Quest for Athanasia

[aermis]

“Ah, came for a ball and ended up with a cheap façade, I see. I thought we were to hold this meeting in a Library- not a café….” I intoned…
My name is Serena DeWitt. I’m a little like your common adventure-bound school girl… chasing after dreams and reaching for the moon… hoping one day, either or both will fall into my greedy hands. I love my life… my friends… but that doesn’t mean I don’t want… more….
I’ve always been a power hungry fiend- most of what I’ve built for myself has been earned, but under the strangest circumstances. You can’t blame me for a tad bit of usurpation. I say if you’re working toward a goal, why not take the fastest route?
Now, being in Junior High, I don’t possess power close to that of the monarch- but I do have a reputation … my nails hang an entire centimeter in front of my fingertips, making the complete nail two centimeters long. Quite a distance when you stop to think that a normal person’s nails are only a single centimeter. Dark circles rim my eyes, darkening my irises. The deep creases under my eyes stand in noteworthy contrast to my pale skin. I’ve never taken to sun- so I chose to just continue without thinking of its presence. My long, black hair drapes across my face and shoulders. All in all, I’m a frightening person… though, I’m not complaining.
One would think that one such as I would not participate in the ‘reindeer games’ of modern society- but I highly disagree. In fact, I have taken to a hobby of completely docile nature. Writing.
It was this hobby that caught the eye of another dreamer. Her name? Lakeisha Taylor. With an astounding vocabulary and marvelous habits of always being prompt and clean, she has earned the title as leader of the Dreamer’s Clan.
On this day, there was a meeting for the Dreamer’s Clan. Lakeisha called it and told us to meet her in the library at Shore and Buena Vista. We all figured a new library must have opened up when we weren’t looking. When the Dreamer’s Clan arrived, however, we found a café.
Sheepishly- overdue books in hand- we slunk in to see Lakeisha perched in a high-backed chair at the head of a table, Café de Luche’s finest beverage in her right hand.
Her lips parted in a smile of greeting, showing her pearl-white teeth as we took our seats.
“Does it matter?” Lakeisha asked calmly, a smile still playing at her lips,
“A meeting is a meeting, no matter where it is held. Do not befuddle yourselves with such folly as to the importance of where we rendezvous! I am the leader- I called this meeting, and this,” she said, her smile growing wider, “will be the most unprofessional meeting ever held for the Dreamer’s Clan. It is a way of saying… at ease….”
Now this is quite a statement, seeing as the Dreamer’s Clan is constantly trying to worm their way into the heart of an editor. We wish to, one day, publish a series of books-, all of which will have the name ‘DREAMER’S CLAN’ embossed on the title page.
We have just recently suffered a vast loss. We mailed a manuscript of one of our stories that we all agreed would make the cut. We worked out all the problems in our plans, such as the manuscript not making it, et cetera, et cetera. Unbeknownst to us, Samuel Castellanos had just shredded our last tangible copy. We had deleted the original copy we had written on the library’s computer, so there was more room on the computer’s hard drive for other visitors. Unfortunately, this bit of information was unbeknownst to Samuel.
On the day we got the rejection letter from the editor, Lakeisha wanted to see the manuscript that was supposedly in Samuel’s possession. Samuel froze. Lakeisha asked again, and this time she got an answer. Samuel, pointing coolly to the computer, told Lakeisha that he had shredded the manuscript, and told her to re-print it off of the file stored in the library’s computer. We all looked at each other feverishly as Lakeisha’s almond skin tone paled, shade-by-shade. Lakeisha asked him why he would do such a thing. Samuel replied with a shrug and said he had nowhere to put it.
Now, had this been a sitcom or aired in the media some way, Lakeisha would’ve dove into the garbage chute, then tried to glue all the pieces together… but this is real life… nothing could glue together 396 pages of manuscript. We tried in vain to restore the file… needless to say, our efforts proved futile. For a punishment to ensure our folly never resurfaced in such a way, Lakeisha ordered us to write the story of our failure down, then give it to the school newspaper to spread. We never handled our literature lightly since then.
Right when we thought we’d never see the happy Lakeisha again, we were called to a café to see Lakeisha, smiling and telling us we were at ease.
“Lakeisha, dare you… er… befuddle yourself with such a frivolous task as to be unprofessional?” I asked with a wry smile. I gambled that Lakeisha’s happy mood was omnipotent for the afternoon.
“Do not mock me, Serena.” Lakeisha remarked, savagely, smile fading as she did so.
Ah- I gambled and lost. Lakeisha’s mood was something no sane man (or sane woman) ever gambled on… eloquent by study, hostile by nature.
Another thing about Lakeisha- her fully functional mind has cut slurs, contractions, and slang out of her vocabulary. All of her statements are carefully chosen, never rushed, and brief and to the point… her mother is a lawyer… not hard to tell why her defendants always get away scot-free.
Undoubtedly, I ceased my wise cracks after Lakeisha’s ominous comment. I could but simply nod my head and mutter ‘Right, then.’ Lakeisha seemed to take my shy concern on the matter as an apology for my temerity. The cool glaze in her eyes blazed on, but she had changed the subject immediately,
“Who would like to order something- I will pay for it- no worries.” All the Dreamers looked questioningly at each other. None spoke for at least three minutes when, at last, Samuel broke the silence with a, ‘I’m game,’ and a smile. After Samuel’s brave move, others began to stir.
“I’m just a little peckish….” I said slowly. Kelsey looked at me, then at Samuel, then looked at Lakeisha and said,
“Well, I don’t know about you all, but I’m RAVENOUS! I could eat a cow! You can have the small dishes- I just might eat the table!” The Dreamers laughed, and even Lakeisha smiled.
“I’ll just have a blueberry muffin,” Said Melanie cutely. Lakeisha nodded her head.
“One game, one peck, one cow and a blueberry muffin….” Lakeisha noted, and the Dreamers laughed again.
“Noel… Damion… nothing for you?” She asked- a small drop of concern was wedged into her words. Both Noel and Damion shook their heads.
“We’re….” Noel began, but struggled, as if not finding the right words.
“Not hungry.” His twin finished for him. Lakeisha shrugged.
“Not thirsty either?” She asked. If the twins were flattered at the concern Lakeisha was feeling, they did not show it.
“Maybe if we force-fed them trinitrotoluene. I bet they’d appreciate that.” Said Kelsey, and then she flashed a smile at the two to show she was playing with them. Again, they showed no emotion as they spoke.
“Chemicals are not part of our….” Damion started at a leisurely pace.
“Acquired palette.” Noel finished, just as leisurely.
“Then what is,” Asked Kelsey. Although it was Kelsey that asked, all of us wanted to know. Imagine our surprise when Damion spoke up- voice dripping with sarcasm,
“Animal blood.” I watched the girl at the table next to ours get up and walk to the bathroom.
“Only being facetious….” Damion said, at the look of shock and fear on poor Melanie’s face.
“I quite like iced tea,” Said Noel quietly. Melanie’s face softened.
“What about you, Damion?” Lakeisha asked. Damion looked up from his lap.
“Iced tea is a personal favourite.” He replied.
“All right- Samuel, Serena, Kelsey- what would you like?”
“I’m fine with iced tea.” I said with a shrug. Noel looked over with the first smile I had seen him with for at least a year or two. Thus meaning, when I say ‘the Dreamers laughed,’ it was only Kelsey, Samuel, Melanie, Lakeisha and I. Damion smirked.
“Smart girl.” He muttered. I snorted, but inside I was flattered.
“Enough coquetry, Serena.” Lakeisha said with a sly smile. I scowled.
She was getting back at me for my temerity, all right.
“I’d like a cup of coffee… black, please,” Said Samuel impassively.
“And I would like a raspberry scone- I heard they’re getting blueberry, raspberry, and cream cheese for tonight, though,” Said Kelsey, offhandedly. Oh- I had forgotten! The big football game for Pinto Villa High School was tonight! That was why the café was bringing out the scones and why there was a firework show… that only high schoolers could go to.
“Right.” Said Lakeisha, and then summoned a waiter.
“Yes, ma’am?” He said politely. He was wearing a nametag that said ‘Jorge’ on it.
“We are ready to order.” Lakeisha told him. He nodded his head then withdrew a small notepad and a pen from a pocket in his apron, showing he was ready.
“We would like three iced teas,” She paused, and waited for him to finish scribbling down the first portion of the order.
“One raspberry scone,” Pause.
“One blueberry muffin,” Pause.
“And a cup of café, noir.” Lakeisha said, and there was one last pause. Jorge finished after writing a small ‘4’ on the top corner of the page, then looked up at Lakeisha and ripped the small piece of paper off. It took a while for me to realize that the paper beneath it had collected the information from the top page. He smiled and handed the top page to Lakeisha.
“A waitress will be with you soon, ma’am.” He said then hobbled off. I watched him hand the bottom page to a woman, then dart off to another table. Sure enough, minutes later, a woman appeared with a tray with four drinks and two pastries. The woman eyed the paper on the table then placed doilies neatly down next to each of us.
“Iced tea?” She asked. I raised my hand slightly; showing I had been one of the three to order iced tea. Noel and Damion feebly raised their hands as well. The woman placed the tea on the coaster in front of all three of us.
“Coffee?” She asked. She pronounced coffee ‘kahfee.’ Samuel raised his hand.
“Here.” He said. The woman placed the cup on the coaster in front of Samuel.
“Muffin?”
“Right here,” Said Melanie delicately.
“Scone?”
“Over ‘ere.” Kelsey said heartily. The woman placed the small white china dish in front of Kelsey.
“Haf a nice meal.” She said with a powerful accent, and walked away. Kelsey took a bite of her scone.
“Okay, no more games, Lakeisha, why are we here?” asked Kelsey timidly.
Kelsey- our big, bad soccer team compatriot. She has a heart of gold, but a tongue of rust. It is her compassion for finishing a book that drew Lakeisha to her. For all else, Lakeisha was more suitable by threefold. Kelsey, Lakeisha, and I are very important members, but there are four more.
Noel and Damion Giuliano- they’re both fairly dark-minded and conform to each other’s ideas. They are obsessed with fire and Ra, the Egyptian Sun God. The rest of the Dreamer’s Clan relies on them only for research… for everything else… well; we’d rather find it without the help of the two dark-haired, pale-faced males.
Samuel Castellanos is on the football team and the coolest kid in school. Never without his denim jacket, loose white shirt, and dark, black Levis, all the girls swooned at the sight of his puppy-dog-brown eyes and combed back brown hair. The only girls that didn’t swoon, were those in the Dreamer’s Clan… those who knew his I.Q. We look to him for the ideas and passionate thoughts he gains along with his perseverance during the football season.
Melanie Renoir- a beautiful blonde-haired demoiselle who is calm, well mannered, and sweet. Her ideas and lovable aspect on the world are only two qualities that spur Lakeisha’s interest. Her World of Dreams draws Lakeisha in like moth to flame.
The Dreamer’s Clan always has a way to unite one another in each other’s interests. Now for Kelsey Billing- her Father’s a banker and her Mother’s a number cruncher… but it would seem she didn’t get the number-crunching side of the gene pool. She’s not all too bright. That’s what made the following conversation so amusing.
Lakeisha’s gaze softened and the Dreamer’s gave a sigh of relief.
“Simple,” Lakeisha replied to Kelsey’s earlier question, regaining her cheerful outlook, “What is today?” Kelsey studied Lakeisha curiously, as if wondering what she was playing at.
“Tuesday…?” she asked carefully- not wanting Lakeisha to explode and call her an idiot-, as she must have done at least a thousand times. Lakeisha raised a brow, but smiled and said,
“That too… but what day?”
“The fourth….” Kelsey said slowly. Lakeisha’s eye seemed to twitch, but before I was able to look again, it had stopped and she had continued.
“The fourth of what?” Lakeisha asked. Kelsey stopped and seemed to be thinking hard- harder than usual at least- with her face screwed up in concentration. Finally, her rictus of focus slipped away and she answered triumphantly,
“Of July! It’s the Fourth of July!” Now… you may be thinking ‘What idiot forgets it’s the Fourth of July?’ Kelsey would be that idiot.
“Right!” Said Lakeisha, adapting the tone of a patient schoolteacher with a struggling pupil, “Now… remember what happened last Fourth of July?” Although Kelsey’s face was the only one looking into the distance with a countenance of pure horror, I was sure everyone else was thinking about that fateful Fourth of July….

