Bet you guys didn't think I'd be back, I didn't think so either but then I decided to write. I can't believe it's been months since I've updated, I'm sorry guys. I hope you'll like this chapter, it has a lot of dialogue and leans a lot towards the romance side of things. Enjoy!


Chapter VIII: New Faces

Thump! Thump! Thump!

When I saw Jake, something ignited me, again. What in the world is wrong with me? I barely know him; I had only met him three days ago. Why do I feel so flustered?

I sighed.

"Hey Jake," I watched as Danica ran to Jake and planted a kiss on his cheek. He smiled but kissed her on the lips. Something in me felt….wrong, I felt angry…no…I was jealous.

Oh god, I shook that thought right out of my head. I was not jealous of Jake and Danica. They were a couple that I barely knew. There was no reason to be jealous, no reason at all!

Trixie and Spud joined us, and there was something familiar about them. I just couldn't place it, I swear, I feel like I've known them forever but we weren't really friends in middle school. So why do I feel like I did?

"Hey girls," Trixie greeted with a smile, Spud waved, and Jake waved awkwardly when he saw us.

"Hey yourselves," I smiled while Janice did the waving on our side.

"So, your parents made you come too," Trixie asked.

"Well not my parents, my sister." I replied.

"Wait, you have a sister?" Jake seemed overly surprised to learn that I had a sister, even Trixie and Spud exchanged shocked looks. Maybe a little too shocked.

"Yeah, they're not just sisters. They're twins," Janice told them.

"Whoa," Spud let out but Trixie and Jake shared confused looks.

"Yeah, you just missed her too," Danica said.

"Yeah but you'll probably see her inside," I added.

"Cool," Jake said, running his hand through his hair.

"Hey, we should get inside. Orientation will start soon," Janice said.

"Come on Jake," Danica wrapped her arms around Jake's and the two of them made their way inside. Trixie, Spud, Janice, and I followed after.

Danica turned around to look at us, "Do you guys all want to sit together?"

"I would but I'm supposed to be meeting my man inside," Trixie said with a grin on her face.

"You have a boyfriend?" Janice asked, surprised. It was likely because she didn't know this bit of information and Janice tended to take pride in knowing everything about everyone. Even I was a bit surprised that she didn't know it either.

"Aw, who?" Danica asked.

"Kyle Wilkins," Trixie beamed and my eyes widened in shock.

"Lucky," Janice said but I saw a pout on her face. "He's totally hot!"

"I know girl," Trixie smiled, "and he's all mine."

Well there goes Krystal chances with Kyle but I wasn't as surprised as I thought I'd be. I mean Kyle never seriously dated anyone but if I remember correctly, I think I remember seeing him at the Fall Ball with Trixie last year. It was the same dance that I had barely made it to.

A blurry memory flashed through my mind.

There was a boy, a boy I think I liked, a lot! But I can't remember his face, it was blurry. He was sitting by himself and it looked like he was sulking.

"Hey stranger, care to dance?" I walked up to him and asked.

"Rose!" he had exclaimed. "So you're back, back in school….?"

I can't remember how the rest of the conversation went but I remember he puckered up to kiss me. Instead of kissing him, like I had wanted to, I stopped him.

I don't know why.

"Thank you ….for everything," I told him, extending my hand out to him. He looked at it but shook it nonetheless. Before we could continue our conversation, Brad had come over.

"Hey Rose," He pulled me in close," time for you to trade up and take it with the Bradster, owe!" He hollered but I gave the boy a longing glance before Brad pulled me away.

"Aww man," I heard him say. There was nothing more that I wanted to do than be with him but I knew I couldn't, shouldn't. Why? I can't remember.

Who was that boy?

"Rose!" Janice's brought me back to reality as I looked at her.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I spaced out," I apologized, still thinking about the memory.

"It's okay," Danica said," so we all agreed we'd sit together with Kyle and Trixie."

"Oh alright, cool." I smiled and we walked into the gymnasium.

0o0o0

Krystal, Stacey, Lacey, Tracey, and Brad had entered the gymnasium and were looking for some place to sit. Krystal kept her eyes open for Kyle and Nigel.

"We should find out where Kyle and Nigel are sitting," Stacey winked to Krystal.

