THE MOMENT
"What's THAT doing here?" The smile vanished from Monday's face. She had been happy to see her friend, Crystal walk into her office; until she realized Crystal was carrying a thick book with her. She stood and walked around the desk to greet Crystal, but stopped when she recognized the book. The cover was a rainbow of color and the ends of the pages had an almost translucent quality. It was a photo album; one that she didn't enjoy seeing.
"Huh? OH!" Crystal seemed to just now realize she carried the book out of the portal. If Monday didn't already know her, she might have assumed she only acted surprised. But, Crystal had a tendency to miss details sometimes.
"Sorry!" Crystal apologized and offered the album to Monday. "I was at your mom's hotel and I found it! I was looking for somewhere to destroy it for you...," Crystal realized that Monday wasn't going to accept the book and lowered it. "... but then I heard your mom talking to someone and I had to tell you! Don't you want to destroy the book?"
"There's a reason I want them destroyed as soon as possible," Monday said. Her voice had a tense edge that Crystal had only heard her use on other people. "There's a reason I want them destroyed AT THE HOTEL!" She raised her voice; but, she quickly caught herself when she noticed Crystal was trying to keep herself together. She really did like Crystal and she considered her a close friend; but, sometimes even friends mess up. Monday was close to messing up now if she lost her temper.
"I'm sorry," Monday said. "I'm not mad, I'm totally not mad... I'm fine!" she said. Crystal didn't seem to be buying it. "I'm very much fine...," Monday sighed. "I just didn't expect this to play out this way...,"
"But, I heard something!" Crystal appreciated that Monday was trying to calm down. She knew where she messed up, and she vowed, again, to try and be more careful in the future. But, it looked like their friendship would survive, and she still had important news.
"It's a fake!" she said as she thrust the album forward. "I heard your mom talking about making another fake as soon as this one was destroyed." Crystal thought the news was pretty important. Out of all the possible reactions she expected, or even hoped for, Monday reacted in a way she never imagined. The pale teen sighed and brought her palm up to her face.
"This is my own fault," she said. "I should have explained my plan to you better."
"Huh?" Crystal was confused. "Your mom is making fake albums for you to find, don't you want to know why??"
"I work closely with Ms. Sharp," Monday shook her head as she reminded Crystal. "I already they're fake, and I already know why she's doing it," she said. "That's why I want them destroyed at the hotel." She shrugged. "I guess I might as well deal with it now," she said. She held her hand out to ask for the book.
"You know?" Crystal held up the book. Monday nodded. "Why is she making fakes?"
"To catch me in the act," Monday said. She reached out and grabbed the book.
"Monday, dear!" A new voice startled Crystal. It was unexpected; but, she recognized it as Monday's mother, Alicia.
"Hi, mom," Monday sighed as she glared at Crystal.
"That's such an interesting book you have there...," Alicia said as she walked up to the pair of girls. "Oh, hello, Crystal," she smiled at her with a light giggle. "It feels weird to say hi again, I just saw you at the hotel not 20 minutes ago." Then, the vampire woman turned her attention back to her daughter.
"Is that a photo album? I love photos! May I see?" Alicia held her hand out; but, Monday shook her head. "Not in front of company," she said. Then, she looked at Crystal.
"This is family stuff...," she said. "It'll be okay, I'm not mad," she reminded Crystal.
"Oh, yes, everything will be just fine," Crystal jumped again when a delicate hand landed softly on her shoulder. She recognized the voice; but, that only scared her more. She turned and saw Dana Sharp herself smiling at her. The pale woman in a crisp white suit nodded at Crystal.
"You're a curious one, aren't you?" she smirked. "Run along now," she said. Crystal felt herself start to sink into a portal beneath her. "As Monday said, this is a family conversation."