Hellamorgue

Chapter 11: Apology

The two young girls stood up in front of each other. They were silent and trying to avoid eye contact. Poppy was still displaying a wobbly smile on her face. Her eyes were darting around and her lips were quivering in nervousness. Meanwhile, Ronnie was looking down, fixing her eyeglasses in purpose. She kept on adjusting it with her fingers even though it doesn't need to be. The intense and fuming ambience was no longer felt in the scene, however, the atmosphere was surely different from what Poppy felt in the plaza. The bliss and joyful moment she felt just a little earlier was now fazed and full of awkwardness. Non of the two girls bothered to speak up hence remained standing in the doorway for a few minutes now. As if the two teenagers did not know each other and never talked before. On the other hand, Jay, who was behind Poppy, has his face crumpled in annoyance. His arms were crossed while holding a bunch of paper bags of prizes and items they bought from the fest. He has been feeling irritated for waiting for his friends to interact. He tapped his shoes indicating Poppy to start talking, but the red haired girl was still afraid to confront her nerdy friend who was just literally in front of her. The pink haired lad can no longer wait and destroyed the deafening silence.

"What's with you two?! We've been standing here for seven minutes! Are you two gonna talk or what?!" the flaming young lad screamed with a frowning face.

The two girls flinched by what they heard, completely breaking the stiff and awkward moment. Poppy grew small warm colored flowers in her head, she turned around and glared at the irritated young man. Ronnie glanced at Jay as well, syncing with Poppy's disturbed demeanor. They gritted their teeth in embarrassment and annoyance. Now the attention was shifted at Jay, who only wanted to get inside the scientist's home.

"I-it's not that easy, i***t!" the two girls yelled at the same time. They were shocked by their synchronized response and reaction. Poppy and Ronnie quickly shared a glance with each other then avoided eye contacts afterwards. Jay snorted, a hot fuming air exited his nose aggressively.

"How long am I gonna stand here?! Just talk already. It's not that you never met each other before nor fought like this." The young man complained.

Poppy closed her eyes in pressure and disturbance. Her eyebrows narrowed and her lips were twitching as she holds her temper. Her hands formed into fists.

"Why don't you shut up for a moment, Jay." the red haired girl grumbled.

"I have shut my mouth enough, now it's your turn to move your trap." Jay spat and rolled his eyes.

The Flauraescan lost her temper, dark flowers sprouted from her hair and body indicating her broken fuse. she turned around to confront the smart-mouthed lad who sassed behind her. She opened her mouth so wide, ready to spit out counter words against the pink haired man.

"Don't ever tell me to hurry up, you-"

"Enough!"

A loud, high-pitched screech echoed inside the laboratory, and was loud enough to make the two teenagers outside flinch. The red haired girl stopped from her tracks and kept her voice beneath her breath. Ronnie, who was in front of the doorway, gasped for an air and panted out. The scientist finally spoke a word after a few minutes of standing firm and silent like a statue. She glanced at her friends who was still stunned by her eardrum breaking howl.

"Are you two seriously going to make things more complicated?!"

No response happened from her two friends. Ronnie's eyebrows were curled, her eyes was glaring straight at Poppy and Jay. Suddenly, her eyes widened and realized what she did. She mouthed inaudible sounds that cannot form into words, she clicked her tongue and closed her eyes. Ronnie clenched her teeth, before the atmosphere gets awkward once again she ordered her friends to get inside her house.

"J-just go inside, you two! Quick!" Ronnie ordered in a stuttering manner while giving the two a way inside.

Poppy and Jay exchanged glances and quickly walked inside the roof. The little scientist closed the door with a loud bang. Silence occurred for a brief moment. Ronnie turned around and faced her confused friends.

"Make yourselves comfortable." she mumbled in a soft yet timid voice.

"Oh, I will surely do!" the pink haired lad condescendingly stated.

Jay raised an eyebrow and looked around, they were in the testing ground part of her house. He doesn't see any comfortable seats aside from a few stools and Ronnie's desk chair. The pink haired lad shrugged and marched his way to the scientist's soft and big chair. The young man brought down the paper bags gently on the floor and yanked himself to the desk chair. He casually rested his hands to its arms and laid his back. He arched his neck backwards and looked above the ceiling. The tiny wheels squeaked as he swing and turn the chair around.

