Chapter 24:
The next day, everyone met up outside the school. All of the girls were dressed in large and baggy shirts they got from their mothers when that were carrying them. Well, Irma had to go to her parent's home and find the clothes her mother wore, when she was carrying her. Thankfully, she knew where they were seeing as she found them one time when she was looking for something in the attic, of her home months ago.
"It's like looking into the future, if we get married.", Nigel said as he looked Taranee who was standing with the girls.
"I know!", Matt said. "I'm just glad they don't have the mood swings."
"You and me both.", Eric said.
"I still can't believe we have to do this!", Cornelia complained as she looked down at the blue gown she was wearing that was covering the belly pack she was wearing. "Stupid Sex Ed class!"
"See it like this, Cornelia. The sooner this is over with, the better.", Hay Lin said.
"True.", Cornelia said. "I'm glad that we don't have to wear these packs during Prom."
"That would be jacked up if you all had to.", Angelo said with a grin before the bell rang.
"And with that, it's off to another day of learning.", Will said.
"Oh boy.", Irma said sarcastically. "I can hardly wait.", she said as they all headed towards the front doors of the school.
As they were heading towards the front doors, Taranee noticed Elyon and Joel walking together hand in hand looking very happy together.
"Looks like Joel has accepted Elyon for who she is.", the Fire Guardian said.
"Looks like.", Cornelia said happy for her friend.
"Awwww. Young love.", Angelo said. "Remember those days, dear?", he asked his wife as they walked together hand in hand.
"Those were the days.", Irma said with a smile.
"Yes, they were.", Angelo said.
"You know, I keep forgetting how old you two really are.", Matt said. "I mean to live a whole other life and then having to come back here as teenagers."
"That's got to be rough.", Nigel said.
"After all the weird stuff that has happened to us, you get use to stuff like this.", Irma replied as they walked inside the building.
"Besides. This way, we get to hang with you guys.", Angelo added. "So it's all good."
"That's one way of looking at it.", Will said.
"Plus, we're teenagers with our own place to get frisky in.", Irma said smiling.
"And we're back to sex.", Cornelia said while rolling her eyes with a grin.
"Well, you and the girls know how good it is.", Irma said with a smirk.
"Please, please don't remind me.", Taranee said while rubbing her forehead. "It felt like I was cheating on Nigel when it happened."
"But you weren't.", Nigel said as he held Taranee's hand. "It was an accident. So it's cool.", he said making Taranee smile.
"It did feel pretty good though.", Hay Lin said with a small smile and a slight blush.
"Hay Lin!", Will said surprised by what Hay Lin said.
"What?", Hay Lin questioned. "We were feeling what Irma was feeling at the time. So of course it felt good."
"Very good.", Irma said as she grabbed on to Angelo's arm smiling making him smile.
"Oh brother.", Angelo said getting a snicker out of Caleb.
"See it like this, Angelo. In one night, you were able to please your wife and four other women without being with the other women", Caleb said with a grin. "Not many can say that."
"Dude!", Nigel, Matt, and Eric said.
"Now, now, boys.", Irma said. "The way I see it, your girlfriends got a taste of what I get with Angelo.", she said proudly.
"Is it wrong for me to feel a little dirty?", Angelo questioned.
"I say take it in stride and move on.", Cornelia said shrugging her shoulders.
"Besides. It's not like you actually had sex with us.", Will said. "You just gave us..."
"Telepathic pleasure.", Hay Lin finished for Will.
"Hmmmm... Telepathic pleasure.", Will repeated thinking about it. "That can work."
"Well guess what? That was you first and last time getting telepathic pleasure.", Angelo said. "Right, Taranee?"
"Right!", Taranee said in agreement while nodding her head.
"Dang straight!", Angelo said before they high-fived each other getting a laugh out of the others.
Everyone then split off and headed for their Homerooms. Later that day, during Lunch everyone gathered together at their normal spot under a tree to eat together. As they were eating their food, Angelo was looking at his can of soda and Irma with her belly pack and had an idea.
