#Chapter 15 : Girls Secrets
Beth's POV
I hummed against the shower and stopped as I heard chiming. Knowing that it was my ringtone, I slid a hand out of the shower curtain and tapped my phone which was hooked safely against a wall. I looked over the ID to see that it was Rapunzel
"Hello?"
"Morning Beth! Ya busy today after college?"
"Um, no. Why?"
"Can you come with me somewhere? I really need your fashion advice. Can you?"
"Sure. Looks like I can."
"Great! I'll pick you up after college. See you later, bye!"
"Bye." I closed the phone and turned off the shower. Gotta get ready
I pushed my legs into my black jeans and slipped on a turquoise shirt. It was getting tedious doing braids all the time, so I did something different and let my hair down. I looped a ribbon around like a hairband. I hurriedly put in my things into my blue backpack before sliding the zip shut. Tadashi was waiting for me at the car and I didn't want to stall. I went in and we drove to the campus. I told him about my appointment with Rapunzel as we arrived. Tadashi nodded in approval. I ran to class and took a seat just when the teacher came.
After college is done, I went to the gates to see a Ferrari. A window rolled down to reveal Rapunzel, smiling and waving at me. I waved back and entered her car. Inside I was met with Anna and Merida.
"Oh! You brought the girls too?"
"Well yeah! We're gonna buy dresses for upcoming winter ball after all," Rapunzel said as we drove off.
I widened my eyes. "A prom? The university didn't say anything about event such as that."
"I have my sources," Rapunzel said with a smug smile.
We chatted on about random things by then and stopped as we arrived at the mall. With Anna dragging Merida and Rapunzel dragging me, we went to the biggest clothes store there.
"Hey Beth! Watcha think?" Rapunzel had a yellow dress in her hands. It was too simple for someone like her. Sweetheart necklines were mainstream and the empire waist shamed her figure. Not to mention the shade of yellow was a little too bright, overshadowing her golden hair.
"It doesn't suit you." I flipped through hangers and it was as if my tastes became just as expensive as Rapunzel's. Just when I lost hope, my eye caught on a dress that was perfect
It was a trumpet, one shoulder dress. The shape complements her legs and hips. The slightly darkened maroon blended well with the sheen's of her hair.
"Here, try this one." I handed the dress to Rapunzel. She dashed away to the nearest dressing room.
"How about me! how about me!" Anna said, jittery and jumping around. I chuckling at her antics. I fingered through the racks and found a good, A-line, keyhole dress for her.
Some minutes later, everyone was checking themselves out in front of mirrors, doing poses and twirling around. Excluding me. I was still wearing the clothes I wore since I arrived. Well, looks like I'm not going to prom. Not that I had any interest anyway.
Anna laughed at a joke Rapunzel made. She turned her neck to me, probably to repeat what Punzie said, but her lips kept shut as she found my legs skirt-less and arms still shirt-sleeved
"Uh, Beth? Where's your dress?"
"I don't-"
Anna shushed me. "It's okay, Beth! Pick at least one that you like. It's on me," she offered softly. I opened my lips to refuse, but she shushed me once again before I could say anything. With her lips in an unusual firm curve and her demanding eyes, I knew there was no escape. I didn't have a choice other than to pick a dress.
I sighed and decided to look for one. I walked through aisle after aisle and stopped. I pulled a hanger off a rack and smiled down the dress. It was definitely something I would wear. My lips dropped to a frown as I saw the price. The number's hella fat!
Anna suddenly appeared behind me, her eyes affixed at the price tag. She smiled to me.
"Go on!"
"But Anna..the price..."
"Don't mind the price! It's not as expensive as mine. And it's nothing compared to Rapunzel! Look at her, five dresses!" Anna pointed to Rapunzel, over the moon as she hugged all the dresses she picked out. I chuckled at the scene.
After the vigorous dress hunt, we took our time going from store to store at the mall, just for fun. Rapunzel was all smiles carrying ten bags. I shook my head and tightened the grip of my three bags. Merida had a reasonable five bags slung to her arm while Anna's two steps behind Rapunzel with eight bags.
