The story kicks off on a peaceful night outside at The Burnt Bean, and it's totally vibing. Luis is skateboarding with Lucy hanging on, and Fangs, Lucy's pet bat, is flapping along behind them.
"Hurry up, Luis! We're gonna be late!" Lucy called out, her voice brimming with excitement as she clung to her boyfriend while he zoomed ahead on his board.
Just then, inside Bertrand bangs his skull gavel, cutting through the chatter. "Good evening, fellow members of the Morticians Club! I've called this meeting because I have, like, totally terrible news!" The Morticians Club falls silent, pondering the weight of his words, just as Lucy and Luis settle into their seats. "Oh, no, no, no! Don't get too excited! The terrible news is that my dad took a job as a lifeguard on the S.S. Fun Times Party Cruise!"
He dramatically plays a sad tune on his keyboard, "And since I can't legally separate from them, I have to move with my suntanned family." He plays again, and the club members watch with somber expressions, reflecting on his plight, "Thank you, dear friends, but please, let's not dwell on my misfortune! Instead, we must focus on something even more important!" He strikes a heroic pose at the piano, "Who will replace me as president?"
"Gasp!" Everyone exclaimed in unison.
Lucy shoots a look over to Luis, giving him a playful nudge. Flashing an "YOU GOT THIS" gesture to her boyfriend.
Luis rolled his eyes dramatically, flashing an "Oh stop" gesture to his girlfriend Lucy, as if the very lightness of her presence threatened to pierce the depths of his somber existence. WHATEVER.
"I have, however, already chosen my successor. In my dark heart, I believe he has truly earned this morbid honor." Lucy let out a delighted gasp, while Luis felt a wave of dread; he and Bertrand were the only boys in this shadowy realm, "So please, welcome our new president...Luis," Bertrand announced, his voice echoing like a haunting whisper through the gloom.
"Eeeee! You guys, I can't believe it! This is like, the best day ever!" Lucy squeals, practically bouncing on her feet. Luis, however, trudges up to the podium with a scowl, his mood totally opposite to hers. Bertrand, trying to lighten the vibe, hands him the gavel and asks, "Luis, do you accept?"
"So utterly unexpected, yet an honor I shall embrace. Besides, this skeletal gavel is delightfully sinister." Luis declared, striking the gavel with an eerie resonance. A hush fell over the room, and in that stillness, Bertrand's mind began to spiral into dark realizations.
"Apologies." Bertrand said, his voice dripping with a melancholic tone as he pressed his fingers delicately over the keyboard.
The club members clapped softly, their applause echoing in the dimly lit room.
XXXXX
-A couple days after Bertrand moving away at Royal Woods Elementary: The Morticians Club room-
Luis, clad in his dark attire, gathered the Morticians club members with a brooding aura, "Hey, my fellow lovers of the macabre." He began, his voice laced with an eerie excitement. "As I step into the shadows of the presidency, I've been plotting something that will thrill our dark-hearted souls. I'm organizing a field trip to Casket Con. Embrace the darkness with me; it'll be a hauntingly good time."
"Gasp." Everyone said.
"Really? Tickets are like, impossibly elusive." Haiku said, her voice dripping with dramatic flair as she twirled a strand of black hair.
"Bertrand once whispered about organizing a field trip for us, but with his departure, it seems that ghost has been laid to rest. So now, it falls upon me to conjure this outing from the shadows." Luis remarked, his voice a low, somber tone.
He lifted a tarnished silver tray, darkly glinting in the dim light, "I dared to sift through our suggestion box, and at the request of the enigmatic Persephone, we shall serve funeral potatoes at every gathering. It's a recipe from my big brother Johnny—it's to die for in more ways than one." he added with a sardonic grin, as he embraced the dark charm of it all.
Persephone smirked, her dark eyeliner framing her eyes like shadows, "Well, I tossed that suggestion into the abyss ages ago. Can't say I'm shocked it was dredged up from the depths."
Luis then gestures dramatically towards Lucy, who glides forward with a mysterious air. She reveals a drawing of Mortician's Club capes, the fabric dark and whimsical.
"Matching capes could be a vibe." Luis muses, his eyes gleaming with a hint of mischief, "If that tickles your fancy, Lucy's sister Leni could weave her dark magic into the design for us."
"Oh~" whispered Haiku, her voice dripping with a dark allure, as Persephone lingered in the shadows, a ghostly figure of elegance and mystery.
"I managed to hoard some club funds for the Mortician club by beseeching my brother Tommy for a new keyboard." Luis declared, fingers dancing over the keys, producing a haunting melody.
The rest of the club applauded, though it felt more like a requiem.
"Finally, to wrap things up, I stumbled upon Principal Huggins in tears, delivering morose tidings. You all remember our school mascot, Ricky the Rooster?" Luis inquired, his eyes darkened with a hint of drama.
"With that fractured waddle, the hollow thrum of your artificial heart, and the dark grip of gout?" Lucy said, her voice dripping with a somber curiosity.
"Indeed. Principal Huggins delivered the somber news that Ricky the rooster has departed this realm, ascending to the great barn in the sky." Luis said, a shadow of melancholy veiling his features.
"I'm utterly heartbroken for his loss." Persephone lamented, her voice dripping with melancholy, shadows dancing in her gaze.
