RANDOMNESS AHEAD. PROCEED WITH CAUTION.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

| KENZIE |

After Eunice and I had finished eating in The Cafeteria, we both started heading to the booth of the Drama Club at the Main Pegasus Park with the rest of its members.

Everything was so festive, and the noise was overwhelming in a nice way.

While we were walking, Xavier shared with me the past achievements of the Drama Club with graceful hand gestures, like he was on stage presenting a poem to a big audience. Eunice was just sighing in exasperation because of his actions.

The seven gals were lined to our left, and the seven guys were lined to our right, like they were our faithful bodyguards. Because of this, our group was attracting most of the attention from the students, just like at The Cafeteria a while ago. Some were even taking pictures of us or recording videos, reminding me of the moments whenever I went to movie premieres and award announcements.

Xavier would smile for the cameras, talk to me, and then smile for the cameras again. His fangirls shouted his name every five seconds, like they were riding a roller coaster with a lot of loops.

It seemed that Xavier was releasing pheromones to the ladies. He even neared one and said, "You're the most beautiful flower I've ever seen."

The lady couldn't reply, because she'd fainted before Xavier reached her side, thus not hearing what he'd said. Still, I thought what he'd done was charmspeaking.

Final conclusion: Xavier Depardieu was definitely a son of Aphrodite.

He'd also reply by blowing kisses or winking to the girls, and then the shouts grew tenfold.

Also add Eunice's and my fans' shouts.

Major concert in Weyral!

After a few minutes we finally arrived at the Drama Club's booth. It had theater drawings and Corinthian column cardboard cutouts on each side, thanks to the other members' love for Greece and the Art Club, according to Eunice. She'd told me the Art Club and Drama Club were helping each other ever since Weyral had been built because the respective first presidents of those clubs had been best of friends. It was then decided that that should become a tradition between the two clubs that shouldn't be forgotten.

Someone was yelling in front of the booth, "Everyone's welcome to join the Drama Club, even if you're a beginner at acting! We can help you improve! You also get a free picture of Xavier or Eunice! Or both!"

Nice encouragement to join the Drama Club.

I texted Rachel to meet me in front of a purple booth.

Will look for it in a while, bestie! was her reply.

Get your butt here already! Labyuuu mishyuuu mwahugsss, I texted her back, laughing inwardly to myself.

Waiteeyyy! Labyuuu mishyuuu mwahugsss more! Chel replied.

I could hear the other students nearby gasping and screaming, "Kyaaaa! Mackenzie Adams is joining the Drama Club!"

I smiled and waved at them, which caused another round of supportive screaming.

"Xavier!" a grinning dark-haired guy wearing a black cape and top hat called as he approached us. Whoa! He looked like a magician. "We now have thirty-seven new members and still counting." He gestured to the long line in front of the booth. "We're developing again a new batch of Eunice's and your pictures."

Eunice frowned, turning to Xavier. "Did you get my pictures from my Facebook account?" she asked darkly. "And I didn't even agree to develop pictures of mine in the first place!"

"C'est bien!" Xavier simply ignored her and clapped his hands loudly in the air, calling for the attention of the members. When all of us were now looking at him, he said, "Don't forget about our welcome party for the new members later at six in the theater! See you all there!" He swooshed his cape. "Thank you for your hard work!"

The other members cheered, also swooshing their capes.

"The club's signature move," Eunice explained to me.

Ah. So that's why they kept swooshing their capes. I'd thought before they were only doing it for dramatic effects.

"Il faut que je parte." Xavier faced Eunice. "Please take care of the club for a while, princess Eunice," he said. "There's gonna be a meeting for all of the club presidents and team captains in ten minutes at the music building."

She nodded. "I can't understand French, but okay. Keep me posted."

"Merci," he told her. Then, he addressed all of us in a booming voice, "See you all later at six!" With that, Xavier turned to leave with a swoosh of his gold sparkling cape, like he was saying, Yeah. Wear your capes, fools!

"Please fill out your membership form, Mackenzie, so that you can be an official member of the club now," said the treasurer jovially as he gave me the form and a black pen, and then gestured to an available table inside the booth. He was a junior like me. "Oh, and rest assured that your contact information will be kept in the club officers' strictest confidentiality."

"Thank you, um...what's your name?" I asked nicely while sitting on a chair.

"Oh, my name's Philip Williams. But you can just call me 'Philip' or 'Top Hat Philly' because of, well, my top hat, obviously." He held a hand, and I shook it. "I'm an Adamster! You're still the hot topic in Weyral, and I can't believe you're gonna be an official member of the Drama Club! After Eunice informed us of your decision, we were all surprised. Currently fanboying again!"

"It's going to last for months, Philip," Eunice said, beaming. "And after she becomes an official member of the Drama Club, it'll surely be top notch!"

After laughing awkwardly, I said with a smile, "Nice to meet you, Philip."

He grinned. "It's nicer to meet you, Mackenzie, especially in person!" Then he suddenly looked sheepish. "Um, can I ask for your autograph and picture?"

I smiled again. "Of course."

Eunice took our picture together using Philip's digital camera.

