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Chapter 6 - The attack

"Hoosiers is not only the best basketball movie ever, it is the best sports movie ever made! "Jackson screams, "NO," Lydia said. "It's got Gene Hackman and Dennis Hopper!" Jackson says. Lydia stubbornly says, "No." Jackson says, "Lydia, I swear to God, you're gonna like it". Lydia says "no".JACKSON angrily says, "I am not watching The Notebook again".

Lydia, lounging on the couch and flipping through her phone, didn't even look up. "NO," she said flatly, raising an eyebrow at him. 

Jackson leaned in closer with a grin. "But it has Gene Hackman and Dennis Hopper! Come on, that's like an Oscar-winning combo!" 

"Jackson, just because it has a couple of old guys doesn't mean it's a masterpiece. It's all about basketball—so boring!" she shot back, suppressing a laugh as she imagined him droning on about basketball stats.

"Boring? You're out of your mind! Lydia, I swear to God, you're gonna like it. Just give it a shot!" he insisted.

"Not a chance," she countered playfully, shaking her head like a toddler refusing broccoli.

He huffed, clearly enjoying the banter. "I'd rather watch paint dry than The Notebook again! Seriously, can we not? I still have nightmares about that!"

"Why not? At least it has some romance! That's more than I can say for your basketball drivel!" Lydia teased, a smirk dancing on her lips.

"Can somebody help me find The Notebook?!" Jackson said with exaggerated desperation, throwing his hands in the air as he turned to look, but instead, he stumbled into something unexpected.

"Oh man," he muttered, realizing a guy was lying on the ground, scratching at his neck like he was trying to get rid of an itch gone wrong. 

"Uh… you good?" Jackson asked cautiously, leaning down for a closer look—because obviously, that was a smart idea. 

Suddenly, he saw it. A creature on all fours, its eyes glowing like red headlights on a dark road, prowling just a few feet away from him. "Nope! Not today!" he whispered fiercely, flinging himself behind a nearby bookshelf faster than he thought possible.

As he crouched down, he couldn't help but think how ridiculous this situation was—hiding like a scared cat while debating whether a basketball movie was better than a romantic one. 

Jackson held his breath and watched in horror as all the bookshelves around him began to topple over like a game of Jenga gone wrong. "Oh great! Just what I need—a bookshelf avalanche!" 

He quickly ducked under his shelf as it crashed down, trapping him. The creature paused, its glowing eyes peering right at him, and Jackson could've sworn he felt its hot breath, probably smelling all the popcorn he'd eaten earlier.

After what felt like an eternity of heart-pounding silence, the creature seemed to lose interest. It glanced at him with a confused look, then turned tail and sprinted down the hall. 

Scott and Derek are on the roof after the beast left.

"Do you think he was trying to turn someone into a werewolf?" Scott asked, his voice laced with worry as the tension in the air thickened.

Derek, with a fierce determination in his eyes, shook his head. "No. He didn't just turn someone; he viciously ripped one person's throat out with ruthless precision. The other one was fortunate enough to live, most likely because Jackson had wolfsbane tucked in the back of his neck when I managed to cut it away," he explained, his tone serious.

Scott's brow furrowed in confusion. "When did you even do that?" he pressed, trying to understand the gravity of the situation.

Derek's expression darkened. "When I got shot?" he shot back, the weight of unspoken pain evident in his voice.

Scott's eyes narrowed in realization. "You were looking for us? But how did you even get inside the school, especially in that condition? You looked like you were running on adrenaline—or—something else entirely." wink wink.

A cryptic smile flickered across Derek's face as shadows danced around him. "I can't share my methods with you," he said, his voice almost a whisper as he began to fade into the enveloping darkness. Scott's heart raced as he scanned the dimly lit roof, desperate to find Derek, but he had already slipped away, leaving Scott.

 [FUN TIME WITH ALISSON]

As we settled onto our bench in the park, the warm hues of dusk enveloped us. I took a moment to soak it all in—Allison's contagious laugh, the gentle sway of the trees overhead, and the distant sounds of children playing nearby. It was these little moments that made everything worthwhile. We shared so much—our academic struggles, favorite shows, crushes, and dreams, all weaving together the fabric of our friendship.

 

"Do you ever think about what makes moments like this special?" Allison asked, breaking my reverie. She twirled a strand of hair around her finger, signaling her deeper contemplation.

 

I considered her question. "Sometimes. I mean, it's the little things, right? Like being here with you, enjoying the simple beauty of nature." I smiled, appreciating the peaceful atmosphere around us.

 

Allison nodded, her expression softening. "It's moments like these that I wish could last forever. Just sitting, talking, and being free of responsibilities."

 

I sighed in agreement. "Yeah, it's nice to escape everything, even if just for a while. Sometimes I think we need to take a break from all the noise around us."

 

Allison playfully rolled her eyes. "Totally! I can only binge-watch so many shows before I feel like I need fresh air. Maybe we should start having regular park dates."

 

"You're onto something," I replied, feeling a spark of excitement at the idea. "It would be a great way to recharge and just enjoy each other's company."

 

Just then, a group of younger kids rode by on their bicycles, their laughter ringing out like music. One little girl in a bright pink helmet wobbled a bit before finding her balance, her determination making me smile. "Look at her! She's a natural! It's all a part of learning," I said, turning back to Allison. 

 

"Did you just compare that girl to us?" Allison teased, her eyes dancing with amusement. "That might be the most ridiculous analogy I've ever heard!"

 

"Maybe, but it's true! Life is all about finding your balance," I chuckled, unable to contain my laughter. We both watched the kids, their uninhibited joy infectious as they raced around the park.

 

"What about those two over there?" Allison pointed out a pair of kids who were trying to climb a tree, their laughter blending with the rustling leaves. "They're trying, falling, but getting back up. It's beautiful to watch!"

 

"Exactly! It's refreshing to see that kind of enthusiasm," I said, feeling the warmth of the moment tighten between us. 

 

After a comforting silence, the sun finally dipped below the horizon, leaving the park bathed in twilight. "Do you want to head to that café nearby?" I suggested, suddenly aware of how hungry I was. 

 

"Absolutely! Those cookies won't eat themselves!" Allison exclaimed, her eyes lighting up at the thought of our favorite treat.

 

We walked side by side, our conversations swirling around like the leaves that danced along the path. As we approached the café, the familiar bell jingled as we stepped inside. The air was filled with the sweet scent of baked goods and the comforting hum of chatter, making it feel like a sanctuary from the outside world.

 

"Okay, I could seriously eat a dozen chocolate chip cookies right now," I said, eyeing the display case filled with various delights.

 

"Let's get two each!" Allison replied, her enthusiasm infectious.

 

After placing our order, we found a cozy table near the window. The soft light made everything feel inviting. When I took the first bite of my cookie, pure bliss washed over me—the gooey chocolate melted in my mouth, instantly making worries fade into the background.

 

"This is the best part of the day," I sighed, feeling content. "Nothing beats freshly baked cookies and good company."

 

Allison raised her cookie in a mock toast. "To delicious cookies and carefree moments!"

 

As we giggled and savored our treats, time seemed to stand still. We were lost in the sweetness of the moment, reveling in each other's company.

 Wish vote time

1. The pack has a longer life span 2.Essence of Archmage 3. Travel through the world (I don't watch that many shows, don't recommend), give the story power stones for more people to see it.

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