Curiosity Never Killed The Cat

Chapter 10: Freedom

Joy's room, 6:00 AM

BEEP* BEEP* BEEP*

SMACK*

mmmhmmm...

I lay there in a cocoon of my bed sheets. Underneath my blankets, I felt warm and almost suffocated. The cold morning air flowed from my bedroom window, across the floor and sat next to me on my bed cupping my cheeks. It blew the hair out of my face as if it were about to tuck it behind my ear like a loved one would. I opened my eyes feeling the dried tears around them fight to keep them shut. Once I'd won the battle, I stared at the blank ceiling. 

....

Then it came back. Last night flooded my mind like a tsunami.

!!!!

"Was it... real?"

I snapped up untangling myself from the warmth of my sheets. I got up and ran to my door feeling like if I didn't get there in time the dream might fail to exist. I needed to see.

SLAM*

I kicked my door open and flipped my entire body around to see the end of the hallway. 

There, at the end, my parent's bedroom door was propped open with the chair that I placed there. 

"It... it is..."

"IT'S REAL!!!" 

"YAHOOOO"

I jumped up and down over and over again screaming at the top of my lungs. For the first time in years, I was making noise with no regard for others. At this moment it was me and only me. For the first time in what had to be a quarter of my lifetime, I was smiling and the true spitting image of my name.

After celebrating, I decided to get ready. But this time I could actually take my time. I even get to make myself breakfast!!! I ran to my bedroom and got dressed.

Algebra 2, Room 451, 9:15 AM

I was taking math notes when I began thinking.

My parents really haven't come back since last night, they really are gone. I'm so happy I think I could explode. But the real issue now is finding a job. I definitely do not want to rely on those pieces of shit for the rest of my life, and if I'm going to leave this place, I'm going to need my own money. So where should I apply? 

I continued thinking until, suddenly, I could feel myself being watched. I snapped my head up to see her staring at me.

LiLi...

She was staring down at me with those ruby-red eyes. She seemed lost in thought, and I don't think she realizes how long she has been looking at me. I wonder what she's thinking about? Me? Hmhm how adorable. I locked eyes with her and flashed her the best smile I knew how to make.

She jumped like an animal overcome with fear and turned right back around. Her face was incredibly red, but I do not think she knows this fact either. 

Cute...

RIIINGGG*

Unfortunately, I can't stick around and play today LiLi. I have other priorities I must tend to. I need to finish my schoolwork as quickly as possible so I can start searching for a job. I packed up and left as soon as I could without looking back. 

Abandoned park, 3:40 PM

Sitting on my favorite bench I began scrolling through job postings. None of them seem appealing. I need a job that doesn't require too many social skills. I hate all the people here, well except LiLi and Cupid. They make things here a little more worthwhile.

Wait a sec...

Gasp*

"That's it!"

Cupid! He has the perfect job! If I could find an opening at the same time as his, I could make my own money, serve non-sentients, and mess with Cupid!

I scrolled back to the top of the page to the search bar and typed in Rippley's Diner. 

A single post popped up in my location. It was an opening for the night shift. Perfect. I filled out the application and hit submit.