[ Chapter 7 ]
"So what do you think, Mia?" mom asked from my desk that she was sitting on. As I did, she looked at my reflection in the mirror.
I stunned that I look this feminine to begin with, and then there was the Me in the mirror. Sure she looked like me a little behind the clear gloss that she wore on her lips and silver glitter eye shadow that painted her eyelids, but she looked like a different Me. She looked like the type that was girly and cute, outgoing and made up of sugar and spice like a normal human girl would be, as I had seen their peppy school girl type in American westernized movies.
She was very innocently young with long, intertwining curls and the middle piece of her hair pinned up into a bump that was held together by an oversized white with black polka dots bow. She looked fashionable in her oversized black and white striped sweater with purple tights and shiny black flat heel shoes. She was prettier than I thought she'd be, but then again it was mom who was dressing me. And mom never failed when it came down to fashion.
"I look so different." I finally answered, staring in bewilderment at the horns growing from my head. Somehow, they didn't look misplaced next to my curls.
"You look like the girl I thought you were going to be while I was raising you." Mom giggled from the desk. I turn to her, blink.
"I guess? But what are we going to do about my horns and ears?" I ask tugging on my odd floppy goat ears that stuck out.
"Nothing," mom tilted her head, as if it was strange that I was asking. "Why would we do anything with them?"
"Are you saying we should just leave them as they are?" I turn back into the mirror and examine my ears, still tugging on them and biting lip. The stares I'd get started to make me anxious before I even got there…
"Why not? They make you who you are and its those features I like about you most of all. They make you a RAD, plus they make you my lovely daughter." She answered.
"What's a RAD?" I look over at her in the mirror, my head tilted.
"I'll tell you later, just know for now that it makes you different from Humans." Mom's eyes grew slightly grim, as if she was remembering something bad. "Never confuse the two."
"Okay…I won't." I blink.
"Well, enough of that. If people ask, tell them that their fake and for some con or something – I read about those things in some magazine Cara was looking at. People wear costumes to those things all the time. Now," she jumped from the desk. "All your things are packed, right?"
"Okay, I will. And yep, I believe I've packed everything I need." I smile happily.
"Good, I'll go and check on Cara now – I promised that I'd do her makeup and pick out her outfit too. I'll see you later, okay sweetheart?"
"Sure thing, mom." I waved as she left.
I looked in the mirror, suddenly finding myself posing in weird, awkward poses like some wannabe model. Still, the girl in the mirror looked pretty even when she's being weird. In a sudden need to document this mysterious event where I looked so different from my regular self and liked it, I reach over to my bed, grabbing my camera. With a few steps back and a flash, I capture the Me in the mirror.
"Ready to go, kiddo?" dad asked, just as enthusiastically as I feel when I walk outside.
I nod. "Yep."
"And about you, princess?" he asks Cara. She nods her head, her side fishtail braid shaking too. "Alright! Clothes – enough for tomorrow and the next two days, pajamas, traveling activities, iCoffin, iCoffin charger, bathroom things, and traveling snacks?"
"Check." I say, tossing the heavy dark blue duffle bag around my shoulder and put my camera around my neck.
"Check, ready to go." Cara says, bouncing her orange backpack on her back.
"Okay, okay," Dad does another check, looking to see if we missed anything. "I believe we're ready to go."
"Yay, let's go!" Cara cheers.
"Alright, children, amuse the position!" Dad suddenly shouts, flopping down to the ground.
Me and Cara exchange glances and then look at him. We hear grandma laugh from the open doorway. "You can't meditate if you're standing unless you're doing some kind of yoga stance."
Mom waves from the porch. "It'll be easier if you sit."
"Um, okay?" I sit. Cara does too.
"Keep you things close, as in keep them on you at all times. Now, get into the proper meditation position!" he clasps his hands together into a prayer-like way so his fingers are straight, shutting his eyes tightly and crossing his legs.
We do the same. I feel my eyebrow lift in disbelief.
"What are we doing?" Cara complains. "We look silly…"
"Shush," dad scolds. "We all need to concentrate if we're going to teleport as a team."
I take a deep breath, blocking out their voices. I try to imagine a white room, filled only with me. Everything becomes silent and still.
