Before leaving the house, Ava fixed everything. She washed their dishes, cleaned the table, and locked all the doors. She was glad that she could spend some time with her brother and the old man, despite their challenging situation.
"Don't you think Ava is kind of weird?" The old man asked, sitting on the porch with Ash and Shawn. "What I mean is, she had never been this caring before. She was always acting like she didn't care, but she has changed."
"Yup, I noticed that too," Ash agreed.
"Perhaps because she already got used to her new life? She's actually a flexible girl, adaptive, and can survive in any environment," Shawn said. "People can change, so you don't have to worry too much."
"I didn't expect her to get quickly influenced by the people around her, especially because she doesn't easily trust anyone. But I think it's convenient to be flexible," the old man replied. "It seems like she's enjoying her new life."
"Why wouldn't she enjoy it, old man?" Ash interrupted. "She got everything—food, money, shelter, and even people who love and take care of her. This is so unfair!"
"Well, we can't deny that harsh truth, Ash," Shawn replied. "Life has never been fair. But everyone is fighting their own battle, so you have to always be kind."
"You're really smart, brother," Ash complimented. "Where have you learned those things?"
"I think we should go now," Ava interrupted as she got out. She put on her black hat. It seemed like she was about to attend a funeral because she was wearing all black.
"What's with that attire, Ava?" the old man asked. "I thought we were going to a restaurant not to attend Halloween or a funeral, aren't we?"
"Sorry, master. I have to wear this because I don't want to be recognized around. Have you seen that video about a girl who saved those students and teachers at Jefferson High School? That was exactly me, so I gotta be careful."
"It's okay; although people would have something to say about you, well, they always have something to say, so you might as well do what you want," Shawn said. "Just don't get angry if people make fun of you."
"Thanks, Shawn!" Ava replied. "We should go now before Charlotte can come back."
Shawn smiled in reply. Although Ava was wearing all black, he still found her beautiful and sexy. Although it wasn't her real body, he still admired her. He knew he shouldn't love someone's body, so it doesn't matter what Ava looks like. He wouldn't be ashamed of her.
Ava was about to enter the door of the restaurant when she bumped into someone—a mysterious man wearing a hood and eyeglasses. Ava apologized to him, saying that she didn't mean it as she wasn't looking her way, but the man didn't say anything and just smiled at her like a demon.
The person's smile remained clear in Ava's mind. She got stuck on her feet; she couldn't move. She wanted to scream and ask for help, but she couldn't open her mouth. She knew there was something wrong with that man.
Fortunately, Shawn noticed that Ava wasn't moving, so he went towards her and saw a mysterious man walking away. Shawn also noticed that Ava was looking at the man, so he got worried if something happened.
"Are you alright?" Shawn asked. "There are lots of weirdos in this world; you shouldn't mind them."
Ava came back to her senses after hearing Shawn's voice. She took a deep breath and replied, "I'm fine. But that man doesn't look ordinary to me. I have this feeling that he has some bad intentions."
"Don't think too much about it, Ava. You should be more careful next time," Shawn said. "Come on, let's get inside. Ash and the old man are waiting for you."
Ava followed Shawn inside the restaurant and continued to the reserved table. It seemed like the old man and Ash got another table. Ava didn't notice that Shawn considered it their first date, as she was busy thinking about that mysterious man.
The waiter gave Shawn the menu. Shawn asked Ava what she wanted to eat, but it seemed like her mind was preoccupied with something else as she didn't answer.
"Hey, are you still there?" Shawn waved his hand in front of Ava's face. "What's going on with you?"
"Um, sorry," Ava apologized. She couldn't stay calm. She could hear the pounding of her own heart, afraid that the man would show up again and murder her. "What's that again?"
"I'm asking if there's something you'd like to eat. Here, choose what you want." Shawn handed the menu to Ava. "You looked anxious. Is there something wrong?"
"I'm sorry, Shawn. I just don't feel comfortable here. I feel like someone is watching over us," Ava replied. "Can we just go home, please?"
