Convergence

Chapter Nine: A Gesture

"I love Jackie, but sometimes, they are just so dense. I figured they'd have some more urgency." Nick shrugged, throwing a chip into their mouth.

"Maybe they did and we just missed it." Ella brought out her notepad. "Okay, so. What we know. Go."

"My theories were right about Morgan, Riley and Zoey, and they're all magic, and they need our help to defeat this thing because we're living." Nick processed the statement as they said it, leaning against the chair.

Ella took a moment to jot it all down, then plopped the pencil onto the table. "That can't be everything we know."

"I'm still confused about most things." Nick shrugged, tightening their bun, and quickly pulling their hands back down. "Shit. Greasy fingers. I just washed this rat's nest."

"You keep changing the subject," Ella said as she leaned in, tapping her pencil on the table.

"Hadn't noticed."

"Common case of denial."

"Woooooow. You have spent way too much time around me, kid." Nick wiped their hands on a napkin. "Okay, okay. Full attention."

Ella gripped the pencil tighter, struggling to get the words out. "I get it, okay? It must be absolutely mind-boggling. Now we have some kind of responsibility as well—it's a lot."

"Yeah, a lot on a kid. I'm the greatest mind in a century, right?"

"I read in a book once that cockiness is a mask for pain."

"A book?" Nick smiled, their voice lilting up.

"Okay, it was a manga."

"Children, am I right?" Nick laughed, pointing. "I know exactly what manga you got it from—super old, by the way. Tried any new content?"

"Focus, Nick." Ella reminded them once again.

"Yeah, you're right." Nick waved their hands. "I don't know much, really. Neither of us do. Our best bet would be Zoey, and she's off in that afterlife dimension place."

"She didn't give us much either."

"She couldn't, because apparently something was listening? I dunno. What's in the notebook?"

Ella snatched it up, sliding the pencil in the top rings. "Nothing."

"Come on, researchers always have to share their notes sooner or later!"

"Do you have clearance and a Ph.D.?" Ella smiled teasingly, bringing her voice to a deeper tone. "Oh, gosh, don't look, my handwriting is awful!"

Nick burst out laughing, sounding real and authentic. Even their smile was uncontrollable as their face went bright red.

Ella smiled. "Huh."

Nick sighed contentedly, stopping their fit of laughter. "What?"

"I don't think I've ever heard you laugh like that before."

"Well, nobody's as funny as you, kid." Nick opened their phone, looking at the time. "Damn, we've spent a while here. Ready to pack it in? We can think more about this after your next show."

"Yeah, that sounds okay." Ella stood up, and then Nick did. At the same time, they both called, "Check, please!"

-

Ella and Nick strolled down the streets, kicking up pebbles from the ground. The day was beautiful and warm, the wind barely whispering through shaking trees and bushes. Ella's contentedness made waves in the area.