War? Check.

Chapter 3

I followed her into her bedroom. It was very cluttered, but comfortable at the same time. Ripped comic book pages hung on the walls, and her saxophone stood in a holder in the corner of her room, gleaming in the light. "Sooooo..." Rosie said, sitting down on her colourful bed. "I'm guessing you want answers, huh?"

"I mean, I'd appreciate it if you did..."

Rosie nodded and took off the wig again. "You know all about that genetic engineering? The stuff to tell everyone apart?"

I nodded. "That was pretty messed up..."

"Yeah. I agree. Anyway, dude from the Silver Kingdom, lady from the Obsidian Kingdom, they meet, yada yada yada, then you get this." She twirled her hair.

"Ok, so, uh, I actually think that looks a bit cool." I mumbled. Rosie laughed and elbowed me. "There's one thing I need to ask, though." I said.

"What's that?"

"Why did you never tell me?"

"I don't know! Why did you never tell me who you're in love with?"

"...Ok, that's fair, touche and all that, but-"

"C'mon. It can't be much worse than my confession."

"Not right now."

"Ugh, fine." Rosie started fiddling with a nearby skeleton keyring. "That aside, you should probably go now. Judging by the state of your clothes, I don't think you exactly went out any old door. Also, why didn't you wait until school tomorrow?"

"I would've been up all night thinking about it."

Rosie burst into laughter. "Welcome to the club!"

"What keeps you awake?"

Rosie shook her head in disappointment. "Funny memes, friend. Funny memes."

I said my goodbyes. I stopped for the light show (It seems like the whole world's lighting up- it's even more breathtaking when you're outside with it) and ran back to my house. I checked the time- Nine o'clock. I still had an hour to cover my tracks. I climbed back up (With great difficulty) And went back in through my window. My parents were the type to not interrupt their kids no matter the cost, so I managed to get back into my bedroom safely. By the time Dad knocked on the door and walked in, I was already out like a light.

Rosie sat down next to me again the next day. "What should we tell them?" she whispered to me.

"Tell who?"

"Your friends, of course. They saw it too, didn't they?"

I thought, before responding: "Just tell them the same thing."

Rosie nodded and went back to taking maths notes.

We explained the situation to Sam and Jack. They seemed fine with it, apart from the occasional biological question from Jack. We were in silence for a while. I was tapped on the shoulder. I turned around to see Jessie Suzuki.

Sam crossed his arms. "What are you doing here, Puffer Coat? These two-" He gestured towards me and Jack, "-are with me! And in case you haven't picked up on it," he pointed at Rosie, "She is too! What were you planning to do, call her four-eyes or fatty? And picking on Max and Jack even more than you have already with your dumb-" He sighed and seemed to calm down a little. "My point is, what do you want?"

Jessie sighed. "I know the Puffer Coats have done some pretty bad things in the past." She began. "But... I never liked it. I despised myself for not stopping them, and I still do." She was growing in confidence bit by bit. "Well, I've broken off. I'm never talking to them again. And, I was wondering... Could I hang out with you for a while? Until I find my own group. In fact, this group might be my group. Y'know?"