INTO

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

It was just another semi-normal lunch time at Movillster High with Adam, Miranda, Gwen and Tina filling an empty table as they feasted on fruits. Since Movillster and Movillster High, they only ate fruits when they were outside since they were not fully used to the type of food eaten. They couldn't ask Bernard to pack them a lunchbox to school thus, all they ate at school too was the only mutual edible thing both worlds had in common.

They munched on their apples with different speed until they all spotted Petal and the gang. They subconsciously all adjusted their sitting positions in a way that could confuse anyone on whether they wanted the gang to join them or not.

Tina spoke first. "Is it just me or has anyone else been thinking about what Clover said yesterday?"

"I'm pretty sure we've all been thinking about it," Miranda replied her.

"Yeah but I've been thinking about Stefan especially," Tina said, quickly glancing at him. "Remember what Clover said? He can not only erase our memories, he can control our minds too. What if, he can also read our minds?"

"We'll be doomed then," Adam said with a light laughter but they knew better to know he wasn't joking.

"Honestly," Gwen affirmed. "The things that run through my mind whenever they're around-"

Tina shivered. "No, no. I don't even want to think about it."

"But what if he can?" Miranda asked. "Do you think he'll actually keep silent?"

"No. I really doubt that."

"Let's just act like he can actually read our minds," Miranda said. "Try to think less about wanting to get out of here because you don't actually belong here when he's around."

They nodded and immediately started their mental preparation as they noticed the gang coming towards them.

"Heyy guys," Petal was her usual self as she sat next to Gwen. "What's up?"

Their replies were stiffed as they made room for the gang to sit.

“Why are you guys being silent?” Petal spoke up, staring at them suspiciously. “Are you all usually this quiet or is it just cause we are around?”

“Why would it be cause you’re around?” Miranda scoffed at her. “Don’t flatter yourselves, okay?”

“Have I told you I absolutely love your guts?”

“I’m pretty sure you did the first time we met,” Miranda replied Stefan with a smile. “Again, it’s quite basic but thanks.”

Again, silence fell between them.

“You guys are bores,” Petal said after the silence lasted for a few minutes then got up. “Enjoy your lunch.”

She rose to her feet, Stefan and Tyler mirroring her actions. She looked at them all, shook her head and said, “Was going to invite you guys to join us go meet Clover again.”

“You’re going to Clover’s again?” it was Gwen’s turn to speak.

“Yep,” Petal nodded. “But not anymore.”

“Petal-”

“I know, sweetie,” she turned to give Stefan a light pat on the shoulder. “But there’s no hurry, right? If anything we’re going to be giving Clover more time to make his sensible decision.”

“Fine,” he groaned.

“So instead,” Petal turned to face the gang. “I’ll be inviting all of you to my place this Saturday. Let’s have a little fun night to get rid of this awkwardness, okay?”

“We-”

“There’s no objection,” she cut whoever had something to say off. “You all have to come over whether you want to or not. We’ve joined hands together and if we want to work together as an actual team, we need to get rid of this awkwardness between us. With that being said, I’ll give you my address tomorrow and will be expecting all of you over during the weekend.”

“Okay.”

There was truly no room for objection as immediately she was done, she turned and left.

“I just lost my appetite.”

“Same here,” Gwen dropped her apple on the table, joining Adam. “If we somehow become closer hiding our identities definitely won’t be easy.”

“That’s why we need to act a bit more natural,” Miranda replied. “Petal’s right. We’re all being awkward and we need to not be like that if we actually want them to believe we’re normal Drezpires that belong here. We need to get them to trust us, remember?”

“Yeah, you’re right.”

“I know I’m right,” she smirked at Gwen. “And Tina, this is your chance. Their first impression of you might have been far from impressive so well, here goes your chance to change it.”

“Um, I’ll try.”

“You need to,” Miranda continued. “We all need to except we want to remain stuck here for a really long time.”

“Please,no.”

“Don’t have me imagine it.”

“I don’t want to.”

“That’s the spirit!” Miranda exclaimed then clapped her hands. “Let’s do this then!”

The rest of their day went smoothly and when it was time to finally go home, they decided to go to Bernard’s shop instead of going home directly. It was more of Adam’s idea but just like Petal, he didn’t give them much room to object so they all had to go with him.

“Remind me why we’re going to Uncle Bernard’s art shop and not directly home?”

“Cause Adam wants us to.”

“Whoa, look at that,” Adam laughed at Miranda and Gwen. “The two of you suddenly becoming a team just so you can blame me.”

“I don’t understand you though,” Miranda let out a groan. “We are going to be seeing when we get home anyways so why are we bothering ourselves by going over to his shop?”

“Cause he has been saying he needs extra hands at the shop,” Adam replied her. “And don’t you think it’ll be sweet if we all go there to assist him?”

“Gwen’s personal assistant is there with him for that,” she rolled her eyes. “Isn’t that like what she’s trained to do? To assist people?”

