Task (ii) - The Amazing M.I.L.F. Cap

I am thankful. Very much thankful that nothing really bad happened to me that night.

I am thanking my lucky stars and grateful to be alive.

I was like a dog with two tails except I had none, and I was slowly and mentally losing it somehow.

Because the moment I turned on the TV news, the first thing that popped out was the minatory tidings of the outcome from the fight I saw hours ago.

I sat there on the sofa, my thoughts still disheveled and scrambled in incredulity while my face crumpled into a broody mood. My ears ignored the background noise resolutely, setting the attention to the anchorman's voice instead. Any of the clanging, ringing, chirping and more disturbances were muted immediately.

I watched the live news broadcast intently, paying attention to the informative words that were about to nettle in my mind.

"The Rosette Police Service is asking for public assistance locating two missing teens: Sergio Salvador and George Cleaton, who were both last seen at roughly two a.m. in the Rosette Town's south end park. Witnesses claim that both Sergio and George were out for a walk and have not returned to their houses ever since then. Officers have said there was no clothing description immediately available and the police are concerned for their safety. Anyone with information is asked to contact the police or their families. Here are the other following details."

The tv news slid its next panel of recent photographs from the missing teens provided along with their descriptions. I fish out my phone quickly and snap a picture before the panel disappears in a short-lived time. I wasn't a fast reader so I utilized and made my brain do the work.

Here's what it says.

MISSING:

- George Cleaton, 17

- described as 5'8", slim and lean build, short blonde hair and hazel eyes, 156 lbs.

- There is no clothing description available at this time

URGENT APPEAL

MISSING:

- Sergio Salvador, 18

- described as 5'6", round and muscular build, short black hair and dark brown eyes, 171 lbs.

- There is no clothing description available at this time

URGENT APPEAL

Please contact (412) 555-0124 or 911 if you have any information about this search or the whereabouts of George Cleaton and Sergio Salvador.

Like a teeming number of fuming bees, my mind spurred on another profuse collection of what-ifs as a habit. An exorbitant amount of concern and headache piled up inside like a flooding stack of papers. It was irking me.

What if the missing people were related to the fight last night?

What if it wasn't?

What if I was getting paranoid over this?

What if I never returned home and was taken as a hostage because I was too stupid?

What if I said something that night to change the aftermath?

What if I took action and made my worries go away?

What if—What if—What if—What if—What if—What if—What if—

What if?

I stopped myself completely. It was a tempest in a teacup if I were to say idiomatically. My body felt tight and I let out an enervated wheeze. I was losing vitality just from thinking and I wasn't at school yet. I shut myself down mentally and lean back on the sofa, staring at the ceiling with my empty mind.

I shook my head, confounded and anguished from otiose possibilities. I resolved myself by clearing up things and tucking myself to one conjecture only.

Maybe two of these separate events synchronously coincided with each other.

It wasn't probably the cause of that last night's rumpus but mere conjunction. I agonize over myself sometimes and think in too much detail, analyzing and chewing over tentative insights. I always had problems when it comes to dealing with a copious amount of stress and I break down sometimes even if I tell myself plenty of times to shrug it off and pretend that nothing bad will happen.

I decided to eat my breakfast instead and provide myself with ample nourishment. I needed the extra energy to function well throughout the day. All of this thinking had starved me into skin and bones.

With the unforgiving coldness of the satiny, wooden floor pricking on my feet, I wobble and slide myself to the dining room.

Oh, and did I ever mention that I haven't got a single wink of sleep last night?

A looping replay of the fight clung in my mind and the drowsiness was already gone since my circadian rhythm abolished my right to close my eyes and be in a torpid state of rest, telling me to do something meaningful even if my goals seemed unachievable. I wasn't complaining, but my body wasn't too affable and keen when it comes to cooperating and moving around.

My mind? It's okay. Just needed food.