"Finally." Jay groaned in a sarcastic tone, loud enough to purposely mock Poppy. He glared at his red haired friend who also glided her eyes to him furiously.

Poppy didn't move from her ground and remained standing. The nerd walked her way to the stools and grabbed two. Then, she continued her way to the red haired girl. Poppy noticed the geek coming her way to her. She handed over one stool for her to seat.

"Here."

"Thanks." the young woman replied in a quick and soft tone.

Ronnie moved a few inches away and placed the stool to sat comfortably. She breathed in and out. Then faced her friends with a serious look on her face.

"Okay, I never thought things would get so awkward like this after that...you know...that...fight." Ronnie spoke out and sighed while playing with her hands.

"It wouldn't get this so awkward if you two didn't stand up in the doorway for like ten minutes without saying anything." Jay sassed while laying comfortably on the swivel chair.

"Gagh! I know!" Ronnie responded while raking her hair.

"You don't have to spell it out in our faces!" Poppy staggering replied in shame. Her face was red in embarrassment.

Ronnie licked her dried lips and sighed. She put her fingers together and slouched her back.

"I did think about what you said earlier, Poppy.." she spoke calmly.

Poppy kept silent while watching her four-eyed friend explain her side.

"Now I think, I'm calm enough to confront you." she paused, and look at her friend's eyes. "I...I apologize for how I acted earlier. I was just so stressed out with some certain things, and I felt being forced and overloaded earlier when you told me to come with you."

The scientist's eyes wandered around the laboratory as she speak out her thoughts. Her eyebrows curled and her face soften. She played with her agitated hands while warmly sitting on the stool.

"I know! I know, no more excuses...but I just wanted to tell you my side earlier. Just to make things more clearer. Heh...and you know I don't like being with creatures I'm not familiar with, because I'm a half-human." she continued, eyes looking down at the floor. "I acted so bitterly..which I always does." She followed with a straight face.

"Ronnie...I never intended to hurt you earlier, I mean it. I just wanted you to come over with us at the fest, maybe you just need a sunlight exposure," Poppy chuckled softly. Jay snorted and smirked on his seat. "And..we just wanted to spend time with you. You always burn your time inside your home; your lab, and we never get the chance to hang out, especially on an important occasion like the foundation day." the Flauraescan explained.

"It's a very special day that I cherish, that we, most of the residences of this town adore and respect. So I admit I did get offended after you call it stupid, but I get your side after all. All the hate for humans is still alive in this town after of so many years. However," she paused.

The red haired girl leaned over her friend and tapped her shoulder. Ronnie met Poppy's eyes. "You being a half-human isn't a big deal to us. You are our friend no matter what species you are, Ronnie. And I want you to believe that you're more than just a human like what some people say. Hehe.." she smiled and giggled.

"Oh my god...I freaking hate dramas. Somehow this entire scene making me feel cringe but I appreciate what you're pertaining for, Poppy." said by the scientist with an awkward look on her face and trying so hard to smile.

Jay raised his hand and interfered, "Not gonna lie, I wanted to snort and laugh like hell throughout Poppy's talk."

"Ugh, why you two always have to ruin my sentiments!" Poppy stated with her face red and shrinking.

Jay laughed out loud on his seat like there's no tomorrow. He kicked the air way too playfully. He gagged and choked to his breath. The young man tried to compose himself but still giggling like a donkey. Poppy stared at him with pure bitterness in her face.

"But!" she interjected. Losing the wrinkles on her face and completely changing the annoyed mood on her face. She faced her small friend in front of her. "In all seriousness, I sincerely apologize I raised my voice with you." Poppy paused and clasped her hands. "This is not the first time we fight and we'll probably do it again sometime-"

"Well, that's true.." Ronnie interfered.

"But I don't want it to end so bitterly, after all, you are one of my very best friends. And I don't want to lose you over unresolved matters, and don't try to f*****g laugh, Jay!" Poppy turned her head to face Jay with her hand raising a steady thin index finger. Jay's eyes widened and hold his laugh. The young girl glided her eyes back to her nerdy friend. She grabbed her hands and cupped it with hers.

