"Harmony do you know what's wrong with Artemis?" Marco asked as he took a sip of coffee.
"He seems fine to me," Harmony said rather dismissingly. "Oh but Dad while I think about it."
"The answer is no Harmony," Marco replied not looking at her.
"I didn't even get to ask a question," Harmony walked up towards him with her brows furrowed.
"Oh, so you were not going to ask about not being homeschooled next year?" Marco slowly raised an eyebrow.
"No," Harmony answered but the no was prolonged.
Marco stood up and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I know this is hard but until the doctor clears you two. This is the safest option."
Harmony remained quiet. She turned away from her father who pulled her into a hug. He started to stroke her hair gently. Harmony held back her tears. Though she did sniffle a little bit. After a few moments, Marco checked his watch.
"Already time to go?" Marco sighed and slowly let go of Harmony. He kissed her on the forehead. "I have a meeting tonight so I might come home late."
"Okay Dad," Harmony said quietly.
Marco smiled at her. Quietly he walked into Artemis's room. The young boy was still sound asleep. With one arm wrapped around his plush bunny. Next to the bed was one of his Callum Carpenter books collapsed open on the floor Marco smiled and slowly walked in. With Artemis not stirring at all. Slowly he picked up the book and placed it on his nightstand.
"Have a good day Artemis," he said quietly. Careful not to wake him.
Quietly Marco left the room and back to the kitchen. Harmony sat there quietly stirring her fruit salad. He said goodbye to her again before leaving. Harmony stared at her breakfast and leaned on her table. A few minutes later Artemis came into the kitchen. He yawned a little before walking to the cabinet. Harmony watched him as he pulled out a box of cereal. Without a word, he made himself and bowl. He took the bowl and the box to the table before walking to the fridge and grabbing the carton of milk. Before he started eating he put in his earbuds and started watching a video online. Harmony couldn't help but stare at Artemis as he ate. This behavior was very unlike him. Usually, Artemis would at least say good morning to her. Instead, he was really distant form her.
"Is this about the magic thing?" Harmony asked him annoyed.
Artemis looked up at Harmony and paused his video. "What was that?"
"Are you really being all grumpy because of what I said about magic?"
Artemis was about to say something but he was stopped. He felt his chair shake from underneath him. Immieadtly, he braced himself but nothing happened. Looking around there didn't seem any sign of the tremor.
"Really Artemis?" Harmony asked raising her eyebrow.
"Did you feel that?" Artemis asked still looking around.
"Feel what?" Harmony asked really annoyed.
"The tremor that just happened?" Artemis asked staring at her.
"That never happened."
"I'm serious Harmony," Artemis glared at her.
"I'm going to my room," Harmony said annoyed. She picked up her bowl and cup. Without another word, she walked upstairs.
"I can't believe him some times." Harmony sighed. After placing her breakfast on her desk, she collapsed on her bed. She turned around to face the many posters on her wall. All of them of different pop stars, boy bands, and movie stars she loved. She loved dreaming of going to movies or concerts. Just things that normal teenagers would do. After a few minutes, she walked back to her desk and started eating her breakfast. Opening her phone he chose to go on Instagram. She mainly followed influencers and other famous people. Even a few people from her parent's hometown of Echo Creek. Their posts gave her a taste of life was like outside her home. A taste of life as a normal teenager.
Artemis continued watching his videos on his cellphone. They were the best way to past the time during the summer. Well, that and rereading Callum Carpenter. Along with the occasional other books. He loved indulging himself in a good. The closest thing to experiencing magic he'll ever get. Even if it was just in his head. He walked back upstairs and noticed the book on his nightstand. He smiled and picked it up. Without a second thought he flipped the last page he was on.
Before he could start reading, it happened again. The floor and his bed began to shake. Slightly harder than the tremor earlier. Quickly he ran under his desk and covered his head. But as soon as he did it stopped. Looking around his room looked just as it had. No damage had occurred at all. Walking over to the window. There seem to be anything. In fact, the few people outside didn't seem to be bothered.
"This getting weird," Artemis said stepping back from the window. He shook his head a little.
