Chapter 5
Fortune in the Works: Acceptance, Convictions and Phone calls
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Chiharu
She had hated him as far as she can remember. All because of his stupid lies. She had believed them once and look where it got her? A laughing stock for all.
Because of him, she was teased and bullied and she hated him ever since.
She still remember when he told her that birds can fly because of their feathers and one can sprout feathers if they rub vinegar on their arms. Wanting to fly, she did what he said and rubbed vinegar on her arms, soon she felt a tingling sensation which left her to believe that she was already sprouting feathers. Her classmates turned away from her and started teasing her because of her sour smell. No matter how hard she tried to explain they never believed her and continued to mock her.
The second one was when her pet dog died and he told her that she can see him if she went to a very high place and tried to talk to him the way her dog does. She climbed up at the third floor-the highest floor- of her school and began barking madly. A lot of her classmates saw her and laughed at her but she continued barking, convinced that she can call her dog. Soon a teacher found her and asked her what she was doing. When she told her that she was calling to her dog in heaven, the teacher laughed and told her that wouldn't be possible. All of this happened in front of her classmates who soon teased her about it. They would pat her head like a dog, woof whenever she walks by and went as far as putting a ribbon on her neck as a leash. Her mom would always find her crying whenever she fetches her from school.
But the third one was the most embarrassing. Though she might've learned her lesson already but she didn't. She was still little at that time and so naïve that she believed another one of his lies. They have a class presentation and she was assigned to recite a piece of a poem in front of an audience. She was so nervous and was actually panicking by the time he found her. He told her that drinking a lot of orange juice has a property that would make you calm and perform greatly. So she did what he said, and when her part came- looking at all the people's eyes glued to her-her nerves failed her and having a full bladder from all the juice she drank-she didn't want to remember the details. But that incident was the last straw. Bullies and taunts came harder as ever and even some of her teachers snicker and made jokes about it, causing her parents to transfer her to another school.
Those embarrassing experiences she had, had traumatized her young mind and she blame it all on him. So imagine her shock when in her fourth grade she found herself in a new school stuck with him! She still harbours those feelings up to now, especially because she knows he still lies at every opportunity he sees. And some people, in her disbelief, actually believed him. Mostly were girls who were charmed by him and would readily buy anything he says. She would always glare at him and sometimes hit him to save those poor girls from being victims of his lies. Heck, she would not let their innocent minds be tainted by his deceptive words.
So what was she thinking considering his invitation to a dance?
She was just walking home, her hands pulling at the straps of her backpack, when she saw him leaning on a post. She frowned and decided to ignore him. But he approached her and blocked her way.
"U-uhm...Chiharu..."
"What do you want?!" she snapped.
He sighed and fiddled on a piece of paper he was holding.
"I...well...I just wanted to..." he sighed again and she noticed that his face was red. She frowned.
"Spill it, Yamazaki; I don't want to waste my time on you!"
His head snapped up and she saw a tinge of hurt in his eyes that made her regret the things she said.
But he deserved it.
He looked away his eyes closed and turned his back about to walk away. Then he hesitated, heaved a huge breath and turned back to her.
"Chiharu, I'm really, truly, deeply sorry for what I did to you when we we're little, you see, I saw it as a joke and all of it are on impulse, and I didn't really think you would do them and... and..." He bit his lip in frustration. "I never have the intention to hurt you, truly I don't. And I have regretted ever doing those things that got you hurt. Because of those, I lost a friend."
Her eyebrows rose. Did he really think of her as a friend? Heck, if he does he wouldn't get her to trouble, right? But she can feel his sincerity in those words and in his eyes. She bit her lip.
"Why would I believe you?" she sneered. "You still lie."
"I know, it's a habit. And it was just for fun and not meant to hurt anyone." He sighed. "But all I told you right now are purely truths. Please believe me."
"I don't know, Yamazaki. It's too good to be true."
"Just let me make it up to you. Let's start over."
"You've got to be kidding me."
"Please, Chiharu..."
She cocked her head to the side and considered it. Is he really serious? Maybe, I should give him a chance.
Should I?
Would I?
She somehow can't resist his offer. She sighed. "Fine then. How?"
"Well," he began excitedly. "We have a cultural festival next week and our class is organizing... a dance." He paused, somewhat embarrassed. "I...uhm...I would like to...t-to...invite...you." He finished turning red with every word.
