18 Chapter fifteen: Mixed Emotions

The next morning second hour is starting, and there's tons of chatter going around the room upon walking in. Even Raylen doesn't have her nose stuck in a book like usual. "What's got everyone so hyped up this early?"

"You haven't watched the news?" she asks, as Brooklynn walks over to her seat.

"Not really. Why, what's going on?"

The shorter female pulls out her phone. Going straight to the news app and clicking on the most popular broadcast. Sonny leans over to watch also as a male reporter is seen talking outside. If she's not mistaken it's around the same area they fought that snake, and where she awakened to her Duclea form. "It seems the new Felixa chosen is definitely in town now. The random monsters attacks have steadily decreased. Plus major destruction around here time and time again could very well be the Felixa using her powers. Over to you Sierra."

Flipping to a news woman standing in the excat same alley from last night. "Yes, it seems indeed that Brooklynn has arrived in Chadlen. As you can see by all this damage behind me, and here isn't the only area. She'll be the third Felixa attempting to take down Duran. The famous adventurer that sunk into the dark ruin last month. People claim to saw the Felixa with their own eyes just yesterday evening. They didn't get it on video but believe this girl to be only a minor. We also speculate unlike the others before her that she has an accomplice of some sort."

As they watch the newscast her body stiffens and Raylen finally puts her phone away. "Rumors say the Felixa could be at this very school." Both exchanging looks and remain silent as Josef walks up to join the conversation.

"Talking about the Felixa I presume? She is one brave girl to be taking on the kinds of sightings people have witnessed in town recently. Wouldn't it be amazing to meet her, Hira?"

"Yeah...definitely."

"Come students, quite down. I know everyone is interested in the Felixa story passing around, but class is about to begin." The teacher instructs, having everyone take their seats.

Having more space to breathe now Brooklynn is the first to whisper as the lesson starts up. "People are finding out more about us. They must've realized the organized attacks the FDO has been doing against us latley."

"It doesn't matter. As long as we can destroy the Erebus chest before our identities are discovered."

...

Later on art class roles around for them. Brooklynn lets out a groan suprisingly this being her least favorite class of the day. Their teacher clasps her hands the moment the bell rings. "Alright class, get working on your beautiful landscapes! You should be starting on your painting about now!"

Sighing once more as she fetches her small canvas before taking a seat by her easel. Sonny peeps over at hers trying to stifle back a laugh. "Will you shut up. I'm not finished yet."

"Is that really what you plan on turning in?"

"Not everyone can draw okay. What about you, hmm? Where is yours?" Glancing at his own and her face goes pale at the pretty beach inspired drawling. The painting is nearly done too. "Of course it's beautiful. Why did I even ask?"

"Your portrait is magnificent, Sonny! The hues for the evening colored skies is breathtaking."

"I just have to do my last finishing touches on it."

"I must hang it up in the hallway for the whole school to see."

"What about mine, Mrs. Tazelberry?" The woman turning her attention towards Brooklynn. One look and her lips twists up into an awkward smile. "Your's...is definitely unique."

"See? She says it's unique, Sonny. Unique is good."

"Yes, let's just say that." Dropping her pencil in disbelief, as Mrs Tazelberry has moved on to help another student.

"She could've had the decency to lie! Argh, I hate art!"

By the end of the period grade sheets are handed out to all students. Getting the chance to try and change their grades around before the first term ends. Looking at her score she can't believe how low her grade truly is.

In gym the class splits into pairs for cool down exercises. Raylen and herself working together, though can hardly focus mind drifting back to her grade again. "What's wrong, Hira?"

"I just found out I'm falling art. Who fails art?"

"The F may stand for flowing with passion, or...failure to follow directions," Sonny teases, stretching not far from them.

"I DID follow the directions! I've been doing everything she's said for the assignments. Including my landscape painting right now."

"I don't think she could tell then. For example, your drawing suppose to be a calming forest with a river, right? But it more resembles the aftermath of a beautiful landscape when a deadly tornado has blown through it. If I wasn't in your class with the same assignment, I wouldn't have been able to tell what it was."

"It's no way it was drawn that badly! Whatever not everyone has gifted hands."

