It was a long drive to school. The narrow road out of the estate was long on its own. As they passed the tall, complex designed and expensive houses, Talia couldn't help but feel that something was awfully wrong. Everybody and everything felt off. She couldn't really place her finger on it...but she knew she felt uneasy.

They finally got out the estate gate and ventured into the city; passing through large, tall buildings, various clubs, restaurants and so much more that the city had to offer.

The driver finally pulled up in the school's driveway. Talia hurriedly got out and car and sprinted inside.

“ Thank you, Michelangelo!,” she yelled as she ran.

“ It's....James?,” Her driver corrected with a scrunched face. How could she forget and mix up his name like that?

The pathway to the school was lined with rose bushes and it's scent was phenomenal. It filled the air. And anyone who inhaled it's scent would feel this blissful and peaceful feeling....unless they were allergic to it.

Talia pushes the school doors open as she walked speedily into the school....her sneakers making a soft thudding sound as she walked speedily.

There were some students arranging their lockers when she came in. Their heads turn abruptly as Talia emerges. Smiles and giggles erupted through the nearly empty halls as everyone went celebrity crazy.

Talia was everybody's favorite senior....at least, the majority liked her. And she was very popular in school. Everyone saw her big her heart was. How she handled herself, and she was smart, funny, and good looking. She was the complete package.

Talia closed her eyes briefly and exhaled as she summoned her social self. A warm and friendly smile spread across her face as she welcomed everyone that came to meet her.

“ Talia!,” A blonde hair student side hugged.

Talia smiled and tightened the hug. She made sure that everyone who rushed to meet her received a warm and friendly, early morning smile. But as you may know, you can't please everybody. Even though Talia was good hearted...she still had hate. They were some groans and eye rollings from some of the girls that hated her very existence.

A girl with black tied wavy hair, grey eyes, an oval face, a slender nose, thin pink lips that I'm sure if it was alive it would be yelling to much lipstick! TOO MUCH LIPSTICK!  And she had on her cheerleader uniform. And as many mean girls, she had her unintelligent minions. She slammed her locker shut as Talia scaled through her little fan club.

“ Goodbye!,” Talia waved at them with a warm smile. She let out a satisfied sigh as she face front. And her positive mood got slightly tinted with anger when the she-beast was in front of her.... disrespectfully chewing gum.

“ Ava,” Talia called trying to sound friendly. “ Good to see you,” She added.

But Ava doesn't answer. She just stares at Talia and continues to vigorously chew her gum. Talia , knowing her friendly persona wouldn't die down the tension between them, rolled her eyes and stood up straight.

“ You know, I really hoped this whole I'm a good person thing would stop last semester. But here you are....still pretending,” Ava Said, trying to make it sound insulting.

Talia just stared at her for a few seconds. She wasn't going to deal with this. Not today. Not ever. She smiled...and then walked away.

Talia's action was a shock to Ava. She stopped chewing her gum and watched as Talia progressed further into the school. A spiteful feeling enveloping her very being.

---

Talia took a deep breath as she strode away, shaking off the interaction with Ava. She knew better than to let the girl’s venomous words stick. The warm greetings and excited smiles from her peers helped, but she still longed for the familiar comfort of her best friend.

She didn’t have to wait long. Just as she turned the corner toward the lockers near the science wing, a familiar voice called out.

“There you are!”

Talia looked up to see Anna jogging toward her, her dark blue wavy hair bouncing as she moved. Anna’s glasses slid down her nose, and her overstuffed backpack threatened to topple her at any moment. Despite the chaos of her appearance, Anna’s face lit up with a grin that could brighten even Talia’s stormiest days.

Talia’s own smile grew wider. “Anna! It's so good to see you,” She pulled her in for a warm embrace.

“ I missed you too!,” Anna leaned deeper into the hug.

“ So how was maths camp?,” Talia asked softly.

“ It was okay I guess,” Anna shrugged. “ But, on the bright side...I did meet some hot nerds there”

Talia snorted unconsciously. She elegantly covered her mouth and controlled her laughter.

“ Really?,” Talia asked as the laugh lingered.

Anna chuckles. “ Yeah, yeah. Let's go answer the principal before we get into the catching up proper... because I have a lot! To tell you!” Anna said excitedly.

Anna slips her hand into Talia's. “ And you have alot! To tell me about you and Keith,” She said playfully.

Talia rolled her eyes as she blushed.

🦑🦑🦑🦑

Far away, deep within the same forest, Kayla stirred. Her body felt heavy, her limbs tangled in a bed of damp leaves and moss. She opened her eyes slowly, squinting against the dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy above.

She looked around- her hair now messy and leaves resting on it. It took awhile before her braincells awakened and she remembered she was on an earthly mission.

Beside her, Adeen groaned and sat up, rubbing the back of her neck. Her usually neat hair was disheveled, and his clothes were streaked with dirt.

“Kayla?” she called...her voice laced with sleep. “ You dead yet?,” she asked.

Kayla rolled her eyes  pushed herself up on shaky arms, her heart racing as she looked around. The forest was eerily quiet, the usual sounds of birdsong and rustling leaves absent.

“ What is this strange light?,” Kayla asked in confusion as she looked up at the sunlight filtering through the canopy above.

Adeen’s brow furrowed as she stood, brushing off her clothes.

She always looked up at the strange light. Back in the monsterverse, everywhere was often dark. So, seeing light was strange to them.

Adeen walked unconsciously...as if hypnotized by the lights rays. The filtered light ray radiated on her face. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the warmth. Her face scrunched as the sweet sensation was becoming painful.

She winced and stepped back from the light into the shadows. She felt her face...it was now scared.

“ I'm hurt?,” Adeen said. Confusion laced in her tone.

Kayla stretches her hand under the light ray...but it does nothing.

“ Nothing happened,” She said as she rotated her hand under the light. Adeen watched...her confusion increasing.

“ I guess it only affects weaklings,” Kayla said casually.

Adeen purses her lips and glares at her.

“ But I do feel.....less powerful,” Kayla said...“ What is this light?," Kayla asked as she looked up.

“ Whatever it is, it's not going to allow us carry out our mission....I think it'll... vaporize me if I step in it,” Adeen said...fear and worry intertwined in her tone.

Kayla's face lightened up after she heard Adeen said I'll vaporize

“ Let's get moving! Our world awaits!,” Kayla said as she walked into the forest.

Adeen squinted her eyes and shook her head disapprovingly. The stakes just got higher.

🦑🦑🦑🦑🦑🦑🦑🦑🦑🦑🦑🦑

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