"Hey, baby! I have an idea.", he said getting Irma's attention. "Lay your head in my lap."
"Why?", Irma questioned.
"Trust me.", Angelo said with a smile. "You'll love this."
"Oooookay.", Irma said as she laid her head in Angelo's lap. "Now what?"
"Don't move.", Angelo said as she held his soda can above her fake belly. "There!", he said as he gently sat the can on her fake belly. "I knew I could balance my can on that belly!"
Seeing this, Irma couldn't help but bust out laughing. Soon the other guys were trying to do the same thing with their girlfriends.
"So, has anyone seen where Elyon and Joel went off to?", Matt asked as the laughter died down.
"They went somewhere to be alone for Lunch.", Cornelia replied. "Elyon told me that she and Joel needed to talk about some things."
"Can't really blame them for wanting some alone time.", Nigel said. "I mean when I found out about Taranee, I had so many questions."
"Same here when it came to Hay Lin.", Eric added. "So, I'm guessing that Joel has all kind of questions for Elyon."
"Which she'll be more than happy to answer.", Will said.
"One can only imagine what they're talking about.", Eric said before they went back to eating their Lunch.
Elsewhere, Joel and Elyon were in another prt of the schoolyard together eating Lunch. And of course he had questions for Elyon. Questions she was more than happy to answer.
"So because of this Crimson guy, your brother and his followers are getting stronger like Angelo and the others are?", Joel questioned as he and Elyon were eating their lunch.
"Yes.", Elyon said. "We're all just basically training when we have the time to before Crimson and his allies make their move."
"This is just... Wow!", Joel said. "I mean, you're a queen of a kingdom on another world that Caleb is also from. Will, Irma, Taranee, Cornelia, and Hay Lin are super heroes that fight evil on other worlds, while Matt, his dormouse, and Cornelia's sister's cat are Regents of Earth who get their powers from Cornelia's sister. Then you've got the guys who've trained to become butt-kick fighters. And to top it off, Angelo and Irma were in an alternate universe were they grew up, got married, and then came back here as teenager and are living together!"
"Yeah. It's a lot to take in, when you think about it.", Elyon said before eating a piece of cake. "Oh! You forgot that me and the girls are training like the guys are."
"So, you can basically kick my butt right now.", Joel said.
"Yeah.", Elyon said with a smile. "But, I'd rather kiss you right now.", as she looked into Joel's eyes.
"I can work with that.", Joel said returning the smile before they shared a kiss.
In another part of the school, Martin and Alchemy were sitting at a table together eating their food quietly sitting remembering all that happened the other day. It was a lot to take in but between the both of them, Alchemy felt a bit hurt that Elyon and Cornelia waited so long to tell her about themselves after all the years they've been friends. Which now had her questioning their friendship.
"So, do you plan on talking to Cornelia and Elyon anytime soon?", Martin asked Alchemy.
"I... I don't know.", Alchemy said. "I mean, to find out all of what we were told about our friends was a big surprise."
"Yeah, I know.", Martin said. "And then there's the fact that all of this has been going on for the last few years."
"And that's the other thing.", Alchemy said with a hint of hurt in her voice. "While Elyon was in ruling her kingdom, Cornelia and the others got to go see her whenever they felt like it, while I was here missing hanging out with her and Cornelia like we always did! After all of this, I feel like I was an outsider the whole time! I mean we were best friends before all that weird stuff they told us happened! I thought that we could tell each other anything! No matter what! But I guess I was wrong!", she said as she broke down and began to cry as tears ran down her face.
Seeing this, Martin moved closer to Alchemy and held her close letting her cry on his shoulder.
"It'll be okay, Alchemy.", Martin said as he rubbed Alchemy's back in a soothing way giving her comfort. "I promise."
What the both of them didn't know was that they were being watched by a certain, invisible Air Guardian.
'Aw, man.', Hay Lin thought to herself as she headed back to the others to tell them what she just heard.
Once she got back top the others, Hay Lin told them what she heard between Martin and Alchemy.