Artemis spent the next few hours reading. Indulging himself in the world of fantasy. He saw himself among Callum's classmates, preforming spells, making potions, and taming mythical beasts. Imaging being present for one of many duels in the book filled him with awe. The book had a way of making him feel like he was actually there. Actually part of the magic world.
"Wouldn't it be amazing Carrots," he said picking up his plush bunny. "To be apart of that world."
"It would be amazing to be apart of their world," Harmony complained as she scrolled through more pictures. Watching people travel across the world, going to parties, and hanging out with friends. Harmony sighed as she scrolled. Then a picture stood out to her. It was from Tiffany Armberg a wealthy girl from Eacho Creek. The picture was of her and two of her friends in front of a building with a sign that read Opening Soon. But what really stood out to Harmony was the caption, which said, Come join me and my friends at the grand opening of The Fruit Jumble 4. Which is sure to be the hottest place in Echo Creek.
"This is my chance," Harmony said staring at the picture. She jumped off her bed and opened her closet. She dug through her clothes. Trying out outfit after outfit. Mixing different tops and shorts. Even mixing up accessories. Eventually, she got a nice outfit, of a blue top with green and white stripes, blue denim shorts, white sandals, and her green sunglasses. After looking it over for a moment, she pulled out her ponytail. Letting her hair down. Staring at it as she started to stroke it. This was something she rarely did but looking at herself right now, she couldn't deny that it was a good look for her. She smiled. The ran to her bed and grabbed her purse from the bedpost. Slowly she placed the sunglasses in it. Picking up her phone she started to head out. Where Artemis was hanging onto the doorway of his bedroom.
"What are you doing?" She asked with a mix of confusion and anger.
"You don't feel that?" Artemis practically yelled. Grabbing on the doorway tighter.
"Feel what?"
"The tremors!" Artemis let go and looked around. "They stopped."
"Whatever." Harmony rolled her eyes. "Listen I need to go run and get vitamins real quick. I'll be back."
Artemis didn't say anything as Harmony left. As Harmony walked outside she took a deep breath in. She sighed and smiled as the sun hit and she breathed in the fresh air. Not holding back she twirled around for a few seconds. Taking it all in. Quickly she ran to the nearest bus stop. Once the bus came she quickly ran into it. During the ride, she adjusted her look a bit. From putting her sunglasses on to fluffing out her hair. With each second the excitement in her. When the bus finally arrived in Echo Creek Harmony was bouncing in her seat.
"Here we go," Harmony said as she got off the bus. Taking one last deep breath she headed off.
"It's quiet without Harmony here," Artemis said as he walked around the empty house. His mind went to the tremors. "I hope she's okay."
As soon as those words left his mouth another one happened. Harder than any of the ones that happened earlier. Artemis remained in place but started to lose his balance. After about a minute he collapsed on the floor. With all his strength he crawled to the kitchen. Quickly he moved the chairs out of his way and crawled under. He was sure if it was because of the tremors or not but Artemis was shaking.
His mind went to his father and sister. Could his dad be stuck at work? Covering under his desk? Calming down his students? Especially the ones not from California. Was Harmony trapped in a store somewhere? Or worse out in the open? Could she be fearing for her life? Panicking to find shelter.
"Dad, Harmony," Artemis said with his voice shaking and tears in his eyes. "Please be alright."
"This is going to be the best day of my life!" Harmony said when she reached The Fruit Jumble. In front of the place was Tiffany Armberg, herself. In awe, Harmony approached. This was her moment
"Welcome everyone to The Fruit Jumble," Tiffany announced. She flipped her long black hair and raised her arms in the air. "You new go-to place for all her fruit drink and snack needs!"
The entire crowd burst into cheer. Many of them high school girls. Harmony's smile grew wider. She was actually here. Among people her age. Not just stuck at home with her brother. She could burst in excitement.
"Come on everyone let's go!" Tiffany cheered. Harmony started to take her first step. When it happened the ground started to shake. People started running around and screaming "earthquake!" Harmony started panicking. She ran off to the side. When she felt a giant blast behind her. Knocking her to the ground. And covering her in a strange golden liquid.