"What are you going to do now?" Raylen asks, as they switch positions.

"I can't fail! I need at least a passing grade..."

"I guess I could be nice and draw your picture for you. If you do something for me in return," Sonny offers, with a smile on his face.

This very well can be some kinda trap like the last time, even if he did pay in the end. Regardless she's out of options at this point. "Okay anything! I just really need the help."

...

Afterschool they have a free day with the detectives too overloaded with work to come tonight. Sonny is currently in his room drawing her landspace. He completely trashed her old one saying it is beyond repair and decided to start fresh. It's been well over an hour and she wonders how long he's going to work on this.

Walking next door she peeps inside his already cracked door to see him silently concentrating. "Um, Sonny? Shouldn't you be working on some of your other school work? Your seventh hour class has a test around the corner, right? And it's the quiz in art coming up too."

"Yeah, but you still need to paint this before turning it in. You'll only have three days left so that's why I need to finish this tonight. I'll still have time to study for the tests. Besides you're the one who should be focusing on the art quiz. You need to score a B or higher if you want your grade to improve a bit before midterms."

"That's true. I guess I better go and study."

"I'll let you know when I'm done." With that she heads back to her room to get started on homework.

Some time passes when there's a sudden knock on her door. Sitting up in her bed as she calls him inside. The ginger enters with the small canvas hidden behind his back. Blue eyes looking at the magazine she was flipping through and frowns. "I thought you said you were going to study."

"I just got done with other homework so I'll study tonight. You're done right? Lemme see it."

"I'm a little worried by something so give me your honest opinion." He slowly shows it and her eyes sparkle at the outstanding drawling before her. Everything is so detailed and eraser marked free. He definitely has some talent.

"It's...beautiful. It looks exactly like the photo. I'll for sure get an A+ turning this in!"

Rather than him being happy by these compliments, instead heaves a long sigh. "I was afraid you were going to say that." And without hesitation he grabs the pencil tucked behind his ear. Scribbles all over the canvas and she quickly jumps on her feet.

"What are you doing?!"

"The picture was drawn too well. It should've looked more like a C average portrait. Maybe even C- as long as it's passing."

"Why does my grade have to be so low?!"

"Would you had preferred to give Mrs Tazelberry the old one, and she finds out I drew it for you? Then you'll fail for sure." It is true if she finds out this isn't her work will be an automatic zero. But she wishes deep down she could've took credit for that one.

"No, no. I'll let you get back to work then."

"Luckily as an artist I have more than one canvas."

Leaving to start again night has fallen by the time he comes back. Finished studying quiz material she's now browsing through channels on the television. Breaking her gaze from the TV to see his second attempt. "Are you done already?"

"No, this one isn't finshed yet but tell me if it'll work or not." This unlike the other is on a lower level being very botchy. The river isn't straight and the animals aren't drawn properly. "I think this resembles your drawing style more than the old one."

"Are you trying to say I draw like a first grader?!"

"You could always redraw your own if you feel that's better," he suggests.

Bad as this one looks her own would be much worse. At least she can hope to get an average grade turning this in. "Yeah, it'll work. Oh, you never told me what favor you want for this?"

"Well you and me are going to go out somewhere soon."

"Going out?" That's all Sonny's asking her to do? Surprised by his request an idea floats around in mind because of it. Without thinking the question slips from her mouth. "You mean like a date?"

Silence fills the room before he throws his hands up defensively. "T-That's not what I'm saying! Though it's funny hearing this from you. Aren't you supposed to be going out with Josef?"

"Don't turn this back around on me! You're the one who was wording it funny. Anyway, what's the catch? It's no way you'd just ask for this alone." Brooklynn learnt her lesson the last time. In this case she can be prepared beforehand.

"I get to pick where we go and you're gonna pay for everything!"

Yup, this is far from any kind of date she's known. "Sure let my pocketbook pay the price," she grumbles. Though it's too late for backing out now.

"Today would've been the perfect I guess, but it's too close to curfew now. Should we wait until after the mission is over? We're not sure what next free day we'll have." Brooklynn points out. With all the days they've already missed the agents won't like them taking off another one willingly.