ﭖﭘﭙﭺﭻﭼﭽﮎﮏﮐﮑﮒﮓﮔﮕﯼﯽ
“Well… this is fun….” Kelsey said nonchalantly, petting her gerbil, Mouse. I watched everyone glance around the empty gym with distaste. The gym had been decorated in festive colors of red, white, and blue, and even had golden eagles stenciled on the barbells.
Streamers adorned the walls that were coated in ‘Exercise = Patients’ posters that had been donated by the elementary school. All the adolescents believed the elementary scholars were trying to get a message out, but the adults just told them they were being paranoid…
The stenciled-on eagles looked old already, being colored a rusty brown and painted on by the strange elementary-goers. Florescent lights that blazed white and filled the gym with an unearthly feeling lit the whole room. The gym smelled horrible after the Pinto Villa High School’s wrestling team came in to work out before the big Fourth of July tournament.
“Where are the fireworks?” Samuel asked dimly. Mouse squeaked in agreement. We heard the fireworks outside, but Lakeisha was keeping us in the gym.
“Well…” Lakeisha began, tapping her foot on a barbell, “I thought being physically fit meant something to you.” We could all tell she was hiding a lecture, and decided to keep quiet. It was Kelsey that persisted,
“Oh, yes, Lakeisha, I love to stare at tri-colored barbells….” She paused as Mouse began to nibble at her front pocket. She reached within it, and drew out a gerbil treat. Mouse took it hastily, not caring whether he bit his master’s fingers or not- fortunately for Kelsey, she was used to Mouse’s carelessness and drew her finger back in time. She looked back up at Lakeisha.
“What’s the real reason why we’re here?” Kelsey inquired. I groaned under my breath- here came the lecture…
“Hmm… maybe if someone participated in the vote for ‘What to Do for the Fourth of July,’ maybe we would not be in this mess! Do you know why they call the Fourth of July Independence Day? I will tell you- because on that day… or… not that day, but… anyway- after the Revolution, the Americans had won independence!
“The Articles of Confederation, the Constitution- they all mattered, being new forms of government- but the Declaration of Independence has to have been the most famous! On June 7, 1776- it was declared that the colonies were to be free, independent states, Kelsey!
“On July 2nd, Congress studied the famous document, but on July 4th, 1776, the Declaration was embraced and issued and seen as it is today, Kelsey!” Lakeisha paused, out of breath.
“We were given the right to vote in the Amendments to the Constitution- number 19 to be exact! You do wrong to your Founding Fathers by not voting on the very commemoration for their long fights for freedom!” Lakeisha finished. I stood, blinking. She had most likely memorized the History textbook, for sometimes, she would even out-lecture the History teacher, Mr. Shome. Kelsey simply batted her eyes, held Mouse closer to her, and said calmly,
“What if politics don’t appeal to me?” Kelsey’s eyes widened as she watched Lakeisha turn a bright shade of red. Lakeisha exploded, making Mouse frightened, and sending him clawing his way up Kelsey’s neck.
“It was not matrimony, Kelsey, there was no commitment you had to make- all you had to do was raise your hand!” Lakeisha began to hyperventilate as Kelsey contemplated a reasonable rebuttal.
“As you said… I’m an independent individual… I don’t put my opinions in a jar, then let someone high and mighty pull them out again.” Kelsey said, and began, again, to stroke Mouse.

{I cut out a lot and am posting a second time... a double post... do not burn me at the stake for it- I beg!}

[aermis]