"Alright sweetie, good job." Dad voice echoes in my head. "Now I need you to think only about Japan and nothing else, okay?"
I nod. "Okay." I say in my head.
"Did you hear that, Cara?" dad's voice continues to echo.
"Got it." Her voice echoes in my head too.
"…You're doing great girls…now think of the place where Dakota lives."
"Where does Dakota live?" Cara says out loud, breaking both mine and dad's concentration.
I open one of my eyelids. "He lives in an apartment."
"Just think Dakota's apartment, that should do." Dad says, opening one of his eyelids too.
"Okay!" she says seriously and closes her eyes again.
Me and dad exchange a glance and trade a smile. Somehow, Cara was so cute.
Again I close my eyes, try to focus. Dakota's apartment…Dakota's apartment...Dakota's apart-
"You can open your eyes now, sweetie." I hear dad's voice.
I open my eyes and suddenly see a grey-ish wall. I blink. "Where are we?"
"Stand up and see." He smiles down at me.
I stand and gasp. My hands grab the dark brown rail between the grey-ish half-wall and the next. "Oh my ghoul, we're here!"
Cara catches my attention from the parking lot, waving her arm in the air frantically. "Look!"
I giggle, waving back excitedly. Dad's hand falls to my shoulder. When I look up at him, he gives me a wink. "Come on, kiddo." He yells down to Cara.
She nods and goes stomping up the provided grey-ish steps. I hug her when she crashes into me, laughing breathlessly.
"Alright you two, calm down." Dad says to us as he knocks on the pale purple-grey door labeled 6 in silver. Me and Cara exchange a look.
"Hello?" the door peeks open. Through the peek I see Faith's glowing orange-brown caramel colored face and mixed mocha brown and chestnut hair. Her oily pink-peach lips curl into a smile, revealing the dimples in her cheeks and sharp fangs as her black eyes find mine. "Mia! Cara and Jin too, it's been so long."
I embrace her, receiving her warm, strong hug. I find myself smiling too. "It has. I've missed your raw diced *Kelpie Cubes with green peppers and spicy Blood Sauce."
"Well I've missed your *newt legs with sprinkled on spicy chili pepper." Cara says, hugging Faith back just as tight.
"No way, your Greek pizza was the best." Dad says, hugging Faith back as well.
"Your old man is right, the Greek pizza was best – especially when it was burnt and made with extra cheese." Rocco says, leaning against the doorway. "And hey, long time no see."
My face turns red. He's as handsome as he's always been. "Hey." I wave shyly, looking away.
"Hi Rocco," says Cara energetically as she goes over to hug him next. He stumbled back, accepting her hug. "I missed you."
"You two, little sis." He grins, also showing sharp, pointy fangs.
"Why don't you all come in." Faith says, nodding to the open door. "And I see you brought bags, are you visiting Japan?"
I look down, blushing even redder as I grab my bags and follow everyone inside. "Sorry I forgot to call Dakota back last night so he could ask you…"
"Oh, I see. Well, it's fine. You guys are welcome anytime." Faith smiles, then to her oldest son she says, "Rocco, mind getting the bags?"
"Sure why not." He takes my heavy dark blue duffle bag and Cara's bright orange backpack. "Where to?"
"Hmmm…let's go with my room for now, but you can sit Mia's things in Dakota's things for now, that alright with you, Mia?"
I nod. "S-Sure."
"Alright." Rocco says, sliding open one of the screen doors and entering what I'm guessing is Faith's room. Dad follows with his things.
"So what is it you girls would like to eat? We don't have much, but I'm sure you're hungry after such a long trip." Faith says going over to a wooden closet and falling to her knees to look for something.
"*Newt legs with sprinkled spicy chili pepper!" Cara says, running over to where she is.
Faith giggles, pulling out what looks like a radio-stove. I stare at it, my head tilted.
"What's that?" I ask, going over to stand next to Cara.
"A stove," Faith says standing. "You sort of have to plug it in."
"Cool!" Cara examines her eyes wide with curiosity. "And what's that?" she points to what looks like a well-folded oversize cover.
"It's what's called a Japanese futon bed. It's what most people use as a bed."
