Chapter 2
A loud collective laughter ran trough the schoolyard of Beauvillage Elementary the next morning. As always Chichi´s class were hanging around the schoolyard before the first lesson started. Everyone was showing the amulets, most of which looked eccentric,or exchanged conversations on the cool ritual they witnessed yesterday. At least until Chichi and Phil showed up.
"What in the world happened to you two?"asked April between the laughs as everyone was chaught in fits of laughter at the sight of them.
Chichi´s entire head was completly black, his hair sticking to his head like a helmet. Phil´s head was bright blue.
"We´ ve had a small accident yesterday."grumbled Phil grumpily as they approached.
"Guys, I know that "Boys in Colours" was the hit movie of this summer, but I think you took it a bit too far."giggled Chloe as another wave of laughter erupted.
"And a bit too late as well."added Oliver in good humor.
"Very funny you two. If you must know, we were painting a giant filter yesterday and the damn ladder gave out under our feet and we fell into the damn paint."growled Chichi, clearly angry and with good reason.
They tried for several hours until midnight to get the paint off, but it wouldn´t come off yet.
"Yeah and that was your Dad´s eco-paint. That stuff doesn´t come off easily."commented Phil looking at Chichi.
"Tell me something I don´t know. And the worse thing is, that it sticks my hair together. It´s completly irritating. We still have to wait for several hours before the paint starts to crack and we´ll finally be able to get it off our faces."grumbled Chichi.
"That´s what you two get, for messing around with something you don´t understand."said Mia with a satisfied look on her face.
"Nice that you understand everything."grumbled Chichi.
Suddenly the bell rang and everyone started to make their way into the class.
Chloe however stopped April, Mia and Emily.
"After Starchy´s class we´ll stay inside. I´ve got to show you something."she said before the four girls entered the school.
Mrs Starchy wasn´t at all pleased at the class´ apprearance.
"WHAT ARE THOSE SUPPOSED TO BE?!"she yelled the moment she got into the classroom pointing at the amulets which everyone except Mia, the brotherhood and Chichi with Phil had around their necks.
"Uh-oh. She obviously isn´t in a good mood today."whispered Phil to Chichi as the pair was trying to hide their heads from view under their schooldesk.
"She never is."Chichi whispered back.
"They´re amulet charms, Mrs Starchy."answered Liam pointing to his.
"I´ve seen that idiotic ritual! I however don´t approve of the Tofu´s hocus-pocus and I will not approve of these stupid amulets. TAKE THEM OFF THIS INSTANT!"she yelled but the students all looked at their amulets with hesitation.
"TAKE THEM OFF OR I WILL LAND THE ENTIRE CLASS IN DETENTION!"she yelled again, but instantly realized she was fighting a lost battle for the students looked rebelious.
She sighed.
"At least keep them out of my sight!"
This command met with more approval from the class. Everyone hid their amulets inside their clothes.
"Archie! Tex! I thought I told you not to wear those sunglasses in my class!"she yelled at the two.
"But...but these were from detective Wiseman."explained Tex with Archie nodding.
Starchy´s eyes flared.
"I don´t care if they´re from the President of the Universe. TAKE! THEM! OFF!"
At that yell, Archie and Tex did as they were told, while Nick, seated behind them with Mia was shaking his head while looking at them.
"Completly irresponsible! Next thing you know you kids will start smoking cigarretes straight in class."she ranted.
Archie looked stricken and asked Tex quietly.
"You mean we can do that?"
Suddenly he was whacked from the behind by Nick.
"NO stupid! Now shut up before you get her angrier!"growled Mia and Archie cowered and fell silent as his aunt continued her rant.
"What in the world have I done to teach such children?! Chichi! Phil! What are you two doing?! Why are you hiding your heads under the desks?!"
"Busted!"said the pair to themselfs in unism before raising their heads to full height.
And so a yet another scream was heared from Beauvillage Elementary.
...
As the lession ended April eyed her two friends being "escorted" to the principal´s office by their ever-angry teacher.
"Poor boys."said April sadly.
"That was a bit harsh. I mean they explained everything. And it really was an accident unlike those amulets so what more did she want?"commented Emily.
"Y´know that they hold a special place in ol´Starchy´s heart. She´d love to get them suspended from school if she had her way."said Chloe clearly angry about it.
"Serves them right. If only she did have it her way. We´d have those stupid idiots off our hands for good."said Mia, clearly enjoying Chichi and Phil´s peril.
"Nick, Tex and Archie are all nobel prize winners, right?!"retorted April, glaring Mia angerly.
"Still better than those two wackos. At least they can be controlled. Unlike the twosome, who are completly unpredictable. You never know what they´ll do next."said Mia returning the glare.
