Digital Strings Attached

Chapter 7

A week later..

"Why do we have to go with you to Jovie's house?", Amir asked her older sister Georgia as they walked through the streets of Seattle heading to the Ong's house. It was just a five to ten-minute walk, but for the five-year-old boy, it seemed like hours. 

Gia looked at Georgia and then at their little brother who was holding both their hands while walking. "Cause we wouldn't want to leave you there alone with the ghosts." mocking the poor little boy. 

Georgia looked down at Amir, who was now looking at her with annoyance because of Gia's retort. "No, it's because it's not safe to leave you there alone. Come on, we'll be quick and we can go to the ice cream store after. You like that?" Georgia asked, in an attempt to buy her little brother's trust at that moment. Mrs. Saunders and Genevieve went to her father's office to drop off some homemade pasta and brownies their Mom made, so that left Georgia to look after the two. 

Jovie called her after lunch to notify her that there was a package at their doorstep waiting for her. It was named for Georgia but addressed to the Ong's house. She chuckled as she recalled her best friend's banter over the call, "Since when do you live here, Georgie? Mom says she's not informed.". She forgot to tell her best friend she had given her address instead of her true address to Randall when the latter asked for it because he claimed he'd be sending her something. Now, she has to explain. 

"Hey guys, would you like some lemonade and cookies?" Mrs. Ong called after them from inside the kitchen when they arrived at the spacious Ong's living room with two sets of sofas and a grand piano. Without a thought, her siblings went running to the kitchen. 

Placed on top of the center table was a medium-sized, rectangular USPS box, still sealed and waiting to be opened. "Let's free what's inside," uttered Jovie while handing her a small cutter with a wide smile on her face. Jovie bought her explanation too well, without even giving Georgia harsh judgments. 

Countless shredded tiny paper fillers filled the box as they opened it, and in the middle were five dolls laying on it, FIVE NSYNC MARIONETTE dolls. In an instant, upon seeing them, the two best friends shrieked in delight, jumping and hugging each other. They quickly grabbed all five, revealing a card underneath it. Georgia examined the card, it was just a simple white card and inside it said:

"Georgia,

Congratulations, pal! Haha, I know that by the time these dolls reach you, you're already done with school. Just wanna say thanks for being my peace in this crazy world I am in. See you?

Randall Timberlake.. haha kidding, just Randall!"

Jovie let out another shriek when Georgia read the card and noticed her best friend's smile while reading the card. "What if he's really Justin? hahaha" Jovie even joked. 

Georgia made a face knowing that was way impossible, also she's okay for him just being Randall and not Justin, she's not that delusional about JT, at least, that's what she thought.

They stayed till dinner since Mrs. Ong asked them to, saying she would prepare food for more than five people and that she wanted to give some Chinese noodles to Mrs. Saunders. "Why don't you just call him to say thank you instead of texting or chatting with him?" Jovie suggested as they plumped themselves on one of the couches inside the Ong's gaming room. Jovie's brothers Frank and Marco were playing PlayStation with Amir while Gia was trying to be busy with the Jenga game but seemed to be struggling with it.

"I don't know if it is such a good idea. Last time I tried, all I heard was a deafening background noise." Georgia answered while taking a sip of her soda.