With Cinnamon in in-school suspension, Cheyanne feels it’s a good opportunity to meet me one-to-one. She would have lunch with me and have a conversation back and forth. However, she has to take Lunch Activity Period classes during the whole, um, lunch period. Either for extra studying or taking extra credit. The only time she and I together were either English class - with Cymberly and Cayleen, of course, - and Matter and Energy - we only sat beside each other but by the luckiness in hindsight of the teacher’s assigned seating chart; we only talk when there’s teamwork involved - and that’s it. She’ll probably explain to me if either she had a chance or I ask a question.
At school dismissal, I got out of my Resource class and I was about to head downstairs when I saw Cheyenne who was also about to head downstairs but suddenly glance at me for the moment. She was wearing a similar outfit from last night but with different colors. Light blue hoodie sweater over a white tight-fitting shirt and blue skinny jeans. And she has a brown-colored purse on her right shoulder.
“Hey Calhoun,” she called my name before she walked towards me.
“Yeah,” I said as I stopped.
“Are you going somewhere this evening?” She asked as she reached.
“Hmm, no,” I said with a headshake.
She then briefly close her eyes while taking a deep breath as she’s lucky enough to, mostly, clear out her schedule - except for homework and gym, of course - to fill her aforementioned opportunity.
“Why?” I asked.
She then opened back her eyes, glancing at me again before she opened her mouth again. “I have a reservation,” she said.
“A reservation?” I asked.
“Yeah, for the two of us,” she said. “I just want to spend some…um…,” she apparently struggling to finish her sentence so I help her out.
“Time?” I asked.
She went quiet as she stared left for a second before tilting her eyes back toward me. “Yeah,” she nods. “Quality time.”
“Quality time?” I prompted.
She nods.
“You wanna spend some quality time with me?” I asked as I point fingers at myself.
“Absolutely,” she said. “I figure I could take you out to The Blueberry Median for an afternoon lunch.”
I then thought for a moment. Then I opened my mouth. “Right now?” I asked, wondering if that meant abandoning my transportation to my aunt’s vehicle or my mom’s vehicle.
“Right now,” she said.
So that probably means abandoning my transportation for a day then, but hey, I got a chance to have some quality time with my ‘secondary’ best friend sooo… (and to be fair, at least from my point of view, Cheyanne has a physique look that look a bit more splendid than Cinnamon's. I definitely guess that Cinnamon was right about Cheyanne being the world’s strongest teenage girl…currently.) “Alright let me call my aunt,” I said as I shoved my right hand into the right front pocket of my skinny-ass jeans and pull out my smartphone. I then start contacting my mom before I place my smartphone on my right ear, hopping that I grant my mom’s permission to take this reservation.
While this was happening, Cymberly was walking down the hallway when she stumbled across a scene of me and Cheyanne standing in front of each other. It was something that Cymberly couldn’t foreseen: me having a little conversation with Cinnamon’s frenemy. Rather than go talk to them, Cymberly decides to about face and walk away feeling flabbergasted.
Within a minute while I was on the phone, my mom answered and we talk while Cheyenne is waiting with bathed breath. About a minute later, I then hang up and shoved my smartphone back into my jeans pocket.
Cheyanne was standing there waiting patiently, hoping for an answer.
I then glanced back at her. “She said yes,” I said to her.
Cheyanne then breathe a sigh of relief. “Alrighty then,” she said. “Come on.”
We then finally head downstairs before we came down to the lower level. When we exit the school building, she suddenly stops. I also stopped as well, wondering what she’s currently up to next or which direction she wanna take me.
She turns to glance at me again. “Hey move closer Calhoun, I have an idea,” she said.
I then went closer towards her, wondering what her idea was. But then after that, I started to feel like the ground starting to lift me up. In fact it started to lift the both of us, both me and her. I looked down and I found out that she EARTHBENDED a series of concrete tiles - the tiles that holds the both of us - that lifted off the ground. Now, me and her are standing in the floating tiles as everybody else....didn't seem to give a shit as they continue on getting into their respective transportation. Most of them walked around the hole as they didn't care about what just happened. The only person who did is, well, me...because those concrete tiles were school property.
"This will take us to the restaurant in no time," Cheyanne said.
"Hey did you realize that what you just took out and what we're currently standing on is school property?" I asked Cheyanne.
Cheyanne's expression softened as she quickly noticed that she made a mistake. "Um yeah," she said, agreed with me. "You're right, Calhoun. I didn't think about that. Probably shouldn't mess with school property or else I'll get suspended," she said sincerely. "Alright, let me fix this."
Cheyanne focused her earthbending energy again with a determined look on her face, and as she does, the concrete tiles slowly descended back to the ground. Once they were firmly back in place, she turned to me with a reassuring smile. "There, I fixed it. I do apologize about that, I guess I got a bit carried away with my elemental power."