"As am I. I proposed that the Morticians Club host a dark, somber funeral for Ricky, to pay homage to his shadowy spirit. I mean, I'm the president now, so I thought it was only fitting to bring it up during our meeting today." Luis said, his voice dripping with melancholic enthusiasm.
"Really? That'd be utterly fantastic." Lucy replied, her voice dripping with a haunting enthusiasm.
"It truly would." Persephone added, a shadow of intrigue crossing her face. "It might give Principal Huggins some much-needed closure in this bleak existence."
Fangs spirals through the dim air, finally resting atop Luis's head like a dark crown. Luis smirks with a hint of melancholy, "So it comes to this. We shall grant Ricky the somber farewell he truly deserves."
With a dramatic flair, Haiku raised her hand, "I just wanted to share that I can take the club for a ride in my hearse. It's the perfect vessel for our shadowy adventures."
Luis smirked, a shadow of amusement flickering across his face, 'Pfft, it's merely her parents' dreary station wagon, cloaked in black despair.'
He surveyed the dimly lit room, his voice low and enigmatic, "Well, if that's all, I suppose this gathering of the lost souls has reached its end." With a dramatic flourish, he slammed the gavel and let his fingers dance over the keyboard, summoning echoes of haunting melodies.
The rest of the club erupted into applause, their appreciation reverberating like whispers in the night.
Haiku and Persephone drift into the shadows, their ethereal forms fading away. Luis and Lucy linger in the dusk, shrouded in a veil of melancholy, lost in the depths of their thoughts.
Lucy smirked, her dark bangs hide her piercing gaze, "This is utterly fantastic, Luis. Today marked your inaugural day as the Morticians Club president, and I can hardly contain my anticipation for what macabre wonders you'll conjure next."
Luis smirked darkly, "I'm merely existing in my own shadow, not sure if I'm fit for this dark throne, but Bertrand chose me before his departure into the abyss. I shall endeavor to be the best wraith of a president I can."
XXXXX
-Time to The Velazquest House: Sunday-
Luis rose with the dawn, the chill of an oppressive silence wrapping around him like a shroud as he descended into the shadowy depths of the kitchen. He moved with the caution of a ghost, each footfall delicate as if the very air itself might stir the slumbering family from their dreams. In the dim light, he poured himself a bowl of cereal, the mundane act somehow stark against the backdrop of his thoughts. He sank into the solitude of the table, his gaze drawn to the puzzle on the back of the box, where fragments of a scene beckoned to be pieced together.
Today was laden with the promise of something—though what, he could not yet say.
Just last month, Lana had stumbled upon a film about skateboarding, a flicker of inspiration igniting her desire to weave through concrete jungles on four wheels. She had invested in a board and a grim membership to the skate park, dedicating her afternoons to mastering this art.
But alas, she was a mere shadow of the skater she aspired to be.
Luis had ventured to the park himself on that forlorn Tuesday afternoon, curiosity leading him down a path he hadn't expected.
-Flashback-
"Lana?" he called, his voice echoing with a hint of dark amusement as he turned just in time to witness her board skittering away, leaving her to plummet ungracefully onto the unforgiving asphalt.
"Ouch!" Lana huffed, rubbing her elbow as she picked herself up. She quickly grabbed her skateboard, determined to try again. With a deep breath, she hopped back on, but wobbling a bit too much, she lost her balance and went tumbling down again, "Dang it! Why is this so hard?!" she exclaimed, frustration written all over her face.
Luis observed her for what felt like an eternity—five minutes, but time stretched in the dim light, and her attempts were a spectacular disaster, like the aftermath of a forgotten tragedy. Finally, with a heavy sigh that seemed to echo through the shadows, he murmured, "She needs assistance." By some dark twist of fate, Luis was a master skateboarder, one of the few rays of exhilaration in his otherwise brooding existence.
He drifted over and lifted Lana from the ground, his voice laced with a mysterious charm, "Not too shabby," he intoned, "You just need a touch of dark magic... a little spit and polish to unveil the hidden potential beneath."
"I totally suck at skateboarding!" Lana groaned, frustrated, "I mean, how hard can it be? I just wanted to impress the guys!"
"No, you don't." Luis said, "Tell you what. Meet me here Sunday morning and I'll give you a few pointers."
"Oh yeah! You skateboard, thanks a million for helping me out!" Lana exclaimed, with her usual excitement.
Luis brushed his fingers through Lana's golden locks, his expression a mix of annoyance and affection, "Not an issue, Lana."
He had plans to wander through the urban abyss with Lucy on Sunday, so he reached out, inviting her to join him in an attempt to conquer the enigmatic art of skateboarding. On Thursday, while wrestling with the mechanics of Lynn's bike—an eternal, grim task—Ronnie Anne appeared, her voice slicing through the stillness like a ghostly whisper, "Want to hang out on Sunday?" she inquired.
"Sorry, got other shadows to chase." Luis replied, a hint of melancholy in his tone.
"What plans?" Ronnie Anne asked, crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow, "You better not be messing with me!"
Luis told her, and she shrugged, "Okay, I'll tag along. I was gonna check out that skate park anyway."
"Oh, how delightfully bold of you to insert yourself into my solitude, RA. Such audacity in the shadows." Luis chuckled.