"I like that about them. At least you don´t get bored with them."commented Emily ildly.
"Before this spirited discussion goes any further, I want to share with you something. I found this yesterday."said Chloe bringing out the notebook she found.
"Wow. What is it?"asked April and Emily in unism.
"You two are nobel prize winners too, I see. An old notebook what else?"smirked Mia, while both Emily and April glared her.
"We meant what´s inside, Ms Know-it-all."grumbled April.
"Anyway its a mystery novel."explained Chloe.
April and Emily immediatly squealed.
"How cool."exclaimed the latter.
"Is it any good?"asked April.
"Well I don´t know yet. I haven´t read it. I wanted us to read it together."explained Chloe, opening the large notebook.
"The Great Mystery? What a cheezy name."sneered Mia while rolling her eyes.
"Let´s wait until the classroom is empty before we start."suggested Chloe, looking around the classroom as most of their classmates were exiting, eager to get to the yard.
"Humph. My valueable time would be better spent on other matters."said Mia snobbishly as she looked at Oliver and Liam, who were just leaving.
"Wait up Oli."she called to the two boys before running after them.
"Really. If she ends up dating Oliver, I´ll become a nuclear physicist."growled Chloe.
She was never a fan of Mia´s ambition for her best friend. She knew, that Mia´s interest in Oliver is only because he´s the most popular boy of their class and was for years. Also because his parents are bigshot bankers, Oliver´s family, unlike hers never really had a financial problem. Though unlike Mia, Oliver never bragged about it or postured snobbishly like her.
"Anyway, let´s start reading. I´m really interested."piped up Emily looking around the classroom to make sure it was indeed empty.
"This is so cool!"squealed Chloe as the break was coming to its end.
"Sooo incredible... I mean I litterally don´t want to stop reading."said April, who took it upon herself to start reading outloud before later passing that task to the other girl, be it Chloe or Emily.
"But we should. The others will be back soon."sighed Emily and soon enough the first of their classmates returned to the classroom and April passed the notebook to Chloe who quickly placed it into her bag.
Chichi and Phil returned a second later. The three girls immediatly stood up and raced to the duo.
"Are you two all right? You haven´t been given detention or worse suspended?"asked April breathlessly.
"We´re completly fine, April."said Chichi soothingly.
"In fact, we´ve just had a nice little laugh with the principal."explained Phil still chuckling to himself.
"And Starchy wasn´t very appretiative of it. But when we explained to him our accident, he started to laugh and commented it. Starchy was completly fumming with rage and she walked out of the office."said Chichi happily, though his face was still black.
"Uh-oh. Then you two should steer-clear of her for a few days. No doubt she´ll try some way to get even with you. Even if you didn´t do anything."warned Chloe and the two boys nodded.
"And what did you girls do in the meantime? Weren´t you in the yard?"asked Phil curiously noticing, that the girls were in the classroom for a longer time.
"Oh just a bit of light reading."said April mysteriously.
Chichi and Phil exchanged bewildered looks.
...
Lily sighed again as their lesson with Mr Philips ended. Following the career choice week, everything went back to normal in their class. But in the aftermath of the Soil renewal ritual the class was on cloud nine. Many were excitedly comparing the amulets they purchased and talked about yesterday endlessly. Mrs Morter expressed her reservations about it, but no one really listened to her. Even Cherie was looking happily at her gold-painted amulet, discussing with other girls the person, who sold them.
"He´s so incredible."sighed Mary.
"And wise."sighed Nina.
"And strong. Did you see the way he bashed that theif? The guy was down after one single hit."remarked Zoe with a giant hero-worship sigh.
The three girls´ face showed complete infatuation.
"I wonder how would it feel to be held by those strong hands."wondered Nina and the two other swooned.
"I wonder how would it feel to share a kiss with him."wondered Mary carrying on.
"I wonder what would he be like...in bed."said Zoe and all three blushed and sighed again.
"I only wonder, why do you bother dreaming about such a thing, when clearly it won´t happen."said Cherie, as she stood looking at the three girls with a smug expression.
"What d´you mean Cherie?"asked Nina with some fear in her eyes.
"I mean, that none of you will feel his arms, lips or any private part of his body. I´m the one, who will become his girlfriend."
The three girls gasped at that. Lily´s eyes went also wild and stared at Cherie as though she saw her for the first time.
"No you won´t Cherie! I´m the one who will be his love!"exclaimed Zoe, clearly angered.
"Both of you are wrong. Michael Miles will be my boyfriend."said Mary in a matter-of-fact tone.
