My sleep is interrupted by the noise of my phone. Did I forgot to turn off the alarm clock in it? I dazedly felt around my bed before I held my phone.
Squinting at the overly bright screen I saw that it's not an alarm but instead a call from a number that I don't know. I did not answer it and just let it end by itself, looking at the time it's still 9:48 it is still too early I want to dozed off more.
I turned the volume down and was about to place my phone back when a message replaced the call. Curious, I checked the mail.
Then timed after I read it the screen showed the same number calling me again. Maybe someone cursed me this weekend, why does my sleep always gets disturbed?
"Hello."
"You finally answered."
I just put my slippers on when I heard David's masculine voice from the other side. I really don't want to let go of my bed's embrace but it seemed that this is going to be a long talk.
"I just woke up, but first let me ask you where did you get my number?"
"Its my sister. When she heard that you are willing to join and also because she hated Kyle, she enthusiastically finished it the last day. I wanted to tell you but I don't know your email nor any of your social media accounts, I thought of telling you on Monday but my sister told me she wanted to meet you today."
I scratched my bed hair and walked out of my room, hearing his words I thought to myself if it is all my fault?
"So are you free right now, Aster?"
I really want to lie and tell him yes, but when I remembered the persistence of that fly from yesterday it's highly likely that he'll continue buzzing around Lea, especially after his jewels were brutally cracked in public.
Damn, I feel uncomfortable just thinking about it. Was it still usable? If not then I am sure he'll sue her for that...or maybe not? If he is smart then he'll know that all he would get if he did that was some laughs, people now liked to shame others after all.
Still just in case he turned stupid all of a sudden it's better to bury what happened using other means. I already have plans and direction on what to do, and with informations as my guns I would most likely turn his school life or maybe even his whole life hell.
"Yes, oh and tell your sister I am interested in meeting her too."
A person who works this fast, and I hope good too, is worth befriending for a long run.
"So what time should we meet David?"
I asked as I went downstairs, but even after reaching the kitchen and finding my cereals I still did not heard a reply. I checked the screen of my phone and saw that it was still on call, so why is he silent now?
"Hello! Are you still there David...David!"
"Oh...sorry, sorry I was dazed for a second there. The time, what about at 10:30 at -----?"
I input the address he gave me into the app and saw that it is a fast food chain that is three station away from our place. Calculating the time I can arrive there with a bit of leeway even if I commute.
"Okay, see you there then."
I was going to end the call and focused on my meal but David suddenly asked a question.
"Hey Aster...uhm...do you like older ones?"
A strange question with a strange tone. What does this guy want?
"That is an unusual thing to ask, but yes I do like mature people as they are more open-minded and easier to talk to."
"Uh...okay. See you later."
He replied after a long pause, then he ended the call himself. I looked at my phone and saw the relfection of my face which is filled with confusion.
Why do I felt that I said something wrong?
I shook my head and throw that feeling in the back of my mind. Taking out a carton of milk from the fridge I graced my cereals with it.
I took a glance at the sink and saw that it is still without any dirty utensils in it before taking a seat in one of the stools next to the small kitchen table. Is Lea still sleeping? Or Mrs. Anna washed it already? I'll take a look at her room later.
Just as I was about to take the spoonful of cereals in my mouth I remembered that I had yet to wash my face nor mouth. I couldn't help but frown.
I am truly unlucky this day.
...
"Where are you going?"
I was suddenly overshadowed by someone but I did not turned around instead I continued tying both of my shoelaces.
"I am going out with friends."
"I asked where, not who."
After I finished the last loop I stood up and looked back at Lea. She's standing there still in her pajamas with a frown on her face, her brows were long locked into this place after the event from yesterday.
I adviced her that it is not good for her forehead when she becomes old but I only got a slap in mine. I could not cure her, no one can except her 'prince charming'.
"We'll have lunch together, and we're also gonna talk about the school project assigned to us."
"Its Joseph's rest day—"
"I know. I'm taking a taxi."
Seeing that she did not opened her mouth anymore I reached towards the door but just as I opened it I heard her asked.
"What about money?"
Is she going to ask if I applied sunscreen in my skin next? This is getting annoying.
"I already took my allowance from...dad."
She turned quiet once more and I did not walked out of the door instead I am stood there like statue, it suddenly turned awkward.
"What?"
"Do you have anything else to add?"
I asked wirh a hint of irration appeared in my voice, and it seemed she heard of it.
"...Buy me a pizza, fries, and...."
She started an incantation of a summoning spell, it will work better using her phone to dial a specified number and at most 30 minutes what she wanted to summon will appear while still piping hot on her plate.
'Why don't you just call for delivery?'
I wanted to tell her that but in the end I nodded in agreement.
"Okay, but I can't memorized all of that so just email what you want later. Also send the money."
"Mhm, be sure you comeback early. Goodbye."
"Bye."
And with that I stepped out of the house, walk for few minutes before I could hail a taxi. There was a bit of traffic so I only arrived about 10 minutes before the appointed time.
Once I was inside the family restaurant I easily spotted that eye catching red haired dude even though there was a meter tall partition blocking me from seeing all of him.
I thought detectives are supposedly low-key, should I advise him to dye his hair black or brown? I thought as I walked passed other tables deeper inside the place.
"David."
I greeted him first. He was the only one present in a table that are reserved for groups.