"How about we bringing in some rocks to build some kind of a transportation?" I suggested.
"You mean solid rocks?" she asked.
"Any kind," I said.
Cheyanne considered my suggestion for a moment with a thoughtful expression crossing her face along with her left hand placed on her elbow while her hand placed on her chin. "Hmm, that could work," she mused before she puts her hands down.
"Alright," I said.
"But we'll have to be careful not to damage anything else like I did just now," she told me. "Let's find some rocks nearby the school property that we can use responsibly."
We then searched the area together for any suitable rocks that we can find, making sure that we were not taking anything that would cause harm or disrupt the environment. Once we found what we as much rocks as possible ranging from bigger to smaller, Cheyanne skillfully manipulated the earth to fashion a BIG-ASS makeshift skateboard from the rocks, ensuring it was sturdy and safe for the both of us to ride on.
"Okay, that'll work," I said, feeling impressed at what we just did.
"Alright, let's give this baby up and running as fuck," Cheyanne said with a calm look on her face as she steps onto the improvised earth-made skateboard.
I followed suit, hopping behind her.
"Ready Calhoun?" she asked.
"Ready," I said.
"Okay," she said before she starts spreading both of arms very slowly, lifting the improvised skateboard off the ground and soaring into the air. "Alright one. two. three," she said before she SPEED DASH outta there and soon we are gliding smoothly along the air with SUPER SPEED! And in the matter of a second, scratch that, milliseconds, without further incident, we made our way to The Blueberry Median, located several blocks near The Library of Congress and The U.S. Capital Building. Once we reached there, our gliding come to a complete stop. "Alright here we are," she said as she lower her arms down, landing the skateboard down to the ground. Then, we hopped off of the floating improvised skateboard. She then raised her right hand in mid-air, and tilted it downward, bringing the floating skateboard down to the ground. "There that should do it," she said.
We went inside and take seats at the waiting area, waiting for a table. After about approximately six-seven minutes later, we get a table. A table that is near one of the entrance windows. with four chairs, even though there's only two of us, probably because all of the tables with two chairs were taken. We sat in front of each other face to face.
Several more minutes later, we ordered our drinks. A couple of more minutes later, the waitress that we gave our orders to is delivering a round dish with two glasses of water on top in one hand and a stand in the other. She approached us while putting down the stand and carefully set the oval dish on top of the stand.
Afterwards, the waitress grab one glass of water off of the round dish. "Here you go mam," she said to Cheyanne as she gives it to her.
"Thank you," Cheyanne said as she takes her glass of water from the waitress.
The waitress then grabs the other glass of water, and this one is for me. "Here you go sir," she said to me while giving that glass of water to me.
"Thank you," I said as I take the glass out of her.
"You guys are welcome," the waitress said. "Enjoy!" Then, she takes the empty circular dish in one hand and the stand in the other and walks away. As she walks away, I can't help but notice but her beautiful voluptuous backside along with her curvy hips, strong muscle legs and a strong muscle back. And when she was upfront when she was taking our orders or fulfil them, I also couldn't help but notice her muscular physique that also includes a bigger bosom. She might have been working out after work, in my theory.
Anyway, we take slips of our water. After that, we began to talk.
"So how was your school day?" Cheyanne asked me.
"Um, it's good, not great," I said. "I'm trying my best in U.S. History, Pre-Algebra, Technology Education, etc. These classes are a little bit tough than the ones in eighth grade but still...I'm trying my best."
She nods.
"I'm also currently attending Advanced Evil Creature Research class," I said. "The first days are good but then there's gonna be days where I have to be prepare to master...you know, advanced stuff."
"I see," she nods again.
"What about you?" I asked her.
"I'm currently taking the AP classes," Cheyanne said.
"You're taking the AP classes?" I asked.
"Yeah," she said.
"Don't you feel like the AP courses are very overwhelming for you?" I asked.
"No," she shook their head.
I exchange a skeptic look on my face because her answer seemed contradictory to the typical experience of AP classes compared to regular high school one.
"Look, they offer scholarships, which I really need right now," she defended.
"Is there a justification you needed something so much?" I asked as I'm wondering if it's money for her to pay for an expensive university she would love to go to already as we're into the very first several weeks of high school (we both are freshmen).
"Well..," she paused for a moment. "It's because me and my family don't have enough money to pay for everything beyond the necessities to keep living in our home."
"Oh," I said.
"I mean…we live in an apartment," she said. "An apartment that is old as shit and even if it's a 'low cost' apartment," she says while air quoting as she says 'low cost', meaning that the apartment may have start rising prices since. "We barely got to pay the rent every single time when there's a bill to pay the rent."
