Hi! That's me again. I haven't updated this fic since ever! (Well, for more than 6 months, to be accurate) But now I'm back and I'm planning to finish this story since many people like it. I don't know if I'll still co-operate with LoveRose but right now I'm planning to carry on by myself. Sorry again for such a long break and thanks to all of my readers for their reviews! So, we're going ahead.
Chapter 3
At Irma's house
Nolee had just come to Irma's house. She was standing at the stairway with Irma, holding her suitcase, and they were going to enter Nolee's new room. It was really noisy in the house. Mrs. Lair was preparing to set the table for the dinner and she was resounding with plates. Kid, who was already let out of his pet basket, was running around, being chased by Christopher, Irma's brother, you know, barking very loudly. His little chaser was also yelling with joy running after the puppy. He could never do that with Leafy, so he was glad with his sister's new neighborhood. Nolee was a bit confused. She was used to yoga and mediation and it was always quiet and peaceful at her home in New York. In the new atmosphere she was a little lost. But she liked her new house-mate and was sure she would make friends with her.
The Water guardian saw that her new neighbor's pet was being chased, so she yelled at her brother at the top of her lungs. «Chris! Leave him in peace! » (I know this sounds a bit stupid cause of the rhyme, but whatever) Nolee didn't really mind living here for a while in such an atmosphere, but it would really take her quite a long time to get used to it.
Suddenly the phone rang (and it was on the small table in the stairway just next where the girls were standing).
«Just a moment» Irma said to Nolee and took the receiver. «Hello» she said, but just a second later she yelled so loudly and unexpectedly, that Nolee even shuddered «I told ya not to call me your muffin cake or your kitty or something like that! And I won't go anywhere! And if you call me one more time, I'll kill you at once! » she shouted into the receiver and hung up. Everybody must have already guessed that it was Martin, who called her, inviting her for a date or a walk or something. But Nolee didn't know anything about Irma's privet life and her 'love affairs' so she was watching everything with obvious horror.
«Girls! Irma! Are you coming down for lunch or not? » Mrs. Lair shouted from downstairs.
«Right now! Half a minute! » Irma shouted back, bending over the banisters.
By that moment her brother had finally caught Kid. «Chris! Put him on the ground! » the Water guardian shouted and Chris let the puppy down.
Irma turned to Nolee. «Sorry for Kid, Chris is always being so naughty! And sorry for the set-up, this madhouse sometime happens»
Nolee nodded understandably. She knew that all that noise was because of her arrival and she hoped she would make friends with Irma.
At that moment, the phone rang again. «I told ya not to call me anymore! Ever! » the Water guardian shouted in the receiver. It was Martin again.
«Do you have idiots in your grade? » she asked Nolee after 'dealing' with Martin.
Nolee pondered a bit about this strange question. «Well, actually no» she replied.
«Unfortunately we have some» Irma sighted «And one ginger-haired daft idiot (well, despite Irma treats Martin with such words she has secret feelings for him) keeps sticking to me all the time. Once I had to go on a date with him to take him away from school cause my girlfriends needed to…» she started to vacillate (You guys remember the episode when the portal opened at the Sheffield Institute and the guardians had a battle with a huge pig? Irma had to take Martin away from school to let the girls close the portal so she had to go on date with him. Of course she couldn't tell Nolee the true reason) «…needed to settle down one affair we had. Since then he has been always bothering me» she continued. Then she said in a really irritated tone «I hate this!! » Finally she sighted heavily and said after calming down a little «Sorry, Nolee. We're not even acquainted that good and I already burden you with my problems» Irma felt guilty she had been so noisy and irritated. She wanted very much to make friends with that New York girl.
«Hey, you don't burden me at all! » Nolee said smiling. «And, after all, the best way to become friends with somebody is to know everything about this person. Right? »
«You're right» Irma smiled «Well, then we'll become friends really soon, you see, you already know such a lot about me! »
Both girls laughed. And each of them had already considered the other one her friend.
«Girls, will you have lunch or not? Irma, I'm tired of calling you! » Irma's mother said from downstairs.
«I'm coming, Mom! » Irma said merrily and turned to Nolee «Hey, you wanna go have lunch with us and then I'll help you to unpack? »
«A great idea! » Nolee smiled.
Nolee left her suitcase in the stairway and both girls went downstairs. Two more girls from each team (WITCH and My Scene) became friends.
At Hay Lin's house
After the rest of the girls delivered Nolee to Irma's house, they went to the next address, which was Hay Lin's. At first Barbie was a bit surprised to see a restaurant and she even thought that she came to the wrong address, but then everything settled down.
