Little Shop Chapter 1

It was Monday morning and I was dreaming I was rich and everyone at school who bullied me was even worshiping my name, "Rylo" Rylo Zuri. I had won class president and was awarded the best scores in the district of Tamaki. 

Even my mother and father came to cheer me on as I was lifted by the students who wanted to be near me. Everyone screamed my name, even the horrible principal that does not like me welcomed me while trying to suck up to me--as if he could get near me. 

Bang Bang Bang! My mother came in with a pot in her hand and a wooden spoon banging while I was in my dream world. 

"Wake up, Rylo you will be late for school and never turn into someone productive. Wake up! If you hadent been up all night playing with your video games you would be ready!"

"But mom" I replied, give me a few more minutes. My head hurts. 

The food is getting cold and you need to go to school, so one day you buy me a big house on the top of the hill and I can tell all my friends my son is a big shot. 

As I hurried to the table I could see my dad already at the table eating, while reading the newspaper. My dad didn't say much because he was the quiet type but he was always serious reading his books or complaining about something that was happening around the world. 

So I quickly rushed out while my mother packed my lunch. Said bye to my dad who I could barely see his head because it was in the newspaper and my mom giving me kisses all over. "Don't be late and eat everything or you won't grow tall." 

Ohh no I'm going to be late again. I ran so fast in a panic because I knew today was the school's practice examination day. So I ran through the streets passed a group of thugs who were playing dice on the pavement and ruined their game. A group of angry uncles started screaming, watch yourself kid! Scram. 

I'm sorry I replied. I am late. I will make it up to you uncles in the future when I become a big shot. They looked at my sarcastically knowing very well I would never amount to anything. 

As I approached my school I could see all the kids in line already in a perfect order, so I sneaked to the back. Phew! I hope no one noticed. I could see Meo up ahead making funny faces and pretending to be a soldier. Meo was my best friend for a girl she was pretty cool. We did everything together including skip school when we felt adventurous but we got caught so many times that we were called to the principals office. And one time my parents were called. Which made Meo's mother say I was a bad influence but in truth it was always Meo who got herself into trouble. 

As I got to class I sat in the back row with a group of kids who only caused trouble. Meo was not in my first period class so I was alone and didn't know anyone there except for Yusuke who I grew up with because he lived in the same building as me and I would often see him being scolded by his dad. Yusuke was a plight boy. He was always sucking up to the teachers and always came on time even during break which made him an easy target for bullies and other kids. He also made them look bad so he was often picked on for being a teachers pet. 

But Yusuke dad was strict and he would often hit him in public or curse him for not being perfect like his older brother, who had made it big in the big city and it was not Yusuke and his father living at home. His mother had ran off with the mailman and that is why Yusuke father was so miserable. So Yusuke tried to be better then everyone at school always studying. 

At lunch Meo came and found me. We sat alone away from the crowd. Meo loved to show me her food like if we were competing for the best lunch. She could cook because her mother owned a restaurant and would often bring me weird dishes she had invented but didn't always taste so good.  And I would be her test subject. 

"Rylo try this!" I hesitated for a minute as I examined the food. What is it? I replied. It is my newest creation. I call it, Tali pudding. I could tell it was no pudding because of the green color that seemed to drip. And it had been in her messy bag which she left so disorganized. I knew if I said yes she would watch till I swallowed the entire thing. And if I said no she would start to cry so I closed my eyes and opened my mouth. Oooh! Gulp she fed it to me with her spoon. 

"Do you like it? I looked at her while feeling the goo of a wet taste. I could feel hard little grains but I could not tell if they were nuts or rocks, so I smiled! MMM nice Meo! As I munched on the pudding. And as her crush came near I could see Meo turn and I reached down for my napkin to spit it out. Yuck! 

Meo was so busy looking at Luna that she forgot about everything. Meo was secretly in love with Luna that her face would go into a trance everytime she saw him and a big smile would go on her face. But Luna did not notice he was always having girls all over him because of his good looks. I don't even think he ever said one word to Meo? She just liked him because he was so tall and handsome. Half the school was in love with him and all the boys wanted to be him and all the girls threw themselves at him. What bothers me is that he didn't have to try, he just woke up perfect. And he was so smug about it. I hate him. 