"Gosh, that is fucked-up," I said. And just a heads-up: living in Washington, D.C. can be quite pricey, so unless you're expecting a significant income, you might find it more economical to visit rather than relocate here.
"As a result, we must spend our money more carefully, giving priority to necessities over non-necessities, including groceries, rent, utilities, and other important expenses."
"You mom and dad work?" I asked.
"Yeah," she nodded. "My father works from home to support our family financially while still being involved in caregiving. Meanwhile, my mother works as a security officer but recently often with long shifts...cause the cost of living keeps rising while her income remains the same, she has to work longer hours and put in more effort to cover our expenses. So for much of summer, I end up managing tasks at home in her absence, like scheduling appointments and handling paperwork. That probably meant not spending evening time with my best friend Cayleen or spending spare time defeating evil creatures voluntarily, which is disappointed but at the same time, my contribution to my family's well-being is very important and I cannot, cannot let my family go bankrupt. Then when school was almost there I found myself torn between between continuing to provide for my family and concentrating on my education because it's taking little bit of a toll on me. However, when I realize that my family's financial stability is getting nowhere, I made the difficult decision to prioritize working alongside my studies. So I've decided to get a job myself to help cover our increasing expenses due to rising living costs. It's not something I particularly desire, nor perhaps maybe...everyone else, but I feel it's necessary to prevent financial strain on my family. That way, my mom can reduce her work hours and...."
There's a profound sense of empathy that is already washing over me as I started to watch the the tears that are slowly welling in her eyes. And I could see the weight of her responsibilities pressing down on her shoulders with the sacrifices she made for her family that is has been facially expressed through her sad face. "It's okay, I'm right here," I said tenderly along with my right hand touching her right hand. "I just want to say that you're good chick fighting the good fight and I commend your truly admirable dedication and commitment to your family. And yes, it's not easy to carry such burdens, but your willingness to prioritize their well-being speaks volumes about the strong attachment and resilience within you."
"Thank you," she acknowledged with a nod before she wiped small tears off of her eyes. She then fights back tears real strong for a few moments.
I then placed my hand off her hand.
After that, she then sighed as she calms down. "Me and my family aren't the only ones with financial struggles," she said. "There are thousands of us in the city of Washington who have been with financial struggles. The consequences of it are far-reaching and it has been ongoing for years and unfortunately, we're stuck in a situation where we have to take extreme measures to keep our financials afloat. It's a frustrating paradox we're forced to navigate, knowing that our willingness to stay afloat inadvertently worsens our livelihood in this economic predicament. Not to mention, there are unlawful acts that are so big that most of us have to protect ourselves or even defend. Some of the former residents had enough and moved out and no one outside of the city is willing to take rent in these vacated homes cause they believe it's expensive and dangerous. As far as lawful acts go, there's not much as it was right now, but there are threats still rising like monsters, demons, vampires and other types of evil creatures, which most of us, evil creature hunters, must fight to protect ourselves and others as those evil creatures surrounded the city. Most of us would go to Rock Creek Park to prevent them coming into the district. All that malefaction situation has fueled my desire to become an evil creature hunter and my moment to shine came along with my journey embarking to become the biggest female bodybuilder in the world. Well I only reached to become the biggest teenaged female bodybuilder in the world, I haven't reached my top goal yet. But yeah, I want to achieve that big-ass amount of body and muscle size so I can better master on my evil creature fighting skills so I can make the city residents breathe a little bit easier and make the city free of evil threats as much as possible. And better helping myself becoming a better person I can be - whether learning mistakes, helping people, making better choices, etc. - well if I successfully managed to help myself and my family at least to the point of have no sticky-ass situation. It's a challenging responsibility, but hopefully, hopefully, there will be a light of the tunnel."
I nodded my head as I starting to feel the same experience that me and my mom and my aunt have been going through. "How is it like defeating evil creatures?" I asked.
"How is it like defeating evil creatures?" she prompted.
"Yeah," I replied. "You're a super buff and beefy bodybuilder and you got like, um, earthbending powers or something." Apparently I forgot the fact that she's an earthbender too.
"Well...given all that strength, super strength, that I have, it was easy," she said. "I beat the shit out of evil creatures with no fucking problem."
"Well how do you become to where you are today?" I asked.
"Huh?" she prompted.
"How did you become to where you are today," I repeated the question.
"How did I become to where I am today?" she prompted.
"Yeah," I replied.
"With me being both an evil creature hunter and the biggest teenaged female body--," she says.
I nodded.
