Kevin trailed behind Annie, the awkward tension from earlier still lingering in the air. For now, though, things seemed to have settled. Annie marched ahead with a mix of determination and impatience etched on her face, her steps brisk and purposeful. Kevin, on the other hand, was struggling to keep up.
“You better not fall behind, Kevin!” Annie snapped without even turning around. “Mrs. Smith will have my head if we’re late.”
“I’m coming, I’m coming!” Kevin replied, his voice strained as he hurried to catch up. “I’m not a robot, you know!”
Mark couldn’t help but chuckle from where he stood. Watching Kevin scramble under Annie’s authoritative pace was entertaining, a dynamic he found amusing. Annie had a commanding energy that made Kevin straighten up like a soldier at the mere hint of her impatience.
It reminded Mark of his old days, following a senior with the same intense vibe as Annie’s.
As Kevin reluctantly followed Annie into the building, Diane and Mark made their way back toward the truck parked by the steel door entrance. The earlier tension seemed to have melted away, replaced by more casual conversation.
Mark glanced around as they approached the truck, a quiet curiosity stirring within him. He still didn’t fully grasp what was happening—how he’d ended up here, or why—but there was a certain thrill in the mystery. Figuring it out could wait; for now, he was focused on helping Diane.
He began arranging the crates for their delivery to Tony’s pizzeria, making sure they were stacked securely to prevent any accidents. With his enhanced strength, the task was easier than it should have been. He climbed into the back of the truck, moving the crates into position as Diane directed him from the ground.
Glancing down at her, Mark couldn’t help but ask with a teasing smile, “I don’t know how you managed to load these crates by yourself. They’re pretty heavy. And before you say anything, I’m not calling you weak—it’s just hard to imagine.”
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Diane, busy checking the knots on the straps securing the crates, paused and glanced around as if ensuring no one was listening. She leaned in closer and whispered conspiratorially, “You want to know a secret?”
Mark raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her sudden shift in tone. “Sure, why not?”
Lowering her voice to a playful whisper, Diane continued, “I can move things with my mind.”
Mark’s expression shifted to mock surprise, though he knew she was messing with him. “Really? And here I thought you’d use that power when I was struggling to test you earlier.”
Diane grinned mischievously. “Oh, please. Where’s the fun in that? Besides, I like keeping a few tricks up my sleeve. Keeps people on their toes.”
Mark chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re something else, Diane. I can’t tell if you’re serious or just full of it.”
Diane raised a playful eyebrow. “What? You don’t believe me?”
Mark leaned in, lowering his voice to match her playful tone. “Well, if you can move things with your mind, then your dad must’ve been some bald guy in a wheelchair. Or maybe you’re secretly a phoenix?”
Diane burst out laughing. “No, no bald dads or mutant powers here! But my dad was a huge comic book fan. If he were still around, he’d love this conversation.”
Mark laughed along with her. “So, no telepathy, just a family full of superhero love?”
Diane nodded, still smiling. “Exactly. He always joked that one day I’d get superpowers, but I guess all I got was being a badass farm woman.”
Mark snorted. “Lying to yourself isn’t always the best way to boost confidence, you know.”
Diane smirked, throwing him a mock glare. “Maybe you’re just jealous of my real power—the ability to keep everything running smoothly around here. Now, quit slacking and double-check the knots on those crates.”
Mark laughed, saluting playfully. “Yes, ma’am.”
As they continued working, the conversation shifted to lighter topics. Diane shared stories about life on the farm, and Mark listened intently, fascinated by her experiences and the challenges she faced as a small business owner. Despite the banter, there was a genuine connection forming between them, an ease that made their exchanges feel natural.
Disclaimer:
The characters, settings, and elements in this fanfiction are the intellectual property of their respective owners. "New Life, New Saga" is inspired by "Summertime Saga," which is owned by Kompas Productions. This fanfiction is created purely for fun and non-commercial purposes, and I do not claim any ownership of the original works. All rights to the original material belong to their creators. If you appreciate my work and would like to support my writing, consider making a donation on My Patreon. Thank you for your support and for reading!