Chapter 9
Nerves, Worries, and Pride
"It's just not going to happen." Riven ran his hand through his hair in exasperated frustration and faced Timmy, the one specialist he felt he could talk to about the situation at that time. It was their lunch hour, and somehow they had managed to free themselves of their female friends in the cafeteria for a time, who of which seemed to be preoccupied with eating at that moment anyway.
"Well, to be honest, I do not know how we're going to make it work either. We're already driving each other crazy. Throwing us all together in a little box of an apartment is not going to improve the situation, that's for sure." Timmy's statement was paired with a heavy sigh.
"There are just a few of you I can't live with… I swear, if I hear one more word out of Stella about her and how privileged she was and how she should never be exposed to this kind of living... one more word and I just might have to…" he clenched his fists.
"It will be ok, Riven. We definitely need to figure something out," the geeky man pushed the frame of his glasses further on the bridge of his nose and sighed once again, "I honestly think some of us should search for a place elsewhere… "
"That's just it. We can't afford it."
"Well… you are going on the job search again this afternoon, correct?"
"Yes." He mumbled, remembering the agony that he would have to suffer through once again.
"I'll tell you what, I'll go with you and try to find a job as well. That way, maybe we could find a way to afford splitting the group."
"Sounds good. Too bad neither of us will get a job." Riven laughed. Timmy pitied his friend's extreme pessimism, but at the same time, he was glad he had the chance to discuss the matter with him. He honestly wasn't too keen on the idea of everyone living together, either, though he simply was not so quick to express it.
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"I HATE HER!"
Fortunately, school had ended for the day without any major issues. Unfortunately, Stella still found something she could gripe about. The club had decided to stick together during their job-finding excursion, so on that fine afternoon, the lot of them were filling the sidewalks of downtown Gardenia.
"Who, sweetie?" Flora's voice just dripped with the sweetness she seemed to carry with her everywhere she went.
"Flora… it's best not to ask." Musa winked at her friend.
"That SARAH!" Stella screamed at the top of her lungs.
"Oh boy… here we go again." Layla sighed emphatically.
"She is just hell-bent on letting me know that, oooh, Kolin is Mitzi's property, and oooh, Mitzi is the greatest. Well you know what!? I am a zillion times better than Mitzi! Just look at her!" The blonde's mouth seemed like it was moving a mile a minute and she had long since made up her mind to continue her rambling at her friends' expense. She didn't even seem to pick up on Brandon's disdained expression as he tuned in carefully to what she was saying. Every time he heard the name "Kolin", his face fell even further.
"Alright!" Bloom interrupted Stella's ranting with a loud, enthusiastic: "C'mon Winx Club! Let's find us some jobs!" She then ducked into a little fashion shop along the sidewalk, which was a clear signal for the rest of the group to disperse.
"Me? Get a job? Pa-lease. Not happening." Stella plopped her rear onto the nearest bench as the rest of her friends went in various directions. As they were all out of hearing range, Stella looked over her nails and muttered a few words to herself, "And anyway, I have a much better idea when it comes to cash." She snickered and continued to examine her fingers.
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Musa had dragged Layla to one of the only places in Gardenia that both of them knew thoroughly about: Club Rave (1). They both remembered it so fondly from their sophomore year: the music, the dancing, and their little run-in with a Gardenia gang. During one of the tiresome hours at school, Musa had suddenly remembered the club that was so nicely tucked away from the main street. Maybe, just maybe, they're hiring. That would just be perfect!
Musa's thoughts were interrupted by Layla's disappointed voice, "No help-wanted sign." She turned to her pale friend with cheerless eyes.
"Let's go in and see if we can change their mind on that." Musa threw the doors open and immediately was confronted with a beat playing at her ears. It felt almost like the clubs in Magix where some of the girls would spend countless nights dancing the night away and flirting with the more handsome locals.
The two made their way to a counter where a skinny pale woman was selling food and drinks. Layla cleared her throat apprehensively, "Hello there! Um, we were wondering if you, um, if you have any room for a couple employees?"
The girl look puzzled, but then seemed to resolve this within herself, as her expression quickly changed to one that revealed an "ah-ha!" moment. "I'll take you to the manager. Come on." She beckoned the two jittery fairies with her hand.
They navigated themselves through a maze of dancing people before reaching a twirling staircase. This led to a little room with a large class window overlooking the action on the dance floor. The woman opened the dark doors to this room, revealing a rather heavyset man with his chair facing the window.
"Boss, these chicks wanna talk to you 'bout somethin." She left quickly, which was rather unnerving for the already-edgy Layla and Musa.
"Yes?" His voice was deep and hoarse, but, despite what the girls were expecting, it was not the least bit threatening.
"We were wondering if you… um… had room for a couple more employees?" Layla asked as kindly and politely as she possibly could.
"And your qualifications?"
Musa piped up, "I've had experience with music-mixing and filling in for DJs at some other clubs… I also am a musician myself… Um… I've taken a great many music classes and have been involved with some concerts at my school."