I sat down at our stark, long, white dining table just by the side. The glassy top surface of the table stared back at me deliberatively, its reflection and radiant splendor conversing with my vision. 3 chairs were empty and vacant like the Chernobyl.

Mom usually sits at the front as if proclaiming she had a higher authority or status than dad, and we'd always have a hearty conversation while we filled up our stomachs.

2 plates and mugs were tidily spread across the table along with a set of utensils in preparation. Sliced pieces of lonely yet freshly made bread were imprisoned in a plastic bag and rested there in the middle. They were weeping and calling me out to set them free. Of course, I obliged and twisted the plastic bag open before sending one of them in my mouth and start chewing a little.

I waited for mom to finish her cooking with utmost forbearance. I sniffed the air and took a whiff of a tantalizing aroma wafting from the kitchen to the dining room. The mixed smell of a peppery omelet and meaty slices of bacon and sausages teased and laughed at my hunger piquantly. Rich flavors and spices were dancing and permeating in the air and made tangy imagery of what the food would taste like.

My stomach did a little flip, excited and engaged to welcome the food with its open arms, my mouth was trying its best not to drool greedily, and my mind only thought of food.

Mom's cooking was always worth dying for and she was always the lifesaver who tried to bring colors in my day.

I love her so much.

"Anddddd— done!" mom's voice echoed from the kitchen enthusiastically, a note of delight in her mezzo-soprano voice.

She comes into the dining room with a plate of edible delectations in one hand, manifold nutrients displaying themselves pretentiously and fancily. On her other hand, she was carrying a steaming bowl of oatmeal with assortments of mixed fruits like sliced bananas, strawberries, and mangos. It was my mom's favorite comfort food for the morning.

She carefully places the plate and bowl on the table like it was a fragile and top-notch material she's made before sitting down on her usual front seat.

I dimpled at mom and give her a meaningful look, asking if I can go ahead and start eating.

"Go ahead." She replies with a proud, wide grin marked on her face.

I happily accept her offering. I grab hold of my knife and fork then scarf down the food greedily and happily. I snatch pieces of bacon and slice a portion of the omelet, putting it both on my plate while including another slice of bread on my plate.

Punctuating noises of munching sounds and utensils clanging on plates filled the gaps of silence. We focused on satisfying our hunger for a while before mom decides to exchange thoughts and ideas with me when she was already feeling chatty.

"Huck, sweetie?"

"Yes?" I look up at her, an infinitesimal crumb resting on the edges of my mouth. I lick my lips and clear my throat. My eyebrows rose in question.

There was a small pause, my mom bit down her lower lip, opened her mouth, and then closed again as if thoughts were pulling and canceling her ability to speak.

"Last night," Mom slowly settles down the fork on her plate and then continues. "I heard something really strange. I don't know where it was coming from and it caused quite a ruckus. Were you awake that time?"

I sat there stiff, my eyes staring at my bits of bacon while mom was talking. I blink a few times and bite down my tongue, trying not to say anything suspicious.

What am I going to say?

I lift my head and give her a stare for a fraction of 10 seconds.

"I went downstairs to get some water. It was probably the raccoons again. They always run around at night you know." I reply with a white lie and feel my left hand twitching a little. My lips tug a minuscule smile at her but it didn't quite land on my face.

"I heard the news said something about aftershocks or low-intensity tremors," Mom remarked.

"I didn't feel anything. Did you?" I answer, a small bead of sweat trailing down on my forehead. Mom shook her head as a no in reply and picked up her fork and continues eating.

And besides, if there was a small tremor I'd end up panicking a little.

"The world's getting a little dangerous nowadays. A lot of horrible things happen left and right. It's scary," she says in a muffled voice, mom was still enjoying her fruits of labor yet her concerned tone suggested otherwise. "You need to be careful and look out for yourself, Huck. I don't want to see you getting hurt. Those poor kids..."

Mom pauses and swallows up her food. She was talking about George and Sergio from the news.

