Juju and Her Sixth Sense

written by AJCrazyEyes

CHAPTER 10

At night, inside the residence of the girls, in Rikki's room, Karen sorts some clothes. Rikki combs Juju's hair.

"What about you, friend? Are you better?" Juju said.

"In fact... I'm relieved. Now I'm going to live my life having more peace.".

"That's good, Rikki!".

"Her mother is a shrew." Karen said.

Rikki takes a breath and says:

"The person who has a narcissistic personality only cares about himself. She is usually insecure and extremely individualistic and always wants to be in the spotlight...in the center.".

Juju is curious:

"How do you know all this? You always surprise my friend.".

"You can learn a lot just by observing others and doing some self-analysis. I also have been studying, researching, listening and analyzing other people's behavior, realizing who has empathy and who just wants to be at the center... besides that, I've been doing the Gray Rock Method since I was a child... self-knowledge and solitude helped me.. That's how I survived." Rikki said.

"You're always thinking about things, babe." Karen said.

"And of course, you two are my best friends...you are my family, girls. I love you." Rikki said.

"Girls... we are a fucking tripod...I love you!" Juju said.

Karen says: "Me too...I love you, powerful women!".

Rikki keeps talking:

"In my opinion, the exaggeration of capitalism can potentialize, boost the narcissistic behavior... My mom thinks that just because she's a rich lawyer, she's better than others. I totally disagree, as long as people don't stop overvaluing some professions and diminishing others, things don't get better. Everyone is an equal human being, from the garbageman to the doctor.".

"Truth." Juju said.

Rikki keeps talking:

"Juju...your father, for example. He's a nice guy, much better than my mother... But he thinks that because he is older and has worked in a company for years, his profession is better than yours which works with the internet.".

Juju says: "He's very stubborn, you know.".

Rikki keeps saying:

"In addition, he is the result of a sexist and patriarchal society that puts the man at the center of the family. When he loses his job, he blames himself and gets frustrated, but because he can't express his feelings, he ends up drinking too much.".

"Damn it... You're right." Juju said.

"And she didn't even have to read his mind!" Karen said.

The friends laugh.

"Stop it. Let's get ready...cause tonight is Juju's." Rikki said.

In the club, at the party Juju, Rikki, and Karen are dancing.

Brian and Peter also dance, a little away from the girls. Peter holds bottle of beer. He's drinking heavily.

Marie approaches Brian. Marie pulls Peter by the hands and they stand in a corner.

Juju, Rikki, and Karen approach Brian.

Juju to Brian: "Brian, where's Peter?".

Brian points to the corner where Marie and Peter are.

Marie observes Juju and then Marie hugs Peter. Marie tries to kiss Peter who is dodging as best he can.

Juju approaches Peter and Marie.

Brian tries to walk behind Juju, but Karen and Rikki hold him (or just get in front of him preventing him from passing).

Juju is nearby and reads Peter's thought:

Peter, thinking:

"I love Juju, I love Juju.".

Juju then pulls Marie by the hair that falls to the ground, breaking the shoe and she falls with the heel of the broken shoe.

Juju pulls Peter by the arm and leads him into a corner.

Karen, Rikki, and Brian approach Marie. Brian helps Marie to get up. Brian gives Marie a glass of a drink.

Karen to Marie:

"Are you alright, Marie?".

Before Marie say anything, Karen grabs the drink glass from Marie's hands and throws the drink at Marie's head.

"That one was for my hat, snake Mad Marie!" Karen said.

Karen leaves.

Rikki who has a glass another drink in her hand looks at Marie and Brian.

Rikki says: "Relax, Marie... I try to be respectful, you know...".

But suddenly, Rikki also turns the drink on Marie's head.

"But not today... that one was for Juju!" Rikki said.

Rikki leaves.

Juju and Peter are talking in a corner.

"I wasn't going to kiss Marie. I love you, Juju." Peter said.

"I know, boy!" Juju said.

"So... what do you want from me? Want to give me a kiss?" Peter said.

"Peter... I want you to stop drinking first... oh and that Brian, he's not good...he is fake!".

Juju hugs Peter.

"I want you to be alright, baby... But I'm not going to kiss you yet. You have to put in the effort first." Juju said.

The next day, at Juju's parents' house, Juju, Carl and Ana are sitting on the couch in the living room.

Juju to Carl: "What's the surprise, dad? Was the lunch the surprise?... it was delicious! Thanks!".

Carl, cheerful, says:

"No, Juju. Wait just a few more seconds, please.".

Carl looks at his cell phone.

The doorbell rings. Carl opens it, it's Peter carrying a box of chocolates.

Peter hands the box to Juju and then he talks to Carl:

"Let's go, Carl?".

Carl walks towards the door. Peter gives Juju a kiss on the cheek who doesn't understand what is happening.

Juju tries to read Peter's thought:

Peter, thinking:

"Carl and I are almost late for the meeting.".

Carl talks to Juju:

"I'll send you a picture later.".

Carl and Peter leave the house.

Peter and Carl went to Alcoholics Anonymous.

After a few minutes, Peter and Carl take a selfie (a picture) in front of a building and Peter texts Juju: "A. A. meeting. We're trying to be better, Juju. We love you!".

At Juju's parents' house, Juju is sitting. She gets the picture.

Juju looks at her mother who smiles.

"Mom... Did you know that?".