Chiharu mouth fell in astonishment. He's inviting her to a dance? Wouldn't that be...
"Like a date?" she blurted out before she can't think of another response and it made her blushed.
"Uhm...i-it doesn't have to be like that... But I'm promising you fun, I-I'll tour you around our school...we had a lot of booths and events that will be set up before the dance."
She looked down and stared at the ground, thinking.
"Please? Let me make something right this time."
Her mind recalled all the horrible teasing and bullying she experienced because of him. But her mind also registers things like how he protected her from all those jibes and bullies. How he would tell them to back off. She sighed and shook her head. She can't believe that she was actually considering his invitation.
But for Takashi he saw it as a decline. So he hung his head and turned to walk away. He was just taking his third step when Chiharu suddenly called him to stop.
"Wait, uhm... a-alright, I'll go with you." She breathed and added in a whisper. "I'll trust you again...this time. But just this once."
Takashi turned around immediately and beamed, taking a quick few strides, and to her surprise, hugged her.
"Oh, I promise I won't break your trust, Chiharu! Thank you." He suddenly realized what he had done and immediately released her. "Oops, s-sorry."
Awkward silence ensued, both of their faces bright red.
"S-so, uhm, I'll see you at the festival, and oh, here." He handed her the flyer.
"O-okay I'll see you there." She smiled shyly.
He accompanied her till they reached her house and he sauntered off to his own-which is only four houses down from her.
She sighed as she flopped on her bed and pulled out her things from her school bag. A tiny piece of paper fell out and she took it and read.
It's a common mistake to confuse hatred with love.
She frowned. She hated him that she knew. That's why she transferred yet again in an all girl's high school to diminish-no, erase all the odds of being with him. But now, she thought of the feelings she always had whenever girls would swarm him. She thought those feelings was because of hatred and irritation that he still uses his ability to lie with everyone. She's been ignoring the tiny voice in the back of her head that a huge part of that was directed at the flirty girls. Was it jealousy?
No! That can't be. She chuckled humourlessly to herself. It's because they're so naive to believe him.
But you do have a crush on him when you were little.
Her eyes widened at that recent thought.
But that was so long ago! She protested. Besides I ended up hating him anyway. He's a jerk!
But she felt elated to hear his sincere apology earlier. And the fact that he chose to be with her for the dance not just any of those stupid girls who always make goo-goo eyes at him.
She sighed. Maybe the fortune was telling the truth.
"No!" she cried, chuckling nervously. "T-that's impossible!"
But...maybe.
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Rika
She flipped another page and stared at another picture of them. She sighed. It's been three years since he went abroad to study. And in all those years he rarely visits. Oh how she wish he'll be back soon!
He didn't even go home last vacation. She pouted, flipping another page of the picture album. Is he really that busy? He always manages to go home during vacation before. Something must've really changed.
Maybe he's really having a hard time with his studies. The culture in America was very different in Japan, that she knew from him during vacation visits.
Or maybe it's because of the club he joined which demands almost all of his free time. She hopes that he's not overworking himself.
Or maybe... well, she doesn't want to think about it but... well America has a lot of beautiful girls. Tall, sexy, lean girls. She saw it all in the movies and TV series. What if he met someone...
No he wouldn't.
Of course he wouldn't. What are you thinking, Rika? She shook her head to erase the path her thoughts have taken.
But these things happen haven't you seen all those movies where a guy and a girl got separated...
No, that's different. She argued back
Who're you kidding? Long distance relationship almost always don't last.
But absence makes the heart go fonder.
But depression can make you seek out another.
"No!" She said out loud to counter her mind, then slapped herself when she realized she's being stupid arguing with herself. "No, he wouldn't do that to me," she said to herself softly this time. "I love him too much. And he loves me, too."
Besides, she made him promised that if he ever find another, he must tell him soon. Yes, she remembeedr that conversation they had in the airport before he boarded his plane. She made him promise that if he ever find another girl way more better than her, he must tell her soon, so that she wouldn't have to wait in vain.
He remember how his face frowned and suddenly shifted to being amused as he pulled her closer, laughing softly.
"You seriously don't think that, Rika? Why would I look for someone else when I already have you?"
"You'll never know, things are different back there, and these things happen,"
"I doubt I'll find someone else better than you. You're everything I wanted...and needed. The search is over."