The Air guardian had showed the newcomer her new room and helped her feel at home. The two girls started to unpack Barbie's things, chatting.
«So you work in this restaurant? » Barbie asked sitting on the bed.
«Well, actually my grandmother runs it and I always help her as a waitress» Hay Lin explained.
«That's cool. You can get your first experience here» Barbie smiled «I've never been working anywhere»
«Oh, you surely will » Hay Lin waved her hand. «By the way, this gives me a great advantage! »
«Which one? » Barbie looked with interest.
«Well, I often take the girls here, we all go to the kitchen and eat totally free as much as we want! »
«That's awesome! » Barbie made big eyes «Me and my friends also have a favorite place in New York to have a snack. It's called 'The Dish', but the main disadvantage is that we have to pay as everyone else» she sighted.
«Hey, no problems! » the optimist seemed to have an idea «If ya want, I'll also take you and your friends here to eat free somehow? »
Barbie looked up at her new neighbor in delight. They really seemed to become friends. «Really? And may we? »
«Of course! » Hay Lin smiled «I told ya it's my granny's restaurant and she's very kind»
That time Kerry, little Barbie's Chihuahua puppy who was running around, ran nearer to the girls.
Barbie put the puppy on her laps and started to pet it. Hay Lin smiled and petted Kerry's head.
«Kerry, right? » she asked Barbie.
«Aha» Barbie nodded «She's so cute, isn't she? »
«She really is» the Air guardian smiled «I always wanted to have such a pet»
The girls were sitting silent for a moment, but Barbie broke the silence.
«Hey, so you're Chinese? » Barbie asked Hay Lin. This question had been torturing her since she got the card with her future neighbor's name.
«Well, yes» Hay Lin nodded «I was born in China, but my parents moved here when I was about a year old, so I'm practically American. But I adore all the Chinese stuff like kung-fu and Feng-shui (sorry for spelling!) and I'm a typical Chinese optimistic girl » she smiled.
«Hey, you know, you're really similar to Nolee, one of my best girlfriends who also came here» Barbie noticed «She also loves all that Chinese stuff. Yoga, meditation you know. And she always talks about how important to be calm and have a natural balance. They should have made her your neighbor since you're so similar» she added.
«Hey, but they made you my neighbor, and I'm glad for it» Hay Lin answered «We'll surely make friends! »
«Yeah, you're right, that would be so great! » Barbie smiled «And what do you like doing in your spare time? »
«Well, » Hay Lin shook her shoulders «I like organizing different things. Like for me and girls to hang out, parties, you know»
«Hey, you just read my mind! » the blonde gasped «It's exactly what I just love doing! When the girls and I need to arrange something, I take the whole initiative, or well, practically the whole»
«You see how much in common we have! » the Air guardian smiled «And I can't wait to get acquainted to the rest of your friends»
«No problems! » Barbie replied «I just can call the girls and Hudson and we can all meet somewhere. It would be so cool to get acquainted with all of us! »
«Really! And we'll make it» Hay Lin winked.
And the girls continued unpacking Barbie's things, discussing their idea.
At Taranee's house
And now let's be carried to Taranee's house who was also greeting her new house mate that day.
The Fire guardian and her new neighbour Delancey McQueen were in Delancey's new room and were unpacking her numerous bags. Taranee was holding Delancey's white cat on her arms and stroking her gently – she seemed immediately to get attached to the pet.
«Oh, your kitty is so cute! » Taranee said in delight «what's her name? »
«Yeah, she's fairly adorable! » Delancey said with pride «Her name's Kit. It's actually Kitty but we all call her just Kit»
«Oh, I see» the Fire guardian responded «I wish I had a pet like her, but my parents will never allow me to keep animals at home. Mom is very strict about this question» she added with a sigh.
«Yup, parent and pets are in most cases the two contrary concepts» Delancey smiled with sympathy while twisting a long striped lock of pink-blond hair on her finger «I have the same problem with my parents. I once had a house full of cats» she remembered «Me and my boyfriend Ellis took pity on some homeless kittens and decided to take them home. But Ellis has a rottweiler, which doesn't really makes friends with cats, so I had to drag the entire horde to my own apartment. Unfortunately my Mom didn't really like the idea, she said it was a real CATastrophe and on the whole protected strongly. So I had to take all the five kittens and give them out to some neighbours. After the whole activity Kit was left, nobody took her (I still wonder why; she was far the cutitest kitten) and as an exception parents allowed me to keep her. And after a little while all my family took to her. That's how I got my little Kitty» she concluded.