"Yes, I knew it, Juju... Oh... I forgot to say... your father wants to have a party at the farm. Feel free to invite your friends." Ana said.

At night, in the snack bar, Juju and Karen are at the diner. Rikki will perform as a singer (voice and guitar). She plays covers of many songs, mainly Folk and Rock songs.

Little Marianne gets in the snack bar.

Rikki finishes singing a song.

The three applaud Rikki who sang very well.

In the furnished apartment, Marie is furious. In fact, It's a mix of feelings.

Marie is sad, crying and angry, with his makeup very smudged, is looking in the mirror. Marie is drinking alcoholic beverage. She runs one finger into the drink and then puts it in her mouth, as if she's putting on makeup, and then she angrily licks her own finger.

Suddenly, the woman in the mirror, very serious, appears in the mirror.

Marie screams:

"Juju can't win!".

The woman in the mirror says:

"Then we must take the next step, my queen. I have to be closer to you, physically speaking.".

"How so?" Marie said.

"I'll explain it to you, queen Marie... And it will be an honor to finally be able to truly hug you!".

After many minutes, in the furnished apartment, Brian enters Marie's apartment, he is full of suitcases. They hug each other. Brian says:

"I already know how to get more subscribers... In addition to moving to live here, we're going to be a couple now.".

"Good idea Brian, in fact I had this idea first... but Brian, you do not fool me... I know you're gay and I know you love sucking men's dicks.". Marie said.

"Friend, my phrase is... there is no such thing as negative publicity... I just have to change ... of the alpha male who goes to lots of parties and kiss many girls.... to a guy totally in love with you, Marie.".

Marie opens a champagne bottle.

"Cheers... Here's to our alliance.".

They drink it.

But after many minutes, in the furnished apartment, Brian is very drunk. Marie is hugging and kissing him. She is seducing the young man. Marie dances as she runs her hands over Brian's body. She also begins to take off her t-shirt, showing her bra on.

They're in front of the mirror. Brian is very confused:

"You are beautiful, friend... Are you trying to turn me straight? What are you doing, Marie?".

Marie giggles.

Marie and Brian drink again.

Marie continues to seduce Brian. She then takes one of Brian's hands.

She slowly begins to pull Brian closer to the mirror. Brian doesn't understand, but he smiles and follows Marie.

Suddenly, when they are close to the mirror, Marie grabs Brian's wrist tightly. Marie quickly, grabbing his wrist, hits Brian's wrist to the mirror. Brian's hand begins to bleed.

Brian, drunk, doesn't understand. He says:

"What was that, Marie? ... are you mad?".

"No, poor Brian...I'm just going to continue the interpretation in another way, without you... I already have a much better ally than you." Marie said.

"How so? Who?" Brian said.

Suddenly, the woman in the mirror appears in the mirror. Brian gets a fright, but quickly, Marie holds the young man's bleeding hand. Marie, holding Brian's hand, forces the young man's hand until he touches the mirror, in front of the face of the woman in the mirror.

The light falls and comes back and the woman is no longer in the mirror.

Now, the woman in the mirror has possessed Brian's body.

Brian/Mirror Woman smiles at Marie.

"I'm here, my queen. Ready to serve you, now in the flesh.".

Marie says: "Welcome, my best friend!".

Brian/mirror woman gives a very strong hug to Marie who reciprocates the gesture. Then they drink champagne.

On Juju's parents' farm Juju and her parents are having party, a barbecue.

Peter is cooking some burgers while talking to some football and baseball friends. Brian, of course, isn't there.

Peter and Carl only drink soda and water.

Rikki plays the guitar among some people including Karen and little Marianne. They're both wearing their girlfriends' necklaces. Karen kisses little Marianne.

At the restaurant (It's the same restaurant that Juju went to with Peter at the beginning of the story), Brian/mirror woman and Marie are having dinner to celebrate that Marie has surpassed Juju in the number of followers on the internet.

Mark, the waiter, serves Marie and Brian/mirror woman (he is also the same waiter who served Juju and Peter at the beginning of the story), but he is mistreated, snubbed by Marie and Brian/mirror woman.

"I finally got more followers than Juju. I won... But I'm still not satisfied... I want more... more attention... more money... more power.".

"That's why we're here. To celebrate, my queen. And that's just the beginning. Juju will still suffer a lot.".

Marie to the waiter:

"Hey, poor waiter...freak...more booze, more drink, please. Bring me a drink you couldn't afford, you loser!".

Mark, sad, serves and speaks softly, but Brian/ woman in mirror listened what Mark said.

"Juju is so much better than you!" Mark said.

Brian/mirror woman says: "What did you say, freak?".

Mark is very sad, but polite: "Nothing, sir...I'm sorry. My bad!".

"Please shut up... you have bad breath...You're just a waiter, freak." Marie said.

"Sorry, lady. I'm sorry... have a nice dinner!".

Mark walks away.

Brian/mirror woman and Marie laugh.

On Juju's parents' farm, Carl is cuddling with Ana. Karen with little Marianne and Juju with Peter.

Rikki observes the couples and she says:

"Let me take a picture just of the couples.".

"No, you're coming too, my friend." Juju replied.

Rikki then picks up the guitar and they take a picture of the couples: Carl hugging Ana, Karen with little Marianne, Juju with Peter and Rikki with her guitar.

Now, Juju, Rikki and Karen take a picture of themselves: the tripod.

The three of them are smiling.

End of Chapter 10.

The end.