The next day, Harry and Chi-Chi woke up early and tried to wake up their Master in a hurry. When they got Benjamin up, he yawned and stretched as they pulled down on his coat, agitating him to some extent.

“Master, Master!” Harry and Chi-Chi exclaimed in unison.

“Ugh, what is it you two?” Benjamin tried to rub the sleep from his tired eyes.

“There’s no more food in the fridge!” Chi-Chi said, pointing toward the kitchen.

Harry lightly punched his sister in the arm.

“And the girl already left her house!” He finished.

“Oh... what?!” Benjamin woke up in a flash. He grabbed his coat and hat, which were laying down on the couch arm, and headed for the front door.

“Wait for us!” Harry and Chi-Chi exclaimed, following him toward the exit.

“You guys stay here and watch the base for me.”

“Yes, sir- wait what?!”

“I’ll go find them myself. Don’t want to be conspicuous.” Benjamin said as he opened the front door. Having no time to waste at the start of this new day, Benjamin rushed out of the door of his new house in search of the girl.

.-.-.-.

He felt a rush of excitement and worry in his body as he ran down the sidewalk.

While running and looking all over the place for her, he almost bumped into another girl. This girl seemed to look like her, but was a bit taller, older, and had yellow streaks in her hair.

“Oh, sorry about that. You looked like someone else I knew.” Benjamin politely said as he held his hand up in apology. “Say, have you seen a girl that looks like you come around here earlier today?”

“I have.” The female replied, “I think she went inside that school over there.” She pointed toward a sizeable two-story schoolhouse in the near distance. The sidewalk led directly to the school entrance.

“Oh wow, I’m glad I asked,” Benjamin replied. He tipped his hat and bid the girl a good day as he continued running down the sidewalk toward the school. The magician noticed a small group of students entering the front door. Otherwise, the courtyard appeared empty. He feared classes were already in session.

Benjamin rushed up the stairs to open the door, determined to find out if the girl was in there. Almost immediately after going inside, the girl from yesterday talking to some tall guy in the nearby hallway caught his attention. The dark sunglasses that reminded him of Lauren and her icy stare. Benjamin hid behind the wall and tried to eavesdrop on the two.

“Hey Nicky, I hope I wasn’t late.” The young female with spectacles said as she walked over to him.

“Not at all. You’re about three minutes early.” The large framed young man replied, checking his watch.

“Ooh, how neat!” She appeared intrigued that she was early for once.

“So, was there a reason you wanted to talk to me? You look like—” Nicky started before the girl cut his words.

“I need to tell you something shocking and exciting...” She whispered, pausing for added effect.

Benjamin heard his heart beating in his chest. Oh no, could they be...? He thought, hanging on to what she had to say.

“It might seem hard to believe, but you’re the only one I trust with this who won’t backstab me.” She told the young man.

Benjamin didn’t dare peek around the corner, but he convinced himself that she would show him the crystal sphere. That would be a disaster! He’d have to deal with two earthlings knowing his secret weapon.

“Of course, so what could it be? The suspense is killing me here!” The young man leaned in closer, hoping that she would share her secret with him, but to his surprise, she walked away.

“Where do you think you’re going?” He called out after her.

“I’ll tell you during lunch. It’s not safe to talk about it here.” She glanced back over her shoulder.

She couldn’t shake the uncomfortable feeling of being watched, but that wasn’t possible. At least, she thought so. How could that guy know where to find her? The girl grew careful when she returned home yesterday, trying not to get caught. Still, she had a sick feeling that she had not seen the last of that magician fellow.

“Alright then, I’ll be looking forward to it.” The large, framed teenager turned and headed toward Benjamin.

The magician contemplated overpowering the young man with magic; perhaps taking his place at the lunch meeting. Could he transform himself into looking like him? It’d take a lot of high magic to turn his small framed body into that massive muscle-laden one, but was it worth a try?

He looked over to reach for his pocket to the wand handle out. Wait for it.