Living A Double Life (Part One)

The summer rolls by as everyone spends their time enjoying it in their own way, but before they knew it, it was time for them to return home from their vacations. On Thursday, July 31st, the kids meet up in one of the Green Valley’s parks and welcomes each other back.

“On the way here, I was informed that one of my recent visions had been fulfilled. I wonder which one, though.” Nadia said.

“Hey, everyone!” Kenny shouts while running over to them.

“Hey, Kenny. Where’s Jen?” Tanya said.

“Sister chose to stay and attend school there while I chose to come back home.”

“There’s my answer. I guess I must’ve misinterpreted my vision about y’all attending another school. I guess it was really showing Jenny staying and you returning home.” she said.

“Danny dear, did you hear that? Jenny isn’t gonna be here!” Daniella said excitedly.

He doesn’t say a word.

“Why are you two still hanging around us again?” Randy asks.

“We have a right to be here!”

“That was a rhetorical question.”

“Hey, where are…?” Tanya said.

“Lisa and Kiara? Here they come right now.” Dana said while pointing in their direction.

Everyone looks and sees the duo arriving together, carrying small souvenirs from their trip. The remaining members of the Favor Makers (Tanya, Kiki, Nadia, Dana, and Misty) notice the closeness between them—Lisa’s relaxed smile and Kiara’s hand briefly brushing against hers.

“Hey, everyone.” Kiara said.

“Hey, girls!” some of them respond back.

“So, how was the big summer getaway?” Tanya asks with a teasing grin.

Lisa blushes but answers honestly.

“It was…amazing. We spent time sightseeing, tried new foods, and even trained a little together. Honestly, it was one of the best summers I’ve ever had.”

“But more importantly, we got to know each other better outside of school and outside of our friend group. It helped us realize that while we do care about each other, we’re not in a rush. Therefore, we’ve agreed to take things slow until we’re both ready for the next step.” Kiara said.

There’s a pause, then Misty smiles warmly and says…

“That’s really mature of you both. Relationships don’t need to be rushed.”

“Plus, it means the rest of us won’t have to deal with awkward drama later.” Nadia said with a knowing smirk.

Some of the kids laugh, easing the tension. Kiara turns to Lisa with a small grin.

“We may not know where things will end up, but I’m glad Lisa gave me a chance.”

“And I’m glad Kiara was patient with me.” Lisa replies.

Some girls exchange smiles, happy to see that their friends’ bond has grown stronger, even if it’s still in the early stages of romance.Without warning, Daniella lifts Danny’s left sleeve up.

“Danny dear, when is your mark gonna return?”

‘There she goes again! Why is she so obsessed with his mark?’ Dana thought.

‘That girl is definitely plotting something.’ Tanya thought.

“Can you read her mind, Nadia?” Lisa whispers.

“I would, if her mind wasn’t closed off.”

“Danny dear, has your mark showed up at all during the summer?”

“I don’t know.”

Misty looks at Danny’s face.

“I see that his eyes are still a copper color…”

“And that means that he’s still unstable.” Kiara said.

“Keep this in mind, Danny: Now that your parents are away and the summertime is over, you’ll still have to abide by their rules and ours. No complaints, either. When we get up in the morning, you’ll have to do the same. When we leave for school, the same goes for that.” Eliza said.

“You’d better listen to them too, Danny.” Orion said.

After that, everyone starts taking turns talking about what they did during the summer. Due to already knowing how Danny spent his, nobody bothers asking him about it while also refusing to ask Daniella about how she spent hers. At one point, Domincia telepathically tells Eliza to tell the others to come to the house. After doing so and going inside, they were surprised to see the dining room decorated with birthday decorations.

“Is today the Watts twins’ birthday?” Orion asks.

“No, their birthday is in March. This is a birthday party for someone else.” Domincia said.

“And who is that?”

When Daniella enters the room, Domincia rattles one of the noisemakers and shouts…

“Happy Belated Birthday, Daniella!”

“It’s for her, Mom? You had us leave the house earlier just so that you could decorate this room for her?” Eliza asks.

“Yes, I knew that Daniella's birthday is in May, but I wasn't able to throw her a party because of family-related stuff. Therefore, I decided to throw her a belated birthday party. What’s wrong with that?”

