Chapter 365.
(Franklin Avenue.)
At the home of the Millers, the door opens and the son of the family Ryan heads for the school bus and he looks pretty excited for school and the parents seem happy for him, they're boy found a girl.
Meanwhile the louds are busy with going to school as well. Some of them go into Leni's car and to Luna's car and they're parents are already off to work.
Luna is about to go into her car, but she does notices the parents going back into the house and planning on something, she then looks to Lisa who nods and then goes into Leni's car. Luna then goes into the driver's seat and she looks to her only passenger, Lincoln. "Ready for school bro?"
"Sure am and surely the others are looking forward to Ryan and his new friend, Gretchen Warwick" replied Lincoln.
Luna chuckles. "Kinda shocks me that one of the rich girls found love and has a kind heart in there. I think hanging out with her rich friends made her into some kind of heartless and mean little monster. Let's hope she can be nice and understanding." She starts her car and they all drive off to school.
Bullet stays at the house and he goes to the Miller's and looks through the window and he has a camera to his leg. The eagles remains silent and does not trigger the security sensors, which does question so much. Why would the new family put this kind of security? There isn't much threats in town who would go after the local populace.
Bullet then signals to Cliff, Geo, Walt's and Charles and they move in to help see what the heck the Millers are up to. Where's Della? Fast asleep, she's sick.
The pets have been assigned to scout the Miller's house for any trouble, even they know something is up and so they took the task to do this and also are hoping for a treat in the end. The Bald Eagles wish they could help, but they have to keep an eye out on the louds and same goes with Nora who is with Luna at the High School.
Bullet then lands onto the roof with Walt's and the bird flies into the vents and has a camera on his leg, Bullet stays outside to keep an eye out for anything else coming, anything suspicious and he soon sees it. A large truck carrying something big and it's headed for the Miller's and so he takes cover at the trees and becomes stealth.
Charles and Cliff go to the nearby trash cans and see some peach peels and cherries in trash cans, the very same cherries the neighbors offered them and they look squashed on as well. They take some pics and also eat some and then scout the rest of the house.
Geo manages to cut the wires in the house so Walt's won't be detected and the bird makes it to the attic and sees….. Peach trees? What? This looks normal to the canary and he also grabs one for the road.
He then sees the device and is confused, Walt's can see it's tracking weather which could mean these people are also meteorologists and he flies off, but then he hears something and takes cover in the peach tree and sees Carly and Jeff and they're carrying a large and heavy box.
"Okay, we can set it down here" said Jeff. "Time to see if the plan is still in motion." He goes over to the machine and he pushes the button and the wall to the side opens and Walt's is shocked and he contacts the rest of the pets, something big is happening!
(Royal Woods Middle School.)
Lincoln and the others are all talking by their lockers. "Hi guys." they all stop and see who was talking to them, it was Gretchen Warwick. "Hey guys, what are you all talking about?"
They remain speechless at this and Giggles and Zach faint. "Huh, why the heck did they pass out?" asked Simon.
Jordan smiles. "Nice to see you Gretchen, so what are you doing hanging out with us today? I thought you'd be with the rich crew or something."
"Well, I couldn't find them all day and so I decided to see what you guys are up to, and no this is not some scheme for us to get Lincoln. Also, Leslie's obsession over him is like way too far and also kinda creepy and I know it'll land her and the rest of us into trouble" replied Gretchen. "Also, has anyone seen Ryan lately?"
"Right here cutie!" Ryan covers her eyes and they both laugh.
Gretchen looks to the boy and giggles. "You are too sweet and also very good at surprising people."
"Well, my parents wanted me to learn how to handle people who might be doing trouble and so I learned some sneak attack stuff" replied Ryan.
"You mean like ninja's or spies?" asked Rusty.
Ryan didn't seem to like the spy thing. "Well, bit of both really. But heck not a spy, no sir. I just learned a few ninja tricks, but not full ninja stuff because I could hurt myself and it's hard to do."
"Like a karate kid thing, I think" replied Trent. "Also, we're wondering if tomorrow you'd like to be with us on the dodge ball session at gym."
