ACE

Chapter 5

Having reached the outside of the manor, the two were hit with the early morning breeze as the rising sun gave them light. Eric feeling the breeze, turned back to face the manor. Shocked at what he saw was a worn down and very eerie building, as what Layla said the night before.

He then uttered to himself, "was I seeing things last night?"

"Did you say something?" Layla then asked upon hearing him.

"Ah umm no I didn't say anything," Eric said turning to face her.

Hearing his reply, Layla walked towards the road in front of them. She then tapped her covered mark and her deck appeared. She took out one card and snapped her fingers to make the rest vanish. Stopping in the middle of the road, Layla placed the card on the floor and stepped on it. Eric wondering what she was doing, saw the card expand in the street, growing. It had a bright glow that vanished to show a teal convertible car. In Layla's hand then appeared what seemed to be the key for the convertible. Eric's jaw then dropped when seeing it, but Layla snapped her fingers to gain his attention.

Getting into the car on the driver's side and putting the key into the car, the engine started. She then said to Eric, "hurry up and get in."

Stepping near the car, Eric stopped and stepped back saying, "woah wait, you're driving? I don't think so you have no licenses to drive. Plus your underage."

"So what? I can still drive," Layla replied with annoyance.

Eric looking Layla as if she was crazy said, "I'm not getting in, I would rather walk. How about we get on a bus? Or have someone drive us there?"

"What! Ugh really? Of course, you'll be like that," she spoke. "Fine give me a sec."

Layla then got out of the car, removing the key, and pushed a small button on the side view mirror. The car then shrunk and went slimmer. When it finished, the car was no longer there, instead, a violet motorcycle was in its place. On its seats were two helmets matching the bikes color.

"Now get on we're losing time. And before you say anything, I have a license for this," Layla said tossing a helmet at Eric while holding proof. She then once again put her key into the slot to start the engine.

"Uh well I guess you would be able to have one at this age," he whispered. "But still you're barely legal."

"Just get on!" Layla said annoyed.

When hearing her, he put the helmet on and hopped on the bike, sitting behind her.

"Hold onto me tight so that you don't fall." Layla told him while moving his hands to wrap around her waist.

"Umm... okay," Eric said blushing as he then tightened his hold.

Feeling his hold Layla placed her helmet, then revved the engine and sped away to their destination. Their whole ride was filled with bumps that scared Eric with the flashing of his life. When they reached S.C.P. mall, Layla drove into a parking space and turned the engine off. Taking off her helmet and getting off the bike, she waited for Eric to get off. Once both were off, Layla turned it back into its previous version as a car. She then locked it with her key.

"Let's get going now," Layla said happily walking towards the mall. Eric had then followed not say a word.

Entering the mall, the pair were hit with many fancy and expensive stores, ranging to many different products. Layla looking at the different shops through its windows, stopped in front of one with a shady appearance. All dark and gloomy inside. Walking in, she went straight to the back of the store. Not really wanting to follow, Eric once again trailed behind her. Reaching the back, they found a door before them. Knocking in a pattern of sorts, it opened.

Walking in Layla yelled, "Camellias! You here?! I need you to do something for me."

A small young girl, fitting to be the pair's age, came out from behind the door. Her long curled hair a pale rose color and droopy eyes of similar color. In the corner of her left eye, a ♠3 can be seen in black. She wore a sleeveless pink dress that had ruffles and bows. This dress ended mid thigh. The girl's skin was rosy pale and her face was emotionless. A lollipop was in her mouth.

Pulling the lolli out she opened her mouth, "ah so it was the mistress. Oh and you brought a friend I see." The girl's monotone voice rang giving a fright to the pair.

"Ahhh! Hhhh Camellias don't do that anymore, you gave us a fright," Layla lectured.

"Uh huh sure got it. Who's he?" Camellias said not glancing at Eric. "Your boyfriend?"

"Wha.. what?! Me and Layla aren't dat... dating!" Eric stammered loudly to prove his innocents.

"Camellias of course not. This is Eric our school's pres," Layla said with a light pink on her cheeks.

"Really, well whatever." Camellias then bowed down. "How may I help you?"

Layla, after the pink had vanished from her face, commanded "I request that you decorate Eric's room back at the manor. It must be better than that of pure white."

Standing back up straight, Camellias said monotone, "as you wish. May I have access to his room?"

"Yes. Give me a sec." Layla then made her deck appear once again. She took one out and kissed it. Handing it to the girl, the deck vanished once more. "I want it done before tonight."

The girl then looks intensely at Layla without showing any emotion. Camellia then blinking said, "of course."

Hearing the response, Layla then walked out the door she came from with Eric at her heels. Once they were out of the shady shop Eric looked at Layla.

Then he asked, "If we were only going to buy stuff for my room today and you just hired someone to do that. Then why must we be here so early in the day?"

Layla looked at him and smiled devilishly, "that's cause we're going shopping for other things."