When school was over I walked home with Meo. We could see a bunch of gangsters in the distance so we walked into a small street that was dark. It looked more scary then the main street because it was empty. Where are we? Meo said. I don't know I don't recognize these houses. A row of shops made for a small market with weird signs that said weird things with weird names but no people. The wind began to blow and you could see that the air was much slower than the unusual streets. Maybe we took a wrong way and we are in a private residences, Meo said? I told her to relax we were fine it was still daylight and nothing bad happens during the day. 

As we walked further in, we approached a red  painted house with ancient columns at the foot of the entrance. A mysterious sign read, Raven Shop.  As we got closer the door seemed to be locked but the wind blew it right open. Creek Creek the old door made a sound as if to sense danger was about to strike. 

Meo clung onto my arm as we walked passed the door. A large garden was at the base of the enterence with weird stone statues in the garden. No flowers just tall grass and stone statues around the garden. And a stone walkway leading up to an old traditional house--one that seemed out of place to belong in our town. 

The house was painted red and made out of wood. It had two large columns at the front and passed the columns a large wooden door which seemed ancient. And no windows, which seemed even stranger. 

There was also door chimes all over as if it was warding off bad spirits or keeping something away, maybe us? 

Meo commented on the exquisite detail of the door, look Rylo look. It looks so ancient she explained. And a metal door knock was at the center which looked like a face. Knock on it Rylo! 

Knock knock! A big loud sound came from that small metal door, knock! Come in said a mysterious voice. Come inside dear children, come in and don't forget to close the door it's chilly outside and my bones will suffer. Come in, hurry! The voice commanded. 

As you walked inside you could see a lot of old items. Antiques, rocks, crystals, musical instruments, pianos, harps, toys made of wood, painted dolls, bows and arrows, masks, carvings of metal, from the ancient world and boxes--a room full of junk. 

Hi there. My name is Madam Gu. And welcome to my shop. A tiny woman behind a counter spoke. Welcome, welcome. As Rylo looked directly at the voice, you could see a small old women sitting behind the counter eating peanuts. 

"Everything in my shop is on sale, rare items so hard to find. Look twice and see what catches your eyes. I will give you a good price and trust me you won't be disappointed. 

Come my dear look around you maybe can find a good luck charm for you and your boyfriend? Meo giggled. Rylo and I are just friends, Meo replied. 

It is okay my dear, the old madam replied. Pretty soon you will grow up and be as old as me but first you need luck to find what you are looking for. 

Meo and Rylo walked around the store. They saw so many beautiful things, but no prices and wondered what this old lady was trying to sell. 

When Meo was by herself she saw something shinning in the distance, on an old table. It was an old wooden box and in the box with two necklaces. One of the shape of a moon with a stone crystal at the center and another in the shape of a sun, which seemed to lock into each other but both had its own necklace. And each side possessed a crystal, one in purple and the other in orange. 

Ahh I see you found something my dear. This is not just any necklace but an ancient talisman that was once owned by a power women and her lover. It is called the Sun and Moon Stone talisman. Not much is known but it is said to bring good fortune to those that wear it and it your color I can tell. 

Rylo looked at it and said, I will buy it for you Meo. How much? Twenty coins. Rylo said no problem and took out his wallet and paid the lady. Thank-you madam Gu. 

And as they left, they both took a half of the necklace and each wore one half. You take the moon Rylo and I'll take the Sun part. I like the way the orange goes with my uniform Meo replied and the Moon looks good on you Rylo. 

As they walked out wearing the necklaces they just bought they could see that it was turning dark fast so they ran through the shops not noticing the streets were still empty. 

As they got to the small narrow street, they saw the light back to the main street and saw people again. It was like they had discovered a secret market--one where no one else but them could go too. 

And as they saw the busy crowds, they both knew they were back to civilization. Rylo I think I'm going to just run home, I'll see you at school tomorrow and don't be late! Yeah, Meo no problem I replied. 

Ohh no it's late! Let's run before my mom scolds me.