It was Sunday and the weather was getting colder, Crisan was shivering as she woke up in the late morning again and grabbed her phone and her blanket then turned off her air-conditioner in her room then went down to the living room. As she expected the fireplace was on so she sat in front of it and lay down on the couch and just check her social media then took a selfie of herself still wearing a pajama and a messy bun with the fireplace on the background and gave her good side then shot it after that and wrote 'getti'n warm, she post it on her instagram story and went back to sleep again. An hour later, she and woke up then grabbed a wool jacket and went to the kitchen and saw Thelma prepared lunch. Crisan sat by the island again, "God, it's cold", she expressed then she noticed that Thelma doesn't seem to bother by the low temperature, "aren't you cold, mom?".
"I was until I got my hot cocoa", Thelma said with a smile, "I'll make you one".
"Thank's mom", Crisan shivered, "where's Marcus?".
"He's in his room" Thelma answered, "He ate a late breakfast".
"Ahh.. okay", Crisan followed.
"By the way, I'll be running later at four," Thelma said, "do you want to join me?".
"Yeah, sure!", Crisan happily accepted the invite.
"I think we have to wear jacket later", Thelma suggested.
"I agree", Crisan said, "but hopefully, we won't have to", then Crisan's phone vibrated so she checked what it was, it's a message in instagram so she opened it,
"Hi! I'm Russell Kaz
I'm a fashion and portrait photographer and came across your page and I want you to be a model for my project and the shoot will be in couple of weeks on Saturday, I'll send more details once you're interested.
Thank you and have a good day!'.
This wasn't the first time Crisan got offers to model for any photographers in instagram, the first thing she does before she replies was to check the person's profile and it seems legit, "who was that?", Thelma asked while making a hot cocoa.
"Just another invite for a photoshoot", Crisan answered as she scroll down the photographer's photos.
"Oh... are you doing it?", Thelma asked again while making the hot cocoa.
"I'm checking the guy's account to see if he is a photographer", Crisan said as she scrolls the account, "seems like the real deal, I'll just ask for a little more info before I answer",so she typed 'what's the photoshoot gonna be'. A second later, the photographer sent a moodboard about the shoot and it was an modern Edwardian-theme shoot and Crisan was impress then replied that she'll do it.
"So what are you thinking?", Thelma asked again then gave her a mug of hot cocoa.
"I'll do it", Crisan answered.
"Well, that's good I always like you doing modeling", Thelma said.
"Yeah, I can tell", Crisan joked then they giggled. Later, Crisan returned to her room just turned on her tablet for some music and wore he smock then went to her canvas of the sketch of Audra and continue with her pencil work and she just looked on the face of her sketch then felt something strange, it was like a deja vu with that face but really can't tell why but she just continue than thinking hard about why there was this feeling. She was working for about an hour, her passion just possessed her as she was working on her art then she pause then like any sixteen-year-old, she took out her phone then took a video of herself sketching by holding a pencil on her right-hand then her phone on the other then and took a photo of her hands working on the pencil sketch. After that she posted it on her instagram then types 'Happy Sunday' then added some hashtags on it then got back to work then several minutes later she lay down on her bed and saw how she was blowing of likes and of course Tori was one of them on her recent post and also some good comments from girls in school and also few praises from random strangers that saw her post from the hashtags she put. Crisan had a thought on head about Gage then just took a risk, so she typed his name then the first result was that there are a lot of Gage and none are his profile photo of him so then she realized that she forgot that she doesn't know his last name so she just backspace his name then just got back to her profile and there were few more comments saying that she's good, and keep up the good work and other of her friends in school who were encouraging her to put it on the art exhibit and these comments just made her smile and was happy how she was surrounded with people who are supporting to one another. Later, Thelma went to Crisan's room and saw her just lying down on the bed while the music on her tablet was still going,
"Hey! Crisan", Thelma called then Crisan popped up from her bed and looked at her mom.
"Yeah, mom", Crisan said.
"Are you still going running with me?", Thelma asked.
"Oh! yeah, I am, I am", Crisan remembered.
"Okay, let's go get ready and wear a jacket", Thelma told Crisan.
