Chapter 12

It was 3:56 p.m., just before our movie was gonna start, but so far I was the only one here... I've been here for like 30 minutes just so I wouldn't be late. Where was Fran? I thought it was pretty peaceful out today... I guess she got caught up in something. To be fair, she was usually late to things even when she wasn't busy being a superhero.

Tick

Another minute has gone by, and still no sign of either Rebecca or Fran... I guess we'll have to see "When Flowers Bloom" instead... Rom-coms didn't sound as epic as "Gilgar, and the Fall of Zantrax," which was our initial plan today...

Tick

It's already past 4 now... I guess no epic star missions today.

"Steve!"

Rebecca called to me as she ran up. She had her usual wavy red hair curled to the side, and she was wearing a pink fuzzy sweater and skinny jeans. It was kinda hot... Am I allowed to think that?

"Sorry I missed the movie! Where is Fran?"

I looked around one more time. "I'm not sure... She can be pretty late sometimes."

Rebecca looked at me funny, like she was surprised. "You mean she does this often?"

That never really occurred to me... Oh... This happened a lot...

She must've realized it was a little bit of a sore spot for me because she changed the subject. "Why don't we grab some cream real fast while we wait for Fran and 'When Flowers Bloom' to start?"

"Sure, that's fine! I'm sure Fran won't be long. I can order something she'll really like—strawberry shortcake with marshmallows!"

She chuckled. "Wow, she still likes those super sweet things, huh?"

***** Fran

"Yup, that's cute!"

The reflection in the mirror was winking back at me. I'm sure Steven will like that!

With my new pink fuzzy shirt and skinny jeans, I was so excited to see Steven, even if Rebecca was going to come along as well. This will be fun! I can basically ignore her most of the time anyway since we are going to watch a movie!

I rushed out the door and started heading for the movie theater.

A shadow moved in the corner of my eye. I looked, and sure enough, a shadow creature had emerged not too far away from me in the alley. "Nuh uh, not today. Not again!" I quickly punched it, and it disappeared without a trace.

Sigh

I turned to keep walking to the movie theater, but suddenly five more shadows appeared, crawling out from behind trashcans and other places. What is going on!?

I took down as many shadows as I saw while making my way toward the movies, but it seemed like they kept appearing and trying to head in the opposite direction. "This is getting annoying."

Finally, I was able to reach the square where we were going to meet, and the shadows suddenly stopped appearing.

It's already 4:15? Ah, geeze, I am really late this time. Where could they be?

I took a look around and stopped, almost frozen. There in the window of the ice cream shop was Steven, sitting across from Rose... wearing the same exact outfit I was wearing. They were eating ice cream, laughing...