“Don’t try to belittle Lucy.”

“I’m not trying to belittle anyone here, honey,” Miranda’s voice was laced with sarcasm as she spoke. “I’m just merely stating the obvious here.”

“He’s your uncle,” Gwen replied her. “Is that not supposed to be enough reason for you to feel empathetic and want to go help him out?”

“Oh, please,” Miranda let out a laughter of disdain. “Alright he’s also the father of your soul mate then. So how about you scurry off to meet and help him out so you can go get some good girl points.”

“What? Soul mate-?”

“Okay enough,” Adam interrupted both of them before they turned their little argument into something larger. “For a second I thought you guys were finally on each other’s sides but I guess I was wrong. You both just can’t get along.”

“I-”

“Shh, I don’t want to hear anymore,” he shushed them. “That’s enough and look, we’re at my dad’s already.”

They truly were as they all prepared themselves to step in. The art shop looked almost the same as it did the first time they arrived, the only difference being in the amount of artworks completed and hung around for sale.

“I guess he has been really busy,” Adam commented, looking around him. “Gee, there are a lot of new paintings here.”

They stepped further into the shop, all silently admiring the artworks. They all looked beautiful and none of them could deny that at least one of the paintings caught their eye.

“Kids!” Bernard exclaimed as he stepped out of the further interior part of the shop. He looked genuinely surprised as he stared at them, paint dripping from the paintbrush he held. “How are you guys here? Why are you guys here? Did you finish from school already? How was it?”

“One question at a time, Uncle Bernard,” Miranda grabbed a stool to sit. “We walked here. We’re here cause your son forced us to. Yes, school finished early and finally, school was basic. Do you have any other questions?”

“I still have a ton,” he replied. “But majority of them would be asked when we get home. For now, are you guys hungry.”

“Oh, yes, I’m starving!”

“As you should be,” Bernard smiled at Tina. “How are you guys coping with the foods served at lunch at school? They must be different from what you’re used to, right?”

“Oh, yes,” Gwen nodded. “We’ve been sticking to just fruits for a while now.”

“That’s terrible,” Bernard shook his head. “You should try the foods out sometime though. “Majority of them would taste better than you imagine.”

“We’ll have that in mind.”

“For now, let’s just get you all fed,” he smiled at them. “Right opposite my shop, there’s this amazing stall that sells all sort of snacks. You’ll definitely not have had any one of them before but just trust me and do that.”

“Dad,” Adam exchanged quick glances with them. “You said things have been really busy here so we came to help you. Not to-”

“Thank you soo much, Uncle Bernard,” Miranda quickly walked towards Adam, putting her arms around his shoulder and shutting him up. “We were truly all starving so thank you. We’ll all head out now and try those amazing snacks you talked about.”

“Miranda-”

Realizing he wasn’t going to give up easily, Miranda wrapped her palm around Adam’s mouth and flashed him a smile. “We’ll be leaving now. Come on guys, let’s go.”

The sound of chuckles filled the air as they all walked out of the shop on Miranda’s command. Miranda still had her arms wrapped around Adam as they walked while Tina and Gwen walked side to side.

“You know,” Tina said to Gwen with a chuckle. “I was kinda glad Miranda got us out of it. I was truly starving and working with paint isn’t one of my strengths.”

“Girl,” Gwen laughed. “You literally read my mind. I suck at art and also at trying to be nice to people.”

“I don’t think so,” Tina replied her, her voice lowering. “You seem kinda-”

Whatever she was about to say got stuck in her throat as she felt her words cut short abruptly. Her gaze shifted from Gwen and landed on an unfamiliar man, a gasp immediately escaping through her lips.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” Gwen asked her on noticing her sudden change in expression. “Why do you look like you just saw a ghost?”

In response to Gwen’s question, she turned and immediately took to her heels, running.

“Tina!” Gwen yelled as she watched her run, confused on where she was running to or what to do. “Where are you going? Adam, Miranda?”

They all looked just as confused, Gwen groaning. “Gosh, fine I’ll go after her.”

Not waiting for a response from them, she took to her heels and immediately began to run after Tina, calling out her name as she did.

“Tina!” taking sports in junior high obviously had its benefits as Gwen was able to catch up with Tina in no time, taking her by the arm. “What the hell was that about? Why did you suddenly run?”

She was panting as she stared at Tina. She obviously wasn’t the running type as she seemed to be struggling to catch her breath.

“Breathe, breathe,” Gwen stroke her back gently, staring at her with even more confusion. “What the hell, girl?”

“I saw,” Tina didn’t wait to catch her breath before speaking up. “That man. I saw-”

“Who did you see?” Gwen asked, eyebrows knitted in confusion. “Just calm down then speak. Who did you see?”

Tina’s breaths were heavy as she spoke. “My dad. I saw my dad, Gwen.”