It had been a year and a half since malevolent forces attacked the monster world. There weren’t many casualties, and the malicious intent from the troops had ceased. However, because of their actions, Streterra, the Academy of that world, had been destroyed. Teachers advised the students to lie low until they could fix the place and up the security, to make sure nothing like that happened again.

It had also been around a year and a half since Isabelle got offered to attend this academy before the schools were up and running again. She got the chance to team up with a dark magician, but also would be the first human to attend a school designated for students that aren’t like her. They have different ‌monsters disguised as humans, so she’d have no problem blending in with the rest of her peers.

However, Isabelle hadn’t told her mom about the big news, not yet anyway. What if her mom said no? Would she have time to explain everything to her?

Isabelle got dressed and went downstairs with her bag in hand. She turned the corner and entered the living room, where her mom read a book on the couch. Isabelle cleared her throat, hoping to get her mom’s attention before leaving for the day.

Isabelle’s mom, Irene, glanced up at her daughter, tapping her foot impatiently.

“Oh hey, you’re up, and not on your laptop and headphones for once.” She said, placing a bookmark in between the pages before closing it.

“Hello to you too,” Isabelle muttered, rolling her eyes. Of course, that’s what you’d say first thing.

“I don’t see you around as much, so I consider it a surprise.” Irene looked down and noticed the bag. “Are you going somewhere?”

“Yeah, I got some errands I need to take care of.”

“Actually getting fresh air and sunshine instead of being cooped up in your room, I’m so proud of you.” Her mom joked.

“Mom...”

“Oh, if you don’t mind, I’d like for you to pick up some stuff for me.”

“You want me to go out by myself?” Isabelle asked overdramatically.

“Didn’t you say that—?”

“I know. I was just messing with you.” Isabelle chuckled.

Her mom reached into her bag to pull out her wallet as she handed her daughter some money for her troubles.

“Just stay safe please, and don’t stay out late, ok?”

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“I will, I promise,” Isabelle replied, putting away the change in her bag.

“And don’t dillydally around the town or spend any money on useless junk.”

“My computer equipment’s aren’t useless junk, mother, you wouldn’t understand, since the complications of—”

“Don’t you have somewhere to be? You don’t have all day, you know...”

“Oh, right, I got to go!” Isabelle exclaimed as she turned on a heel and hurried out the door. “See you later, mom!”

“Bye, Isabelle!”

.-.-.-.

Isabelle went to the grocery to get some items from her mom's list. Once she took care of that, she used the rest of the spare change to buy medicine from the pharmacy store across the street.

Once she got everything in plastic bags, Isabelle stopped by the windows near the exit to look at the sun creaking through the clouds surrounding the sky.

She sighed in contentment, then checked her watch. Isabelle sighed in content, then checked her watch. She had time before the sun set. Could she finish everything she set out to do?

Just before exiting the doors, she overheard somebody talking about her from near the area.

“Hey, is that the pretty assistant lady?”

“Oh my god, it is!”

Isabelle turned to the source of the voices. There, she spotted two kids, one boy, and one girl, with their mother beside the checkout. She glanced from both sides. Could they be talking about anyone else besides her? They seemed to look at her specifically, whispering amongst themselves in excitement while their mom tried to get all the groceries scanned from their cart.

“Who, me?” Isabelle pointed at herself and asked.

“Yeah!” The kids exclaimed, hopping up and down from their seats. If neither of them sat in the front seat of the cart, they probably would’ve run over to hug the girl.

Isabelle giggled, her cheeks tickled in pink. “Aw, thank you, guys.”

Their mom was about to tell her kids to keep it down. When she finished her groceries and turned to spot Isabelle, her face also lit up.

“Well, what do you know?”

“Hello there.” Isabelle walked towards them with a smile on her face. “I take it you’ve seen our shows?”

“Of course. My kids are big fans of you guys.”

“Hey, thanks, but I only take partial credit for them. The real star is the dark magician himself, and Harry and Chi-chi too.”

“His talking animals are so cute!” The little girl added.

“That magician guy is so cool!” The little boy exclaimed. “When’s his next show?”

Isabelle shook her head and frowned.

“Sorry, but he’s out of commission right now.” When she noticed the disappointed looks on the kids’ faces, she gave them a hopeful smile. “But don’t worry, he’s tough. He’ll be out of his funk in no time. And when Ben- I mean the magician gets better, he’ll be out there performing before you know it.”

“Oh, ok.” The kids responded, feeling better.

“I need to go and deliver the medicine,” Isabelle told them.

“Let’s leave her be.” The mother figure told the kids. “We shouldn’t bother the young lady while she’s busy.”

Everyone waved goodbye as they went their separate ways, going back to what they were doing beforehand.