"They've already gone missing and I wouldn't know what to do if I was one of their mothers. It's a terrifying nightmare for a parent like me. If it happens to you then—"

"Then nothing's going to happen to me. Mom please. I'll try not to get myself in trouble." I interrupted her and reached my hand out to squeeze hers. "I'm old enough to know things."

—And truly an idiot to make reckless choices.

I wanted my brain to shut up. The thought alone stabbed me so hard because I knew truth cut sharper than lies. It hurts but I have to agree with it and there was no point in arguing.

"Promise me," she replies, the strength of her voice growing from a soft, tender, and loving one into a resolute, firm, and serious mood. Mom steadies and fixes her gaze on my eyes, which bore drills of expectation. Her expression didn't give off any sign of humor.

I don't know if I can give a dependable promise but I didn't want to put much stress and worry over mom. The two of us had a fair share of troubles these past few months.

"I'll try to."

"Huck, sweetie, you know that's not a reassuring answer."

With both hands, she softly cups and locks my one hand in place. There was no way out of this and the warmth of her love held me as a captive.

"I know, I know..." I look away bashfully and grit my teeth. "But I want you to trust me on this, mom, please? I'm not the same as before and I've already gone through thick and thin."

She closes her eyes and lets out a sigh, sapped from its vim and vigor.

"You're just like him. A little stubborn and careless," mom's lips curl up into a warm and delightful smile; her demeanor turned into somewhat soft and nostalgic. I knew who she was talking about.

I missed him too. A lot.

"And he always had that one quote in mind. He never lets go of it and he says it a lot. What was it again?" she asks.

"Even tiny stoats find the courage to hunt without fear," I responded, I always knew that quote by heart. Stoats were my dad's favorite animal. Every single word never betrayed my mind and was never forgotten.

"Mhm." Mom nods her head in high spirits and plants a gentle kiss on the back of my hand. "I'll put my trust in you just like what you asked, but you better call me if something is up or you'll get in trouble. I won't be happy if you keep things a secret."

"I promise to call you back if something goes wrong."

"Good." she pulls herself away and her face brightens up once more. "Now finish up your meal and get ready for school."

•••

I did ordinary things like an ordinary person would do.

Finish eating, wash the dishes, take a hot shower, brush my teeth, things like that.

I spaced out in a barren mentality, foggy and disjointed from the ideas and emotions I felt from earlier. My eyes chose to travel on the reflective mirror instead, staring at my haggard apparition, looking as dry as a dust.

I wasn't called attractive or ugly. No one cared about my appearance except my mother, who adored and lauded my appearance and continues to pray that I find a wonderful wife one day.

The thought alone gave me a shudder of uneasiness. I don't think I'm a good contender as a husband, nor was I ready to think about the future of committing to a relationship.

I look at myself one more time in the mirror, realizing I got the same emerald-green eyes from my dad. A dotted mole greeted me below my left eye, and my moppy, ear-length, brunette hair was a semblance from mom alone. I haven't got a single opinion or appraisal with my chin or jawline, they only look round and identical like my mom somehow.

And was I tall? No. Was I short? I don't know.

But my height looked average to me. Maybe 5 feet and 6 inches tall?

I thought my weight was fine but I discovered that my body mass was a little scrawny last time I checked. This issue has always been addressed to me, that I have to eat a bit more even if my physical activity was adequate, but the lack of appetite served as a hurdle or an impediment to my progress of gaining more calories.

I got myself dressed up, shrouded by a garment of 3 colors: navy blue, gray, and white. My school uniform looked quite nice, branding an accolade for being an allegiant student.

I wore my warm and comfy navy blue blazer with a school crest of a lion imprinted on the left side, which, by the way, looks kind of cool; a white short sleeve neatly and courteously tucked into my ashen gray pants; another navy blue necktie with white slanted stripes; and ultimately my plain and black school shoes.

Something was still missing...

The color and size of my socks? No. Who asks for such a piece of creepy info?