"Take the option man, best not to lose something or get sent to the nurse's office" replied Mollie.
"We'll also let Gretchen be part of our team as well, if she wants to" replied Jordan.
Gretchen smiles. "Sure, well if I do wanna join the winning side and not get my butt whooped hard. Also, I was wondering if you Jordan and you're friends would like to come with me at Gryphon's shopping after school."
The girls are shocked and Stella, Joy, Cookie and Kat faint, but they're boyfriends catch them. "Gryphon's Shopping?!" said Sadie, she too feels like fainting.
"That place is for rich people, and I don't even go there because it seems too pricey!" said Christina.
Gretchen smirks. "Leave that to me girls, I have my way to reason with the people there and make sure the prices aren't over the top. I know tons of secrets they have and it would be a shame if those secrets got out to the public too."
Lincoln then asks. "This isn't some scheme is it?" The others look back to her.
"Guys, give her a chance. She wants to change and I was the one who reasoned to show her the better way from her rich snobby friends" replied Ryan as he holds Gretchen's hand.
"No Ryan, let me handle this." Gretchen goes towards them. "Guys, I know I've done some mean things and that some of those things might be unforgivable, but that was when I was siding with Leslie and her posse and I was dragged into peer pressure of not losing the friends I have made since Tuscola and I had this loyalty vibe within me, I think."
"I understand that you guys don't trust me and I know it'll be sometime before I can gain the trust from all of you. Give me a chance and I can show you I can change, that I can be a better rich kinda gal, not like Leslie and the others. Please."
Lincoln and Jordan are shocked, so it is true from Ryan. She has changed and she wants to show it, it reminds Lincoln of Michelle Lewis, Flat Tire and….. Well, they're the only people he knows who have changed from their old friends.
"Okay Gretchen, okay. We can give you a chance to show you are changed and we can start at chemistry class" replied Jordan.
Gretchen smiles and hugs her, which shocks everyone. "Thanks guys! I'll do whatever I can to show just how much of a nice person I can be."
"Okay, can you let me go, this is super awkward" replied Jordan.
Gretchen the lets go of Jordan. "Sorry, sorry. Just so excited to be part of a group of friends who aren't into the bad kinda thing, but I don't know what to do if my old friends come and try to talk me to come back to them."
"Then we got you're back luv" said Tabby. "You want to prove you are not a cruel person and that you have changed and we wanna see that through and if those rich blokes think about coming to bring you back into the fold, then we'll keep you safe and help you stand up to them."
"We all got yer back and surely we ain't gonna leave you high and dry" replied Liam. Thy all agreed and so do the girls who wake up from fainting and Zach and Giggles as well.
Gretchen smiles at this, she has friends who wanna help her and see how changed she is and she has Ryan to thank for, Ryan Miller. The boy who showed her the way away from being rich and mean and she's gonna like this change.
They all walk together to the classroom of Mrs. Salter, but they are being watched by Leslie and her friends and they do not look happy. "What the heck?! All because Gretch got herself a boy she like and now she's one of them?!" said Karen in anger.
"I don't like this, I do not like this at all!" said Regina.
"We have to get her back. She's one of us, not one of them" said Chastity. "This is nothing more than some chaotic crud from those dorks crew!"
Hope then looks to Leslie who isn't upset at all. "Leslie, what do we do now?"
Leslie then walks away from the scene and her friends follow. "Nothing, we do nothing."
The four rich girls are shocked at what she said. "I'm sorry, we're gonna do nothing?!" asked Regina.
'Leave Gretchen be, this is her choice and she seems happy with it and I am happy for her. Surely she is the first of the group to find someone and even though I should be jealous, in truth I respect that. She wants to change then let her, but should she one day face a painful experience from that boy, then we come in and back her up. She may not be with us, but deep down, she is still our friend and we look after one another, even if one of them is with another group" replied Leslie.
"We must respect her choice and be happy for the life she wants, and if one of you tries to ruin this then I swear I will make your lives miserable. Understood?"