"Okay", Crisan answered, she then changed in her cutest running oufit and shoes from a nike store and that's the same goes with Thelma. They started running around the block and it was cold and it was a good choice to wear a jacket. Crisan was still able to run as long as the next person but she was panting because of that cold wind but Thelma was effortlessly strong since she had more time to workout than the kids, "Wow! your doing great".
"Of course, I take time to look great", Thelma responded while also trying to catch breathe. After five laps they just walked it out and Crisan looked tortured and she was more sweaty that Thelma, "gosh! that killed me".
"Really? I thought that was easy", Thelma bragged then they laughed. Crisan was wiping herself with a towel.
"Yeah, I should definitly go running right after class", Crisan suggested.
"Why not? you do your homework in school", Thelma said, "so you have the time in your hand to do that".
"Tori and I are planning to shop for running outfit", Crisan mentioned, "and she told me to wear shorts but I don't that's possible".
"Who knows, maybe the weather won't be that cold by that time", Thelma thought.
"I hope so because how else can I flaunt my legs?", Crisan joked.
"Same here", Thelma related," come on, let's go for a walk... to Red's because I'm craving for a cheesecake", Crisan laughed.
"And now, I want my cinnamon bun", Crisan craved, "let's go". They marched to Red's and went inside the Diner where not a lot of people are there even at Sundays and of course, none other than Regine was there putting icing on the cupcakes, "can't believe we are buying sweets after a workout".
"We're women, we have our needs", Thelma stated, Regine saw them then she stopped icing the cupcake.
"Thelma, Crisan, Hey!", Regine greeted.
"Hey!", Thelma said then gave a sexy pose.
"Hi! Regine", Crisan greeted.
"I see you two were working out", Regine noticed since they were wearing workout outfits and running shoes also they were sweating but more of glimmer.
"We were", Crisan confirmed.
"Looking good is hard work", Thelma said to them.
"I know, that's why I do aerobics after work since I'm working around sweets", Regine related, "by the way, what do you two want here?".
"The cheesecake and chocolate cake for Marcus", Thelma requested.
"And my usual cinnamon bun", Crisan said with a little shake of celebration.
"and we want that all in to-go box", Thelma added.
"Coming right up", Regine said then she sliced a cheese and chocolate and put them each on a cardboard box then next she took a bun then placed it too in a box, Thelma paid for it then took the dessert from the counter.
"Thank you, Regine", Thelma said.
"No problem", Regine replied, " I'll see you, tomorrow for our running session".
"Yes", Thelma confirmed.
"Bye, Regine! I am... actually going to be here tomorrow with Tori", Crisan remembered then they laughed. Minutes later, they went back home and saw Marcus was in the living room watching cartoons while waiting for them.
"Hey! sweetie, sorry we just got back", Thelma apologized.
"It's okay, mama", Marcus said.
"Mommy will just go shower first and then I'll cook dinner", Thelma said, "we just got back from Red's to buy some desserts", Marcus got excited and jumped up and down.
"Me too" Crisan said then dashed to her room while Thelma went to the kitchen to place the dessert in the refrigerator. After they both shower, Thelma was in the kitchen and Crisan wearing her sleepwear was in the living room with Marcus, she was on her phone, checking her social media account but mostly her instagram and the likes from her last post was slowly adding.
"Dinner is ready", Thelma called out, Crisan puts down her phone and Marcus turned off the television and went to the kitchen to eat their dinner, Thelma was setting the plates and utensils on the island and the two kids took their seats. Crisan still felt tired from the run and could hardly lift herself for the high seat.
"Now my body feels heavy", Crisan expressed.
"Just stretch it out before you go to bed, or else you might get sore", Thelma advised as she gave them their food then they all started eating.
"I hope I can walk to school tomorrow", Crisan said.
"I can just drive you to school if you're body still hurting tomorrow", Thelma suggested.
"Yes, please" Crisan begged with a high-pitched voice.
"Of course I'll do it", Thelma assured her then they just chuckled.
