Pale Lotus Fashions II

Whenever Griffon & Thatch entered the China House restaurant, Griffon quickly headed over to the table & pulled Thatch into the empty seat beside her.

"You get my drink?" She wondered, looking at the drink sitting there.

Kari nodded. "Pepsi, no ice. Isn't that what you like?"

Griffon took a sip. "Yeah, put last time you got my drink I had to suffer through tea."

"You don't like tea?" Aqua asked.

The redhead looked across the table. "Oh, I like tea, it's just that I only like sweet tea, raspberry, & jasmine."

"And she's picky about the temperature." Thatch added.

"You know it only takes the slightest amount of water to drown someone." Griffon informed the blonde. "So, did you order for me or did you guys decide to go with the buffet?"

Aria rubbed her hands together. "Buffet! But we were waiting for you to show up."

Griffon stood up. "Alright, let's go then. Guys, watch the purses 'til we get back, please."

The girls got up & left, but when they got back, their seats were taken by a trio of blonde girls in matching pink outfits. Aria, not knowing about the Blondes, she grabbed the pink collar of the one sitting in her seat. She cleared her throat, "I believe this is my seat." She forced Emily to her feet & sat down.

Emily let out an aggravated grunt. "Who do you think you are?"

"Last time I checked, I'm Aria Cerberus Wolff, daughter of the best military sniper in the country." Aria answered. "And I have his expert aim, along with a license to carry a concealed weapon, so back off." She stabbed some peppers with her fork & stopped when she noticed Emily was still stranding there. "Go back to the salon, bottle blonde, your roots are showing."

Payton & Sierra gasped. Emily pulled out a compact & tried to see for herself. Griffon slid into her seat & poked at her lo mein noodles. "They aren't worth your time, cuz. Focus on your career now that you're here, not these posers."

"Posers? Heh, we'll show you when we win this year's contest…again!" Sierra hissed. "Come on, Thatch, let's go!"

"Take him!" Griffon spat. "I don't care."

Sierra grabbed Thatch & dragged him out of the restaurant. A few seconds later, the theme to N.C.I.S. rang out from Griffon's iPhone. She pulled it out & read the caller I.D. before silencing it.

After another few seconds, she got a text: Forgive me! -Phoenix

Griffon scoffed & rolled her eyes. She replied: What happened at the park changes nothing! D:< - Kitty

She finished her plate & got up. "I'm leaving. See you all tomorrow."

The next morning Griffon and Kari were at their lockers getting their books out for the day.

"I wonder where Flannery and Aquanette are" Kari said.

"Yea they don't seem like the ones who would be late" Griffon said. "Well Aqua maybe"

"Well she does have Flannery to push her along" Kari said.

"True" Griffon said with a nod of her head.

"Griffon! Kari!" They heard a voice say. They turned their heads and saw Flannery walking down the halls wearing a dark pink shift dress that stops mid thigh and brown high heels. Her dark red hair swaying as She walked down the halls.

"Flannery, I love your dress" Kari said.

"Thanks it's called a shift dress" Flannery said.

"A shift dress?" Griffon asked.

"Yes I believe it's called a reversible dress on this side of the globe" Flannery said turning up the ends of dress to reveal the pattern on the other side. "It use to belong to my grandmother when she was a girl" Flannery said.

"Wow retro I love it" Kari said.

"So what's with the flyers?" Griffon asked looking at the multicolored flyers in Flannery's hand.

"Oh these Aqua and I are throwing a party" Flannery said.

"A party? But you're the new girl isn't kinda early to be throwing a party?" Griffon asked.

"If you're a party animal then there's every reason to throw a party" Flannery said with a shrug. "Here's you guys invite bring anyone you like" Flannery said handing them each a invite.

"Wow my first Flannery and Aquanette Tusinko party I wonder what it'll be like" Kari said.

"Just the most amazing party you'll ever go to and with my brothers and sisters out of the house it'll make it even sweeter" Flannery said.

"How many do you have?" Griffon asked.

"3 brothers and 4 sisters each one of us are a set of twins" Flannery said.

"Wow that's amazing" Kari said.

