Juju and Her Sixth Sense

written by AJCrazyEyes

CHAPTER 6

In the kitchen, Carl and Peter are drinking and laughing. There are several beer cans scattered all over the kitchen that is a mess.

Ana enters after Juju.

Juju, very angry, starts talking to Peter:

"Is that serious, Peter? You've got to be kidding!".

Peter says:

"I came on a mission of peace.".

Carl to Juju:

"Calm down, daughter.".

Juju is very nervous:

"Go to the hell you two. What about you, dad? You had no right to interfere in my life like that.".

Peter to Juju:

"Calm down, Juju. Master Carl is well-intentioned. Nobody wants to fight here.".

"Well-meaning? That's a good one. I don't want a fight either. I want space... Let you both be well-intentioned there. That I'm out.".

"How so?" Peter told.

Carl to Juju:

"Speak English, my daughter... don't talk in codes".

"I'm going to spend some time there in the residence of the girls, but only until I get an apartment I want so much.". Juju said.

"No, no... wait one moment. Is that serious?" Carl told.

Peter's nervous, but he's laughing: "Seriously, Juju?".

Juju to Peter:

"Yes. I'm just going to grab my suitcase.".

Carl's also nervous, but he's laughing:

"So, is that so? You've already made up your mind, kid.". Carl now turns to his wife: "And do you agree with that, Ana?".

Ana to Carl:

"Yes, of course. It's her decision. But I agree. And who do you think will drive her now? I'll be back, man. But for now, stay you two laughing and keep well-intentioned.".

Juju and Ana leave the kitchen.

At the girls' residence, Karen and Rikki are holding a big mattress. They take it to a room.

Marie is fully focused on her phone.

Juju hugs and says goodbye to Ana.

"Thanks, mom. Thank you for everything.".

"It seems good, Juju. Take care of yourself and good luck on your new journey, darling." Ana said.

"See you around, mom. Have a good night.".

Marie, serious and envious, looks at Juju and her mother.

Rikki and Karen, who is wearing a cute hat, enter the room.

Karen to Marie:

"Thanks for the help, Marie.".

"Sorry, I'm busy.". Marie replied.

Rikki and Karen go closer to Juju and Ana.

Rikki to Ana:

"You can let us take care of our lovely Juju...".

Karen completes:

"And she is one of us. We are a team.".

Marie just watches.

Ana to Karen: "I know. Thank you, girls... and don't forget, mommy's on fire!".

They laugh.

Rikki to Ana:

"You're a great mother, Ana, you know, right. A great woman.".

"Thank you, Rikki. You are also great women. Still young, a little flighty at times, but so on a good path.".

They laugh and Ana leaves.

Only Karen, Rikki, Juju and Marie remain in the residence.

Karen to Juju:

"What about now? What's your next step, friend?".

"Well, Karen... it's time to look more focused on a new apartment. And if possible, already furnished." Juju replied.

Marie stops touching her cell phone and talks.

"I can help you with that, my muse. If you want, for sure.".

"Thanks, Marie. All help is welcome.".

In the next days, Marie will be closer to Juju.

Marie, always, have a (fake) smile on her face when she looks at or talks to Juju. But when Juju isn't watching, Marie makes a face of envy and disgust.

Juju and Marie always have a lot of paper in their hands. Apartment brochures.

Karen is more concentrated with the clothes, cutting, modeling, choosing clothes and from time to time she is looking at her cell phone, on Instagram or inside another social network. Karen 'likes' on the social medias a girl named Marianne who also sends to Karen some simple messages, asking Karen to get out, to have a date. But Karen freezes and she does not respond. Sometimes, Karen tries to write something and then she deletes it.

Rikki takes turns playing her guitar and studying law. But she is abandoning her law books and focusing on music lyrics.

The law books are getting smaller (until they disappear from Rikki's sight) while the articles about music are piling up more and more in front of her eyes. When Rikki had the law books, she was serious and tense. But with the music material and when she is playing her guitar, she is cheerful and friendly, always smiling and humming. However, when Rikki receives calls from her mother, also named Rikki, the young woman simply frowns, doesn't answer or just hangs up her cell phone.

A few days later, Juju says to Marie:

"Thanks for the help in this search. They all helped me, but you were the most present, Marie.".

"I said I'd help you with that. It's a pleasure to be with you, my friend." Marie replied.

Juju is cheerful for Marie: "I think in a few days, I already have an apartment. I've always wanted that. It's one of my dreams.".

Marie hugs Juju.

At night, Karen is sitting on the bed with her gaze fixed on her phone in her hand. There is a message from Marianne: "I won't hurt you, Karen. When you want to meet me face to face, let me know, please. Good night."

Rikki is in a corner of Karen's room, concentrating on her guitar.

There are some the mirrors that Marie put it in this room. But she isn't there now.

Juju comes in and sits on the bed. So, only Juju, Karen and Rikki are inside this place.

Juju to Rikki:

"Marie just left. Soon, she'll be back, I think. Did you want to talk to me, Rikki?".

Rikki says: Not me, darling. Karen wanted it.".

Karen to Rikki:

"How do you know?".

Rikki is smiling, she says: "I'm just like Juju, I read minds... hahah.. I'm just kidding, girls.".

"Cute, Rikki... but get yourself another power." Juju replied.

Rikki to Karen:

"Now seriously, it's about that girl, isn't it? I've heard you record audio and then delete it.".

"You're right, Rikki."

Juju is curious:

"What girl is this?".

Karen to Juju:

"That girl from school... I've always liked her. But I always thought she was too amazing... and I'm not that confident. Sometimes I'm very anxious. So to avoid getting frustrated, hurt, I prefer not to start.".

Juju to Karen: "Are you talking about little Marianne?... She's super cute, Karen.".

