Matryo-ress (Volume 4)

Chapter 2 - Blooming

It was a bright and sunny morning. The air was frigid and light, blowing against the curl's of King's hair. He took a deep breath in, then sighed. It was so cold that I could see his breath.  Though he didn't see bothered by the temperature at all, he didn't have any layers of clothing or even a hat on. I pondered how he could be this immune to the cold, but then I thought about how I am so sensitive to the cold. As we walked outside of the front entrance of the academy together, I looked at his bright red eyes. Before I realized it, King grabbed my attention.

"Ty, you good?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah! Sorry, just spaced out a bit. How are you bothered by the cold? It's freezing out here!"
"You're being dramatic, it's nice outside. Why are you bundled up so much?"

He kind of had a point. I was wearing a puffy jacket over my school uniform, was wearing a fluffy winter hat, and also had thick winter gloves. Maybe I was overreacting just a little bit.

"I hate the cold, okay? Even if it's the slightest bit cold, then I will turn into an icicle."
"An icicle, huh? Better hope you don't fall on somebody and kill them."
"Huh?! No! Okay, maybe just an ice cube."
"Have fun living under a fridge."
"You're frustrating me!"

I stomped my foot on the ground and King chuckled. 

I had forgot that I need to ask him some questions. This was the perfect opportunity to ask him what he was doing the night that he sneaked off to that casino. I didn't want to ask him questions that he wouldn't be creeped out by though. He'd think that I'm really weird and probably wouldn't be my friend for any longer if he found out that I snuck out at night to follow him.

"So, King...do you have a job?"
"Oh, uh...I work at a casino. It's not the best, but my boss is pretty cool."

Perfect, Tycho! I knew you could ask him something that wouldn't make him consider you a crazy psychopath! Why thank you, me. Maybe this wouldn't be as hard as I thought.

"Aren't you only 18 though? Shouldn't the minimum age be 21?"
"I can work there, but I just can't gamble or drink. I mainly just work there because of my boss, we've known each other for quite some time."
"Oh really now? What casino do you work at?"
"Greed's Gamble, it's a bit of a walk from here, but I manage."

Trust me, King, I know.

"Good to know, thanks." I responded with a smile.
"Alright now listen to me, this is serious. I've got some news for you."
"Is it good or bad?" I questioned.
"Good news."
"Then tell me!"

Peeking my curiosity and excitement, King took another sigh before he began to explain.

"A new transfer student is coming here today. I know her from elementary school, we were the best of friends back then. I'll be showing her the ropes today, so I'll be pretty busy. Be cautious of her though, she can tend to act a little...possessive sometimes."
"Possessive? What do you mean--"
"So try not to get on her nerves, she's nervous about her first day. Okay?"

I was a little concerned. I didn't even know this girl's name and King is telling me not to get on her nerves? He seems a little off today, I'll to try and catch an opportunity to talk to him about it. I quickly checked my watch while letting out a big yawn from my lack of sleep last night, I had to study a bunch since I have a big test today, and realized that I'm gonna be late for class!

"Sorry King, I've got to get going to my class!"

I waved back to him and he waved at me with a smile. I was so focused on that dumb smile of his that I was running without looking where I was going and fell face first into the pavement, scattering my textbooks everywhere. I looked up while picking up my fallen books to see a group of girls wearing cheerleading uniforms laughing at me. The girl in the middle, which was probably their "leader" according to all teen movies about high school ever, had curly long black ponytails with hot pink highlights. Despite my embarrassment, I got up and ran to my first class. 

Hopefully today will be fun and exciting with this new transfer student, but I've also have to figure out why King seems upset. What could go wrong?