"No what's amazing is that my mother is pregnant now with a pair of twins" Flannery said. "Anyway the only ones who will be there is my grandma Emelina and my grandpa Lo Shu but it's okay because they're party animals too" Flannery said with a shrug.

"Wow" Kari said. "So where's Aquanette?"

"She wanted to meet Marth about something for the play" Flannery said. They turned a corner and saw Marth clasping his hands around Aqua's.

"I had a great day of rehearsal yesterday Aquanette. You're going to make a great Christine. You're a natural" Marth said.

"And you'll make an even great phantom Marth, so I'll see you this afternoon?" Aqua said.

"I'll be there right on time" Marth said smiling. "I'll see you then" Marth said. He kissed Aqua's hands before releasing them and walking off.

Aqua let out a happy sigh before turning around and seeing her friends. "Ah! How much of that did you hear?" Aqua asked.

"The whole thing. You know he has a girlfriend right?" Flannery said.

"I know but he doesn't seem to remember" Aqua said with an evil smirk.

"You're messed up kid" Flannery said shaking her head.

Griffon looked at her watch & gasped. "The time, Kari, we gotta jet!"

"Why?" The Tuskinos asked.

"Track meet." Kari yelled back. "And then volleyball. Catch ya later!"

Flannery looked over at them. "But they're kinda short to be in Track & Field. That's kinda made for people with long legs."

Aqua shook her head. "You never know."

Griffon groaned as she pulled on her gym clothes. "If only she weren't on both teams." She complained, glaring over at Sierra. Her hair now sported a strawberry blonde-ish tint.

Kari nodded & hummed in reply, staring at the assistant coach of the Track & Field club. "Uh-huh."

Griffon slapped her in the back of the head. "Hikari-Graeae, stop drooling over Simon for two seconds. And tie your shoes."

Kari bent down. "Sorry Griffon."

"Hadrea!" A voice called. The auburn haired teen turned to see a dark skinned blonde running up to them. "Hikari-Graeae! You won't believe what's happened!"

"What?" Kari wondered, trying to tie her shoe. "Another piece of juicy info from the amazing Whitney."

Whitney shook her blonde curls. "Corey got expelled for selling pot."

"How does this effect us?" Griffon wondered, leaning against her gym locker.

"Not you exactly, Hadrea," The black girl confessed, "but Hikari, who else is short, brunette, & charming?"

Kari shot up, hitting her head on a locker door. "Simon!"

"There's Andrew." Griffon offered. "And Hoagie, Travis, Michael."

"But who do the Blondes hate?" Whitney asked in a warning tone. "I'll bet you anything that Simon Milliken will be first on their-"

The three turned to see Page talking to Simon. "That bitch!" Kari hissed. "I'll kill her."

"Calm yourself, Kari," Griffon urged, "look."

Kari stared intently as Simon shook his head, refusing something, & turned to the coach, leaving a frustrated looking Page there staring angrily after him.

"Yes, my Sci-Fi has strength." Kari cheered.

"Your Sci-Fi?" Griffon repeated. "Because he's a science geek?"

Kari nodded. "Yep, he likes it. Says it fits him."

"You are such a flirt, Hikari." Whitney accuses. She pats Griffon on the back. "Good luck beating Sierra this time."

A few other girls stop & nod. "'Bout time your little races end up in something other than a tie." One of them commented.

It's true. Sierra & Griffon always try & outrun each other. A battle to see who's top dog. And with the contest results about to be posted in Sense'n'Style magazine with less than a week left, there was no doubt the two would be at each others throat until the new issue came out.

"Ready to get beat, Rocky?" Griffon asks as the girls pile out of the locker room & out onto the track/football field.

"Oh, you wish, Haddy!" Sierra sneers.

The teens got into position & waited for the coach's whistle before taking off.

Later, Griffon smiled as she received more pats on the back from passing teammates. "Amazing!" Kari gasped, "You actually beat Sierra!"

Her twin sent a smirk over toward the blonde. "Who knows, maybe this is a good omen. Maybe the editors will open their eyes & we'll win this year."

Sierra let out a forced laugh. "Ha! Like that'll happen!"