After filling out the membership form and handing it to him, including a short thank-you message with my signature in a paper, someone called loudly, "Kenzie! Eunice!"

Turning around to the source of the voice, Eunice and I saw Rachel in front of the Drama Club's booth. Her hair was now back to being straight, because she'd said she already got tired of curling it every morning. But the red highlights were still there.

"Hey! You're with the Cape-Wearing Weirdos!" she exclaimed, her eyes showing mirth, even though I was already raising my eyebrows in a warning manner. "Did you finally ask the Rainbow Club or Superhero Wa--"

I ran to Rachel in record time to cover her mouth with my hands.

Someone had forgotten to turn on her filter mode.

Oh, right. As if she even had one in the first place.

Only Philip and Eunice heard what Rachel had exclaimed, since the other members were busy, but I thought that was worse because the two of them were the vice president and treasurer of the Drama Club. Philip was baffled, while Eunice couldn't resist laughing out loud. But if Xavier heard what Rachel had said, he'd have been throwing tantrums already, I'm sure.

"Oopsie. Drama Club," Rachel realized when she looked at the sign on top of the booth after I'd uncovered her mouth. "Oo-kay. Drama and capes. Sure, I can connect the dots."

"The cape is a long story, Chel," I said. "I'll share it with you some other time."

"So, should I start calling you a Cape-Wearing Weirdo, too?" she asked, trying to act innocent. "You know, when you start wearing your precious cape. Ooh! I should totally take a picture of you wearing it, and then I'll upload it on Twitter with 'MackenzieAdamsWearingACape' as the hashtag. I'm sure it'll trend worldwide!"

"Yeah, then followed by my tweet with the hashtag 'RachelSimpsonIsIchthyophobic,'" I quipped.

Rachel scowled at me after looking around the area, making sure no one heard what I'd said. Luckily for her, Philip and Eunice were now talking to each other, so they didn't find out my "lovely" message to my best friend.

"Not fair!" she cried like a child whose candy got confiscated.

I smiled smugly in return. "Now I have the upper hand. And like Nis, I'm not gonna wear my future cape. It's not obliged, except when we have club meetings."

"How unfortunate for me and your fans." But she brightened again. Well, that's Rachel--the happy-go-lucky, crazy gal. (And I was very proud to be her best friend.) "The three of us should look for Cynthia, Lance and Spencer now, because I still have to go to the indoor sports center later."

After becoming friends with Lance, a chain reaction had happened: Lance befriended Rachel, and then Rachel and I became friends with Spencer and Cynthia.

"Yeah, let's!" I faced Eunice. "Do I still have to fill out something?"

"Hmm, no. Oh, right." She turned to Philip. "The envelope, please."

Philip nodded, going back inside the booth. After a moment he emerged with a purple envelope, handing it to me. "Here ya go."

"Thank you, Philip," I said, accepting the envelope.

He smiled. "You're welcome, Mackenzie. Anytime."

"But what's this for?"

"Oh, it's just a thank-you card for all of the new members."

I opened the envelope, then got the paper from inside, which was very stylish with a cape drawing on the lower right. It smelled good, too. It read:

"It's okay. Ricochet invited me to watch the tryouts at the indoor sports center later at six," Rachel informed me, resting her chin on my shoulder. She'd also read the card from behind me.

I turned my head slightly to her, grinning. "So, you're automatically part of Ricochet, right?"

"Yep!" she exclaimed while laughing as she leaned away. "Before writing my name on the tryout list, Winona said, 'You're in, Rachel!' Heh. Not my fault."

"I'm so proud of you, bestie," I told her with a beaming face, then inwardly sighed in relief. I always liked to go home with Rachel. I felt secure whenever I was with her. And besides, we were in the same neighborhood and I got a free ride with her. (I pay for the gas sometimes, mind you.)

"I was amazed that you defeated Winona Kingsley, the 'Tennis Court Queen,' last year on the National High School Tennis Championship for the women's division," said Eunice. "I mean, she was a junior that time, and you were a sophomore. Would that make you own that title now?"

"Nah. She has more wins than I have. My title is still 'Princess of Tennis.'" She giggled. "And I only got lucky, Nis."

Rachel became more famous in America after defeating Kingsley on that tournament.

Eunice shook her head. "Nuh-uh. You really surpassed her skills. Even Spencer said so."

Rachel gave her a hug. "Aww. Thanks so much!"

"I'll leave the club in your care for a while, Philip," Eunice said after Rachel had ended the hug. "I'll just tour Rachel and Mackenzie around here, and then go to the theater to check the preparations for the party later. I'm sure Xavier won't mind."

Philip gave a salute. "No problem, v.p.!"

🎹 🎹 🎹

Most of the Weyralians were at the Main Pegasus Park. But still, it wasn't that crowded because the place was so huge.

While Eunice, Rachel and I were walking, some of our fans would approach us with squeals to ask for our autographs or pictures. We gladly obliged with thankful smiles. At least we weren't bombarded that much, unlike my experiences in Los Angeles, New York and other places.

