𝕽𝖊𝖇𝖊𝖑𝖘||𝕺𝖗𝖎𝖌𝖎𝖓𝖆𝖑 𝕬𝖕𝖕𝖑𝖞𝖋𝖎𝖈||

Chapter Three

A/N: Oh my lord, I just published this without finishing it on accident! I was able to unpublish it, thank god, but what if I wasn't able to?? That would've been disastrous. 

AJ couldn't stop looking over her shoulder- she did not want another run in with 'the officer', as this Al Aideen called him. Razia looked all around her too, but not off caution but rather curiosity. 

Al had led them into an alleyway and now leaned up against one of the walls. They directed their attention towards Razia. 

"You, Raz, look more approachable than AJ." Al started. "So tell me- who are you? I know a lot of people around here, but I don't know you and there's just something off about you."

Razia didn't answer, but instead looked at AJ, who shrugged, still frowning with confusion and caution. 

"Tell you what- it's a long story and we're very hungry." Razia said. "Could we perhaps find something to eat and then tell you?"

"Sure- Lucali is the best pizza place in all of New York and just around the corner." Al walked out of the alley with a 'follow me!'. 

Aifoe and Lydia sat together, watching the puppy run around with the other dogs. Both girls still had their mask on (like everyone else around them) and though they sat close, they tried not to touch skin.

Only in 2020.

Lydia was currently talking about how COVID had affected the movie industry and Aiofe had been very intrigued until she saw an odd-looking group of people walk toward Lucali- the pizza shop. It was 3 people, all female it looked like. One, who seemed to be playing leader, had outstanding pink hair and a Victorian dress. Two girls followed, one taller and one shorter. The taller one had short, black and teal hair, and wore sweatpants and jacket zipped only halfway, showing a white sports bra, as if she wasn't trying to look good, it just happened that way. The shorter one had long brown hair and wore a floral dress with floral sneakers. The two girls were holding each others hands. The tall one seemed to constantly be looking around, as if she was watching for something.

The interest in the group must've shown on Aifoe's face because Lydia stopped to ask, 

"You alright, Fifi?"

"I was just watching that group over there- they look out of place." Aifoe said, pointing to the three teens. Lydia looked over and frowned. 

"You're right- that one with the short hair looks like she's up to no good." Lydia shot Aiofe an adventurous grin. "Wanna check it out?"

AJ wasn't sure what to think of this Al. AJ really liked how bold and eager she was, but she asked a lot of questions, questions AJ would rather avoid. Razia liked her from the start, however, and thought she was rather funny with her chaotic personality. 

Right before they had left for Lucali's, Al had called their siblings to tell them that they would have to get home with Al, and to take magic home as well. Since then, they'd just been talking, talking, talking, no worries on their mind. By the time they had slid into a corner booth at the pizza shop, they had told the two new people a good bit about NYC.

"So- you don't know much about me." Al started while they were waiting for lunch. "So I guess I should tell you- as you know, my name is Al Aideen, you can call me Ali, or A, or Deen. I'm agender and go by any pronouns, but normally they/them. I'm 16, and I have 3 brothers, Noah, Aster, and Alex. I have a pet cat named Magic and I love Victorian dresses. Tell me about you!"

She said this all really fast. 

As the pizza was set in front of the them, AJ and Razia shared a look that clearly said 'we have to tell somebody'. So Razia took a deep breath, and began her story.