Two things happened as soon as he asked it.

“She’s getting married.”

Should I shoot him with Hunter’s gun?

Hunter choked on his coffee.

“WHAT– KOFF KOFFF–”

Avis straightened up in concern.

“Are you alrigh–”

“I’m fine– KOFF kOfFfFfF–”

WHAT WAS NATT THINKING ABOUT?

Was she crazy?

A murderous Roommate. A Bride-To-Be sister.

What could go more wrong... right?

Avis flicked his arm and stared at his watch dial.

Something told Hunter he could stall no longer. His time was up.

“I’m afraid I still haven’t gotten your answ–”

THUD!!!

Something heavy collided against the bedroom door. Followed by some furious whispers.

Avis and Hunter shot their heads towards the door.

A bunch of panicked thoughts erupted in his head.

OhMyGodOhMyGodOhMyGod!

PLEASE DON’T TELL ME HE HEARD US.

WE’RE TOAST.

I swear, if he opens that door, I’m jumping out of the window.

Avis stood up and opened the door.

Natt and Liam fell forward.

“Hehe... Sup, dude?” Liam said in a small voice.

Okay. How or why did he not hear them think of that? Did his psychic drive just put their thoughts in the spam folder? Or send them to his T.U.P. file?

Too Unintelligible to Process

He buried his face in his hands. His ears burned red.

This was it, wasn’t it?

There was no Rent-A-FairyGodmother on eBay. And there was no way on earth Avis would leave without him after his friends’ spectacular failure at Mission Eavesdropping 101.

Instead, he heard a chuckle. A small one. But

definitely a genuine one.

He looked up. Avis was smiling ear to ear, making him look more human. Liam and Natt still scrambled on the floor, exchanging confused glances.

“Contrary to what your father says, I’d rather would like to have you keep your associates close.” He said, fixing his cuff-links.

He crossed the room in two steps and slid the briefcase back.

“I suppose your answer is the same as last year?” He locked the briefcase.

Hunter lost his voice. As if Avis locked it away with all the money. Hunter wasn’t sure what he felt more–

Bewilderment or embarrassment.

“I-I don’t understand...” He croaked.

That must’ve done the trick. The man in the ash-black suit laughed.

“I was merely sent here to escort you home. But I see that you already are.”

He nodded at Natt and Liam and then turned his attention back to Hunter.

“Until next year.”

With that, he walked out of the apartment, and the door closed behind them.