" B-but it does occur...just like in the movies."
"There's a reason why they're called fictions, Rika."
"But those things DO happen in reality-"
"You trust me don't you?" He suddenly cut her off. His hands gripped her shoulders and he leaned down so he was levelled with her eyes, his face serious.
"Of course, I do."
"Then trust me when I say I love you, and that will never-ever-change."
She smiled. She always did whenever she remembered him saying those sweet words with strong conviction. It makes her heart melt and knees weak whenever she replays that scene in her mind. She chuckled when she remembered him turned the tables and made her promise that if she ever find someone, and it must be way better than him or he'll set hell loose (his exact words), then she must tell him.
"Like that would happen!" she scoffed, as though offended by what he said. Talk about taking a dose of your own medicine.
But remembering those now, how can she ever doubt him?
Then her stupid mind started to work against her.
Then why didn't he go during spring breaks and winter vacations when he promised he would. And he rarely contacts you now during these past months, and when he did, he will skilfully avoid your inquiries about the matter and distract you with something else. And if he does answer, what's the excuse? Busy? Workload? Stress?
"Well" she said deciding to answer her mind out loud as stupid as it seemed. "He was already in his third year of college and everyone knows how busy those years are."
Who are you kidding Rika? Her mind argued back. Even when he was busy before he always stays true with his promises and he did promised to keep in touch... can't he even manage a single text message?
"Well..."
... And how can you explain him evading your inquiries about school? Her mind continued. Or when you simply asked how he's doing? He only gives one answer...'it's very hectic but I'm managing' and when further asked he will divert to another subject. Face it, Rika he's hiding something!
"No! But... Oh my god, what if he does found someone and he can't help it, maybe she seduced him! And now he's evading me... but he promised! But what if he can't say it because he can't... because... he's afraid! Maybe he's having an internal battle in his mind-like what I am doing right now!-thinking about ways how to tell me off!" she huffed, putting her head in her hands and fighting back the tears.
"I can't let that happen! But he's so far away...how...no, I can't bear it!"
She can imagine her mind gloating in triumph on winning the argument.
One more year...she can wait another year, right? Can she?
But What if it's too late?
Her phone suddenly rang shaking her out of her reverie. She took it and answered it without looking at the screen.
"H-Hello?" She answered fighting the lump in her throat.
"Hey babe, I'm sorry I haven't called in a long time, it's the busy schedule I'm having."
"Yoshi-kun? You actually called." She said in relief and disbelief at the same time.
"Yes, babe." He chuckled. "I missed you."
"Did you really?" She answered barely hiding the irritation in her voice. "Then why haven't you called before? Are you really that busy? That's why you haven't gone here last vacation? Or is it about... that club, Terada?"
"Whoa! Hey, you're mad?" he knows she's angry if she called him by his last name.
"Oh, I don't know...am I?"
She heard him sigh on the other line.
"Rika, I'm really, really am sorry, it's just that...well..." he sighed again."I took a whole bunch of extra classes."
"Extra classes?" she asked, suddenly confused at this new piece of information. "Why? Have you failed some subjects?"
"No, no of course, not. I just wanted to speed things up so I can graduate early."
"Why?" she asked, her irritation vanished.
"Well..." he paused as she heard him took another sigh."I figured that if I can finish early then I can go back sooner than expected."
"Huh? What's the rush?"
"Well, I miss you, silly!" He chuckled. "The sooner I graduate, the sooner I can be with you."
"Oh, wow!" She felt touched by his reason. But still, worrying took over. "But Yoshi-kun, isn't that too stressful? What, will all those additional workload and stuff. I don't want you to stress too much, you know that. Just takes things slowly, you'll only have a year to finish."
"I know, I know."
"Besides, if you're not having those extra classes and workload you could've come here to visit or even call me regularly like before and you wouldn't miss me that much."
He chuckled and sighed again. A pause ensued as she thought he might've been struggling to say something. "I just missed you so much, Rika, its crazy. I would call but I always found myself dead as a log after studying, then it will be time for classes and more studies... and because of that I couldn't call you I'm so sorry. You must've been worried."
"Oh, you don't know how worried I am! Just a while ago before you called I have this internal battle with my mind, thinking about possibilities that maybe... you found someone else...and..."