“All you had to do was raise your hand!” Lakeisha boomed. Lakeisha’s loudness had only startled Mouse, but the large ‘BOOM!’ of a firework coming close to the building scared him half to death.
Mouse scrambled out of Kelsey’s arms, scraping her and biting her if she tried to hold him back.
“No! Mouse, come back!” Kelsey screamed hysterically. She dove for the gerbil right as he scrambled under a barbell. She banged into the barbell, causing it to topple… right on top of Mouse….
~*~
Kelsey wiped away a tear that had been trickling down her cheek.
“Mouse….” She whispered. Lakeisha shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
“Er… right, I am sorry about that…anyway, I am here to justify that this Independence Day is not as much of a disaster.” Lakeisha said guiltily. True- it wasn’t her fault that Kelsey had been asinine enough to bring her gerbil to the Independence Day party in the gym, but when we held the funeral for dear Mouse, no one could help but feel bad as Kelsey cried and re-counted how much she had loved Mouse. However -as much as I hate to say it- I found it quite funny… I couldn’t understand why people didn’t get it- this world was so boring- we’re crying over a gerbil named Mouse, for God’s sake… I needed adventure in my life.
Then, over the clinking forks and meshed voices in Café de Luche, I heard a voice- a hushed whisper that seemed to make time freeze…
Kira…. I bolted upright in my chair from my usual slouch. Lakeisha looked at me strangely. I looked around the café.
“I guess someone ordered a ‘Kira,’ eh?” I rationalized, still trying to shake that voice out of my head. It was probably Jorge, taking someone’s order. Lakeisha raised her brow.
“As I was saying,” she began, still looking at me curiously, “We need to make a plan for this Fourth of July….” I slunk back down into my chair- I had probably dozed off while remembering last year’s Fourth of July… Or possibly… I thought with grim amusement, the ghost of old Mouse gave me a visit… but then… who was this ‘Kira.’ The worst thing about it was that it was oddly familiar. Where had I heard it before? Moreover, if I had heard it before, why did I hear it again just now? Kira… the way the word… the name… the way it sloshed through my mind- seeming more real to me than ‘Serena’- made me shudder. What was going on? Maybe… I was just dreaming… that’s it; I had fallen asleep in my chair.
“Just what do you propose we do?” I asked- just to show I was still in the conversation.
“I think we should all think of one idea, prepare for it, and put it into action tonight.” Lakeisha said as she steepled her fingers, then added, “Unless you all would like to have Independence Day in the gym again.” I shivered.
“Uh….” Samuel made a remote noise of protest. Lakeisha looked at him then raised her brow.
“What is it, Samuel?”
“The game… the Pinto Villa High Football game.” Lakeisha groaned.
“I forgot about that… what time is it… when does it end?” Lakeisha asked. Samuel guiltily shuffled his feet.
“It starts at six, ends at eight thirty, and the firework show with the party in here starts at nine… but I could play first and second quarter- then get the guy on the bench to play for me….” Lakeisha began to calculate.
“So… you’ll be at the rendezvous point around seven thirty?” She asked. Samuel nodded his head.
“Right, then- whatever we think of, can start at seven- any objections?” Lakeisha asked.
“Sounds good enough… any ideas on what to do?” I asked idly. I knew Lakeisha wouldn’t send us to the gym- the Pinto Villa High School’s football team was bench pressing, pumping up for the football game ‘of the season.’ The reason Samuel was going to arrive so late.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Noel and Damion, staring intently at the flame at the end of the candle on the café’s table. Their drinks remained untouched. I raised a brow. They could do it for hours; staring incessantly at something you or I would think would be a waste of time… but not to them. They sat, thin, pale fingers pressed against the frame of the wood table. Their emaciated frames sat delicately against the cushioned chairs and both boys became utterly hypnotized by dancing flame.
“I say… we light something on fire….” Said Damion, careful not to break his gaze from the flame. His twin, Noel, nodded and watched the flame through narrowed eyes,
“Or maybe- perform a ritual….” Noel began, “A ritual for….”
“For our mighty Sun God- Ra.” Damion finished. The air between the two was enchanted- sparkling myriadly with such appeal and grace as is not found in this world. A world so homely and frugal as our own. That was why I admired the twins, rather than feared them. Their enrapturing charisma and dark enigmatic stories made them the flame and I the moth.
Every Dreamer in the Clan- beside myself, of course- turned to look uneasily at the two. Samuel found it necessary to change the subject,
“Hmm… well that’s an idea, but I say we go TRASH that one party that Tina’s holdin’! That’ll be fun!” Samuel guffawed. Lakeisha tossed an inexplicable look, silencing Samuel immediately. She turned back to the Dreamers.
“Civilized plans, please.” She muttered. In her tone of voice, I could tell she knew that everyone’s plans were no good. Melanie raised her hand cutely, her hazel-eyed innocence blazing with pure, white light.
“Yes, Melanie?” Lakeisha said happily. Something about Melanie made everyone cheer up.
“We could pool our money and buy fireworks. Then we’ll set them off in the empty lot six miles from the freeway.” Melanie smiled, but when no one commented, the smile soon faded. Melanie probably was getting to thinking about how she had let her group down- being the drama queen- when Lakeisha spoke up, startling us all.
“That is a wonderful idea, Melanie.” Lakeisha said enthusiastically. Samuel grunted, apparently liking his idea of crashing Tina’s party better.
“KISS UP.” Samuel grumbled, hoping not to be heard, but to be heard at the same time. Lakeisha narrowed her eyes and fixed her deadly gaze upon Samuel, causing him to- almost immediately- sit upright and at attention
“I heard that… and for your sake, Samuel, you had better hope I don’t hear it again.” Lakeisha said threateningly. Then she turned back to fully face each and every Dreamer, and her face took on a ‘on a lighter note’ expression.
“Alright… now the predicament of the money….” Lakeisha began. Melanie fell silent. She didn’t have any money- she always would use it on dental gum and fresh, white tennis shoes. The rest was neatly stored in an account at the bank.
Samuel, too, looked as if he didn’t wish to talk. His money had been spent on rugby T-shirt, new black jeans and a new pair of sunglasses. The rest… well… if there was any left, it’d be in his wallet and he’d have shared it… for the sake of fireworks and possible hot chocolate- not for the chocolate, mind you, but for the girl waiting at the front counter.
Lakeisha bit her bottom lip. She had paid for our refreshments this afternoon and was saving up her money for future costs in the Dreamer’s Clan. She didn’t want to waste it- for she was sure it’d come in handy. No one could blame her for it.
I shifted uncomfortably. I had just recently spent my money on a new pair of black stockings and a frog cookie jar from my best friend’s fundraiser. I did have some fireworks, but not enough for all of the Dreamers… I decided it best to stay quiet about it.
Kelsey had, obviously, spent her money on a new gerbil named Mousse… figures…one that she (thankfully) neglected to bring to this Fourth of July meeting.
The only ones who weren’t shifting uncomfortably, or biting their lip, or not wishing to talk or even falling silent were the twins. They seemed to be contemplating. When Noel spoke, the Dreamer’s Clan jumped in surprise,
“Will there be fire?” Noel said calmly, turning his dark eyes to Lakeisha, and I could’ve sworn I saw Lakeisha shiver. Lakeisha gulped loudly- perhaps a little too loudly.
“Yes….” She answered uneasily. The two twins exchanged glances, and when the two pairs of dark eyes now settled upon Lakeisha, they were filled with a malicious joy.
“We will pay for these works of fire….” Noel began, and then let his brother finish, “As long as we receive the majority.” Damion and Noel looked questioningly at Lakeisha. Her answer was hurried, most likely a sign of her wanting them to stop staring.
“Er… very well… no one minds that plan, right?” Samuel shook his head and began to idly twiddle his thumbs. Melanie politely shook her cute, blonde pigtails in the fuzzy, pink ponytail holders. Kelsey replied with a shrug and a ‘Nah,’ and I just said ‘let’s get this over with.’
“Okay, perfect. Noel, Damion- you know where the stand is, correct?” Lakeisha asked. The twins nodded eagerly.
“Fine, then go run and get the fire-… ‘Works of fire’ and meet us at our rendezvous point at seven…” Lakeisha said languidly.
“Meeting adjourned.” She finished as she always did. The Dreamers all stood up. I looked around for Noel and Damion, but it seemed as though they had already drifted out the door without any of the Dreamers noticing- once full drinks now mysteriously emptied. Kelsey clapped me on the back, taking me by surprise.
“See ya’ at seven, René,” Said Kelsey, jokingly.
“Not if I see you first, Caitlin.” I said with a smile. Kelsey beamed proudly.
“Right on.” She said, then laughed and walked out of the café. Samuel was walking out of the door, when he turned around and waved.
“TTFN, Serene-Bean.” Samuel said in his ‘mock-jock’ voice. I, too, mocked his cool, ‘pretend-you’re-everything’ tone, ran a hand through my hair and said,
“Later Sam-Bam.” Samuel smiled that one-of-a-kind smile of his, and finished walking out the door. Samuel and I call each other ‘Serene-Bean’ and ‘Sam-Bam’ because they both spell ‘S-B’ when abbreviated, and to Samuel, S-B means ‘So Bad,’ in which case ‘bad’ means ‘cool.’ I hope one day I get the hang of slang in its highest form.
“Do you have a ride home, Serena?” Lakeisha’s voice asked from behind me.
“That is still your name, right?” Lakeisha said skeptically. I laughed and turned around to face her. She had a caramel skin tone that glistened with body cream and shimmered in the rays of the sun that danced through the beautiful café curtains. She had dark brown hair that had been recently permed and now hung in tight ringlets around her face. She was putting money back in her small, black purse, suggesting she had just paid the bill.
“Sure is, Laki.” I said happily, but realized all to late how much ‘Laki’ sounded like ‘lackey.’ To my relief, she laughed.
“Do you have a ride home?” She repeated. She had a sort of motherly concern and leader-paranoia that made her THE Lakeisha, instead of just a Lakeisha.
“No- I’m going to walk… it clears my mind. Besides, it’s only….” I paused to look at the café clock, “three-o’clock. I’ll be home in time to sleep! I only live four miles from the rendezvous point, unlike everyone else, who lives on the opposite side of the freeway. I’ll make it home in time.” This café is a mile off the freeway- thus meaning I have one mile to go. Then when I’m home, I’ll be four miles from the rendezvous point of choice. It takes me thirty minutes to walk one mile- thirteen if I decide I want to speed up- nine if I ran into the legendary White Akita that runs wild around town. As if on cue, Lakeisha said,
“That is not what I am worried about- I do not want you running into that nasty Akita that runs around here.” The White Akita- the reason parents don’t let their children run around, the reason there are so many maulings, the reason even the dogcatchers are in the obituaries. I didn’t care.
“I can outrun that mangy cur with my hands tied.” I bluffed. I probably- most likely- couldn’t, but it made me feel better to say so. I was the fastest runner in my Physical Education classes… though possibly because no one else tried… except for Elise- to her, PE meant, Pay Ettention… not ‘Attention,’ Ettention. Phys. Ed. was all about how much work you put into it. She could run just as fast as me- even faster on occasion- and that was when she put her mind to it. When she became lazy and walked with the other girls, what kind of Ettention was that?
Lakeisha rolled her eyes.
“I am willing to bet you could- on flat terrain. What would happen if you were to trip and fall? The dog would catch up… it would not sit and wait for you to stand up again. It would mangle you beyond recognition- like with the other cases! That dog is not to be meddled with- even for you Serena.” Lakeisha said. I fell silent. I knew she was right- the dog would murder me whenever it got the chance… I keep forgetting how overrated the media is. A dog wasn’t going to sit and watch as I cried over a broken ankle. It wouldn’t- by some strange circumstance- not be able to catch up once I fell- like in the movies. It would do whatever the hell it wanted. Lakeisha coughed discreetly and uniformly into the nook of her elbow.
“Now- it would be different if my cousin were to drive you there… I could walk home with you now, and tonight we will pick you up. Sound like a deal?” She said kindly. I paused. I liked her cousin, Rya… she was as nice as Lakeisha was- if nicer. I hated being coddled. I could walk if I wanted to- and if I ran into the mutt, I’d call for help… but having her accompany me home didn’t sound like a bad idea… I needed to tell her something, anyway.
“Listen, Lakeisha- I’ll just walk to the rendezvous point- my chances of meeting the dog are slim, at any rate. However… if you could walk home with me now, that’d be nice… I need to tell you something….” The serious note in my voice triggered an alarm in her brain.
“Alright- but only if you consider my choice I am giving you… if you do happen to run into that dog- walking will be the last thought in your mind… I know you will try to outrun it… you will get hurt that way…but I will not force you to decide.” She said calmly and picked her sweater off the back of the chair she had been sitting in. She smiled, started walking out the door and said briskly,
“Off we go, then.”
~*~

I hate my old writing style... *shudders* Don't throw stones. I would... but... don't be like me! As... perfect as I am... *ducks, narrowly missing a stone* ... fine... I see when I'm not wanted....

[Dundee]

Wow, this is cool!! I've VERY interested. Very nice character, extremely realistic. I can't wait to read more!!