"Thank you, mommy", Crisan said with a puppy dog face and they all continue eating, "you're the best", Thelma giggled. After dinner, the three of them enjoy the remaining of their weekend in the living and watched Marcus' favorite cartoon, Crisan would just watch along yet she'll be on her phone and so does Thelma but then she'll read a magazine as well and that's how they relax together. About 9 a.m, Crisan went to room and so did Marcus since it was his time to sleep and Thelma was tucking him on his bed but Crisan still has an hour and half left before going to bed, so she started to stretch like lounges and sat on the ground and did the seated forward fold then reached her toes for ten seconds, She felt a little better then she was doodling on a notebook which was more like an art journal and was doing a whimsical drawing of a woman with instead of hair she drew roses like afro then took her red water-color pens and colored the roses and the pouty lips then she took a picture of but didn't posted this time since some of her post was her art and herself personally or from her modelling gigs. Fifteen minutes later she packed her bag of books and notebooks that she'll be needing for whatever class she has for tomorrow and took out her uniform and placed it on a chair so it'll be ready. Before going to sleep, she first applied facial cream on her face and lotion on her body then she lay down on her bed, covered herself with a blanket and continued reading her book 'Eternal with You" to help her sleep. The next morning, an alarm in Crisan's phone and it woke her up to turn it off then she got and suddenly felt the sore pain in her legs but she know she has to get ready so she dragged herself and went to her bathroom to fix herself by washing her face first with a facial soap, brushed her teeth and then applied a little makeup but try took natural as well which the school still encouraged just not too much, a lot of girls have makeup pouch inside their bag then fixed her hair with a simple ponytail then changed to her uniform and it was a white puffy long-sleeve blouse and a black knee-length skirt then gave it a French-tuck and then had a hard time putting on a white panty-hose and black sneaker. She went down carefuly through the stairs because her legs felt so painful and heavy and she was moaning every step and Thelma heard it from the kitchen. Crisan managed to be in the kitchen and Thelma cringed just watching her walk so stiffly,
"You don't look so good", Thelma expressed.
"Just my legs", Crisan pointed out.
"Well then I'll drive you to school then", Thelma said, "so just eat and I'll have to wake up Marcus and help him get ready".
"Alright", Crisan replied.
"Let's take the Porsche", Thelma suggested with excitement and Crisan nodded with a grin in response. Later after the school bus picked up Marcus, Thelma wearing a sexy work outfit since she also has to go to work too so she opened the garage door with a remote where there's a white four-seater porsche placed there and then got inside to get it out. Thelma parked it in front of the house and Crisan got out carrying her school bag then slowly got inside the porsche, "wear your seat belt, honey", and she did.
"Let's take a selfie first" Crisan said.
"Right", Thelma agreed so Crisan took out her phone and put it on selfie mode then the two face the camera showing their good side and Crisan added a peace sign to add swag then click then looked at it first if it looked good and it did.
"Okay, let's go", Crisan said then Thelma started driving.
"Maybe, I should have leg pains more often", Crisan joked, "because this is awesome".
"You better not", Thelma joked back then they giggled.
"What's it like driving the Porsche?", Crisan asked.
"It's like smartphone, it's hard at first but you'll see how easy it actually is", Thelma answered while driving.
"Cool", Crisan replied.
"Do you want to drive someday and get a driver license?", Thelma asked since Crisan was sixteen.
"Yeah but I feel like as long as I'm going to school here and walk and an easy commute to malls and other places, I just don't think I need to have one at the moment", Crisan explained.
"Does the other students in St. Rebecca drive to school?", Thelma asked.
"Yeah but not all, so there are the girls that drives, or they have drivers or their parents, the school buses and few commute even if they are rich girls or not", Crisan said.
"You can see where their coming from?", Thelma quipped.
"But that doesn't mean we're perfect, we just know our limitations towards our behaviors", Crisan added, "but let's get back to driving, I'm keeping an open mind to it".
"That's good, because your dad did mention that you can learn how to drive once you are sixteen", Thelma reminded.
"I remember that and we talked about that I want him to teach me", Crisan said.
"Because he'll be buying the car?" Thelma questioned.
"Yeah, maybe or at least half", Crisan anwered with a sheepish smile. They arrived in St. Rebecca and Tori was already there, waiting for Crisan and saw the Porcshe and was surprise with her jaw dropped to see Crisan got out of that car and it was hard for her then Tori walked up to her.
"Have fun in school!", Thelma said to Crisan then saw Tori, "Hey! Tori".
"Hi! Mrs. R!", Tori greeted then Thelma drove off then Tori looked at Crisan.
"So is she driving you to school for now on?", Tori asked.