"No! I mean-I don't wanna wait until then. They have a busy schedule so I'm sure another day will be avaliable. We can go then..." he mutters, gaze dropped at the floor.

"O-Okay..."

"I better get in some studying tonight. Good night." Without giving her a chance to reply he rushes out towards his room. The girl left standing dumbfounded by his sudden outburst.

He got upset when I suggested we push the outing back. I wonder why that is...

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The next day during art class Brooklynn begins painting her new portrait. The ginger just finishing his own looks it over with a smile. "All I have to do is wait for this to dry."

"Lucky you," she mutters, not taking her eyes from the canvas. Jennifer and Nicole glare daggers as they approach closer to where Brooklynn is sitting. The blonde clumsily tripping with her dirty water cup in hand. The liquid splashing all over her canvas. "My painting!"

"Oh no, Hira! I'm so sorry." The burnette quickly fetches the paper towel roll. Jennifer also bending down to help clean up the water mess currently on the floor. A cruel smile forms across her lips. "Maybe if you want less unfortunate things happening to you will stay away from Josef."

"Argh, it's about the dance isn't it?" They just can't get past how he blew them off. Josef was simply giving them the same treatment they gave to him back then. Now because of their pettiness she's out of another drawling.

I'll make you pay for that.

But soon as the thought crosses her mind, Sonny grabs ahold of her arm when standing up. "Don't be reckless. You'll get in trouble if you try anything."

"Look at this mess! What on earth happened?"

"Mrs Tazelberry, can Hira get more time on her project? It's obvious Jennifer did that on purpose," Sonny explains, giving the girls a look but the blonde plasters a fake frown.

"I did know such thing."

"Not that she would've gotten a decent grade anyways," Nicole whispers, loud enough for her too hear. Growling lowly as the friends head back to their seats.

"I'm sorry but midterm grades are due soon. I will still need it by the end of this week. I'll try to be more leniate with my grading for yours. That's all I can do."

"Okay, I understand." Checking out her canvas that has painted colors mixed and smudgy. Throwing the thing in the trash bin the rest of the class goes by painfully slow. When the bells rings she follows the male out with a sigh. "I'm sorry, Sonny."

"Huh, what are you apologizing for?"

"You did all that work and now it's ruined."

"It's fine, not your fault. I'll just redraw it. Will have to wait until tonight though. We'll be going on our next mission today right after school."

...

School ending the detectives come a little earlier this time. Both kids hoping in the back of the limo as usual. "Ruin number two today!" Jerry declares, as they buckle up.

"Hopefully we'll get lucky and this will be the right one," Ron says, while starting the car up and they take off down the street.

After a while of driving in silence but the faint music from the radio a thought crosses Brooklynn's mind. "I was thinking, I don't know much about you two at all. How long have you been working on the force? You look young to be agents."

"I guess you don't, huh. Well I've been working there for three years now. I'm twenty five years old and Ron here is two years under me. He's only been working as SP a few months. That's why he was assigned to me, so I could show him the ropes."

"Funny how that turned out," Ron mumbles, eyes still on the road.

"Wait, what do you mean by that?!"

"I kinda always assumed it was the other way around, and Ron worked as an SP longer."

"You too, Brooke! Anyway, we take care of a lot of crazy missions normal cops can't handle. This one definitely isn't the first. We've crushed a secret organization with doomsday plans, and a small alien invasion that attacked. Was sent oversees for that one so most only know little details surrounding it. A mission long before Ron had joined the team."

"Aliens, really?!"

"True, surprisingly. That's why this mission isn't too shocking for us," Ron adds on, while stopping at a red light.

"I'll have to tell you some legendary stories sometime. Oh, the car chase against Black Crows is one of the best. We nearly died during that mission by driving off the cliff."

"And just who was driving the car at the time?" Ron questions Jerry raising an eyebrow. Though she can hear the teasing tone in his voice, as the red head sinks further in his seat.

"I was but it really wasn't my fault, Brooke."

"You already told me that story before. It was totally your fault." Sonny who was previously gazing out the window now joins the conversation.

"Look, we're both still alive okay! That's all that matters and you're one to talk. After you crashed that convertible, Sonny!"

