Toddy: Emperor of America

Chapter 1

"Master! Master!" Hil and Jecca called chasing Toddy around. "What can we do to serve you?"

The two girls pretended to be his slaves partly for the fun of it and partly to annoy his girlfriend.

"Okay my slaves, you can put my shoe on."

He picked up his shoe and threw it in their direction.

"Hey! You almost hit me," Jecca whined flipping her dirty blonde hair.

"Come on, Jecca, let's go."

Hil had his shoe and was running in the direction of the girl's bathroom. Toddy realized this a second too late. Behind the safety of the closed door, they dropped the shoe and tried to catch their breath.

"Slaves, you are in so much trouble. I demand that you give me my shoe back."

"I'm sorry, Master, we dropped it while we were running. It's in the creek somewhere," Hil giggled tucking her strawberry blonde bangs behind her ear.

"Ah! Those are my good shoes. My mom's gonna kill me."

"Here."

Jecca threw the shoe at him. Hil looked at her questioningly.

"I was tired of hearing him whine," she explained.

Hil laughed.

"You two are still in trouble," Toddy called through the closed door.

Then the bell rang.

"I guess it'll just have to wait until music is over," Jecca said opening the door.

The three took their seats in the auditorium. Their small school of sixty was a place of safety for some and a cage for others. Every one of them knew how lucky they were to be there though. Because the kids saw each other every day, they were more like a big family than just classmates.

The bell rang again signifying the end of school.

"My dad's here, Master. I guess our punishment will just have to wait," Hil said putting on her backpack.

"I can still get Jecca."

The girl pretended to be scared.

"Sorry, but she's coming with me."

"Darn. See you guys tomorrow."

"Later," Hil waved.

"See ya," Jecca called.

"Goodbye our master," they bowed together.

After they walked out, one of Toddy's guy friends walked up.

"Dude, why do you let them do that?"

"It's fun. Bedsides, one day I will be emperor. They are just getting practice now."

"If you say so."

* * *

"My parents are so retarded," Toddy complained.

"What happened this time?" Hil asked sitting on the edge of the playground beside him.

"They are just trying to order me around."

"Go figure. They're your parents."

"But they make no sense. They say I have to do what they say just because they say so."

"That really sucks," Hil sympathized.

"One day though, I will be emperor, and they will have to obey me no matter what."

"Keep dreaming," Hil laughed slightly.

"One day," Toddy said again.

"Fine, when you do, you have to make me a duchess."

"A duchess?"

"Yeah, not a queen, that implies marriage; not a princess, that implies father-daughter relationship. A duchess is royal like a princess, but no one really knows what on earth it means."

"I don't know. I'll have to think about that one."

"Come on, Toddy. I'm your best friend."

"I'll think about it."

"Fine," she laughed.

"Come on I think our break's over."

"Race ya."

Although she took off before he could say anything, Toddy made it to the door a good three seconds before she did. He held the door open with a victorious smile. She punched him and walked in. Their laughter was cut short at the sight of their teacher.

"Hey Mr. Morelli, what's wrong?"

"We just got word that America is being invaded by Communists. School is dismissed. Go home."

Toddy and Hil followed the other kids outside. When Toddy started going the other way Hil asked, "Where are you going? Home is this way."

"I want to defend my home. They'll need volunteers."

"Toddy, no, you're only seventeen," she argued.

"I know, but I have to do something."

"Toddy, don't leave me."

"Oliver will take care of you."

"But-"

"This is what I wanna do."

Tearfully, she nodded giving in.

"I'll be safe. I promise."

He hugged her then continued walking down the road. Running, Hil arrived home a few minutes later. Her parents were planted in front of the television. Images of soldiers and smoke filled the screen.

"Hil! We were worried about you," her mom exclaimed as she entered the house.

"I'm fine."

"We're watching the news. Go get changed, supper is ready."

Hil ran to her room. After laying her stuff on her bed, she called her boyfriend.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Ollie," she answered quietly.

"Hey!"

She smiled at his excitement.

"You okay?" he added.

"No, Toddy left. He wants to join the army. I'm so worried."

"You're always worried."

"Yeah, I know but he could be in real danger."

"But isn't this what he wants?"

"Yeah but-"

"You have to let him make his own decisions. Would he be happy here?"

"No," she admitted.

"Look, I've gotta finish working then I'll come over, okay?"

"All right, I'll see you soon."

"Bye," he said.

"Later."

She waited until he hung up the phone before putting hers down as well. Night finally came. Mentally and physically exhausted, Hil went to sleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.