note:some of this might be kind of messed of messed up because of a problem with my microsoft word sorry

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                The Sun was rising at the corner of Springview Road and Oceanbreeze Boulevard, where the local mall was. The weather was perfect, but a hostile chill seemed to be felt by some. The silhouette of an appealing fourteen year old girl emerged from the sidewalk. She walked slowly, as her schoolbag was weighty enough to ruin her posture. She was just going about another unadorned Friday. She walked to the entrance of the shopping mall and stepped inside. Many of her schoolmates were sitting in groups around various tables of the food court. The girl scanned the room for her group of friends. They really had no stereotypes; it wasn’t like a movie, no label that others referred to them by.

                At last three of her friends greeted her. “Hey, Jade! We’ve been looking everywhere for you. Want to grab a Starbucks?” One of her friends asked, presenting a twenty dollar bill and continuing, “It’s on me. We have about an hour before school, so we should have about 45 minutes before we have to head there.”

                Jade smiled at the familiar voice. “Sure, Kate, I’ll take a frappuccino. What’s new with you guys?” Jade cheerfully inquired. Kate frowned as the foursome walked over to the famous coffee shop. She brushed her wavy blonde hair from her eyes.

                Kate gave the automatic answer to ‘what’s new?’ “Nothing much,” she subconsciously stated. Then she turned to talk to another of her friends. They progressed through the long line. Jade took out a hair tie and pulled her straight, black hair out of her bright blue eyes and behind her ears.

                When at last the line had ended, each girl ordered a drink and Kate took her change. When she sat down, she glanced at the receipt for fun and out of boredom. Then she looked at the change. “Hey, the cashier cheated me out of a dollar! Now we can’t get gumballs!” she cried almost seriously.

                The others laughed. Kate looked rather embarrassed. Jade fished out of her backpack four quarters. She handed one to each friend, then laughed, “Don’t worry about it, I’ll cover it.” They walked to the gumball machines, sipping their refreshing drinks and turning the metal crank. Different colored gumballs spun down different loops and when they reached the bottom, a buzzer sounded.

                One of the girls sat down by a water fountain. “Oh my gosh, I just realized how bored I was. Hey, guys, let’s play like truth or dare or something. I’m going to die of boredom.” The others giggled at the random statement, but agreed to play despite of it. They all plopped down on the bench and spoke in lower toned voices.

                One girl cheered, “Kate, I dare you to go up to that cashier in the chocolate store and ask for change in pennies from a ten dollar bill.” The other girls booed.

                Kate retorted, “Come on, Sara! Can’t you think of anything really good? Ok, never mind. Keep thinking about it. I have one for… Jade!”

                Jade laughed and said, “Shoot.”

                Kate eyed the food court. She pointed to a black haired, green eyed boy wearing a sweatshirt and somewhat baggy Levi’s. She dared, while giggling the entire time, “I dare you, Jade, to go talk to that guy. You have to talk to him for at least 10 minutes or until he tells you to leave.” Jade’s smile faltered, but then she headed that way.

                “Do I have to talk for a whole 10 minutes? What do I say?” she stumbled.

                “Just do it!” they snickered, moving toward the boy to better hear the conversation. Jade approached the boy. She left her bag by the other girls.

                Leo did not approve of the ‘disguise’ (casual and baggy clothing, plus tussled hair) his bodyguard had suggested. This whole idea was becoming too complicated to go through with. But then again, all of his crimes were as complex as this and he never failed, not once. One may question the truth in this statement, yet if they personally knew the young man they would see why this was true. Leo was at that time more intelligent than the exceptionally above average mathematician and scientist. In almost every other profession he had expertise. And to make it worse, he was cocky. He could be a psychologist if he wished to be one for his understanding of the way the mind works, but his intimidating tone and way of working crushes others, not brings them up.

                Leo, being a very wealthy child, had been able to arrange the capture of many creatures, all believed to be mythological, over these few months. All appeared only relevant to humans, never completely like them. Only one of those creatures gave him a response. This one was still in custody at his estate on a northern pacific island. His mother and father had always been on business trips or vacation, and didn’t care much for personality values. They figured that if they sent him off with a highly trained bodyguard, a fresh suit, and money he would be fine.

                You may be wondering why Leo was at a shopping mall in the first place. It is because he was in search of a certain species. This species would bring him many things; scientific discovery, blackmailing money, fame (if no blackmailing money was given), and accomplishment. He was particularly interested in using the creature’s magic for his crime purposes. He was at the mall to find this species, which had mingled in with humans and been lost for centuries after wars. From the other creature, he learned that if they did not practice magic before sixteen, the power would escape them. They are usually girls for an unknown reason, but are in rare cases young boys. Leo had put together a detailed list of personality and physical traits on how to find such a creature. The species name were called the Lancrions.

                Leo had thought locating a Lancrion would be extremely difficult, so he was astounded when a young girl of about fourteen with the correct features of a Lancrion approached him and asked, “Is this seat taken?”

                Leo quickly regained his composure. “No, you may sit,” he said, trying to sound less intimidating. The girl sat down holding a Starbucks. She was wearing a red, low cut collar with a long sleeves shirt. She wore long jeans and skateboard shoes. Around her wrist were many different colored bangles.

                Jade smiled, resisting the urge to look back at her friends for guidance. “Thanks. I’m Jade,” said she, moving in her chair and leaning back to listen. She took another sip.

                Leo had to resist shaking hands. This ‘teenager’ world was pretty new to him. He replied, “Nice to meet you. I’m Leo.” And with so few words, a long, 25 minute conversation commenced. Leo slipped in questions that helped him determine her species. She didn’t notice. She enjoyed talking to the boy. That wouldn’t last for long, if Leo’s plan worked out.

                They only departed when it was time to leave for school. Jade questioned, “I haven’t seen you around school. Where do you go?”

                Leo hurriedly said, “I’m homeschooled. Let’s meet after school here, okay?” That was a lie. Leo had no need for learning again what he knew by the time he was five years old.

                Jade was taken aback by his rushed comment, but agreed to meet him. When he had left, all of her friends crowded around her, questioning her and not believing that this just took place.

                “What just happened?” Kate asked, dropping her empty plastic cup in the garbage can.

                “I don’t really know,” Jade laughed, also discarding her cup.

                Sara laughed, “Jade has a boyfriend!”

                Jade defended herself. She retorted, “Come on guys, it was a dare. I’m fourteen. Yeah right.”

                The others just snickered more.