Presently Luis slumped back in his chair, the shadows of the room wrapping around him like a shroud. Setting the box of cereal aside, he took a slow bite, contemplating the darker corners of his thoughts. "Time to summon Lucy and Ronnie Anne from the depths of their mundane existence," he muttered to himself.
With a flicker of his fingers, he tapped out a message to them, the glow of his phone illuminating his pale features. Just a moment passed before their replies began to trickle in—faster than he'd expected, as if they were eagerly escaping into a world draped in the allure of the unknown.
-Hey, are you coming to pick me up, Lame-O? What's taking so long?-
-I'll go fetch Lana, and we'll convene at my front porch, Lou. It'll be delightfully eerie, just how I like it!-
"Ronnie wants me to pick her up?" Luis asked, his voice dripping with a hint of exasperation, "Sigh, she resides in the bleak, shadowy corner of the world, the complete opposite direction of the skate park. Why must fate conspire against me?" He contemplated the absurdity of it all, "Whatever. I suppose I'll endure the journey to gather Lana and Lucy, and then I must brave the dark abyss to retrieve Ronnie Anne."
Ten minutes later, Luis slipped out of the house, dragging Lucy and Lana into the murky embrace of the morning. The air was thick and warm, almost suffocating, while a ghostly haze clung to everything like lingering shadows in a forgotten graveyard. The only sound that dared to break the somber silence was the melancholic rattle of AC units, echoing like whispers of lost souls in the streets. Ronnie's apartment loomed in the distance, a dark sanctuary amidst the city's bright chaos, requiring a grim pilgrimage through the urban sprawl.
XXXXX
In a far-off galaxy, a man in a flashy outfit floats dramatically into view.
"Hola, amigos of the universe! It's me, Ernesto Estrella!" he exclaims, waving his arms with flair. "And today, I'm about to unveil... ¡Tu destino!" Cards swirl around him as he strikes a pose, bright eyes sparkling with excitement. "Get ready for an adventure like no other!"
Ernesto's name pops up on the screen, and all of this is a show Rosa Ronnie Anne's grand mother is watching. Ronnie Anne is at the table eating chips and dip.
"Ronnie Anne, ven, ven. You've got to watch my favorite astrologer with me! It's going to be so much fun!" Rosa said, her excitement bubbling over.
"I'm not really into horoscopes." Ronnie Anne said, crossing her arms.
"Come on, mija! Just give it a chance! Ernesto is super accurate. He predicted I'd have two kids, a cozy house, and a charming husband." Rosa insisted, her eyes sparkling.
"Alright, let's hear what he has to say." Ronnie Anne shrugged, rolling her eyes a bit.
Ernesto Estrella appeared with a dramatic flair, a flame popping into his hand before he clapped it out, "Today, I'm talking about the fire sign!"
Rosa waved excitedly for Ronnie Anne to join her, "Ooh, Ronalda, that's you!"
Reluctantly, Ronnie Anne plopped down next to her.
Ernesto flew in on a blue moon, looking all mystical, "With the moon and a sand house, today is super special for fire signs! Look at these fiery symbols for Aries, Sagittarius, and Leo!" They zoomed across the screen like it was an action movie, "Today, they will find love!" The word LOVE flared up on screen in bright, flaming letters, "Es, tu destino!"
Rosa clapped her hands, practically bouncing in her seat, "Oh my gosh! I met your Abuelo when I was your age!"
Ronnie Anne just smirked, shaking her head. "Sorry to burst your bubble, Abuela, but I'm not finding love today—unless it's with this delicious dip!" She snagged a chip and dipped it with a grin.
XXXXX
"Luis, Lana, and Lucy burst into the Casagrande Corner Market and Apartment, with Lana practically bouncing with excitement.
"We're here! We made it!" Lana shouted, her eyes sparkling, "Look at this super cute little store! It's totally awesome!"
"Bodega, Lana. It's simply a bodega." Luis murmured, his voice dripping with an air of eerie melancholy, "A realm of shadows and whispers, where the mundane intertwines with the macabre."
"Bodega?" Lana asked, tilting her head with a puzzled look, "What's that, like a fancy word for a convenience store or something?"
"It's a quaint little grocery store, nestled in a neighborhood where Spanish whispers dance through the air." Lucy mused, her voice dripping with a mysterious allure, "It's almost like a sanctuary for the shadows, where secrets linger among the shelves."
Luis hoisted Lana onto his back, her laughter echoing in the dimly lit passage as Lucy trailed behind them like a reluctant shadow.
As they crossed the threshold, Luis surveyed the stark entrance. It was more of a dreary stairwell than a welcoming lobby, an ominous stairway spiraling upward into uncertainty. Beside the door loomed a faded index, the letters barely legible in the gloom.
"Ronnie is supposed to be lurking on the fourth floor, apartment 2A." Luis muttered, his voice cool and detached, and ascended the stairs with the grace of an apparition.
When they reached the hallway, a cacophony of voices shattered the oppressive silence. Initially, he thought it might be a chaotic dispute—a battle of words among the souls trapped in the space. But as they approached, he realized it wasn't rancor; it was just a few women animatedly sharing stories, their spirited interaction a stark contrast to the somber atmosphere around them.
"Frida?" A woman called out with a frustrated tone, "I still can't find it! Can you please check your pouches again?"
