Don' Yokuna Yokubo:
"Aaahhhhhh!"
Screaming and slamming my staff down, the sound echoing throughout my room, I scream again.
"I was so close! I was so close! That fool! That pathetic girl! If only she hadn't-Ahhhh!"
My teeth are pushing against each other. I dig my fingernails into the palms of my hands. My whole body shakes with fury. Eventually, I begin breathing in and out, and my body relaxes.
"I may have failed this time, but I came close. So close. This proves it. My power is stronger, and one day, I will have the souls of Akio and Emica."
I pick up my staff from the floor.
"One day. One day."
Noon Encarnacion:
"Are you kidding me?" Mac Gunner slaps himself on the face before lowering his hand. "Are you kidding me! Another one of these 'magical supervillain' attacks? And now you're telling me today's shoot is canceled!"
"Postpone," the director corrects. "I'm sorry, Mr. Gunner, but most of the cameras were either destroyed or damaged. And a few of the sets are ruined. We have to postpone the shooting until we can fix everything."
One of Mac's eyes twitches, his head turns red, and streams begin shooting out of his ears.
"Aaahhhhh!"
Screaming at the top of his lungs, I turn away. However, as I move, I feel a slight pain in my back.
"Ouch," I whisper. Emica then appears beside me.
"Are you okay?" She asks.
"Yeah. Nothing a warm bath and a night's rest can't fix. Don't worry about it."
Giving Emica a quick nod, I feel something snap as I move my head.
"Don't...worry...about it...Ouch..."
"You're sore, too?"
Hearing a familiar voice, I turn and smile when I see Nemo sitting beside me. Smiling, he offers me a bottle of water.
"Here."
"Thanks."
I take the bottle, but as I was about to open it, Nemo stops me.
"Wait, don't drink it."
"What? Why not?"
"It's ice cold. Use it like this."
I watch Nemo place his water bottle on the back of his neck. Letting out a sigh, he turns to me.
"Oh. I get it."
Following in his footsteps, I place my bottle on the back of my neck. Immediately, I feel a cold sensation rushing throughout my burning body. The relief brings a bigger smile to my face.
"Ohhhh," I sigh, "That feels amazing."
"Mmmmm," Nemo mutters. "Yeah. It does."
"Any chance you have a third bottle?"
Turning our heads, we both smile when we see Freddy approaching us. However, our smiles vanish when we see who is behind Freddy.
"Amber!" I shout. I drop the bottle and jump, but when I do, my whole body burns. Shutting my mouth, fighting the urge to scream, I slowly sit back down in my chair.
"Amber," I repeat.
Amber doesn't reply. Instead, she keeps looking in various directions. It's not until Freddy nudges his head that she looks at me.
"I'm sorry for what I said earlier," Amber starts. "And for trying to throw a water balloon at you."
"And for throwing Akio and Emica around like ragdolls," I think.
Clearing my throat, I nod and smile at Amber.
"It's fine," I reply.
"Not to sound rude or anything," Nemo starts, "But what are you still doing here? I thought only staff and actors were allowed on set."
"Staff, actors, and their guests," Freddy points out.
"Their guests?" Emica, Nemo, and I all look at each other.
"Amber is my guest," Freddy goes on. "I want to show her around, and you know, give her something to brag about back home."
Freddy then bumps Amber with his elbow. Amber laughs and smiles when he does. Again, Emica, Nemo, and I all look at each other.
"Am I missing something?" Emica asks, leaning in close.
"I think we're all missing something," I whisper.
"Oh, and before I forget! Amber, please stay here for a minute. I need to get something."
Snapping his fingers, Freddy then walks away, leaving Amber with Nemo and me. Trying to move my chair back a little, I stop when Amber calls my name.
"Again, I am sorry for everything. You know, Freddy told me a little about you."
"He did?"
"Yeah. Freddy told me that, despite being a model, you're a very caring person. You can be a little shy and reserved, but when you come out of your shell, you're actually really funny and laugh a lot."
"Freddy said all of that?"
"Yeah, and if Freddy thinks you're awesome, then you're awesome in my book, too."
"Freddy thinks I'm funny? And he's like my laugh?"
For some reason, as I think about everything Freddy said about me, my face starts to heat up.
"Hey, everyone!"
Hearing his voice, I almost jump, but again, my body setting on fire keeps me down. Running back toward us, Freddy smiles and shows us the things in his hands.
"Permanent markers and a plastic bag?" I ask. "I don't get it."
Freddy hands Nemo and me a marker. He then takes the cap of the marker in his hand.
"I owe you a new signed bag."
Signing his autograph on the plastic bag, Freddy then gives us the bag.
"But maybe instead of just my autograph, you can also have the autograph of a famous model and an up-and-coming actor."
"Oh, I get it now."
Smiling, I take the bag and sign my name. I give the bag to Nemo, and he signs his name before giving it to Amber. Amber's jaw drops as she takes the bag.
"Thank you," she cries.
"Don't mention it," I reply. "By the way, if you don't mind me asking, what time do you leave? I mean, filming is postponed today because of..."
I have to stop for a few seconds to clear my throat.
"Anyway, do you need a ride? My bodyguard and I can give you one if you need it."
"No, no, no, it's fine," Amber answers, shaking her hand. "Actually, I have something to say."
"What is it?" Freddy asks.
"Now, before I say it, I just want to confirm something. I am not a crazy stalker."
Amber's eyes then move somewhere. Following her gaze, we all turn to look at Nemo. Seeing this, Nemo pulls back a little.
"Okay," Nemo says. "Go on."
"And it happened even before I read that Freddy was going to be an actor here."
"Right, right, right," I repeat. "Continue."
"This is purely coincidental."
"Amber, please just say it," Freddy begs.
"I live here now. In the city. In Boston. Actually, my apartment is only a few blocks from here."
Nemo, Freddy, and I all nod.
"Okay," we all simultaneously say. "Yeah. Yes. Okay."
"So do you still need a ride?" I ask while still nodding.
"It's fine. I can walk home. Bye."
"Bye."
Turning around, Amber starts walking away with the signed bag in her hand.
"Did she say she lived only a few blocks from here?" Emica repeats, appearing beside me again.
"Yes," I say, still nodding. "Yes, she did."
"So, there's a chance we'll see her again?"
"Yes. There's a chance we'll see her again."
"Okay." Emica starts nodding too.