A hidden thanks in the story...heh ;) - Newspaper guy

Chapter 16 There's that saying,

The enemy of an enemy is my friend...after all aren't we?

The rocketing dog that was going back and forth froze for the second time that day. A collective gasp was heard around the crowd.

The man raised an eyebrow with surprise, "You know, you have to get the dog to come to you willingly and stay with you over 1 minute...that's right. It's shortened since this is the biggest catch of them all! Even if the countdown clock is over, it will be OT."

Will calls out again, using the previous tactics but replacing the name.

"Silhouette! Come on over girl."

As if there was some long lost bond, the dog rapidly ran towards Will, bewildering everyone. The other contestants looked at Will.

The dog, Silhouette, jumped knocking over Will who started licking his face.

Alyss, and the rest began cheering. The Border collie alone was worth more points and it was under Will's influence.

The timer blared, the announcer shouted, "Will claims this round! Also the 7 week withstanding unpersuaded dog has been persuaded! What was the name you have called out for her Will?" He stuck the microphone under Will's nose.

"Silhouette" Which the dog's ears in his arms perked up at it.

"That's it folks! Silhouette seems to be the name for this dog that caught its attention! Unbelievable! Of all these weeks!"

Ooo

"Wow! You are amazing! I actually came here to try this year but you managed to get it to like you!" A girl said, squatting petting Silhouette.

Will looks at her, "Um...aren't you that girl that Toby helped earlier?"

She nodded, "Wow, I thought you were scary but you are actually impressive."

Will shrugged, "I remember you because you were that girl near our table. Who was also helping me out with some of the questions." She stopped patting Silhouette. "How..."

Toby brings an arm around Will's neck. "That's my friend! Hey, it's you again!"

Alyss runs over and began playing with the dog. Unheard, she almost called out the name Ebony instead of Silhouette.

Louise clapped slowly at each syllable, "Sil-hou-ette. I LOVE this name!"

Shayna nodded, "That's right...how did you even come up with this name?"

In a lower tone she said, "Much better than Bread and Butter pudding mister."

They all laughed. The girl stood up and brushed herself, "My name is Lilly Burlake, nice to meet you." Sticking a hand out at Will who shook it and introduced the rest of them.

"Oh I see, you're just visiting for a year?" She said sadly.

Alyss nods, "That's right, we'll be transferring out of the school in a year or so."

Lilly nodded, "I see, well I'll be glad of your acquaintance! Thanks Toby for helping me out earlier."

He intently stared at something then returned his attention back to the conversation, "Oh yeah no problem."

Shayna playfully punches Lilly, "Come on guys! Let's go visit some more stuff, there's another heck of a day left to be spent."

Alyss knelt down and patted Silhouette, and looked right up at Will, "Good job."

Will smiles and began walking after the rest of them which the little puppy eagerly follows after him.

The rest of the day was perfect, not only Will got a puppy, Toby managed to somehow win a gigantic stuffed dragon, which he presented it to Shayna who accepted gratefully. Louise purposefully bumps Will, "Love is in the air..." He stared daggers at Louise who giggles and dragged Alyss to look at something.

Ooo

"...now bring the X2-5 to the fourth quadrant...." The math teacher droned on about something, which practically everyone but the five understood perfectly.

Toby sighs and goes flat on his desk, "I can't believe they haven't learnt this yet..." Which Shayna racked him on the head, "Well people have their own speed at learning you know."

Will turned his head to see Alyss' eyes glued to the board reading everything, suddenly the bell rang and the teacher paused as he shouts over the cries and happiness from the end of the math class.

Louise announced to them, "Okay guys, today is President Chris' birthday. I skyped him this morning and he said he'll join us tonight."

There was a silence, then Shayna dreamily spoke, "Oh- that guy...reeeally? Visit us? What?"

Louise nodded, "Being an executive member in the council ought to have some advantages..."

Alyss spoke through her hand-covered mouth, "Are you sure he isn't also checking up on us as well?"