"I keep telling you, it's not in my pencil— oh, wait! Never mind, I found it!" Frida replied, her voice brightening as she fished the camera out.
The two women met in the hallway, with one handing over the camera like it was a precious treasure. Luis couldn't shake the feeling that he recognized one of them from somewhere.
"Oh, hey there!" the woman said, noticing them with a friendly smile. "Wait a second! Aren't you new here?!"
"I'm Lana Loud! And this is my awesome big sis Lucy and our buddy Luis Velazquest! We're part of Ronnie's crew!" Lana exclaimed with her usual enthusiasm.
"Lana, remember not to share your name with just anyone." Lucy interjected, rolling her eyes but smiling at her sister's energy.
"Um." Luis hesitantly pushed his white hair back, "Greetings. Is, uh, Ronnie Anne in this shadowy realm?"
As soon as she heard her name, the girl zipped into the hallway, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Luis!" Ronnie shouted, racing down the hallway and throwing herself into a hug, "I'm totally stoked you're here! Are you ready to crush it at the skatepark?"
'R-R-Ronnie Anne?! What in Hades handbag is happening here?' Luis pondered darkly, "Y-Yes, it should be... interesting." he intoned, gesturing to Lucy and Lana, his voice dripping with irony. He hoped desperately that Ronnie Anne would release her grip, allowing him to escape the gaze of his girlfriend and her little sister, who were both watching with wide eyes.
"Oh, that's awesome!" Ronnie Anne said, pulling away from the hug with a grin, "We'll totally teach you girls how to shred like pros, right, Luis?"
"Ronnie?" her mom stepped in, giving her a look, "It's not polite to leave your friends hanging without an intro."
"Does Ronnie Anne have a friend over?" Rosa shouted from the kitchen, "Come on in! We can eat!"
"Ugh, fine!" Ronnie Anne rolled her eyes as she dragged the goth boy into the room, a whole squad of new faces trailing behind them, "Alright, everyone, this is my family. This is my mom, Maria. This is my grandma, Abuela Rosa. And this is my aunt, Frida Casagrande, and her daughter, my cousin Carlota. And everyone, meet Luis—"
"Your boyfriend!" Frida exclaimed, clearly way too excited about it as she snapped a picture.
Both skaters quickly shot back, "He's not my boyfriend!" in perfect unison, a mix of embarrassment and annoyance on their faces.
"She doesn't dwell in the shadows of my heart. She's not my mistress of the night."
"Yeah, he's—" Lana started, but before she could finish, a gigantic dog came barreling in and leaped onto Luis, showering him with slobbery kisses. The sudden jolt sent Lana tumbling off his shoulders like a ragdoll! "Whoa, hey! Watch it, furball!" she exclaimed, brushing herself off and trying to regain her balance.
Luis chuckles darkly as the dog whimsically licks at him, the absurdity of the moment contrasting sharply with the shadows that surround him.
Ronnie Anne shoots a fierce glare at the dog and shouts, "Lalo! Get off him, you goofy pup!"
Lana bursts out laughing at Luis, her voice playful and teasing, "Look, Luis! Lalo's just like you! Can I pet him, Ronnie? Pretty please?" She bounces on her feet, excitement bubbling over as she pleads for a chance to give the adorable creature some love.
Ronnie Anne finally manages to get Lalo off of Luis, and he stands up all disheveled with his hair sticking up like a total mess from all the slobber, "Okay, okay, you can pet Lalo, but just be super gentle, alright? Lalo, you better behave yourself!"
Ronnie Anne spoke in a hurried torrent, her words swirling like shadows in the night, leaving Luis momentarily dazed. Her family was small, a stark contrast to the chaotic throng of the Louds. And then there was that formidable guard dog, a dark sentinel perfect for fending off the specter of an unwelcome intruder. A twisted sort of utility, but in this world, one needed every advantage amidst the darkness.
Lucy coughed delicately into her fist, "Uh." Her voice had a haunting quality as she spoke first, "It's... dreadfully nice to meet you all, but we..."
"Hey, have I seen you before, Luis?" Carlota said, a curious look on her face, "I could've sworn I spotted you somewhere! It feels like our paths must've crossed!"
Luis gazed at Carlota through heavy-lidded eyes, a hint of melancholy in his voice, "Perhaps... Ronnie shared some wretched photo of me?" he replied, shrouded in an air of enigmatic uncertainty.
"No, no! Wait a minute," Rosa exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with recognition, "I think I know you from somewhere too! So, where have we seen you before? This is bugging me!"
Luis felt a chill course through him, the weight of countless gazes pressing down, save for Lana, who seemed lost in her own world, affectionately rubbing the dog's belly. He turned to his friend, who was eyeing him with a look that suggested both disbelief and curiosity.
With a furrowed brow, Luis pieced it together, "Ah, I see... It's about the wrestling tournament I signed up for with Ronnie in Great Lake City, isn't it?" His voice carried an air of dark amusement, a contrast to the apprehension swirling in the room.
Then Carlota's eyes lit up, and she exclaimed, "Oh wait, I totally remember now!" She put her hands on her hips, striking a dramatic pose, and said, "You were at the pizza shop with Ronnie and La Tormenta! I can't believe I didn't realize it sooner!" Her excitement was infectious as she bounced on her toes, practically bursting with the newfound revelation.