«Yeah, I see it was not easy» Taranee agreed putting Kit on the bed.
Right at that moment Peter peeped in the room. «Taranee, are you ever gonna wash the dishes after the lunch? » he said rather boldly.
«Peter, have you ever heard of knocking?! » the fire guardian was annoyed with her brother's tactless behavior «Don't you see we have a guest and I have to help Delancey with her luggage. And by the way, it's not my turn today to do the washing up, isn't it yours? » she screwed up her eye.
«Sorry, lil' sis, I'm going out with the guys today and have no time for stupid housework» he answered imperturbably and disappeared behind the door. «See ya later» he said quickly to the girls before there was not a trace of him.
Taranee hated to be called "lil' sis" and was a bit confused in front of the New York girl. «Hey, and girls' room, you can't enter here like this! » she cried after Peter, but he didn't hear that. «And never call me "lil' sis"! » she mumbled mostly to herself.
«Big brother? » Delancey motioned at the door from which Peter had just come out.
«Yeah, my elder brother Peter Cook, as large as life» Taranee said sarcastically «He sometimes can be annoying but generally he's a nice guy»
«You're lucky to have an elder brother» Delancey hemmed «I have a younger bro, Freddy McQueen, an 8-year-old little disaster. Though he used to annoy me more when he was 6» she grinned remembering her facetious fights with her little brother. «Though he's also a nice guy and we're pretty good friends (if he doesn't bother me too badly) »
«Duh, brothers! » the Fire guardian grinned and both girls started to unpack the biggest suitcase. «So, tell me about yourself, if you don't mind» Taranee turned to her neighbour with interest.
«Well, » Delancey replied after pondering a little «I'm that kind of cheerful and extreme girls, who like eating, shopping and sport. I love windsurfing and just adore skateboarding! »
«Skateboarding? » Taranee said with a little surprise «But I thought that was mostly boys' activity»
«Oh come on! » Delancey waved her hand «I know tons of girls who like skateboarding and do it better than guys. My rule of life is "Everything that a guy can do girls can do even better!" »
«Wow, that's a good approach to life » her house mate remarked «I'm totally not the extreme type of person. I'm afraid of many things and I guess I'm a too bit coward to go in for extreme sports. I'm afraid of heights, also have a stage fright and am generally pretty shy in meeting new people. Some people think I'm a crammer or nerd cause I do pretty good a school and love reading and am a "good girl", but I'm not actually a nerd» she sighted.
«Oh course you're not! » Delancey supported her new friend «As for me I can't say I'm very good at school» she admitted honestly «Teachers say I have rather good potentialities but I'm either too lazy or sometimes do silly mistakes, that's why I sometimes have not very good marks. B or C is normal for me, but I have to work really hard to get an A, I still wonder how I managed to pass this math test. I'll surely prepare better for the big one» she promised to herself putting her hand on her heart.
«Hey, we are such different, even contrary personalities» Taranee noticed after a small pause.
«Yes, that's true» Delancey agreed «But I think it won't prevent us from getting friends»
«Sure it won't» the Fire guardian smiled «I guess we're already getting on very well»
«Course we are. You're cool, I'm glad to have such a neighbour» the New York girl winked «I honestly imagined my house mate would be worse, but I'm really happy now»
Taranee smiled back and the girls went on with their conversation. It was also a beginning of a new friendship…
III0III0III0III0III0III0III0III0III0III0III0III0III0III0III
So that's how the newcomers got acquainted with the guardians.
Chelsea's mobile phone rang.
«Hey, sorry. Could you wait just a minute? That must be one of the girls» the brown-haired said to Cornelia.
«Sure» the Earth guardian shook her shoulders and Chelsea took her phone.
«Westley? »
«Hey, girl! » her four girlfriends yelled all together on the other line which probably made Chelsea nearly deaf
«Wow, hi, guys! You all are here, great! » Chelsea smiled.
«Yeah, so we just wanted to know how you like your new neighbor » Westley said.
«Oh, she's awesome! » Chelsea told them with joy. «We're so similar! Just imagine, if you wanted to find a person who's my total copy, that's Cornelia. We've already made friends and I'm so glad I met her! Hey, but I never asked you how you like your new house-mates » she added.
Nolee: My new neighbor is great, I really like her!
Westley: Mine is great too, we have so much in common.
Barbie: I feel already at home here.
Delancey: Taranee's cool, I like her!
Chelsea: You see how lucky we are we all have passed the test. Our trip is gorgeous!
Nolee: Yup. And Chels, we're calling you to tell ya our latest idea. Barbie and Hay Lin, her house-mate, have already arranged everything.
