Mike's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Smith arrived home in the evening, and during dinner Mike recounted the school incident.
Mr. Smith listened intently as he emptied his cup, his expression stern. "Can't you and Christina just settle your differences or, better yet, embark on a peaceful relationship?" he suggested after hearing the whole story.
Mike's face contorted in disappointment. "What are you saying, dad? Are you drunk?" he asked, sniffing the air. "Everyone here knows how strong our hatred is for each other, and what!? Embark? Relationship? Oh gadd!"
Rachael burst into laughter, her infectious giggles spreading to Mrs. Smith. The tension dissipated as everyone at the dining table focused on Mike.
"Don't worry, son," Mrs. Smith reassured, patting Mike's shoulder. "Your dad and I will visit your school tomorrow, and we'll settle everything."
Mike smiled. "Thanks, Mom," he said.
Mr. Smith's concern shifted to Mike's injuries. "Did you treat your wounds?" he inquired.
"Yes, Rachael applied some ointment earlier," Mike replied.
Mr. Smith nodded in satisfaction and poured himself another glass of water. His gaze drifted to the kids' attire.
"But... what's with your outfits?" Mrs. Smith, also noticing their outfits, asked.
"Are you guys going somewhere?" Mr. Smith inquired.
"Yes, we're attending a birthday party tonight." Rachael replied.
Mrs. Smith raised an eyebrow.
"My friend Tina's birthday party," Rachael clarified.
The adults' smiles faltered, their faces turning intense.
"Are you thinking of a way to persuade us not to go?" Mike asked, deciphering their expressions.
Mrs. Smith's voice turned surprised. "You're attending a birthday party dressed like that?"
Mike and Rachael exchanged skeptical glances before turning to their mother. "Dressed like how?" they chimed in unison.
Mr. Smith chuckled. "One would think you're going hiking. And Rachael, why dress like a boy? Why wear a coat to a birthday party?"
Mike's smile mischievously. "It's a cold night, Dad. And… we're on a mission."
The word "mission" hung in the air, sparking concern.
"Mission!? What mission?" Mr. and Mrs. Smith asked in tandem.
Rachael's eyes widened, her glare at Mike a mixture of alarm and frustration. "Why not take a megaphone and announce it to the whole world?" she snapped through gritted teeth.
"They wouldn't understand. I'm giving them a hint, just in case we get into trouble later," Mike whispered back, matter-of-factly.
Rachael shook her head, uncertain whether Mike's words were a testament to his intelligence or his foolishness.
Mrs. Smith exhaled in resignation. "Well, I don't have anything else to say except 'be careful.' I hope it works for you."
Rachael grasped Mike's hand, pulling him toward the door. "Be careful works for us, don't worry, we'll be home before 12."
Mr. and Mrs. Smith exchanged a concerned glance again, their eyes widening in unison. "12 a.m.? You better be back here before 11!" Mrs. Smith called out.
Rachael's face flushed with frustration. "We're going to be fine, Mom! Stop treating us like kids!" She glared at Mike, expecting him to intervene with an assuring words. But she wished she hadn't.
Mike's intervention ruined it, his tone reassuring. "Um, well...we'll be careful. And, as you said, we'll be back before 11."
Rachael's glare cut through Mike. She's so good at glaring!
"I asked you to convince them, not agreeing with them! You old-fashioned set of people!" she muttered, rolling her eyes. "I shouldn't have involved you in the first place."
"Let's go!" She yelled, causing Mike to flinch.
As they got out, Mike turned to face Rachael, whose anger was still visible. "Let's just get the books and come back home. There's nothing we'll be doing there till 12 a.m." he whispered.
Rachael sighed, relenting. "Whatever."
Their footsteps echoed into the night
*****
As Mike and Rachael reached the front of Tina's house, they began to hear the sound of music. Tina's house is a majestic two-story building that exudes luxury and elegance.
The exterior walls are painted a warm, creamy white, with large windows that sparkle like diamonds in the light.
The roof is a deep, rich brown, with intricately designed tiles that add a touch of sophistication. The front door is a sturdy, dark wood with a gleaming brass doorknob and a heavy-looking iron knocker in the shape of a wolf's head.
"Whoa! This place is stunning!" Mike marveled at the building' structure and beauty. "It looks like a fairy-tale palace!"
Rachael looked at Mike and scoffed. "Dammit! Mike. Your exaggeration is so obvious, palace? My foot!"
"Whatever! Are you sure we're gonna get what we came here for?" Mike asked in anticipation. "My instinct is telling me something feels off."
"Your instincts are always wrong, Tina's parents went on a business trip, so stop whining," Rachael scoffed again.