Oh right. Nevermind. I know the answer already. Sociopaths.

My eyes move to the right side of the dresser, contemplating and examining the brooch sitting on top of my dresser. Thoughts and theories were swimming in the shallow void of my mind, wondering what to do with it.

1. The guy from last night will most likely look for his brooch.

and

2. I wanted to show this to the others if they knew anything about "Campaign City".

Of course, I considered choosing the latter option. I had a huge gut feeling that he'll start searching for his valuable possession in the backyard. Fortunately, mom and I are both away by the time he comes back so I don't have to worry about getting a knife up in my throat.

Wasting no time further, I packed and grabbed all of my important belongings before heading downstairs to say my fond adieu to mom and set out to start another humdrum day of school in this prosaic, sleepy, small town.

I shift my weight foot to foot while my breath lets out a cold smoky puff outside. The sun finally showed its invigorated face, beams of light were stretching and perforating the clouds in the sky like flaring crossbow bolts shot across the misty lands. The inky and insipid sky from before turned into shiny and silvery when the unfolding of daylight came to be.

I didn't have to take the school bus because I was close within a walking distance. It was pretty convenient.

But apparently, I took my usual detour to school, down the street where most of the trees commonly stood by and separated the houses and buildings. It was 4 blocks away and remotely distant from signs of human life.

Also remotely distant where I don't get any attention because it embarrasses me most of the time and overwhelms me.

I'm fine with talking to anyone, but walking in public for too long makes me feel so small, repressed, and obstructed. The ambiance of it always feels narrow and the edifices look like they're about to throttle and cramp me in aggression.

Plus I had to avoid someone because they were capable of attracting said attention. No offense to them.

I fish out and abduct my pair of green (creative color) earphones and immediately plug them in my smartphone's headphone jack in pretense. This way, no one had to bother me anymore.

It was just me and mother nature.

And someone else.

"Hike! Hiii! Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiike!"

Speak of the devil.

It's the woman.

Of course, I wasn't surprised at this point. It was already a reoccurring cliché you'd see in the movies and books so life was almost considered as one.

I close my eyes and refuse to turn and look behind, my pacing gradually increasing like I was making a half-run for it. The tiny hairs on my skin were prickled with tension and bouts of anxiety. My face contorted and winced from my best friend's arrival. It mentally pains me a little.

"I know you're not listening to any music right now, Hike! You can't fool me anymore! You can't have another trick up in your sleeve like the last time," she calls me out loudly, unveiling my antics and ploy.

Drats!

She knew.

Sighing and capitulating from my best friend's peremptory words, I decided to take off my earphones and slow down my walking with the civility and respect they needed. She was completely right. I didn't have a single song in my playlist because I wasn't even prepared for this moment which kinda sucked.

She eventually caught up to me with her speed, dragging along with our other best friend in her locked arm. I turned to her with a sigh dulled by a surfeit of tiredness and look at her with a frown.

"What do you want Anies?"

"Hi Hike!" Anies' face brightens up more than the summer day and giggles.

"Hello, Anies."

She blinks for a moment and makes a face that says "That's all you have to say? Quite friendly of you.".

Anies often calls me a nickname she'd given me when she combined the word "hi" and the name "Huck" together by accident one time, making it sound like Hike. I didn't mind at first but it always struck me odd.

Collin eventually flanked and tagged along on our side, laughing apologetically.

"Also it's not Any-yes," she corrected and puffed her cheeks out, her signature expression of pouting. "It's Annie-yes, get it right Mr. Kirkwood! You've known me for years now."

"Who decided to give you that name anyways?" I think it sounded unique. I tipped my head to the side and waited for her answer.

"My mom couldn't pick whether she wanted the name "Annie" or "Anias" so my dad combined them both and that's what happened. Now say it correctly!"

"Okay fine. Yes, miss Any-yes Caddel." I drawled and rolled my eyes lazily. "I'll amend my mistakes. I sincerely apologize miss Any-yes."