"Most likely, but hey. We can go get some stuff we need and make a small party back the villa" Louise planned cheerfully.

Will sighed, "I suppose we could, when does he get here? Isn't he at Michelle? Mihlay? Melon? That's it, Melon...I wonder if that place have a lot of melons..."

Shayna corrects him, "You mean, Michigan."

"Ohhhh that must be it."

Toby pulled out a tab from his planner and threw it behind him which was accurately shot into a garbage can.

"What was..that?" Lilly asked.

All of them turned around to the sudden appearance, Toby spoke with a monotone, "Oh nothing...just another schedule messed up." Staring at Louise on the word "messed"

Lilly laughed, "Here's a good idea, maybe you should plan something leaving some time to rest AND put some extra unexpected things that may choose to pop up."

Toby looks at her with some new ideas shifting into his mind, "I'll keep that burning in the hearth."

"So, what's up?" Lilly asked.

Shayna rambled, "OH nothing, just planning something up that made this bozo's timetable messed-"

"Finished." Toby declared.

Lilly muttered loudly, "That was way too fast." Which all of them nodded, "What?"

He stuffed the new paper in front of everyone's faces as he basically scribbled everything useless from his agenda.

"Honestly, you now have at least 10 hours to do nothing. What on earth did you even have taking up that time?" Shayna asked.

Toby replies with a grin, "Sleep."

Louise gasps, "...Please oh great goat help us."

"...and some other stuff."

"Add that too and don't leave a space between your sentences please."

"Alright guys! Hey Lilly? We have a friend coming over, you want to help us out?" Louise asked. Which she accepts without a hesitation.

Despite the protests behind Lilly, Louise basically nodded and continued rabbling off some more ideas and ideal decorations.

"Ooh! I have some cupcake cups at my place, want to drop by on your way home?" Lilly asked. "Oh wait on second thought.."

Shayna slashes in on the offer, keened on discovering more about Lilly, "Course! Let's drop by after school."

Toby muttered, "But we could buy a factory that makes them too..." Which Louise smacked him with his schedule paper.

Alyss muttered to Will, "Won't she know who Chris is?"

Will wondered about it, "I'll give him an extra call to get some kind of disguise on...I'm sure he won't mind right?"

Ooo

Lilly was outside waiting for them at the door while carefully avoiding anyone who might bump into her. She then sees the five come out the door, chatting away at something.

"Hey! Ready?" She greets.

Shayna waves at her, "Hi! Okay, let's go!"

They walked off the school property. "So... you guys just transferred here right?"

They all nodded, "mm-hmm."

"Do you like it here?"

Louise looked up at the sky, "Well....certainly different from where we came from."

Toby spat out a wad of gum that he was chewing with a sharp shot into a garbage can, "It's nice, not really much different either."

Lilly blinked slightly confused, "Um..okay...how about you Alyss?"

Alyss looked at her, "Oh...well...its.....the same?"

"What's with the whole bland answers?" Shayna said, "Come on....this is a public school we're talking about.

Will caught a mutter from Lilly, "Obviously...great place...it's keeping a good cover for me."

"What?" Will decided to ask.

"Oh? Nothingg!" She looks around and then she pushed them to a different street.

"Hey! What was that for!"

She points, "Hey guys, welcome to my home."

They looked at the home which really looked up appealing. "Wow...it's..great."

"You guys are such liars, it's a dump I know." Lilly laughed. "But it's all I can afford after all.."

Louise puts her hand on her shoulders, "Don't worry, if you have any problems. Count on us, we'll get you out of a tight spot....especially Will can definitely."

Will raised both of his hands, "Hey hey now let's not get too cocky here."

Toby gestured, "Well, you might at least want to take...oh forget it." They watched as he walked over and tore off the drainage pipe.

"-this, or else you'll be looking for some leaks in your-"

SPLASH

He spluttered as everyone started to laugh, "-roof"

Lilly quickly opened the door and rushed inside and brought out a towel.

"Thanks..."

Shayna laughed, "That's for you who doesn't ask the permission of Lilly before doing that."