"Of course but I don't want to make it too obvious that I'm interested, Stacey." Krystal told her.

"But boys like girls that are bold," Tracey said.

"Yeah, you want to grab their attention," Lacey agreed.

"But I don't want to come off as pushy," Krystal said.

"I don't see what's so good about Kyle or Nigel?" Brad pouted. He was clearly jealous that the girls were fawning over them and not him.

"Then explain to me what's so good about Rose?" Stacey challenged. Brad blushed but didn't say anything. Stacey was clearly upset about the earlier encounter and Krystal didn't blame her. It was pretty obvious that Brad had been trying to flirt with Rose even though Stacey, his girlfriend, was with him. It was totally disrespectful.

However, Krystal wasn't going to say anything. Rose was her sister, Stacey was her best friend, and Brad was just a plain idiot, and she didn't need to be involved in that drama.

"Well I found them," Lacey said, pointing towards the two boys. Krystal looked to where she was pointing and there they were, Kyle Wilkins and Nigel Thrall.

"Come on," Tracey said impatiently, "If you don't go up to them, I will."

"Calm down. I'm going," Krystal smirked.

"Get 'em tiger," Stacey encouraged.

Krystal took a deep breath and strutted over to the boys. She was lucky they were together. It saved her the trouble of finding the two of them separately.

They seemed to notice her approaching. Kyle's eyes seemed to be narrowing on her and Krystal was a bit amused.

"Hey stranger," Krystal greeted Kyle first, "Remember me?"

"Krystal?" Kyle's eyes widened. "So it is you. What are you doing here? I thought you had moved."

"Well I'm back," She smiled and Kyle got up from his seat and gave her a light hug. Krystal noticed that Nigel seemed to be staring and she inwardly smirked. He didn't say anything though so Krystal decided to make the first move.

"Don't be rude, Kyle. Introduce me to your friend," Krystal said when they had pulled apart.

"Oh right," Kyle ran his hand through his hair, "Krystal Kilmer, this is Nigel Thrall."

This time Nigel stood up and extended his hand out to Krystal and she shook it. "Nice to meet you?" His British accent was very attractive and he was charming.

"Nice to meet you too," Krystal smiled.

Before Krystal could say anything more to the boys and work her charm; she noticed that Kyle's attention had diverted. She followed his eyes and saw that he was looking at a group approaching them, the same group her sister had been in with a few more faces, faces that were barely familiar to her.

"Trixie," Kyle's whole face seemed to light up when he made his way to a girl Krystal vaguely remembered as Trixie Carter. They embraced and gave her a peck on the lips and Krystal couldn't be more confused.

"Wait a second," Krystal turned to Nigel, "Is that Kyle's girlfriend?" Nigel nodded and automatically Krystal was disappointment. Stacey didn't mention that Kyle had a girlfriend.

Krystal noticed that amongst the group were Janice and Rose, who seemed to exchange a few words with Kyle before making their way over towards them. Alongside them were Danica, who she had just met, and a boy who looked familiar too. If she remembered correctly his name was Jake and by the looks of it, Krystal knew he and Danica were dating. Lastly, there was one other boy, who looked familiar too; his name was Spud or something. Either way, she had hardly ever talked to any of them but Rose…she seemed to be friends with them. It was surprising to her.

When the group finally made it to where Krystal and Nigel were, Krystal noticed how Jake, Spud, and Trixie were all looking at her strangely. Thankfully for her, Kyle stepped in.

"Looks like I should introduce everyone," He said. Kyle had always known how to take charge and he introduced Trixie, Jake, and Spud to Krystal and he also introduced Nigel to Rose. Other than that, everyone else seemed to be familiar with one another. However, Krystal got the feeling that not all of them were friends.

As Nigel was talking to the group, Krystal joined Rose and Janice's side since she hardly knew anyone else.

"Not with Stacey?" Rose asked.

"Nope, thought I'd say hi to Kyle first,' Krystal said. "By the way, did you guys know Kyle had a girlfriend?"

Janice shook her head," We just found out and I'm a little shocked."