"Why you—"

"Sorry to interrupt but," Collin interjected with a nervous smile and pulls Anies farther away before she decides to land a punch on my face. The woman scowled with fierce behavior. "Did we ruin your moment, Huck? I didn't want to tail behind and join your walk but Annie here was insisting that we should keep you company because she felt bad and didn't want to make you feel lonely."

Collin was understanding and docile.

Anies was stubborn and rambunctious.

Keep in mind.

Both of them still cared for me and that's what matters, I appreciate it wholeheartedly.

I expel warm air in both my hands and rub them from the slight chill of the air.

"Maybe." I bite down my lip and did a small pause before answering. "How did you guys find me here? I never said anything about this place."

"Oh, Annie kinda... stalked you that one time early in the morning. When you stopped showing up in our usual spot, she decided to take matters into her own hands and have a little adventure to herself just to see where you always go. I wasn't expecting you'd take a detour here." Collin admits.

I shift my gaze to Anies and narrow my eyes in a flooding suspicion. Concern stabbed me in the back of my mind, wondering why she had done that.

This woman is dangerous.

She casually gives me a sheepish smile and raises two fingers, a cheeky gesture of a peace sign. I shot her a deadpan and stony look, one could say my face would probably look like an empty canvas. I point at Collin and Anies then respond.

"Since the two of you are here I guess I can't push you guys away, can I? I didn't want any attention... And it's a good thing no can see us here."

"Absolutely a good thing because I wanted to inform you that I have the funniest thing to show you guys later at lunch!" Anies exclaimed, unable to contain her excitement and elation rushing in her voice.

"Anies, you do know your sense of humor can get a little... you know." I smiled, suppressing a snicker. I didn't dare to say the word out loud, she already knew what I was talking about.

"Oh shut up! I'm way better than your nerdy superhero stories you've read on your comics!"

"I can't argue with him though. Sorry, Annie. Superheroes are actually cool concepts." Collin replies, his expression turning smug as his lips tug into a smirk. His eyes glinted with mischief and fulfillment. "Bros have to stick with each other."

"Fricking unfair! I have no sides. Guess I really am just a woman!" Anies answers and lets out a chuckle. Her lighthearted and high-spirited mood outshone us the most; Anies always had her cheery smile carried in her day.

We all laugh and continue walking, I almost forgot the dreadful attention that I would possibly attract but it was better to have my close friends by my side.

I clear my throat and tried to come up with a witty, stereotypical remark to Anies.

"Unfortunately, yes. You are a woman. Now back to the kitch—"

I got a pugnacious response in return, a great impact of Anies' punch landing on my shoulder. It didn't hurt too much but the lingering minuscule pain was still there. Collin and I let out a laugh.

Speaking of superheroes.

"I also have something to show you two at lunch," I announce almost quietly, the lustrous brooch was inconspicuously hiding inside my bag.

The two looked at me with astonishment and curiosity plastered on their faces, piquing their interests entirely.

"Ohh~ what is it that you're hiding?" Anies whispered in a singsong voice. "Don't tell me it's drugs!"

"It's probably one of his figurines, silly," Collin added, moving to my right side and then elbowing me on the arm as if to ask for confirmation.

"You'll see."

Thankfully, the walk to school was quite pleasant. I let Anies and Collin do most of the talking and they seemed to enjoy themselves nonetheless. I didn't have anything interesting to discuss in particular and hence I was quietly left in my own devices— a roiling sea of thoughts were rerunning and crashing the waves of memories from last night.

Once in a blue moon, life was being kind to me and didn't kick me in the butt. No people other than us were apparent on this road and the density of the crowded trees grew thinner and died out by the time we've walked further than before. Buildings and structures sprung into life, animating and towering the background as we proceeded forward.