He chuckled. "You know, I kinda sensed that, that's why when I had the opportunity I called as soon as I can."
"Damn you, Terada."
"And I love you."
She sighed. But her heart skipped several beats, hearing those cherished words. She mentally stuck her tongue at her mind for thinking way too much things. It rolled its eyes at her.
"I love you, too. So please take care of yourself and don't stress too, much. I don't want you falling sick as I won't be there to take care of you."
"Yes, boss, I will take care of myself, promise."
"Good, so what's happening there right now?"
"Hey, I just told you. Why don't you tell me what's going on in there with you?"
And she told him all of what happened since his last call. She mentioned the school works, the cultural festival in Ueda High that they're going to attend, Naoko entering a writing competition, the dish with Tomoyo and a certain boy she met, and the recent event she just heard from Chiharu herself-via phone call-a while ago about Yamazaki asking her out to the dance in the same festival.
"Wow, that's huge news!" He exclaimed, sniggering.
"Yeah, can you believe it? Her mortal enemy asking her out on a dance, but I somehow knew that those two harbour feelings with each other." She said sighing with anticipation on what might happen with the two.
"Perceptive as always."
"Yeah, well...oh and also it kinda coincide with her fortune just like what happened with Tomoyo."
"Fortune? What fortune?"
And she told him the day they had their fortune cookies, its contents, and how it help Naoko to enter the contest and seemed to came true with Tomoyo and somehow, Chiharu.
"That's strange, what's yours?"
"Hold on a sec," She searched for her purse and took out her fortune.
"Distance is not a problem as long as your heart stays true. All of your yearnings will be rewarded soon."
"Hmm, that's nice. What are you yearning for, anyway?"
"To be with you soon." She answered automatically.
Silence greeted him in the other line.
"Yoshiyuki?"
"Well come to think of it, with me... taking all these classes just to graduate early so I can be with you soon...it somehow makes sense."
"Yeah, when you put it that way..." she said, her voice growing with excitement then she suddenly groaned.
"What? What happened?"
"Well, there's still a year left... it still seemed a very long time."
"Don't be sad." He cooed. "After...a year...I will be with you soon."
"I know, I just missed you so much."
"I know, Rika, I missed you, too...I'm uhm...trying my best to finish early so I can go back to you."
"No, don't do that, don't stress too much, I can wait."
"but Rika..."
"I don't want you getting stressed and sick." She said firmly. "Don't take any more classes, okay?"
"Uhm," he sighed. "Fine."
They continued on chatting. Then too soon, they had to say their goodbyes as he has a class to attend.
She laid her phone down and once again read her fortune.
Distance is not a problem as long as your heart stays true.
This fortune is an assurance, that no matter how apart they are from each other it'll be no problem as long as they love each other.
All of your yearnings will be rewarded soon.
Just one more year. She clutched the tiny piece of paper in her heart.
Just one more year and they'll be together soon.
_________________________________________________________
Meilin
She's been getting a lot of phone calls today. And each call makes her squeal for who knows how many times.
"Oh, I'm so giddy with happiness right now, Chiharu! I can't believe it!"
Another sets of squeals and this time it was a phone call from Rika telling her that Terada finally called her after a long time of having no communication and with-according to her-a valid reason.
"Well, at least you will not worry anymore. No more paranoid stuff."
Her phone rang again and it was Tomoyo.
"Oh my GOSH! He asked you out? Oh, Tomoyo that was so...I don't even know how to describe it!" She squealed yet again. "Oh, Oh, Tomoyo, I can't wait to meet him. Have you told the others? You did? Aw, well I was kinda hoping to have a phone conference, yeah its kinda hard to do that cause everyone have their own news to share and you've been calling on intervals, speaking of news, have you heard about Chiharu? I know ,right?...Yeeaaaah!"
When she finally put the phone down, it rang yet again.
"Hello? Meilin! I need you to help me."
After another round of squeals, she finally laid her phone down, and fell on her bed exhausted. It really seemed to be a great day for her friends. And that last phone call? She's excited already.
Then she sighed.
"Everyone seemed to be getting well on their love lives." She told the ceiling. "Even Naoko met a cute boy."
She got up and crossed her room to look at the mirror. "And what about me? Nil, zero..."
She examined her reflection in the mirror. "Well, nothing's wrong with you." She told her reflection.