Then we got to watch a mini performance of the Pegasi Notes, Weyral's all-male a cappella group; and the Pegasi Voices, Weyral's all-female a cappella group. The two clubs were having a duet of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell.

"Auditions later at the music hall this five p.m.!" they announced after they'd been finished with the song.

Someone was calling Eunice on her phone, so she excused herself for a while. Rachel and I nodded.

"Chel, you should audition for the Pegasi Voices," I suggested, "or the Weyral Chorus, since you have a lovely singing voice."

She batted her eyelashes while clasping her hands together in a sweet way at me. "Awww, my best friend thinks I have a lovely singing voice! Well, you too, Kenzie! Do you remember our childhood when we sang our favorite Disney songs in front of an electric fan?"

"Ha-ha. Don't let it go to your head," I deadpanned. "And yeah, I remember it very well." I smiled softly at the memory. We'd sing the songs while copying the characters' movement and then burst out laughing.

"How about the Speech and Debate Society?" I asked after the two of us were done reminiscing.

She paused, a memory flashing into her mind, then shook her head. "As much as I wanna join, nah, I'll pass. It might conflict with my tennis practice time."

I'm sure Chel had thought of Edwin Tyler, an Eldreezian and her most favorite person to have a debate with, but I just kept silent about it.

After Eunice had been done with the call, the three of us passed the booths of the Writing and Poetry Club, Science Club, Computer Club, Rubik's Cube Club, and many more.

I was now clinging to Rachel's arm, like we were a couple strolling in a park. I don't know why, but I was really the clingy-type person when it came to my bestie and parents. I guess my clingy-ness started after I'd gotten lost in a mall when I was still a kid.

We saw Spencer in front of the Cooking Club's booth, which was orange with a chef's hat at the top, between the Environmental Club's and the Hiking Club's booth.

Spencer was wearing a chef's hat and white apron. He was talking to five girls, who were almost drooling while gazing at him, like he was their next dessert. I hadn't known he was a member of the Cooking Club. Their booth was also full-packed.

"Hey, Spencer!" Rachel, Eunice and I greeted in unison while coming toward him. My mouth watered slightly when I smelled something yummy coming from the back of the booth, even though I'd already eaten lunch. I thought it was salmon.

He looked up, grinning. "Hey, you three! Oh, wait a sec; I'll just finish this." He faced the girls again to exchange a few words, gesturing to the inside of the booth.

The girls nodded and went inside with squeals of delight, probably to fill out their membership forms, but not before giving Spencer a hug one by one.

"That was totally weird," he said as we reached him. "They hugged me one at a time. But the weirdest was when I asked what their favorite breakfast was, one of them answered, 'You.'" He shrugged. "Guess she didn't get to eat her breakfast. A shame."

Eunice and I slyly looked at each other. It was clear Spencer was so naïve that he had no clue about how cute he was. I've only been here a short while and even I could see how much the girls adored him. Did he think Lance was the only one with fangirls around here?

Rachel, of course, wasn't going to let the breakfast comment go. She laughed out loud and said, "Maybe she wants to serve you breakfast in bed. Or have you as breakfast in bed. Covered with honey. And syrup. And--"

I bumped my best friend with my elbow to shut her up. She always takes things too far.

"Uh, anyway," Spencer continued, "at least we now have a lot of new members. Say, are you here to join the Cooking Club, too? We share recipes and cooking tips! Even if you don't know how to cook, it's fine, because we'll be teaching you." At this, he glanced slyly at Eunice.

She sighed overdramatically. "Yes, Spence. Tease me all you want when it comes to cooking."

Rachel turned to her, shocked. "You seriously don't know how to cook, Nis?"

"And Cindy," she quickly added.

"When Lance, Cindy and I first went to her house in our freshman year," Spencer said to Rachel and me, "she tried cooking dinner for us. But then the pot she was using sadly exploded--"

"Cindy's a worse cook than me, though," Eunice interrupted to avoid further embarrassment about herself. "She tried cooking one time, and her entire kitchen almost went up in flames!"

"Oooh," Rachel said, somewhat astounded.

Wait, what? Almost went up in flames? I wasn't sure if she'd been exaggerating or not.

"But no one got hurt, right?" I asked Eunice, worried. I was just making sure.

"Don't worry. No one got hurt," she assured me. "Well, except Dee's ego."

"Those were the good times." Spencer laughed. "You and Dee should totally learn the art of cooking!" he told Eunice.

"No thanks," she responded without emotion, then yawned.

"By the way, Spencer, why're you so den--" Rachel started, but I quickly covered her mouth with a hand. I guess Spencer was dense as a coconut and didn't need to know what she was about to ask.

"Sorry, Spence," I apologized, "but we just came here to say hi."

His perplexed look was replaced by an understanding smile. "It's okay. Oh, right. The club has free taste-test." He got a tray from the table and held it in front of us. "Get one. It's my version of cocktail meatballs. I cooked them myself, of course." Each meatball was attached to a toothpick. Spencer looked like a child presenting his most valuable toy in front of the class.

