Autumn and Sawyer's Sweet Secrets (Ongoing) - 37,000 words :)

Reunited

"OMG! I knew it. That was you at the movies?!" Nicole blurts out in Autumn's room. Autumn nods confirming her BFF's speculation.

Aunt Tricia walks in with a tray of hot cocoa. "Aunt Tricia, these are Nicole and Christine. They're my BFFs," Autumn introduces her Best Friends Forevah.

"Good evening ma'am," the BFFs greet the aunt as they each grab a cup from the tray.

She has already seen them at the movies. Aunt Tricia smiles at the girls and waves hi. "Just call me Tita Tricia. I'll let you BFFs talk things over— but remember, Autumn is still grounded," Aunt Tricia reminds them.

"You're grounded?" Christine asks.

"Yes," Autumn answers with a pout. "That's the entire reason why I haven't been able to call, text or message you guys. I'm so sorry," she explains.

"So, why were you grounded?" Christine continues.

"Well, remember our two week binge lakwatsa?" the BFFs nod, "well, I sort of spent all of my allowance for Spain during those two weeks," Autumn shares.

"Sorry Autumn," The two girls hug their BFF.

"I get you being grounded and all, but what about your disguise? And why are you working for the Retro Diner?" Nicole asks, yearning for an explanation.

"Well, you guys remember the car incident?" Autumn asks.

"How could we forget?" Nicole answers.

"My dad's going to foot the bill to restore his Mustang, but he wants me to earn the money to have my car fixed. That's why he had me work at the Retro Diner," Autumn continues.

"Why the disguise?" Christine asks a little bit confused.

"He doesn't want me, her daughter, the owner's daughter, to get special treatment so he wants me to hide my identity. But the disguise is my Aunt's idea. You see, she is a Hollywood make up artist," Autumn explains concisely.

"Ah, so are we up to speed?" Nicole clarifies.

"Yeah. I guess, you've pretty much caught up," Autumn confirms.

"So, how do you do it exactly? I mean how do you put on your disguise?" Christine asks as she plays around with the wig sitting on a mannequin's head on Autumn's dresser.

Autumn smiles as she proceeds to explain and demonstrate the transformation process.

"So, can you now hangout with us?" Nicole asks.

"I don't know. I'll have to ask." Still wearing her Retro Diner Autumn disguise, she goes downstairs where Aunt Tricia is watching Heart-Heart-Laugh-Laugh-Cry-Cry Part 1: I-add Mo Ko sa Iyong Puso on DVD.

"I loved part 5 so much that I decided to watch the entire series," Aunt Tricia explains.

"That's great Aunt Tricia. You're going to have a great time watching that. I have all 4 DVDs just pop them in if you like. Uhmm... By the way Aunt Tricia," Autumn segues, "Seeing that Nicole and Christine already know that I'm still in the Philippines, can I hangout with them a bit more?"

"No," Aunt Tricia answers bluntly. "You're still grounded..."

Autumn is disappointed.

"But, if they happen to see you at work and hangout with you a bit there that would be fine and you have your day off on Saturdays right, so yeah... I wouldn't feel right still grounding you on your day off," Aunt Tricia smiles.

"Thanks Auntie," Autumn hugs Aunt Tricia. "Hmmm.. How about my phone, laptop and tablet?"

"Don't push your luck oh dear niece of mine. I'm already bending the rules as much as I can," Aunt Tricia playfully scolds Autumn.