"There you are, Aster."
He sighed and relief can be clearly see in his face. I took the seat facing him then I asked.
"So where's the info?"
"You're too straightforward, why don't you order first?"
David passed me the menu. I read the food written in there and all of them looks delicious, but then I remembered Lea's errand and decided to just eat with her.
"I'll take the fries and a melon soda, please." I told the waitress who stopped next to our table.
"So where is it?"
"Its not here. My sister had it and she'll arrived here..." He checked his watch before he continued, "Soon."
As there were no topics we could talk to an awkward silence hung around us. I am fine with it as he's still a stranger in my eyes but it seemed that this guy can't.
I thought he's at Ron's level just with a different reason but no he's worse, he didn't even touch his food and even though his back is properly straight his eyes are darting here and there.
"Why did you call for this place to meet up when you're this nervous?"
"Who's nervous, I am not."
"Yeah."
I did not pursue further in case I damage his detective pride. I guess that it is probably his sister's choice. Still I need to calm down this big guy as anyone who saw us might think that I am threatening him.
"Can you tell me a bit about your sister?"
He made a strange face to me, I don't know what he's thinking about but he stopped rapping the table so it is alright.
"Why are you curios about her?"
"Oh nothing, I just heard the rumor about how the club helped the school, I wanted to know if it's true."
"Of course it's true! That was the golden years of the club, they did not have any murder case solved but they had a lot of other interesting cases that they bagged! And from what my sister told me they even helped the police one time."
Is this guy addicted with murder cases? What a creepy fetish to have. Well if the club did have that kind of rumors around them why are they not many people joining them when I am even interested in it?
"If that is true then why do you still struggle to find members?"
"Uh...about that—"
David is scratching his red hair, seeing him like that my curiosity grew higher. Is it because it is not safe to be one of them due to the malicious mastermind that threatened them? Or did the members have dissatisfaction in one of their cases and they broke up? Which is it!
However before I could push him to spill the beans the waitress came back with my order. The crispy looking fries tempted me for piece but just as I picked the lucky one I was interrupted with the explanation I am interested in.
"Its because they realize the difference between their expectations and reality, so they quit."
"Sister you're here."
I could hear the relief in David's voice when he saw the woman who different from him has a petite shape, I would mistake her for a middle schooler if not for her languid brown eyes, the only the same thing she had with him is the hair color only hers are restrained a bit with a mix of brown.
She took a seat smoothly next to David and casually took a piece of his fries and dipped it into the ketchup before taking it into her mouth.
"Can you elaborate about that, please?"
"Well, Mystery Solving Club is not a setting of a story but just a normal club. Can you imagine these idiots who thought that they can experience the thrill of stepping in to the crime scene will last in a kind of club that mostly spend their time like Literature Club?"
The piece of fries she's holding between her fingers was pointed at the oaf who looked lost at her side.
"I see."
The higher expectations the painful it is when everything came crashing down.
"What about the thing I asked?"
Now that she's here I decide to be jump straight to the point and let not Lea wait.
"No beating around the bush, eh?" She smiled and took out an brown envelope from her handbag and put it down the table. "I don't hate direct people like you."
"I am not, I am just in a hurry."
I reached out—no I tried to but failed as she slide the envelope back missing my grasp. I looked at her half closed eyes that showed a glint of interest in them.
"Aster Vonns, brother of the school's Ice Princess but unlike his sister he is friendly and warm. He too is not a top scorer but smart...as for your physical education you just barely passed."
"Keep the last part to yourself will you. What else do you know about me?"
I took my hand back and just pretend to looked serious, this woman in front of me must've truly a lot of connection around the campus. I glanced at David who looked like a dog lost in our conversation.
"Do you want to hear more eh?"
I got a bad feeling seeing her sleepy eyes awakened and was suddenly full of mischievous glint, but I did not stopped her until I heard the first thing that came out of her mouth.
"Ron—"
"What do you want?"
Now I am truly serious, she almost fooled me with her appearance but I must not be swayed. Remember Aster she is a big sister too, and their kind is the kryptonite of the younger brothers!
"Oh you are truly smart! Don't worry I won't spread what I know, I am just testing you."
"Testing me? For what?"
"Did you forget eh? You promised to join the club right?"
Yeah she's threatening me! But it's not like I will back down from my words.
"I don't gave promises that lightly, if that envelope did contain good infos then I will fulfill it."
"This eh? Don't worry I hate that guy too so I worked hard to dig everything up I could."
Seeing her smile, I realized that what she said is the truth. Now I am curious how did that fly stepped on this lioness' tail.
"Alright, however the two people I could find is at most will be a ghost member like you. Are you fine with that?"
"Yeah I am fine with that, I can't face my seniors again if the club was abolished after all." She pushed the enveloped to me and offered her hand over.
"As the president of the Mystery Solving Club I welcome you, Junior Aster."
I looked at her eyes filled with joy then shifted it to the enveloped in my hand's reach and finally to her small soft looking palm.
"Thank you uh..."
"Right! I forgot to tell you my name, I am Mary Irene Patterson but I liked it if you could call me Ms. Nassia." she said as she shook my hand up and down excitedly.
"Yes, thank you Ms. Nassia."
I smiled back not caring the weird looks David's been giving us. Within this envelope is the ingredients of the formula I made to surely kill that fly.
His days are numbered and it will not last long.