On Friday afternoon, Griffon and Kari were at their lockers waiting for Flannery or Aquanette to come to give them any details about their party.

"I swear those twins are always late" Griffon said.

"Maybe Aqua's flirting with Marth again" Kari said with a shrug.

"That girl never ceases to amaze me" Griffon said shaking her head. Then Aqua ran up to Griffon and Kari.

"Guys! Guys!" Aqua exclaimed.

"What is it?" Kari asked.

"My family already left for the week and we have no one to help us set up for the party" Aqua said.

"Don't worry Aqua we'll help" Griffon said.

"Thanks and just to let you know we invited Thatch" Aqua said.

"You did what?" Griffon said deadly.

"I'm sorry Griff but Thatch is kinda tall and we need him hang stuff up. We invited Roy and Marth too but not their girlfriends but they didn't seem to mind to much" Aqua said with a shrug.

"So wait Thatch didn't even care that you didn't invite Sierra?" Griffon asked.

"Yea in fact he even smiled a little" Aqua said. "Oh and we invited that Simon kid from Flannery's math class he's kinda tall too"

"Yay! I love you!" Kari said giving Aqua a hug.

"Uh no problem I think" Aqua said confused. "Oh and Flannery and Grandma Emelina said don't worry about clothes they'll make something nice for you to wear"

"Sweet we'll be there after school" Kari said.

"Cool beans see you there" Aqua said with a thumbs up

Griffon waved goodbye & started walking away. "Thanks, I have to go or I'll have to run an extra twenty laps in gym."

"Like it would bother you." Aqua yelled back. "Everyone's still buzzing about your victory over Sierra."

Kari saluted playfully. "I'm on a schedule to get to the music room before all the good instruments are checked out. Then the library for a Bio. Project. So, I'll stop by your place after school?"

When Griffon reached the gym, she was stopped by Coach Tate. "Hey, Mrs. Garcia says to spend the period in her room. You're off the hook this time, Griffon." He winked & handed her a slip of paper.

"Alright, Gene." Griffon shrugged. "If you really don't want anyone to get creamed in sports, you could've just said so."

Coach Tate chuckled. "Get outta here, Thunder."

Griffon gave a lazy salute before heading to the other side of her school. She swung the door to Garcia's room open & was greeted by Garcia & her raven haired daughter & niece.

"Hey, Griffon?" Mimi started, "You know how we have access to the results of the contest?"

"Yeah." She crossed her arms. "What're you getting at, Mimi?"

"The winners are going to be announced today, & the new issue comes out on Monday." Danielle continued.

Mimi nodded. "So we were thinking we could get an early list down for you & your sister."

Griffon shook her head. "Thanks you guys, but no thanks. I wanna know whenever everyone else does. Besides, they announce it on the morning announcements for lack of anything better to say." She rolled her eyes. "Besides, we all know who's going to win."

Danni shrugged. "I happen to know that there hasn't been a single bribe on the editors yet."

Mimi nodded in agreement. "You still have a chance. So we thought we could…maybe…look at your other designs?"

Griffon opened her mouth to refuse.

"Please!" Danni begged. "They're soooo good. And you always make copies of them anyway. Just let us see the copies."

Griffon pulled out a green portfolio & tossed it at them. "Give it back before the end of the day. I'm going back to gym."

"We will." Mimi assured her. As soon as she was gone, the teens turned to Garcia. "Can we use your copy machine?"

Garcia shrugged. "Go ahead."

As the day ended, Kari & Griffon walked up to a large crowd gathered around the corkboard where Garcia posted her Artist of the Week drawings. "Who is it this time?" Griffon asked, tapping Zach's shoulder.

"You." The blonde answered.

"What?" Griffon gasped. She pushed her way to the front to see the designs she had in her book…That she had given to Mimi & Dani - God! How couldn't she have seen this coming?

Sierra turned around from the front. "Look at these. They're nothing compared to mine! And it only figures they suck; left-handed people can't draw. It's all smudged & ugly. She hasn't got an ounce of talent." A bunch of kids laughed. "Look at this garbage." She pulled a drawing off & Griffon's eyes widened.

