to the ground. Ville hurried to his feet and ran back up the the little slope and didn't stop until he put a few yards between himself and the pond.
“Ville!” Bam cried, running after Ville.
“Phil?” April's voice came crackling over a walkie talkie they had the children take down to the pond, in case they needed to get their attention.
“One minute... we have a slight situation.” Phil answered, before hurrying after the children.
Bam caught up with Ville a few minutes after the other boy had run off. He found Ville sitting on the ground, an upset look on his face. “Are you alright?”
“I'm sorry Bam...”
“It's alright... we don't have to swim.” Bam didn't understand what was happening, just that Ville looked less upset when he heard that. “Let's go back to the house and play video games!” Bam offered just as Phil caught up with them.
Phil was happy to see them smiling and chose not to discuss what had happened, since both boys seemed content. He followed the pair back to the house, smiling at their excited talk about all the fun things they would do together.
***
“Bam, show Ville how we wash our hands.” April said, trying to minimize the mayhem as everyone gathered for dinner. As normal, a few of the boys friends stayed, familiar faces, children who didn't have the chance to have family dinners unless it was with the Margera clan.
“I think he knows how to wash his hands mom.” Bam responded in one of his more, cockier moments.
After they washed their hands and Jess and Bam fought over where they would sit, everyone settled in and food was passed around.
“What is this?” Ville asked in a curious manner, examining the meal.
Bam looked at the gravy covered pork chops and grinned, “More American caribou.”
Ville grinned at the inside joke and the pair laughed, even though April tried in vain to tell him what it really was.
After dinner, as Phil made sure the other children got home safely, and Jess went to stay with one of his friends, April let Bam pull out sleeping bags for himself and Ville.
“Some day... you'll have to go camping with me. It's so much fun!” Bam said.
Ville smiled and said he would like too.
April dished them out ooey, gooey, buttery popcorn and put in a kids movie for them to watch. Ville missed the majority of the jokes, since his knowledge of American culture was limited, but laughed anyways; mostly because of the way Bam laughed through out the show.
Phil returned home and watched the end of the movie. The kids had fallen asleep on the floor, so they focused on quietly taking care of the bowls and turning lights off, leaving them there, sleeping peacefully.
“It's a shame...” April said when she was in her room with Phil. “That Ville couldn't be here more often. They are so cute together.”
Phil nodded in agreement. “He is a very nice kid too.. a nice change from the rowdier type our boys attract.”
April nodded as she slipped into bed with her husband. “Bam is going to be heart broken when he realizes Ville is not coming back.”
“At least they can write to each other.” Phil said, drawing his wife close.
The concept of being Ville's pen pal did little to sooth Bam when Mika came to pick him up the next day. He had planned out what they would do for the next week and weekend and didn't understand what they meant by Ville had to go home.
“But he can come back right?”
“Maybe some day.” Mika said.
April watched Bam with a worried look.
“Can he stay over again next week?” Bam tried, having no real way to understand what someday could entail.
“Ville doesn't live here in America... he lives in Finland... he is going back to Finland.” Mika said, closing the passenger door. His nephew looked as miserable as Bam did.
Bam fidgeting in his spot, looking confused and upset. “But he can visit right?”
Mika sighed and looked to April and Phil, “Thank you for taking care of my nephew.” He attempted to get to the driver's side door and was stopped by Bam.
“Ville is my best friend!” Bam insisted, starting to get all worked up.
“I'm sorry... he has to go home to his family.”
Bam was desperate. “You can take Jess.”
“Bam!” April scolded.
“I'm sorry... someday you will see each other again.” Mika said, sliding into the driver's seat.
“When is someday?”
“I don't know.... could be years.”
Bam's eyes went wide. “Years?” He cried, now really upset. He had to wait a year for his birthday and a year for Christmas and Halloween. A year was a reeeeeally long time. He didn't know if he could wait a year to see his best friend again.
In his shocked state he didn't even realize the door had closed until the car was backing out of the driveway. “No!” He started to go after it, but was stopped by Phil.
“Bam...” Phil said, trying to comfort his son.
Bam struggled in Phil's arms, starting to cry as the car disappeared down the road. His attempts to get away were futile since Phil was much too strong for him. His face was bright red, snot leaked from his nose as tears rolled down his cheeks. His struggling finally stopped, his hands near his eyes as he wailed unhappily. Sniffling back the leak from his nose, Bam coughed and looked frantically around. Spotting his mother, he reached out for her, his tears continued.
Phil gently passed Bam to April, who held him against her chest, one arm under his bottom, so she could rub his back with her free hand. “Shhhhh... it's alright Bam.” She said comfortingly, rocking him gently back and forth.
Bam hiccuped and sat up, pointing down the road. “They took my friend!”
“I know Bam... but you'll get to write to him... that will be fun.”
“What if I never see him again?” Bam whimpered, his tears still falling from his big blue eyes, but some what slower.
April pulled a handkerchief from her pocket and wiped his nose with it, telling him to blow, which he did. Dabbing his eyes gently, she said, “You might see him again... who knows, maybe you will get to go to Finland some day?”
“Can we go soon?”
April smiled at the boy's innocent question. “No... but we can have some ice cream... how does that sound?”
Bam looked down frowning softly, “Okay...” He wrapped his arms around her neck once more, rubbing his eyes, as April carried him back into the house.
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