"Tough luck." Alyss said.

Lilly ushered them inside, the inside wasn't that bad. It was slightly small but it was ideal anyway for a person. They all settled in on the sofa which was comfortable. Despite what it looked from the outside, it was clear that Lilly has kept her room tidy daily.

Will sighed, "This surely reminds me a certain cabin ...slightly different but it's feeling."

Alyss smiles warmly at him and said nothing.

"Well here it is!" Lilly appeared from another room and a tray with some drinks.

Louise looked at the paper cups, "OOOOH! THIS ONE HAS A CAT ON ITTTTT!"

Shayna gasped, "NO WAY, but ha! Mine has a penguin..."

Lilly stared with some kind of surprise, Toby laughed, "Surprised? Regardless of their appearances, they are rather quite....open and vulnerable."

"Who you calling vulnerable!"

The six started to chat about their lives as they talked they got to know each other a bit more. Even though they stuck to the main cover story, they also touched in on their normal lives but with vague idea of it that could be mistaken as an everyday thing.

"So come around this time okay?" Toby passed a paper which had a schedule etched on it.

"Sure." Lilly read it, "Thanks for coming over! I'm happy that you guys were that considerate to come..."

Alyss smiles, "No problem, it was fun. Don't forget!"

The five approached a bus stop, all of them stood in silence.

"Well. That was certainly an unexpected confrontation of visitation of her house."

ooo

They were all busy hustling about the house, even with servants around to help out, they still had a lot to do to prepare.

"That's right! Over there!" Toby shouted down the hall as he instructed Will to drop the final curtain.

Will lets out a breath, "I'm not taking that down."

Shayna twirls by narrowly missing a priceless painting that was being moved, "Oops!"

"Do be careful will ya?" Alyss said with a mouthful of something, turning to Will. "Look Will! These things are called Papaya!"

Will looked at the funky shape of some fruit, "I see."

Alyss stared at him in shock with the lack of response then shoved a piece of it into his mouth. Will widened with surprise at the sudden action but then slowly chewed on it. Sweet juices of some kind of odd taste licked his taste buds, making him wonder in amazement of such thing.

"Wow."

Louise started playing with her hair, winding it eventually to a bun. "When was that Lilly going to get here?"

Toby presses something on the wall which a digital screen was produced, "About 30 minutes after the Prez?"

"That's good." Shayna said while trying to steal some other types of fruits from Alyss' plate.

Suddenly there was a soft, almost melodic ring that echoed around the house.

"Ugh...don't tell me...."

Toby scrambled to attention as if he wasn't anymore awake earlier, "Good orca's and chipmunks! She can't be here now!...RIGHT?"

Will chucks a piece of paper towards Toby who minimally caught it, "Hold your schedules, literally. We can save your thing later."

Toby sighed looked down at the paper the crumpled it up and tossing it to the nearest rubbish bin. "..Okay."

All of them rushed to the front door, Louise whispers, "Okay, stall her you two!"

Toby and Will exchanged glances, "Why us?" in a really low voice.

"Opposites attract!" Shayna whispers.

"Correct-o! Plus, we can't have her seeing Chris come in with a helicopter!" Louise hisses.

Alyss wiped her hands on a napkin, "Why are we implying science right now?"

Toby opened his mouth to protest, but mid-sentence Louise opens the front door.

Immediately, Will jumped into action. "O-oh uh..hey..? You look really nice today! I mean, want to go for a stroll along the perimeters of the property? There are a lot of great viewpoints!"

Toby followed Will's example, "Hey... yah you look AMAZING. No. STUNNING, it made the stars that can't be seen in the day shine more bright.." There was a super long and awkward pause. Standing in front of them was clearly not a girl, but a guy which they didn't even know.

He blinked, "Uh...."

The soft whistling of a gentle, cool breeze could be heard in the background and the calm water running in the yard out front could be detected.

The two guys, the distractions, paused in mid action and speech.