"Yeah, this must put a damper on your plans," Rose teased and Krystal shrugged it off. Kyle was attractive but she would never go for a guy with a girlfriend. That was just unmoral and a bit pathetic. However, Nigel was free and very dreamy.

"Doesn't matter, there's still Nigel," Krystal winked and Rose shook her head. "Anyways, I'm going to find the girls. I'll see you two around,"

"Alright, bye Krystal," Rose said as Krystal made her way to Stacey and the others.

"So did you strike out?" Tracey asked when Krystal seated herself between Tracey and Lacey while Stacey sat in front of them with Brad, making out. Krystal ignored that and went on to answering Tracey.

"No but why didn't any of you tell me Kyle had a girlfriend?"

"He has a what?" Lacey asked, clearly surprised.

"Who," Tracey asked.

"Trixie Carter," Krystal replied.

"Ew," both girls exclaimed and Stacey whipped around to face the girls.

"What happened?"

"Kyle Wilkins has a girlfriend," Lacey began.

"And its Trixie Carter," Tracey finished.

Stacey looked surprised too. Now Krystal knew that they hadn't set her up for failure but why didn't' anyone know that Kyle Wilkins had a girlfriend?

"That's a shock but he must have tried to keep it on the down-low. I would too but it's whatever. Kyle's out but there's still Nigel." Stacey said. "How'd you like him?"

From the light blush on her cheeks, Krystal knew her best friend would already know the answer to that and it seemed that Stacey had.

"Alright then, now all we have to do is make him yours," She winked.

0o0o0

Orientation had started and everyone quickly took their seats. The couples, Danica and Jake, Kyle and Trixie sat in the front row of our section while Janice and I, along with Spud and Nigel sat in the back row. I was seated in-between Janice and Nigel while Spud sat at the end by Janice, who didn't seem to be bothered. They seemed to be having a hushed conversation as well.

As Orientation began, I turned my attention to the principal and listened as she told us what the expectations were especially for the freshmen. It was to achieve for the best and behave accordingly- like any other school.

I zoned out after that as she kept listing other basic things. I noticed that Nigel had drifted off too. If I had known him a little better, I would have tried to say something to him since the two of us were the only ones who weren't talking in hushed tones but I didn't know him and so I kept quiet.

Janice had been right though, he was attractive. I caught myself staring too and quickly looked away. However, he turned to me and smiled.

"You'd think the school wouldn't take us for idiots," Nigel said, "Everything the principal is saying is so basic."

"You're right but you can never be too sure. I'm sure we have a few idiots running around," I said, thinking of Brad. My opinion of Brad wasn't very low since he could be sweet if he wanted to be, but he was still an idiot.

Nigel chuckled a little, "I guess you're right." Nigel threw me a glance before becoming quiet and an awkward silence settled around us even though the principal was still talking.

"Anyways, I didn't get to formally introduce myself. I'm Nigel Thrall, it's a pleasure to meet you," He smiled and took my hand and kissed my knuckles. If this had been Brad, I would have been annoyed and pushed him off but this was Nigel and his British accent was working.

"Uh…" I was tongue tied and he seemed to take notice. He just offered me a smile, which had me blushing. "I-it's a pleasure as well."

We sat there for the rest of the Orientation in silence. I had nothing to say to Nigel which made me feel a little uncomfortable. As the Orientation came to a close, I was silently relieved.

Everyone else got up from their seats and stretched.

"Man, that took forever," Spud sighed.

"You're telling me," Trixie agreed.

"So what does everyone wanna do now? We could all go hang out or something," Kyle offered.

"I'm okay with anything as long as I don't end up third wheeling by myself," Janice said.

Everyone laughed.

"So Rose, what do you want to do?" Janice asked.

"Don't ask me yet, I have to ask Krystal first. I did come here with her." I said. Jake's eyes met mine for a second and at that moment, my heart ached.

"So on then, ask!" Janice said.

"Yeah, it'd be ashamed if you couldn't join us," Nigel added and his eyes met mine too and this time, I felt flustered. Oh god, what's wrong with me? Maybe I'm extremely tired.

"I agree," Danica put in.

"Well I'll ask," I said and so I made my way to Krystal. However, I felt eyes trailing me and it made me uncomfortable but at the same time, my heart was pounding.