"No, my legs is super sore and I can hardly walk", Crisan explained as she started limping to go inside the building.
"Oh! alright", Tori followed, "what happened?".
"Mom and I went running to start training for the marathon" Crisan answered as they got inside the school.
"And it got intense?", Tori asked and raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms.
"Maybe", Crisan replied with a guilty look on her face.
"Are you able to go to work later?", Tori asked.
"I don't know but I want to work", Crisan said, "maybe by dismissal, it'll get better".
"By the way, how's the painting?", Tori asked.
"I still have to work on the pencil sketch", Crisan answered.
"Well, no rush", Tori responded
"Come on, let's go to class", Crisan said. In Augustus High School, Gage and Courtney were in doing their individual works, Gage was concentrating with his reading but Courtney couldn't focus on what she was so suppose to study and just starred at him and thought how good-looking he was, Gage noticed from the corner of his eye that she was looking at him then turned to her,
"What?", he asked her, Courtney was taken aback, she got nervous then looked down quickly.
"Uhm.. nothing, I was just thinking", she uttered but Gage felt something was up but decided to brushed it off then Dave arrived and sit with them.
"Hey! guys", Dave greeted.
"Hey!", Gage greeted back.
"Good new! our Colosseum is halfway there", Dave said to them.
"Great!", Gage respond to Dave.
"Becareful when you walk with it", Courtney snarred.
"Courtney", Gage called her out to stop.
"Don't worry, I will", Dave assured them, "also, do you guys have time to do some of it?".
"Why? you break you do it", Courtney pointed to him.
"It's just that I have to work on something too", Dave answered.
"Right", Courtney doubted.
"Oh! yeah, what have you've been doing lately?", Dave questioned her and Courtney got quiet.
"What she meant was we have a lot on our plate", Gage intervened, "but I can do my part on Thurday that's a free time for me so I can continue it after our skit practice".
"Okay, thank, man", Dave said then they fist bumped, "so speaking of the skit, did you two practice?".
"I did", Courtney answered confidently.
"Yep", Gage replied.
"Awesome, let's try it again tomorrow", Dave said.
"Sure", Gage agreed then there was a buzz on his phone so he picked it up, it was a text so he read it, Courtney watched him read the text and felt annoyed.
"Who's that?", Courtney asked and Gage looked at her confused.
"It's just my mom", Gage said to her, "she just asking what time I'll be going home but I was planning to train for the marathon after school".
"Oh!", she gulped, "I can help you with that since you know...".
"I need help with the Colosseum too", Dave voiced to her.
"Your doing well, keep it up", Courtney replied, Dave rolled his eyes and shook his head.
"Sure, thanks, Court", Gage said to her, Courtney smiled from her victory and blushed too, "I have to go. Swim practice, I'll see you guys later".
"Alright", Dave said.
"Good luck!" Courtney said with a grin on her face
"Thanks, Court!", Gage replied then he got up and left, Courtney watched him leave. School ends, Crisan and Tori walked to their jobs at Reds, Crisan still felt the pain on legs and tried not to look like a walking robot.
"What was I thinking, running seven laps around the block when I haven't been running like that since we were in that running club?", Crisan whined.
"On the bright side, your legs still looks great", Tori comforted.
"It'll be more great if I can more normally", Crisan pointed out.
"Are you sure you can work later?", Tori asked just watching her having a hard time walking.
"Yes, I can still work", Crisan said as they got to Red's they stopped and looked confuse because it's closed, "it's close?". Suddenly, Munro came to them and was also puzzled as to why they were outside Red's.
"Hey!", Munro greeted them.
"Hey!", the girls greeted him back.
"What's going on?", Munro asked, "why are guys outside?".
"That's what we're trying to figure out", Tori said to him then she looked through the glass door to see if anyone was there, "no one is there".
"Let me check my phone, Regine might've messaged us while we're in class", Crisan thought then she opened her phone looked at the notifications but nothing, "no messages, no calls too".
"It's lock",Tori said, trying to open the door then Regine came out from the back door and walked to them.
"Crisan, Tori, Munro", Regine called them, "hi! sorry".
"Regine, is something wrong? why is it close?", Crisan asked.
"I know I should've called but everything was happening so fast but there's an emergency fumigation", Regine answered in worry, Tori and Crisan subtly made eye contact with each other.
