Chapter 10

The Next Day…

Another day of working a few hours at the Crust Bucket and watching my friends practice, and I set out again to find some artists who can show me the ways of the rhythm. Gotta think of better phrases because that one was cheesy.

"Tim!" A familiar voice called out. I reluctantly turned to find Andrea.

"What now?" I groaned.

"I thought I'd change my strategy." She told me. "I decided I'm gonna spend time with you to make you more comfortable around me. By the end of the day, you'll like me so much you'll take those goofy goggles off willingly!"

"Well, you're off to a bad start." I told her.

"I. Am. Trying." She told me. "Now, what are you doing?"

"I'm trying to become a DJ, but can't find anyone to teach me." I explained. "I'm looking around right now."

"If I help you find one, will you take off those stupid goggles?" She asked.

"If we find someone who will teach me, I might consider it." I sort of agreed.

"Good!" She grabbed my hand. "Then off we go!"

We proceeded to browse some music places, but the few DJs we did find were just starting out and didn't know much themselves.

"This is getting us nowhere." Andrea spoke the truth.

"Why's it so hard to find someone?" I wondered.

"Maybe we're just looking in the wrong places." She guessed.

"It'd help if you didn't keep reaching for my goggles every few minutes." I groaned.

"Sorry," She sighed. "I have a bit of self-control issues."

At least she's honest.

"Well, thanks anyway." I said. "See you later-"

I stopped at the door when I noticed that murderous stranger across the street. It didn't look like he knew I was here.

"O-on second thought, I'll just stick with you for now." I immediately changed my mind. "I've got nothing better to do."

"Okay…" She seemed weirded out. "Well, I guess I'll meet Lisa at the mall to help her mind off of the thing with Ben."

That'll end well.

Well, it's better than the alternative...

We went to the mall where Lisa was moping around in the food court.

"Hey Lisa!" Andrea waved.

"Uh…hi." I waved.

Her expression then changed.

"Just the squid I wanted to see!" She got excited.

Should I tell her?

"This ought'a be good." Andrea crossed her arms.

"What half-brained scheme do you have in-mind now?" I rolled my eyes.

"What if I pretend to dump him and not tell him why?" She suggested.

"Well, have fun with that." I shrugged.

"Oh, I'm sure I will," She leaned forward. "Dearie."

"Oh boy…" Andrea's eyes widened.

Oh please Cod and Octo no…

"Do you have any plans that don't have a chance of me getting seriously injured?" I asked. "I fear for my life enough as it is."

"Why?" Her eyes narrowed.

"Don't wanna talk about it…" I told her.

"Well, anyway," She completely ignored my safety. "If I pretend to dump him and get with someone else, he'll do anything to win me back!"

"Or he'll beat up the guy who stole you from him!" I added.

"Like I said before, help me and I'll buy you a turntable." She said. "And if you don't, I will pin you down and have Andrea remove those precious goggles of yours."

I quickly put a secure hold on said goggles.

"Then we're in agreement." The sea witch said. "I'll text Benny that it's over. Now let's get a bite to eat….together…"

I was right…this will end very badly…

We got to the Square and had Crusty Sean's food. Andrea took a picture of Lisa and I sitting across from each other and sending it to Ben before we returned to the apartment. Andrea went into her and Lisa's room while Ben was sitting on the couch.

"Alright Lisa, this has gone on long enough." Ben told her.

"What do you mean?" Lisa acted innocent.

"This trying to make me jealous' thing." He said. "I seriously doubt you'd dump me for weird kid."

"How do you know?" She raised an eyebrow.

"What do you find attractive about…him?" He raised an eyebrow.

I feel like I should be insulted, but at this point I'm done.

"Well…um…oh, he's mysterious!" She came up with.

"Right…" He rolled his eyes. "And what about you, uh…Tim? What do you like about her?"

I looked at Lisa, trying to think of something while she just stood there, tapping her foot impatiently.

"Uh…um…" Gotta think of something. "Her hair's a nice color?"

"…See?!" Lisa turned to Ben. "He likes my hair!"

"Anything else?" Ben asked.

"…She…um…offered to buy me a turntable if I said yes to this." I admitted. "She also threatened to pin me down and have Andrea remove my goggles if I said no."

Ben and Lisa's expressions immediately changed. Ben looked like he was about to bust a gut laughing while Lisa looked like she was about to strangle me.

"Ha! I knew it!" Ben laughed.

"Hey, it was convincing, right?!" Lisa shouted.

"Convincing?!" Ben kept snickering. "I'm more likely to believe you're going out with Andrea than Crazy Lady's kid!"

"Don't call my mom that!" I shouted.

"Oh, like you're gonna do anything." He laughed.

I immediately kicked him in the shin.

"OW!" Ben yelped after the kick. "Geez, take a joke, will ya?"

I just went into the bedroom.

"I thought he was the timid, shy boy type." I could hear Lisa say.

"Maybe he has some of his mom in him after all." Ben remarked. "Inherited her crazy genes."

Jerks...

I just tried to get some sleep at this point.

…

…

"And leave that over there."

"Yes Sir!"

...

"Now where's…Ah, Amphia! May I sit with you?"

"You? Always."

"Thanks."

"Wow…The surface is…pretty."

"It is, isn't it?"

"What's that big band of stars and light called?"

"The ancient humans called that the Milky Way.

"Weird name, but I like it."

"Amphia?"

"Yes?"

"We're alone right now..."

"H-here?!

"Why not…?"

"Heh, sly as ever, O-"

…

"What was that?"

"That sounded like a Splattershot."

…

"Amphia, get down!"

"Squids?! What are they doing here?!"

"I don't know, just hurry!"

"They couldn't have known we were here!"

"Maybe it we came here at the wrong time!"

"Can't we stop it?!"

"I'm thinking!"

"Look out!"

"This way!"

…

…

"They're getting closer…"

…

"What do we do?"

"Just keep running."

"But-"

"Run!"

"Ah!"

"Amphia, I'll protect you!"

"Wait, DON-"

…

"No…"

"Wake up…"

"Wake up!"

"Freeze, criminal!"

"You…you…why…?"

"Hand's up!"

"He wanted help…and you murdered him!"

"What are you-AH, my eye!"

I told you to save yourself…you stubborn idiot…

I need to get away…

...

Alright...

…I'll live…for you…