That was her only one. Her Union Jack go-go dress! She hadn't copied that one yet. "Sierra, please, give me my design back. I don't have another copy of it." She begged

"Hmm, no!" She replied. She grabbed the sides of the paper & began ripping.

Before she had a chance to do any real damage, the paper was taken from her hands & place gently in Griffon's. "Sierra, don't be a bitch. She never did anything to you. One more incident like this & we're through." Thatch scolded, yanking the strawberry blonde down the hall to talk more privately.

Griffon turned & walked away, out to the teacher's parking lot where she hid her transport. "Kari, I'm taking my bike."

Kari nodded & slowed her pace. "I'll meet you at Aqua & Flannery's!"

Griffon ran out the doors & climbed onto a dark green motorcycle before heading off. She pulled up to the Tuskinos' house in no time, sitting there a few seconds before heading up to the door, wiping her tears away, putting on a smile, & knocking. Sierra was wrong. She had talent, & she knew it!

Griffon walked up to the large house and knocked on the door.

"I'm coming!" She heard Aqua say. "Hey Griffon you made it" Aqua said opening the door and seeing Griffon.

"Yea this is like one of the biggest houses I've ever seen" Griffon said as she walked inside.

"Yea it's an old hand me down from other Tusinkos who lived in America" Aqua said with a shrug. "Hey Dude you okay?"

"Yea stupid Sierra saying left handed people can't draw" Griffon said with a shrug.

"Griffon you shouldn't listen to her" Aqua said. "C'mon I'll show you something" Aqua said as she and Griffon walked upstairs. "This is my room" Aqua said opening the door. They walked inside and saw a mural painted on the wall

"Wow that's amazing did you make that?" Griffon asked.

"Yea first I did it pencil and then I painted. I'm left handed too so don't worry about it they're just jealous because left handed people are more artistic than they are" Aqua said with a shrug as they started to walk out.

"Thanks Aquanette" Griffon said.

"No problem" Aqua said. "I just tell it like it is. Now c'mon the others are waiting for us"

They walked into the garage and saw Flannery and the boys sitting around.

"Alright we're all here" Flannery said.

"So Flan where we hosting this thing?" Roy asked.

"Well we're using my daddy's dance hall that he bought for me and Aqua to practice in" Flannery said.

"Cool the boys will hang up and the girls minus Flannery will blow up balloons" Aqua said.

"I'm going to help Grandma Emelina and Grandpa Lo Shu make food and make the clothes for the girls" Flannery said. "Aqua here's the keys" Flannery said tossing Aqua the keys. "Get started"

"Yes ma'am" Aqua said with a playful salute

The group left &, once everything was set up & Flannery sent Kari to drop of the clothes, they got changed & ready just as people started showing up. Griffon sighed & sat down, adjusting the straps on her green off-the-shoulder dress.

Across the room of dancing & associating teens, Kari pulled at the bright orange ruffles lining the bottom of her electric blue strapless dress.

"Want do dance?" A familiar voice asked. Kari turned to Simon & smiled sheepishly.

"Sure, though I must warn you. I suck at dancing in heels." Kari said playfully, but it was true also.

Simon shrugged, grabbing her hand. "Since you're being so honest, I can barely dance as it is."

Kari giggled. "I'll have you doing a Lindy Hop in mere minutes." She winked.

The brunette chuckled. "Old reference, but I like it."

Kari looked around in time to see Marth dancing with Aqua & Flannery with Roy. "Um, have you seen my sister?"

"If I'm right, she got a little bored when the slower songs started & went to go sit down." Simon answered, pushing his thick rimmed glasses up his nose. "Now, shall we?"

The redhead looked away from the other people & nodded. "Of course."

Griffon's smile broadened as she spotted her sister dancing with her crush. "Aw, little Graeae gets a happy ending."

"Kitty, can I talk to you?" Thatch asked from behind her.

Griffon's smile turned into a scowl. "No, Phoe, you can't."

Thatch walked around her & put a hand on her shoulder. "Come on, Kitten, it'll only be for a second."

The girl rolled her eyes. "Alright. Let's just get it over with."

Griffon and Thatch walked outside under the moonlight, Griffon turned around a faced Thatch.

