Angela Point Of View;
In between sleep and wake I heard my door creaking open and then giggling erupted. It doesn't sound like Misty or Adrian but like a little girl. I wasn't aware of any other child in the house but maybe if she sees me sleeping she'll go away. I don't know how long I've been asleep but for the first time in my life, I felt bad that I wasn't at my house. At least no one would bother to wake me there around the summertime.

The giggling got closer and then I heard a thud on my bed. That meant the girl had jumped on it. I couldn't pretend that I was sleeping anymore or who knows what she'll do. But before I could open my eyes, small hands covered mine with a familiar childish voice that I recognized saying, "Guess who?"

"Camella!" I exclaimed. That was when she uncovered my eyes and I turned around only to have her hugging me.

I guess if I wasn't a hugger before; I am now since everyone else seems to be. It's still uncomfortable but I think I'm getting used to the way they express themselves. Then she let me go and I could rub the remaining sleep in my eyes to see clearly. She was wearing bright pink overalls with a teal blue shirt. She had matching pink socks and white sneakers I only saw as she kicked her foot backward and forwards as she laid on her stomach next to me.

"What are you doing here? How did you even get here?" I asked getting out from under the covers. But before she could answer Misty burst into my room along with Austin.

"Surprise! This was totally my idea," Misty said as he appeared first.

"Well obviously, I've never seen this girl in my entire life," Austin said coming in behind him.

They both walked in dressed in the strangest way I've ever seen them. They both looked like they had some sort of makeup on and dressed like characters. Misty wore a black suit that reminded me of a Samurai warrior. The outfit had chains all over it also and he even had what looked like a sword behind his back. I didn't know if it was real or not but what really surprised me was that his hair was black. That was probably the most normal thing about him at the moment.

Austin did something really weird to his normally brown hair. It was mostly blond but green at the ends. He somehow got it actually stood up so straight that even if his head moved, his hair wouldn't. Only two thick strand-like fell in his face. His clothes looked like he made them himself from sackcloth in an almost monk-like fashion. I couldn't really describe it but the style gave off a feeling like it was like a caveman but I recognized Einstein's equation on it.

"Ok, so um did you guys pick her up on your way... to a costume party?" I asked unsurely because Camella wasn't dressed that way at all.

"A party? It was a costume competition," Misty answered as he came near the bed and sat at the end.

"That I won," Austin added.

"But only because I didn't get my costume delivered in time for it," Misty said facing him.

"Save your excuses, I won and that's all that matters. Right Angela," Austin said coming over to meet me at the opposite where I stood by the bed. I didn't know what to say in response except just stare at him blankly for a few seconds.

"See, she hesitated which means she's obviously on my side," Misty took the opportunity to say proudly.

"Or she could just be not trying to hurt your feelings since your cousins and all," Austin snapped back cheekily. I felt that this was going to turn into a competition on who could get the upper hand on each other.

"Guys! It doesn't matter you both look very um... very in character," I tried to put an end to their bickering but that only made Austin focus on me.

"I know, thanks, Angela. So how do you like me dressed as our favorite anime character."

" 'Our' favorite characters?"I asked with a raised brow and glanced over to Misty. I saw him just nod his head yes subtly before holding the back of his neck and turning around to look out of my window. I got that he meant to play along.

"Right yes, 'cause we watch and enjoy their shows," I continued hoping to cover my prior cluelessness.

"They are my favorite characters too," Camella chimed in and I could focus on talking to her.

"Oh really, who do you think they are?" I asked her.

"Austin is Senku Ishigami from Dr. Stone and Misty is Kirito of Sword Art Online," She said sounding so sure of herself. I had no idea if that was right or not but I just nodded in agreement anyway.

"Wow! Up top for our little anime expert," Misty said sounding impressed.

"Welcome to the club," Austin said while giving her a high-fived followed by Misty. She laughed seeming quite pleased with herself. It makes sense why I couldn't tell who they were dressed as but I guess anime is a thing here also. But one thing still didn't make sense so I asked.

"Right um Misty, if your costume came too late for the competition then why are you wearing it now?"

"Well being the winner of the last 4 years, it is only fitting that I put it on to the champion of this year and other people a chance," Misty replied only to allow Austin the opportunity to use it against him.

"And I know it burned you a lot to know that I of all people got that chance."

"Yeah yeah yeah, enjoy your glory for now," Misty replied a little deflated and irritated. There were both beginning to exhaust me. So I tried to get to the point of this all and then kick them out of the room.

"So what did you win Austin?"

"The grand prize this year is an evening at the beach shore hotel. It's about an hour's drive from here and I've decided to share my prize," He said with a smile towards me. With a slight feeling of discomfort returning. I decided to take a chance and brush it off

"Oh that's very nice, but how will you guys get there? Misty, can Uncle drive yet?"

