As Annie went further, she saw a group of people she had weirdly encountered before! There was that bratty blonde girl with the golden limo, the rude boy she tried to help, the freaky masked guy, and the emo boy! This was bad. Really, really bad.

Annie's head was racing with panic, and she avoided eye contact. But Rose approached them.

"Hey, guys, this is my new friend!" Rose said to the table.

"Hey, guys, this is my new friend!" Rose said to the table [https://img.wattpad.com/054a1f08e5fbacc15e27e612d5fcfd40ed386fb6/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f3277616f73527a4838656e4c6a413d3d2d313436333532393530342e313765343262353339623161303933343736393637343335333034332e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

Annie gasped. This was their friend group? Perfect timing in the worst possible way!

The friend group looked at Rose, then Annie, their eyes widening. They seemed as shocked as Annie felt. Rose looked confused, wondering why they were gasping and staring.

"Anyways, come on, Annie. Sit," Rose said, offering her a seat beside the masked guy. Annie was about to say no, but Rose forced her into the seat. All of them stared awkwardly at each other. This was so awkward!

"What do you guys think?" Rose asked her friends as they stared at Annie intensely.

Annie's mind raced: This is bad, very bad...shit... She felt like she was going to have a heart attack.

Bell: Bitch, just speak up.

Annie: Be quiet! You weren't there when I was having those weird-ass classes!

Clark scoffed, his gaze not leaving Annie. "You see, Rose, most of us here, except you and John, didn't get off on the right foot with her," Clark said honestly, his voice quiet.

Rose was confused. "Is she like your childhood friend or something?"

Michael spoke, his voice stuttering a bit. "No...well, you see, our first meeting wasn't that great..."

"Oh, umm...good timing?" Rose said, trying to keep the atmosphere light.

"Good timing in the worst way," John muttered, stuffing his face with food.

"Whatever, she's joining our group, Clark. I don't care if you're the leader," Rose said firmly.

Clark sighed. "Fine, she can join us...for now," he said, still looking at Annie.

The bratty blonde girl just sat there quietly.

"Did you guys introduce yourselves properly?" Rose asked.

Clark, John, Michael, and the blonde girl shook their heads.

"Okay, we will now," Rose said, sitting beside Annie. Her tray was full of candy for some reason. "Tina, you start."

The blonde girl stood up, her voice full of confidence. "I am Tina Fiva, one of the top students in the 7th grade class, chess club member, and daughter of the CEO of one of the biggest casino owners in Mehville," Tina said professionally, with a hint of bragging.

John was next. "I'm John. I like making paintings and sculptures. I'm in the top 20 in my 9th grade class. I also run a business on social media, selling paintings. I'm quite famous there," John said, his voice deep and surprisingly sweet.

Next was the rude blonde boy. Michael stood proud, flexing his luscious hair and showing off his Gucci glasses. "Yo, I'm Michael, one of the hottest heartthrobs in the 8th grade class, loyal member of the golf club. My grandparents own the biggest farms, 78 in total, making me rich. I'm also handsome and athletic," Michael said, winking at Annie.

"Eww," Annie muttered.

Rose rolled her eyes. "Unlike the three of you, I won't brag," she said sternly.

"Bet 600 dollars she does!" Michael called out.

"I'll bet 700 she doesn't," John added.

Rose ignored them. "I'm Rose, an honor student in the 7th grade, member of the flower club, daughter of a brain surgeon and a judge," she said briefly.

"Damn it, I lost," John muttered.

"Take that, John!" Michael gloated.

"Both of you, stop," Clark ordered, and they obeyed.

"I guess it's my turn," Clark said, his voice cold and intimidating. Annie couldn't help but feel scared of this masked guy. There was something about him...something terrifying. "I am Clark Cluster, from the clan of the masked people since 1972. I'm 15 years old, a high honor student, and in the top 10 strongest in my class. I'm a loyal member of the puppets club. My magic type is controlling people and mind manipulation. My mother is dead, and my father is a toy CEO abroad."

Clark finished, his gaze turning to Annie. "Your turn," he said daringly.

"Well, I'm Annie and I'm done," Annie said lazily as she ate her chicken.

"Wow, we wasted our energy properly introducing ourselves, and you just say that? Unbelievable," Tina huffed.

"Does it look like I care? No," Annie said, gobbling her Chinese food.

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"Are you interested in joining us?" Clark asked, sipping his drink under his mask and pulling out a stack of cards from his pocket.

Annie shrugged, continuing to eat her food as Tina looked at her with disgust.

"Okay, I have 10 cards. If you pick the one with 'yes,' you'll join us," Clark said, laying the cards on the table.

Annie wasn't hesitant this time. She touched a card and picked it up. The group watched her closely and intensely.

"Here goes nothing," Annie said. She reached for the third card but ended up with the sixth.

"What? I picked the third, not the sixth! Was that you, old blonde?" Annie thought.

Bell: Nope, I can't control body parts.

The group watched as Clark picked up the sixth card. It said "yes." Annie wasn't sure if she should be happy or upset, but she knew she was now part of the group.

"It's official! Welcome to the group!" Clark declared.

"Clark, you're making a bad decision! A really bad decision!" Tina protested angrily.

Suddenly, strings of magic covered Tina's mouth.

"Be quiet, Tina," Clark said coldly.

As the group ate their respective meals, Annie noticed the weird variety of food: Rose had candy, Tina had avocado toast with caviar, Michael had protein shakes and a mayo casserole, John had black yogurt with a Popeyes chicken sandwich and pickle soda, and Clark had a more normal meal with barbecue curly fries, steak salad, and a diet coke.

