The Golden Apple

Fourteen - Jake

Sometimes I sit and try to remember what it was like living out in the streets before.

I try to imagine the crisp, whistling winds that blew throughout the night, the constant chatter of citizens passing by the booths, the clanking armour of the guards who were walking past everyone. I sighed.

I just cannot bring myself to feel that same sensation any longer.

I've been living this indoors routine for three months now. I raised my eyebrows. How is it possible that I've lived with the princess of Urbem for three months? It sounds outstanding when I think about it. The days just come and go faster than I expect them to. It feels like only yesterday I had met her friend Helena Gladstone. In actuality, it's been a few weeks since that meeting, and Helena has been visiting a lot more often.

Magnolia has also been scheduling her life differently lately. Every second day, she would accept Oriel's invitation to spend time with him before she went back to her father. For the days in between, she would spend half of the day with her father and half the day with me. She even managed to fit in time to read her books and do some of her paintings. I don't know how she manages, but I don't intend to question it.

Magnolia explained to me that her father educates her every day on certain topics, such as writing, money, laws, and etiquette of the town. She is tested once a week on her decision making ability for laws and government orders. So far, she has failed every week on at least two aspects of the process. However, I know she'll be able to push through eventually. Magnolia's most prominent quality is her persistence, and I know that will get her far in life.

I've come to notice that Magnolia's overall attitude has gotten a lot more positive as well. She has this new-found glow that I've never seen before. I don't know if it's her new schedule, my supportive presence, or things are just looking up in general. Whatever it is, I believe it's a change for the better. I like being around her more when she's not constantly bickering all the time. The odd complaint here and there was acceptable, but it's nothing but noise when it becomes incessant.

Being alone most of my life, I'm not used to witnessing this kind of transition. I've never realized how much a person can change in only a few months time. I smiled. It is extremely strange to me, yet oddly satisfying.

The yellow tainted sun shined through the glass window of the basement bedroom. It was eight o'clock in the morning, and I was already dressed and freshened up. Magnolia still laid there, sound asleep in the comfort of her bed. Her face was planted in the folds of her pillow with hair to the side in a tangled mess. I chuckled at her motionless state. She always sleeps like that. Sometimes I wonder how she's able to breathe at night.

I thought about waiting patiently for her to wake up on her own like I usually do, but I just felt so eager to go along with my what I had planned already. I hopped onto Magnolia's bed and went to grab a pillow, but the movement of the mattress was enough to do the trick.

Magnolia opened her eyes slowly. She moved her long dishevelled hair to rest upon her shoulder, only half awake in front of me. A yawn escaped her before she could acknowledge my presence.

"Jake?" she asked groggily. "What on earth are you doing...it's early in the morning..."

I peered out at the clock tower through the window. "It's nine in the morning, Maggie. It's not that early."

"Early for me...and get that pillow out of my face," she murmured. "Also what did you just call me?"

"I called you...um...Maggie," I clarified. My eyes darted anxiously across the room. "I'm sorry, I should have asked first -"