I must admit Spencer was more handsome than Lance. With his unruly black hair, high cheekbones, and stunning blue eyes, he could make most girls fall for him, even with his slightly-crooked nose. Still, it suited him fine. He was also slightly taller and leaner than Lance--

I stopped myself with my thoughts. Why was I checking up on guys? This was so wrong!

Let's blame teenage hormones, everyone.

After eating a meatball and throwing the toothpicks into a trash bin beside the table, our eyes widened.

"So, how was it?" asked Spencer. "Good or bad?"

Did he even have to ask?

"Not just good," said Eunice while munching. "It's the best meatball I've tasted in my entire life!"

"The way you cooked the ground beef was perf," I commented, agreeing with Eunice.

"Can I have another one, please?" Rachel asked, which was her way of saying: It's delicious to the max!

Spencer grinned, his blue eyes full of pride. "Thank you, girls. And sure, Rachel. You may eat more, if you want to."

"Yay!" She happily took ten meatballs, putting them onto a small paper plate Spencer had given her.

"Anyway, you three also gonna say hi to Cindy?" he asked us. "If you don't know yet, the Art Club's booth is located to the far right."

I nodded. "Yeah. Thanks for the direction."

"No prob. Um, can I ask a favor?"

"Sure."

"To say to Cindy that you love her? Sure thing, Spence!" interrupted Eunice with a teasing smile.

"S-stupid! Th-that's not it!" Spencer stammered, his cheeks flushing a little.

Rachel and I laughed awkwardly. It's always fun seeing boys blush from embarrassment.

"What? I'm only humiliating you back in front of Mackenzie and Rachel," she added innocently, her teasing smile now a devilish one.

"I-I just wanted for you to give these to her." He held two medium-sized red Tupperware containers. "The other one is for Lance. But still, just give it to Cindy, all right? Inside are my cocktail meatballs with rice. Knowing those two, I'm sure they haven't eaten anything for lunch yet, especially Lance." He scowled. "For him, music comes first before food, which I strongly disagree with."

"Of course, Spencer," I said as I took the containers with a smile.

"Thanks!"

"Where's mine?" Eunice demanded jokingly, opening her palm.

He hesitated for a second, then smiled and handed her another container. "Yeah, I'm still gonna give you that even after embarrassing me in front of Mackenzie and Rachel."

She grinned. "I swear, you giving the three of us your delicious food every Weyral's Club Day is always the highlight for me."

"Ha-ha! Don't sugarcoat it, Nis."

Awww. Spencer was so sweet to his besties!

Speaking of Lance, I wondered where he was right now. After homeroom had ended, Spencer had tossed him a key, and then he'd left immediately as fast as a ninja. I was curious, but didn't want to ask Cynthia, Spencer and Eunice where he'd be heading to. Maybe they'd think I was keeping tabs on him.

Spencer smiled broadly. "By the way, Rachel, congratulations on being an official member of Ricochet. Finally!"

Rachel raised her eyebrows while eating her seventh meatball. After gulping it, she commented, "News sure does travel fast."

"Winona informed me. She passed here not too long ago."

"I forgot you're one of the best soccer players of Weyral. Of course you two are close." Rachel grinned. "Anyway, thanks, Spence!"

"And to you, too, Mackenzie, for being an official member of the Drama Club."

Before I could ask how he'd known, Eunice said with a frown, "It was Xavier, wasn't it, Spence?"

He nodded, cracking his knuckles one by one loudly. "When he passed here earlier, he was announcing that Mackenzie Adams was now an official member of the Drama Club."

"More like boasting." Eunice faced me, sighing. "I'm sorry for what Xavier did, Mackenzie."

I shook my head. "It's okay, Nis. I don't mind."

"Spencer!" a guy shouted while jogging as he passed us. "Speed of Light tryouts at the soccer field later at five!"

"Noted, captain!" Spencer replied. "I'll be there!"

"We'll be going now, Spencer," I said. "Bye."

"Okay. Oh, wait. We're also giving away a free recipe." He gave each of us an orange paper. "It's the club's recipe for creamy paprika chicken and mushroom. Try it! And just give it to your mom, Nis; I'm sure she'd like to cook that."

🎹 🎹 🎹

The Art Club's booth, which was splashed with different colors, was next to the booth of the Chess Club. Cynthia spotted us immediately.

"Eunice! Mackenzie! Rachel!" she called us enthusiastically, gesturing to us with her hands to come over quickly.

"Spencer texted you, I bet," said Eunice as we stood in front of the Art Club's table.

"Yeah. He also informed me that you two"--Cynthia pointed to Rachel and me using her yellow paintbrush with sparkling eyes--"are now official members of Ricochet, and the Drama Club." She grinned. "I'm so happy for you gals!"

Rachel and I said thanks while smiling.

"The girl who made her entire kitchen almost burst into flames," Rachel teased her, grinning.

She blinked three times, shocked. "Um, how on earth did you--" Then Cynthia sharply turned to Eunice with fierce eyes, and Rachel and I even felt an evil aura emanating from her. She was the perfect example of if looks could kill. I couldn't even do the way she'd glare! Hers was already on the godly level, even without two horns on her head, while mine was still on the noob level. No wonder Eunice, Lance and Spencer call her "Evil Woman."