"Yeah, and I dance and have… um… a great amount of musical talent as well." Layla added, despite her little fib.
The man nodded, almost as if he was granting his approval. He then went to a desk and grabbed two pieces of blank paper as well as two pens.
"Write your names, addresses, and phone numbers. I'll get back to you. If I haven't called you in one week from now, forget about the job. Get on your way now."
The two started writing furiously before it hit them: they didn't have a permanent address, nor did their cell phone numbers work on Earth. Fortunately, they both silently agreed to use Mike and Vanessa's information, as it was the only option, and they desperately needed the job.
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Later that night, the whole group was moving their baggage from one home to the small apartment. Luckily, each member had successfully obtained applications for several different jobs: from waitressing to cleaning hotel rooms. Though, it did take quite a bit of time and effort before this great feat was accomplished.
After an hour of packing, moving, speaking with the landlord, and then unpacking, the group was finally "settled" into their apartment… the first night of them living together.
All but three of the friends were sitting in what they liked to call their "living room" when Sky decided to make an announcement, "Hello everyone! I would like to tell you that I start working at the Crispy Burger next Monday after school!"
Riven rubbed his temples. This is exactly why I did not want to live with everyone. What an idiot. He thinks he is the most important being in the room and has absolutely no sympathy for those who aren't as lucky as he is… If only he knew what living was like without that crown of his.
"I got an application at this cute little shop downtown!" Bloom nearly squealed with joy. After walking out of that store, she had felt a new sense of accomplishment as well as relief. The worries that used to cloud her mind were now beginning to clear, and she was showing signs of hopefulness again.
"I got an application at a restaurant! I might be a waitress." Flora beamed with pride. She didn't tell them that it didn't take her long at all to get that application. The owner recognized her timid gentleness as well as her soft kindness and had instantly given her the waitress application, almost promising her the position as she did so. "They were really nice there," she added, "I hope I get the job! I would love to work there."
Riven continued to sit through it all; listening to each one of his friends share what applications they snatched up in hopes of gaining a job. He felt angry that everything seemed to work perfectly for them while there he was, struggling with getting a job, struggling to make nice with everyone, struggling to not unleash his anger during the hours at a school he absolutely despised… as he was struggling just to live there on the unfamiliar Earth…
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Tecna and Timmy had both managed to free themselves from the little ring of friends in the living room and were pouring over a laptop in one of the small bedrooms. No one knew what they were up to, and quite frankly, some had decided that they had no desire to.
"Any word?" Timmy asked nervously as Tecna scanned the computer screen.
"It has only gotten worse, from what I've read. We're not going back home any time soon if it persists in such a way." She frowned and turned to face him, "I almost feel guilty for not trying to prevent the situation from worsening."
"Farragonda decided that we shouldn't… She believes that the group of evil beings is far too large for any of us to handle without getting killed… I mean, I'm sure we could put a dent in it with all of our skills combined, but she fears too greatly for our safety."
"Maybe our aid is a last resort?" Tecna asked with the slightest bit of curiosity in her tone.
"Maybe…" As hard as Timmy tried, he felt as if he was giving no comfort to Tecna. But he knew that any comfort he did give would be faulty, for he himself was constantly dwelling on the negative aspects of the situation, despite his constant effort to maintain a smiling mask and look on the brighter side.
The two continued to go through page after page of information concerning the onslaught of villains in their home-realms. With each page they read through, both were searching for the little bit of hope that maybe, just maybe, their stay on Earth would not have to be as long as they had been told it would… Maybe it would all just go back to the way things were: normal.
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Stella had made herself comfortable in the other bedroom. She slowly locked the door before returning to a cumbersomely large, albeit highly couture, bag she had dropped on the floor when she had first entered the room. The room was nearly silent, except for the mumble of the discussion taking place in the living room. Stella was confident that all of her friends were preoccupied. I think it's so funny that I thought of this. They're all getting jobs. Well, a princess like me doesn't need a job… especially when this princess has magic to get her way…
She unzipped the large bag to reveal several stacks of 100 dollar bills. She smiled, basking in her pride, not for once feeling guilty as she started going through each bill and counting them one by one…
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Author's Notes:
(1): The club I'm talking about was featured in the episode "Gangs of Gardenia" during season two. The problem? I have no idea what the name of it really was, if there was a title… so I named (or re-named) it "Club Rave".
Well, I'm back with another installment, and boy do I have some plans for the next few chapters! *maniacal laughter*
*cough* Just kidding… Though I do have some events planned that you may want to stick around to read about. Such as, how in the world Stella got all of that cash. Can the group stand each other for much longer? Will Mitzi cause any more trouble? What is it about that sneaky-looking landlord? Will every member get a job? What in the world is happening in Magix?
These questions and others will be revealed during… *pauses for dramatic purposes* the upcoming chapters!
As always, thank you so very much for the continuing support! Thanks for your time, and I'm sorry, as always, for the delay. I do hope you all stick around for the next installments! ;)