"I didn't think it would hurt Alchemy this much.", Cornelia said. "I have to tell Elyon.", she said as she got up and went to find Elyon.
"Why did you go and spy on Alchemy and Martin, Hay Lin?", Irma asked her best friend.
"Well... I was wondering how they felt about what we told them.", Hay Lin said shyly.
"So you invaded their privacy and spied on them?", Angelo questioned in a stern tone that made Hay Lin squirm a bit.
"I'm sorry.", Hay Lin said meekly.
"I know you meant well, Hay Lin, but Alchemy and Martin need their space.", Angelo said.
"So, maybe we should have stopped Corny from going off to find Elyon.", Nigel said. "Cause you know that they'll go and talk to Alchemy soon."
"I'm trying to contact Cornelia telepathiclly, but she's blocking me out.", Taranee said.
"Then they'll learn the hard way about giving people their space,", Irma said.
"This just keeps getting better.", Eric said sarcastically.
As for Cornelia, she found Elyon who was with Joel and told them about what Hay Lin told her and the others.
"We have to go talk to Alchemy.", Elyon said as she got tp her feet and was ready to leave with Cornelia. "Sorry, Joel. But I have to..."
"Wait a minute, Elyon.", Joel said. "I know Alchemy is one of your best friend, but maybe you and Cornelia should just wait and let her come to you. I mean if she's as upset as Hay Lin says she is, then it's best to leave her be."
"You have a point.", Elyon said. "But I have to follow my gut and talk to her.", she said before she and Cornelia ran off to find Alchemy.
"This may not end well.", Joel said as he went to find the others as the school bell rang signaling the end of Lunch.
As for Alchemy and Martin, they had just emptied their trays and were at their lockers to get their books and head to their next class when Cornelia and Elyon came walking up to them.
"Alchemy?", Elyon said getting her friend's attention. "Can we talk?"
"I... I have to go to class, Elyon.", Alchemy said as she closed her locker while turning to face her. "Maybe later."
"Alchemy, Wait!", Cornelia said. "We didn't mean to make you feel like an outsider when all of this stuff happened.", she said which made Alchemy's eyes widen in surprise.
"How did you...?", Alchemy began to question as she turned to face Cornelia and Elyon. "Were you two spying on me and Martin at Lunch?"
"N-No!", Elyon said nervously. "You see, Hay Lin was sort of listening in on you two and then told what you two were talking about."
"Are you kidding me?", Alchemy questioned getting upset. "You promise to give me time to let all of this sink in, but you go and spy on me anyway? What? You think I'm going to tell someone about all of this? Is that why neither of you never trusted me with your big secret?"
"No!", Cornelia said. "We didn't want to put you in any danger."
"And yet the other girls went and told their boyfriends about themselves.", Alchemy countered making Cornelia and Elyon cringe a bit. "You two have no idea how I feel right now! We've been best friends since we were kids, and yet you wait until now to trust me with all of this! I guess we're not the best friends I thought we were.", she said as some tears began to flow down her face before she turned to walk away.
Seeing this, Martin mouthed "Sorry." before going after Alchemy. As she was heading to her next class, she spotted Hay Lin and gave her a glare that sent chills down the Air Guardian's spine. Elyon was about to go after Alchemy when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see Angelo and the others behind her and Cornelia.
"Stop. Leave her be.", Angelo said to Elyon and Cornelia. "You two have done more harm than good."
"But...", Cornelia was about to say.
"Sorry, Cornelia.", Will said cutting her off. "But he's right. She needs time. Maybe more time after what just happened."
Letting out a sad and tiring sigh, Elyon headed towards her next class, which Irma was in with her. Once there, the two girls sat in the back of the class as the teacher came in and set up what she needed for the class she was teaching.
"You know, I was hoping that when we told Alchemy about all of this, it would bring me, her, and Cornelia closer together as best friends.", Elyon said getting Irma's attention. "But instead, it's making us more distant."
"I don't think it's that.", Irma said. "I think it's what just happened that made things worse."