The three girls behind them recovered from relief it wasn't Lilly. After that, they fell into a helpless fit of laughter, gasping and wheezing. Shayna paused managing a few words before leaning on the pillar for more support.

"...Oh gawd! Will that was PERFECT. And Toby.....-laughs a bit more- and you said you weren't good with girls! That was great!"

Louise held her sides, "Oh no! I feel a cramp coming, but..-giggles- ...really, Stars that can't be seen during the day? What? That is so romantic and equally so nerdtastic!...NO! SMART!...Romantically-smart"

Shayna jabs Alyss' shoulder, "And you said I was bringing in science.."

Alyss who was shedding some tears from laughing at the spectacle of Will acting all so charming was really unexpected and unheard of, could not reply.

Will and Toby stood silently, looking at the ground cheeks and ears were bright red, which only gave them more reason to laugh at the relief.

Chris sighed, "I see how it is. Good job, if I was a girl. I'd totally would've taken your offer Toby."

That only set them off, which then elicited a grin from the two actors.

Mouth open, they all realized it was Chris behind the impressive disguise. Will broke into a smile, "Sweet stuff, this is pretty good when it comes to term of blending into the background. I thought you one of those early-morning-paper-guys-who-never-rings-the-doorbell."

"That's a NEWSPAPER BOY!" a young man in his twenties showed up out of nowhere.

Shayna jerked her thumb at him, "Where'd he come from?"

Alyss observed, "Oh, that guy. He isn't a boy mind you."

Louise threw up her arms up, "YOU DON'T SAY!?"

The courier turned her head to look at Louise, "I do say."

"So you did!" Louise replied quickly.

"I sure did."

"I am double sure."

"Oh agree definitely."

"Really? Me too!"

"Oh I see how this is going to be."

"Honestly, same."

"You wanna go?"

"I sure do!"

"Where?"

"TO PLUTO!"

"Where's that?"

"Now I'm all confused."

"Who's talking now?"

"AHEM! To answer your question....I am Canadian, but originally I'm from England. You know? Up north in England. Now don't get me wrong, north as in not where the Santa would live-"

Toby spoke mildly from the corners from his mouth, "He still believes in Santa?"

"-the matter of belief is what keeps those children's dreams alive!" he continued.

Which Shayna replied back with the corners of her mouth too, "Sounds like what actually Santa would say."

The guy returned to his topic, "But my large vast extensive family, ho, you're in from some ride kids. Thanks to some people, Australia, a good portion of United States, Brazil, Netherland, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Sweden, France, Poland, Singapor-"

"WILL YOU JUST SHUT IT? COME ON WHERE'S THE SECURITY?" Will shouted.

There were several shouts from all direction, "How'd this guy get in?"

"Oh not that guy again.."

"How'd he pass that Anti-Newspaperboy gun?"

Chris raised an eyebrow, "Seriously? Wait hold on, is that even legal? Anti-Newsp-"

Toby held up his hand as he shifted his glasses a bit, "No! Student Co. Prez, I don't want to hear about it. But it's perfectly legal, all it does is shoot a couple dozen rounds."

"A COUPLE dozen ROUNDS?" Chris looked around the place.

Will held up his hand, "Just a couple rounds."

Shayna and Louise nodded.

"What the...."

Toby then added, "Yah, good deal of chips you know? This guy is a murderer."

"MURDERER?"

Louise and Shayna nodded again.

"I suppose chips are fine...aren't illegal...shouldn't we arrest this guy?" Chris asked with a rising question.

The guy raised his hand, "I LOVE CHIPSSSSSS WHERE ARE THEYYYYYYY!? BYE! THIS IS MY CUE TO LEA-"

Whoomphf.

Will took a papaya chunk off a plate, "Well, I always knew he wouldn't make it that far now"

Toby nodded, "Really, I knew that too."

He trails off slowly, suddenly scrambled to inside, "Hey Phillip! Where's the trash inside this trash bin?"

He took off his cap and thought for a second, "Oh, a kind lady was cleaning up all the bins and she must've tossed them into the big one outside she did."

