Protecting Genie

Chapter 6

Well, my night was shitty. After waking up from that nightmare, I couldn't head back to sleep...and it was 2 in the morning. I had decided to take a warm shower to calm myself down.

Everything went smoothly at first; I had no trouble figuring out the new shower in my connected bathroom. I was able to be silent enough to get a towel and my bathrobe out of my bag, Jack seemed like a pretty deep sleeper.

I did notice that the door to the shower was totally see-through glass though. Weird but whom am I to argue with North's....artistic décor? I was so entranced by the shower door that I forgot to lock the door to the bathroom.

Stupid me. A few minutes into my shower, I turned to see a wide awake Jack staring at me with his mouth wide open and drool dripping out the corner. Before I could cover myself and yell, he had already ran out.

I didn't have the courage to go out and face him afterwards. I opted to just stake it out in the bathroom until morning.

That leads up to right now: 8 in the morning, fully dressed, sitting at the kitchen table with a bowl of sugary cereal turning into mush in front of me. Don't know why I poured myself some, I can't bring myself to eat; I can barely keep my eyes open. So it didn't faze me when a few of the elves jump up onto the table and scurry off with my bowl, the box of cereal, and the milk."

"Hey!" I stood up for a second before collapsing back down onto the chair. "I'm actually too tired to chase them. I've never pulled an almost all-nighter before. No wonder a bunch of people in my class fall asleep."

"You do know the elves took your food, right?" The object of my embarrassment took a seat in front of me.

"Give me a second, I'm building up my energy." I couldn't look him in the eye, and I could tell he felt the awkwardness between us. Pretty sure he understands why. So let's see who will be the first to talk.

The first minute passed by, nothing; second minute, still completely silence; three, four, five, six, seven. Neither one of us wanted to break the silence.

"Great Morning, you two!" North's booming voice caused my heart to give a small jump; Jack, on the other hand, was calm and still as a rock. Of course, he's been living here for a while so he must be use to it.

"Hey North." Jack responded.

"Genie!" He patted my back... a little too hard though. It almost made me fall out of my chair. "Did you enjoy first night?" He looked at my face and must have noticed the small bags forming under my eyes. "You did not."

"It's fine North. I always have a hard time sleeping in a new place. I'm sure that tonight I'll knock out cold." He wasn't convinced, even with a smile I gave him.

"Genie, follow me." North quickly grabbed a carton of milk and a plate of cookies before heading out the room. I gave one more look to Jack before following North.

It wasn't long until I was led into another room.

"Cookie?" North moved the plate in front of my face. I was about to say no until a loud growl reminded me how hungry I was. So I took a random cookie and started munching while North shut the door and moved to the table in the middle of the room.

"Is that a glass train set?"

"Nope, it's ice. I made it myself." He proclaimed proudly. "Come sit here Genie and tell me what is ailing you."

"Nothing is..."

"You can't hide it from me. I can tell. Somethings are bothering you, and Jack is one of them. You think I not notice the silence between you two. Yesterday, you were attached at hip." Well, at least he didn't catch on that Pitch was the other thing.