Chapter 19

Laura POV
"Not like I even have time for a rollercoaster," I said, brushing my hair with my favorite pink strawberry-shaped comb. I gathered my hair into a ponytail and secured it with a black hairband. My gaze flickered around the room, searching for a lip combo gloss that had sparkling streaks in it.

I spotted the gloss on my dresser and walked over to grab it, my eyes fixed on the shimmering particles that would add a touch of glamor to my look. As I applied the gloss, I couldn't help but think about the strange and eerie events that had been unfolding around me. But for now, I pushed those thoughts aside and focused on getting ready to visit Frank's mansion.

"Are you going alone?" Valerie asked, hiding her face behind a magazine in shame, her legs crossed on the table, with a cup of cold coffee beside her.

"Not really," I replied, my voice laced with sadness as I tried to set the accurate regulatory button on my alarm clock. My eyes were fixed on concentration, while my brain buzzed with thoughts.

I struggled to focus on the task at hand; my mind was preoccupied. With a swift turn, I threw the clock at her, but her unfocused mindset couldn't react in time, and it hit her squarely on the head. "Ouch!" she groaned, massaging the affected area. "What was that for?"

I shrugged in regret, squeezing my brows together. "I'm sorry, Valerie, but you need to join a sports team or something. You lack focus," I accused, turning back to face my mirror, where I continued to get ready, trying to focus on getting to an unknown mansion.

She rubbed her sore head, shooting me a mock glare. "Hey, watch it! I'm focused enough to catch a flying clock. Thank you very much."

I chuckled, applying a light layer of mascara to my lashes. "Well, maybe you should join a circus instead, then."

Within a minute, she playfully rolled her eyes and set the clock back on the table. "You're just trying to distract me from the real issue here."

I turned to face her, my eyes locking onto my reflection in the little hand mirror, as I asked, "What's the issue, Miss?"

Valerie hastily adjusted her position on the bed, sliding her hips across the mattress to sit more comfortably. But in her haste, her knee jerked out awkwardly and hit the cup of coffee, sending it tumbling to the ground. The dark liquid spilled out, littering the floor with a puddle of black coffee.

The sudden movement and clutter caught my attention, and I turned to face her, my eyes widening in surprise. "Whoa, careful there!" I exclaimed, my gaze flicking from the spilled coffee to her apologetic expression.

"Ah, sorry about that!" Valerie exclaimed, her face flushing with embarrassment. "I'm just a little...clumsy today, I guess."

I chuckled and set my mirror down, walking over to help her clean up the mess. "It's okay; I've had my fair share of clumsy moments too," I said, grabbing a towel to soak up the spill. "But maybe we should stick to tea from now on, huh?"

She laughed and handed me the cup, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Yeah, maybe that's a good idea."

As we cleaned up the mess, I couldn't help but notice the way Valerie's eyes crinkled at the corners when she smiled or the way her hair fell in loose waves down her back. It was moments like these that I realized how much I enjoyed her company and how much I valued our friendship.

"Thank you for everything, Valerie," I said, my voice filled with gratitude as I clasped her hand in mine. Her smile was contagious, and I couldn't help but laugh along with her.

"Laura, you're my sister, and I would do anything to protect you," she assured me, her eyes shining with sincerity. I felt a surge of emotion and pulled her into a tight hug, almost playfully choking her.

As we embraced, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. I knew that I could count on Valerie, no matter what lay ahead.

"And in that moment, I realized that our bond was stronger than any supernatural force that threatened to tear us apart," I said, turning to her with a playful furrowed brow. "I'm starting to think we're actually mated together, Valerie."

She rolled her eyes and threw a plastic nail polish remover at me, laughing. "Get out, Laura! You're crazy!"

I dodged the projectile and chuckled, feeling warmth in my chest. Our banter was a familiar comfort, a reminder that some things remained unchanged despite the chaos that surrounded us. And as we continued to get ready, our playful jabs and teasing filled the room with a sense of normalcy.

We quickly got dressed and exited the room, boarding a cab that was waiting for us outside the school gates. The cab, a sleek white Camry, drove along an unfamiliar street that was lined with majestic trees and grand mansions. The beauty of the street was breathtaking, exuding an air of luxury and sophistication that seemed fit for royalty.

"Wow," I gasped, my hand flying to my mouth in amazement. "This is heaven!" I exclaimed, my eyes wide with wonder, as I gazed out the window at the stunning scenery passing by. Valerie chuckled and nudged me playfully.

The cab pulled up to a grand entrance adorned with unique decorations, and the driver turned to us in the backseat, gazing at us stylishly through the rearview mirror. "Ma'am, I'm sorry, but I can't drive in any further.

This is a restricted entry point, and public drivers like myself aren't allowed to enter," he explained, his voice apologetic.

Valerie and I exchanged a glance, and I could sense her curiosity piqued. "It's okay, thank you," I replied, handing him a generous tip before we stepped out of the cab and onto the lavish grounds.