Eventually, we got to our destination; our short journey and walk finally came to an end. RTHS: Rosette Town High School. It was like a replica of other American schools I've seen in my whole life except its facade looked very lugubrious and soulless. The red brick walls recognized me every day and they never changed their colors. The main entrance was... the entrance to our school? What other interesting ways can I describe this place anyways other than the glassy doors and four-sided windows in different sizes and lengths.

We enter the school campus, seeing the other students milled about and scattered in random places while they mind their own business. I check my watch and discover that we got here pretty early. 7:50. Classes always start at 8:30 and we had a lot of time for ourselves. Even so, I wasn't the type to waste or kill too much time; ergo, I eventually parted ways with Collin and Anies, promising to meet up with them at the cafeteria for lunch. They had their classes to attend.

I dragged my feet and headed straight to the lockers, snatching a key from the pockets of my bag and then collecting my textbooks, notebooks, pens, and a hoodie to keep myself warm. I wanted to make sure I had everything I needed before I enter the classroom.

I was mixed up and absorbed in my thoughts that I didn't see anyone right beside me.

"Huck."

I flinch and almost jump away from hearing my name. I turn my head to a few degrees of an angle just to see one of my peers from Geography class. I blink from surprise and confusion; my brows were infinitesimally furrowing from her appearance.

"Ella?"

"Yep," she casually replies and slams her locker shut before locking it up with her key. "That's me."

I mentally reorganize my thoughts and stare at her.

It was Ella Salvador; her long and wavy coffee hair spilled to the sides of her shoulder blades; sharp, knife-like, brown eyes that could break doorways with one look; mottled bits of freckles on the bridge of her small, curvy nose; and tanned skin almost like the color of the heated sand.

She was ostensibly a sibling of 'Sergio', the missing guy from the news. Ella looks pretty, don't get me wrong, but her looks were a bit out of place. There were sullen and blackened bags under her eyes and her face looked a little sallow.

What happened to her?

She probably wanted something from me and I have no clue what it is. We don't talk that often in class, but she approaches me most of the time if she wants to ask from me, and I can already tell by her looks alone.

"Need something?" I decide to ask, drawing in a breath of bravery.

Ella folds her arms in response and looks to the side, avoiding eye contact with me.

"Just wanted to say hi."

Oh.

"Okay then."

Feeling the awkwardness hanging between the two of us in the atmosphere and not wanting to continue the discussion further, I pull out my key and secure my locker before taking a few steps to leave.

If Ella wants to befriend me then I'm sorry to disappoint her because I'm not in a mood for it. Her problems aren't mine and I don't want to deal with her business without trying to make a straight face out of it.

"D-Did you hear about the news early in the morning?" she abruptly stuttered aloud. Ella's words locked me in place, chaining and forcing me to continue with our chatter.

"I'm sorry it had to happen." I turn around and let out a sigh, clearly expressing my deep sympathies and concerns for her missing brother but I don't know if it sounded genuine or not.

"You should take care of yourself. You've been looking a little worn out recently. I'm sure your brother would be worried if he saw you like this." I stated directly. I didn't want to beat around the bush and waste more time, plus I was being honest to her.

"Why would you care?" Ella bit down her lower lip in response, her eyebrows pinching in frustration. She sounded a little aggressive and offended.

I raise both of my hands in peace.

"Overexerting will do nothing but hurt yourself and the ones you love in the process. I'm not assuming things, and I'm not intruding into your life or whatever. I only think what's best."

She doesn't respond to this. I stare at her quietly and turn around again, ready to leave.

Before I could take a few steps forward, Ella gave me her final words.

"If you have signs of where he might be. Please tell me. Immediately. I'd appreciate it." her voice cracked, sounding like she was on the verge of tears.

I face behind her and give her a quick nod, a pang of guilt and pity washing over me as I show her a reassuring and gentle smile.

"Will do."

"I'm sorry for wasting your time, Huck." Ella apologizes and stares at the floor.

I don't reply to this, sauntering towards the hallways and leaving her behind.

