Surviving my Scholarship

Earthquake

I broke my Sketcher. I glance down at the bent, chewed on tip of my laser writer and groan. That was my fifth one this hour. I slid off of the bed like a bottom heavy blanket falling to the floor with a thud. I reached for the box of Sketchers with my right arm pathetically too mentally spent to actually get up and deal with this.

"What are you doing now," echoed the deep voice of the Lion, whose name turned out to be Holden, glanced down at me from his stool he had prepped in the corner of my room. His arms were crossed and he wore his newly tailored suit with pride unintentionally popping out his chest. He sat up adjusting his cufflinks before he towered over me in amusement.

"Must reach Sketcher," I slowly force out before giving up and staring at my bare ceiling. "This is impossible."

Holden chuckles slightly before dangling the Sketcher in front of my face.

"Nothing is impossible for you," he encourages before cracking his back in the obvious discomfort of sitting on that stool for so long. I grumble to myself as I roll over and immediately place the writer in my mouth breaking off the tip. "Maybe you should take a break though."   

"Is that concern for my security," I question with an eyebrow raised and Holden chuckles deeply again. His whole body moves with his laughter and it makes me smile at him.

"Well since last time you shaved Mr. Galloway's head after you sat in here for hours, yes. It is a concern that you might become mischievous again." Holden hits the button and the door slides open. "Get out of here."

"He deserved it," I mumbled before beaming at him and he shook his head clearly entertained with my antics lately.

 I sprint out of the room and slide the hallway in my socks in my traditional way. Upon reaching Pierce's door, I freeze. I reach up to knock only to sigh and shake my head. My hand drops to my side and I turn to head down the stairs. We haven't talked since he rescued me and it was the reason I couldn't concentrate. It was also why I continued to pull pranks on the residence of the house. I hoped he would come out and hang out with me like we used to, but he stays tucked away doing "business". I have held his hostage for days now to no success. Too bad for him, it now has pink bunnies on it.  

I finish my descent down the stairs with a skip in my step. I spin in my joy of being free only to crash face first into a couch being moved. I glance up at the nose squishing offender while rubbing at the throbbing nose. The Jon quickly apologizes before moving the couch to where Mrs. Galloway is directing it. She glances over at me quickly regret in her eyes and as the tears build up yet again, she turns and excuses herself out of the room.

I sigh as I rub my nose again and head towards the kitchen. It is the only place where I am treated anything remotely like I was. Unfortunately, lately the Marzian has been more interested in the face of Jon than anything else. Her absence has been noticed throughout the house, leading me to laugh as the dishwasher presents dinner with no idea what he even made. Not that the Galloways have eaten with me lately.

I pick up the salad like thing that he has smacked in-between two slices of mushy bread. No wonder the Galloways have been eating outside of the house. I force down what I can and then head out front to enjoy the fresh air now that I was allowed.

As I head out the front door, I see Holden's frame down the stairway and smile. I slowly creep my way towards him and as I get close I yell out the most absurd comment I can. Holden coughs as he drops something and wafts the air with his hand. I smile over at him before giving him a wink. Hey everyone is addicted to something. Mine just happened to be mischief........... and Pierce.

Feeling I have the courage to do this, I turn and head back into the house towards Pierce's room. I knock gently on the door and wait for the standard "come in." Silence is all that awaits me. I knock again before sighing and turning back to go get Holden. At least he is here for me, even if it is because he is getting paid. He welcomes my presences with a smile every time as if I was his adopted daughter, but this time he is busy going over some new security protocols.  

"To your room," one of the Jons orders without looking up from his paper. "We are running a new security system today and we don't want you triggering it yet."

I look at them appalled at his accusations and when Holden raises an eyebrow at me I know I lost that battle. With a sigh, I trudge back to my room and walk out on the balcony. The sight of the bunnies was starting to make me feel sick.

   "Well Gram, you get her to talk to me then. I didn't realize she was there until after I killed him," Pierce's heavenly voice carried through the air. I looked around in confusion before leaning over the balcony and glancing at the one below. There you are Pierce.

                "Yes, what did you think I was talking about? Ring sizes and honeymoon ideas," Pierce sarcastically replies to whatever Grammy states. "Per our deal, I bought the ticket. Don't raise your voice at me woman. You have already said you can't protect her and we obviously failed. We have no other option until....."

                He shifts back into the house and I curse. He was obviously talking about me. But what ticket? Is he sending me away? He isn't coming? Silly, he said ticket. Ticket is not plural. I stop as I glance around in a panic. This was all because of my horrendous father and his equation. The equation! That's the answer. I rush back into the room and sit down with new vigor and some desperation. If I can figure it out, then there will be no reason to send me away right?

                I delve into the annoying bunnies again with determination. I would not let Pierce send me away. Even if I wasn't sure I was ready to face him yet.