"But what about Ash and the old man?" Shawn asked. "You know, they were both excited to go here, so we can't just leave them. Can you just relax or stay for a while?"
"Okay, if that's what you want," Ava said as she looked at Ash and the old man on the other table, who were both smiling. "It seems like they are enjoying themselves here. I don't want to destroy their mood, so I'll stay for a while."
"Thanks." Shawn touched Ava's hand on the table while looking directly at her face. "I know you're scared, but don't worry too much, because I'm here to protect you in case someone tries to hurt you."
Ava blushed upon hearing Shawn's words. She removed her hand and focused on the menu, as she didn't want to show him that she was blushing. Her fears turned into goosebumps as she realized there were only the two of them at one table.
Perhaps she just got delusional about that man she didn't even know. Why would she fear an ordinary person if she has magical abilities? Besides, Shawn was there to protect her. Ash and the old man were also there. So, there was nothing to worry about, Ava thought.
"Are you done choosing?" Shawn asked. "You can ask me if you don't recognize those foods. I'll make the choice for us so that it won't be difficult for you."
Ava handed back the menu to Shawn and said, "Please do. I'm not really familiar with all these foods. I think there are more recipes that I have to learn."
"Well, you don't have to overdo yourself. Just take it slow, and know that you can always ask for my help if you need it," Shawn replied. Then he called the waiter and ordered Hawaiian pizza and milkshakes.
Shawn felt like time was passing so fast every time he was with Ava. He couldn't hold back the smile that kept showing on his face as he watched Ava chew her food. He knew he could do this every day without getting bored.
"Are you thinking something bad about me?" Ava asked when she noticed Shawn staring at him. "I'm full now. We should go back already. It seems like Ash and the old man are also satisfied with their foods."
Shawn stood up and slipped his hand into the pocket of his jeans, and he realized that he had forgotten to bring his wallet. "My wallet's not here. Do you have some cash?"
"Oh! I forgot to bring money as well because I was in a hurry. How should we pay? I'm sure my brother and the old man don't have money either," Ava replied.
"God!" Shawn tapped his forehead in distress. "This is bad. I think we'll have to work for the food we ate."
So, instead of going home, Shawn, Ava, Ash, and the old man were forced to wash dishes to pay for the food they ate. Despite all of this disastrous experience, they still managed to laugh as hard as they could.
"I'm glad the owner allowed us to wash dishes instead of complaining about us. That would be a big deal," Shawn said. "I should go home now. See you tomorrow!"
Shawn took his way home, while Ava, Ash, and the old man also went on their way separately. They could still smile, as they knew they couldn't forget this experience. Those funny moments were usually unforgettable.
It was already evening when Shawn arrived home. He was glad that Ash and the old man found a part-time job at that restaurant where they caused trouble. They were hired as dishwashers. Although it wasn't a very nice job, it still meant a lot to them because they wouldn't have to rob anyone again. He realized how surprising life could be and that things could really be a blessing in disguise.
"I'm back, mom, dad," Shawn said as he entered the door and continued inside his room without even saying good evening to his parents, who were so worried about where he had been all day.
"Welcome back, son!" Shiela replied. "Look at your son, darling. He has just arrived. It seems like he's secretly meeting someone out there."
Instead of scolding her son about his behavior, Shiela smiled as she thought that Shawn was getting out of his comfort zone and might be dating someone.
"What are you talking about, Shiela?" Lyon asked. "Aren't you worried that your son would get killed by those monsters or do something ridiculous, such as hooking up with a girl? We can't just let him do what he wants and find out that we already have a grandchild."
"Don't worry too much, darling. Shawn is old enough to know what's right and wrong. He was no longer a kid to be grounded whenever he made a mistake. Remember, you were also seventeen when you started dating me."
"But we're not—" Lyon was about to say something, but Shiela put her finger on his lips. Then, the romantic song coming from their antique jukebox played in the background.
"Gosh! They're doing something again," Shawn said to himself. "How I wish I could bring Ava here and introduce her to my parents as my wife. I can't wait for that moment."