[aermis]

^_^- Thank you, thank you. I'm going to keep posting every day until I post all sixteen chapters... then I'll slow down... because... I'm a slacker and haven't finished the book *please return back to the 'slacker' comment to see why* I appreciate your positive comment! And because of it, I post again!
~*~

Lakeisha held open the door for me, revealing a cool, crisp day outside. The sun played in every crevice of the city, lighting the world with pure, clean, sunlight.
“Thanks,” I muttered to Lakeisha, who thereafter stepped through the door and donned her coat- somewhat clumsily with her small, black purse in hand.
“Not a problem,” she replied, grabbing her purse with the hand it wasn’t already in- but if it’s details you want- she switched from her right to her left.
“Now, tell me- what is bothering you?” she asked curiously. Apparently, I looked more worried than was usual for me.
“Well… it may sound stupid, but… I’ve been having strange dreams lately….” I said, then immediately fell silent, due to embarrassment. Lakeisha raised her brow and we began to walk.
“Dreams about what, Serena?” she asked sternly. Usually, concern doesn’t follow the telling of a dream- but with Mother Lakeisha, you never knew what was next.
“I can’t explain it very well… all I can remember is a name….” I stopped. I felt foolish. A thirteen-year-old getting scared off by a nightmare.
“Go on, I am listening.” Lakeisha said- eyes focused on the sidewalk. She was thinking? Why? Surely a dream isn’t that important… then again….
“Kira….” I said, almost enjoying the euphoria of it on my tongue, “I hear it, and when I do… it's as if… as if….” I paused again. I couldn’t explain- not in a way Lakeisha would understand at least.
I heard Lakeisha snort in impatience.
“It was as if what, Serena?” I took a deep breath. Here goes nothing,
“I don’t know- it's as if… someone's calling my real name… you call me Serena, I call you Lakeisha, and it feels right, right?” I asked. My poor grammar was excused as Lakeisha tried to process what I had just said. Right when I was about to give up, she muttered, ‘I guess,’ and continued to stare into the sidewalk- keeping all but few of her senses latched onto me.
“Well, in the dreams, they call me Kira- and at times, it feels more real than 'Serena' does.” I looked again at her face that was examining every square inch of the sidewalk.
“It could just be that your name in your dream is, in fact, Kira. It would be just a tad unlikely, but it does not mean that your name in the real world is Kira.” She said simply, and it was that certain simplicity in her words that made me feel like an idiot. That’s when I remembered… today in the café, I heard the voice say ‘Kira,’ then never speak again. Possibly a good rebuttal.
“Well, that's what's worrying me- you see, today in the café, I heard the name Kira….” I said, then let the statement linger. Lakeisha brought her gaze up from the sidewalk, and stared ahead in remembrance.
“Was it when we were talking about Mouse? You said… ‘I guess someone ordered a ‘Kira,’ eh?’ Correct?” Lakeisha muttered. I nodded my head, but in case she hadn’t seen, I said ‘Correct,’ quietly, as not to startle her when she was deep in thought.
Lakeisha focused again on the sidewalk,
“So… you really heard a voice in the restaurant call your name… or… your 'dream name?'”
“Yes.” I answered. Lakeisha lapsed again into silence. I groaned. She doesn’t believe me- she must think I'm making all this up. I feel like such an idiot…. The sound of her voice ended my pessimistic thoughts,
“Do you think you might have fallen asleep in the café?” She asked. Well, so far, she hasn’t been much of a help. I, too, had jumped to that conclusion, but it had been defeated by logic one too many times.
“I might've… but the strange thing is, I don’t remember closing my eyes.” I wondered if that bit of information would make the search for the disembodied voice any easier. I realized, seconds later, that it wouldn’t at all.
“I did not see you close your eyes either- but there is a probability that you fell asleep with your eyes opened.” I narrowed my eyes. This was going to be as pleasant and brain-cell-less as an afternoon with Kelsey.
“Then my eyes would've been sore… and falling asleep with your eyes opened- even just for five minutes or so- is hard work.” I answered, almost a bit too brashly. Lakeisha shook her head, then turned to look at me,
“I do not know a more reasonable answer… I do not believe in the metaphysical- that is where you and I differ- I am a realist and believe only in logic. Being so constantly in a World of Dreams warps and haunts what reality would and should be, Serena.” So much for me being brash. Maybe she’d listen if I gave more detail….
“I know, but-” I began, but found myself interrupted by Lakeisha, who was now looking at me even more intently, almost with her brow furrowed.
“No 'buts…' I do not believe that some strange, mythical creature or druid came into the café in broad daylight and began to call your 'dream name.' Do you understand how preposterous that sounds? How utterly ludicrous that such a proposition as a witch or wizard or centaur or whatever the hell it was- walking into a café in broad daylight in 2004?” She said irritably. Okay- to hell with ‘no buts,’ I could speak when I wished!
“But-” I began with what I had hoped was enough force to get Lakeisha’s positive mood back, but it seemed to only kindle her angry flame.
“But what? I have given the most reasonable answer to you! Are you saying that someone- in your head- came out to say 'hello' in Café de Luche?” She said- raising her voice slightly, still looking at me fiercely and being somehow able to dodge ‘No Parking’ and ‘Stop’ signs I would’ve run into. I tried my best to exert a greater force into my words, but to no prevail.
“No, but-” I started feebly, but Lakeisha had sensed my conversation coming and interrupted me immediately,
“What? Is there anyway that you believe that some strange miracle wanted your attention, and yours alone? Your stories are wonderful, Serena, but they need to stay in the fantasy/fiction realm, where they belong- not out in the real world!” Her voice was beginning to crack with anger. What was wrong? Had I said something? I tried again to respond without interruption… but has it worked so far? No….
“But-”
“No- it is impossible for such things to happen. I have given my logic, and you still say you believe that such sortilege as an omen or calling happened today?” Now, I was angry- she had insulted something I believed in. I exerted my will to its fullest and tried to over-power her speech- and won!
“Yes… I do… and it happened- that is the only reasonable answer that I can offer, and I pray you can respect it. I'm not one to argue and I never thought that omens or occultism would ever be true, let alone happen in my presence. I may just be paranoid, but I believe I was in the midst of something Magical today- and that's just my belief… I thought my friend would help- possibly believe in it herself… but I find she is too wrapped up in logic to even pay attention to her friend's sobriety.” I said coolly. I was insulted, I was angry- and possibly a tad brash… this was a dream we were arguing about. If anything was surreal, it was our friendship. I calmed as Lakeisha looked back down at the pavement,
“I am… very sorry….” The words affected me… somewhat… something was continually overtaking me- a feeling of a conniving sort. I began to like it less and less.
“It's alright… it is really silly, anyway… paying ettention to the supernatural….” I said quietly. Out of my peripheral vision, I could’ve sworn I saw Lakeisha snicker, but I brushed it off. A few steps later, I heard another snicker. Was I losing it? Sure enough, a few more steps ahead….
Lakeisha laughed long and hard, tears running down her face. She had stopped walking and was clutching her chest, trying in vain to stop the laughter from leaking out of her lungs. That’s it- Noel and Damion cursed us- we had both lost all sanity to speak of. Might as well ask how she got this way.
“What's wrong? Why are you laughing?” I asked, curiosity building. A few people had stopped to watch Lakeisha make a fool of herself. She pointed at me and shrieked through raucous laughter,
“You!” I raised a brow. What had I done? Lakeisha spotted the look on my face, straightened herself up, and said, eyes still streaming with tears and squinted from the bright glint of the sun,
“Pay ettention!” She yelped and laughed all the more. My brow creased. What was she talking about? It took a few seconds for it to dawn on me. Then, there came a strange destiny not even the Fates could have decreed. I laughed. The Leader of All, Mrs. Taylor and the ever-fabled Vampire, Mrs. DeWitt, had both- in turn- broken down laughing. Insanity, I rationalized. Adults and kids from Pinto Villa stopped to stare. The adults just shook theirs heads and whispered, ‘I never want a child that behaves like that,’ and the Pinto Villa kids muttered, ‘Immature eighth graders.’ Yet, Lakeisha and I could’ve cared less.
I was hunched over, holding my stomach and having laughter fall all but out my ears- and a few other places I don’t care to mention- when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned my head slightly to see Lakeisha. She had wiped her face and was straight-backed again, trying her best to show she wasn’t just an eighth grader- let alone an immature one! I snickered as she released my shoulder, but I had stopped really laughing long since. That’s what you get for becoming best friends with a paranoid leader. You may ask why I call her paranoid, but deep down we all know that ALL leaders must posses paranoia to a certain extent.
Lakeisha wiped one last tear of laughter from her eye.
“I have no idea why I found that funny… maybe our druid friend put a laughing devil-devil on me.”
“Oh, ha ha.” I sneered, but inside, I was glad we weren’t fighting, even if the fighting was just about a foolish dream I had had. I looked around to see where we had stopped. Lakeisha and I had just stopped where Buena Vista intersects Colin Avenue. We currently stood in front of a long alleyway called Pilley’s Alley….
Pilley’s Alley has a little story to it. Once there was a man running the Pizzeria on the left–hand side of the alleyway- called, nothing else, but ‘Pilley’s Pizzeria.’ The guy made great pizza, no doubt, but then one day, a lady came in- sat down- ate pizza- then left. She was dead the next day. The health department came in to check how Pilley was taking care of the meats and how long he cooked everything, seeing as the woman died of bacteria in her small intestine. Everything was fine, and they left- eating a slice of Pizzazz Pepperoni (my favourite.)
I went one day, to visit Sue and Jo- two of the employees I had befriended- when I saw Pilley pointing to a ‘help wanted’ sign. I told him I was under-age, but he just shook his head sadly and told me that they had quit. I asked him why, and he said he didn’t know.
A few weeks later, only three employees were left in the failing Pizzeria. That night, it was said the two had left early- leaving Pilley alone to late-night customers. No one knows what happened, but the neighboring store, Phil’s Phlowers, heard a scream. He and his late-night employees rushed over to find Pilley- dead. He was diagnosed of Cardiac Arrest- or for you laymen, a heart attack. The doctors say it was a close-case artery clogging, from too much grease and cheese from the pizza… but others say the ghost of the dead woman scared him.
That was my favourite story to tell at sleepovers- and it, without a doubt, scared the- well, you know- out of my friends and cousins- and even Charlene, my brain-dead sister. Now- because the Pizzeria was now being haunted with two vengeful ghosts, no one wanted to buy it. ‘No Italian’s that stupid,’ they’d say, and then laugh… though the Italian cheap shots ended whenever everyone realized I was Italian.
Then came old Johann Denair- a 26-year-old businessman that everyone would prefer to be around at parties and such. He was a social butterfly; you could say… it was his son- Jonathan Denair- that everyone deplored. Forsaken at childhood when he would kill small animals that wandered unfortunately into his grasp. His mother and father thought that it was their cat that was brutally murdering the rats and mice found around the house- some decapitated, some missing parts, and some just horribly harassed.
In Kindergarten, Jon decided he didn’t like other children. He would do his work, finger-paint half the classroom dying and so forth… he just wouldn’t talk to the kids when they talked to him. When he spoke to the teacher, it’d be in whispers- or sometimes in fluent German. Everyone stayed a good five feet away from little Jonathan Denair.
When he was five, his mother moved to Austria, never to return. Johann was saddened, but Jon was secretly pleased. He grew up with his father, and some even say- the whole time he was manipulating him for purposes unknown.
When he grew up, he became no better. He hadn’t cut his hair in all his life, not wanting anyone- his mother, his father, the barber, anyone- to get near him with scissors. He left it in a ponytail at the nape of his neck…. He had become more social, no doubt- but he was arrogant. Jacob Lillvin was considered Jon’s worst enemy… he and Jacob did not get along very well- Jacob got his authority by merely being insane, whilst Jon got his authority by his practices, his thoughts, his delights. He was a very peculiar person; he nearly got in a HUGE fight with Jacob over petite differences. Jon was always going to stand-alone; he conformed to his own ideas, and his own ideas only. He always got his way, whatever he did; he always got his way. That is why Jacob was expelled and Jon was not.
That was why no one was surprised that it was Johann and his son moving into the haunted pizzeria… well, maybe few were surprised. Johann and Jon in the pizza district? Not going to happen … that’s why they turned it into a curio- with all kinds of things that this city has never seen… but Jon has introduced me to them all. That’s right- the Dark and Evil Serena joined forces with the Enigmatical, Dominant Jon. Lakeisha never liked Jon; though… imagine my surprise when she said,
“Hey- it is finally opened today- want to go inside?” The reason she said ‘it is finally opened,’ was because Johann had been working on… something, and hadn’t been able to open the store. I shrugged.
“Why not… but we have to leave quickly- I have to make it home so I can sleep.” Sleep… my four favorite food groups. I love to sleep… so I can dream about my own World of Dreams. Lakeisha groaned,
“You and your bed… thick as thieves and just as strange.” She has quite a point. Over the past few years of knowing Jon and the wonderful collections in the curio, I have decided to decorate my bed. It’s my own little shrine for the sandman- I’m one of his most loyal disciples, after all.
I have a tapestry from Tibet with Kwan Yin on it, put delicately over a white shroud from somewhere in Europe- I bought it, then pretended it was from Stone Henge… even though I doubted the druids used shrouds- they apparently weren’t ones for privacy….
I have a silk pillow from Sweden, and another with ‘Got Erhaltz’ embroidered in the middle. In Austria, Jon said, ‘it is one of their most popular religious songs….’ He said it with pure distaste, but when are his words ever clean of distaste… never….
I have a canopy that looks like woven, black spider web, and have a dream catcher that drops down the middle of a canopy with a beautiful, black-heart design. Jon saved the black heart for me… knowing my favorite colored hearts are all but pink and lavender. Two burlap voodoo dolls join me in slumber as they rest comfortably on my pillows.
All in all… well, let’s just say my bed is as frightening as I am….
“My bed's no more strange than the contents of this store…” I began. “Let's go! Hurry- I need my sleep!”
“Next time your birthday comes around, I will buy you sleeping pills- pillows with voodoo dolls printed on them- dream-catcher bug-zappers…” Lakeisha said with a smile, her voice drifting off.

