After school, Dean, Claire, Bianca, Ruby, Lily, and now Alison, all met up in the old art room, just like usual. Alison was filling out a club registration form Ruby had given her. When she finished, she handed it back.
"Here you go," Alison said.
"Awesome, I'll turn this in to our advisor tomorrow. Thanks!" Ruby replied, looking over the form.
"Alright, let's talk cafe duties," Dean said. (He was remembering how Alison, on her first night, had shattered a cup, nearly broke the coffee machine on the third-floor kitchen, destroyed a chair, and messed up dinner.) "Alison, you're on security."
"Oh, okay, no problem," Alison said with a thumbs-up.
"Huh? Why security?" Claire asked. "She could be a waitress like me and Ruby."
"Yeah, why security? Do we even need security at our cafe?" Bianca added.
"Well… I just thought it was a good fit," Dean said. He mumbled to himself, "They must have completely forgotten what happened on the third floor that night."
"Because Alison can't cook, can't hold things without breaking them, and can't make coffee like I can," Lily said in everyone's heads, being very blunt.
"Hehe, it's true. I've always been that way, even as Natalie. I always just bought food, never cooked, and never cleaned because I was too busy. That's just how it was," Alison said, blushing a little.
"Why do you look so proud about that?" Ruby asked.
"Because that's who I am. Besides, I used to be a police officer, so being a security guard is a perfect job for me," Alison replied casually.
"After you graduate, do you want to be a cop again?" Bianca asked.
"Hmm, I haven't thought about it. I was always so interested in my dad's work that I never considered anything else. I guess now I'll have to think about what I want," Alison said.
"I see. What about you, Ruby?" Dean asked.
"Oh, me? I'll probably go to computer science school. I want to build an AI system to track supernatural stuff," Ruby said.
"I want to go to art school," Lily suddenly said in their heads, raising her hand.
"So, we have a future business expert, a nurse, a lawyer, an artist, a temporary security and a programmer. Why don't we just start a children hospital? I'll be the legal team," Claire said.
"What? A children hospital? Our job is to kill people. Isn't that a little… conflicting?" Bianca asked.
"Hmm, good point. I could build the hospital system, and hospitals usually have lots of ghosts," Ruby said, pushing up her glasses.
"Hehe, and I'll teach kids how to draw," Lily said.
"I'll be the head of security. Everything will be completely safe," Alison added.
"Hey, what's all this? We're still in high school and all that is so far away. Let's just enjoy high school for now," Bianca said.
"You're right. It's the end of May in a week, and then it's summer break. Where do you guys want to go?" Dean asked.
Claire, Bianca, Ruby, and Lily all looked at Dean. Alison looked confused but was also watching him.
"It's weird that you're the one suggesting a vacation," Claire said, looking at him with a puzzled expression.
"Yeah," Bianca said, standing up and walking over to Dean. She put her hand on his forehead. "Are you sick?"
"Huh? I'm fine," Dean said, gently moving Bianca hand away.
"This is just unusual. Sorry, we're all surprised because you're always so serious and only ever talk about the cafe or our job," Ruby said.
"Hehe, it's true, but I'm happy to hear it," Lily said in everyone's heads.
"So that's how it is," Alison mumbled, taking it all in.
"Is it really that weird for me to suggest something?" Dean asked.
"Weird. Super weird," Claire, Bianca, Ruby, and Lily all said at the same time.
"Huh… we've only known each other for less than a month. You guys don't really get me yet," Dean mumbled.
"Hmm, for some reason, I feel like I've known you for a really long time," Claire said.
"Same here. You're right, we haven't been together long, but I feel the same way as Claire," Bianca added.
"I think I feel the same thing, too," Ruby added, holding the arm of her glasses.
"Same… I've known Dean for a long time," Lily said.
"This sounds crazy, but for some reason, I feel it, too," Alison added.
"Hmmm, I guess so," Dean mumbled. "Weird, I feel like I've known all of them forever too." he mumbled in his head.
Then Claire, Bianca, Ruby, Lily, and Alison all started excitedly discussing their vacation plans based on Dean's idea.
"Hey, NS, what's really going on? Is it true we've only known each other for less than a month?" Dean asked.
["That's true, you've only known them for less than a month, but you all feel connected. It's called a soul partner bond. As I explained before, special souls are drawn to each other and then linked as soul partners. This bond is the reason you all feel like you've known each other for a long time. So if you feel like you've known them forever, it's normal because they feel the same way about you. And of course, they also feel this way about each other."]
"Hmm, like when Lily said we were all her family yesterday. Now I get what she meant. She must feel this bond too," Dean said.
["Yes, she is the most innocent of you all, so she feels it the most."]
Dean glanced at Lily, who was sitting relaxed with her phone, seemingly looking for a game to play. Then he looked at Claire, Bianca, Ruby, and Alison, who were all chatting and smiling happily.
"Hmm, yeah, this isn't so bad," Dean thought to himself.
["That's why I call your soul partners is your 'wives,' hohoho."]
"That's different… and let's not talk about that right now. Not because of some trauma or trust issues from the past, but because I want to be calm, peaceful, and just enjoy life," Dean said.
["Good. Just don't forget your debt and your wives' debts."]
"Ugh… why do you always have to ruin the mood? I haven't forgotten! I was just starting to feel happy, you jerk!" Dean yelled in his head.
["Hohoho."]
Bang! Suddenly, the art room door flew open. Dean, Claire, Bianca, Ruby, Lily, and Alison all looked at the door, their faces instantly turning angry. Dean turned to see who had come in. It was Ethan, out of breath as if he'd just run a marathon. He saw Dean, walked right up to him, and grabbed his shoulders.
"Hey Dean, can I talk to you for a second?" Ethan asked.
"Huh? What's up? Just say it here," Dean said.
Ethan glanced at the others, who were all glaring at him, annoyed he had interrupted them.
"Let's just go outside for a minute," Ethan said.
"Hmmm," Dean said, seeing the panic on Ethan's face. "Okay, five minutes." He stood up and gently moved Ethan's hands from his shoulders.
Dean followed Ethan out of the art room. Ethan closed the door behind them.
"Look, I know you and I don't get along, but I really need your help this time. Our school's basketball team has a game against another team during the second week of summer break. Our power forward, Bryan, got in an accident yesterday and broke his leg. He can't play. I was hoping you could fill in for him. You're perfect for the role," Ethan said.
"What? Me?" Dean asked.
"Yes, please don't say no. We don't have anyone else. I'm begging you," Ethan replied.
"Hmm," Dean said, thinking it over.
"I promise I won't bother you or your girls again if you help our team," Ethan said.
"I'll think about it. I'll let you know later," Dean finally answered.
"Okay, I'll wait. Let me know as soon as you can," Ethan said.
"Yeah, I'll tell you later," Dean said.
"Okay, I'm taking off. Thanks for listening," Ethan said, then left.
"Yeah," Dean mumbled.
Dean turned and opened the door. "Whoa!" Claire, Bianca, Ruby, Alison, and Lily all tumbled in a pile at his feet.
"What were you guys doing?" Dean asked.
"Hehe… listening in," they all answered, except for Lily, who just pretended to whistle.