"Today might be right, you never know what will happen." Mike said and entered the house, followed by his sister.
As they step inside, they're immediately struck by the grandeur of the high ceilings, adorned with intricate moldings and crystal chandeliers that refract rainbows of light. The floors are polished marble, gleaming like mirrors, and the walls are painted a soft, creamy color that seems to glow in the light.
The living room is spacious, with plush, velvet sofas and armchairs in a rich, berry-red color. The walls are adorned with expensive-looking artwork, and the coffee table is a gleaming slab of black marble.
The room is filled with the sweet scent of fresh flowers, arranged in a stunning bouquet on the coffee table.
Several students filled the room, some familiar while others, not, all dancing to the rhythm of the playing music.
"Strawberry please." Rachael said to the waiter passing by and he handed over a cup to her.
Rachael took a sip and moaned softly in satisfaction. "Dammit! That hits the spot!"
"Pineapple please." Mike said and took the glass from the waiter beside him. He took a sip and nodded.
Tina emerged, radiant in her party attire. "Hi Rachael!" she exclaimed.
Rachael's eyes widened. "You look stunning! Jaw-dropping, really."
Tina's cheeks flushed. "Thanks, nice outfits by the way. You look like the one hosting the birthday party."
Rachael furrowed at Tina and then burst into laughter. "You mean the opposite, right?"
Tina's smile faltered as her gaze shifted to Mike. "Well…" she let her sentence trail off.
"Ohhh, meet my older brother, Mike. You must have met him before, in school." Rachael introduced.
Tina's eyes sparkled. "Of course, we've met. Who wouldn't know Mike. Christina's—"
"Keep it down!" Rachael swiftly interrupted. "You don't want this party to turn into a boxing ring, do you?"
Tina chuckled. "Right! Wouldn't want that."
Mike leaned in, whispering, "What's going on?"
Rachael smiled wryly. "It's better you don't know. We might get thrown out... or worse."
Mike raised an eyebrow, he opened his mouth to speak, but closed it back. His gaze drifted upstairs, where a couple was locked in a passionate kiss.
"Whoa!" he breathed.
Tina's voice broke the silence. "You two look alike. No one would easily believe that you're not twins."
Mike's gaze was still fixed above, lost in thought, until Rachael's voice jerked him back.
"Mike!?"
"Mike!!?"
Mike flinched, regaining his composure—or pretending to. "Wh...what!??" he stammered, licking his lips.
Rachael's eyes locked onto his, gesturing toward Tina. Finally Mike's attention returned to Tina, her outstretched hand awaiting his greeting.
"I'm Mike Smith. Nice meeting you," he said, his handshake was firm.
"I knew you, Mike. I'm in senior class C," Tina replied, her smile warm. "I'm Valentina Edwards. And… the pleasure is mine."
"Over here, Tina!" A voice called from across the room, interrupting the mood.
Tina waved and excused herself. "Mi casa es tu…" she said before leaving, her sentence lost amidst the growing noise.
"Gracias," Mike replied as he watched her disappeared into the crowd.
Rachael's stare was piercing. "So you like my friend?" she asked jokingly.
"Did I tell you that!?" Mike snapped.
"Sorry! Sorry!! Sorry!!! My bad!" said Rachael hastily.
Mike's purpose resurfaced. "What about the books?"
"Oh! That's right, follow me," Rachael whispered after confirming Tina was occupied with a conversation with her friends.
Mike followed without asking anymore questions. They slipped upstairs, navigating the corridor to the third room on the left.
Rachael halted, her eyes sparkling with caution. She pushed open the door, gesturing for Mike to enter. "After you."
Mike hesitated, frowning. "After who? In this dark room?" he said in apprehension.
"The sooner you go in, the sooner you get what you came for," Rachael urged.
Mike stepped inside cautiously, his slow footsteps muffled through the darkness.
"Someone's coming!" Rachael whispered urgently, shoving Mike inside and slamming the door shut.
In the darkness, she let out a deep sigh of relief—or frustration. "We almost got caught because of you!"
"We're not caught, anyway. Let's just get what we came here for and get the fuck out!" Mike retorted, irritated. He paused, blinded by the darkness. "And... I can't see a damn thing!"
Rachael flipped the light switch, bathing the room in a warm glow.
Mike's jaw dropped. The room was a treasure trove of dusty tomes and ancient texts. Shelves stretched from floor to ceiling, packed with leather-bound books.
A majestic wooden desk dominated the center, surrounded by piles of papers and quills. Mike's eyes widened, drinking in the bibliophilic paradise.