Double the trouble, Double fall.

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Chapter 6: The Bandage, The Blush, and a Mountain of Boxes

Manon's heart went boom, boom, boom! This wasn't just a silly game. It was her big dream: to write a story that would make people feel all sorts of things! She had to get this mission right!

She tiptoed back to where she'd seen Robin. Her shoes made a little squeak, squeak on the dusty floor. He was still talking to a girl. The girl's laugh was like little bells. Manon hid behind a giant pile of boxes. They looked like they'd been there forever! She held her breath, trying to be as quiet as a tiny mouse. CRASH! A wobbly box fell over, and all the other boxes started falling too! Manon landed on the cold, hard floor with a soft thump. The girl was gone, but Robin turned around, his eyebrows going up.

"Manon, seriously? You're like a falling expert!" Robin said. His eyes were sparkling, like he was trying not to laugh. "Are you practicing to be a superhero who falls a lot?"

Manon sat up, her face turning bright red. "I think I hurt my hand," she mumbled, showing him her palm. There was a tiny drop of red blood.

Robin smiled gently. He helped her up, and it made her feel a little tingly. He led her to a wooden bench in a quiet corner. "I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere," he said. His voice was soft and warm, and it made Manon's tummy do a little flip.

He came back super fast with a little blue first-aid kit. "Let's see that hand," he said, looking very serious.

Manon hesitated, her face even redder. Don't give it to him! she thought. He'll use that hand to hold someone else! "It's going to sting," she said quietly.

Robin sighed and looked at her with kind eyes. "I promise to be super gentle. Like a feather," he said softly.

Manon gave him her hand. Her fingers were shaking a little. "Ow!" she said softly as he cleaned the cut with a soft cotton ball.

He blew on the tiny cut, and it felt warm. Then he put a bright, colorful bandage with rocket ships on it. Manon was watching his fingers move, and she almost forgot the pain.

"So," he said, his voice low, "what were you doing back there, hiding behind all those boxes? Playing hide-and-seek with dust bunnies?"

"Uh… I was looking for something! Something I dropped!" Manon said, looking away.

He raised an eyebrow and smiled a little. "Looking for something? Are you sure you're okay, Manon? You always have these little 'oopsies' when I'm around. I know I'm super cool, but this is a bit much," he said, teasing her.

Manon smiled a little, even though she was a bit embarrassed. He was so confident! As he walked away, she saw how good his jacket looked on him, and how his hair shone in the light. I just wanted him to notice me, like in a movie. But I got a bandage and a 'stay away' message.

"Oh my goodness, what a mess… times two!" Manon sighed and walked out of the building, feeling a little sad.

"Manon! You did great! You're getting closer to Robin!" Ray said, his white tail wagging.

Manon's eyes went wide. "Ray! Your fur! It's as white as a cloud!"

"I got a super-duper, mega-awesome upgrade!" Ray said, puffing out his chest. "When I upgrade, you get new powers! And you got the power to write amazing love stories!"

"Yes! I knew I could do it!" Manon jumped up and down and hugged Ray, then kissed his soft head.

Ray blinked, his whiskers moving a little, and his cheeks turned pink. "Well, congratulations are in order," he mumbled, a little shy.

Ding! A new mission! Manon grabbed her smartwatch.

Awesome job, Manon! Mission 1: Romance Power!

New Mission: Mission 2: Thirty Strangers, One Amazing Book!

Manon's Writer Stats:

 * Feelings: Level 1 (Getting better!)

 * Writing: Level 2 (Getting sharper!)

 * Experience: Level 3 (You're doing great!)

 * Books: 35 (Wow, that's a lot!)

 * Popular Books: 0 (Let's change that!)

 * New Power: Romance Writing (Level 3 – Heartstrings on Fire!)

 * Next Power: Super Imagination (You'll see your characters!)

More Imagination = More Readers!

"Thirty downloads from people I don't know?" Manon said, her eyes big. "I need someone to help me edit! And a super-cool book cover!"

She fell back on her bed and buried her face in her pillow. "Where do I even start? This is like trying to climb a mountain with no shoes!"