"Well first of all, let me explain how I got there," she said. "Before I explain to you how I become an evil creature hunter, let me explain to you how I become a female bodybuilder. It's a long story: When I was like a school-age kid - probably eight or nine years old - my parents subscribe to The Southern Watermelon Newspaper. They unsubscribe today because they couldn't afford no more, but back then they were indulged with the newspaper with Sunday Editions being sent every Sunday with supplements that include The Southern Watermelon Magazine, a TV Guide paper magazine, coupons and extra coupons, and other stuff like that. Those days, I skim and scan weekly issues of The Southern Watermelon Magazine just out of curiosity. But then on Sunday, I saw a cover that featured this famous female bodybuilder named...
"Elena McHarridon?" I interject.
"Yeah, Elena McHarridon," she said. "I looked at her featured article and...what she has done with her physique is absolutely stunning. More than absolutely stunning. So much so that I started to watch her bodybuilding process through television and then I started dreaming to be like her. I want to have a physique like hers. So I start doing her bodybuilding routine through her exercise programs on the internet and on the DVDs for almost every weekday. I also undergo her six-meal plan, which can be a bit much for a kid but actually essential to building that physique. About several years later up until I was thirteen, I almost made it. My physique is starting to look like hers. I feel like I almost achieved it. However, as I delved deeper into my training and aspirations, I realized that merely emulating Elena McHarridon's physique wasn't enough. I wonder, what if I would not only want a physique like her but also bigger than her."
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I listened to her...while we're waiting for our orders.
"Now, you known about the Southern Watermelon Female Bodybuilding Competitions and consists of three titles: the world strongest teenage girl, the world's strongest woman, and the most grand championship of all, the world's strongest female of all time," Cheyanne continued. "If you started as teenage girl, then you'll be eligible for not just competing for the world's strongest female but also the world's strongest woman...when you grown up to become a woman and still compete. If you're starting out as a woman, then not only you're only eligible for the world's strongest woman and the world's strongest female but also you have to compete against teenage girls who are also vying for the title of the world's strongest female as well."
"And Elena McHarridon claimed all of these, right?" I said.
"Yeah," Cheyanne said. "For almost a decade, she was the world's strongest teenage girl of all time but also the world's strongest woman and the world's strongest female of all time...and as I'm super seriously considering entering not one, but two of the Southern Watermelon Female Bodybuilding Competitions (cause I'm not a woman yet), I aspire to achieve that level of strength. The idea of becoming not just the strongest teenage girl in the world, but also the strongest woman and the strongest female of all time ignited a fire within me. I knew it would take relentless dedication, pushing my body beyond its limits, and mastering every aspect of the sport. With each rep, each meal, and each moment of sacrifice, I inched closer to my goal. And as I stood on the precipice of greatness, I knew that the journey was just beginning."
I listened.
She then continued. "So I start embarking on that one that would change the definition of what it meant to be a powerhouse in the world of bodybuilding. With the help of my dad, who is also an awesome bodybuilder, I trained harder, smarter, and with more focus than ever before with every lift and every sweat-soaked session that has brought me one step closer to my ultimate ambition. And as I entered for the title for the world's strongest teenage girl with my honed skills and my perfected sculpted physique, I couldn't ignore the rising presence of other female bodybuilders which also include my BFF Cayleen as well as Cymberly and the most 'fierce' of all," Cheyanne air quoting as she said "fierce', suggesting that my other BFF wasn't fierce as she was. "Cinnamon, a competitor who mirrored my determination and drive.....she just didn't achieved the results and so when I won, there's a whisper of rivalry stirred between me and her brewing as she, too, wants to be crowned for the title of the world's strongest teenage girl. For the title of the world's strongest female of all time, however, that's nothing compared to Cathyrine Cherryousky who wasn't just a competitor; but a true one and she is also a threat, a force to be reckoned with. And as our paths inevitably crossed on the stage, I knew that to achieve my dreams, I would have to surpass not only Elena McHarridon but also the formidable challenge that Cathyrine posed. And that challenge is intense, she's a woman, I'm a girl, so I knew she has an advantage over me. Then the stage was set for a showdown of epic proportions, where only one would emerge as the ultimate champion. And ultimately, the champion went to Cathyrine who achieved more than enough skills to get that level, matter of fact, above that level. I have nothing but tremendous respect for her; I couldn't top her off, I knew I couldn't."
I listen while taking a sip of water.
She then continued. "With Cathyrine crowning that title that I dreamed of, I stood on that stage as a warrior who had fought the best of her abilities. Yes I didn't get the crown, but my consolation is found in knowing that my journey was not exactly stated necessary by the acknowledgments of merits that I would earn, but rather by the staying power, the intense desire, and the unrelenting dedication that I manifestly display along the way. As I stood amidst the applause for Cathyrine, I become fully aware that true victory is more than just winning the championship or winning the crown. It inherits within the heart of every individual who have the courage to follow their dreams in an unceasingly intense way, overcoming the odds that are stacked against them. And it was then that I realized that my journey was far from over. To every setback that came my way, I was more than prepare to overcome it and come back even stronger. Finding new wells of the will within me with every rival who challenged me to the extremes of my capabilities. And for every moment of defeat, I was infallibly able to rise up again inspired by an unshakable faith in the possibilities of my own spirit. As I admirably looked upon at the sea of faces before me, I knew that this was not the end, but merely a new beginning. Equipped with the lessons learned from my experiences, I vowed to persist exerting force on the dividing lines of my capabilities, forging a path that would inspire others to pursue their desires with the same intense and passionate feeling as well as the quality of being very determined."