The two of us took a step back warily.

"Oh, you are so going to regret telling them, Nis," Cynthia said darkly, and I was imagining her hair was slightly floating, the evil aura behind her.

I nudged Rachel on the side, prodding her to say something.

She looked unsure, which happens rarely. "I think I should've kept my mouth shut...?"

Eunice dismissively waved her off. "You didn't do anything wrong, Rachel, I assure you." She was calm, not flinching at Cynthia's demonic stare, which was evidence that she was long since used to it. "C'mon, Dee! Spencer was embarrassing me in front of them. I had to include you. Heh."

"Such a wonderful best friend you are," Cynthia grumbled.

"I know the feeling, Cynthia," I mumbled.

"I heard that, Kenzie," said Rachel.

"Oh, right. Spencer wanted us to give you these." I gave Cynthia the containers. "The other one is for Lance."

She took them. "Thanks, Mackenzie." Cynthia opened the other Tupperware container and smiled softly with an eye roll. "Typical for Spencer to put brown rice in here so that I wouldn't have to worry about eating too much and getting fat...according to him."

Amazing! Just looking at Spencer's food could calm Cynthia's nerves!

"Seriously, Dee, why don't you confess your feelings to Spencer already?" Eunice asked, crossing her arms over her chest with a huff. "I ship you two, you know."

She almost dropped the containers she was holding. "G-get out of here, Nis! I only l-love him as a best f-friend!"

I smiled teasingly. This was going to be fun. "Why so defensive, then, Cynthia?"

"And the stuttering, too," added Rachel helpfully.

"It's a free country," Cynthia defended. "And I was just surprised, that's all!"

We ignored her.

"What should their ship name be?" I asked with a playful grin when I turned to the two.

"Spendy or Spenthia," replied Eunice, nodding.

"What the heck!" Cynthia cried, gazing intently at the paintbrush in her hand. Maybe she was thinking of it as her weapon to kill us later.

"What if Spencer loves you more than best friends, Cynthia?" asked Rachel innocently, waving her off.

"Oh, believe me. He does," Eunice stated.

"Absolutely in denial stage," I added. "I mean, you're so obvious whenever you hit him, Cynthia. Isn't that flirting? Um, even though sometimes it's a little too much, if you don't mind me saying."

She looked flustered. "I. Am. Not. In. Denial. Stage! You three are a bunch of idiots!"

"Cynthia! You're scaring the people in line--" someone yelled to her far left, but she glared sharp daggers with poison at the tips at the speaker, instantly shutting him off.

Poor guy.

Eunice made a derp face. "Do we look like three idiots?"

"Duh!" replied Cynthia.

"Aaallll iiiizzz weeeellll!" Rachel cried like an idiot, and this could only mean she was going to sing that infamous song from one of her favorite movies, 3 Idiots, right now. She'd memorized all of the songs from that movie.

Such a true fan.

"Murgi kya jaane ande ka kya hoga," someone from the Chess Club sang loudly before Rachel could continue.

"Arre life milegi ya tawee pe fry hoga," the guy who Cynthia had glared at chimed in.

"Koi na jaane apna future kya hoga," a girl passing by sang.

Surprisingly, Cynthia joined the singing with a smirk, surprising the three of us.

"Honth ghuma
Seeti bajaa
Seeti bajaa ke bol..."

I turned to Eunice, and she was giving me a look that said she knew the song, too. We nodded to each other, deciding to join the singing in the chorus.

"Bhaiyya all izz well!"

Other Weyralians whistled three times.

"Arre bhaiyya all izz well!"

Whistle three times. Others were doing the dance steps from the song.

"Arre chachu all izz well!"

Whistle three times again. I couldn't believe we were doing this in school right now. It was so fun! Rachel and Cynthia were dancing to their hearts' content with some of the students.

Since my body was stiff as metal, because I'm definitely not a dancer, I joined the clappers to make a beat instead. Eunice did, too.

Is someone recording this? I wondered.

"Arre bhaiyya all izz weeeellll!"

There was a long whistle, then all of the students who'd participated in the singing and making a beat laughed and clapped, even those who were just watching our mini musical.

It seemed Rachel wasn't the only 3 Idiots fan in Weyral.

"We got to witness Mackenzie Adams singing 'All Izz Well'!" some people shouted, surprising me.

"You all should join one of the glee clubs or the Weyral Dance Company!" a girl recommended.

"Nah! We'll pass!" Rachel replied, gesturing also to Eunice, Cynthia and me. "But thanks for thinking that we're good enough to join those groups!"

"Spencer, Lance and I watched 3 Idiots three years ago, I think," Cynthia shared with us as the crowd dispersed, chuckling. "It was so funny and touching at the same time."

"One of the best Bollywood films ever," I agreed.

"What we did was an unforgettable moment!" Eunice beamed. "Maybe I should try suggesting 3 Idiots to be one of the plays for this school year."

Rachel eagerly nodded. "I'll definitely watch it!"

"No. You should be the director, Chel," I said, grinning from ear to ear.