Luis blinked slowly, a shadow of a smile tugging at his lips, "Best pizza in the city, they say. My older brother Johnny always envied that." He glanced away, as if the brightness of the world was too much to bear.
Rosa strolled over to the kids with her usual warmth, a playful smile dancing on her lips, "Well, look at you little munchkins! After that long trek, I bet you're all as hungry as a pack of wolves!"
"I could totally eat!" Lana exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as she looked around for something tasty. "I'm starving!"
Luis's stomach growled.
"I had, like, this dark little offering of lunch for Luis—" Lucy's voice trailed off, as if swallowed by the abyss of interruption.
"I can always tell when someone in this house is hungry!" Rosa said, hands on her hips with a knowing smile.
With a flourish, she set the kids down at the table, the aroma of her delicious cooking filling the air, "Alright, everyone! Get ready for a feast that'll make your taste buds dance!"
Ronnie Anne stammered, "But, but-"
Rosa shot her a smile, "Sit." She plopped Lucy down and started pulling out some kitchenware and food for her granddaughter and her friends, "If you want, you can come over, and I could cook for you every day."
Ronnie Anne gave a totally unenthusiastic fake smile, "Oh yeah, that'd be great, but they live on the other side of Royal Woods, so it'd be a long—"
"Forgive me for breaking this moment of darkness, but... do you possess any hot sauce?" Luis interjected, his voice dripping with an almost morose curiosity.
Rosa beamed, her grin stretching from ear to ear, "Oh, definitely! Here's some of my hottest hot sauce! You ever catch a cold? Just slap some of this on your food, and it'll clear your sinuses faster than you can say '¡Ay caramba!'" As she poured the fiery sauce on Luis's meal, it erupted like a little flavor volcano, sending a splash everywhere, "Oops! Guess we went a bit overboard!"
"Um, aren't we meant to be haunting the skate park to aid Lana?" Lucy asked, her voice dripping with an air of dark curiosity.
"It's all good, Lucy!" Lana said with a wave of her hand, "We'll grab some grub first, then it's off to the skate park! Plus, have you seen how much that park food costs? No way!"
Ronnie Anne was about to jump in with her own comment, but Rosa and Carlota grabbed her and pulled her towards Carlota's room.
Rosa closed the door behind them, "It's a sign! Ernesto's prediction is already coming true."
Ronnie Anne looked seriously doubtful, "You mean Luis? Yeah, right! Listen, Abuela, we're just friends."
Carlota smirked. "You say that, but Abuelo and Abuela used to be 'just friends' too, before they fell in love."
"Maybe you just need a makeover? So Luis can see you as more? Carlota, give Ronnie Anne a makeover!" Rosa exclaimed.
Ronnie Anne's eyes went wide, "What?"
Carlota cheered loudly, "Finally! We'll start by throwing out all of these clothes." She tugged on Ronnie Anne's outfit, "I usually donate, but nobody's gonna want these."
Ronnie Anne panicked a little, "Hey! I like my clothes!"
Carlota chuckled nervously, "Oh, see, I didn't mean it like that. You just have a really... unique look. It's kinda rugged, but—" She started rummaging through he's wardrobe, "Check it out! I found some really cute outfits at the thrift store for you." She held up a purple and black outfit. "I even found them in purple!"
Ronnie Anne backed up, "Thanks, but—" Suddenly she got pulled in close by Carlota, "Whoa!"
-Later-
Ronnie Anne stood there, wearing a black miniskirt with purple stripes and a dark purple one-shoulder shirt that was way out of her comfort zone.
"Ooh! Now you're gonna get Luis's attention!" Carlota smirked at her.
Ronnie Anne felt super uncomfortable in the new look, "Uh, Carlota, this isn't really my—"
Carlota grabbed a perfume, "Here. This covers up the mothball smell." She sprayed it on Ronnie Anne, who coughed from the fumes, "Alright, let's wax our legs!"
Ronnie Anne clutched her leg in fear, "Wait, what? No way!"
XXXXX
Back in the living room, Luis, Lucy, and Lana are crammed full from Rosa's culinary creations.
Luis leans back against the couch, a wave of heaviness settling in his stomach like a dark cloud. He draws a deep breath, his black-painted nails resting on his belly as he lets out a dramatic sigh. "Ah, the vessel of despair is at capacity." he murmurs, the hint of a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.
Lucy clutched her stomach, her pale face slightly paling even more, "Ugh... this wretched feeling... I believe I'm cursed with a stomachache," she groaned, a dark velvet cloak wrapped around her as if to shield herself from the world's cruelty.
"Same here! Hold on a sec." She lets out a loud burp right in Luis's face and grins, "Just made some room for one more bite!" Lana giggles and digs back into her food, clearly enjoying every delicious moment.
Luis chuckles darkly, "Ah, a most splendid burp, Lana. It echoes like a whispered secret in the night."
"I've got a classic Casagrande remedy for that!" Rosa exclaimed with a playful grin. She licked her finger dramatically, then added, "...and stick it right in your bellybutton!" She chuckled, her eyes twinkling with mischief, "Trust me, it works like a charm!"