I continued to listen while taking another sip of water.
"So I made a long pretense-free expression of warm approval towards Cathyrine," Cheyanne continued. "Her act of defeating in the competition was fully deserved, and I give her a polite expression of admiration for the excellent degree of being dedicated and the ability to do something well that she brought to the stage. But I have to let her know that my path of becoming the strongest female is far from over. And while the road ahead may be fraught with situations that tests my abilities, I deal with it with a firmness of purpose that has a knowledge of no limits. In the arena of life, true champions are determined not by their holding of titles, but by the courage they demonstrate, their resilience and indomitable spirit. I take my next steps forward well aware of the fact that the best victories are ahead of me."
I nodded as I listened her whole story. "I can only imagine the dedication and hard work you've put into your training," I said. "It must be demanding to a great degree to pour your heart and soul into something you're passionate about, only to face such tough competition. Your consistency and persistence really do an amazing job of keeping your head above water."
"Thanks," Cheyanne said. "I have to remind you that these competitions take place in the late morning and afternoon every summer, including even this summer where me and my family had some super-ass hard times but that didn't deterred me from entering the competition."
I then take a deep breath. "I probably have to tell you that Cathyrine happens to be my mom."
Cheyanne's eyes widen slightly in surprise as she processes the revelation.
"She not only has boobs of steel, but also Glutes of Granite," I continued. "A term - that I come up with - that emphasizes the strongest fighter that also happens to have the largest buttocks."
She takes a moment to absorb the information before responding, her tone reflecting a mixture of humility and respect.
"Wow, what a small fucking world," she said. "I had no idea. Your mom is truly remarkable as fuck, and I can see where you get your strength and resoluteness from. It's an honor to have competed alongside her, even more so knowing she's your mom. I have the utmost respect for her, and I can only imagine the support and inspiration she provides you. It's clear that greatness runs in your family. Thank you for sharing that with me."
"You're welcome," I said. "I see you also have boobs of steel and Glutes of Granite as well, just second-only to--"
"To your mom, right," she interject.
"Now can we get to the 'defeating evil creatures' part?" I asked.
"I'm going there now so take a deep breath," she said.
I inhaled.
"And breathe out," she said.
I exhaled.
"Now on to your question...," she says. "The reason why I got into bodybuilding is not because to simply become a bodybuilder but also become one of a hunter, one that withstand even the most powerful evil creature around. So I can defeat evil creatures the easy way. I also dream of not just protecting the city but also protecting the world. And, like I said earlier, when the aforementioned threats are coming into play, I knew that this is my moment to shine. My moment to become.."
"An evil creature hunter," I said.
"Yeah," she nodded. "I have been a hunter and a bodybuilder competitor since sixth grade. No, the summer after sixth grade. So I have been focusing on growing my big-ass muscles and also kicking evil creature butt."
"So how do you become an earthbender?" I asked.
"How do I become an earthbender?" she prompted.
"Yeah," I said.
"Well my dad teaches me that stuff as well...," she said. "....because he show me some cool-ass earthbending shit...because he is also an earthbender too; he used to attend the Southern Watermelon Elemental Bending Class when he was a young kid through a teenager. That went out of business when he becomes my dad and there are currently no elemental bending class to speak off so it was really the family relative or a friend who know a certain kind of an elemental bender knowledge - if they have any - that you could be taught one...because that family relative or that friend has attended that elemental bending class. Otherwise, you probably sticking with pure martial arts classes instead."
"Now back to bodybuilding, you lost the claim of the world's strongest female to Cathyrine, which is my mom, but you did claim the world's strongest teenage girl," I said.
"Yes," Cheyanne said.
"Because Cinnamon told me that she was trying to bulk up every year so she can beat you," I said to Cheyanne, remembering the lunch conversation with Cinnamon and Cymberly back on the first day of high school. "How did you manage to still win?"
"Okay so my success in teenage girl bodybuilding is a culmination of relentless dedication and strategic planning," I said. "I view them not as mere triumphs, but as validations of my commitment to the sport and my personal goals. Like I said earlier, Cinnamon is a worthy competitor, just not that worthy. Yet. While I do acknowledge her talent and hard work, I also recognizes my own strengths and advantages and it's my ability to adapt and push herself beyond limits that helped me reached that goal, something that Cinnamon hasn't found out yet."