[aermis]

“Alright, alright, I get it.” I said, rolling my eyes, then I grabbed Lakeisha’s tan wrist and pulled her through the door of the curio. One inside, a nice sunny day can turn quickly in to a dark, scary evening. Lakeisha looked around the dark curio timidly.
“I have always been afraid of this store….” She whispered. She wasn’t the only one. Too many kids began walking on the other side of the street when the Pizzeria closed down, lest they be obliged to trade words with Jonathan Denair. That’s not why Lakeisha fears the store, however. Dark tapestries with intriguing designs close off any light that would’ve entered the dirty windows. A faded, velvet curtain hangs on the door, along with a collection of Shinto bells from India and Japan. Old wooden tables hold yellowed, antediluvian doilies and goblets filled with beads that give off a foreboding air.
Old, dusty trunks lay ajar, filled with items that can’t be tiered, such as strange, mosaic balls with thousands of beautiful colors, varying upon each ball what variety of color you’d get. The trunks also consisted of what little feng shui items didn’t litter the walls. Pedestals are scattered hither and thither, holding figureheads of Kandakes or San Nesus. A large torii sat propped against a wall, with an exotic plant winding around it as if it were a trellis. In the glass-covered cases, there stood small Egyptian figurines- all of which, Jon had introduced to me. The jackal headed guardian- Anubis, Amenophis III- the Pharaoh, Saqqara- a well known and loved queen, Thoth- the God with the head of an ibis and Bastet- the Egyptian Cat Goddess (Osiris, Ra, Set and others were most likely to be in a coming shipment.)
A beautiful bronze statue of Ganesh sat atop the counter, right next to a Buddha with an ear-to-ear smile. Necklaces with pentagrams and crosses of Austrian crystal hung on the wall behind the counter. Chakra pendulums also hung, adding their bright colored, encrusted crystal brilliance to the room whenever a drop of light would hit one. The sconces on the walls varied- they were both on display and currently in use. A gargoyle held a ball between its teeth, allowing a white-blue light to escape- a snake likewise. The head of Medusa had the snakes in her hair holding the ball above her head.
Large wind chimes hung from the ceiling, along with paper lanterns that looked older than me! Wooden flutes lay on top of an old-fashioned writing desk, and a lute leaned against a far wall.
I shrugged and walked to the counter, feet shuffling along the Persian carpet.
“I wonder if Johann stills runs the place.” I muttered. Lakeisha gave me a strange look, with her brow raised and her lips in a frown… that particular look seemed to be asking ‘Why wouldn’t he still work here?’ To tell you the truth, I had no valid reason to say that last sentence other than to break the dreary, creepy silence of the curio. I decided, if we were going to be in the store, we might as well alert the master of the shop.
I cupped my hands around my mouth and shouted ‘JOHANN!’ Lakeisha punched me on the arm- light enough to show she's joking, but firm enough to tell me that it's not polite to scream indoors.
“Guten tag.” I heard someone say in a voice very near a sneer. Jon stepped out of the shadows. It had been a good four months since I had seen Jon, and an even longer period of time for Lakeisha. His long, black hair was back in a ponytail at the nape of his neck- as it always was. He was looking at us with black eyes that shimmered with malevolence and a smile that could’ve beheld fangs and looked less frighteningly smug.
“Hallo, Serena. Wie geht's?” Jon said coolly, crossing his arms. I had no idea how to reply in German, so I answered in English.
“Hello, Jon. I’m alright- how’ve you been these past four months?” I asked. He seemed to contemplate before giving me an answer.
“I’ve been….” He began, then decided against saying whatever he had wished to say, and began again.
“I have been fine,” he finished.
“So, where’s the old man?” I asked, politely as I could.
“Father Johann? He passed away,” he said airily. I gasped.
“What? No way!” I shouted. Jon’s smile seemed to contort itself into a nasty grimace.
“Just jesting,” he said sourly, voice dripping with venom, “he's in the back.” I breathed a sigh of relief. Two ghosts were enough. At that point in time, Jon seemed to notice Lakeisha. He looked at her, and then nodded coolly.
“Lakeisha….” He said, just to clarify he was well aware of her presence. Lakeisha crossed her arms, black purse swinging.
“Jon….” She returned. I could’ve sworn I heard the Dodge City theme in my head, but maybe it was just me.
Lakeisha and Jon- a perfect sense of ‘Good’ and ‘Evil.’ Back in the seventh grade, when Jacob was expelled, Hiroshi had just toughened his will by saving Jacob from a fire in the fields on an agricultural trip.
The only one Jon used to treat, as an equal would have been Hiroshi. Hiroshi was also stubborn and cruel, he used to be power hungry, and craving something, he couldn’t grasp. Jon admired him for this hunger and found greed and wanting to be Hiroshi’s weakness. To hold something he yearned for in front of his nose would bring him to his knees. However, Hiroshi changed since the agriculture field trip. He saved Jacob, and learned responsibility and that all things could be his own if he worked for it.
Jon hasn’t seen Hiroshi for a good few years; thus meaning Jon needed to find another victim. Usually an easy task… I was an… acquaintance of his and his father… well; he was his father for crying out loud! Then came Lakeisha- Jon thought she would be a perfect victim… all the way until he found out she was as equally stubborn as he. So- now Jon carries himself as much as a superior as he can towards Lakeisha- making her both his inferior and his enemy. It had nothing to do with her race, but the state of her aura… confusing- I’ve lost myself already.
“Right…” I began uneasily, wanting badly to break the silence, “hey- have you gotten any more odds and ends than you used to, Jon?” Jon looked at me with a stare that was uncannily idle.
“Yes we have, fraulein…” he said calmly, a controlled -possibly urbane- feeling around him. He gestured eerily behind him, “…Right this way.” He began to walk to the back of the store; I fell into step behind him and Lakeisha, reluctantly, followed suit.
The back of the store was as eerie- possibly even more so- than the front of the store. There was less light there- it was very cold as well. The kitchen served as a back room where all the boxes of unknown collectibles were kept. The tapestries were darker- not just in color, but design. Strange antiques, such as beautifully decorated daggers, nooses, miniature guillotines, finger-boxes, and an iron maiden kept all customers in the front of the store… all customers but I. I loved the mysterious wonder of it all. Shackles, manacles, large nails, mallets, and stocks dating back to early America and sometimes even earlier lay cluttered around the small back area. Old surgeon’s tools from the revolution made a wonderfully macabre display- seeing as amputating of limbs was called for constantly with the lead in the muskets and the shattering of bone.
Jon treasured each item in the curio- but the one that had to have been the most awe inspiring was the one he had just then brought us to.
Jon gestured to the strange painting on the wall. I looked at it, immediately enraptured. It was a square that had many exaggerated details- then there was a circle, bold and beautiful, that emanated blissful light. Inside both shapes, was a mass of triangle-like shapes. All together, they formed a geometrical nightmare of impractical proportion. Yet- as impractical as it seemed, it existed- seeming to hover in front of all three of us.
“What is it?” I asked, in utter awe. I had not yet shaken off the feeling of disbelief. Jon, eyes still on the figure, replied curtly,
“A Wiccan mandala- but Father believes the mandala to be a façade….” I didn’t pause to ask what a ‘mandala’ was, and asked him a question newly formed at the mention of his father.
“Why would he think that?” I asked. It looked like a painting- not an ordinary one, but a painting all the same- how could it be hiding something?
Jon ripped his dark-eyed stare from the painting and rested it upon me.
“The painting is called 'The Façade of Obscuration.'” He said, and I immediately felt stupid.
I looked down as I said a quiet ‘Oh…’ then looked back up at the painting.
“What does your father know about the painting so far?” I asked. Jon looked back up at the painting as well. Without answering, he walked up to the painting. He slowly traced the outside square of the ‘mandala.’
“This symbolizes the four cardinal points…” he began slowly- apparently ready to tell Lakeisha and I everything he knew.
When he finished tracing the square once, he then went to tracing the circle.
“This is the golden flower of light…” he said, submerged in the world of the painting. I looked deeply into it- realizing just how hypnotizing it was.
After tracing the entire circle, he then gestured to the triangle farrago inside.
“And this is the power the mandala is associated with.” He finished, then turned from the painting to us again.
“A façade is basically a disguise… and an obscuration is when something is hidden or concealed by means of covering….” He paused slightly, then said,
“That's about all we know.” I nodded my head, and creased my brow in concentration.
“Hmm… so it's a disguised disguise?” I asked, still in thought. Jon shrugged and took one last look at the painting.
“Apparently.” He said quietly. I wanted to find out the secret of the mandala’s origin- maybe knowing where it came from would help.
“Where did it come from?” I asked.
“Some wealthy family that found it- or inherited it… either way, they gave it to us, free of charge.” He said, with a note of suspicion. I shrugged- this was a hopeless case. I decided to leave it to wise Johann.
“A good deal- are you selling it?” I asked. Jon looked at me with an unreadable expression.