Which the guy, who had an eager face, turned and raced outside while screaming like a wild person, " I'M ON MY WAYYY!"

"What's gotten into him?" Chris took off the reflective shades.

"I dunno, for some reason he's chasin' the dump truck for some reason." Alyss brushed her dress down.

"Dump truck?" Shayna asked.

Chris leaned closer and in a loud whisper, "I don't think I'll try questioning you guys to death, but he's a real nut-job isn't he?"

She broke into a big grin, "Definitely, the biggest one of all."

Ooo

Not a few minutes later from the unexpected way of arrival of the student president, Lilly arrived.

"Hi! I'm Lilly, happy birthday!" She exclaimed.

The captain of the archery team's eyes saw a flash of recognition, "Oh- uh hi! Thanks!"

She shook his hand and gave him a present which he passed it to Shayna rather quickly, "Go on and open it for me."

While they looked at the present that was being opened, with great and slow care, Shayna opened it saving the wrapping paper down to the smallest scratch.

"Oooh this is nice!" Shayna held up a bracelet.

Lilly slightly blushed, "I'm sorry, I thought Chris was short for Christina or something, didn't know it was a guy.."

Chris sighed out silently, "No worries, come on! There are other things to do now!"

Lilly walked and looked around, "When you gave me the address, I was rather confused if I was at the right place. But this is amazing! It's so...big!"

Chris stared at her with some surprise, but the rest of them didn't seem that much shocked.

"Oh well....." Shayna trailed off.

Then sought a new excuse, "Well Louise's...aunt, is really rich. And when she heard you were in this party too she couldn't help but make this much more special. I mean, good friends we don't mind what we do but yeah.."

Lilly nodded, "I see I see... this place...it's big enough for an archery range right?"

She then suddenly stopped herself at the question which she asked out loud by mistake, but was relieved that none of them was in earshot they were all busy doing something, possibly a new game.

However, Chris noticed and her question was heard.

It was a fun party, while Chris kept a watchful eye on Lilly, she had plenty of fun along with the rest. The only time when he relaxed his surveillance, was when she was leaving to go home.

Toby called for a car to take her home which ended up it was an expensive looking car but assured by everyone, she gladly accepted it. Secretly concealing a hidden bus ticket.

ooo

Will stuffed his hands into his pockets and breathed out where a puff of vapor came out of his mouth visible in the cold dusk.

"Oh man it's cold." Will's teeth chattered in the chilly surrounding. "Well I think I'm doing the opposite effect of getting my digestion going...I probably should-"

His ear's picked up a sound, something that was irregular to the natural calmness and silence of the small forest.

Will slowly and cautiously followed the sound, began to hear more clearly. It was giving off a familiar thwack!

"Could that be..."

He peers over an oversized rock to see a figure standing with a bow and several arrows in hand.

Will's eyes widened at the figure that shot an arrow with near perfect form. The person turned and Will took a few steps back in surprise, he could not believe who she was nor the fact how she acquired the accuracy...enough to join the Archery team...

Chris suddenly messaged him to his smartphone, it wrote: That girl isn't the person you might think she is. Concerning the current placement of the school...and some background checks I don't think she is going to be...anyway. Tell everyone thanks for the party, glad my birthday was well spent!

Will cursed, "Now?" as it rang out really loud. The archer stopped and looked around with the artificial sound echoed across the forest.

Her heard thumping, she fled the area. Will pursued her, then suddenly he stopped as he noticed the tracks were beginning to be more elaborate.

"Wow. She is actually pretty good." Will muttered under his breath, but it couldn't fool his eyes.

As he got closer, he noticed the paces were beginning to be more slower and deeper. Will stopped and decided to use stealth than speed.

Soon the area turned quiet after the short and explosive action.

Faintly, he heard a whisper. As he closed in on a small but pretty well concealed edge, he heard, "Please don't find me. Please don't find me. I don't want to go back." And a few held back sobs, noticed that the pursuer hasn't made any more sounds.