I listen to her explanation as I take another sip of water.
"I see her approach to competing as a mix of firmness of purpose and perhaps misguided tactics," she continued. "While I do respect Cinnamon's drive to surpass my ass, I feel sure of the fact that true accomplishment of that aim in bodybuilding in general comes not just from sheer muscle mass, but from a combination of the state of being physically strong, the pleasing proportion of the similar parts of a thing, and overall presentation. Through the senses, I may became aware of her single-minded focus on bulking up as a strategic error, as it may compromise other aspects of her physique and performance. Despite our rivalry, I hold no ill will towards Cinnamon. I reframe my encounters with her as being a competitive spirit to me and I admire her strong will and fervour about it. While I understand her frustration at not being able to defeat me, I ideally envisage the both of us using our rivalry to reach new levels in our individual pursuits related to teenage girl bodybuilding."
"Okay so I do understand your perspective," I said. "But what about evil creature hunting? Is there a competition? And were you happy that you get all the honor roll achievements that Cinnamon doesn't get and also happy that you ace the SAT better than her?"
"Okay first of all, let's talk about the ACTs and the honor rolls," Cheyanne said. "The ACTs and the honor rolls are very different experiences unlike female bodybuilding," she explained. "In either of those two, I didn't intentionally trying to outshine Cinnamon nor the rest of the students. I just simply striving for the quality of amazeballs, setting up high standards for myself and work diligently to achieve them. Still, like I said with female bodybuilding, she probably needs to look at the error of her ways and, you know, consider that we all have different paths and goals. It's not about outshining anyone else; it's about personal growth and achievement. This also explains why I'm taking AP courses...not just because to earn a scholarship, but also setting myself up a high bar as I can."
I then take yet another sip of water as I listen to her yet again.
"Now on to the 'fact'," she air quotes the word 'fact'. "...that I'm 'better'..," she air quotes the word 'better' as she explains. "...on evil creature hunting, I acknowledge her frustration and struggles in defeating evil creatures," she said. "I could see through the status of dead evil creatures and who had defeated them. And I couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy as I knew what it was like to be in that position, constantly striving to catch up to someone seemingly always ahead. But Cheyanne also knew her own capabilities. She didn't set out to outshine her friends; she simply did what she knew best—hunting evil creatures and protecting her friends in the process. If that meant stepping in when Cinnamon needed backup, then so be it. But so far, Cinnamon doesn't ask me for backup. She enlist her best friend Cymberly for backup."
Then our conversation got interrupted by Cayleen, who had just entered the restaurant and approached toward us while carrying her black purse.
"Hey guys," Cayleen said.
"Hey there BFF," Cheyanne said.
"Hey Cayleen," I said.
"I just came to report that Haddie the Monster is alive," Cayleen said as she sat down beside Cheyanne on the same seat.
"Wait, what?!" Cheyanne said as she reacts with shock.
"Yeah I just got a notification that said Haddie the Monster is still on the loose," Cayleen said as she showed the notification on her smartphone screen to both of us. First she showed it to Cheyanne. And then it showed it to me.
The notification reads:
From the Evil Creature Tracker App:
Haddie the Monster is confirmed to regain consciousness and restrengthen to become an evil creature again.
"Wait, how did you guys know about Haddie the Monster?" I asked Cheyanne and Cayleen.
"Well I was on an evil creature hunt last night," Cheyanne explained to me. "And I just happened to find a monster named Haddie the Monster and beat the shit out of her."
"Yeah she beat the shit out of that bitchy monster like a woman," Cayleen said to me. "Apparently she doesn't stay dead after all." She than glances at Cheyanne, who in turn, glances at Cayleen
Cheyanne sighed again as she looks slightly down upfront at the table. "Guess I have to beat the shit out of her again," she said.
"Well...," I started to speak as I wanted to offer a different perspective but then hesitated, realizing the sensitive nature of my next words.
Cheyanne and Cayleen glanced at me, waiting for me to speak up.
"First of all, I love the fact that you tried defeating Haddie the Monster," I said. "I admire your bravery in facing that monster. But, and I don't want to break it to you guys....but...this is...." I paused again as I still hesitated.
Cheyanne and Cayleen are still glancing at me, waiting for me to continue.
Then I spit it out. "Perhaps this is a battle meant for Cinnamon," I said.
Cheyanne and Cayleen glanced at each other in confusion.
"You see, Cinnamon is not only in detention but also grounded for a month," I explained. "And in evil creature hunting nights, she failed to beat that monster up not once but twice. She's also failed to beat The Baroillain up once. And she's not gonna let her determination be wasted by her punishment. So she seems pretty set on making Haddie the Monster and The Baroillain her two own personal nemeses," I explained. "Maybe she wants to handle this one solo, you know?"