“Nein… not until Father finds out the secret…” he said, and then spat distastefully, “As if it will ever happen.”
I looked at Lakeisha as she glanced offhandedly around the back section of the store. Though she looked at the displays through narrowed eyes, I could tell she thought them hideous. She turned her head to face the displays behind her and screeched as she came face-to-face with a plastic skeleton… or one I hoped was plastic.
At this point in time, Jon smiled smugly.
“I see you've found a friend…” Jon drawled apathetically. He smiled wider as he added, “He doesn’t bite…”
Then, with the swift, liquid movements of a plagued stream, he deftly glided next to Lakeisha- who was still staring in horror at the skeleton.
“When he’s deep in slumber, at least.” He finished with an exceedingly arrogant purr. I chuckled to myself as I watched Lakeisha nearly jump a foot in the air- from fear of Jon’s closeness or from surprise, I couldn’t tell- but it seemed she was much more perturbed about the fact that Jon came within three feet of her.
Lakeisha brushed herself off, and tried to pretend that Jon’s breech of her personal space hadn’t been what made her jump.
“I do not believe in necromancy, Jonathan Denair- I am a realist, not a fantasist.” Lakeisha growled. I smiled. She had just given me a talk on realism.
“That's why you're so vulnerable in this world of the unexpected, fraulein. Too easily fooled by the facades of the obscured.” He said darkly. I began to think of just how well the twins and Jon would get along….
Lakeisha grunted, then turned to me, so that her harsh, unyielding fury could find a way to force me to succumb to her will.
“Come on, Serena- if you ever want to get home in time to sleep, we will have to leave now.” She said, then made as if to walk away. I stamped my foot and whined- deciding to show a little pout as well I heard Jon snicker behind me.
“No- we have to wait for Johann.” I mewled. I just wanted to stay in the curio… but the thought of sleep WAS tempting.
Jon tossed a smug smirk at Lakeisha. Lakeisha turned from Jon- and the skeleton- and grunted loudly to show her anger. That was Lakeisha- she wasn’t used to being ‘disobeyed…’ what a temper!
I concluded it best to change the subject.
“Speaking of, how long does he stay in the back?” I asked- referring to Johann. I hadn’t seen him in days… months… years?
Jon looked somewhat disgruntled at my asking the question, but answered it all the same,
“As long as it takes, I suppose.” He murmured. My curiosity flared yet again.
“As long as it takes for what?” I asked. I was interested- and I was sure Lakeisha was as well, due to the inquisitive glow to her eye as she turned slightly.
As much as we wanted an answer, we didn’t get one. Jon stayed silent, reminding us of the horrid days when he wouldn’t speak at all.
“Jon?” I asked, still quite fearful of his silence.
Jon seemed to shake his eyes free of their vacant stare.
“We have one more new item….” He said, casually changing the subject. I immediately lost interest in Jon’s silence as he said this.
“Really? What?” I asked- greatly anticipating an answer this time… and I got one. At this point- my destiny will seem forsooth… and, of course, it was… as Jon always said, ‘Doth a sturgeon need ever crave water?’ and one does not- because such a thing was ‘forsooth,’ and thenceforth, taken care of.
Jon led us back to the front of the room. It was like walking from a crypt to a festival… that was how dreary the back was! I was glad to be away from it- for once.
Jon walked behind the front desk and pulled out a small, brown package. I stared at it with interest as he delicately un-wrapped the package. He reached neatly inside, and then pulled out a small figure. I couldn’t see it at first, until he handed it to me. I gasped.
It was a small frog, made of blown glass beads, and decorated in exotic gold paints and garnished in rich, lovely colored fabrics. I stared in wonder at the beautiful bauble. I could feel Lakeisha’s gaze as she, too, turned to stare in awe at the small trinket.
After a few seconds, I realized my jaw had dropped.
“Where did you get it?” I croaked barely over a whisper. Jon fidgeted uncomfortably. And in case, you haven’t figured out already- Jon isn’t much of a fidgeter.
“That question is a tad harder than the other… you see… it was given to us secretly… within the folds of this Chinese silk purse… it came with a journal….” He said, then handed me a lovely purse that I supposed withheld a journal- due to the unnatural bulk of the purse.
I emptied the purse, and- sure enough- found the journal inside. This journal matched the beauty of the small frog ornament to a ‘T.’
It was a small, palm-sized journal, covered in attractive, black Chinese silk. In the fabric, there was a beautiful design of rich, palace gold, and forest green and blood red crimson shades, matching the silk purse. Merchants, I supposed, whipped their horses in a bright teal whilst farmers took to their land in a divine burgundy.
Jon began to speak:
“They found them in an old abandoned house… there was no records of a family in that house for years. Possibly centuries. All of it was given to my father because they thought it to be junk.”
I turned the purse, frog, and journal over in my hands, shaking my head.
“Impossible… they’re both gorgeous….” I began, then thought ‘one mans junk is another mans treasure…’ or so it seemed.
“How much are they worth?” I asked. Jon waved his hand languidly.
“They're all yours- free of charge.” I nearly started crying.
“Wha- why?” I asked. Impossible as it was- Jon was giving me these two beautiful possessions… for no price?
“This curio owes the public for the Façade painting- this is our payment.” He responded. I couldn’t believe this! This wasn’t Jon! Respecting the public? I’m dreaming this up!
“Why not give it to the wealthy merchants who gave the Façade painting to you?” I asked- still not believing. His answer was so logical, even Lakeisha watched him and listened.
“Because… they can probably afford a trip to China and wherever else to buy these items- they wouldn't be gifts- they'd be junk- like they were to the other family. You- who treasures everything- deserves these gifts more than they do. You have been a constant customer to this store for years. Even when all we had was dross- you loved it all- now, you own the store's most beautiful treasures as a thank you for being so loyal to it… and believe me, I know the difference between loyalty and guile. Danke, fraulein- the curio appreciates your trodding upon its boards.”
I could say nothing. Giving them back would insult him- even if it was the best in mind. My eyes watered. Impulsively, I grabbed Jon and hugged him… a mental note, mind you- it was impulsive, which can be defined into ‘spontaneous,’ ‘sudden,’ or even ‘un-forsooth.’
Jon tensed, as if he were being attacked by a herd of wild boars (coincidentally, I’m sure, I imagined Mr. Shome being run over by boars.) I let go and Lakeisha snickered.
“Come on, Serena- let us go before all the love in the air forces Jon into one of his warped little realms.” Lakeisha said with a smirk. Jon tossed a sardonic smile and said, somewhat to Lakeisha’s chagrin,
“It's a bit too late for that, Lakeisha.” Lakeisha shrugged, and then began to walk out of the curio. I started to follow, until I remembered Johann.
“Wait! What about speaking to Johann?” I asked, having a nasally whining sneak into my voice again. Lakeisha raised her brow, and then turned to look at a grandfather clock against a far wall.
“It is four o'clock- if you want to be home to sleep so badly, we need to go home… now, preferably- we will visit Father Johann later.” She said flatly. I finally gave in, sighed, and followed her slowly out.
I looked back at Jon- who was still trying in vain to brush the feel of ‘hug’ off of himself.
“See you, Jon.” I said sadly. I didn’t WANT to leave, but I wanted to go to the Fourth of July meeting….
“Jon!” I shouted, “Tonight, we’re having a Fourth of July meeting six miles from the freeway….”
“I’m not too sure I’ll be able to attend.” He replied curtly. I shrugged, I had expected this anyway.
“Alright, then,” I said, then repeated, “See you, Jon.” Lakeisha marched happily out the door, and whilst she did so, she sang out,
“Yes! Good bye!” I watched Jon roll his eyes.
“Auf wiedersehen,” He said softly. Lakeisha hooked her arm around mine, and then promptly pulled me out the door of the curio, the bells on the door ringing as we exited. I took a deep breath of the beautiful air of the outdoors- or at least, outdoors compared to the stuffy curio.
When the door closed behind us, she muttered,
“You hugged Jon? That will be a four hour washing, dearest.” Then she smiled, and looked at me. I idly slipped the journal and frog into the silk purse. I blushed.
“I wasn’t thinking right.” I said dully. Lakeisha laughed.
“Of course, blame it on impulse.” She chortled. I grunted… then began to think about my World of Dreams again.
“Being in that store gets me to thinking… what about a World of Dreams? How would such a Magical world be such a bad thing?” I asked Lakeisha- who’d earlier shunned such things.
She seemed to think, and we began to walk again. After a few minutes, she replied logically,
“I am not sure…but I suppose if such a frivolous land existed, it might be worth inhabiting… yet, seeing as there is no such world, I am afraid we are quite stuck with the one we have currently.” I sighed. Then got to thinking again.
“What would you do if you lived in such a world?” I asked. I was going to get spur this girl’s imagination. She let it mull around in her mind for a while.
“Hm… I would write it all down, then come back to America, and publish it- then I would become famous for it and succeed in my plans for world domination….” She said thoughtfully. Now, we were getting somewhere, but just in case I couldn’t think of anything to get her started again, I let my mouth fall, agape. Lakeisha caught my look, and then smiled.