"Cool," Cara repeats, pulling it out.
"Cara, don't do that!" I try to scold her.
"It's fine, dear. I don't mind." Faith smiles, plugging up the odd square stove and a rice cooker.
Cara sticks out her tongue at me as she continues to unfold the rectangular pillow-like mattress bed. I look at its creamy white with pink flowers design. "It's pretty." I blink.
"Mm," Faith glances at us and back to the kitchen appliances. "It is, that one's mine, but you can use it, Mia."
"Are you sure?" I ask as she stands.
"Yes, dear, I'm sure. Now I'll be back, alright? It appears I need to go and get some food for diner." She says, slipping on her wedges black flip-flops.
I nod. "Okay, see you when you get back."
"Alright, bye." She closes the door.
"Cara, what are you doing? I can't leave you alone for one second, can I?" dad says when he reenters the room.
"Mrs. Wolf said it was fine…" Cara's cheeks grow red as she puffs them up. I giggle.
"Faith will say anything is fine as long as you don't break anything." Rocco says, folding the futon mattress back up and restoring it to its space against the wall.
"Hey Rocco…" I say quietly, feeling guilty as I look up at him.
"Yeah, what's up?" he blinks down at me.
I look around, realizing how small the apartment is. Everything is piled on top of something and it's so crammed that there's barely enough room for all of us. "…how many rooms does this apartment have?"
"Just the one and the living room. Why?" he asks, going over to the see-through sliding side door. A fresh breeze flows through the room.
"Is it really okay for us to stay here?" I ask faintly, looking at the wooden floor.
"I was wondering that myself actually." Dad says, his tone just as guilty as mine.
Rocco shrugs. "It should be fine. I'm going to sleep over at a girl's house and I'm sure dad won't turn up till around four in the morning or so. I can just tell Kris to stay at a friend, that way it'll only be you three, Faith, and Dakota."
"But…that's not fair of us just to come and make everyone uncomfortable just because we're guest. We don't have the right to just invade like this…" I say, now biting my lip.
Rocco sighs, his hand finding my shoulder. He sits on his ankles, gives me a warm smile. "I said it was fine, didn't I? Don't worry about it."
I lift my eyes to him. "But still-"
"It'll be fine, kid." He says softly, head-butts me gently. I flinch back, shutting my eyes tightly like it hurt. "I'll see you guys around though, can't keep my mistress waiting." He stands.
"Mistress?" he says, his eyebrow lifted and arms folded. "Young man…"
"Sorry pops, but I'll never change." Rocco says smoothly and playfully, flashing a cool grin.
"I guess you won't." dad cracks a half-smile.
"Later." Rocco offers a nod and leaps from the balcony.
Me and Cara run to the balcony and look down as he appears from the brushes, brushing himself off. Dad joins us. "Hasn't your mother told you to act semi-normal?" he calls out.
"That's no fun, I rather keep things interesting!" he calls back before turning around and continuing to run off.
"That kid…" dad shakes his head worriedly. "Never fall for someone like him, you hear me girls?"
Cara nods, now going to sit on the futon. "Alright dad." She sings.
I giggle, making no promises. "But that's no fun." I repeat Rocco's words.
"I better call your mother to tell her that we arrived safely. I'll be back, girls." Dad slides the see-through baloney door closed and walks outside to the front of the apartment.
I yawn, flopping down to the futon. I fall back dramatically and close my eyes. "I'm so sleepy, and Dakota isn't even here yet. I hope I can stay awake…"
"Mm," Cara agrees in a hum and falls back to. "Me too."
"Cara, Mia, it's time to wake up. I made rice and small steaks. Come on girls, dinner is ready." I hear a voice, gentle and like my mom's, very kind and subtle.
Suddenly everything starts to shake like an earthquake in my head and black fades as my eyes open slightly. I feel my head shake as they close, erasing the blurry figure. "Still sleepy…" I hear myself mumble.
"Leave them; I can eat their share of food."
I sit up suddenly, squinting my eyes open to a lively, well-lit room full of people. Although everything is blurry, I spot Dakota instantly. "Kota, your home."
"Yo." He says.
