It took only a few moments for the laughter to eventually simmer.
As it did, and embarassed Tiffany only became more embarrassed, having slowly come to her senses and realised that Julianne was standing right there.
Tiffany: (thinking: I can't believe I just said that in front of her.)
In the heat of the moment, she'd completely forgotten about the fact that she was in her house and that she was still there.
As for Max...
Max: (thinking: Jeez. I told her I was fine. What's her deal?)
Ken: (sighing at the end of his laugh) (thinking: Maximillian Hunter and Tiffany Chang. Both of you are proud people. And so, it makes sense that you'd butt heads. Hmph. Out team dynamic may just become even more interesting.)
He made a relaxed sigh.
Ken: (thinking: And I for one, can hardly wait...)
Luke: (thinking: I've known Tiffany long enough to know that she rarely loses her cool. That being said... Max, you're one crazy customer.)
Rose: (thinking: I'm soooo glad Max and Tiffany are friends!)
The three of them had known Tiffany long enough to know what she was like.
As for Julianne Hunter, she couldn't help but be happy about it.
Of course, it wasn't because they'd had a fight, and it also wasn't because of the sympathy Tiffany had had for her and Max. Rather, it was because of the fact that she'd gotten mad at him.
The many years of her life had long since taught her a lot about what the true meaning of caring about someone is.
And although she then....
Julianne: Maxie?
Max: Mmmmmm.....
He kept his back turned.
Julianne: Maxie?
Max: Mmmmmmm....
Julianne: Maxie....
Max: (sighs) Ok.... Mmmmmm.... Sorry, Tiff.
And Tiffany herself let out a relaxed sigh.
Tiffany: (sighs) It's fine. And it's Tiffany, and.... I'm sorry I called you a moron.
Max: (sighs) Yeah, yeah...
Ken: (thinking: And there's no popcorn. Shame....)
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... even though she scolded her son for arguing with Tiffany, she was glad.
After all, her son now had a friend who cared enough to get angry with him. Someone who was concerned about him enough to argue with him.
But still, she stayed stolid. No, not a single tear would leave her eyes.
She walked over to her son and patted his shoulder.
Julianne: Hmmm. Good job.
And, after sharing all that, she decided that they'd had just about enough excitement for the night.
Now, for the final part of her ruse.
Getting them all to decide on whether or not they would be staying there.
But before she could get started on that...
Rose: Umm... Mrs Hunter?
Julianne: Hmm?
Rose: After what Tiff said, I just want you and Max to know.. that if you ever need any help, I'll be there for the both of you.
Julianne: Rose....
Even with everything she'd thought through, she'd never seen that coming. Not even for a second.
Rose outright saying that to her. It shook her, just enough that she softened for a moment.
Julianne: ... I....
She quickly regained her composure and smiled.
Julianne: Thank you... Rose.....
And said smile would not leave her face. For now, she could be glad, because she also had a real friend.
Julianne: And Maxie?
Ken and Luke snickered once she said Maxie.
Max: Mmm....
Julianne: What do we say when someone offers us help?
Max: (sighs) Thanks... Rose.
As to why Julianne put her son through this, the reason was simple. Her son was misbehaving, and while she understood why he was acting like this, she was his mother, and what kind of mother would sit idly by and watch while her son misbehaved?
Julianne: Good.
Ken: (thinking: Maybe I could... No.... I think we've messed with her son quite enough for today.)
Julianne: Alright then.
She looked to all the teenagers, almost as though to garner their attention.
Julianne: Now you all know how and why we ended up on Earth.
All of them reeled a bit on hearing that. A family vacation turned into a complete relocation.
It was never planned, and it was never expected.
And, in fact, any one of the four of them would never wish that upon their worst enemy.
Rose: It... must have been so hard....
Julianne: It was.... I would even call it one of the hardest times we'd ever had as a family.
The eyes of Tiffany, Ken, and Luke simmered as they heard what she'd said.
Just to imagine, having a whole life so different from that of others around you, and then abruptly being forced to live there.
Actively being stranded in a land they knew nothing about.
Julianne: And then, we had to figure everything out on our own. Money slowly became a problem, where were we gonna live once we couldn't pay rent, how were we gonna eat...
And then she became somewhat sad as she said this....
Julianne: ... who would we even talk to.
She heavily sighed, as the teens themselves felt for her.
To imagine that not just her, but also Max, went through such a brutal situation.
Julianne: But... in a pretty short while, I got a job as an actress. And after that, all our money problems were solved.
The eyes of the four teens widened. Most especially Tiffany, Ken, and Luke.
Ken: (thinking: The surprises just keep on coming. Truly, like mother like son.)
Had Julianne been their age, they perhaps would have gotten angry with her, but given the circumstances, they would not even show their shock towards her.
And of course, she started laughing...
Julianne: Oh... I'm so sorry. I just couldn't help myself. (relaxedly sighing) But yes, it was a hard time. But... like all Hunters do, we got through it....
She held her son's shoulder affectionately.
Julianne: ... and we got through it together.
Rose: (sobbing) It must have been so hard.
Those words had a special meaning to Julianne, as she knew just how hard Rose herself had it all on her own.
Julianne: It was...
And then she nostalgically sighed.
Julianne: ... but we survived. After all, we had each other.
She said this while smiling to Rose, almost as if to say... that she too would be fine and that there was nothing to worry about.
Rose: (smiling to herself) Yeah...