In one of the mirrors, a figure appears and quickly disappears in the mirror itself, but the girls don't realize it, they don't notice it.

Karen to Juju:

I thought I was bisexual, you know. But the truth is I've been crazy in love to her since school.

Rikki to Karen:

"Little Marianne has always been in high demand and well-resolved since she was young, you know. Empowered... But everyone has their own time, friend.".

"Sure, Rikki... And I've always been more stuck with that, you know, you know. I may sound confident, but that's because I'm with you. When I'm alone, I'm shy, I'm anxious.".

"It's okay, my friend. I understand you, Karen.".

Karen to Rikki:

"When I saw that she was single, I started liking her photos straight away. And suddenly, she started enjoying mine too.".

Juju to Karen:

"Have you texted her yet?".

"I can't. I tried, I swear I tried. But I'm ashamed. I don't know if she wants anything serious or not. So, I prefer to stay in platonic love.".

Juju hugs Karen.

Rikki to Karen:

"Just if you open up, it's worth it.".

Rikki also hugs Karen.

The three of them are hugging, Karen in the middle, Juju and Rikki on the ends. Karen is very emotional, tearing up.

Suddenly, Marie enters the room. She walks in, speaking loudly. Marie celebrates new followers:

Marie says:

"I gained a few more followers... What are you doing?

Rikki to Marie:

"We're celebrating too.".

"Celebrating what?" Marie said.

Juju to Rikki:

"Yes, you can say Rikki.".

"Celebrating that I got another song on the guitar, I have almost a full covers show.".

Karen to Marie:

"Right... And her voice comes from her soul when she is singing.".

Rikki to Marie:

"Karen was so emotional that she's even crying.".

"Your victory is my victory, friend. I support you and you support me, Rikki. We're together, my friend.".

Marie to Rikki:

"So, congratulations, Rikki. I'm going to order some sfihas and some drinks, Karen. Okay? Do you like open sfiha, don't you, Karen?".

Juju to Marie:

"We all like it, Marie. Sfirra, kibbeh, candies, cupcakes. You can order and we'll eat the food.".

"Beauty. I'll pay. Money is coming into my account... the more followers, the more money. Let's celebrate my new subscribers and Rikki's little songs. Kiss, girls...I see you. I'm going to make the request of the food." Marie said.

"Thanks. Marie." Juju said.

Marie leaves the room.

Rikki to Juju: "Mad Marie has fun talking nonsense... In fact, she is insecure.".

Brian and Peter are at Peter's apartment having fun: drinking.

Peter is still very sad, drinking a can of beer.

Brian also holds a can while looking at himself in a mirror and after some minutes Brian looks at himself in the reflection of a glass. Brian combs his hair, fixes his hair (with his hands).

Peter tries to rap, tries to sing.

Peter, trying to rhyme:

"It's me and Brian, but I feel like I'm alone. Today I didn't go to study, dude, Are you mute" I miss Juju... Woohoo! Juju! Woohoo! Juju! Woohoo!...".

Brian, interrupting:

"Okay, okay. Let's go out, go, go, go. The party is going to rock.".

"I've already told you that I'm not going out today. But is there a party? Where is it, Brian?".

Brian to Peter:

"There's always some party somewhere. Don't you really want to leave? To get out of here... Party is freedom, man.".

"No, thanks, Brian. But you can go.".

"I will. What about you? Will you be okay?".

Peter to Brian.

"Well, sure... I'm better.

Brian drinks from Peter's can of beer.

Peter's eyes are sad. Peter runs his hand over his eye.

Peters says:

"Oops, a speck came in my eyes. I am not crying, man.".

Brian to Peter:

"I know...you are badass, Peter.".

Peter drinks his beer.

Brian to Peter:

"So, okay. You look good.".

Brian gives Peter a firm handshake.

Brian leaves the apartment.

At the girls' residence, Juju and Karen are messing around with clothes, but keep an eye on Rikki.

Rikki is on the phone talking to her mother:

"No, no, mother. I'm not going back. What's done is done. Why? I've told you several times. To be a lawyer is not my calling. I did it to please you. But it is enough. I'm sorry, I can't take it anymore.".

Rikki's mother hangs up the cell phone in the young woman's face.

Rikki stares at her phone and then looks at Juju and Karen.

"Have you seen it? She hung up on me.".

Juju to Rikki: "What's today's soap opera I missed?".

"I finally locked up college!" Rikki said.

Karen to Rikki:

"Really, friend? You have a lot of courage indeed.".

Rikki says: "Life is too short for me to live only the dreams of others.".

Juju to Rikki:

"We are here, Rikki. You know. We are a tripod. When one falls, the other helps to get up, and so on.".

Karen to Rikki:

"And you've always been the strongest of the three. But what about now? What's your plan?".

"I've applied for a job at snack bar during the day and in the afternoon. I think it's going to work out.".

Juju says:

"I'm cheering you on.".

Karen says: "Me too, Rikki.".

Rikki to Juju:

"And then at night I will be able to dedicate a lot to my music, my art, my big dream. I'm going to rehearse those covers more, I'm going to improve my lyrics composition and then I'm going to start singing somewhere. Maybe at the snack bar, I've already told them. I think it's going to work out.".

Karen to Rikki: "Wow, so much info, you already have everything planned, right, my friend.".

Juju to Rikki:

"Damn it, I'm tired just listening to you talk, Rikki But if that's what makes you happy, go for it, girl.".

Rikki to Juju:

"I will. Thanks for your support, girls.".

The three of them embrace.

Karen finalizes:

"I said, you're the strongest of the three of us, Rikki.".

Juju completes:

"Let's get ready for the club then. Today deserves it. Let's relax a bit.".

"You can bet. Let's go to have fun.". Rikki said.

End of Chapter 6.