Chapter 2

As everyone left the gym through the main doors, I caught up with Luke and Mary. I walked out with them as they went on and on about what happened with Mika and Drac. I had memorized my speech, so I didn’t worry too much about it after the glares I sent them both, they had shut up quickly. 

“I didn’t know they were so in awe of our Ms. Matthews,” Luke said jokingly.

“Right? I was so going to say that!” Mary said as she giggled when Luke started to laugh.

“Okay, kids! Time for our brunch date!” Luke said with a grin. “You could bring your boyfriends if you want though, Nyx.” 

I elbowed him in the back as we walked towards my parents car to get my wallet. Mom and Apollo were already there and dad was walking over from my history teacher, Mrs. Memnon. Once dad reached us, he unlocked the car and I reached in and grabbed my wallet out from the center console.

“Don’t forget that this weekend is your birthday! You can invite anyone you like,” Mom started to say but dad interrupted her.

“Only friends though, Nyx. I don’t want to hear talk about boyfriends from anyone,” Dad said. He never liked the fact that I was growing up right in front of his eyes, but he would have to get used to it in the future. I did have to go to college in the fall and try to find a career that would fit me.

“Don’t worry dad, Luke and Mary, and maybe Kala will come but that is it.” Kala was our other friend, but she was a junior this past year. She didn’t know if her parents were picking her up today or this weekend, yet. She lived with her grandma here in Dallas Center, Iowa, but her parents lived in florida.

Mary’s phone dinged and she reached for it from her back pocket. She quickly typed back and sighed loudly. Then the next ding chimed and Mary looked defeated. She looked up at us and shook her head.

“Kala’s mom came today to pick her up for the summer. They are going to Florida to get her dad and then they are going to Montana for vacation this summer.” Mary said as she put her phone back into her pocket.

“Well, then it’ll just be the three musketeers.” Luke said as he tried to pretend that he was swinging a sword and jumping up and down, causing Apollo to laugh, and the rest of us to giggle at his antics.

“No sword play, Luke. You’re really bad at it,” I say as I try holding in my laughter.

“Awe, buzz kill.” Luke pouts and Mary kisses him.

“Eww, cooties,” Apollo screeches.

My dad and mom just laugh and shoo us away. We head for Luke’s new jeep as we walk away. I see Mika and Drac looking in our direction and talking in a flurry of hand movements. Mika kept looking my way and Drac seemed to be snapping at him.

“Wonder why they are fighting this time?” Luke asked as he helped Mary into his jeep.

“They never really fight where I can see them, so I’m curious,” I reply back as I get into the back and slide into the middle. My truck was in the shop getting new struts, an oil change,  and some frame work done to it.

“Who cares? I’m starving!” Mary said followed by a growling stomach that made me laugh.

“If you didn’t skip breakfast then you wouldn’t be so hungry,” I said as my own stomach growled. We all busted out laughing.

Luke peeled out of the school parking lot and headed towards Village Inn in Des Moines. Mary wanted IHOP but we vetoed that choice by out voting her. On the ride we all talked about what we plan to do now that we are out of high school and before we go our own ways for college. Luke pulled into the restaurant and we all got out of the jeep.

“Booth 3 here we come!” As soon as  we walked in though, we were met with disappointment to see that a group of older gentlemen were sitting there. Our favorite spot. We all sigh and wait for a waitress to find us a new seat. When we sat down we noticed that we sat in booth thirteen and we all sighed with trepidation of the omen, but chose to ignore it.

“Hello, I’m Melody and I’ll be your waitress. What can I get you to drink?” The waitress asked. She was new.

“What happened to Eva?” Mary asked, looking sad also.

“She is in the hospital. She broke her leg a week ago and still hasn’t healed right so they had to re-break her leg last night.” She answered with an annoyed look at us. She was older than us by a few years and seemed too preppy for this line of work. But as soon as her answer came, her mask dropped. I saw it, but Mary and Luke didn’t.

“I’ll have chocolate milk with a belgian waffle topped with cinnamon apples and a side of bacon.” I told her. 

Mary and Luke ordered their normal choices and we all just sat around the table and talked. When our food came, Mary and Luke and I dug in. Right when we finished I saw Mika and Drac walk in with Carry O’Brian and Stacy Nelson. I felt a little annoyed that our peaceful brunch was  ruined but Melody came with three checks and walked away.

I snatched Mary’s and Luke’s checks and walked to the front to pay. Total was roughly fifty dollars and I won’t leave a tip to a rude waitress. I paid and went back to wait for them to finish  eating. When we were all done, Mary groaned in satisfaction.

“That was some good food,” Mary said as she threw a five down onto the table, Luke doing the same. They looked at me and waited for me to do the same. I grumbled but threw a five down as well. It was tradition and I felt like keeping my friends happy by supporting waitresses. As we walked out, I saw that Mika, Drac, Carry, and Stacy sat in our spot.

“Well there goes our special spot,” Mary mumbled under her breath, causing Luke and I to laugh out loud. 

“Ignore them sweetheart, we have summer shopping to do.” Luke said as we walked back out to his jeep. 

We headed to Merle Hay Mall for some summer shopping. When we got there, Mary and I whined until Luke let us go get more piercings. Once we found Claire’s, Mary and I went in and got our fourth set of piercings as Luke waited outside. Our new earrings were another set of gold. I was allergic to steel and Mary only wore pure gold out of habit when she was with me.

“I want a new purse!” I said as we passed a few stores. I saw that there was a new shop and wanted to go into it. I waved bye to Luke and Mary and went into the store alone. I looked around and saw someone putting up purses.

“How can I help you?” The elder lady in front of me asks before I have time to greet her. She doesn’t turn around, like she felt my presence when I walked in or something.

“I’m looking for a purse and a computer bag.” I tell her as I look around at the different purses. I really loved the purple one with witches hats all over it.

“We’re having a first day sale. Buy one, get one free.” The lady said as she grabbed the purse I had just been looking at and another one with moons on it I didn't even see.

“I’ll take them both! I love supernatural things,” I told her, trying to contain my excitement.

“Here.” She handed me both purses and walked towards another section with a small section containing a select number of computer bags. “This will be perfect for you then.”

She grabs two computer bags, one with dragons and another with wolves. I squealed with glee. I followed her up to the register and saw a beautiful necklace and Tiara full of moons. It was beautiful with white Opals and deep Sapphires.

“How much for that set?” I ask in awe. I only had five hundred for my graduation presents from my parents so I hope I had enough to buy them.

“One fifty,” She said as she brought them out and rang it up before I saw the price tag. Everything cost two hundred even so I was excited. I thanked the lady and walked out and went to target to meet Luke and Mary.