“Why bother doing that when she has no friends?”

“I thought that y’all were…”

“No, Mom, we’re not her friends, just like we’re not Danny’s friends.”

“Eliza’s telling the truth, Dee. Danny and Daniella have no friends.” Nadia said.

“And we should’ve told you, so that you wouldn’t have wasted your time doing all of this.” Kiara said.

“We all assumed that you, Domincia, already knew that they didn’t have any friends.” Tanya said.

“Come on, kids, don’t be stubborn and mean.” Domincia pleads.

“No offense, Dee, but we’ve always been that way when it comes to her, since she’s always like that towards us.” Dana said.

“We came here to welcome each other back and talk about our summer vacations, Dee. 'Celebrating the birthday of an ill-tempered, insecure girl' wasn’t part of the agenda.” Sam said.

“So, y’all really aren’t gonna take part in this small party?” Danny said.

“NO!” they shout.

“Enjoy celebrating the party with her and Danny, Mom, but save the decorations for someone else’s birthday and make sure that the ‘someone’ is a friend of ours.” Eliza said.

With that, they go back outside and resume talking about their summer vacations, leaving Danny, Daniella, and Domincia in the dining room.

“How do you like that? They didn’t even wish me a ‘Happy Belated Birthday’ or stuck around to have cake and ice cream.” Daniella pouts.

‘Indeed, they aren’t friends of hers and Danny.’ Domincia thought.

“It’s ok, Daniella. You can just take the leftovers home and share it with your mom.”

“Thanks, Dee. I’ll give you two slices, Danny dear.”

“Um…actually, I’m…”

“Actually, I’ll give you three, so that you can have some for later.”

“Daniella, Danny isn’t a cake eater. Last year, he told you that at my Christmas party, remember?”

“But…he had a cake at his last birthday party…”

“I never ate any of it. Instead, I just ate an ice cream cup while letting the others have the cake.” Danny said.

“Oh…”

“Now that you know, don’t bother cutting and giving him any slices.” Domincia said.

“Yes, Dee.”

With that, she and Domincia cuts a slice of cake for themselves and then sits down and eats while she starts talking about what she did during the summer; Danny, on the other hand, just sits and listens. Moments later, before leaving, Domincia hands her a container of cake slices to share with her mom.

“See you later, Danny dear.” she said sweetly.

“Later.”

As she leaves out, the Watts twins come back inside and, intentionally, pushes her out the door.

“HEY!” she shouts.

“BYE!” they shout back while slamming the door.

“No slamming doors!” Domincia calls from the kitchen.

“Sorry, Mom!” they respond while running up to their rooms.

The next morning, the Favor Makers’ group were walking around in the Summerlands when Danny and Daniella appear and starts walking alongside them.

“Um…what do you two want?” Kiara said.

“Nothing.” Daniella said.

“Well, can y’all leave us alone?”

“We’re out in public; therefore, we don’t have to do what you say!”

“You know what…”

“Hey! Did y’all hear that?” Dana said while looking around.

“Double Dee, you’re the only one who has a distant-hearing ability here, so you have to tell us what you’re hearing.” Misty said.

“Danny lives on this street, right?”

“Right.”

“And his parents are away from home, right?”

“Right again.”

“Then, why did I just hear someone go inside the house?”

“Nobody should be in my house…unless…my parents decided to come back without telling anyone.”

“Now I’m hearing a vacuum cleaner running in the house.”

Danny takes off running down the street; the group and Daniella follow him.

“The sound is getting louder, and it’s definitely coming from his house.” Dana said.

After reaching the house, they hear the humming noise too.

“Look! I see a shadow moving on the other side of the window.” Lisa said while pointing.

“Nobody is supposed to be in there!” Danny said.

“Relax, Danny. Maybe, it’s one of your family members.” Tanya said.

“I’m gonna find out.”

When he goes up and touches the door, he gets shocked by static electricity.

“Ouch!”

“Touch the wall, and then the door.” Kiki said.

He does what she says but still gets shocked.

“Hmm, that always works for me.”

She goes up and rings the doorbell.

“Kiki, the person is vacuuming. Do you honestly believe that they’ll hear the doorbell ringing?” Dana said.

“Let me try.” Misty said.

She goes up and bangs on the door repeatedly.