They all nod. "Leslie's right, I mean Gretch seemed so hap[y being with that Ryan kid and they look so cute together. We're still on the whole plan to go against Jordan, and if Gretchen gets caught in it, then we do not let her get hurt."
"That's a good plan Hope. Let's keep it that way" replied Leslie. They then walk off to their club room, but deep down Leslie was having a bad feeling about that Ryan Boy, she recalls what she saw yesterday at the mall when it was night time.
She was doing some late night shopping and she spotted the boy Gretchen has a crush on along with his parents and they were finished having dinner at the dim sum place. They were met by a cherry mascot and they knocked him over and Ryan also secretly knocked over the cherry stand and no one saw what happened.
Leslie was getting worried. 'Why would he do that? I know he has an allergy against cherries, but why would he go this far to knock some cherries over? It's so wrong!' Leslie and her friends are cherry fans, but this raises red flags and Leslie doesn't like this, she just hopes Gretchen isn't making a mistake.
(Skip, after school.)
All of the kids are now leaving the school and among them are the RW Cool Crew and their new members, Gretchen and Ryan and they've all enjoyed the company of the rich girl.
They didn't interact with her at class because she's at a different class from them, but she did have time to be there for a large group Chemistry and she seems to be as good as Stella in this and same goes with Ryan.
She shares some delicious cupcakes for them to try and she even tells Clyde and Chloe the recipe. Because unlike her other rich friends, she knows how to bake and she'll think about joining the baking club soon.
They have enjoyed her company, they're talks and she even tells them of how lonely it gets when she has no friends around or even her parents. It's just her and her servants in the house back at Tuscola and now it's the same thing here in Royal Woods.
"You know, with you changing and becoming super awesome as a friend, how would you like to come with us to the loud tree house?" asked Zach.
Gretchen is shocked. "Wow! Really? Well, okay then. I'm in! But, what does Jordacoln think?"
They all look to Lincoln and Jordan, the two look to each other and then towards Gretchen. "Let's do it."
"Heck Ryan can tag along too" said Lincoln. "You are our friends and we wanna show you how cool it is to be at our tree house, just not the watch tower that's where the eagles nest."
"Awesome!" Ryan hug fives and fist bumps with Lincoln. All while Leslie and her posse see this, though some of them do not like seeing Gretchen being with the RW Cool Crew. Leslie and Hope keep them in line and want them to stay out of Gretchen's life, she chose this and so they shall respect it.
They all head to the bus, since Luna said she's already near the house. But as they go in, Ryan fails to see or even hear his phone ringing. He's too busy talking with Gretchen and the others.
The message is from his parents. "Ryan, we've been busted!"
(Franklin Avenue.)
As the bus arrives to Franklin Avenue, everyone is shocked to see cop cars and FutureTech aircraft, and Leslie's limo follows the bus and the rich girls are confused. "What the heck is going on here?" asked Hope.
They see Luna and Lisa and their arms are crossed at the sight of the house and everyone else is as well and the pets are with them and are given treats for a job well done and news crews have arrived to see the whole thing, and all of Michigan is in on the news of a group of people who are spies.
All of the students re so confused by this. Gretchen looks to Ryan. "Ryan, what the heck is going on?" Lincoln and the others also look towards the Miller boy.
Ryan knows what's going on. "Oh no." He then checks his phone. "No, no, no. No!" He then leaves the bus with everyone else following and he sees his parents are cuffed. "Let them go! Let my parents go now!"
"Ryan! We're caught and all because of those pets! Now they know what we do!" said Jeff.
"We have to make sure that what we know does not go out, Ryan we have to leave now!" said Carly.
"Nice try, but you're not going anywhere and the same goes with your kid who's coming with us as well" replied Officer Schoffner.
Ryan backs up, and as he's about to run off, he's confronted by the louds, the neighborhood, and his friends and…. Gretchen. She has tears in her eyes and walks towards him. "Ryan Miller, what the heck is this? What is going on? What did you do?"
