Wave blinked, stunned by Taya's sudden declaration, "Taya are you sure? That price could pay for, I don't know, a small Island!"
Dream giggled, "Or maybe a super fancy dinner with dessert! Oh, I love dessert."
Taya waved her hand dismissively, her confidence unwavering, "Girls, relax. What's the point of saving money if not to make memories like this? And this," she said gesturing at the keepsakes, "will remind us of our friendship forever."
Wave leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper, "That's sweet and all, but I can't pitch in."
Taya smirked, placing a hand on her hip, "Did I ask you to pitch in? This is my treat. Consider it a 'welcome to our trio' gift, Wave."
Dream squealed, hugging Taya, "You're the best, Taya! And you're right, this is so symbolic. I'm keeping mine forever!"
Wave blinked, unsure how to respond, "I... don't know what to say."
Taya gave her a light nudge, "Say nothing and accept it. That's what friends do. We've got your back, Wave, whether it's a pricey keepsake or a midnight snack run."
"Okay, fine. But next time, I'm treating us to something... less fancy. Like pizza." She smiled faintly, tension easing from her shoulders.
Dream burst out laughing, "Deal! Friendship pizza!"
The saleswoman returned with the wrapped items, placing them gently into a bag, "You three have a special bond. These will look beautiful on all of you."
After receiving their friendship keepsakes, the girls left the store and headed toward the lounge, where Jace was. Taya immediately walked over to him, giving the girls a quick smile,
"I'll be back in a sec," she said before disappearing. Dream, too, vanished without a word, seemingly lost in the atmosphere of the lounge.
Wave left alone, her eyes widened in surprise as she took in the scene before her. A cloud of smoke lingered in the air and students clustered together in corners, some laughing, others looking bit too relaxed, some making out. It was a side of Hartley she hadn't expected to see, ever and it left her feeling too uneasy, too uncomfortable.
She made her way to a nearby couch. As she settled into a couch, she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned, finding Hunter standing behind her with an infuriating smirk tugging the corner of his lips. For a moment, the air around them seemed to crackle.
"Tutor!" He exclaimed as she turned, "I was standing there wondering who the lost little girl was, standing like she didn't belong. Like its her first time seeing people smoke. And behold-" he gestured grandly, as he sat on the same couch with Wave, with a sly grin, "It was you, Fishers."
Wave's jaw tightened as the words sank in. She straightened her back and with a groan, "Leave me alone, Hunter."
"Why? I took my time here helping someone look less out of place. And you're chasing me away!" His grin widening at her response, his posture relaxed as he leaned back on the couch, "I'm just wondering what kind of tutor spends their time sulking in a lounge full of smoke and bad decisions."
Wave turned to glare at him, "What kind of person spends their time pestering people instead of minding their own business? Oh wait, Hunter does."
"Touche." He chuckled feigning a clap, "But you're wrong, Fishers. Minding my business would be boring, especially when there's you to entertain me."
"Entertain you?" Wave scoffed, "Fucking hell, find another source of entertainment Motherfucker!"
"You sound so sexy cursing!"
"Are you flirting with me Hunter?"
"Maybe, Maybe not. You're more interesting than you think, Fishers."
Wave rolled her eyes, "Don't try to hit on me. You goddamn moron. You're not even a one close to my type!"
"What's your type then, Miss two-goody-shoes? Let me guess, some nerd who lives in the library, writing poetry about the 'depths of your soul'? oh I have a good one, the cliches someone caring, loving..."
"Wow, groundbreaking analysis. Did you pull that shit out of a fortune cookie or the little brain cell you share with your fan club?"
"Touched a nerve, did I? Or are you just mad because I'm not your type, Fishers? Admit it, You're intrigued."
She rolled her eyes, lips curling into a sneer, "Intrigued? By you? Please. I'd rather date a dumpster fire. At least it knows what it is-a hot fucking mess."
Clearly enjoying her fiery response, "Feisty. You know, that's kind of cute. Maybe I should start tutoring you, Fishers. Teach you how to lighten up."
