章節 64: Change
"Is it just me or do you look more different than usual?", Zephyr questioned as he saw Alex entering the classroom.
"What do you mean?", Alex innocently asked, shrugging.
"You've done something to your hair", Zephyr commented, observing how Alex had changed her hairstyle, "You're also dressed up like Haley".
"I thought I'd change things up", Alex stated, twirling to give him a view, "What do you think?".
"You look good", Zephyr complimented, "But I feel like there's more to this sudden change than you're letting on".
Alex groaned, "Stop acting like an old man. There's nothing to it. I just thought it'd be nice to try something new. If you don't like it, well, too bad".
"You're also more snappy than usual", Zephyr muttered, not paying her words too much attention. After thinking about it for a few more seconds, he turned to look at Alex who was now sitting beside him, "Did something happen at home?".
"Nothing happened", Alex said, rolling her eyes.
"I got it", Zephyr clapped, "Haley. You're missing your sister".
"Pft. As if", Alex waved off his claim, "There's no way I'd miss Haley. She's so annoying".
Hearing her answer, Zephyr sighed and laid down his head on the table, "If that's not it, then I don't know what. You're doing well academically. Haley doesn't bother you anymore. There are no problems at home. You're getting on well with-wait! That's it! There must be a problem between you and Amelia".
"Stop getting carried away", Alex interrupted, "There's nothing wrong between me and Amelia. If anything, we're doing really well. She even invited me over for a girl's night this Saturday. Emily's going to be there as well".
"I give up", Zephyr murmured, "I don't know what's wrong".
"That's why I've already told you, there's nothing wrong with me", Alex exasperatedly said.
"I don't believe you", Zephyr defiantly argued, "I'll get to the bottom of this, no matter what".
"Good luck then", Alex sighed, giving up trying to convince her boyfriend.
"I'm a detective woman, I don't need luck", Zephyr confidently replied.
Alex released a tired sigh, "Oh yeah. Dad wants you to come over to ours. Luke's been doing magic and he wants to show off how much he's progressed".
"Why do I have to go though?", Zephyr complained.
"Because you're close to Luke's age and because you're his 'bro'", Alex answered.
"I can't believe I have to go to a magic show of all things", Zephyr stated, "I could be doing much better things with my time".
"Like what?", Alex inquired.
"Not too sure, but I'm planning on releasing another game in a month's time and I'm quickly going through the game to remove any bugs. I also have to outline the marketing strategy and handle the promotion of other games that my company has released so that there are more users outside of the US. According to the statistics I've seen, 79% of the users of my games are American or live in the US. I'm also thinking of how to increase the popularity of my games in the Middle East where there are virtually no people who've downloaded my games", Zephyr answered.
"Sounds like you're actually busy", Alex muttered.
"What do you 'actually busy'? I don't think you understand the difficulties of creating a company at the tender age of 14 and turning it into a multi-million dollar company", Zephyr ranted, "Because I'm under the age of 18, I have to go through so many extra procedures and complete a bunch of extra paperwork".
"It's fine. I get it", Alex said, realising the stress and workload Zephyr had to go through, "But maybe this is a good opportunity for you to relax. You're always telling me to relax, so now, I'm the one telling you".
"Don't think that just because I'm amazed with how hot you look I won't investigate why you've dressed up like Haley", Zephyr righteously replied.
Despite rolling her eyes, a large smile tugged at Alex's lips at his comment.
[Time Skip]
"Wrong!", Alex exclaimed as she looked over at the test that Claire was doing.
"I am thinking", Claire replied.
"If you were thinking", Alex retorted, "Then you wouldn't have Seattle as the Capital City of Washington".
"Oh!", Claire exclaimed in realisation as she used a rubber to rub out her answer, "It's Spokane".
"Sure. Which makes the 11th President of the United States 'James. K. Psilk'", Alex countered.
"Alex! Stop! I am trying to think", Claire raised her voice, returning her attention to the quiz.
Before she could even think, she was interrupted by Alex, "Buzz. Time's up dummy. It's Olympia". Walking over to Luke, she said, "Make sure you sound out the big scary long words", before slapping his head into an empty cereal box, cackling as she walked away.
Unknown to her, Zephyr, who observed what she did, quickly jotted things down in a pocket-sized notebook and stealthily walked up the two flights of stairs and back into Alex's bedroom.
Once Alex left the room, Luke turned to look at his mom and said, "Mom. Something's on my mind and it's really bothering me".
"It's really bothering me too", Claire replied, "But I'm pretty sure it's going to marry someone really rich so we better be nice to it".
"I wanna quit magic", Luke announced.
"What?!", Claire yelled.
[Time Skip]
"So, how long's this going to take?", Zephy inquired, looking at the shackled and dangling form of Luke.
"It shouldn't take too long", Phil explained as he tightened the vice that held the rope that Luke was dangling off.
"What he didn't mention is that he's also trying to prove a point", Claire added.
"It's not about trying to prove a point", Phil argued, "I'm certain that Luke wants to give up because magic is getting hard. So if he fails at breaking out, it will prove that Luke just wants to stop because he's struggling".
"So you're trying to prove a point", Zephyr simplified.
Phil sighed, "Yeah. Basically". As Luke dangled from a rope, Phil turned to look at his son, "Try to look at this from my perspective Luke. The more you struggle, the tighter the chains become".
"I can't", Luke said, "I literally can't".
"Woah. I never knew Luke could use big words", Alex snipped, receiving a glare from her mother.
"I'm not raising a quitter", Phil said as he walked over to be face-to-face with Luke, "Trust me, Luke. I know what's best for you. And watch your time. On the stage version, the rope's on fire and you're suspended above a bed of nails".
"Why are you making me do this?!", Luke angrily complained as he continued attempting to force himself out of the shackles, "I told you! I don't want to do magic!".
"Yes! Yes! Yes! Use that anger Lukini!", Phil exclaimed, "Let it be the key that opens the vault of fear, the chalice of hope, the elixir of success".
After a few more seconds, Luke calmed himself down and managed to break out of the shackles, descending onto the ground and picking himself up.
"Son of Alkazeel! You've done it!", Phil yelled.
"You know what?! I quit!", Luke screamed, throwing the outfit onto the floor and walking away.
Phil stared at the outfit for a second before running after Luke. Once Phil left the room, Zephyr spent a few seconds in deep thought before realisation struck him, "I've done it!".
"Done what?", Alex and Claire asked at the same time.
"I've figured it out!", Zephyr exclaimed, "I've finally figured out why you've been so moody. The reason for the outfit change, the hair, the bracelet, everything".
Alex raised her eyebrow while Claire directed all her attention towards him, "Go on!".
"Looking at the magic trick, I've noticed that the only reason it works is that there are two opposing forces at play which keep each other in check", Zephyr stated, pointing at the outfit on the floor.
"Hurry up!", Claire complained.
"Right", Zephyr nodded his head, "Despite the fact that Haley was always rude, on her phone and paid little to no attention to anyone but herself, she kept you in balance with her mean comments. Now that she's gone, you don't have Haley to direct those built-up emotions to and you've been more ... volatile as a result. It would also explain your sudden change in wardrobe".
"Oh My God!", Claire yelled, "You're right!".
Despite being surprised, Alex knew that Zephyr was right, and not wanting to have to listen to her mom, she walked out of the room. "Alex! Honey! Please come back!", Claire shouted as she followed after Alex. Zephyr, knowing that he shouldn't be there for Alex's talk with her mother, sat down on a couch, blankly staring at the outfit still on the floor.
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