A word that resonates with a certain mystic

                 An essence of the unknown and the marvelous 

                                              Like a echo 

      Evoking supernatural creatures that weave between the shadows of night 

           Inhabiting the dark corners of the collective imagination 

              And like the Yokai we are strangers in our own world 

                      Looked upon with suspicion or despised 

                               Because we are different 

                          They embody our deepest fears 

                                  Our unspoken desires

                                And our darkest failures 

                     We confront these aspect of ourselves 

                            That we often prefer to ignore

                But it's in this difference that our strength lies 

                                        It makes us special 

The constant buzzing of Gwen’s phone pulled her out of her thoughts. She grabbed it absentmindedly, discovering a message in the WattsApp group she shared with her friends.

💬 WattsApp Group – Monster Vogue ❤️💥

Xaviera:

Girls, I have BIG news to share 😇😇

J-Fire:

You’re pregnant and getting married to the baby’s father? 🤭

Xaviera:

To your great-grandfather, maybe 🤨??

J-Fire:

So you were the one who woke him up from the grave 😂

Xaviera:

😒 Hmmm pa fèm di’w non

— Hmm, don’t make me say it

J-Fire:

Sa ou ka fè 🤭

— What can you even do?

Maya:

Sak fè nou pa pale seryé hein ?

— Why can’t we ever have a serious conversation?

J-Fire:

Epa bagay seryé nap pale la 🤭😂

— But this is totally a serious convo!

Me (Gwen):

😂😂

Xaviera:

Look who’s back from the dead.

Me:

I’m here watching from the shadows 😂🤭

Reyna:

Hi 😊

Xaviera:

Slt bboosh

— Hey bboosh 💕

Reyna:

How are you all doing?

Maya:

Judging by the flood of messages, they’ve clearly eaten well.

J-Fire:

You jealous?

Me:

M sot kraze yon Fritay la 🥰

— I just devoured a big Fritay (Haitian street food platter)

Xaviera:

Traitor 😒

Reyna:

So, what was that big news, Xaviera?

Xaviera:

Finally someone serious 😇

Well, the news is… I’ve managed to clear some time in my schedule, so I’ll be able to spend the holidays with you guys!

Me:

Seriously??

Xaviera:

I mean, I still have to DJ a few concerts, but none are out of state or abroad.

Me:

So… you’ll ALL be here for the holidays??

Reyna:

Looks like it!

Me:

And… how exactly are you all planning to get here, may I ask?

J-Fire:

In a canoe.

Maya:

Then we’ll swim the rest of the way.

Xaviera:

And finish the trip inside a hungry shark.

Reyna:

That was such a dumb question, Gwen 😂😂

Maya:

She must’ve taken pills to ask something that stupid.

J-Fire:

Who’s even surprised at this point? 🤷🏽‍♀️

Me:

Only because you’re the one who gave them to me 😂😂

Me:

Anyway, I meant: were you planning to meet up somewhere to catch the same flight?

Xaviera:

You really think we’re that disorganized, huh?

Me (Gwen):

Maybe 😂😂

Xaviera:

We’re all staring at you with disgust and contempt now.

Me:

Okay, okay, I give up 😂😂

So when are you coming?

J-Fire:

We’re sticking to the original plan. Next month, 10 a.m.

Xaviera:

We know you’re bored without us 🤭

Me:

Of course I am 😂😂

You’re my crazy soul sisters.

Maya:

🥰🥰🥰

Reyna:

We love you too 😘

Xaviera:

Gwen, did you already handle the paperwork for the house we’re renting?

Me:

Yeah, but the landlord asked to be paid two weeks before we move in 🤧🤧

Reyna:

We’ll just transfer the money when the time comes.

Me:

No problem. But I won’t lie…

I’d really like to get all those little details out of the way ASAP.

Xaviera:

Pandan wap di sa, m gen zen pou nou

— While you’re saying that, I’ve got some juicy gossip for y’all.

J-Fire:

🍿 Sal ye la ?

— What is it?

Maya:

E sa m rele yon konvèsasyon serye 🤭🤭

— Now this is what I call a serious conversation!

Gwen shook her head, smiling at the screen. She had missed all of this so much... After all those years apart, she was finally going to enjoy unforgettable holidays with the craziest friends in the world.