Forever Strange ! ON HOLD !

Henry and the Woodpeckers (4)

I sat in the Man Cave staring down at my phone screen. I had been texting Fowler all day, we were talking about going on a date to Swellview park, but I didn't know just how serious he was being. I hear the familiar tube alarm ring, and the boom of them catching just above the ground. I locked my phone and set it down, turning to see Schwoz and Ray standing on the platform with smiles.

"We're back," Ray smiled.

"Hey," Henry trailed.

"How was your camping trip?" Charlotte asked.

I stood, walking over to the two, and crossing my arms.

Schwoz set down his fishing pole with a grin, "Oh, it was so much fun. I went swimming in Lake Swellview,"

"Yeah, which would've been great if he'd brought a swimsuit," Ray said, slightly nauseated. 

Schwoz turned to look at Ray, "What's wrong with swimming naked?"

"You were scaring the fish," Ray defended.

Schwoz turned to face us again, "I'm going to my room to shave off my beard,"

Ray begins to cackle. Stopping in his tracks, Schwoz slowly turned on his heel to face Ray, giving him a suspicious look.

"You call that a beard?" Ray scoffed.

Schwoz stepped closer, "Yeah. What else would I call this?"

"Oh, you could call it a face bush," Henry suggested.

"Or chin carpet," I added.

Ray sashayed up to Schwoz, "I'm just saying," he gestured to his face, "this is the start of a real man's beard,"

Schwoz dropped his bag to the floor, "Pish! I can grow more hair on my rump than you can grow on your face,"

I furrowed my eyebrows at his comeback. 

"Your rump is no match for my face," Ray growled.

Charlotte stood, holding her hands out to stop the two.

"Alright boys," she stopped next to Henry, "Let's not go getting all stupid,"

"You guys should have a beard battle," Henry chuckled.

"Yes!" Exclaimed Ray.

"Dude," Charlotte groaned.

Ray turned to Schwoz, "Six weeks. Whoever grows the biggest beard wins,"

"And the loser has to..." Schwoz paused.

"Eat the winner's beard hair," Ray smirked.

Henry started to laugh.

Schwoz slapped his hand into Ray's, "It's a bet!"

"No, no," Charlotte sighed, "See, I said don't go getting all stupid,"

I chuckled and shook my head at them, before plopping back onto the couch and reading messages again.

***

I opened the door to the cafe Fowler had invited me to, claiming that they had the best bear claws around. I walked in and looked around the place. The black ceiling had an intricate design, which contrasted well with the rustic brick walls, and burnt redwood flooring. As for the decorations, they were simplistic. Aesthetic wooden chairs were placed under or next to pitch-black tables, and wooden benches with black fluffy pillows decorating them. The place was sharp and clean.

People buzzed around the place as indistinct conversations were being held. Baristas were busy bussing tables, making drinks, or striking up a conversation with someone else. I looked around, spotting the filled tables and the empty ones. One, in particular, stood out to me, as someone scrolled on their phone. I walked up with a smile.