[aermis]

“Only joking. I would publish my story though.” I nodded. I was going to keep this conversation alive, no matter what.
“Mm Hm… and what if you couldn't come back to America?” I asked. That one got her. We walked in silence for a while as she contemplated. When she finally spoke, I jumped slightly in surprise.
“Like if I were stuck- not in reality, but in fantasy?” She asked. I nodded.
“Exactly like that.” She pondered for a few minutes more, then replied,
“Then I would try to make allies, be courteous to others, move into a small, peaceful town, own a griffin, and I would be happy.” She answered. I snickered at her mention of a griffin.
“That sounds nice, Lakeisha.” I said. Lakeisha bit her bottom lip and blushed. She had begun talk of Magic- after ranting about it earlier. Maybe there was a mystical side to Lakeisha… just maybe.
“What would you do?” Lakeisha asked, startling me out of my thoughts.
“What? Do what where?” I asked, somewhat alarmed. I was too deep in thought when she had spoken.
Lakeisha merely chuckled.
“What would you do in your World of Dreams?” She asked. I didn’t have to think- I already knew what I wanted to do.
“Me? I'd be an adventurer… named Kira… I'd be a powerful witch with awesome talent- and there's be a plot… there was… some way I couldn't converse with my sorcery-practicing allies without being killed- so I had to find my own clique that would travel with me until I reached my final goal….” I finished dreamily. It would be wonderful….
“And that goal would be?” Lakeisha asked. Always wanted detail… she bugged me about ‘not enough detail’ all the time…to tell the truth, I didn’t know what my goal was to be at the time any more than she did.
“There are some secrets the world does not wish to share… in short, I'd be so left in the dark, and I’d have to search for clues as well as allies.” I said, trying to sound official. Lakeisha nodded and walked past a girl, chewing on a hot dog, trying to keep her lunch away from the small Pomeranian that was jumping up onto her legs. There- detail.
“Beautiful… I like it better than mine… though I still have a griffin, mind you….” Lakeisha said slowly- adapting tediously to the way of Magic.
“And I'll make friends with faeries….” I added.
“And we will both run across each other….”
“You'll be a thief….”
“And you a lost witch….”
“We'll both need to work together to unlock the secrets-” I said- wanting Lakeisha to see how lovely the World of Dreams could be.
I realized we were walking around the corner into my housing- I didn’t want Lakeisha’s Magical feeling to end so quickly!
“And claim our prize….” Lakeisha said.
“The goal itself.” I finished. Lakeisha began to smile- then stopped. I watched as what was left of her golden aura, drifted away with the previous gust of wind. My shoulders sagged. It wasn’t fair. No one else saw what kind of world I wanted. I tried to help Lakeisha to it- but it didn’t work… nothing was going to work. I sighed.
We both stopped in front of the small cobblestone path that led through the just-trimmed grass. My sister, Charlene, had her bright, red car parked in the driveway. Mother wasn’t home. More detail.
“Well, we arrived here quickly, did we not?” Lakeisha said- obviously noting the difference in her without the Magical aura.
“Sure did….” I agreed sullenly. We both stared at the house- not really knowing whether to just stand outside of it all day, or actually go in.
“So… what do you say? Should Rya drive you to the rendezvous point, or are you going to walk?” Lakeisha asked, breaking the ghastly silence. Alright- time to think of a diversion… no- not a diversion- a lie… no! Not a lie- an untruthful statement… yes….
“I'll ask my mom to drive me- she'll drive me anywhere on a full tank of gas.” I untruthfully stated. The untruthful part being when I said ‘I’ll ask my mom…’ I was not going to ask my mom. I was going to walk to the Rendezvous Point….
The hard thing to answer would be why… something told me to do it… to walk the streets by night- as if it’d warp reality any further than my sight. But I wasn’t going to disobey it- I couldn’t disobey it. So I didn’t- I would walk to the Rendezvous Point, and that was final.
Lakeisha nodded her head.
“It is all set, then.” She said, and then turned to begin walking down the sidewalk. “I will see you at seven o'clock… sharp!” She called back to me.
“Alright.” I bellowed. Then another thought struck me. “Lakeisha?” I asked. She stopped walking, then turned around.
“Do you even know where your house is from here?” I asked.
“I do believe I do.”
“And what if you get lost?” Lakeisha smiled.
“You are trying to get back at me for my safety talk with you earlier, aren’t you?” She inquired. I shook my head in the way someone who was an untruthful statement-maker would.
“I’m worried for you….” I said, attempting to make her come walking back here to stay the afternoon. We had done this thousands of times. It had gone from help with Algebra, to staying the night. She caught on immediately.
“Here, I'll go call my mom-” I said, welcoming the ever-familiar phrase,
“No thank you- I have a cellular phone… I will call Rya, we need to pick up milk for Suki and Dylan, anyways.” Lakeisha said, on cue. I smiled.
“All right… do you want to come in until then?” I asked. This was how it always went. After I said this, she’d gratefully say ‘yes, please…’ needless to say, five seconds after I said, ‘all right… do you want to come in until then?’ she did so.
“Yes, please.” She said gratefully. We both nearly skipped up the cobblestone path to my door. I opened it and was hit with a blast of air-conditioned bliss. It was sort of a relief after spending all day in the sun.
Lakeisha pulled a small kerchief out of her small, black purse. It was all while, with the exception of an embroidered, pink ‘L’ in the bottom-right corner. She daintily patted her forehead clean of sweat as I closed the door.
“It is quite hot out there.” Lakeisha noted.
“Isn't it? I thought this was, like, the Bay Area.” Came my sister, Charlene’s, voice from the sitting room. We peered from the entrance hall into the sitting room to see Charlene, legs crossed, reading TMZine- the 'latest and coolest' teen magazine to hit the press. Her strawberry-blonde hair was down, and she was wearing a pink belly-shirt that said ‘Get Over Yourself…’ what kind of message is the clothing industry trying to send out these days? Her lips were glazed with a sugary lip-gloss, and pink eyeliner highlighted her hazel eyes. She got the looks and I got the brain… it’s not too hard to see who got the better deal… well come to think of it, it is….
“Hello, Charlene.” Lakeisha said. Charlene looked partially up from her magazine to see who addressed her, then put the magazine down and neatly placed her manicured nails in her lap. She was ready to talk… and talk… and talk….
“Like, 'hello…' weird… 'Hello’ is, like, so dreary… try 'hey, girl,' or '’Sup, chica!' Like, the magazine so says it's best to be up-beat.” She said, cocking her head slightly to one side as if trying to find out more of Lakeisha at a side angle.
“Not a problem for you, I suppose.” Lakeisha said. Charlene’s eyes lit up.
“You, like, think so? Jeez… that's, like, really cool of you.” Charlene said, almost out-blushing the rouge already brushed on her cheeks.
“You are welcome, Charlene.” Lakeisha said. Charlene cocked her head again (the only time it’s up is for those brief intervals when she’s not utterly confused.)
“'You are welcome?' What are you, a linguini?” She asked Lakeisha. Lakeisha raised her brow, and I have to admit- it was hard to interpret the meaning of Charlene’s previous statement. Luckily, I had learned to adapt to her strange stringing together of words. I stretched, hid my mouth behind my arm, and whispered to Lakeisha,
“I think she means a linguist.” Lakeisha smiled, then let the brow fall back into place.
“Ah… no, I'm afraid the only language I know is English.” Lakeisha answered. Charlene nodded her head, then twisted a strand of strawberry-blonde hair around her finger and popped a large, pink bubble gum bubble…then continued,
“A plexographer?” she asked. Again, Lakeisha’s brow raised and she looked desperately to me for translation as I racked my brain, in vain hope of trying to figure out the meaning of Charlene’s words. Whilst I sat, bidding my brain to cooperate with its master, I remembered the word on the back of a dictionary in Mrs. Michael’s class.
This time, as I was in the process of bending to tie my shoes (which… didn’t have laces) when I whispered to Lakeisha,
“She means lexicographer.” Lakeisha’s brow- for the second time today- returned exactly to its spot… the strange thing being she had raised her brow more than two times today.
“Of a sort, but not that much….” She answered Charlene, briskly. Charlene seemed to be running out of large- yet improper- words.
“So… just sophisticatic?” She asked. I knelt to make another gesture so I could whisper what she meant in Lakeisha’s ear, but she stopped me as she, herself, stretched and whispered, ‘I think I know what she means.’ We both stood up straight again, and Lakeisha smiled widely.
“I suppose… where did you learn all these big words?” She asked, most likely wanting to hunt down the beasts that called a lexicographer a plexographer.
Charlene shrugged, then said,
“Like, from TMZine.” I watched Lakeisha’s eyes narrow- but all she said was, “of course….”
“Come in here- I won’t, like, bite- I'm not a carnivore.” Charlene said kindly. Lakeisha and Charlene had not gotten to know each other well, so she was making a kind (grammatical blunder) gesture in inviting Lakeisha to sit on her couch… I had long since lost the privilege.
“Of course- I can tell you are no carnivore….” Lakeisha said slowly, looking at me with a smile.