Lucy leaps from her seat and hides behind Luis. In a voice dripping with sarcastic theatricality, she says, "Oh, how peculiar! I'm suddenly feeling an inexplicable surge of… wellness!"
Ronnie Anne comes back to the group limping after leaves Carlota's room after having her leg waxed, "Ow, ow, ow."
Luis gazes at Ronnie Anne, his dark eyeliner accentuating his pale complexion, "Greetings, Ronnie Anne. I must say, you're looking intriguing today. Is that a new ensemble you're wearing?"
Lucy cast a sideways glance at Ronnie Anne, who stood there looking like a radiant specter in her new outfit. The sight struck Lucy as surreal; Ronnie Anne, dressed in that impractical skirt, was about as suited for skateboarding as a raven in a cat's cradle. It was baffling. After all, Lucy had opted for shorts today, practical and free, suited for the chaotic dance of wheels against pavement.
But a darker thought twisted in her mind—what was with the hug between Ronnie Anne and Luis? She recalled how Luis had mentioned their friendship, that simple, innocent bond. Was Ronnie Anne catching feelings, possibly weaving a web of emotions around him? The very notion made Lucy's insides churn like a storm-tossed sea. What if Ronnie Anne sought to steal away Luis from her grasp, pulling him into her shadowy embrace? The fear gnawed at her, whispering foreboding thoughts of betrayal beneath the surface of friendship.
"Oh my goodness, doesn't Ronalda look just stunning?" Rosa exclaimed, her voice bright with excitement, "Luis, sweetie, she's your girlfriend! What do you think of her in that outfit?" With a playful nudge, Rosa gently pushed her granddaughter forward, nearly making her bump into that goth boy sitting nearby.
Luis ran a hand through his white hair, a slight smirk playing at the corners of his lips, "Um, actually, Ronnie's grandma, just to clear the air—Ronnie and I aren't entwined in any romantic chaos. I'm with Lucy." he said, gesturing toward Lucy.
Lucy waved shyly, her cheeks a deep shade of crimson, almost like the setting sun behind a clouded sky.
Luis's smile deepened, his gaze shifting back to Ronnie Anne, "But I must say, Ronnie Anne, you look... absolutely haunting."
Ronnie Anne felt a rush of embarrassment creeping up on her, but she knew if she wanted to keep the conversation going from her makeover, she had to spill it. "I think you look super handsome, Lou~" she stammered, cheeks flushing like crazy.
'You gotta wear something fresh every time you hang out with your boyfriend, that way he never gets bored of you!' Carlota told her.
But honestly, Ronnie Anne couldn't fathom how Luis—the guy who meant everything to her—could ever get bored of her if she just stayed true to herself.
"Ugh, Ronnie looks awesome no matter what! Can we just go to the skate park already?" Lana groaned, tapping her foot impatiently.
"Hey, I can give you guys a ride! Ronnie told me it's a bit far." Carlota offered, flashing a confident grin.
Before they knew it, the group piled into Carlota's ride—a classic 1979 Chevy Nova painted a cool light blue with white stripes. It was totally vintage and had character, just like them!
XXXXX
-At the Skate Park-
They arrived at the skate park, which was buzzing with energy. It was packed with half pipes, full pipes, steps, rails—basically the ultimate playground for skaters—surrounded by a chain link fence at Maple and Pine. Even though it was still morning, kids were already tearing it up in the huge empty pool and chilling by the snack bar.
"Alright, see you guys later! Call me when you're done!" Carlota waved as she cruised off in her Nova.
Ronnie Anne turned to Luis as they walked into the skate park, "Heya, Lou! Ready to shred it up?" She smirked, heart racing with excitement.
"Yeah... I'm ready to shred with my board." Luis muttered, his voice barely above a whisper, as he cast wary glances between the girl who was clearly infatuated with him and his girlfriend, Lucy, whose hidden eyes seemed to harbor unspeakable secrets.
After a moment, Luis found himself slouched on a bench next to Lana, who was lost in her world, fastening pads to her knees and elbows with a methodical precision that mirrored his own inner turmoil. Lucy occupied the spot beside him, casting sidelong glances that sent shivers down his spine, while Ronnie Anne perched on the other side, her dark aura mingling with the oppressive weight of his thoughts.
Lana adjusted her helmet and jumped to her feet, a huge grin on her face, "Awesome! Let's do this!" She was always pumped for an adventure!
"Very well." Luis intoned, rising with an air of dark authority, "The moment has come for your inaugural lesson."
With a spark of excitement, Lana leapt onto her board, a mischievous grin lighting her face. But Luis, with a swift motion, yanked her back by the collar of her shirt, his tone shifting to one of somber gravity, "Hold your horses, dear Lana. Before you dance through the shadows, you must first grasp the fundamentals."
"Fundamentals?" Lana asked, her eyebrows raised and a mischievous grin spreading across her face, "Like, what even are the basics? You know I'm all about the fun stuff!"
"Behold." Luis intoned as he stepped onto the skateboard he had meticulously crafted and emblazoned with dark artistry last summer. The board was a haunting shade of green, adorned with the word ARGGH scrawled across the bottom in stark white. He settled into a lotus pose, one leg curled up while his hands pressed together in an almost reverent gesture, "You must first conquer the sinister dance of balance." He murmured, shrouded in the shadows of his own thoughts.