After eating, they started heading back to the jet to go home. Annie saw little Darren approaching, smiling and waving at her. Clark's attention was immediately drawn to Darren, staring longingly. Was this freak in love?

Bell: There's no way...

Annie's mind: I'm going to see Darren.

Annie stood up, and Darren hugged her.

"Hey, Annie! I'm sorry I didn't come and see you. My classes got an extension," Darren said, looking ashamed and cute.

"It's fine," Annie replied.

"Let's hang out after class!" Darren announced excitedly.

"Yeah, why not?" Annie agreed.

Bell: I can't believe your first outing is at 13...that's kinda sad...

Annie's mind: It's better than nothing, right?

Bell: I guess so...

Rose suddenly had an exciting idea. "I know! Let's hang out together! You guys don't mind if..." Rose counted. "All seven of us come! It will be fun! Are you guys available?" she asked her group. They all nodded, and Clark nodded eagerly.

What the hell was going on? Was this guy in love? He was treating Darren coldly some hours ago and now eager to hang out with him? People here were crazy.

"Yeah, sure, why not! But I don't have money to cover it," Darren said.

Rose looked at Clark.

"I guess I could pay for all of us. But we're also using Tina's car," Clark said.

"Fine, but you guys better not mess it up. If you do, you're all banned," Tina warned.

"Okay! It's official! Where are we going?" Rose asked excitedly.

"How about the new park? I heard there's some cool stuff there," Clark suggested.

"Where do we meet up, though?" John asked.

"Definitely not my house," Tina said firmly.

"How about mine? I'll send my dragon to pick you all up," Clark said.

Annie's mind: Did he say dragon?!

After everyone went to different jets to head home, Annie watched out the window as she was dropped off. She checked her phone and noticed that Rose had stolen it, added her contact, and included her in the friend group chat. Annie showed no interest and went inside. She neatly placed her shoes to the side and gathered her school supplies. She mopped, did the dishes, swept the floors, and organized the house.

After two hours of cleaning, she remembered the outing and panicked. She ran upstairs to her closet and grabbed some random clothes.

Annie: "Oh no, I'm almost late!"

She put on a white blouse, leggings, and a black jacket, then rushed to her bathroom to grab a random perfume. She combed her hair and fixed it into a bun, then applied makeup from her mom's new kit—foundation, contour, and a light-colored lipstick.

As she finished, Belle walked in.

Belle: "Someone's going on a date..."

Annie thought, Shut up! I need to look presentable since I'm not paying for the outing... It's also my first outing, so I at least need to look good...

Annie added a flower pin to her bun and packed her bag with her new Apple phone, perfume, power bank, and a few snacks. Suddenly, she heard a loud roar, and her house shook like there was a mini earthquake. Annie almost fell but caught herself on the table.

Annie: "What the hell was that?!"

She ran to the window and saw a big green dragon with her friends on it. Rose and Darren were waving at her.

Rose and Darren were waving at her [https://img.wattpad.com/b79f51d19d043e507c81819ada56d775f490433a/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f617a6f396e4961746654706147773d3d2d313436333532393530342e313765343338346537343165353833383832333138313939323934362e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

Annie went outside.

Darren: "You look beautiful today, Annie!"

Annie: "Is this safe?" she asked hesitantly.

Rose: "As safe as it can get!" Rose yelled from the top of the dragon.

Annie slowly approached the dragon, wondering how she would get on.

Clark: "Go around its leg! John and I will help you up!" Clark yelled. Annie did as she was told, and John and Clark lifted her up. The dragon had a big saddle and an iron bar attached for holding on during flight.

Annie: "Is this safe?"

Michael: "Like Rose said, it's as safe as it can get."

Annie held onto the dragon for dear life as it flapped its wings, ready to take off. In less than 10 minutes, they were 70 feet in the air! Annie was having an anxiety attack, but Darren held her, and she slowly relaxed her grip on the saddle. After about 20 minutes, she was able to ride properly.

Annie: "Oh my gosh... Thank you so much, Darren..."

She hugged Darren.

Darren: "No problem! At least you get to enjoy the view."

Clark watched in jealousy. He had liked Darren for so long but hesitated since Darren was the same age as Annie despite being in the 8th grade.

The view was breathtaking. They passed by mountains, lakes, tall trees, and a huge waterfall. Annie saw beautiful birds in the colorful trees and smiled at the wonderful view.

They also saw a big river with a large fish swimming in it, which was both scary and beautiful [https://img.wattpad.com/c4f43f142e965dfa1b15ffc66b7d410300813840/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f4f3549555a37613969696f6732413d3d2d313436333532393530342e313765343338633834343461646232303430323533343436363233332e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

They also saw a big river with a large fish swimming in it, which was both scary and beautiful. The cold wind eased her nerves. After about 4 minutes, Annie saw the new park. It was colorful with lights, and the dragon slowly descended as Clark parked it in a designated area. The group got down one by one, and Annie struggled but managed to dismount.

The group got down one by one, and Annie struggled but managed to dismount [https://img.wattpad.com/55735c2b0ce1e3fe3d72d06ddd0f50cff8da0e21/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f646c4a55466b2d54556554456f413d3d2d313436333532393530342e313765343338653236393232633565643435363734353036323835342e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

Clark: "Okay, gang, we're here. I expect all of you to enjoy since I'm paying for everyone."

Clark adjusted his mask as they walked to the entrance, which screamed "wow." The park had a big sign that read "Burnham." It was an odd name for a park, but it added to the charm.