"Alright then I'm here what is it?" Griffon said folding her arms across her chest.

"You look really nice tonight Kitty" Thatch said smiling.

"Eh it was Flannery she's the one who designed them. I'll have to ask her to approve my drawings for the contest, seeing how she knows so much" Griffon said getting off topic.

"Griffon please?" Thatch said.

"Oh right sorry so what did you want?" Griffon asked.

"Sit?" Thatch asked.

"Sure" Griffon said with a sigh as they sat down on the ledge of the concrete sidewalk.

"I'm sorry Sierra ruined our night out to eat like that. She likes to keep tabs on me and I hate it" Thatch said.

"Well she obviously doesn't trust you" Griffon said with a shrug.

"What makes you say that?" Thatch asked.

"Well if she trusted you then she wouldn't have to keep tabs on you" Griffon asked. "I'm sorry Thatch nothing against your relationship and all but you deserve someone better" Griffon said before letting out a small blush.

Thatch let out a chuckle. "You're right I do. What happened to us Griffon? We use to be such good friends" Thatch said shaking his head.

"It's probably that girlfriend of yours" Griffon said shaking her head. "I'm sorry"

"Don't be" Thatch said. He gave Griffon a small kiss on the cheek.

"Thatch? Why'd you do that?" Griffon said grabbing her cheek.

"Because I've been planning to break up with Sierra for a while. Haven't you noticed how distant we've become?" Thatch said.

"Well I've noticed I don't think Sierra's noticed" Griffon said with a small laugh.

"Exactly so I know I haven't been the best friend in world but I want to be more than that because I've liked you for a long time" Thatch said looking down blushing.

Griffon smiled a little she was actually touched. "Thatch?" Griffon said taking Thatch's hands.

"Huh?" Thatch said looking up at her.

"I like you too" Griffon said giving Thatch a small kiss. "But you get no more kisses until you break up with Sierra. I don't want to be the other woman" Griffon said still holding his hand.

"Agreed" Thatch said, despite Griffon's protest he gave her a passionate kiss

The next morning after Aqua and Marth were asleep on her bed. They had spent all night cleaning the up after the party and they were up until 3 in the morning. Marth was to tired to drive so Aqua let him sleep on the couch she had in her room. At one point of the night, Marth moved from the couch to the bed, but Aqua didn't seem to mind to much.

Aqua turned over so she was facing Marth and she opened her eyes. "Marth" Aqua said quietly.

"Hmm?" Marth said not opening his eyes.

"You're in my bed" Aqua said sleepily.

"I know" Marth said with a shrug.

"Why?" Aqua asked.

"Felt like moving" Marth said with a yawn still not opening his eyes.

"Oh I see" Aqua said before letting out a yawn herself. She snuggled up to him and laid her head on his chest. "You know you have a girlfriend right?"

"I'm going to break up with her" Marth said.

"Oh really?" Aqua said.

"Yea the feelings just not there anymore" Marth said.

"I can understand that" Aqua said with a shrug. They laid in peace close to drifting back to sleep when Marth's cell phone rang. "Marth your cell phone's ringing"

"I got it" Marth said. He reached over to Aqua's night stand and picked up his phone. "Hello?"

"Marth!" Payton said.

"Oh hey Payton" Marth said with another yawn.

"Where are you? We were suppose to have breakfast this morning" Payton said.

"Oh yea" Marth said.

"What do you mean 'oh yea'! Where are you?" Payton asked.

"I told you I was going to the Tusinko twins' party I didn't feel like driving so Aqua let me crash at her place" Marth said with a shrug.

"WHAT?! You're in her house! I could have picked you up you didn't have to stay at that fake blonde's house" Payton said.

"Not to be rude or anything Payton but she's a more natural blonde than you are and besides Aqua was nice enough to take me in for the night I could be hurt right now" Marth said.

"Yea but Marth" Payton said but Marth cut him off.

"Listen Payton we can talk about this later I just want to get back to sleep. Meet me at the coffee shop on Mulberry" Marth said.

"Oh okay then" Payton said. She didn't even get a chance to say goodbye before Marth hung up.

"Sorry about that" Marth said before he turned off his phone.