Ryan has no choice. "Guys, we work for a spy agency, called the Secret Underground Society of Peach Entrepreneurs Nixing Sour Exports, also known as SUSPENSE."
"That explains the book from the library I saw yesterday" replied Mr. Grouse. "Your dad was talking to some stranger at the suspense section of the library, but the book he was given was about Hoe to grow Georgia Peaches."
"I suspected your mom at the Seven-Eleven and she looked angry at the cherry smoothie offer" replied Luna.
"Same here." They all look to Leslie who goes to them. "Last night I was doing some shopping at the mall and I saw you and you're parents pushing over the cherry mascot and you Ryan Miller knocked over a cherry stand."
Gretchen and everyone else is shocked and they look to the boy. "Ryan, is this true?"
The Miller parents realize, they're scheme is hurting their son and the girl he likes. Ryan had no choice, he had to come clean. "Yes! Yes, it's all true. I hate cherries. I hate the so, so much!" They all gasp at this and some of them faint, well Lynn Sr and Lola faint.
Ryan then wipes away his tears. "Our plan was to destroy all cherries in Royal Woods and then make Georgia Peaches the top selling brand to the state and then we wouldn't stop there. We would go around the country to do the same thing and make sure Peaches would be everywhere, and then…. Then the world."
Everyone gasps and the cameras are rolling and Regina faints and so does Sam, Simon, The Yates and Leni.
"What the heck is wrong with you people?!" said Hope.
"That is wrong on so many levels and also very evil too" replied Stella.
"This is madness! What would the whole world say about this?!" said Rita.
Ryan looks to everyone, he then looks to Gretchen and both of them have tears, the cops are closing in on the boy and he closes his eyes. "Gretchen, I'm sorry." He then looks her in the eyes. "We'll meet again, soon."
The Miller parents break free from the cops and they go to their son and Ryan uses a peach and drops it to the ground and it explodes into smoke.
Everyone coughs from the smoke and soon it clears and they see they're gone. The Millers are gone. Jeff, Carly and Ryan have fled from the law.
Peter Harris is angered by this. "I want a wide perimeter and troops everywhere on the lookout, we got three fugitives and they couldn't have gone too far. Find them, find them before they flee from Michigan, now!"
All the cops deploy and so do the troops, they have a family to hunt down. Soon everyone else disperses and are all talking about what happened and now they too are on high alert for this family of evil doers who seek to annihilate the cherries and all fruits around the world.
Jordan and the others look to Gretchen who is crying on the spot, Jordan then looks to Leslie. "Help her, please."
"She needs her friends, the ones who know her better than anyone else" replied Lincoln. He and Jordan have tears for what happened and so does Luna and the louds.
Leslie nods, and she too wipes away her tears, feeling sorry that it had to come to this. Leslie goes over and so does Hope and they escort Gretchen back to the limo, and Karen drags with her an unconscious Regina and they drive off back to their neighborhood.
The others look to Lincoln and Jordan confused. "Why did you let them take her?" asked Stella.
"Because we knew something like this would happen, we don't know Gretchen better than they do and she needs her friends to be there for her" replied Lincoln.
"Sure this would mean she's going to be back to her old ways, but it's for the best. She can change, but only when time tells her to do so, until then she's going to need her friends to comfort her after knowing this act and deception from the boy she thought she loved, but deep down they both love each other" replied Jordan.
"They're love is just out of reach and one day they will meet and we have to see what happens when that does happen. A rich girl from Michigan who likes cherries and a spy boy from Georgia who likes Peaches" replied Luna.
They all watch as the limo is no longer in view, and they understand. "This kinda feels like a movie" replied Lucy.
Lincoln sighs. "Yeah, I guess it is." He then looks to the house and Patriot lands onto his shoulder. 'Ryan Miller, or whoever you really are. I hope we meet again soon and I hope you won't make the same mistake and follow your parents.'
To be continued…..
A/N: This has been sad, but it had to be done. It was nice while it lasted to have Gretchen as their friend, but one day the Miller's will be back, soon. Leave a review and tell me what you all think.
Date made: 10/5/20.