Chapter 2: What Is Love?

For the past few days, Howard and Maria just hang out at Lillian's mansion as they watched the two love birds cuddling and doing couple things together like playing video games, watching movies, cooking together (mostly Lillian doing all the cooking), and going out on dates.

"Normally I'm fine with the two of them going out to go eat, since that means we can eat anything Lillian has in her fridge."

"Yeah. But it's more easier if Lillian cooks for us." Maria said as she was lying down on Sparky who was asleep watching Howard go through Lillian's fridge.

"Gah! There's nothing but food that has to be cooked!" Howard complained as he slammed the fridge door. Maria was silent for a bit then she realized something.
"Hey... I haven't seen Julian around these past few days..."

"Julian was here?" Howard asked then Maria sat up, awaking the white tiger.

"Yeah... I'm gonna head out. Text ya later, Howard."

"Wait you're leaving?! Maria?! Hey!" Howard called but Maria was gone. Howard and Sparky looked at each other then Howard decided to go back home.

"Surely there's more than one person in this miserable place that is in love with the Fair Maiden..." Klarion said as he looked at a screen that had all the male students and young teens in Norrisville.

"Maria suggested that Lillian's next door neighbor, Levander would be suited for Lillian..." Julian suggested then Klarion swiped the images of the boys and enlarge the picture of Levander then pulled up his profile.

"Hmmm... He used to be a rock star huh...?"

"Yes... It happened three months when Randall and Howard kicked him out of their band..." Julian explained then Klarion chuckled.
"He's perfect for our first pawn." He said as he snapped his fingers and a portal opened. A very fair height teen with brown hair fell out of the portal. His skin was pale, a bit darker than Lillian's skin tone, and he wore glasses.

"Wh-what is this place?! Where am I?!"

"Levander Hart... Welcome." Klarion greeted as he used his magic to pull the scared awkward teenager, Levander, towards him.

"W-W-Who are you...?"

"Me? I'm Klarion. You don't need to know much about me. But I am here to give you a wonderful offer."

"An offer...?" Levander repeated then Klarion smiled.
"How would you like to become a famous rock star again...? All you gotta do is follow this simple order." Klarion explained then Levander looked at him curiously.
"Explain about this 'order'...?"

"See this girl?" Klarion asked as he held a photo of Lillian.

"Oh course I know her! Who wouldn't know Lillian...?" Levander said in a love struck tone.

"I need you to charm her and make her fall in love with you."

"Hold on... But doesn't Lillian have a boyfriend...?" Levander asked then Klarion dropped him.
"Yes. She does... However... We think there are others more 'suited' for Lillian than that fool, Randall." Klarion said as he walked towards Levander.
"So what do you say, Levander...? Do you agree?" He asked as he held out his hand. As Julian watched the two he heard a knock on the door. He went to go and answer the door and the moment he opened the door a bit, he gasped and saw Maria.

"There you are. I figured you'd be home." Maria said then Julian quickly came outside and closed the door.

"M-M-Maria! What are you doing here?!" Julian stuttered then Maria gave him a curious look.
"I came by to see if you're still alive. You haven't been hanging out at Lilly's place so my thoughts were either you're dead or just avoiding her."

"I just thought I'd give Lillian and Randall their space..." Julian explained pressing his back against the door to his house.

"...What are you hiding?" Maria asked then Julian yelped.
"N-n-n-nothing! I don't know what you are talking about, Maria!" Julian panicked then Maria grabbed the door knob and opened it. Julian screamed and chased after Maria in the house. Maria then came to a sudden stopped when she saw Klarion closing a portal. The witch boy looked at the teenage girl then Julian finally caught up to her.

"Julian I didn't know you stroll that way." Maria said bluntly then Julian blushed brightly.
"N-n-n-n-n-no! I-i-it's not like that!" He yelled then Klarion turned to look at the two of them.

"Julian... I didn't know you were bringing company..." Klarion grinned then he used his magic to trap Maria in a bubble.

"What the hell?! Let me out! Who the hell are you and why did you trap me in a bubble?!"

"For someone so small you're awfully loud..." Klarion said as he held the bubble that has the small trapped Maria in it. She glared at Klarion and punched the inside of the bubble but it didn't pop.

"Try as much as you like... That bubble is created with my magic. Only I can break it, little girl."

"How dare you call me little you piece of- -!"

Klarion muted Maria's voice then handed her to Julian.
"Take her. I need to lie down for a bit. Let me know when she stopped yelling." Klarion said then Julian looked at Maria who was still shouting even though Klarion muted her voice.

"You don't plan to keep her in this bubble forever, are you?" Julian asked then Klarion turned his head to glance at him.
"And what if I do?"

"That's not a good idea... See... Maria is a very good friend to Lillian. She cares for her like she was her own daughter. If Lillian notices that Maria's gone missing for days, she'll suspect something..." Julian explained then Klarion snapped his fingers and Maria landed on Julian.

"Ouch... You stupid..."

"Listen, brat. Don't you mouth what happened to Lillian..."

"Lilly? And why should I keep my mouth shut?"

"Oh, Maria, Klarion the witch boy. Klarion, Maria. Klarion here is Lillian's ex boyfriend." Julian explained then Klarion crossed his arms.

"Another ex boyfriend? Wow. Wonder how many guys Lilly dated before she dated you, Julian."

"Listen! Not a word to Lillian, got it?!" Klarion threaten then Maria rolled her eyes.
"What's in it for me?"

"Excuse me?!"

"My silence isn't for free ya know..." Maria said as she held out her hand. Sighing and not feeling motivated, Klarion handed Maria five hundred dollars.

"Remember, not a word..."

"You've earned my silence, witch boy." Maria said as she counted the money then placed it in her pocket.
"So why's this guy staying here at your place, Julian?"

"It's kind of complicated... Lillian and Klarion are not on good terms with each other... Last time they saw each other, Lillian almost killed Klarion's familiar Teekl."

"Who dat?" Maria asked then she heard a meow and saw Teekl rubbing her head on Maria's leg.

"That's Teekl." Julian said then Maria kneel down and stroked under Teekl's chin.

"So he's just gonna stay in your house?"

"Pretty much. Either that or I keep Teekl hidden in a safe place..." Klarion said as he pulled up a screen and looked at the photos of the guys in Norrisville.

"What's he doing...?" Maria whispered to Julian.
"He's trying to find a more suited guy for Lillian to love."

"Oh, so we're not the only ones thinking that?" Maria asked then Klarion shushed her.

"Did you just sh- -!"

Julian covered Maria's mouth and held her. Klarion then played video footage of Levander back at his mansion but he looks different than before.

Levander? Maria thought then Klarion grinned wickedly.
"Now... Let's put on a show." He said rubbing his hands together.