Lana raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms, "Uh… okay, I guess?" Determined to copy his pose, she wobbled for a moment before losing her balance and crashing to the ground, "Oof! Guess I need more practice!"
Lucy turned back to Ronnie Anne, her voice laced with a playful darkness, "Care to join me on this eternal ride?" she asked, a smirk dancing on her lips as she gestured towards the board.
"Sure." Ronnie Anne said.
Lana finally emulated Luis's pose without falling, but she wobbled and shook
"Now, we shall attempt to embrace the shadows of movement." Luis intoned, his voice dripping with melancholic flair.
On the half pipe, Lucy desperately sought to impress Luis, but Ronnie Anne just kept outshining her. With every flip and kick, Ronnie Anne embodied defiance while Lucy felt her frustration bubble over. Each time she fell from her board, her anger deepened, darkening her mood like storm clouds gathering on the horizon.
Finally, after what felt like the millionth time she met the unforgiving asphalt (thank the dark spirits for her helmet; otherwise, she'd be a wayward soul in Carson General's emergency room), she surged back to her feet, kicked her board with a fierce energy, and stormed off, ripping off her helmet and pads as if shedding a layer of her own despair.
"Yo, Lucy, where you off to?" Ronnie asked, trying to wrap her head around it.
Lucy totally brushed off Ronnie and slipped away behind the snack bar.
Ronnie turned her attention back to the half pike.
She nailed a sick kickflip, landed on one hand, and spun like she was in a breakdancing battle. As she glanced in the direction Lucy had gone, she thought about chasing after her, but then shrugged and went back to skating like nothing even happened.
Fifteen minutes ticked by, and Ronnie started to wonder where Lucy had disappeared to. She craned her neck, peeking toward the snack bar. A bunch of kids were hanging out at the picnic tables on the patio, munching on hotdogs and popcorn, but Lucy was definitely M.I.A. Hmm, did she bail out? Should I go check on her?
Ronnie frowned. This could be a risky move. Sure, she and Lucy weren't exactly BFFs, but they both had that vibe of wanting space when things got rough. If someone interrupted her when she was annoyed, fists would definitely fly. But then again, Lucy was Luis's girlfriend, and if something was bugging her, Ronnie knew she'd regret it if she didn't at least try to see what was up.
With a huff, she pushed herself off the ground and set out to find her. Behind her, Lana and Luis were buzzing around on their skates, doing their thing. She felt way more balanced now and a whole lot less wobbly.
"Good." Luis murmured with a shadowy glint in his eye, "You're teetering on the brink of ascending to the next level, like a raven about to take flight into the eternal night."
Ronnie Anne rolled her eyes as she strolled around the snack bar for what felt like the hundredth time. No sign of Lucy. She walked from one side of the park to the other, feeling a bit defeated until she finally caught sight of her through the chain link fence, plopped on a bench and waiting for the bus.
Part of her said to just turn around and let it be, but before she knew it, her feet were already carrying her through the gate and plopping down next to Lucy. Of course, Lucy shot her a dirty look. A gust of warm wind blew, flipping Lucy's bangs into her face, and she just tucked them back like nothing was wrong.
"Where are you going?" Ronnie Anne asked, trying not to make eye contact. She knew if she looked, Lucy would get all weird and emotional on her.
"Home." Lucy replied, sounding all detached as usual.
"Why?" Ronnie pressed, not buying into the attitude.
Lucy shrugged, her tone as casual as the weather, "Cuz I wanna."
Alright, time to get real, "You were trying to impress Luis, weren't you?" She said it straight out, no sugarcoating.
Lucy's head snapped around, and she shot Ronnie a glare that could freeze lava. But, just like ice over a pond, it looked fierce but felt empty. "No," she shot back, way too quick.
"Yes, you were." Ronnie insisted, calling her out, "You were trying to steal the show, and I kept getting in the way. Don't deny it, Lucy."
Lucy opened her mouth but then just turned away, crossing her arms like a kid who just got told no, "He's my boyfriend." she muttered, as if that explained everything.
"Yeah, and sorry my grandma keeps saying otherwise." Ronnie Anne said with a shrug.
"Are you trying to take him? Do you have feelings for Luis?" Lucy fired back, like a real interrogation.
"I don't see it that way," Ronnie said, shaking her head, "I saw him skatin' with Lana, then you trying to impress him, and then you storming off. Like, what was I supposed to think?"
"Because I was mad!" Lucy flailed her hands, frustration leaking out, "I never get to do stuff that he likes and he's, like, the coolest! I have him listen to my poems and go to Morticians Club and all this stuff. I just wanted to show him how much I've improved with skateboarding so we could have something he enjoys on our list, too!"
Lucy sighed, looking a thousand times more defeated than angry, "I've been practicing, and when you kept outshining me, I thought Luis would just want to hang out with you instead. I mean, at least you can skateboard!"
Ronnie glanced back to the snack bar, spotting Luis holding Lana's hand and getting her more food, "You're right. I kinda did try to steal him away from you." she admitted, her heart racing a little, "I don't know what it is, but whenever I'm around him, it's like my heart goes crazy. I guess I just wanted him in my life, but it's clear he only has eyes for you."
Lucy's face lit up with an unexpected smile, "Okay, so here's my plan: we share Luis." she proposed, as though it was no big deal.