Cynthia laughed. "Hear, hear!" But her face suddenly fell. "Crap! I forgot I still have to finish a painting. Ugh." She rubbed her temples with her fingers. "Um, do you three have plans later? I wanna ask a favor..."

I shook my head, but Eunice and Rachel nodded.

"I still have to check the preparations in the theater after this," Eunice said. "Sorry, Dee."

"And I," said Rachel grandly, "have to go to the indoor sports center for a meeting. I'm sorry that I can't help you, too, Cynthia."

"Don't worry, Cynthia. I'm available," I said, smiling. "I can do your favor." I was definitely "Favor Lady: Ask It and I'll Do It" for today.

Cynthia brightened immediately. "Really? Thanks so much, Mackenzie! And it's all right, Nis, Chel."

"What's your favor?" I asked her, smirking. "To tell Spencer that you love him?"

Cynthia did the eyebrow wave (Lance, Nis and Spence had shared with Chel and me one time why she does that) while the two gals were laughing out loud. "Ugh. Not that garbage again!" She gave back the other container to me. "Please give that to Lance. He's currently at the music hall."

So that was where Lance was. Was he playing the violin there?

"Oh. Okay, then." I still remembered where the music hall was when Lance had given Rachel and me the tour last week. "Say, is he a member of any clubs, or the Weyral Symphony Orchestra?"

"Why, Kenzie, are you going to join a club where Lance is also a member?" Rachel teased.

"No," I said while showing her Grumpy Cat's face on my phone.

"Say," Eunice turned to me slyly, and I suddenly had a bad feeling about it, "I saw you sometimes hitting Lance, too. Does that mean you were also flirting with him, Mackenzie? Hmm?"

I choked on my own saliva. "My reason is different!" I cried out after composing myself, causing some heads to turn in our direction, but I didn't care. "I did that to Lance because he was so annoying with his teasing! And why is this about me now?"

Cynthia gasped loudly, "Ohmigosh! Lance teases you?"

I scowled while pocketing my phone. "Well, yeah. I mean, he does that to other girls, too, right? Like Alice Hamilton...?"

Eunice shook her head, and I noticed she looked a little hurt. "No, he doesn't do that to other girls."

Cynthia nodded in agreement excitedly, like this was great news to the world.

Realization seeped in through me. "H-hold up!" I exclaimed. "So you're telling me I'm the only girl he's teasing?"

"Not quite. He also teases Nis and me from time to time, but your case is special."

My frown deepened. "I don't understand."

"Lance started teasing me after two months we became friends," said Eunice sadly, as if that already explained everything.

"I still don't understand. Call me 'slow,' but--"

"In other words, you broke the record!" Cynthia elaborated. "Lance already let you see his playful personality just within a week after you met." She wickedly grinned. "You should know that he feels awkward around a girl if he's not comfortable with her, especially after he became famous."

Ah. So that's why when we had eaten dinner at Rachel's place that night...er, wait. Why was she grinning at me like that?

"Hey! He also showed Rachel his 'playful personality,' as you'd like to call it." I faced my bestie, who was giving me an amused look. "Right, Chel? Remember on the second day of school--"

"Puh-lease, Kenzie," she interrupted while smirking. "Lance was concentrating on teasing you." Then the three of them did a high-five.

So it was indeed great news.

For them.

Gods, I felt so lost.

"Ha...ha--wait for it--" I said, "ha."

Eunice giggled. "Lance looks so adorable, like a teddy bear, whenever he has that awkward look on his face. I had a crush on him because of that. I don't want for him to know about it, though."

"Why don't you have a crush on him now?" Rachel asked her, curious.

She shrugged. "Dunno. The feeling just...vanished a year ago, I think." Eunice looked at me. "Oh, and Alice doesn't fall into your category, Mackenzie. Lance still feels awkward and doesn't show his playful side to her, as far as Dee and I can tell."

Cynthia snorted. "Pfft! Never in a million years will Lance get comfortable with her." Then she turned to me. "Anyway, Spencer saw you two talking to each other in trigo on the first day of school. Was he already teasing you that time?"

Should I lie about that? "W-well, no--"

"Yeah!" interrupted Rachel with a beaming face that made me feel terrified. "Kenzie told me about it. Lance said that if he won a bet they made, that she'd go out with him, and I'm betting Kenzie's expression was priceless! But after that, he said it wasn't his real bet and assured her it was only a joke."

What the heck, Chel!

I sharply whirled to her while mouthing, traitor.

She made a sorry-not-sorry face, announcing, "Their ship name is Lancenzie!"

"Seriously, Rachel May Simpson!" I yelled, frustrated.

"Ooh la la!" Rachel sang gleefully. "She pulled the full-name card on me!"

Eunice snickered, causing me to roll my eyes at her.

"See?" Cynthia was now jumping up and down for joy, but I couldn't really see myself joining in her enthusiasm. "Lance must be very comfortable around you for him to show to you his playful side in such a short period of time, Mackenzie. I know him teasing you was just him being friendly, but who knows? Maybe he was flirting with you but didn't realize it. There's a big chance he's really not an aromantic, but a demiromantic! This is the start of something new for him!" The squeal that followed her last sentence was so high-pitched, it almost made my ears bleed.

