Lia arrived at the library that
afternoon to find that Irene hadn't arrived yet. Lia walked over to an empty chair and set her backpack on the table in front of her. She pulled out her laptop and opened it, deciding to work on schoolwork until Irene arrived.

However, it was not Irene who first came over to her. She had been there for about five minutes when she felt a gentle tap on her shoulder. She turned to see Michi standing there.
"Is anyone sitting here?" He asked, gesturing to the chair beside her. "Everywhere else is taken."

"Oh. No, it's okay. You can sit there." Lia gathered a few papers she had spread out across the table so he could use the table as well.

"I've been meaning to say thank you for showing me around the other day." Michi said as he took a seat beside her.

"You're welcome. It was no trouble at all." Lia said.

They both worked in silence for a while until Irene showed up.

"Is this him!?" Irene asked in a  conspiratorial whisper, though it was loud enough that several people, including Michi turned to look at her.

"Michi, this is my friend Irene. Irene, this is Michi." Lia introduced quietly. "Why don't we go to the coffee shop where we won't have to be so quiet?" Lia suggested.

Irene nodded. "Come with us Michi!" She said, already heading toward the door. Lia quickly shoved her books and laptop back into her backpack and turned to Michi. "You're welcome to join us if you'd like." Lia said.

"Thank you. Maybe a different time. I still have work to finish." Michi said with a small smile.

"Alright. See you around." Lia said before hurrying after Irene.

♢♢♢♢♢♢♢

After arriving at the coffee shop, Irene and Lia found a table and sat down.

"I'll pay this time." Irene said as she got up and walked to the counter to order. Lia waited for her and looked out the window at the sky. Everything that had happened had been so surreal...

Lia was torn from her thoughts as Irene returned carrying two paper bags and two cups. She handed Lia one of each.

"Peppermint hot chocolate, one chocolate croissant, and a chocolate chip cookie for you, caramel latte with jelly donut and chocolate chip cookie for me." Irene said as she sat down.

"Thank you." Lia took a sip of her drink and held the cup with both hands to absorb the warmth.

"Anyway! This new girl." Irene began, and Lia sighed. Irene was obsessed.

"There's something weird about her! She joined the swim team but she is way faster than everyone! She also doesn't really talk much, but when she does she's kind of sing-songy. Like she's making fun of people or something. She just kind of gets on my nerves!" Irene said, taking a huge bite of donut once she had finished.

"Maybe that's just the way she talks. She was probably just on a swim team before too. Or maybe... dare I say it? You're jealous of her." Lia grinned slightly.

"What!? No! No, I am not jealous! Just because she's got perfect nails and makeup and is faster than me on the swim team and guys are obsessed with her..." Irene trailed off and then finished, "I am not jealous!!"

"Suuuure." Lia said. She broke off a piece of croissant and ate it. She felt like there was something she was missing... something she should notice but it just wasn't fitting in place... it had something to do with something Irene had said, but when? It wasn't something she had mentioned just now... no, something from a few days ago. But maybe it connected to this conversation...?

"LIA!" Lia snapped from her thoughts as Irene shouted her name, causing several other customers to give them strange looks.

"Huh? Sorry I wasn't really paying attention..." Lia turned back to Irene.

"Oh yeah. That much was obvious." Irene sighed.

"Sorry. So what were you saying?" Lia asked.

"I was just saying, isn't it weird how the weather has been recently? All stormy and cold, but then clear and nice for a bit, and then back to being depressing again?" Irene asked.

"Yeah... it's weird." Lia said. "It's almost like the forces of nature are all out of whack."

"I know, right? It's like the weather gods are being moody. Woah... that's a weird image... hormonal, moody weather gods." Irene and Lia both laughed.

"Sooooo.... now for the important question." Irene lowered her voice to a stage whisper.

"What?" Lia asked.

"Do you.... like Michi!?!?" Irene asked conspiratorially, although she failed epically at being quiet on the last two words.

"I mean, he's friendly, but I met him yesterday. Why are you so interested anyway?" Lia replied.

"Because, I am your friend. So it is my job to get into your business of your personal love life!" Irene said.

"Um... I'm not sure our definition of friend is the same. But either way, there is nothing going on between us." Lia said.

"For now." Irene giggled. Lia sighed and rolled her eyes.

Suddenly the door to the cafe opened and they turned to see who it was.

"Oh, no..." Irene groaned, seeing her half brother walk into the cafe.

"Has he stopped going on about the seal girl yet?" Lia asked, lowering her voice.

"No, if anything he's just become more obsessed... but if he finds Nikki and figures out who she is, she won't be safe." Irene whispered back.

What do you think will happen? Will Kyle find Nikki? Who is Marceena really? Do you want Lia and Michi to end up together? Let me know in the comments! All comments votes and reads are greatly appreciated! Thank you for reading my story!