My Badass Luna

The Antique Plan

(Alison P.O.V)

As I scrambled down the stairs, my mom's urgent voice echoed through the house, pulling me out of my morning haze. "Alison! Breakfast is ready, and you're running late! Ella and Ethan are waiting for you in Ethan's car."

My heart raced as I realized the time. I hurriedly grabbed my bag, barely registering the toast I snatched from my plate as I rushed towards the door. "Thanks, Mom!" I called back, my voice a mix of gratitude and panic.

Outside, the morning air was cool against my skin as I sprinted towards Ethan's car. I yanked open the door and slid into the passenger seat, my breath coming in short gasps. With a quick motion, I removed the toast from my mouth and closed the door behind me, the sound muffled by the rush of adrenaline.

Turning to Ella and Ethan, I couldn't help but feel a surge of curiosity amidst the chaos. "Were you able to get in contact with your friend whom you said is the person who had dealings with Matthew before?" I asked, my voice steady despite the urgency pounding in my chest.

"Yes," Ethan said, his eyes focused on the road ahead as he maneuvered the car through the morning traffic.

"What did he say?" I asked, my voice tight with anticipation. I held my breath, my heart pounding in my chest as I waited for his response.

"He said there's no way that Mathew will let go," Ethan began, his tone serious. "But there is a way we can make him extend the time to return the money."

I sighed in relief, feeling a flicker of hope. "But I don't know if we can do that or not," Ethan added, making my heart sink again.

"Just tell me," I insisted, determination creeping into my voice. "I'll know if I can do it or not." I took a bite of my toast, trying to keep my nerves in check.

Ethan glanced at me, then back at the road. "Mathew is a big fan of old antiques. If we can give him some interesting items or old collectibles to impress him, then we can get him to agree to prolong the date of the debt repayment."

I exhaled slowly, relief washing over me. My grandfather had been a passionate collector of antiques. Although my father had sold many of the valuable ones for money, he'd planned to throw away the old and rusty items. Thankfully, I had stopped him and kept them as keepsakes of my grandfather. Now, I felt grateful for my decision. If Mathew was impressed with any of those antiques, it could solve half of our problem.

"Ethan, this might just work," I said, a smile forming on my lips. "My grandfather was an avid collector, and I still have some of his old antiques. They might be exactly what we need."

"That's good news," Ethan said, his eyes brightening with excitement. "Maybe if your late grandfather's collection is good, we could even earn money by selling some of them. I know a reputable antique dealer. Let's bring your grandfather's collection to his shop. He can examine it, tell us its value, and maybe help us sell some of them too." He flashed a huge smile, clearly pleased with the idea.

A wave of relief and hope washed over me. "That sounds like a solid plan," I agreed, feeling a sense of purpose. "Let's do it. I'll gather everything as soon as we get back."

After school, we didn't waste any time and headed straight back to my house to collect the antiques. The urgency of our mission hung in the air, pushing us forward.

Once inside, I quickly made my way to my room. From my nightstand, I carefully took out the locket, a porcelain doll, and a delicate vase, placing them gently into my bag. Next, I turned to the old and rusty Chinese painting hanging on my wall. I removed it carefully, wrapping it in one in soft cloth to prevent any further damage before adding it to my bag as well.

With everything packed, I grabbed another bag in which I had gathered all my boxing equipment. As I slung the bags over my shoulders, the weight of our hopes and plans felt tangible.

Before heading out, I found my mom in the kitchen. "Mom, I'm going to stay at a friend's house tonight," I told her, trying to sound casual.

She looked up and nodded, a slight frown creasing her forehead. "Okay, honey. Be safe and call me if you need anything."

"Will do," I assured her with a smile, then turned and headed out the door, feeling the determination settle firmly in my chest.

Ethan and Ella were waiting outside, ready to drive us to the antique dealer. As I got into the car, I felt a surge of anticipation. This could be the turning point we desperately needed.

While driving, Ethan suddenly pulled into a restaurant parking lot. "Why are we stopping?" I asked, puzzled.

Ethan glanced at me with a knowing smile. "The place we're going is a bit far away, and since we're heading straight to the street fighting club after visiting the antique shop, we won't have time to eat dinner. Figured we should grab some takeaways."

I nodded, appreciating his foresight. After grabbing some food, we resumed our journey. As Ethan had warned, the ride was indeed long, and we only stopped occasionally for restroom breaks. The landscape changed gradually, and the hustle and bustle of the city gave way to quieter, more rural scenery.

After three hours, we finally arrived. "This area is called Manipal," Ethan said, his voice tinged with both excitement and relief. "It's a famous place for fortune tellers and antique shops."

As he turned the car in another direction, I saw the charm of Manipal unfold. Quaint shops lined the streets, each one promising treasures from the past. Ethan took a token from a toll booth and then parked the car in the nearest parking lot.

"The shop my friend owns is a little far away. We have to walk from here since the road gets narrower," Ethan explained as I grabbed the bag with my late grandfather's antiques and stepped out of the car.

"I'll carry it for you," Ethan offered, reaching for the bag. I handed it to him gratefully.

"Thanks," I said, feeling a mix of relief and appreciation.

As we started walking, I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the day's journey and the hope that lay ahead. With my friends and my grandfather's blessing on my side, I am sure we will soon find the solution to this problem.