"Long silky black hair, gorgeous eyes... a pretty face!" she gloated, posing regally. So why doesn't anyone asked me in a long time?" she huffed, putting her fist on her hips and puffed out her cheeks, frowning. It's been almost two years since she last dated. "What's wrong with me?"
She sagged her shoulders. "Everyone's having good fortunes. Heck their fortune came true for them...well except for Sakura but it looked like a hoax anyway, but..."
She looked down at her dresser table and picked up her fortune lying on it.
Charms are unnecessary as long as belief is made strongly.
It's been what? Almost two weeks since they had the cookies and it seemed to be working with everyone, does she have something? Sort of a bad luck inside her?
Does this fortune really tell about her desire for love? Or was it talking about something else? Maybe she should've bought a love charm after all.
"What's wrong with me?" She asked her reflection once again.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with her appearance, she was sure of that. She even notice boys checking her out whenever she passes them. But no one ever approached her. Why?
Maybe she needs to change something.
Maybe she could be timid like Naoko. Well she admits she's confident in everything and not afraid to show it. Maybe she needs to be a little bit demure.
Or maybe mature like Tomoyo. She knew she can be childish sometimes.
Sometimes? Her mind opposed, more like all the time.
"Shut Up!" She scowled. Then she slapped her face. Arguing with self can be normal, but the way she does it? Childish.
Heck, she need to be more matured.
Maybe she needs to be a bit more cheerful like Sakura. But isn't she cheerful enough?
Yeah, her mind agreed. Don't go overboard. Scratch that, you're already way overboard.
Sometimes she thinks her mind is not hers at all. She shook her head.
Maybe she should be much sweeter like Rika. She can be sweet when she wants too. Especially with people she's close too, or the ones she likes.
"Hmmm? Maybe I should try them all. But then again, maybe I'm missing something. I'll ask the other's opinion." She said to herself and picked up her phone. She was about to press the speed dial for Tomoyo-who have good perception skills and plenty of good advices up her sleeves-when she stopped, thinking that maybe she shouldn't ask her since she's in the middle of this thing with the Hiiragizawa boy. She can't afford to distract her. The same goes for Rika, who's also a good option with her perceptive skills and experience with dating, but again something stops her. She can't ask them. They'll probably laugh at her thinking she was jealous with their love lives or because of her anxiousness or maybe just because they're all into something with the fortune thingy, and nothing is happening with hers and hearing her whining would burst all their bubble.
What the heck did she just thought? Does that even make sense? In her mind (the one who does not contradict her) and pride, it did at least, no matter how childish that reasoning might be.
Hang on, be mature...beeee matuuuurre.
"Damn!" She huffed. "I might be loveless for the rest of my life and I will grow old surrounded and tripping on all the cats I owned." She said dramatically, complete with fake weeping-one of her antics that would surely make Sakura laugh.
Sakura! That's right! She's not involved with anything. Or occupied with her fortune. Heck, hers didn't even make sense. She'll call her and ask her, because she knows-as everybody in their group does-that Sakura may be dense and naive but when it comes to certain things she can be very deep.
(Hey that rhymes!)
(Shut up, Mind!)
The phone rang twice and Sakura picked up.
"Meilin! What brings you to call? Is it about the others? I already kn-"
"Sakura, what's wrong with me?
"Huh?"
"What's wrong with me?"
"What do you mean what's wrong with you? Did something happened?" She can hear her concern in her voice, she must've really sound depressed.
"Yes! Something happened. I'm still LOVELESS!"
"Oh," she can plainly imagine Sakura sweat dropping right now. "That again Meilin?"
She heard her chuckled. "Well, Sakura, it's been a hundred years since I last dated! Why is it no one asking me out yet? Am I ugly?"
"Of course not, Meilin!" Sakura said as if scandalized. "You're really beautiful."
It pleased her to hear it. "I know, right? But then why? I'm pretty, smart, I can be very sweet, and would make a pretty good girlfriend."
"Meilin," said Sakura comfortingly. "Maybe you just haven't found the right one yet."
"Yeah so? Doesn't mean I can't date. How can I find the right one if I don't go mingling with people."
"That's not what I mean-"
"Maybe something's wrong with me..."
"Nothing's wrong with you-"
"Tell me the truth, Sakura! What's not to like about me?"
"Nothing!"