Nothing exciting nor boring happened with the majority of the classes I had. It remained stale and neutral except for that moment when Mr. Foster brought along his plumpy pet iguana for the whole class to see and give him warm pets. Mr. Foster named him "Sawtooth" because the small spikes along his back looked like a saw (at least to him). After a long period, I've ended up seeing Collin in Physics class— with the loquacious Anies coming next in chemistry class. The mundanity of my day made it feel like the fight from last night never happened. My mind was stimulated and awakened from the mental image of flames being manipulated with power and control. It played like a video on loop and often it had me distracted.

When it was finally our lunch break, I started to ponder and question reality itself. A cloud of nihilism gently hovered on top of my head and it was tenaciously unwilling to leave.

"What the hell are you wearing?" I almost shouted, my voice sounded loud and reverberated in the cafeteria. Thankfully my voice was drowned out from the rain of noises made by the blabbering students.

Anies' puckish smile widened, it almost looked like her face was nearly gone judging from how wide and big that goofy smile was.

"It's a cap. What else?" she replies with feigned innocence.

Collin quietly sits there between us as he continues munching his chicken sandwich, his beady eyes imbued nothing but meddled inquisitiveness. A tuft of his blonde hair almost blocked his view.

"Yes. I can see that. I was talking about what's on your cap." I feel a muscle in my jaw twitch. "Is that the funny thing you're supposed to show me?"

"Oh, this?" Anies takes her cap off, inspects it as if it was her first time recognizing its existence, and then puts it back on top of her head again. "Naw. I'm joshing with you! I'd like to show off my proud cap sometimes. Dad gave it to me."

"Anies." I paused dramatically, breathing in and out heavily.

This woman was a bit of a mental pain to deal with it.

"You do know what a milf is right?"

"Milf?" she perks up, her eyebrows raising in question. "What's that?"

"I—"

I don't even know if she was joking around or not. And I don't even know if I had the mental capacity to deal with this.

"Make it last forever." Collin fixes his gaze at her cap and reads it out loud.

"Exactly! Make. It. Last. Forever. Milf!" Anies joins in and enunciates. "It could also be, man I love Fridays, many islands low fares, midnight institution of lazy frisbee, mother I'd like fu—"

Collin immediately crumples a tissue and throws it straight into Anies' mouth before she could finish her sentence. I was impressed that he did it so precisely and accurately. I give him a mental high five followed by a thumbs up.

Bless you.

The woman erupts into a series of choking noises and a sound that you could imagine coming from a vulture accidentally swallowing a bone. Anies spits out the tissue and sends a wave of deathly glares at Collin.

"What was that for? I thought you vouched for my side!"

"You were going to say something quite atrocious right there, Annie." he stares at her and continues devouring his chicken sandwich happily.

"I was going to say 'mother I'd like fudges'!"

Collin shrugs as a matter of factly. His confidence was truly brighter than Anies' brain.

"Anyways, I digress. I'll show you the real funny thing once you show me yours first, Huck!"

"There wasn't any agreement to this," I reply to Anies, blinking at her and tipping my head to the side.

"I know, and I'll agree right now. Come on Huckkkk! Pleaseeeee?" she pleads, her eyes begging to see the thing I was going to expose while curiosity was killing her in and out.

I let out an exasperated sigh, knowing that she'll be as stubborn as a mule anyways.

I dig my hand into my pocket, knowing I've recently transferred the brooch in class as I pull out the amber-colored item. I gently and carefully place it on the table with utmost caution like my life fully depended on it.

Even Collin stopped eating for a while just to see what I have in hand. Anies' pupils dilated, her eyes widened and reflected a colorful emotion. The colorful emotion was green: avarice. She was probably thinking it must be worth a lot of fortune to sell this thing which I'm not planning to. Her excitement was also clearly shown on her face. Collin only looked more fascinated and curious. Their emotions never lied.

"So..." I started and revealed the brooch's silver casing with etched texts on it.

"Have you guys heard of this place called Campaign City?"