"No, Chel," I said before she could open her mouth. "Don't sing 'Start of Something New,' please."

"Dang it! You know me so well." Rachel stuck out her lip in a pout.

"Lance is so arrogant," I scoffed to Cynthia and Eunice.

"Oh, that? Don't worry. He only shows his cockiness to his close friends, too. We got used to it a long time ago." Then Cynthia smiled softly at me. "Maybe he does consider you to be one of us now."

I refused to take notice of her last sentence. "So he's, like, using a persona?"

Eunice waved her hand again dismissively. "Who cares 'bout that? The important matter is that he teases you, Mackenzie!"

I shouldn't have said anything about this to them in the first place. I was very stupid.

"Gods, I feel so flattered that Lance treats me in a special way," I flatly said while checking my not-so-perfect nails with a bored expression plastered on my face. But for some reason, there was a little part of me that felt really flattered by it.

Wait, did you just seriously think that, Kenzie?

Eunice and Cynthia laughed while Rachel winked at me. I gave them a look that implied: drop the dreadful topic now!

If we weren't friends, I would've strangled them already.

And then the four of us had some sort of an unspoken agreement: don't mention anything about this to Lance.

"Okay, let's move on, 'cause Mackenzie's about to strangle us," Cynthia said with a cough. She got that right, because if it were her in my position, she'd slaughter us. "Lance isn't a member of any clubs, even the Weyral Symphony Orchestra," she informed me. "Said it wastes his 'precious' violin practice time to join one. That's why the three of us call him 'Violinist Freak.' You two should also call him that."

Rachel grinned. "Will do!"

"But he and Hamilton," she gave a heavy scowl, "act as the consultants of the Orchestra."

"Ah. So he's there with Alice at the music hall right now to watch the auditions for the Orchestra," Eunice realized.

"Yes." Cynthia clenched her hands into fists. "Who knows what that stupid Hamilton is doing to my best friend right now. I just hope she's not sexually harassing him. Oh, the horror for Lance!"

Eunice chuckled awkwardly. "I'm sure Lance wouldn't let her do that to him, Dee."

Cynthia sighed. "You're right, Nis. Well, Mackenzie," she smiled coyly at me, "please deliver the food to Lance now before something bad happens to him."

After Cynthia had reminded me of her favor, I groaned.

Why had I even agreed to this?

🎹 🎹 🎹

I wanted to join the Book Club, but there was also the Classics Club, a club for lovers of Latin and Greek, and the Dumbledore's Army, a club centered on the discussion of the Harry Potter series.

Why were there not a Demigods Club and a Tributes Club? Or more importantly, why was there no the Fandom Club?

I had to make one!

"Nis," I started while we were walking toward the music hall, since it was near the theater, "what're the qualifications to make a club?"

"I remember that, first, you should be a student of Weyral for two full years," she answered after a moment. "The qualifications were revised five years ago."

Dam. With that first qualification, my plan on making the Fandom Club was already scratched to shreds. I couldn't even ask my new friends to make that club, since they were all busy.

I inwardly sighed in defeat. I had now made my decision: I wouldn't join the Book or Classics Clubs, nor Dumbledore's Army, since it'd break my heart to join one of those, but not the other two. It was like choosing who your favorite child was. So it was better I wouldn't join any of those clubs at all.

Hashtag fangirl problems.

"Why, Mackenzie, were you planning to make a club?" my friend asked, noticing my crestfallen face.

"Oh. I was just wondering, that's all," I answered. It wasn't a total lie because I'd really been wondering about it.

"Here's my stop," said Eunice. I hadn't realized we were already in front of the theater. "Just continue following the path and then you'll see the music hall in no time."

I nodded, smiling. "Thanks, Nis! You're such a great friend! Say, can I take a peek inside?"

"Same to you, too, Mackenzie!" She laughed. "But nice try. You have to wait till six in the evening. Sorry."

I pouted. "Not even bribing you will do?"

"Nope," she said, popping the p.

Then I gestured with my hands furiously while saying, "How could you, Nis? I thought you were a great friend! I guess I was wrong to think that!"

Eunice widened her eyes in shock with my reaction, then tears were starting to fall from her eyes. "I'm so sorry, Mackenzie, but that's what Xavier said! New members can't go inside the theater yet! It'll ruin the surprise!"

I took a step back from her, shaking my head. "No! You're lying! You just don't want me to see it! What did I ever do to you to deserve this, huh?"

Eunice grabbed my hands pleadingly. She was about to say something, but it came out as a laugh instead, and I couldn't help joining her.

"And cut!" I exclaimed, still chortling.

"Oh, gosh! Sorry I ruined the scene, Mackenzie," she apologized while wiping her cheeks with a handkerchief. "That impromptu acting was a first for me...and I acted with you! I couldn't contain my fangirling!"

"Oh, shush!" I grinned. "And no need to apologize. You cried and caught on quickly. I must say I'm impressed."

"R-really?" She looked surprised.

"Yep! Well, I should give this to Lance now. Expect that we'll have more impromptu acting in the future."