Chelsea: Cool! So, what's the idea, Barbie?
«Why won't we meet altogether tonight to get to know our new Heatherfield buddies better? » Delancey spilled before Barbie managed to open her mouth. She was really the worst one to keeping secrets.
Barbie: Well, yes. That's what I wanted to say. What if we all gather at the 'Silver dragon' at about 8 o'clock tonight? 'Silver dragon' is the restaurant which Hay Lin's family owns and we live in he same building the restaurant is. So, we'll just spend a nice evening having dinner and chatting. This would be a great way to get acquainted with the girls and find out how they're living here (at least we'll spend here 2 whole weeks), wouldn't it? Oh, and you needn't tell your neighbors, Hay Lin has already called each of them.
Chelsea: I love the idea! I really can't wait to get to know the rest of the girls.
Delancey: We all can't wait!
Westley: Um, Chelsea? We have one little offer for you.
Chelsea: Yeah.
Westley: Please, phone Hudson and tell him about the meeting. It would be great if comes too.
Chelsea: Why me?
She said that in a little dissatisfied tone. Of course she didn't mind to phone Hudson and find out how he was, but she didn't want the girls to suspect anything about her secret affection. So she decided to whine a little for purpose.
Delancey: Well, you have his hotel room phone number.
Actually, everybody had the phone number but the girls wanted exactly Chelsea to do that. They wanted to help the pair make the first step as they brilliantly knew everything about their relations and wanted to help 'em both a bit in their love affair.
«But you all have it. Hudson gave his phone number to all five of us! » the modern Juliet said inexplicably.
Nolee tried to make up a reason as she always did when her friends needed a good lie but that moment nothing suitable came up to her mind. So she said just the first she managed to think up. «We lost them» she tried to say but this completely failed.
Chelsea of course was not so easy to out-wit. «You hope that I believe that? All four of you couldn't lose is at the same time» she noticed.
«Oh, come on, Chels! » Barbie tried to save the situation honestly. «Is it so difficult for you? »
«OK, OK, I don't mind» Chelsea finally gave up. «I'll do that; please don't be mad on me»
«So deal? Great! » Westley said feeling their victory and success in their affair.
Suddenly the girls heard an unfamiliar voice. «Hi, girls, that's Will, Westley's neighbor» Will must have asked Madison to give her the receiver.
«Oh, hi, Will. Nice to hear you! » the 4 other girls greeted her.
«Thanks, me too» the guardian replied. «Could you please give me your room-mates for a moment, we need to discuss one little thing » she added.
«Sure» the girls answered and gave their mobiles to their neighbors.
«Hello» all five guardians said at once.
Hay Lin: Cool! We're all online! So, hi once again.
Irma: So, guys, I hope you remember about our meeting today at 8.
Cornelia: Sure, that will be perfect.
Will: People, I'm calling you 'cause we have one little kind of problem.
Taranee: What's that?
Will: You see, who's gonna tell Caleb about our plan? He's also supposed to come.
Hay Lin: Oh, no problem! Corny will!
Cornelia: Hay Lin! You again? Why me?
The Earth guardian said that as if she completely didn't want to listen about the offer, but the 4 other girls exactly felt that Cornelia was blushing, even though they didn't see her.
Irma: Really, Corn, and why not?
Cornelia turned red as a beetroot. She didn't really mind to meet Caleb once more, but she feared to freak out. She was not confident to tell even Caleb about her feelings, of course she didn't want her friends to suspect anything. (She acted just like Chelsea a minute before; I told ya they're totally similar) She didn't know it was too late to hide anything; the guardians knew all about their relations and tried to urge them a bit. That's why they wanted exactly Cornelia to connect up with Caleb.
Cornelia: But that's easier for Hay Lin to find him, at least he lives next to her apartments.
Hay Lin tried to find a suitable reason. «Uh, but I'll be busy with some preparations and I probably won't see him today»
Taranee: Come on, girl, why won't you?
Cornelia finally gave up. Ay least she has committed her mission and she didn't want to lose her chance. «All right, guys, I'll try to»
«You see! » Irma said silently to the rest of the girls. If they were not talking on the phone, they would exchange satisfied glances.
The girls said good buy to each other and hung up. The meeting was really close and along with it a new unexpected thing which would totally change everything…
Yeah, that was pretty a big chappy, huh? Anyway, please leave a little nice review for me to encourage me to write more. I honestly don't know when I'll post up the next chapter, but I hope it'll be earlier than half a year. ;) All right, now hope you liked this chapter and please review! C ya later!