being busy. This semester may be on the slow side in terms of school workload but adding the preparation for the competitions before our own personal training for next semester, it's a lot."
"Miya and Mia have been keeping track of what they can with any reports and ensuring security has been updated. It's a good thing we’ve updated all the security cameras and the process of recording or Ricardo would have gotten away with whatever he was scheming," I elaborated.
"Has his trial happened?"
"Surprisingly, yes. He has to get a verdict here in America and then be moved to Dubai to get more charges. Apparently, if you get enough charges, you have to serve them even in death."
"Even in death?" Finnick questioned with an eyebrow raised.
"Yup. They make a deal with a god who has connections with Lucifer in Hell to continue your sentencing or something. Apparently, it's worse than Hell, which must be super bad seeing as Hell is basically eternal burning."
"Forever degree burns. The ultimate price for being a sick bastard," Finnick concluded. "I'm so happy Connor was adopted then. It was hard on him, especially now that we know the mystery behind all of it."
"I can only imagine," I replied. "Megumi is so nice, too."
"She has a resting bitch face, though."
I laughed. "She warned me about that when I had a conversation with her before the whole showdown. Connor's been wanting to introduce me since school started, but with how busy we've been, we could only do FaceTime. That's why I had her number. But that's the first thing she said when introducing herself. 'I'm sorry, but 99.9% of the time I look like an angry bitch, unless I'm in the moment of traveling. Then, I actually attempt to smile.' It was the perfect ice breaker for our conversation."
"That's priceless." He chuckled with a reminiscing smile. "Connor is one to always be cool and collected. He doesn't like burdening anyone else with his worries and concerns. I'm glad he has you, especially when Ricardo tried threatening him."
"His father was merely taking advantage of timed aggravation," I reasoned. "He knew by pushing Connor into a corner, he'd have no choice but to submit. I'm glad I could be there for him, but I almost thought all of that wouldn't even happen. We’d been secretly preparing for the confrontation all week, and nothing happened. Good thing Alice was there, too."
"Have you two gotten to hang out at all?"
"Ugh, no. I'm so annoyed. We're technically sisters and we barely get to see each other in the halls. I know she's on her own mission so she's definitely not on the same school schedule as us. She's taking classes with Professor Phoenix so she can multitask and find what she needs from our universe. I'm not sure of the details, but at the same time, I don't think she'd be able to tell us even if she wanted to."
"Don't want to alter timelines?" Finnick suggested.
"Basically," I replied. "That's my best guess. This whole multi-universe thing is so confusing. At the same time, I don't think we'll have the time to even learn how we're all connected."
"I think we will," Finnick quietly admitted. "Though it won't be during this crazy semester. And let's all pray it's not next semester because we have enough on our foreseen plate."
"How's the preparation for the festival next semester?” I inquired.
"It's going well so far." His whole face lit up at the topic. "It's about one-sixth done, but it's getting there. It's a big piece so I need more materials."
"Should we go buy some when we get a chance?"
"Actually, Mr. Wasaki said he'd send some over. I need a specific type but they're super expensive. He's going to be representing me during the competition, so he said any materials I need, I should just ask, and he'll get them to me."
"I'm glad he's so supportive. Are you still getting hounded by agents?"
"Yup." He laughed. "I put my phone on Do Not Disturb now with the only calls to go through being from you, Mr. Wasaki, and the guys. Can't deal with my phone vibrating every other minute."
"The tough life of an artist," I declared as he finished massaging my feet. "Thank you for the massage."
"You deserve it," he said with loving eyes. "You've really been working hard. All the student body sees how hard the council is pushing this semester. I think that's why they're working so hard as well."
"You think?"
"Definitely," he answered. "They're really inspired by your