"Oh okay! is everthing gonna be okay", Munro asked.
"Yes, it'll be fine by tomorrow", Regine assured them.
"That's good", Crisan said.
"I have to go, I'll see you two on Wednesday", Regine said.
"Okay", Crisan, Tori and Munro said simultaneously to her, "bye, Regine", then she ran inside to the back door, Tori and Crisan looked at each other with a smirk.
"Wow! talk about your lucky day", Tori voiced, "or our lucky day exactly".
"I'm equally bewildered", Crisan responded and seemed astounded then they giggled.
"You two don't feel like working?", Munro asked.
"Well, I have to do an essay, at least I can start early as possible", Tori said to her, "and Theology quiz tomorrow".
"I don't have much to do actually, I just have to continue my painting for the art exhibit", Crisan replied then cringed at the pain again, "but I hope my legs can get me home first".
"What happened?", Munro asked Crisan.
"We signed up for Mr. Gordon's marathon event and someone over estimated her ability", Tori explained to Munro.
"Oh! you two signed up", Munro said looking amazed then he understood what happened the turned to Crisan, "I see, your legs are sore right now".
"Very much", Crisan said with a twitch, "too bad mom can't pick me up now, she might still be in work".
"Maybe you won't have to", Munro said, Crisan looked at him in weird way, he had a plan
"Pardon?", Crisan quipped.
"I'll just carry you home", Munro offered, Tori and Crisan was stunned as their jaw dropped.
"Seriously?", Crisan quipped again just looked at him with disbelief.
"Yeah", Munro confirmed.
"No, no, it's fine ", Crisan stammered.
"It's okay, come on, I'll give you a piggyback ride home" Munro insisted.
"Uhm... Crizzy, if you walk home, the sore would get worse tomorrow", Tori told Crisan and she knows she's right.
"Fine", Crisan reluctantly said.
"I'll go walk with you guys, in case something happens", Tori said to them, "plus, I don't think my parents expect me home by this hour so I can study in you house".
"Sure, Thanks, guys", Crisan said, "I owe you guys a lot".
"It's nothing, can I also study in you place too?", Munro asked, "I have a quiz too tomorrow".
"Of course", Crisan said to him
"Thanks, so let's go", Munro said to them then he started to kneel down to give her a piggyback ride home, '"okay, anytime you're ready", Crisan then carried her school bag like a backpack and it was light then got on to Munro's back then he stood up carefully.
"Are you okay?", Crisan asked Munro, she felt bad that he had to carry her to her house.
"No worries, I'm good", Munro assured her since she was kind of petite so it was really no problem to him, "let's go".
"Alright", Tori said to them then they began walking away to Red's.
"Let me know if you need to rest", Crisan said to Munro then they chuckled. Minutes passed, Munro was still carrying her with no sweat and struggle.
"This is so cute, I'm just gonna take a photo of you two", Tori told them and they didn't seem to mind so Tori took out her phone, Munro stopped walking and was still carrying Crisan then Tori was ready to take a picture of them as she pointed the camera at them, "got it", then showed it two them. Munro and Crisan found it funny so they all laughed and continued walking again.
"Maybe next time you should do five laps", Munro gave friendly suggestion to Crisan
"Understood", Crisan responded.
"So wait, how'd you get to school this morning?", Munro wondered.
"Mom drove me to school", Crisan explained.
"Got it!", Munro followed.
"By the way Munro, did you sign up for the marathon?", Tori asked.
"Yep, I did", Munro answered.
"Awesome!", Crisan said.
"This great, and thanks to Crisan, now we know that we shouldn't over-do it", Tori teased.
"Guilty!", Crisan joking said then they chuckled again.
"But kidding aside, why don't we train together?", Tori suggested.
"I'm all for it", Crisan agreed, "Munro?".
"Sure", Munro agreed too.
"But let's figure out what days we can do that", Crisan said to them, "because we have work every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I think our options would be on the weekends".
"To me, it depends but I think weekend is a good idea", Munro voiced.
"So weekend it is", Tori declared, "now let's think of a place, what about the park?".
"It's good but I think on the weekends but I think a lot of people might have the same idea", Crisan said.
"Yep", Munro conquered.
"Good point", Tori admitted.