"Can't disagree with you there.", Elyon said. "Maybe I should have went and told her the truth a long time ago."
"Yep.", Irma said. getting a surprised look from Elyon.
"Wait a minute!", Elyon said. "You agree with me?", getting a nod from Irma. "But I wanted to do that after we defeated my brother!", she said in a whisper. "But you all said that it was a bad idea."
"No. We said that it may not be a good idea to do it at that time.", Irma said. "But it was your decision. Not ours. You could have told Alchemy about yourself at anytime, but you didn't. And, when you finally do tell her about it, she feels left out."
"I guess you're right.", Elyon said.
"See it from her point of view.", Irma said. "While she was here on Earth wondering if she'd ever see you again, due to the fact that she thought that you were in another country, the rest of use were able to see you when we felt like it. Alchemy is feeling REALLY left out. So give her time. And don't go to her like you did a few minutes ago. Trust me when I say that nothing good will come of it."
"Thanks, Irma.", Elyon said with a small smile. "You know something? You've gotten a lot more mature since your time away with Angelo in that other universe. It suits you."
"I've had my moments before that happened.", Irma said proudly making Elyon giggle a bit before the bell rang starting the class.
The rest of the school day went on without a hitch. Even Sex Ed was as normal as it was going to be with Mr. Williams asked the students how they were doing so far with the project. Most were doing okay, while others couldn't wait until it was all over on Friday. After that class, the school day was over which meant that everyone was free to do what they wanted until they had to head home. Which brings up to Angelo and Irma, who are at Chris' school picking him up. They pulled up to the school just when the younger kids were getting out. Also there was Cornelia with her father, who were waiting for Lillian. It didn't take Irma long to spot her little brother coming towards them.
"There he is.", Irma said spotting her brother. "And he's not alone.", she said as she spotted a familiar girl with russet colored hair and green eyes walking with Chris.
"Maggie?", Angelo questioned.
"Yep.", Irma said. "And Lillian's right behind them. And she's not looking to happy."
"I wonder why?", Angelo questioned knowing the answer.
As for Chris, he was walking Maggie to her parents who were waiting for her outside the school. Once she saw her parents, Maggie was about to run up to them when...
"See ya tomorrow, Chris!", she said to him as she waved him.
"See ya.", Chris said as he watched Maggie run off.
Once Maggie was gone, Chris headed towards Irma who was waiting for him while Lillian headed towards her father's car.
"Stupid, Chris. Stupid Maggie.", Lillian said to herself as she got in the back seat of her father's car.
"Are you okay, Princess?", Harold asked his daughter.
"Yeah.", Lillian said sadly as she closed the door.
"Let me guess.", Cornelia said. "Still don't like Maggie?"
"No!", Lillian said as she folded her arms across her chest with a pout. "Why does he like her anyway?"
"Did you at least try to be friends with Maggie?", Cornelia asked her sister as their father drove from the school.
"Weeeeeeeeellllll...", Lillian said as she looked up at the ceiling of the car.
"Now, Lillian. If you don't try to get to know someone, how do you expect to be friends with them?", Harold asked his daughter.
"But she use to be the school bully, Daddy!", Lillian said.
"But she isn't know.", Harold said. "Right?"
"Yes.", Lillian said knowing her father was right.
"So maybe you should try to be friends with her.", Harold said. "Or at least try. Okay?"
"Okay, Daddy.", Lillian said. "I'll try."
"That's all I ask.", Harold said as he smiled at his daughter through the rear view mirror that Lillian returned.
"You know, Sis, just because Chris likes Maggie doesn't mean he doesn't like you any less.", Cornelia replied. "He just made a new friend."
"I guess you're right.", Lillian said thinking about what her sister just said.
As she was doing this, Harold and Cornelia looked at each other and smiled hoping that Lillian would be okay. Elsewhere, Angelo, Irma, and Chris were at the boardwalk seeing as none of them had any homework. Right now they were at a burger place sitting at one of their outside tables eating a meal. While they were enjoying their meal, people were staring at Irma and her fake belly thinking she really was pregnant.