Oh gawd…

0o0o0

Rose found Krystal with the cheer squad and Brad after Orientation. They were talking amongst themselves until Stacy and Brad noticed her.

Rose ignored them and pulled Krystal to the side. "So do you want to go home or are you going to go hang out them?"

Krystal exchanged a quick look with Stacey, "I think I'll leave Brad and Stacey alone. I might hang out with Tracey and Lacey, but I'm exhausted. That lecture was so boring."

Rose nodded her head, "Alright, I'll tell the others I can't hang out."

"Wait…others," Krystal perked up a bit, "is Nigel hanging out with them too?"

Rose shrugged, "Probably."

"Aw lucky you," Krystal said, "You get a chance to hang out with Nigel while I barely got more than a few words with him before all your friends showed up."

Rose rolled her eyes, "You're tired, and I'm tired, we could just go home if you want."

"But you could spy on Nigel for me…" But Rose cut Krystal off.

"No thank you. Let's go home and when school starts next week, you'll get a chance to talk to him and know him for yourself."

"Fine…" Krystal said.

"I'll go tell Janice real quick and I'll meet you at the front." Krystal nodded and Rose went back to the others.

"So?" Janice asked.

"Sorry guys, I'm going to go home with Krystal. We're both tired and we still have some unpacking to do."

"But this is the last week before school starts. We won't have any time to hang out when it does," Janice said.

"She's right," Kyle agreed.

"Sorry guys but you guys can hang out without me, you know."

"But it won't be half as fun without you," Janice pouted.

"It really is shame that you won't be coming along…"Nigel said, trailing off a bit.

"Then how about we all hang out before school starts," Kyle offered as he gave Nigel a look. "We could go to watch movies, or have a bonfire or something like that."

"That sounds fun," Danica smiled, "Doesn't it Jake."

"Um…yeah…" He said running his hand through his hair.

"I like it," Trixie nodded as she snuggled closer to Kyle.

"Count me in," Spud said.

"Me too," Janice said.

"How about you, Rose?" Nigel asked and Rose tensed up a bit.

"Well, do you think I could invite Krystal?"

"Yeah, it'll be a good time for all of us to catch up and get to know each other," Kyle said.

"Alright, I'll go if Krystal goes," Rose smiled.

"That means I'll to be going too," Nigel smiled and gave Rose a slight glance.

It went unnoticed by everyone except for Jake and Kyle. Jake tensed up a bit but Kyle inwardly smirked.

"So it's settled. Tomorrow at five, we'll meet at Grand Central Park and go from there," Kyle said and everyone nodded.

They all parted ways, most of them were anxiously waiting for tomorrow to come while the rest seemed a little reluctant to go.

0o0o0

"So what do you think is causing this paradox?" Saber asked Silver as they made their way back to Manhattan.

"Well I obviously don't know, it's our job to find out," Silver replied.

"It sucks that we're not wizards. If we were, this would have been so much easier." Saber clutched the steering wheels.

"Calm down Saber," Silver warned, she could feel the anger radiating out of him. "We might not be wizards but we're not powerless."

"But against them we are," Saber growled. "But after we find the cause of the paradox, we'll no longer be weak."

"We're not weak now," Silver said.

"But we're weaker!" Saber shot back and Silver rolled her eyes. There was no point in arguing with him. He was dead set on Lady Valor's plan but Silver, she wasn't quite sure.

However, she was curious as to what wish could have been made to alter both time and space and shift the balance. Whatever it was that was standing in the way of the plan, it gave Silver more time to think about her decision.

After all, how far would her race go to return to their former glory?


So I'm developing Krystal's character since she's an original, hopefully she'll come off as likable.

Also, I'm not sure when the next update will be but I'll start making longer chapters.
Expect: Everyone hanging out, exchanges between Nigel/Jake, Nigel/Kyle, Nigel/Rose/ Krystal. Silver, Saber, and Serenity(my original witch from earlier chapters) will show up again and a little more on Lady Valor's plan. The Oracle twins might make appearance soon too.

Also, there will definitely be some romance in the next chapter as well. Can't wait to put my ideas to paper. Meanwhile, tell me what did y'all thought about this with a review!

-Mini