Meilin sighed. Sakura is really a good friend. Maybe way too good to ignore one's imperfections. But she's perfect the way she is.
"Having a boyfriend doesn't tell how wonderful you are. Not having one doesn't mean something's wrong with you." said Sakura in another one of those wisdom moments
"B-but..." She faltered. "Everyone's seems to be having fun with their love lives." She whined.
Sakura sighed. "It will come to you, Meilin. At the right time. At the most perfect moment, you'll be surprised."
"Is that what you're doing?" she asked her. "That's why you never really dated...like Naoko, but then she is shy..."
"Uhm, not really. I'm not actually looking for it. Let's it come when it will come. Right now, I'm enjoying myself."
"But plenty of boys actually liked you, you know."
Sakura just chuckled and sighed. "Well... I don't know about that."
"Because you're so dense!"
"Ouch!" she chuckled again.
Meilin sighed. "Yeah, maybe you're right. It will come at the right time."
"Just believe. Hey, like what you're fortune said!" she suddenly recalled.
"Hmm, I'm getting impatient."
Sakura laughed again.
"All right, all right, I will meet someone. And he will be everything I want. And it will come at the right time, at a perfect moment. I believe in that. I believe I believe I believe I believe-live-live...Ouuhhmmm Ouuhhhm..."
Sakura laughed harder. "Yeah, maybe you should start chanting. If you're successful you might meet someone soon. Maybe at the festival!"
"Hmm, you're right! I'll look forward to it then. Though it will be really nice to go with a date like the others."
"I don't have a date, so does Naoko; Yoshiyuki's abroad so Rika doesn't have one either. We will go together anyway so you'll still have company."
"Yeah..." she sighed."Thanks, Sakura."
"You're always welcome."
"Isn't there really something wrong with me?" She started again. She can see Sakura in her mind sweat dropping again.
"Meilin!"
"Just name one thing negative about me."
"Nothing!"
"Impossible! Just one thing, come on!"
"Well...hmmm, negative...negative...well you can be fierce, but I don't see anything wrong with that."
"What do you mean by that?" she snapped, her interest instantly piqued.
"Well... you sometimes have temper flares, but only if someone you cares are in trouble or if something annoys you. Or when you're in a competitive streak mode. Come to think of it, some of the boys are actually intimidated by you, from what I've heard."
"Really? Who are they? Give me their names!"
"Meilin! It doesn't matter."
"Of course it matters! Maybe I could ask them why they see me that way or how they would like me to act. That's a good idea! Maybe I could ask boys what they want, and I'll do just that! And-"
"Then you wouldn't be you."
That simple statement cut her up short. Sakura can really be helpful sometimes, and she's right.
"You're right," she sighed.
"Besides, I'm sure if you suddenly bombard them with questions, you'll scare them more than they already are." She teased, chuckling.
"Hey!"
Sakura laughed harder. And she scowled, but she's right and it made her smirked.
"Believe, Meilin. Remember your fortune."
"Right." She breathed. Then she heard certain noises from Sakura's line. "Are you outside?"
"Yes, I'm out buying groceries right now."
"Oooh great can I come with you? I can help."
"That would be great! But I'm already done, actually, but I'm planning to linger anyway since I still have plenty of time. I heard there are newly opened stores around the squares."
"Great! I'm bored here, anyways; wait for me at the town square, I'll meet you there at three. Maybe I can find my man sooner."
She heard Sakura sighed exasperatedly and she smirked. "Fine, Meilin."
"Bye."
"See you."
She hung up and dashed to her closet to change. Maybe she could really find someone there, it's a Saturday and there are a lot of people in town today. She could get lucky.
As she fix herself carefully making sure that she looked appealing, her eyes fell on her fortune again, lying at her dresser. She picked it up and read it one more time.
Charms aren't necessary as long as belief is made strongly.
Well she believes something good will happen today. Something-or rather someone-really good!
She enclosed the tiny piece of paper inside her palms-which are pressed together-closes her eyes, and began chanting.
"I believe I believe I believe I believe I believe I believe I believe I believe I belieeeeeeeve" She raised her voice making a shrilly-sort of wailing-sound. And walked out of the door the chant still on her mind.
She strongly believed all right. And she went overboard again. Her mind retorted. But she just smirked, and walked out of the house with her head held high.
Come now, fortune. I'm waiting.