"One of my favorite actresses saying she was impressed with me--oh, how I love you, Mackenzie!" Eunice hugged me. I returned the hug, smiling. "Thank you so much that you'll help me sharpen my acting skills!"

"Don't mention it, Nis," I said as she released me. Then she went inside the theater while waving good-bye to me.

As I started walking again, I texted Lance: R u still at the music hall?

He replied quickly. Yes. How did you know? Do you miss me already? 😊

I snorted with a laugh. Lance and I started texting each other the day after we'd become friends...though he'd asked for my number with a stupid pick-up line: Oh, no. There is something wrong with my phone...your number's not in it.

I'd answered him first by smacking his face with my palm.

Smacking...

As quick as the sound traveling in water, Eunice's words earlier haunted me.

Say, I saw you sometimes hitting Lance, too. Does that mean you were also flirting with him, Mackenzie? Hmm?

I shook my head dismissively. The heck no way! Just forget about it, Kenzie!

We only texted each other about school stuff anyway. Not the Good morning/noon/afternoon/evening! What are you doing? type and other unimportant matters. Truthfully, I found those corny. Even Lance wasn't fond of those things.

But maybe today was an exception.

I started tapping on the screen of my phone to reply.

Yuck!!! Y would I miss u, Violinist Freak? 😛

I couldn't help but giggle while reading his reply. Did Spence, Nis and Dee tell you to call me that? 😨

No. Only Cynthia. Bwahahaha! Violinist Freak! VIOLINIST FREAK!!!!!! 😂😈

I hate her! 😡 Yes, laugh all you want. At least I'm a virtuoso. 😈

Then Cynthia's words rang in my head.

He only shows his cockiness to his close friends, too...Maybe he does consider you to be one of us now.

If Lance did consider me to be one of his close friends now, then I couldn't deny that I was somewhat glad by that.

Shaking my head with a small smile, my thumb tapped on the screen.

Arrogant, much? On second thought, I shall call u COCKY VIOLINIST FREAK instead. 😛 Anyway, I hav sumthing for u. I'm OMW there.

I was surprised it took him a moment longer to reply.

Your love, MIDGETZIE? Let me have it. 😄💗

A vein appeared on my temple. Now I knew why he'd replied late: he'd thought of a stupid nickname for me! I suppressed the urge to throw the container away so that he wouldn't get to eat his lunch. Seriously, Lance didn't need to target my average height!

Yes, my height is average. Your argument is invalid.

But because my mind was really having a glitch at the moment, it kept reminding me of our topic earlier.

See? Lance must be very comfortable around you for him to show to you his playful side in such a short period of time, Mackenzie. I know him teasing you was just him being friendly, but who knows? Maybe he was already flirting with you but didn't realize it. There's a big chance he's really not an aromantic, but a demiromantic! This is the start of something new for him!

I almost tripped. Okay, that was creepy. I remembered what Cynthia had said word by word as clear as day.

"What's a 'demiromantic,' anyway?" I asked myself, still walking on the deserted pathway. "I should research that some time."

Still, what she'd told me was impossible. Lance had already made it clear to me on the first day of school that he was an aromantic. And even if he wasn't one, he wouldn't find me attractive because of my, er, height, as he'd also stated that very same day. So maybe he was just curious to tease a "famous Hollywood actress" and wanted to know what my reaction would be.

Or was it just a man thing, even with whatever romantic and sexual orientation he is?

In ur dreams, Cocky Violinist Freak! 😬 It was from Spencer, actually. Cynthia was the one who was supposed to give dis to u, but she had sumthing to do, so she asked me to do it instead, and I couldn't do anything about it. It's such a waste of my time, really. 😛

Oh! My heart has been torn apart! 💔 Please call 911 ASAP! 😭

Oh, gods, I thought, smiling to myself. Why am I even having fun with this?

They can't fix a broken heart. U have to mend it on ur own. Mwahahaha!!! 😈 I replied back.

You won't help me? 😢 Wait, is it food?

No, I'm busy. Sorry! Oh, wait, I'm not even sorry. 😛 And yeah, it's food. I'm in front of the music hall now.

I braced myself. After hearing those words from Eunice and Cynthia earlier in front of the Art Club's booth, I got a feeling I'd get all self-conscious when I saw Lance again, unlike before.

Gods, I hoped not.

Opening the front double doors of the music hall, I was stunned to see Alice's face inches away from Lance's.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Translations

C'est bien - That's good

Il faut que je parte - I have to go

Merci - Thank you

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm going to warn you now that LLL is like Detective Conan. No, I'm not talking about the murder parts, that someone will unwillingly take an illegal drug from the bad guys and then their body will turn into a child's body, or that there will be a freaking handsome phantom thief who's afraid of fishes (lalala Chel XD). DC has many filler chapters, and LLL will also have many filler chapters so that I can build a strong foundation for my main characters, if that makes any sense. Or maybe because I just want to write many fluff scenes like how Gosho makes many murder scenes. Nyahahaha!

If you wanna see Cindy's infamous eyebrow wave, it's included in the trailer of LLL. Go to the very first page of the book to watch it.