"Nope, he's still 'here and there' but that's why we had him called Camella's dad. He has a car so he'll take us," Misty answered standing up from the bed.

"OK well you guys have fun," I said waving them off already.

"It's not just us, you're coming too, so get ready," Misty corrected me causing me to stop waving.

"Yeah, it's your uncle that isn't coming. He and my dad are probably video-chatting about the good old days when they played ice hockey. Now those are stories I can live without rehearing," Austin said with a cringe followed by Misty with the same expression. As they were talking on their way out and closed the door. I noticed Camella remained.

"Well, I guess I have to get ready to go out with you guys now," I said hoping that she would follow the two that left. But she had gotten off the bed and looked up at me full of excitement.

"I know and I want to help you," She said bouncing around and going straight to the bag where I had gotten clothes from.

"Oh that's nice of you but-" Before I could finish what I was saying she ran and held to the bottom of my PJ top and started to plead.

"No really I can help, when I visit my mom sometimes, I dress myself and help her pick out her clothes all the time. You go get ready while I pick out your clothes for you. Oh Please let me, please please, please," I have had no prior experience with younger siblings so to say no was hard. Why she was so insistent on helping was beyond me to figure out. So I gave in since it wasn't exactly important.

"OK sure, it's fine no need to beg 'cause I don't mind. Saves me the headache of figuring it out myself. Um, but I like jeans so anything with that I-"

Just then Misty suddenly burst back into the room with a bag that looked like mine from yesterday. He just rest it down where Camella was and took up the bag she was looking through and left without saying a word. Then I looked at what I was wearing. Wait then that means this is his- oops. But it did make sense because this room is all decorated in purple. It's like his trademark color. Well, can't fuss over it now.

I got ready by doing my morning routine and putting on the clothes that Camella picked out for me. She sure had a loud taste in colors. The 3-quarter jeans was high-waisted and bright yellow with the crop top being purple and long-sleeved. She also picked out dark cashmere boots with a 1-inch flat heel. I hope I would be able to keep my balance since I've never worn any shoes like this before. I could break my neck in these things if I'm not careful. I looked in the mirror and it felt like it was someone else staring back at me. The fact that this Angela had a sense of style like this at just 12 like me showed how different we were.

Now it was time to fix my hair and what I had learned from Misty was useful. I probably skipped or forgot a few steps but it was necessary to get my hair done as quickly as possible. There was no way I was letting it take more than 10 minutes. Camella offered to help when she saw what I was doing. I agreed because the more hands the faster it can be done.

"I'm not good at twisting from the beginning near your scalp," she said as we were halfway through.

"Good, neither am I. As long as the ends look decent we'll put the top part under a hat," I encouraged. With Camella helping me with it, I was able to get ready in as little as thirty minutes.

Camella also found a crochet beanie-styled hat for me to wear which matched a backpack. It was glitter peach, little, and a fluffy backpack that couldn't really hold anything much in it. Only the essentials like my phone and cards. I had to remind myself to just go with it cause it isn't my life. But I still felt like dressing like this would bring too much attention to myself.

We were both looking to leave the room and I held the door open then called for her to come out. As she came to pass me she hand me the tablet that I remembered I left with Misty yesterday. He must have given it back last night when he was trying to wake me. I thanked her as I took it. I probably should keep this close just in case. On our way downstairs along with Camella, I was putting the tablet into the small bag. It fit after some persuading. Boy, was this bag impractical?

"You look so pretty!" Camella exclaimed. Of course, I wasn't going to make the kid feel bad after all everything I was wearing, technically was already there.

"Oh um thank you, well you deserve all the credit for how I look. I couldn't have done it without you, I just fit the tablet in the bag so can you tell me the time on your watch?"

"Cortana, can you tell me the time, please?" She asked the watch on her wrist and it answered her. The voice didn't even sound automated but like a real person. Hearing that time almost made me lose my balance and trip coming down the stairs. It was 2:30 and I still didn't have gotten any type of food as yet. I hope this place they're taking me to has a good meal selection. Even if it isn't meat I need something filling. As I opened the door to the driveway where the car where Camella's dad was.

Austin and Misty were there also and had come back to their normal looks also. But it looked as if Misty and I were twinning with the color of my top and his signature purple hair and jacket. The moment Austin saw me he took out his phone for a picture. Camella didn't love anything better than that as she posted on instinct next to me. I felt awkward as I was not used to having my picture taken. To make matters worse her dad joined in by pulling out his phone.

"Come on and let me get one with you smiling, Angela. Your smile is one of the most beautiful things about you," Austin beckoned and showed me with his own smile.

"Guys, can we just hurry this along now, please? I want to get there before nightfall," Misty said with impatience as he went into the car.

"We took pictures of you already, let me have this," Austin argued earning an eye-roll from Misty.