"It's okay" Aqua said before Marth pulled the blanket over them. "Marth?" Aqua said as Marth closed his eyes.

"Yea?" Marth said opening one of his eyes.

"Your girlfriend has a very annoying voice" Aqua said snuggling back up to his chest again.

"I know" Marth said wrapping his arm around her shoulders again.

Griffon led Thatch into her family's garage. "Just keep your eyes closed." She stepped away from him & over to the cloth covered car in the back. "Okay, open."

Thatch watched Griffon rip the sheet off the car & gazed at a '72 Monte Carlo. It was hard to tell whether it was blue or green, but still looked brand new. "And that's been in your family for years?"

"Since my Papaw was a teen." Griffon clarified, jumping up to sit on the hood. "It'll be mine the day I get accepted to a collage, or agree to be a star in my papa's movies."

"So, two more years?" Thatch asked, going up to the car.

Griffon nodded. "Yep. Moses knows prefer to be behind a camera than in front of it." She held out a hand as an offer for him to join her.

The blonde reached up & sat beside her. "It's vintage."

"That's the point." Griffon replied, "I love old fashioned. That's why my clothes almost always look like they're out of a history book. People say I need to 'get with the times."

"But they're so amazing. Even if they do look old." Thatch argued.

The redhead nodded. "That's my point. I'm bored now. Want me to make you some brunch? It's too late for breakfast."

"Sure, sounds cool." He jumped down & placed his hands firmly on her hips before lifting her up & helping her down.

"Thanks." Griffon smiled. She led the way back into the kitchen & stopped in the doorway to the living room. "Oh." She sighed in a mixture of exasperation & happiness. "Graeae brought a stray puppy home."

"Huh?" Thatch looked at the couch to see Simon sleeping on the large couch & Kari sleeping just as soundly with his arms tightly around her waist.

"A stray puppy is what we call 'keepers.' You know, since people rarely get rid of a stray puppy. You end up keeping them." Griffon explained. "Kari said you were one whenever we first met."

Thatch laughed. "Ha, fine time that turned out to be." He continued into the kitchen. "Need help getting ingredients out?"

Griffon shook her head. "No, you're the guest." She opened the fridge. "Besides, I know a simple, tasty, easy to make food that everyone who tries it likes. You can watch TV if you can do it without waking Kari & Simon up."

"Thanks, I'll do that." Thatch nodded.

Ten minutes later, Griffon immerged from the kitchen with a large tray piled with nachos covered with crab meat & melted cheese. "Seafood Nachos." She called. "A snack to make everyone happy."

Kari sat up & rubbed her eyes. "Seafood Nachos?" She wondered. "Yummy. Simon, wake up. Food!"

Simon reached over her to the coffee table & grabbed his glasses. "Cool." He stifled a yawn. "I am kinda hungry."

"Then sit up." Griffon ordered, sitting the tray down. "There should be enough for the four of us." She turned back to the kitchen & emerged again with four glasses & a large jug of juice.

Simon took a look at the glass he was handed & chuckled. "Oh, haha, Griffon." He held up the Simon Seville glass. "Simon gets Simon."

"Yep," Kari nodded, "just like Thatch gets Alvin, I get Theo, & Griffon gets the Chipettes."

Thatch shrugged. "That's just the way things roll."

"Oh, yeah. Griffon, I stopped by the post office & mailed in our designs before I got home." Kari told her. "You were already asleep."

Griffon poured the cups full of juice & popped a nacho in her mouth. "Thanks, you normally forget."

Kari laughed. "I know, it's amazing."

Griffon paused. "You made sure to mail in the right designs, right?"

"I…think." She replied.

The twin slapped her hand to her forehead. "Kari!"

"AQUANETTE!" Flannery yelled down the halls.

"Excuse me!" Aqua said as she ran down the halls away from her sister. She found an open locker and decided to squeeze herself in. She closed the locker and felt something next to her. She gave whatever she touching a slight squeeze.

"OW!" She heard Kari say.

"Kari?" Aqua said.

"Aquanette? What are you doing here?" Kari asked.

"Hiding from Flannery you?" Aqua asked.