“Enough, Misty! The vacuum stopped.” Dana said.

An unlocking sound is heard as the door opens, revealing Mizu wearing a blue bandana and blue rubber gloves.

“Greetings. May I help y’all?”

“Yes, you can start by telling us what you’re doing in my Danny dear’s house!” Daniella said.

“I’m the housekeeper.”

“You’re just a boy!”

“So?”

“My parents wouldn’t hire…” Danny said.

“Wait, I remember you! You’re Jenny’s childhood friend.” Lisa said.

“I remember him, too, but I forgot his name.” Tanya said.

“So did I, but I know that it begins with a ‘M’.” Kiara said while scratching her head.

“I’m Mizu.”

“That’s it!” the trio shouts excitedly.

“I remember y’all, too, and it’s nice to see you three again.”

“Likewise.” they respond in unison.

“Hey! How come I can’t get inside my house?” Danny said.

“If you don’t have the keys, you can’t get in. Duh!” Mizu said.

Some of the girls start giggling.

“Also, the owners changed its settings before they left town, and they informed me about it.”

“What settings were changed?” Kiara said.

“First: The house will still allow others, whom the owners know and trust, to enter the house, but I’ll have to be the first person to enter it. Second: Danny can’t enter until they come back. If he even tries to get in, he’ll get a static electrical shock. And, if he wants something from here, he’ll have to ask me to get it or he’ll have to wait for it if I’m not here. Finally: They turned off the house’s self-cleaning mechanism, so that I could tend to the housework while they’re away.”

“I see.”

“My parents wouldn’t hire a kid to be their housekeeper.” Danny said.

“How do you know that? Did they tell you? Or are you assuming that they wouldn’t do such a thing?”

Danny becomes silent.

“Exactly! You don’t know, and you’re just assuming. Now, back to the main question: May I help y’all?”

“No, we were just wondering who was in the house. And now that we know, we’re content.” Nadia said.

“Very well, then. I bid y’all good day.”

He shuts and locks the door, and then they hear the vacuum running again; the Favor Makers leaves the house while Danny and Daniella remain at the door.

“This isn’t over! Come, Danny dear, we’ve got some work to do.”

With that, they leave while unaware of Mizu watching them from one of the windows. Later that day, due to wanting to know more about Mizu, the Favor Makers heads back to Danny’s house.

“Why am I getting nervous now?” Kiki said.

“Don’t be. I’m sure that he’s a nice boy, since he’s a childhood friend of Jenny’s.” Dana said.

As soon as they got there, they were surprised to see the other kids, including the remaining members of the Boys’ and Girls’ Dance Group, was standing with Danny and Daniella.

“What brings y’all here?” Tanya asks.

“Daniella got in contact with us and told us to meet her and Danny here…” Sam said.

“We were about to refuse, at first, but then she mentioned something about a strange boy playing ‘housekeeper’ in Danny’s house. So, we decided to see who this strange boy is.” Randy said.

“So, who’s gonna ring the bell?” Dana asks.

Before anyone could move, the door opens as Mizu appears from behind it.

“Hello again. What brings y’all here this time?”

“Are you still cleaning?” Dana asks.

“No. Why?”

“We would…like to get…to know you…a little more…if that’s ok.” Kiki said nervously.

“Well, since I’ve already cleaned the house and I don’t wish to dirty it up again, let’s chat out here.”

After he steps outside and shuts the door, it magically locks itself. As they sit in the front yard, he remains standing while Danny and Daniella look at him, suspiciously.

“Pardon their behavior, Mizu. I think they’re scared of you.” Tanya laughs.

“No, I’m not!” the duo said defensively.

“Whatever.”

Then, one by one, some tell their names while the others tell both their names and nicknames; Danny and Daniella, however, stays silent.

“These two are…” Eliza said.

“Danny and Danita.”

Some of the kids start laughing while Daniella frowns at him.

“That’s not my name!”

“Oh, that’s right! It’s not ‘Danita’, it’s ‘Della’.”

More of the kids laugh while she starts huffing and puffing.

“My name is…”

“I know your name, but I don’t give a damn!”

“Ooh, I’m starting to like him.” Gwen whispers to Vanessa.

“Me too.”

“Now, would anyone like something to drink?” Mizu said.