I try to wipe the sleep from my eyes with the sleeve to my oversized sweater. Again, I yawn, this time much more widely. "What time is it?"
"Late noon, around six or so. When I got home you two were fast asleep and Jin was watching TV. He said to leave you as you were." Faith's voice finds my ears. It's as melodic as someone singing a nursery lullaby.
"I see," I attempt to nod. "Dinner smells good."
"Thanks, sweetie." She smiles.
I look over at Cara, who's still sleeping soundly. "Cara, get up." I try to shake her.
"It's alright, let her sleep. I'll just put her food in the fridge." Faith says.
I see dad stand. "Mind if I put her in your room for now?"
"Go ahead." Faith moves so dad can pick Cara up.
She snorts as he lifts her, snoring like a pig. I smile, amused. Faith allows a quiet giggle. "So she still does that, huh?"
"Sometimes, but not often." Jin nods as he slides open the door to the other room.
"Come, Mia dear, why don't you join us?" Faith stands.
I do too. "Kay."
I flop down to the provided purple pillow-shaped seat. I blink, letting my eyes adjust. Across from me I see a boy, his hair the color of a seasonal platinum blonde and his eyes slanted and dark. His skin is a peach-olive white and freckles cover the area across his nose.
He smiles, "Konnichiwa, Kawaii Mia-chan."
I blink, nodding my head and trying to recognize his face. I draw a blank. "W-Who are you again?"
He frowns, putting up his elbow on the table so he can rest his chin to his palm. He leans forward, narrowing his eyes. "That's so cruel of you, Kawaii Mia-chan. And here I thought you'll know who I was."
I blink at the silver cross earring in his ear. "Sorry…"
Dakota chuckles. I look over at him, asking the same question in my eyes. "That's Mina-kun."
"I told you not to call me that!" the boy glares at Dakota, his face turning pink. "It's Minami."
"Hai, hai, gomen, wife-chan." Dakota grins.
"Ah!" my eyes widen. "You're Minami!"
He glances back to me, his eyes wide and blinking. "Hai, Mia-chan."
A wide smile sketches my lips. "It's nice to meet you." My voice sounds perky, delightful like a Normie girl.
He smiles too, his eyes closing as he flashes a peace sign. "Yo." His lips shape the letter O.
"Sure took you long enough." Dakota states, taking a bite of his steak.
"S-Sorry…" I look down shyly.
Faith sits a plate down in front of. I look up at her; she gives me a warm smile. "It's alright, Mia. Ignore him. He's a little snappy today because you forgot to call. He was worried that you weren't going to come and visit him since he's been missing you so very much."
My face turns an intense red as I look down at the plate of food. "R-Really, is that so?"
"Mom, not cool." Dakota's fist bang on the table.
I glance up at him; his face is red too. He looks at me, eyebrow raised as he looks away. "Whatever."
"Ah," Minami smiles, his head turning from me to Dakota. "What is this? Are you two secretly dating?"
My shoulders hunch at the thought, I feel my face heat even more. "D-Dating? We couldn't possibly be…"
"Baka," Dakota give's Minami a good slap to the back of the head. "We're not dating."
"Meanie…who dare you abuse your loving wife like this?" Minami looks away, his lips frowning slightly.
"Loving wife?" Faith says, her eyebrow lifted.
"Ignore it, it's nothing, Faith." Dakota goes back to eating.
"We got married a few days ago, see." Minami holds out his hand, showing Faith a golden ring that's on his hand. I gasp, eyes widening. Dakota chokes on his food.
"Where did you get that?" he says, pounding a fist to his chest.
"It was a prize in one of my cereal boxes. Looks real doesn't it?" Minami pulls his hand away and rests his chin to his palm again, using his other hand to scoop a spoonful of rice in his mouth.
Faith begins to laugh before anyone can say anything. "How cute," she says to Dakota. "To think you were worried about meeting new friends here. I'd say you've found a really loyal one."
"Yeah, I guess." Dakota looks down at his food, continuing to eat.
A smile finds my face as I realize that he's not lonely anymore. He now has someone he can call his friend who isn't me.
I think of Kim and Azreal, Ghoulia too along with Frankie, Abbey, and Draculaura.
I too now have other people I can call my friends.