"Hiding from Griffon" Kari said. "You make one little design mistake and it's like the end of the world"

"I know Flannery's the same way" Aqua said shaking her head. "Oh snap here they come!" Aqua whispered.

Griffon and Flannery stopped in front of the locker Aqua and Kari.

"Griffon have you seen my sister?" Flannery said tapping her multicolored rainbow platform heel.

"No I'm too busy looking for Kari she sent in the wrong designs to the contest!" Griffon said.

"So did Aquanette! I had my brunch wear ready to send and she sends casual wear. I'm not even suppose to be wearing this dress right now!" Flannery said looking down at her rainbow sweater dress that stopped above her knees.

"1. I think you look fine to me" Griffon said.

"Thanks" Flannery said smiling.

"2. I don't think Simon should be kissing me if he's going out with Kari!" Griffon said loudly.

"What did she say!" Kari said.

"Yea" Flannery said with a giggle. "Marth and Aqua just got together I don't think he should be holding my hand!" Flannery said loudly.

"Griffon!" Kari said as she and Aqua busted through the locker.

"Uh where's Marth?" Aqua said looking around.

"No where now you have some explaining to do young lady!" Flannery said grabbing Aqua's ear.

"Ow! Ow! Flannery chill out I just got my ears pierced again! Ow!" Aqua said as Flannery pulled her away.

"Man was that weird or what?" Kari said nervously.

"C'mon Kari you're not of the hook either" Griffon said pulling Kari's hair

"Ow! Hair! Hair! Hair!" Kari said as Griffon pulled her the other way

Griffon growled, "Quit your whining!"

Kari whimpered. "I have a right to. Twins don't pull twin's hair! Besides, we could still win! Let go!"

The other redhead hissed. "Um, Kitty?" Thatch asked as he, Zach & Simon joined them.

"Trust me, you shouldn't ask." Griffon assured Simon, pulling Kari in front of her & pushing her into Simon. "Just take her."

Thatch put a hand on Griffon's shoulder & led her away. "Calm down, Kitty! It's almost time for the morning announcements & you know what that means."

"I get to hear about my humiliating defeat?" Griffon guessed.

Thatch reached into his army bag & pulled out two glossy magazines. "Sense'n'Style & OtakuUSA."

"Wow, thanks!" Griffon smiled, grabbing the S'n'S from him. She quickly found the page she was looking for & looked at the page.

The intercom in the hall clicked on. "Ladies & Gentlemen, before we begin today, we would like to announce the winners of this year's Sense'n'Style are, for once, good enough to be granted their own fashion lines. The winners are Griffon Moore, Kari Moore, Flannery Tuskino, & Aquanette Tuskino. Would you four please report to the office?" The announcer said. "Thank you. And now, for the Pledge of Allegiance. Please stand."

Griffon squealed & grabbed Thatch in a hug. "Oh, my, God! I won!"

"Good for you." Thatch congratulated her. "Now get to the office."

The Moore twin smiled giddily & waved before dashing off. She stopped suddenly & turned back, ran back up to him, & snatched the OtakuUSA from Thatch before speeding through the halls to the office.

As soon as Griffon saw Kari outside the office, she grabbed her & wrapped her arms around her. "Kari, thank you so much."

"I thought you hated me." Kari stated, confused.

Griffon held up the open S'n'S mag. "You sent in my 'Rockin' Through Britain' designs. They won me the spot!"

"We did it!" Kari cheered, jumping up & down. "We did it!"

Principal Wagner cleared her throat from the door. "I see you're all excited about this."

"Yes!" The four yelled in unison.

"Well, there's an man outside waiting to escort you to the magazine's headquarters." Mrs. Wagner informed, motioning out the door to where a limo was waiting. "Enjoy!"

Griffon fanned her face as it turned red. "Oh God. I think I'm gonna faint."

Aqua patted her back. "Deep breaths, Haddy."

Kari stared out the glass doors with her nose pressed against it. "That's so much better than papa's!"

Flannery rolled her eyes & pushed the handle bar on the door & watched as Kari went falling forward with the door.

The redhead let out a small squeak. "Ow," she whined, looking down at her scraped hands, "Flannery, you meanie!"