Cheyanne and Cayleen glanced at me again, this time with a nod, considering my words.
"You're right," Cheyanne finally said with a nod. "Cinnamon deserves her chance to confront Haddie and/or The Baroillain on her own terms. But I have to tell you she needs to prove herself and overcome the challenge on her own terms, otherwise I would rather hoped to level the playing field and show Cinnamon that we are in this together, as equals beating the shit of either Haddie the Monster, The Baroillain or both. For me, it was about striking the delicate balance between pushing each other to be distinguishable by superiority and ensuring that nobody felt left behind. I wanted Cinnamon to know that I had her back, both in victory and in defeat, and that together, we could overcome any challenge that stood in our way."
"Here you go guys," the same muscular waitress came back with not just a stand in one hand and a big-ass circular dish on the other hand that is consists of not one but two plates of meals (her name is Lashunay, by the way) but also with another muscular waitress (with not much physique as Leshunay but still) who carry her own stand and her own circular dish consisting of a plate of a meal (her name is Elbertine, I can see her name tag on her uniform, which also applies to Leshunay). They both put the stands on the ground and placed the circular dishes on top of the dishes. Leshunay place both meal dishes towards Cheyanne while Elbertine places the one meal plate towards me.
So here's my dish consist of a cheeseburger and a bunch of french fries while Cheyanne's dishes consist of two BIG-ASS double meat chicken burritos and two BIG-ASS deli style roast beef sandwiches (both of them complete with lettuce and tomatoes and other stuff) on one dish and multiple slices of grilled streak along with baked potatoes, a few air fryer lemon dill scallops as well as lot of greens on the other dish. Like what I saw Cathyrine and Aunt Catherine from the picnic at the Freshman Orientation, Cheyanne has a BIGGER-ASS appetite, a big-ass appetite that is even BIGGER-ASS-er than my mom and my aunt's. I guess Cheyanne is upping her bodybuilding diet to new heights.
"Hey would like to get an order," Leshunay asked Cayleen.
"Me?" Cayleen replied as she point fingers at herself.
"Yeah," Leshunay prompted.
"No thanks," Cayleen said. "I'm good."
"Okay," Leshunay said before she grabs the circular dish off of the stand and holds it with one hand while grabbing the stand with the other hand. Elbertine did the same thing: she grabs her circular dish off of her stand and holds the dish on one hand while holding the stand with the other hand.
"Enjoy you meal you two," Leshunay said to both me and Cheyanne before Leshunay and Elbertine walked off.
Cheyanne and I started to dig in to our meals. Still as we dig in, we're still having a conversation both with each other and with Cayleen.
"Well, that's a nice-ass lovely-ass perspective of your journeys, Cheyanne," I said. "Does your dad also into a bodybuilding competition?"
"Yes he enters the Southern Watermelon Male Bodybuilding Competitions," she said. "It's the same thing as the female ones: the world's strongest teenage boy, the world's strongest man and the world's strongest male of all time. He didn't won either but was still proud of what he had done."
"How about your dad?" Cayleen asked me.
I shook my head. "No, he works as a salesman for The Steven Lotion Company," I said. "He's currently on a business trip."
"Oh," Cayleen nodded.
"My dad works for the company as well," Cheyanne said before she takes another bite of her first meal.
"Has you dad entered---," I said to Cayleen.
"Yeah," Cayleen interject, "He's on the same boat as her dad," she point fingers at Cheyanne, referring 'her dad' to Cheyanne's dad.
"Okay," I said with a nod. "How was your life going?"
"How was my life going?" she replied.
"Yeah," I prompted.
"Well my life is not good," Cayleen said. "My comic book shop is currently in danger of going out of business, and if profits won't come to match to pay for the lease, then well...I have to find a new job, which is pretty disappointing because I'm really, really looking forward to see the next upcoming chapter of The Preternatural Girl," referring to a female superhero that is fairly popular among Southern Watermelon. "I probably would have to buy it online, if my shop goes under."
"I'm very sorry for you," I said.
"That's okay," she said. "That's what is called life."
"So currently, where do you work, and do you have time to go to the gym?" I asked Cheyanne.
"Well...," she said. "I'm currently having a day-off right now but usually since late-August, I work at a retail after school to do my afternoon part-time shift, up until like several minutes before four o'clock. That's when I do my one and a half hour afternoon workout until dinner at 5:30pm. After that I do my homework and, if I have time, will go out and do evil creature hunting. I was doing evil creature hunting then - when my mom comes home at night - on a regular basis before I went into the job business."
"You workout at home?" I asked.
She takes yet another slip of water before she open her mouth yet again. "Yeah," she said. "Before my family's financial crisis, I used to go to the gym almost five to six days a week."