"Lighten up? Oh, fuck off, Hunter. You're about as helpful as a hole in a goddamn parachute!"
Fatso and Zuki who were nearby were clearly enjoying the jabs between the two till the laughed loud and were silenced by the glare sent to them by Hunter.
"Careful," he said, "Keep this up and people might think you like me."
Wave clenched her fists as Hunter's smirk seemed to grow wider, his arrogant presence grating on her nerves.
"You're fucking insufferable!" she snapped.
"Insufferable?" Hunter repeated, placing a mocking hand on his chest as though wounded, "Fishers that's no way to say to someone as charming as me."
Wave scoffed, standing up to glare at him, "Fuck off Hunter. Why don't you shove your 'charm' up your ass and find someone who actually cares!"
"You wound me, Fishers."
"Are you fucking kidding me right now?" Wave growled, "Go to hell, Hunter."
"Already there," he shot back, smirking, "And I've got front-row seats reserved for you."
"Asshole!" Wave spat, storming off.
Hunter leaned back, laughing softly to himself, clearly enjoying the chaos he'd stirred. Anticipating the days to come as he didn't see them bleak but interesting.
As Wave walked away, Taya appeared by her side, her gaze flicking between them, "Well, trying to rekindle tutor-student relationship?"
With a groan, as she linked arms with Taya, "Don't start with me? He's trouble!"
"Where's Dream?"
"She disappeared as soon as you left!"
"Okay let's find her and get out of here!"
Wave and Taya searched the lounge and saw no trace of Dream. They left for the game hub where she wasn't there. The only place that Dream could be if she hasn't left yet, is the Karaoke.
They got in the room where there was a party. It was chaotic, with music blasting and people crowding every corner of the room. Taya and Wave after moving through the chaos, they finally spotted Dream slumped in a corner, clearly intoxicated.
Taya and Wave's eyes widened in shock, "Dream!" they exclaimed, crouching down to check on her.
Turning to the crowd, Taya went and turned off the music, "Who gave her alcohol?" she demanded.
A boy with a smug grin stepped forward, "Relax, she only had two shots of vodka and she's already out. Lightweight much?" he mocked, earning laughter from the crowd.
Taya's face hardened. She moved toward him, his fists clenched, "You think this is funny?" she asked, clearly angry.
The boy shrugged, still smirking. Before he could say another word, Taya's fist connected with his jaw, sending him stumbling backward. The laughter stopped instantly.
"Are you insane?" One of his friends yelled, stepped forward.
The boy's anger quickly turned to regret as Taya launched into action. In a blur of precise movements, she took down the other boys who tried to intervene. One ended up with a broken nose, another with a dislocated finger and yet another cradling his arm, likely broken.
The boy with a smug grin spat out a tooth, his expression now out of fear as he threatened, "I'm going to tell my dad. You'll see! You messed with the wrong one."
~The boy's name is Chad Fletcher and he was that arrogant because his dad, James Fletcher is the town's Mayor and he was the one that gave Dream the drug infused vodka.~
Wave watched in stunned silence, her mouth slightly open. She had never seen Taya like this before- fierce and absolutely unstoppable.
The four boys left with a struggle making the party to a stop.
Taya turned to Wave, her chest heaving, "Help me with Dream," She said curtly returning to her usual calm demeanor.
Wave nodded, still processing what she had just witnessed. "Remind me never to get on your bad side." she muttered, a hint of awe in her voice.
Taya glanced at her, the faintest smile tugging at her lips, ''Don't mess with my friends!"
"Then I'm glad to be your friend."
"Don't tell me your glad because I can fight for you guys!" she joked
"Well, that's half true. I can't fight and you can fight for me. From now on I'll offend people peacefully knowing my best friend can fight them!" Wave said and they laughed
As they were about to leave the room while carrying Dream out. Jace came storming into the room angrily.
"Taya where are those fuckers? They dare mess with you!"