“Yes, please.” the others said.

“Don’t you dare take any beverages out of my Danny dear’s house!” Daniella scolds.

“I don’t need to. I have a supply of my own.”

“Oh, yeah? Where is it?”

When Mizu raises his hands towards the crowd, she starts panicking.

“He’s about to put a curse on us!”

“Daniella, if you don’t shut up, I’m gonna knock you out!” Vanessa said.

“As you were, Mizu.” Tanya said.

He raises his hands again and then lightly shouts…

Wishing Spell, forever be true.

There is something I ask of you.

I wish for everyone to have a beverage in their hand.

Hear my cry and let it happen.

In a flash of light, a beverage appears in the dominant hand of each kid; some were given a bottle of their favorite soda while others were given a bottle of their favorite fruit juice.

“Wow, Mizu! You know that spell, too?” Lisa said while opening her drink.

“Sure do.”

“Hey, guys, we’re in the presence of another half-merblood!” Kenya said.

“We are?” Randy said.

“She’s right. I’m half-wizard and merblood, my mark is on my right hand, and my name is the Japanese word for ‘water’, which is also what my powers are.”

“That’s clever. Show us your mark.” Eliza said.

He lifts his right hand up again, showing the half-moon symbol imprinted on it.

“Jenny has the same symbol, but it’s on her left hand.” Kiki said.

“I’ve seen it, too. So, what else would y’all like to know about me?”

“What are your ‘likes and dislikes’?” Randy said.

He starts telling them what they are. When it came to telling them that he doesn’t like using the word ‘Hate’, he spells it out instead of saying it.

“I can understand that, Mizu. I have some family members, who don’t like using that word either.” Misty said.

“What ability do you have?” Orion asks.

“I’m a dream traveler, but it’s still a work in progress.”

“What’s a dream traveler?”

He tells them about the ability, leaving some awestruck.

“What can you tell us about you and Jenny’s past?” Tanya asks.

“Not much, on the count of that we only spent one summer together, off and on, when we were two years old. I don’t remember everything that happened in the past, and I’m still trying to recall it at a timely pace.”

“Wait! You know my sister?” Kenny asks.

“Of course, I do. In fact, do you still remember meeting a little boy, who was standing outside of a forest with your sister, on the day of her second birthday?”

“A little. Why?”

“You’re in the presence of that same boy, who bit your sister’s neck on that day, and ended up becoming her first childhood friend.”

“That was you? You bit my sister?!”

“Yes, but I didn’t do it to harm her. After all, I’m sure that you and every other merblood knows what happens when one merblood bites another.”

“It doesn’t inflict pain or draws blood.” Kenya said.

“Exactly.”

“Why did you bite Jenny’s neck?” Zoey asks.

“Remember when I just told y’all that I favor in sweet potato pie and what it does to me?”

“Yeah.”

“Back then, when I discovered that she has that scent, I briefly lost control of myself and ended up biting her neck.”

“That’s understandable and normal among the merblood race. I can’t tell y’all how many times I’ve been bitten by other merbloods because of my scent.” Kenya said.

“If I may change the subject, Mizu, is it true that Danny can no longer enter his house?” Randy said.

“Yes, it’s true.”

“Do you have a housekeeping schedule or something?”

“No. All I have to do is just clean the house, whenever it needs it, while attending school online and other things in my spare time.”

“How did you meet Danny’s parents?” Myra asks.

“I’m the son of a family friend of theirs.”

“Ah, ok.”

“I’ve never heard of you!” Danny said.

“Of course, you haven’t, and that’s to be expected from one who puts an insecure wretch before his family!”

“Ooh!” some of the kids instigate.

“I’m not an insecure wretch!” Daniella shouts angrily.

“Oh, you knew I was talking about you? Hmph! I guess you’re not as dumb as you look.”

“Ooh!” the others instigate while chuckling.

Daniella gets up and storms over to him.

“Listen, you! I’m not gonna sit here and let you…”

He cuts her off by hissing and baring his fangs at her, causing her to run and hide behind Danny while some of the kids start laughing.

“Why are you hiding behind Danny? He can’t protect you.” Orion chuckles.

“Yeah, everyone knows that you and he can’t fight.” Jared said.

“And that’s the truth!” Zoey said.