That started everything. The three girls started to argue and fight. Nina stood back, not wanting any part in this.
"What´s the problem in here?"asked Billy, who came in with Lola and they stopped by Lily´s side.
"They´re arguing who among them will be Miles´ girlfriend."said Lily darkly.
Lola and Billy flashed her a shocked look before returning their sights to the fighting girls.
"Shouldn´t we go break it up?"asked Billy, though he really wouldn´t want to interfiere, since the fight was looking very intimidating.
Lily made a derisive snort.
"Let them. Let them fight all they want over something which will never happen."she said glaring the girls.
"Tell me about it. I mean I never seen Miles show any love or infatuation for anything else than money."commented Lola.
"Don´t be so hard on him, Lola. Perhaps he is just waiting for the right girl."said Lily quietly frowning at her best friend who looked stricken.
"I didn´t mean anything bad by it, Lily. You know how he is. But all in all, I think you´re right."she said quietly before returning her gaze to the fight.
"And the way I see it, none of these three deserve him."she added.
"I couldn´t agree more."answered Lily darkly.
"I can now see, why you chose not to show your amulet to them, Lily. I can only imagine what racket it would make."commented Billy, looking at Lily.
Lily smiled to herself, fingering the beautyfull amulet necklace under her shirt. Then however she remembered what happened this morning.
"I wanted to talk about that, guys. A very curious thing happened this morning. You see, I took a long walk before going to school and when I appreached the Beauvillage Museum of Natural History, the necklace glowed bright green for a few seconds."
Billy and Lola looked at eachother for a few seconds.
"Perhaps a trick of light."suggested Lola but Lily shook her head.
"That´s exactly it. I´ve kept my necklace under my shirt for the entire time. After yesterday, I really didn´t want to get robbed again."
Lola and Billy´s mouths fell open.
"D´you think, that necklace could have some...well...magic power?"asked Billy completly stunned.
"I don´t know Billy. But I think I should ask about it. Either Miles, or your Mom Lola or perhaps even Bee."she wondered.
Lola was about to reply before a loud authoritative voice sounded trough the classroom.
"What is this? Enough! Girls stop!"
Cherie, Zoe and Mary stopped in mid-action as Mr Philips came into the class.
"What is this about?! And I warn you, you´d better have a good explanation."he said calmly, but crossing his arms and narrowing his eyes.
The three girls stammered before answering, one cutting off the other. Mr Philips sighed and placed a hand on his forehead.
"Come now, girls. That is reason enough to fight?"he asked in the same calm voice.
"But they..."started Cherie pointing at the two remaining girls.
"Cherie! How old are you?"asked Philips calmly.
"17. All of us are"she answered.
"Then why are you three brawling like 5 year old children over a toy? Aren´t matters of heart meant to be discussed with the person you feel those feelings for? All in all its upon Mr Miles to decide which girl he will date. But how would you think he would react if he had seen this little scene?"
The three girls instantly looked haunted. Then they all looked at the floor, heads bowed in shame.
"I will forget I saw this. But be warned, girls. If I see you fighting like this again, you will face the concequences. Am I understood?"he finished in a authoritative voice.
The three nodded their heads in agreement. Mr Philips smiled at them.
"Good. Now I suggest, that you apologize to eachother and go enjoy the rest of your break."
The girls looked at eachother and left the classroom, but not before Zoe apologized to Mary, since Cherie left in a quick pace. Philips sighed to himself, before noticing Lola, Lily and Billy. Smilingly he approached them.
"Like little children, aren´t they?"he asked them in good humor and his other three chuckled.
"May I sit down with you? Unless you´d rather be alone..."he asked politedly.
The three teens looked at eachother and Lily answered with a smile.
"Go ahead, professor. We don´t mind a little company."
Philips smiled and sat down on the schooldesk where Lily was seated, looking very much like one of their classmates rather than a professor.
"Lola I must say, that yesterday´s ritual was a blast."he said, showing them his amulet.
"Professor, you really believe in that green sorcery?"asked Lola completly stunned.
Philips shrugged.
"Is it really so hard to believe? There are things between heaven and earth. And as far as I know, green sorcery was situated about our attachment to nature. You see, in this modern era we live in, people tend to think that they are different from every other living creature and are ever forgetfull of these ties. In fact, we humans have always been fascinated by magic and supernatural things and rituals like that were pretty common. Several cultures over the centuries made these rituals kinda like we have celebrations and holidays. Whether they actually worked or not was irrelevant."
The trio looked at eachother trying to process their homeroom teacher´s musings.
Lily thought about it for a second, then about her amulet necklace before thinking about the question she had, trying carefully to piece it together.
