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After a week's worth of school, I was ready for the weekend. I had turned my alarm off, and I awoke at the wonderful time of 10am. I look at my latest drawing on the wall - one of a boy in an underground machine shop, tinkering with something. I was actually satisfied with how that one turned out, which was rare. I whip off my covers and stand on the cold wood floor, padding over to the bathroom to take a shower. On the counter there's a note from Dee: "Rachel: I will be gone for a few days, please excuse the mess I leave. -Dee" "Mess? Geez, Dee, you're like the neatest person I know."

After a quick shower and grabbing a random shirt and shimmying on pants, I grab my bag and head out the door. Today was a day on the town with Shai and Penny.

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"Oh. My. Gosh. Sticky, come here!" I rush over to Shai, wondering what the fuss was about. And why am I answering to 'Sticky'? Gods... what I do for friends. "This top would completely make you awesome." She hands me a Black Veil Brides crop top. "Have it. Never wear it." I toss it back to her. "What? No way." "Way. Keep looking." Honestly I hate shopping. I'll shop for art supplies that I need and a pair of new jeans, but that's pretty much it. Penny is next to show me something. I dismiss it immediately. "I need more hipster, guys. You know what? Let's go down the street." They bought what they wanted and we left, side-by-side walking downtown. Penny had a few things, but Shai was loaded with bags. And that was just our first store. "Dang, Shai. What'd you buy? Christmas presents for the whole school?" We all laugh at the idea. "With my taste? No way." Penny glances into a store window and stops. "Ooohhhh... guys look at that!" All I saw was a golden drachma on a gold chain. Olympus knows what they saw. "Let's go in!" Penny was all excited like she found some old pirate treasure. We all enter the little mom & pop shop.

"Welcome, ladies, to Casa di Madame Forelli di orrore! Also known as just Madame's House. Please," the lady lets us pass, "look around! If you find something you like, just ask me for the price." We all smile and say a thank-you and start to browse. Penny is immediately drawn to the drachma medallion in the window, and I follow her to it. "Why do you like that so much?" "Can't you see it? It's wonderful! It has the.. thing. And this.. here. See?" She practically shoves it into my face. And right then, another face pops out of the drachma and screams right into mine. The ugliness of it shocked me more than the scream. The scream of which we both simultaneously did and accidentally harmonized. First time singing with a demon. The Madame comes over and apologizes most profusely. "I'm so sorry. Sorry. My nephew often comes in and turns my items into pranks. I apologize." "It's okay. Are you sure no more are booby-trapped?" "No.. I guess my shop is just full of surprisesssss." I closely watch her mouth while she's talking, and see just the slightest tip of fangs. I try and hide my surprise, and calmly turn to my friends. "Hey guys, how about going for some coffee at the little cafe down the street? My treat." "Ooh! Ooh! I got dibs on that!" Yells Shai from across the store. "Seriously, Shai. Did you only hear the words 'my treat' and 'coffee?'" "Yep. Now c'mon! Let's not leave the barista waiting." Penny and Shamine both take one of my arms, walking me out the door. With one last look over my shoulder I know that today's not gonna be the last time I see Madame...

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