From the price of my newly purchased dress, I didn't dare to buy anything else, but I had to because of Anna's fierce insistence. So, along the road, I bought matching shoes for the dress, a few accessories, and a dark blue sweater that I thought looked cool.
We finished our shopping and went out. Rapunzel drove Anna and Merida to their houses. Or mansions really.
I hummed as I waited for Rapunzel to take me home too. We were at a T-junction and the direction of my house was to the left, but for some reason Rapunzel spun the wheel to the right.
I told her that she took the wrong turn and my way home was at the other side. The blonde shook her head and told me that I wasn't heading home just yet. I raised a suspicious brow, but since it was Rapunzel, I shouldn't be so tense. I let her drive the way to a road I've never step foot on before
"Um Rapunzel, where are we going?"
"Oh, a place nice and quiet. I want to talk to you alone somewhere private because this is a secret. Fine for you?" Rapunzel asked.
At her words, I was becoming gradually hesitant. But I looked into her spring green orbs and spotted only innocence and hope. All of my doubts were washed away.
My lips curved. "Fine for me."
"Okay, here we are!" Rapunzel announced. We had stopped beside a wide, empty park. There was a big apple tree that stuck out from everything that was there. Rapunzel went out and I followed behind.
The blonde took off her heels and pulled her sleeves. She laid her hands against the bark and looked up the tree. I wondered what she was doing. My question was answered as Rapunzel picked up her feet to the tree and began to climb
Wait, climbing?! Rapunzel wouldn't be caught dead to do this in public! Fortunately for her, this park was, as I noted before, people-less. The girl was also wearing leggings and a suitably thick, purple top so she was able to move easily between the branches
"Hey Beth! Watcha waiting for! Come on, climb! On here, we can talk better," Rapunzel called from the highest branch above. I shrugged and pressed my toes against the bark, climbing up.
Third Person's POV
Beth had reached the branch Rapunzel occupied and sat beside her. Rapunzel smiled and pulled out a thermos in her bag and poured Beth warm jasmine tea. The platinum blonde took in the sweet scent and gladly accepted the beverage
"So, what are we going to talk about?" Beth asked, taking a sip.
Rapunzel took a deep breath to calm her nerves. Beth found the action unusual. Whenever the blonde wanted to tell her secret she spoke right away with no inhaling.
Rapunzel bit her lips. "I like you more than a friend, Beth." she said.
Beth choked her tea and snapped her head to her company
'She what?!'
"Wait what-" Beth said but, she was cutted by..
Laughing.
"HAHAHAHA! You actually took that seriously?! Ahahahahah!" Rapunzel guffawed, holding her stomach. Beth stared dumbfounded
'...Huh?'
"Chill out, Beth. I was just joking," Rapunzel said as she took her sip of tea. Beth curved a smile and did the same
Rapunzel patted Beth's shoulder. "Hey, you're serious about keeping your mouth zipped on this one, right? 'Cause this is a really huge secret for me." Beth nodded in response
"You know, it's okay if you don't want to tell me-"
Rapunzel quickly cutted in. "Nonono, I really want to talk to you about this 'cause I need your opinion."
"Okay, here we go," Rapunzel said. She took in another deep breath and looked to Beth. The blonde looked back with firm eyes and ready ears. She knew she was about to talk to a good listener. Rapunzel didn't need to worry about her secrets being spoil
"I.. I fell in lo-..love with someone," she began. The moment she said those words, a face appeared in her head. Her heart began to beat faster, causing her cheeks to heat up,
"And who is this 'someone'..?" Beth asked, slowly taking another sip.
"I-..it's-it's Ja..Jack. An-..Anna's brother..." Rapunzel finally croaked. Beth silent for a moment. She knew from a long time that Rapunzel likes him, but somehow, just thinking about that, she could her the sound of something cracking inside her.
But she brushed it off and give Rapunzel a teasing smile. "Aw, so you have a crush on him~" she cooed. Rap's cheeks grew only redder
"Don't worry, your secret's safe with me," Beth said as she placed an assuring hand on her shoulder. Rapunzel smiled in gladness
"Are you okay with that though? You and Jack are pretty close. Like, really close. There are lots of times when I wonder if you guys are actually—"
"Nonono, there's nothing between us! We're just good friends," Beth quickly said.
