Spring Meadow

Yours, Mine, Ours

I woke up feeling the exact opposite of refreshed. Going to school was the last thing I wanted to do that morning. I was actually considering calling the school saying I had a slight fever and a sore throat, but thought better of it. With my luck my parents would make sure Michael was the one who got sent to deliver my homework and review the topics I had missed. A twenty minute drive was probably better than a mandated two hour study session.

So, groaning, I got up and laid out my uniform and then groggily went through my morning routine. The last thing I wanted to do was talk to Michael. Half of me wondered if he already had a new girlfriend. I couldn't imagine it would be hard. All he probably had to do was look through his contact list. Then I wondered if he had a way of organizing them. He probably wouldn't want to make the mistake of calling up someone he already dated, but what if he knew some of the girls would be head over heels to date him again. Did he make another category for them?

Was I on the list of available girls? Was I at one point ever on that list?

I splashed my face with water. How ridiculous was I to wonder if I was on some list that I didn't even know whether or not it existed. For starters, it probably didn't. He was much to smart for that. And who was I kidding? If that list did exist, I would most certainly never be on it.

And now I was getting mad about not being on a list that doesn't exist. This was spectacular. I now have proof that I am insane.

Finally changed and pretty much ready, I started to put my homework into my bag.

There was a knock at the door followed by Ryan's voice, "It seems that Michael came a bit early. Are you almost ready or should I invite him inside for breakfast?"

"Shoot," I muttered to myself, "I haven't eaten yet." It was with good reason, though. He wasn't supposed to come for at least another half hour. Arriving this early was really rather ridiculous.

"Inviting him in it is," Ryan decided. I could hear the laughter under his voice. I rolled my eyes as I finished preparing my bag. Surprisingly, just after that one conversation with him last night, I felt like I could trust him with just about anything. I also felt like he knew way too much about me regardless so it was in my best interest to trust him anyway. I had the feeling that he would always know more than I did and that wasn't really a bad thing.

I went downstairs to the dining room. It was no surprise that Michael was already there, patiently waiting for the food to arrive. As I sat down, Ryan served me as one of our other butlers attended to Michael. I looked at my food, a little anxious under Michael's stare. My mind immediately went to all the mistakes I had made yesterday. All I could think was that I really should apologize. My mind suddenly became a sort of battlefield, deciding between admitting my mistake and holding on to my pride.

"Amber, would you care for some orange juice?" My thoughts were interrupted by Ryan's sudden question.

"I, uh, yes. Thank you, Ryan," I answered rather hastily.

As he leaned down to pour my juice he whispered in a voice only I would hear, "All or nothing, sweetheart."

I let a smile slip for a moment. To have somehow formed such a strong bond that a mere four words was enough in a night was an amazing feat to say the least. I felt honored.

"You're quite friendly with your butler, Amber. On first name terms to boot." Michael seemed rather annoyed, but he always seemed to be around me.

I looked back at him with a steady gaze. "Do you not have a close bond with your staff? I pity you. It does wonders."

"It can lead to insubordination."

"Then obviously you need new staff."

He remained silent. It seemed forced, however, like he wanted to say more but something was holding him back. I took it as a win for me and moved on.