“Speaking of being carnivorous, I'm hungry… all I've had all day was iced tea.” I groaned as my stomach sent up a ripple of hungry anger. Lakeisha smiled… not a likable, leader, Lakeisha smile… a menacing, malevolent, malicious smile.
“That was for your little bit of dalliance with the twins.” She said smugly. I noticed Charlene cock her head, yet again.
“Alliance?” She asked.
“Dalliance… flirting, in modern language.” Lakeisha said loudly. I watched Charlene’s pink lip-glossed lips form a convicting 'o.'
“Oooooo,” Charlene began, “Rena’s got a boyfriend, Rena’s got a- wait- did you, like, say 'twins?' As in, like, two?” She asked incredulously. She sounded jealous, and would probably end up wanting to seek after triplets next week. She turned her hazel headlights on me, inquisitively.
“Like, you're only dating one, right?”Oh, preposterous. Me? Dating? Hah. I’d sooner kiss a frog.
“I’m not dating anyone!” I shouted. I turned sharply to Lakeisha,
“And I wasn’t flirting!” Charlene just shook her head.
“The Nile… everyone goes through it some time or another-”
“I’m not in denial! Now, come on, Lakeisha we're going into the kitchen to eat!” I said forcefully, and began to tromp into the kitchen. On the way, I heard Charlene mutter to herself,
“Men so hate providence….”
“It’s dominance!” I corrected. I could somehow sense the startled look on her face. I heard the ruffle of slick, laminated paper pages being flipped and I knew Charlene was looking through the magazine again.
“Whatever.” She muttered.
I finished walking into the kitchen and turned to face Lakeisha. I glared at her.
“Nice one, get my sister started up.” I growled.
“That is what you get for getting fresh with me earlier.” She replied coolly. For the fact that I knew I’d never win this argument, I changed the subject.
“I wasn’t flirting with the twins!” I said.
“I know- you were getting to know them more… and what better way than to order what they were ordering.” Lakeisha said, somewhat amiably. Her logic made no sense, but I went along with it anyway- since it was in my favor.
“What makes you think I was flirting with them, then?” I asked.
“The fact that on Charlene's fifteenth birthday, you declared to the world that, and I quote, 'Iced Tea is the devil's drink- full of bland, disgusting taste to enthrall the mind and idle the hands,' unquote.” Lakeisha said with a smile. Oh… she got me there as well….
“I was kidding.” I said abashedly. Lakeisha smiled wider- back to the likeable, leader, Lakeisha smile- and added,
“Your dumping out the pitcher drove the point home nicely.” I rolled my eyes and walked over to the refrigerator. I opened it and peered inside. Nothing interesting I remember thinking to myself.
“Want a soda, yogurt, ham sandwich… something?” I asked. I didn’t want to be a pig and eat alone.
“I will have a ham sandwich, if you please- I do not know about Charlene, but I am a carnivore.” Lakeisha said.
“I’m not sharing my couch with you!” We both heard erupt from the other room. It was Charlene… she still didn’t know the difference between a cannibal and a carnivore.
I snickered.
“It's all right, Lakeisha- no need to feel bad- one afternoon with Charlene, and… well, let's just say brain cells don't grow back.” I said with a smirk. Lakeisha smiled again, and nodded.
“Right then- I am going to call Rya.” She said, and then began to pull out her cell phone.
“How about using the kitchen phone? Less minutes on your cell.” I said, looking up from the refrigerator.
“All right,” she said, walking over to the phone, “are you sure you do not want a ride to the rendezvous point?” She asked, motherly concern thrown into overdrive. I rolled my eyes,
“I’m positive.” I answered. Lakeisha seemed to- very reluctantly- adapt to a new change of subject.
“Okay… where is your mom, anyway?” She asked.
“At work- she doesn't come home until six, and right now, it's…” I began, then leaned back from the refrigerator to look at the clock on the oven, “Four-thirty.” Lakeisha nodded her head, then walked over to the black phone hanging on the wall. She picked it off its hook, and then dialed the number.
As I listened to her tapping her foot on the linoleum, I pulled out the mayonnaise, mustard and lunchmeat- then closed the refrigerator door.
“Hello? Is Rya there?” Lakeisha asked in what I like to call her ‘phone voice.’ Every time she would pick up the phone, her voice would change to a high, cheery tone.
I strained my ears to see if I could hear the opposite line reply, but to my chagrin, the speaker's voice was quite soft.
I ambled over to the breadbox.
“White or rye?” I asked Lakeisha. She looked at me, then mouthed ‘rye, please.’ I snorted. What a health nut.
“Mustard? Mayonnaise?” I asked, pointing to the two condiments that I had pulled out and rested upon the counter. Lakeisha pointed to both, and added- just in case I didn’t get the gesture- ‘both.’ She then immediately looked straight ahead, put on a smile, and said,
“I am waiting at Serena's place of residence…” she started, then paused for the other line’s reply.
“Her mother is not here, currently… no… no…” She closed her eyes, and the tapping sound on the linoleum became more irritated. I finished slathering the mustard and mayonnaise on Lakeisha’s ‘rye’ bread, and began to spread it on mine. I chose Hawaiian Sweet Bread- I felt like something new.
“Yes- can I please speak to Rya?” Lakeisha said, with eerie ire. There was a pregnant pause in which I put two slices of ham on each sandwich.
The look on Lakeisha’s face calmed.
“Hello- Rya? Oh, good- yes, I am at Serena's house, can you come pick me up?” She asked. I reached for the paper plates in the cupboard.
“Seahorse drive…” Lakeisha said, most likely telling Rya what street I lived on- I knew no other Seahorse drive. Lakeisha smiled again, and I rested both sandwiches on two different plates.
“Okay- I love you, Rya.” Lakeisha said happily.
“Goodbye.” She said then gently hung the phone back on its hook.
I held out the paper plate with Lakeisha’s rye and ham sandwich on it, then preceded to pick my own off the counter.
I watched Lakeisha take a bite of her sandwich. I walked over to the table near the window and sat down my paper plate. Lakeisha decided to follow suit, but she took her seat after placing her sandwich plate on the table.
“Want some lemonade? Soda? Water?” I asked. She looked thirsty. I had a knack for food auras.
“I will have some lemonade- if it’s not any trouble.” She answered. I rolled my eyes and walked over to the fridge.
“How long until she gets here?” I asked as I grabbed a soda and the lemonade pitcher out of the refrigerator.
“Not too long… by the way- I like how you make your sandwiches.” She replied, and then took another bite of her sandwich.
“Thanks.” I said. Wow- I’m a sandwich chef. Charlene never ate my sandwiches for fear I had poisoned them.
I grabbed two plastic cups out of the cupboard, and then shut both the refrigerator door and the cupboard door- nearly spilling the lemonade in the attempt. Lakeisha chuckled.
“Quite a trick.” She snickered. I grunted, and then walked to the table, put down the cups- one in front of her, and one in front of me- then rested the lemonade pitcher and the can of soda on the table.
I collapsed into my chair and stared out the window at a bright, sunny day. Some kids in the neighborhood were yelling and spraying each other with hoses whilst dogs ran through the streets, yapping at them.
I looked back at the table to find that Lakeisha had poured herself a glass of lemonade, and was chewing contentedly at the sandwich I had made her. I took a bite of my own to find that Hawaiian Sweet bread and ham went together quite well.
I chewed at my food thoughtfully. When I had swallowed, I asked Lakeisha something that had been bothering me for a while.
“Remember how you said you wanted to live peacefully in your World of Dreams?” Lakeisha shifted uncomfortably at the subject of Magic again, but she answered regardless.
“Yes… why?”
“I was just wondering,” I began, “what if the world was at war, no peace at all?” Lakeisha contemplated shortly.
“Then I would join in the war- in order to restore peace- and get on with my life in peace.”
“Even if you had to kill someone?” I asked. She had just brought the sandwich to her mouth, when she paused.
“What do you mean, kill someone?” She asked uneasily, putting her sandwich back down.
“I mean... in order to win the war- what if you had to kill someone?” She seemed to contemplate longer this time.
“Well… if it won peace for the world, and it was just one person, then I guess I would do it….” She answered, and then took a bite of her sandwich.
“For the sake of the World, or for the sake of your peace?” She paused her chewing. Lakeisha hastily swallowed her last bite of sandwich and sheepishly replied,
“Maybe… maybe for my own peace… I did not understand….”
“What if… there is more than one enemy,” I started- deciding that it was MY turn to lecture, “but they all fight for different causes? If one wanted freedom, and the other peace, and the other harmony- but none wanted each other, what would you do then?” Lakeisha looked confused.
“I… I do not know….” I smiled.
“It seems logic extends in to Magic, and Magic into history.” I said, and for the first time I head ever seen, Lakeisha nodded her head and agreed with my way of Magic.
“You… you have a point there….” She said slowly, and then smiled at me. She had been beaten. I grinned, and then popped the cap off my soda.
“I thought I did….”
~*~

Heh... now there are ads for 'dark circles under eyes.' Bad Serena. Well... good for people who want to get rid of dark circles. Anyway, I promise I get better as the writing goes on. Just... deal with this for now... ^_^''