"You wouldn't believe this but Jerry is actually married," Ron informs, changing the subject. He shows them both the ring on his finger.

"Yup, been married over a year now."

"His wife is astonishing beautiful women with many talents. It's incomprehensible how he won her over."

"You didn't have to word it like that..." It's strange to hear Jerry is married out of all people. The girl can't help being a bit curious to learn more about her.

"She sounds amazing. What does she look like?"

Grabbing his cellphone and pulls up a photo of the two of them. Sonny even leaning in for a closer look. "Here she is, my love Gabrielle. Didn't I tell you I had a wife, Sonny?"

"Yeah, but I never saw how she looks."

The young woman is really pretty and the two of them look so happy together. "She is beautiful. I wish I'll have something like that one day."

"The picture may be evidence but it's kinda hard to believe. Did you blackmail her or something?" Sonny asks, with a cheezy smile. That smart remark having Jerry snatch his phone back.

"You're the last person I want to hear cracks from. You lost to that one kid for the dance, didn't you?"

"I keep on saying it wasn't a competition!" This triggering the males to start going back and forth. Brooklynn decides to leave them be and chat with Ron instead. Who hasn't contributed much sharing on his own end.

"Do you have a special someone, Ron?"

"No, my schedule is much too busy for dating."

"He's single ready to mingle, or at least he should be. Got the looks but he's so awkward around the ladies," Jerry replies, and she's taken back a little.

"Ron is?" Brooklynn honestly pictured him to be a smooth talker, but apparently that's not the case. The driver shakes his head in defense.

"I said I'm just focusing on my career as an SP right now. There's no time for romance."

"Sure, you use that as an excuse. But he's really not the at best striking conversation with females. I said Gabrielle has a lot of nice friends I could introduce you to."

"Thanks, but I'll pass on that offer."

"You're always so stubborn."

"I guess with how calm and collected you are all the time. I thought you'd be sort of a ladies man," she admits and Sonny nods in agreement.

"Yeah, I'm shocked too."

Those statements causes his grip on the wheel to tighten. "I...might not be the best in that area, but love is something people should set their sights on for the future."

"Just how far down the line are we talking?" Jery asks, and Ron's glasses turn a shade darker.

"Don't you all have something else better to discuss than my love life? How was your first mission for you, Brooklynn? Did it give you too much trouble?"

"No, it went okay. I understand why I needed so much practice with my powers. You have to be able to use them quickly in battle."

"Make sure you protect her well, Sonny. We can't afford to have another incident like Ryder's again."

"I will."

Something comes to realization she's never gave much thought about until now. With them talking freely like this is a better chance to ask than any. "Hey Ron, why do you always call me by my full name? Everyone else just calls me Brooke, even Jerry so I don't mind if you use it too."

"That's true, you don't call her by her nickname. Why is that?" Jerry follows up. The male locks eyes with her in the mirror before returning his gaze towards the road.

"I'm on a professional status and it would be improper to talk to her so causally."

"Huh? She doesn't seem to mind it. Kinda sound like her butler when you talk so formally," Sonny jokes, and it would make her more comfortable rather than feeling so distant with him.

"I insist you call me Brooke from here on out. Felixa's orders."

Ron seems as he's about to protest but falls silent. "If that's what you want then." The four all talking a bit longer before finally arriving at their destination.

After doing her barrier release spell the ruins become accessible. It's made of black and red stones a little bigger than the last one in size. "Gores won't be far behind us. We need to be careful," Sonny warns.

"Good luck you two and be safe," Jerry wishes, prior handing them their weapons.

"Call us if any problems arise. Make sure not to drain your Duclea form Brooklynn-" She shoots him a knowing look and he awkwardly clears his throat. "I mean, Brooke..."

"What's he acting so weird about it for?" Sonny mumbles, and Jerry lets out a sigh.

"Jeez, he's just so uptight all the time it's hard for him to let his guard down and relax around people. He'll get use to it eventually. Anyway, time for you both to get moving."

The detectives wait in the car while they run inside the second ruin standing before them.

A/N Reached the end of the chapter! From this point on the story will be taking a darker turn. It'll still be humorous moments though:) Please vote and comment if you enjoyed.