"I'm trying to remember where we used to run with Mr. Gordon", Crisan said, she was also thinking of a great place where they can run".
"Park was one of them, and mostly by his block and I'll stay in your everytime after we run", Tori remembered.
"What about in Crisan's block?", Munro suggested, "she's living in the same area as Mr. Gordon and it is a nice place to run".
"Okay", Tori considered, "should we do it every Saturday or Sunday or either or... both".
"I suggest every Saturday and we can recover in Sunday", Crisan stated, Munro seem to nodded in agreement
"Yeah, the only time I go thing physical is gym class", Munro said to them, "So since we all haven't run in while lets start simple".
"Every Saturday it is, around three?", Tori asked them.
"Three is good", Crisan said.
"I'm okay with it too", Munro nodded.
"Okay, discussion adjourn", Tori said to them, "Every Saturday, 3 pm around Crizzy's block, great!", everyone was on board with it. Not long after their discussion, They alreay reached the streets to the area where Crisan was living.
"Munro, I'll take from here", Crisan said, Munro and Tori stopped walking
"Are you sure?", Munro asked her.
"Yep, and I need stretch it out too", Crisan answered.
"Okay, just sec", Munro said then he bent down and Crisan slowly got off him
"Thanks, Munro", she said to him she stood up and did a few stretches then they proceeded to walk. The three friends went inside Crisan's home, Thelma came out from her office to greet Crisan and was surpirsed to see the other two.
"Hey! sweetie!", Thelma said to Crisan then turned to Tori and Munro, "Hi! guys".
"Hey! Mrs. R", Tori greeted.
"Hi! Mrs. R, sorry we came unexpected", Munro apologized.
"Yeah, we were helping Crisan since she's still sore", Tori added.
"That's okay, thank you for helping her", Thelma said to them, "wait, shouldn't you all be at Red's?".
"There was an emergency fumigation so we have the days off", Crisan answered.
"Oh! my God!', Thelma reacted, "well, why don't you two stay for dinner and I'll drive the two of you home later", then she a gave a wink to Tori and Crisan. Tori knows that she'll drive the Porsche so she and Crisan smirked at each other and nodded, Munro didn't have a single clue what was going on so he just shrugged it off.
"Thanks, Mrs. R", Munro replied.
"No problem, I have to get back to work so I'll see you all in dinner time", Thelma told them.
"Alright, mom", Crisan replied, then Thelma went back inside to her office room and the three friends when upstairs to Crisan's room, they got in and dropped their bags at the side.
"It's been in a while since I've been here", Munro said then he immidiately saw Crisan's painting of Audra and recognized, "this is the painting that you posted yesterday?", the he took a closer look at it, Tori sat on a bean bag to make herself comfortable.
"Yep", Crisan answered as she lay down on her stomach as she still felt the from her legs.
"Show him the picture of the lady", Tori told Crisan as she was still relaxing on the bean bag, Crisan took her phone and showed him the the photo and Munro took the phone from her hand and looked at the photo then at painting.
"Oh! you're painting this lady", Munro understood then look at her in a strange way, "who's she?", the he returned the phone to Crisan.
"I just met her the other day but I like how she dress", Crisan answered.
"Yeah, me too", Munro said then he sat on another bean bag chair, "are you going to show the in the art exhibit?".
"That's what I told her to", Tori said to Munro.
"At first I didn't want to but I'm proud of my work so yeah, I can present that in the exhibit", Crisan replied.
"It does make a great painting", Munro commented.
"Can't wait to see it when it's done", Tori said, "by the way, can I use your tablet to do my essay?".
"Sure, go ahead", Crisan answered
"Thanks", Tori said then she moved to study vanity to use Crisan's tablet with a keyboard plugged in it and opened the Docs app.
"I thought you guys do your homework in school before school ends", Munro said.
"We do, but the scholars would always use the computers in the study area", Tori replied, "but my laptop broke so I just have to be in survival mode towards doing a paper until next week".
"Ahh okay", Munro understood.
"Let me know if you need a printer because it's in the office room", Crisan said.
"Okay", Tori nodded.
"Well, my algebra homework won't do itself so I better start too", Munro said as he dug his bag to get his notebook and pen, Crisan then stood up from her bed.
