Hey Guys! Finally! Another chapter! Thank you so very very much to all those who reviewed. This one's for you.
Three days later a very restless class waited as patiently as could be expected as the principal and their teacher conversed in whispers at the front of the classroom. Kira and Colt were animatedly retelling they're first adventures and Jo was hanging on their every word. Just as they got up to heart-stopping moment, the principal clapped his hands to get their attention and Jo reluctantly returned to her seat.
Clearing his throat importantly, the principle began speaking in a deep, scratchy voice, guaranteed to putting the listener to sleep; unless the news proved to be exciting enough to counter that effect. "Settle down, settle down. Your class representatives have requested a school dance, to which your teachers and myself have agreed to." Here he paused and glared at the students, as if daring them to disagree with him, receiving no response he continued. "This dance is a costume ball and is to be held next month, so you'll all have plenty to pick out costumes and partners," he said the last word in a tone of deep disapproval. "We have already organised a DJ, good day class"
As the door swung shut behind him an excited babble of noise broke out. Kira turned excitedly to Colt, "What are you going to go as? A ninja?" Colt punched her lightly on the shoulder, "Fat chance. That isn't a costume for me, that's normal. What are you going as?"
"I dunno." They looked at each other for a minute and their eyes lit up, turning to Jo, they asked her simultaneously. "What are you going to go as? An Indian?"
Jo threw her pencil case at them.
They found Rocky in the cafeteria looking absolutely miserable. Kira plonked down beside him, "Why the long face?"
"I'm Emily's partner for the dance."
"I thought you liked her."
"I did, I mean, I do! But she wants us to go as Mickey and Minnie mouse!"
Colt sprayed a mouthful of juice all over the table and Tum Tum fell off the bench. Kira choked on her pizza, trying to laugh and swallow at the same time, while Jo was shaking in fits of silent laughter. Rocky looked highly affronted by their lack of sympathy. After they had recovered from the news, they were full of sympathetic, if unhelpful advice.
"Tell her you won't."
"Tell her you can't."
"How awful!" this was Jo, Rocky gave her a grateful look
"Make a bargain with her, tell her you'll give her a present if she lets you choose what you want to go as."
"What's all the fuss about?" Emily asked brightly as she slid in next to Rocky. The five of them opened and closed their mouths foolishly. Stunned by her abrupt return.
"Uh…well… Tum Tum told me to go as a jelly bean!" Jo cried.
Rocky kicked Tum Tum as he opened his mouth to protest, causing Tum Tum to change in mid-word. "N-Yes. Yes! Don't you think it's a good idea?"
Kira thew Jo a thankful look, "Quick thinking," she whispered, as Emily looked bemused at Tum Tum's idea.
"But seriously guys, what are we going to go as?"
"Well, me and Rocky," Emily gave Rocky's hand an affectionate squeeze, "are going to go as Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Won't Rocky look adorable as Mickey?" Rocky shot Colt a pained look as Emily gushed happily. He opened his mouth to interrupt but she rushed on. "And we could have matching ears and tails and whiskers, oh Rocky would look so adorable with whiskers!" Emily stopped in surprise as the whole table erupted in laughter at Rocky's disgusted face.
"So Colt, are you gonna ask anyone to the dance?" Kira teased, expecting him to reject the idea with horror. Instead, he looked thoughtful, "Do you think Jo would go with me?" Kira nearly tripped over her own feet in shock. "Well, sure. You've got nothing to lose." Her voice sounded cheery and encouraging, while her insides seemed to have disappeared in disappointment. Much to her relief, the bell rang and without a word, she marched back to the classroom; leaving a rather puzzled Colt to bolt into class, 5 minutes late.
Kira waited at the gate, debating whether to stalk home by herself or wait for the rest. She was just about to unchain her bike and ride off when she heard someone call her name, turning, she saw Jo running towards her. Groaning quietly to herself she thought about pretending she hadn't heard, but Jo had already reached her. Breathlessly, she gasped out "Hi…hope you don't mind…"
"Mind about what?"
"About…Colt…taking… me to the dance" Jo looked at Kira as if she was asking permission.
"Um...sure, I mean, I don't mind. It's not like you need to ask me." Kira smiled and deep down, liked Jo for asking her.
Jo gave her a relieved smile, "Well, I sorta felt like I should cause you two are such good friends and…" she trailed off as the others came running up.
"What're you two whispering about?" Tum Tum looked at them curiously, a stick of liquorice hanging out of his mouth.
Kira exchanged a look with Jo and grinned, "Girly stuff."
"Eww!" He swung onto his bike, "C'mon! We'll miss Black Belt Challenge." He started pedalling, zig-zagging dangerously close to the gutter and leaving the others to catch up.
Kira was surprised as they slowed down about when they reached the shops, "What's the occasion?" she asked as she chained her bike up.
"We're looking for ideas," called Emily as they trooped into a costume shop. Six jaws dropped as they stepped through the tinkling, beaded curtain. Costumes, wigs and hats lined two stories for ceiling to floor. Sunlight poured in through an enormous skylight, giving the whole place a surreal feel. "Can I help you?" an soft, accented voice floated out from under a display of wigs and six pairs of eyes strained to see a small, middle-aged woman in jarringly modern clothes. Kira blinked in shocked disbelief and mouthed "Aunty?"
The woman gave the tiniest nod and hurried to the group, "How may I help you?"
Emily smiled, "Our school's having a dance and we were looking for costumes." She grabbed Rocky's hand and squeezed it happily. Rocky shot Colt a pained look. The woman nodded and swept the shop with her arm, "We have a large range of costumes here, take your time. If you need help, please ask me." With that, she walked back to her place beneath the wig display. The six kids scattered around the shop, Emily dragging Rocky to a display of fairy costumes, all thoughts of Mickey Mouse forgotten, Colt and Tum Tum went to the musketeer display and Jo to the Western section. Kira waited till the others were occupied before approaching her aunty. "What are you doing here?" she whispered.
Her aunty only shrugged and led her into a rack of costumes. When they were safely hidden she whispered urgently, "The prisoners have the palace under siege, our world's turned into a ghost-world. Half the houses have been destroyed and the people have fled or been killed and the other half is too terrified to sneeze. Your parents are in hiding, you must come back." Her Aunt gave her a meaningful look and crawled out from the costumed rack, leaving Kira wracked with guilt and indecision. Suddenly, Rocky's anguished face appeared in front of her. "What are ya doing in there? Help! Emily wants us to go as FAIRIES!" He groaned and withdrew his head for a second before he stuck it back in, "You're legs are sticking out."
Kira crawled out, looking sheepish and came face to face with the hem of a voluptuously decorated fairy dress. Looking up, she saw all her friends lined up, staring at her. "Er… I was looking for something…" She grinned, embarrassed. "Um. Nice dress Emily… you guys found your costumes?"
Hope it was worth the incredibly long wait. Next chapter is in the works. So R+R! Please! Cheers.