The Close of Day 1

Crystal stood outside the school, ignoring but not disliking the attention the passing high schoolers bathed her and her friends in. They'd just come from Catherine's new work after spending the afternoon shopping. Turns out there was a pretty extensive mall the cabby was able to drop them off at. She was wearing a dark wrap that emphasized her assets but at least allowed for some level of modesty. It hugged her body like a glove, if she'd had to put it on normally it probably wouldn't have fit, but it was as easy as the push of a button thanks to the game mechanics. The others were wearing similar clothes, relatively modest but flattering. Even Catherine was wearing a cute summer dress they'd bought for her (and subsequently sent to her 'inventory' or whatever the closet thing was).

The bell rang and the ambient number of students increased exponentially, moving in droves for the busses and to cars. It took her a moment to pick out Dahlia from the crowd: she was being pulled along by a young man in a football jacket.

"Guys."

Crystal moved quickly but struggled to move through the crowd. Catherine bulldozed through, amidst a lot of complaining from the students, grabbing onto Dahlia's arm and stopping her and the boy dead.

"Cathy!"

"Hey what's the big... hey there little lady." The jock peered down at Catherine over his sunglasses, his form towering like most of the men they'd talked to thus far.

"What are you doing with our friend?" Catherine's glare could have set fires but the football player didn't seem to notice.

"Just taking back what's mine from old man, what's it to you pretty thing?" Catherine sucker punched the boy in his sternum, not just dropping him like a sack of potatoes but also sending his limp body rolling from the ****. The others caught up, easily entering the circle that had abruptly formed around the two small women and the semi-conscious boy.

Crystal looked down at the boy, making sure he was still breathing, before grabbing Catherine by the shoulder and speaking loudly to the gathered students, "Shows over! Someone get him to the nurses office while we escort this woman from the premises." Catherine gave her an incredulous look but Evaline immediately caught on, grabbing her other shoulder authoritatively. Jenna grabbed Dahlia and the five girls hurried to the curb and the magic cab that was always waiting whenever they needed it.

The girls exited moments later at Crystal's house, trying to placate Catherine.

"You saw that asshole, what was I supposed to do?!"

"Exactly what you did that was amazing! We just had to get out of there before the police showed up."

"There are police in this game?"

"The rules say we lose points if we get caught breaking the law so presumably they're the one's who'd be catching us. How did you do that? You leveled that guy!"

Catherine looked a little bashful now that she'd caught up, "Well, I mean... one of my strengths is 'Strength'. I figured out while I was at work that that means I'm... really strong."

"How strong?"

By way of answering, Catherine grabbed Crystal and Evaline around the waist, lifting them up and walking to the door effortlessly, "Woah my God, Cat!"

"Aahh-Don't drop me! I'm, like, super top heavy!"

The girls giggled happily as they filed into Crystal's house, all save for Dahlia who smiled but looked distant. Crystal was the first to notice and remember why they were fleeing the scene to begin with, "Oh my God, Dahls, what happened back there? What was up with that guy? Did he do anything? We can find out where he lives-"

"No! I mean, no. And yes. And..." Dahlia sniffled and then burst into tears, falling into Catherine's surprised arms. "I think that guy is my ex, his name is Will, Will Liciipanti." Catherine quivered struggling to suppress her mirth at the name as the others glared at her, "W-what did he do? What did he do baby?"

Fortunately, Dahlia was too preoccupied crying into her shoulder to notice, "He and his friends were harassing me about the plug all day! I don't know how they knew! They kept groping me and calling me names and... and..." They settled down on the couch and the group followed in solidarity, Catherine stroking her hair and making soothing noises.

Eventually Dahlia calmed down enough to fall asleep and the others agreed to spend the night at Crystal's house since none could remember any dependents or pets that they needed to get home to. It had been a long day and they all conked out pretty early, not long after the sun set. In the end it was just Crystal and Evaline, sitting at the dining room table, silently pondering everything that had happened.

Evaline broke the silence, "...y'know what's crazy?"

"What?"

She shook her head, lifting her leg onto her lap, "I spent the entire day in heels and I feel fine."

Crystal grinned, "That's the craziest thing I've heard all day."

"I know right? Wonder if I can even walk without them."

Crystal sobered, nodding, "Yeah that happened to my grandma."

"Oh. I'm so sorry..."

Crystal shook her head, "No worries, she does pilates now, uses flats."

"Nice!"

As she was climbing the stairs to finally go to sleep, Crystal looked down over the sleeping forms of her friends strewn about the furniture and smiled tiredly. At least they were all together. If it weren't so insane and if it weren't for Dahlia's experiences, it might have been fun. She turned to go to her room when she stopped. Why did she stop? She looked around confusedly before her eyes settled on the thin crack of light coming from York's room. She should check on him before she went to bed.

Wow, these mom instincts are ingrained.

She opened the door a crack and peered inside. Her son was sprawled over his bed, a book falling out of his hand as he breathed heavily. Awww... stop it! He's not really your son! And he's a grown ass man, he's not cute! Still, Crystal couldn't help but drape a blanket over him as she walked over to turn off his light, not that he seemed to need it with how his body was radiating heat. She hesitated next to his head, looking down at him, before bending down and laying a kiss on his forehead. She switched off the light and hurried to her room, feeling a little too much like a mother for her liking.