Once Betrayed, Twice Shy

Disclaimer: I do not own Huntik or any of its characters.

Lok

I slumped into the couch. It felt firm, yet for some reason, it was soft enough to make me want to melt in it altogether.

My head is still whirling from all the confusion. Figuring out puzzles may be my forte, but when it comes to the ladies, I'm clueless. I'm still having a hard time analysing why Zhalia did what she did. But that's beside the point. I can't help but forgive her. My trust in her wasn't in vain. After all, she did pull through for us in the end. Even though she decided to leave, she's still a part of our group, a friend (as much as she denies that, I'm sure she doesn't mean it).

Nonetheless, she can annoy the heck out of me. Especially when she gets into heated arguments with Sophie. And that's just an understatement. What is up with those two? Most guys in my high school would probably pay to see a catfight like that, and I have to admit that it can sometimes get entertaining, but it really gets in the way of our missions. On second thought, why does this happen a lot when Dante's not around? That sneaky fella. Just when I need his help in handling crisis like that, he bails on me. Isn't he the ladies' man?

Anyway, it is a pity that Zhalia left. We're gonna need all the help we can get on our missions. And I won't stop until I find my father.

"Lok, you okay?" Sophie's voice perked me up.

I shifted myself upright.

"Erm... yeah. It's kinda quiet lately." Perhaps because Zhalia's not around to squabble with Sophie, I thought silently.

Sophie plopped herself on the couch next to me and sighed.

"It's great that the Foundation gave us some time off and all, but thinking zaps my energy even quicker than fighting," Sophie yawned, stretching her arms as if on cue.

"Yeah... I know what you mean. I'd rather fight than study," I replied, revealing a tiny grin at the corner of my mouth.

Sophie threw a pillow in my direction. I duck. Where the heck did that pillow come from?

I scrambled to push my thoughts to a corner. Right now, it's time to get even.