"So, Ronnie, we're officially ending this fight, alright?! No hard feelings anymore!" she girl deemed with a fiery eyes of determination and sincerity.

The scientist smirked and sighed, "Alright...Poppy."

"Yes! Let's seal this matter, shall we?" Poppy grinned and suddenly hugged Ronnie. It was so tight as if her eyes almost popped out. Poppy bloomed small bright flowers on her head, displaying her comfort and joy. She drifted her eyes to Jay and and reached out for his hand.

"Hey! You bastard, come over here!"

"Huh? Why should I?" Jay raised an eyebrow while pointing out himself with his index finger.

"Duh! We need to hug! We're trios, remember?!"

"Psh...okay." the young man replied while rolling his eyes with a little smirk on his face.

Jay marched his way to the two girls and joined the warm embrace. The trio finally reconciled. After a loving and warm friendship embrace. Poppy asked a question for a new topic to discuss.

"Oh... So, what have been stressing you out this whole time? If you don't mind me asking.." the young woman asked with a concerned face.

"Yeah, I'm kinda curious as well." Jay added while stroking his chin, eyes squinting.

"Oh..that? It's kinda a long story." Ronnie answered while scratching her head.

Poppy and Jay exchanged and glances. They go back to their seats and faced Ronnie.

"Do tell." the two teenagers' voices synchronized, eagerly waiting for a story time.

"...If you say so..I was actually working on a portal machine."

"A portal?!" The two interjected.

"Yeah...that one covered in sheets there." Ronnie pointed at her front. It was a little farther but big enough to noticed. It was covered in a big piece of white sheet.

"I covered it for the meantime since I was taking a break. I could show it to you sometime."

"Why not now?" Jay asked.

"Because it's not my working time. I don't want miss a piece and ruin it with if something terrible happened especially with you around." she explained in a monotonous voice.

"Hey! I am not careless. It wasn't my intention to break anything in my way." The young man said in defense.

"I didn't say you were." Ronnie raised an eyebrow.

Jay gasped and covered his mouth. "Still not careless." He followed.

"Is this portal really that important?" The red haired woman asked while looking at the machine over her shoulder.

"Of course it is! I've been planning and developing it for years. I'm sure it will work again. I did it once!"

Jay and Poppy's eyes widened. The girl blinked twice.

"Once? Then why it isn't working out this time?"

"I don't know either..but since I did it before, I'm sure I can do it again. I just needed to work a little harder." Ronnie said in a serious tone yet full of determination.

"Why make a portal when you can have magic to use for teleportation?" Jay suddenly popped a question.

"Jay.. obviously not all people can use magic! And not everyone can find a person who can do teleportation for us." The scientist explained with a frowning face.

"Touche." said Jay.

"How about ask or collaborate with a mage to help you fix that portal machine? Maybe a little magic can make it work once again!" Poppy suggested with a smile on her face.

"Well..."

"Oh! Isn't your father a mage?! Why not ask him?" The pink haired lad added so proudly.

The red haired girl's eyes widened, she knew he shouldn't have said that. Ronnie glare at Jay with a serious crumpled face.

"My father...is dead." she replied heavily.

Jay's eyes widened. What a way to ruin a moment. He completely forgot about it. "Oh...shit. Sorry." After an awkward moment, he decided to zip his mouth.

"H-how about your magic." Poppy immediately brought up, shrugging the damned moment. "Don't you have magic, Ronnie?"

"I do have magic, but I don't think it was great enough to make a portal work." Ronnie stood up from the chair and walked back and forth. She continued, "Plus, I don't entirely want to rely with magic! I need to think of a way to make it work without using enchantment or spells! That's what I'm trying to aim for!" she sighed and yanked herself back on the chair.

"And even if I have to use magic, uh.... uhm, I'm not sure where I can get enough power without bothering mages....Well, uh..I still have to ponder about it."

The two teenagers watched their scientist friend rant on her seat. She's raking her head and probably lost in her thoughts. She's being a little impatient and frustrated this time but the two somehow get it. It's been years since she started working for it, and with her intelligence and enhanced senses should have helped her after all this time. She pondered with the questions in her mind on how to make her machine work. It will took her some time to figure things out. But surely, it'll come in instant when things got to heat.