Rapunzel nodded to her and craned her neck to the sky endless with stars. They all quietly twinkled, as if they let her knew that they would be keeping her secret too. Beth, along with the sea of stars, they all knew her secret, one that Rapunzel couldn't bear to keep to herself anymore.
"Beth."
"Yea?"
"Do you have someone you're interested in?"
Beth widened her eyes. She blinked them and opened her lips to form words, but out was nothing.
Rapunzel wondered if it was a bad idea to ask after all. "I-I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought that up..." she said timidly.
Beth stared for a moment, before bursting out a snicker, earning a confused look from her fellow blonde
"You know what? You're like Anna. You both are really curious," the platinum blond said. The two chuckled at her statement
"So, what's your answer?"
"Nah. I don't have anyone I'm interested in. Besides, I don't need a man," Beth said proudly, taking the last sip of her tea. "And by the way, you having a relationship with Jack? I 100% support that. I'll help you try to get your man."
"You..you will?" Rap's voice slightly trembled with anxiety
"Yes I will," Beth promised with a wink.
Rapunzel let out a squeal before encircling her arms around Beth. "Thank you Beth! You're the best friend ever!" she chirped. Beth laughed and hugged her back
Rap broke the hug. "You said before that you don't need a man, huh? Oh, we'll see in the future," Rap said. The two chuckled at her joke. There's a blissful silence until Beth speak again.
"Thanks Rap, for today."
"You too! You're really great at keeping secrets. See you tomorrow at campus!" Rap waved a bye as she dropped Beth off. The blue-eyed teen waved back and entered her home. She rushed to her room before locking it. Dropping her bags near her bookshelf, she took a seat in front of her desk. She then pulled out her laptop from her backpack and turned it on
She logged in, did a few clicks, and began gliding her fingers across the keys like there's no for tomorrow. A message appeared on her screen, earning a satisfied smile to curve at the blonde's lips.
'Finally, I found it.'
She transferred the message to her mini-bracelet and turned to her laptop, then frowned. The stinging feeling still clung stubbornly to her chest, but Beth was just as selfish and ignored it.
Meanwhile, in Rapunzel's room, the girl herself slept peacefully, dreaming of roses and tea. She hoped the next day would be just as sweet.
T.D.S POV
Tapping my fingers, I waited for the transfer of folders to finish it's process, than resumed to re-complete my program.
A sound rang in my ears and I looked to see it was my phone. Under the ID that said 'T.D.T' I slid up the green button to accept the call
"Yes it's me DM. Something wrong?"
"You really need to open your laptop right now! The Nightmare is moving! It's targeting Elisabeth Mary Hospital, it's important datas and biograph, also some software programs that the surgery robots use!"
I furrowed my brows. Why would she attack a hospital? This wasn't normal. "Did you try to stop it?"
"I did T.D.S. Everyone did. But no one made it through. I was about halfway there, but it's too strong."
I grumbled. "Fine, leave the rest to me."
"I'll send it to you right away."
The ting of my laptop sounded as soon as the call ended, meaning a message did come in. I looked into the internet connection and opened the pop up message. There was a window open. It was searching for problems but the files were all corrupted.
'Dang it! Almost fifty percent data is lost! It was a good thing DM blocked the pass-way port to the surgery robot software. It's time for me to do my part.'
Swiftly, I clicked open more windows, and inserted a few passwords, keys, and formulas. Cracking my knuckles beforehand, I pressed the arrow to open my one and only prized creation. It was already in excellence even when still under construction. SIGMA
After about three or two hours programing, blocking, and attacking the virus, SIGMA had done it's job and I continued to rehabilitate the datas and biograph. I leaned to my chair and released my glasses, letting out a sigh as I closed my eyes
It irked me that the cyber attack had been increasing each passing month. I had always been careful, but now's the time for me to really slow down. This was not the best time for me to get impatient