"That goes with my painting", Crisan said then walked to her easel and then took off her blouse first, she was wear a short sleeve undershirt so it was fine that Munro was in the room since she was not exposing herself much, she threw the blouse at the laundry basket then put on her smock and started to work on her unfinished art but she then she turned to Tori who was starting to type in her essay, "Tori, can you turn on my playlist?".
"Sure", Tori replied then opened her spotify and played Crisan's playlist of chill songs, so that the atmosphere won't seem too quiet.
"Thanks, Tori!", Crisan said then they all continue with their individual works. Later in Augustus High School, Gage, Courtney and Dave were walking in hallway since school ends, Gage was a bit soaked from swim practice and felt a bit exhausted from it.
"You look like a shark chased you", Dave joked to Gage.
"Well, Coach was the shark", Gage chuckled, then Courtney and Dave laughed too.
"He wouldn't be such a shark, if you swam faster", Courtney teased and Gage felt touche by it.
"Oh! right, like you can do any better", Gage scoffed at her.
"Is that a challenge?", Courtney jokingly dared him with her arms spread acting as though she was asking for that challenge like a gangsta and Gage faced her then mimicked her gangsta dispay.
"My money is on Courtney", Dave said and Gage looked at him with disbelief.
"Dude", Gage called him out like why was he on her side. Courtney felt confident and looked at Gage as if she was saying 'I told you so'.
"You're great and all", Dave explained with a snicker, "but she's better".
"I guess she is", Gage admitted and smiled at her with admiration, Courtney looked away and blushed.
"I do agree so myself", Courtney boasted then they all bursted into laughter again as they kept walking then suddenly a middle-aged women, who was a bit tall, blonde curly hair and looked frumpy wearing a blouse and jeans carrying a purse with an angry, she was stomping her way to them. Courtney's eyes popped out, Gage and Dave even looked surprised.
"Is that you're mom?", Dave asked Courtney looking panicked but stiffed, his eyes were squinting, he thought the figure was familiar.
"Oh! my God, why is she here?", she whispered to them watching her mom marched to her closer and closer like an angry bull then stood right in front of them but glared at Courtney who was trying to keep calm.
"Hi! mom", what are you doing here?", Courtney asked her with a fake smile on her face.
"The school called and they are saying that you are failing your classes", her mom grunted, Courtney gulped and felt embarrased that her two friends and some students who were at the hallways were there then her mom took a deep breathe and looked at Gage and Dave, "boys, I just need to discuss something with Courtney".
"Yes, Mrs. Manders", Gage and Dave said then Courtney's mom grabbed her arm.
"Come on, we need to talk to you principal", Mrs. Manders said to Courtney while still holding her arm tightly, Gage and Dave hear her and they looked at each other decided to follow them in case Courtney need them. Courtney was pulled away by her mom feeling humiliated by students watching her.
"Mom, please...", Courtney whined to her mom, Gage and Dave waited for them to walk further then they'll follow them. About an hour later, the two boys stood at the safe distance from the principals office feeling bad about what was Courtney going through inside there.
"Boy, it sucks to be here right now", Dave cringed as they waited for Courtney and Mrs. Manders to come out.
"Yeah, I know", Gage replied then Courtney got out of the principal office without her mom, she looked upset, Dave saw her there.
"Look, it's her", Dave said as he point to Gage at her, they waved at to get her attention.
"Courtney...", Gage called her quietly as he can, Courtney saw them and tiptoed fast to them, "what's up? what were you guys talking back there?".
"The thing is I never told my parents that I haven't been doing well", Courtney looked at them sheepishly, Gage and Dave looked at her with shock.
"WHAT!?", the two boys reacted and realized they were loud, they looked around and some people are looking at them but went back to their own business.
"I know, I know, it's bad", Courtney said feeling down that of realization that her secrets were out, "in case it's not obvious, I won't be able to run with you later".
"Don't worry about it", Gage assured her then Mrs. Manders got out from the principal office and looked around for her daughter then found her with her friends.
"Courtney!", Mrs. Manders yelled strictly where students are still around and stared at them again, the three friends were jolted, Courtney turned and noticed how other students were watching her getting roast from her mom, "let's go".
"Okay! mom", Courtney grunted as she faced her mom then turned to her friends, "I'll see you guys tomorrow", then left them as they watched her pulled away by her mom again.