Will thought a bit for the better, he made the sounds as he retreated and didn't look back.

ooo

The next day Will pondered the unexpected sight, questions began to rise from his mind. Is she who they thought she was? Probably some hobby? No... too accurate in that stance against the wind...there was a sudden explosion of confusion and laughter as he saw Louise and Shayna coming out after Toby who just started sprinting for some apparent reason shouting, "COME BACK MRS. HOMEWORK!"

Alyss questions, "Homework is a girl?"

Will looked at her, "Who can tell?"

The classes we just as boring and entertaining as it would be. Around lunch time, Will heard a big roar of shouts and laughter from outside.

"Ahaha! I finally found you little rock!" A voice echoed across the compound. Recognizable, everyone saw men in suits coming out of the car with a group of students wearing a familiar outfit. The Refraincrat High uniform.

Lilly turned around and gasps with surprise. "W-what? No! Yesturday?!"

Will whispered to himself, "Yesturday? Wait she doesn't.." Slowly in the back of his mind, some pieces were falling together.

"You honestly think you could hide for long? I am a Lancaster! My father has people who can easily find someone like you!" Ergol strode across the grounds, "You honestly think you could escape?"

"N-no!" Lily stuttered looking down.

"What did you just say?"

"No...sir." Lilly quickly amends, which Ergol snorts obviously dissatisfied, "Seems like you've lost your manners as well."

Will leaned at the corner muttering, "What on earth are they..." He then remembers the unexpected skill of hers which clicked in his mind. "No way...could she be...?"

Tracy confirmed that, "Just because you little dirt, I took you off the team didn't mean you could leave us. You were just too...weak."

The rest of the girls laughed while the boy's team joined in with them.

Alyss whispers which scared Will for half a second, "They honestly think they have no shame doing all this...in front of the whole school?"

Will shook his head, "Pure bullying. See?" he pointed at the major bullies in the normal school laughing as well.

The rest of the three soon came around to see what was the gathering crowd was about but then pulled to the side which they saw who it was.

Shayna and Toby knew about the rumors about Refraincart-their rival school. Louise on the other hand was rather quite well informed.

"What on earth are they doing here?" Louise exclaimed.

Will observed, "Seems like our friend Lilly here, is a fellow Refraincrat High student...once an archery member too."

They all look at him, "Really?"

Will nodded, "Yeah, I saw her practicing with a real bow and everything is nearly perfect. Her form, stance..everything."

Toby points, "But that doesn't explain why they just slapped her."

"W-wait what?" Alyss scrambled to see what just happened.

Shayna sank to the floor, "Oh my gosh they did what?"

"What should we do?" Alyss hurriedly whispered.

Will shrugs, "I don't think we can show our faces..."

Toby thought about it for a second, "In all cases, unless something comes along, I think these guys will drag her back into the hellhole."

Shayna gasps in surprise, "She's sweet and nice! Caring too!"

They watched as they mocked her, Will was told by the captain that they were never to encounter or befriend Refraincrat High students; they always have a tendency to turn their backs against you.

Will thought about the note that he found, about how she was using them to help her gain ground in her school... but it was clear probably the meaning was more different...more ground so she can stay away from them and resist them with popularity than just herself!

Toby then draws out the exact note from his pocket, "I found this in the recycling dump when I was looking through the paper recycling for my notes that I accidently threw out...." then added with a sheepish smile, "After getting scolded by the manager there again."

The three looked at it with a big shock Will stared at the exact note, I thought I ...

"She was using us after all."

Shayna then suddenly whirled her hands all over the place, "Hold ON a second here! DID YOU HONESTLY CHASE THAT DUMP TRUCK?"

Toby nodded, "With my heart's content.."

Alyss started to nod slowly, "Oh that's what you were doing...you love those truck a lot don't you?"

"Heck no! My homework was in danger!"

"Right..."

Will turned his head giving one last look, "I guess I'll have to leave the explanations later." Muttering to himself which they didn't catch.

"What?"

The ranger looked at them and then started walking away to another entrance, "You guy's stay back, I am going to get a friend back. I'll explain later."