"Well he is right, we have to get going. Don't want to be out too late," Camella's dad said putting away his phone and going to the front seat of his car.

Misty seemed a bit upset for some reason but now wasn't the time to question him on it. I drew my attention to Camella's dad as I got into the car. I could admit that he looked a lot better than when I first saw him last time which was when he reunited with his daughter. Camella sat up front in the passenger seat with him at the wheel. I sat in the back between Misty and Austin. I hated being seated in the center. I prefer an end seat to look out the window as it was one of the littlest pleasures I have to look at the scenery. But this was probably for the best as those two didn't seem to get along.

Misty and Camella chatted away about what I think were more anime characters. Austin talked to Camella's dad about the place they were going and compared it to other places they'd been. I didn't say anything since I knew very little about either subject. Ironically the thought came to mind that I crossed over into an entirely different universe just to feel left out again. What a joke! I shook my head and just stared off in front of me watching the road go by. It's not the end seat window but it will do.

While doing that I remembered that Misty and I were supposed to have a very important conversation about something last night. But I was so tired that we didn't get to talk about anything. I wonder when we will get a chance again when no one will be around. What is going to be our next move from here on out? Is this the right time to even go home if I can? I took the tablet out of my bag and browsed through it and tried to figure out what it really meant. At least it would keep my mind busy.

Then breaking me out of my thoughts my stomach growled as loud as a lion does to terrify the other animals in the wild from afar. Everyone in the car seemed to have heard and Camella along with Adustin burst out laughing cause they all knew it was me. This was really embarrassing. As if I wasn't self-conscious enough in this ridiculously loud outfit Camella dressed me in and now all eyes are on me.

But let's be honest here, the outfit isn't what initiated the laughter. I did cause in the end I'm the ridiculous one. Parading around in someone else life was the only way I could even be recognized as someone. Not all of them know it but their right to be laughing at me.

"When was the last time you ate?" Misty asked me and I cringed. I couldn't even avoid anyone's gaze so I just keep my head down while answering.

"Um...... I-I think yesterday when we had lunch at the mall."

"Nothing since then?" Austin added and I just shook my to say no. I wish someone would just change the topic but that was shattered when Camella's dad also joined in.

"Well, it's still quite a while before we get to the restaurant so we can find a place to stop off so you can get something to keep you until we get there," I would think he's actually concerned for a moment if I had the courage to raise my head.

"Oh, Daddy! You bought 2 gyros on the way here; I didn't eat mine yet. Can I give it to Angela instead, please?" Camella asked her dad to which he agreed telling her that she was very generous. She giggled and I wondered what I would do if my dad ever complimented me like that. I'd call the cops because that wouldn't be my father. It must be nice cause even though he wasn't talking to me I felt better.

She gave me her gyro which was what looked like a bake that was rolled up and stuffed with what seemed like vegetables. I was hungry but to eat this would be torture on an empty stomach like mine right now. Vegetables are not what I really wanted to satisfy my hunger. I still thanked her but I really didn't want to force myself to eat this. Camella's dad must have noticed my expression as she handed it to me as he chuckled.

"Your face reminds me of the first time I tried to get Camella to have a gyro. Trust me this vegan gyro has Tempeh with Tofu Tzatziki and you will enjoy it if you give it a try." I didn't know what he was talking about but Tofu sounded terrible.

Though I still nodded to his statement, I didn't dare to ask anymore cause I didn't want to offend anyone. It seemed like everyone was waiting on my opinion on it and that made me even more nervous as I took a bite. It surprised me as it had a meaty texture to it, that I had been craving since I got here even though it was vegetables. It could be that my empty stomach made it more palatable but I really liked it as the vegetables weren't overpowering like it is in salads.

"Well?" Camella's dad asked looking at me in the rare view mirror.

"It's good, um better than I expected," I said with my mouth half full.

"And the vegan gyro is a go!" Austin exclaimed in a triumphant tone. You would think he was the one asked to try it.

"I'm surprised you didn't film this monumental moment Austin," Misty remarked but oddly didn't even look in the direction of Austin.

"I'm just saving up my battery for the restaurant later," Austin replied looking back at his phone and started talking with Camella's dad again.

As I continued to eat the gyro, Misty was leaning his head against the window and took out his phone. He didn't start back talking to Camella as she was now engaged in conversation with her dad and Austin.

"Angela watch this," I had to lean back and move closer to him to see what he was showing me.

I thought it would be a video or a picture of something but it wasn't. Instead, his camera was on and flipped around as if we were taking a selfie. I almost asked him but that was when he slightly adjusted the phone by slowly sitting up. I could now see through the back of the car glass and he zoomed into it. It wasn't very far off that I saw a darkly tinted van.

"It's been following us since we left," He whispered while putting away his phone.

I didn't know how to respond at that point. Were we in trouble again? What could we do?