"And...d´you think things like magic are ... real?"she asked.
Mr Philips thought to himself for a while before smiling and nodding.
"Eventhough I´ve never seen a piece of it, not in any real sence, I´d say...yes. I believe things like that exist. Why do you ask Lily?"he asked curiously.
Lily shrugged.
"Just curious I guess. But professor, I wonder if you know what this is..."she asked showing the amulet necklace to him.
Philips gasped, recodnition in his eyes.
"Oh my... Where did you get this, Lily?"he asked as he touched the gems on it.
"Miles gave it to her professor. D´you recodnize it?"asked Lola also curious about it.
Philips examined the necklace for a few seconds before turning to the three.
"I haven´t seen a necklace like this since I was your age...no...even younger. But it wasn´t seen for a long time in Beauvillage. Eversince ol´Bunglewood dissapeared."he said as though to himself.
"Who?"asked all three young teens in unism.
"Balthazar Bunglewood. And old man who used to live here. He was kinda the predecessor of your family in Beauvillage, Lola."he said gestured to Lola with a smile.
"You mean an eco-freak?"she asked with a giggle.
Philips nodded.
"Yes you could say that. Indeed he made many eccentric protests as well as rituals over the years. Hell, I still remember the Soil renewal ritual he made when I was 7 years old. Only that time, he was the only one dancing the green dance. However as the next harvest came, it was one of the most fruitfull ones in Beauvillage´s history. In fact I´ve never seen such a big harvest since then."he remembered and the teens gasped.
"You think it actually worked? The ritual I mean?"asked Billy completly perplexed.
"Does it matter if it did or didn´t, Billy? What mattered was that the next harvest was rich. Does it really matter how it happened?"
The teens once more looked at eachother. Suddenly Lola remembered something.
"Professor, you said that he dissapeared?"
Philips nodded grimly.
"That´s right Lola. Its the single greatest mystery of Beauvillage. 20 years ago, Ol´Bunglewood dissapeared. Positively vanished into thin air. No one ever found out what happened to him. The police investigated numerous times to no avail. They searched his house, but found no trace of anything unussual, or rather more unussual than he used to be. I do remember Bunglewood taking care of one boy about my age, perhaps even younger, but he seems to have dissapeared months before him."
Lola shuddered, Billy quickly placed his arm around her shoulder, while Lily was looking with a haunted look.
"Thank you, Mr Philips."she said quietly.
All three others looked strangely at her.
"For what Lily?"asked Philips curiously eyeing her.
"Another little adventure comes to me."said Lily with a happy glint in her eyes.
...
Lily spent most of the remainder of the day in the town library, trying desperately to find some shred of information about Balthazar Bunglewood. However so far, she had absolutly no luck.
"How in the hell am I supposed to find out more, when no one those days bothered to keep any information about Beauvillage´s most eccentric citizen."she wondered chewing on her pencil in frustration.
Deciding to give up trying to find anything in the library she made for the door until something chaught her attention.
At the counter, where the books are being checked out was a stack of old newspapers.
"Finished, Lily? Found anything useful?"asked Mr Readout, the librarian about her mother´s age.
Lily sighed and shook her head.
"Nothing. You wouldn´t happen to know anything about Balthazar Bunglewood, Mr Readout?"she asked, but he shook his head in negative.
"Sorry, Lily. I moved to Beauvillage 6 years ago. So I have no knowledge of this Bunglewood fella."
Lily sighed. Then she looked at the newspapers.
"What are these for?"she asked curiosly.
"For the archives Lily. We try keeping a record for our town´s history sake. These for instance are three years old."he replied.
"No information about Bunglewood though."said Lily sadly as she reached curiously for the top paper and read.
"The museum burglary mystery has been solved at last. Two fearless adventurers found the trasure, which is now back in our museum of natural history. The treasure itself dissapeared 17 years ago shortly before the dissapearance of Balthazar Bunglewood, who was thought to have been a suspect in the case. However before the police could gather any evidence at all, Mr Bunglewood vanished from the face of the Earth without a trace. The treasure was also believed to have been lost for almost two decades. Many citizens believed, that Balthazar Bunglewood had taken it with himself. This was however wrong. Two of our town´s boys had found a mysterious treasure map and investigated, finally finding the missing treasure and returning it to the museum. One thing among the stolen items is however still missing – a fossilized dinosaur egg. The said heroes were awarded special honours by Mayor Haveitall and also our Museum."
Lily gasped.
"That´s it!"she exclaimed, but gasped once more, when looking at the picture on the front page.
In front of the museum of natural history, standing infront of the treasure with the mayor between them were...
"Phil and Chichi!"
...