"Five to six days a week?" I asked.
"Yeah. But now after...you know what, I no longer afford to go to the gym," she said. "So me and my family built a home gym and Cayleen--,"
"Yeah I helped them out," Cayleen said to me while point fingers at herself and Cheyanne. "I use some money to buy some equipment for her so that she doesn't have to worry about buying it herself."
"Oh," I said with a nod. "Okay, do you have additional workout besides the one and a half one after work?" I asked Cheyanne.
"Well I woke up at 5:00am," Cheyanne said. "This where I eat breakfast."
I exchange a skeptic look on my face, doubting whether anyone could willingly wake up at such an ungodly hour, especially for the most important meal of the day.
"Yeah I know," Cheyanne acknowledges. "You wondering why I eat breakfast at such an earlier time but that's start of my mourning routine. Then at around 5:30am, I have an hour and fifteen minute morning training with my dad, who wouldn't mind having me getting bigger, stronger and taller than him. Then after that, at 6:45am, I take a shower, brush my fucking teeth, get dressed and speed run to school by around 7:00. Yep, I don't go to a school bus or a MetroBus or any other transportation. I speed run to school. Then I go to the cafeteria for a mid-morning snack it's leftovers from home or both leftovers and breakfast food from the serving line. Now the first day of school, I didn't go to the cafeteria because I don't know, maybe I was too anxious or eager to start. Everything felt new and unfamiliar on the first day of school. And I wanted to make sure I arrived at my homeroom on time, possible to scope out the surroundings or simply to settle in...because I thought school starts minutes after I arrived. But then as the minutes went by and I realized I must have been looking at the wrong time. So I checked the school's pamphlet and it said that school starts an half hour after I arrived. So...it's a mistake on my part."
"I have made that mistake as well," Cayleen said. "We're hoping that, next time, we use the school times very wisely."
"But you guys go to the cafeteria for breakfast on the second day, right?" I prompted.
"Yeah," Cheyanne and Cayleen replied and nodded at once.
"Before homeroom?" I prompted
"Huh huh," Cheyanne replied.
"I have the same morning routine as her," Cayleen said as she point fingers at Cheyanne again. "I woke up at 5:00am, eat breakfast before undergoing my morning training with my dad at 5:30am. After that, I shower, brush my teeth, get dressed before I speed run to school, just like my BFF."
"Did you guys know about Cinnamon and Cymberly's mourning routines?" I asked.
"Um...not that I know of," Cheyanne said.
"Me neither," Cayleen said. "But I'm guessing they following the six-meal diet plan as we do...cause they have almost the same physique as the both of us," she point fingers at herself and Cheyanne.
I nodded again. "So given the state that you and your family currently in, are you sure you're gonna maintain your physique and performances enough to enter another round of female bodybuilding competitions next year?" I asked Cheyanne.
Cheyanne immediately pauses and think about for a moment. As she thinks, she glances at Cayleen yet again, who, in turn, glances back at her yet again as Cayleen, too, is thinking about the same thing.
Cheyanne then glances back at me yet again. "Yeah," she said while nodded. "I'm definitely sure."
Cayleen glances back at me yet again.
"What happens if you don't make it?" I asked.
Cheyanne went dumbstruck as she struggled to answer the question; it's evident that she wants to maintain her relative standing as the world's strongest teenage girl. However, the harsh reality of their financial crisis looms over her aspirations. With the cost of living steadily rising and her and her family still being dependent on their income, the prospect of balancing extremely thorough bodybuilding training with the demands of a job weighs heavily on her mind. She knows that failing to make it in those competitions could not only mean relinquishing her title and the opportunities they bring but also unable to achieve the title of the world's strongest female as best as she can, but the necessity of supporting her family adds an extra layer of pressure to her already daunting journey.
Cheyanne draws in a deep breath with her eyes focused on the floor briefly before she looks up at me yet again. "This is going to be tough as shit," she says, sounding resolute nonetheless. "But I will come through; my family needs me, and so do my dreams. Even if I have to work like a dog, I'll do whatever it takes to stay in the match."
I nod, understanding the weight of her decision. "I believe in you, Cheyanne," I say, offering a supportive smile. "You've already shown me your incredible-ass strength, both physically and mentally. You'll find a way to overcome this challenge too."
Cayleen nodded at Cheyanne as well. "Don't worry girlfriend, we've got your back every step of the way," she says with a reassuring smile. "Me and Calhoun will navigate you through this tough time and and you come out with considerable vigor on the other side."
Cheyanne nods at Cayleen. "Thanks guys," she said.
"You're welcome," Cayleen and I said it together.
Cheyanne and I continue to eat our afternoon lunch. Meanwhile Cayleen stayed with us the rest of the time to hangout with us, even though she wouldn't order any meals herself.