Ronnie's eyes went wide, nearly popping out of her head, "Wait, wait, wait! You want us both to date Luis? Are you for real, Lucy?"
Lucy giggled, her eyes sparkling with mischief, "Oh, you betcha! Think about it! You love him, I love him, Haiku and Persephone are crushing on him, too! It's a genius solution!"
Ronnie shook her head, disbelief washing over her, "But that's not how relationships work! You can't just share someone like that!" She tossed her hands up in frustration.
"Why not?" Lucy shrugged, clearly not seeing the issue, "We wouldn't hurt anyone, and besides, Tommy, Luis's older brother, has my sister Luna in his harem. It's totally cool!"
"Wait, what!?" Ronnie gasped, thoroughly confused.
"Don't sweat it! We just need to get Luis on board with the whole harem idea." Lucy replied nonchalantly.
"How can I not worry about this when my best friend's girlfriend wants me to start a harem with her?!" Ronnie exclaimed, grabbing Lucy's shirt in exasperation.
"Hey, you're the one who said you were trying to steal my boyfriend!" Lucy shot back, arms crossed defiantly.
With a heavy sigh, Ronnie realized she couldn't win this argument, "Fine... what's your ridiculous plan?"
"Alright, listen up!" Lucy began, detailing her wild scheme to catch Tommy's attention and go for a group date with the three of them.
By the time she wrapped it up, Ronnie had to admit it wasn't a total bust. It was simple, and honestly? It might just work. She chewed on her lower lip, tossing Lucy a hesitant smile, "Okay, let's get this plan rolling. Thanks, Lucy!"
To Lucy's perpetual astonishment - and, dare I say, dread - she found herself enveloped in a hug so fierce it might as well have been a death grip on her spine. 'Who are you, and what dark sorcery have you used to transform the true Ronnie Anne into this bubbly creature?'
Yet, succumbing to the pull of sisterly camaraderie, Lucy returned the embrace, her voice laced with an eerie calm, "Come now, let us wander into the abyss together."
They got up and went back through the gate, sidestepping a fat kid in black shirt with HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD across the chest and a pink haired girl with more metal in her face than a Monster of Rock show. Lana and Luis were totally shredding it on the halfpipe now. With a big grin on her face, Lana nailed a kickflip and then seamlessly went into a handstand. "I did it! Oh my gosh, I really did it!" she squealed, her excitement echoing off the ramps. "This is the best! Let's go again!"
"I knew you could, good job." Luis said, his voice laced with a dark charm, a faint smirk creeping across his face, his pride hidden beneath layers of cool disinterest as he taught Lana the art of skateboarding. He scanned the area with a brooding expression, spotting Ronnie Anne's skateboard lurking in the shadows. With a flourish, he bent down, retrieved it, and declared, "Think fast!"
He hurled it into the air, the board slicing through the gloom like a raven taking flight. Ronnie Anne leapt up, embodying the essence of a fierce warrior, and snagged it mid-flight, an effortless act of grace that shattered the stillness.
"Nice catch." Luis said, his tone dripping with dark admiration.
With a quick push, she mounted her board, joining the others at the half-pipe, where the thrill of danger and the allure of freedom coalesced.
"There you guys are." Luis said, a hint of playfulness threading through his usual somber demeanor, "I thought you dipped into the void. I was kind of bummed."
"Forgive me." Lucy murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, laced with an air of melancholy.
"Lucy and I just had to hash things out, you know?" Ronnie Anne said, crossing her arms with that familiar confident smirk, "Sometimes you just need to get things straight."
Lucy put her hand in Luis and threaded their fingers together. Hand in hand, they watched the others skate. It would have been a poignant and picture perfect ending…
...If Lana and Ronnie Anne didn't crash into each other and wind up side by side on their butts with identical expressions of pain on their faces.
"Ow." They said in unison.
-Epilogue-
"Come on, Lame-O! We've gotta make it to that new pizza place before the line goes around the block!" Ronnie Anne exclaimed, gripping her boyfriend's hand tightly as they zipped along on their skateboards.
Lucy was right behind them, hanging on to Luis as he skated as fast as his wheels could take him, "You got this, Lou! Just a little more speed!" she cheered, her excitement matching Ronnie Anne's. The trio was on a mission, and nothing was going to hold them back from that delicious Italy-shaped pizza!
"Ah, it's quite intriguing how you two have drawn closer in this desolate existence. It stirs something within me. So, what macabre topping are you choosing? I shall indulge in the earthy essence of mushrooms."
"Pepperoni for me." Ronnie Anne declared, squeezing Luis's hand with a confident grin.
Lucy shot her a sly grin, "I'm all about the dark allure of chicken on my pizza. It's the perfect blend of rebellion and sophistication."
They soon arrived at the pizza place, buzzing with anticipation. Ronnie Anne and Lucy, along with Luis, snagged a table, ready for a fun date night.
With a cheeky smirk, Ronnie Anne rolled her eyes and teased, "Okay, Ernesto, you win! I actually found love!"
Suddenly, Ernesto burst onto the scene in a puff of magical flames, giving his signature shout, "Boo-Yah! I told you Ernesto was the besto! Estrella, out!" Just like that, he vanished, leaving behind a trail of excitement.
The End.