“Mizu, how old are you?” Dana asks.

“Ten, and my birthday is on April 4th.”

‘My birthday is on that day, too.’ Danny thought.

“Now, tell me a little about y’all.”

One by one, they do just that while he listens and/or ask questions; Danny and Daniella were the only ones who stayed quiet while watching him interact with the others. Soon, some of them noticed that it was starting to get dark.

“I think it’s time to call it a night, everyone.” Nadia said.

“Yeah, we better get going.” Randy said.

Everyone gets up and brushes their clothes off; Lisa looks at Danny and Daniella and sees them still scowling at Mizu.

“Why are y’all looking at him like that?”

“I can answer that. They’re hoping to find fault with Mizu, so that they can play ‘tattletale’ and get him removed.” Gwen said.

“That may be so, but I don’t need to worry because I know that it won’t happen.” Mizu said.

“How do you know that?” Daniella said.

“I’m a ‘volunteered’ housekeeper, and everyone knows that volunteers can’t get fired.”

“Facts!” Jenae said.

Dana leans towards Mizu and whispers…

“While you’re here, I have a feeling that Danny and Daniella aren’t gonna leave you alone.”

“I can assure you that they two won’t succeed at getting me into trouble.”

“What are you two whispering about?” Tanya asks.

“School.” they respond.

“Speaking of which, did I hear you correctly when you said that you’ll be attending school online?”

“That’s right, and it’s another reason why I qualify as a volunteered housekeeper.”

“Will your parents come here to check on you?” Michelle said.

“I’m sure that they will, from time to time, or they might telepathically check on me.”

“Come on, Danny, you have to come home with us.” Eliza said.

“This is my home.” Danny said.

“For now, your home is with the Watts twins, not here.” Mizu said.

“Who says?” Daniella said.

“His parents did!” Gwen said.

“Besides, Daniella, you’re gonna see him when the school year starts, anyway.” Sam said.

“Let’s go, Danny.” Eliza said.

“Before I go with y’all, I’m gonna escort Daniella home.”

“No, you’re not!”

Eliza snatches him up and then drags him over to Elijah who teleports himself and them out of the area via water vortex. After they were gone, Daniella glares at Mizu.

“I’ll be watching you, boy! You better watch your back!”

“Is that supposed to intimidate me?”

“Yes, I’m intimating you!”

“The word is ‘intimidating’, not ‘intimating’. Also, you’re failing to intimidate me.”

She turns up her nose as Nadia teleports her out of the yard.

“See you around, Mizu.” Tanya said.

“Ok.”

He stops Kenny before he could leave.

“Where is Jenny? I can’t reach her through telepathy, and my mark can’t locate her.”

“She chose to stay behind and attend school in the Other World while I chose to come back home.”

“Oh, ok. No hard feelings for biting her in the past, right?”

“It’s all good. As long as you don’t wrong her, you don’t have to worry about facing my rage.”

Mizu starts chuckling.

“You wouldn’t be able to harm me, Kenny, since we’re both half-merblood.”

Realizing that he was right, Kenny starts chuckling, too.

“Well…still…as long as you don’t wrong her, we’re good.”

“You have my word.”

“Good. Have a safe night.”

“Likewise.”

He returns to the house and starts making sure that all the windows were closed and locked.

“I would’ve told Kenny that Mika and I are a couple now, but I’ll let her be the one to tell him and their parents that when she’s ready to do so.”

Later, while eating a bowl of spaghetti, he recalls what Daniella said and starts snorting while shaking his head.

‘I better watch my back?! Don’t make me laugh, you insecure wretch! In fact, while I’m here, I suggest that you watch yours, if you dare to cross me the wrong way.’ he thought.

“Son?” Maria’s voice said in his mind.

“Yes, Mom?”

“How is everything going?”

Throughout half of the evening, he tells her everything that had happened until he was ready for bed.

“I’m glad that things went well for you, son. Take care of yourself, and we’ll be checking in on you, from time to time, ok?”

“Yes, Mother. Y’all take care of yourselves as well.”

“We will, darling. Goodnight and sweet dreams.”

“Goodnight.”

After the conversation was over, he adjusts the blanket over his head and slowly falls asleep.

>>>>>>>>>>>>End of Chapter 1>>>>>>>>>>>>