"It's a belly pack people!", Irma said as she lifted her shirt enough to shoe the belly pack. "It's for a school project!"
"Maybe we shouldn't have came here.", Angelo said as a couple walked by and started at Irma.
"This is way to much fun!", Chris said as he ate a french fry.
"For you maybe.", Irma said before letting out a sigh after another person walked by and stared at her. "That's it! I wanna go home! Or at least somewhere where I won't get started at!"
"You guys too, huh?"
The three of them looked to see Martin and Alchemy walking up to them. And like Irma, Alchemy was wearing her belly pack under her shirt.
"Hey, guys.", Irma said. "What's up?"
"Nothing much.", Martin said. "Just trying to enjoy the afternoon."
"While being stared at.", Alchemy said. "Or should I say having my fake belly being stared at.", she said patting the belly pack that was under her long shirt.
"You guys want to sit with us?", Angelo questioned offering them to sit with them.
"Thanks.", Alchemy said with a smile as she and Martin sat at the table with them. "Man, this belly pack can be heavy sometimes!"
"It does tend to get off one's nerves sometimes.", Irma said with a grin. "I'm just glad that we're allowed to take them off when we get home."
"Ain't that the truth!", Alchemy said getting a laugh out of Irma.
"So, you guys set for Prom?", Angelo asked Martin and Alchemy.
"Yeah.", Martin said. "It sucks that you guys are banned from it."
"It was either that or be expelled from school.", Irma said. "There nothing we can do about it."
"But if they knew the truth about you two, then they would change their minds.", Chris said getting their attention.
"Your little brother knows about all of this?", Martin questioned.
"Yep.", Irma said. "He can even fight like Angelo and the guys."
"Wow!", Alchemy said.
"It's no biggie.", Chris said with a shrug of his shoulders. "Well, there was the whole gravity thing to get use to."
"Gravity thing?", Martin questioned.
"Remember the ATZ we told you about?", Angelo asked Martin.
"Oh yeah.", Martin said remembering it all now.
"So, you plan on talking to Corny and Ellie anytime soon?", Irma asked Alchemy. "They are sorry about this afternoon. And Hay Lin is sorry about spying on you and Martin during Lunch. All three of them were just worried about what you guys were thinking."
"We know, Irma.", Martin said. "It's just that part of us wonders why you kept us in the dark for so long."
"Well, we figured that the less who knew, the better off we'd be.", Irma began to explain. "After what happened with Matt, we decided that it was for us to know and for others to find out. Then Eric and Nigel overheard us talking about Kandrakar one to many times. So we decided to tell them. And then Angelo found out about us when he was kidnapped by Cedric, Miranda, Frost, Tracker, and his hound. And then there was the Red Fold, which really got things going!"
"After that, we figured that the girls' families should be let in on the big secret.", Angelo said. "After that, Cornelia and Elyon decided to tell you about themselves, Alchemy. They kept you in the dark about it all to keep you safe."
"It still hurt, though.", Alchemy said sadly.
"Then let them know that.", Irma said. "Even if you already told them this, tell them again. Let them know that they could have told you about what they do a long time ago. You have to get this out of your system before it eats you up inside, Al."
"Thanks, Irma.", Alchemy said with a smile that Irma returned. "You know, you've really matured."
"I've had my moments in the past.", Irma said confidently getting a giggle out of Alchemy. "What about you, Martin?", she asked as she turned to him. "You angry at me for keeping you in the dark?"
"Nah!", Martin said with a wave of his has. "Now that you've explained why you all did what you did, I fully understand."
"Thanks.", Irma said to Martin with a smile that he returned.
"What about you?", Angelo asked Alchemy.
"Looks like I have two best friends to talk to.", she said with a small smile.
A/N: Well, after a long school day, and talking with Irma and Angelo, Alchemy is ready to talk to Cornelia and Elyon. How will that turn out? And what is John's plan that he's keeping from Irma and Angelo? You'll find out soon enough!
Please review.