The Fall of the Aftons

177: Michael Afton

"Michael! You came!" Felicity exclaimed excitedly, wrapping Michael in a tight hug. "I didn't think that you'd actually accept the invitation. Come in, come in!" she said as she dragged him inside her house.

"You can thank Helpy for my appearance," he mumbled, motioning to his pocket. "I wasn't originally going to come—I was simply going to drop off your present and leave, but he convinced me otherwise.

Helpy looked up at Felicity and waved to her. "Hello, Miss Worchestersheeran!" he said, his voice both polite and happy.

Felicity chuckled, offering a small wave in return. "Hi, Helpy. Thanks for making him come. I appreciate it."

"Where is everybody?" Michael asked, glancing around the house.

"You're early. The first one to arrive, actually," she answered, chuckling. "I expected nothing less from you, though, so it's fine. Come on in, get yourself something to eat or drink."

He nodded slightly and walked into the kitchen, taking a seat on one of the stools at the kitchen island. He pulled Helpy out of his pocket and set the minitronic on the counter, then grabbed the closest drink his short arms could reach on the other side of the island.

"Nope," Helpy said as he carefully pried the drink out of Michael's hand. He wobbled away with the drink and returned with a different one. "We're trying to stay away from alcohol tonight, remember?"

"How was I supposed to know it had alcohol? It's not like they're labeled," Michael muttered, gently taking his new drink from Helpy's tiny arms.

"That's why I'm here: to keep you safe and sober."

He chuckled slightly before taking a sip of his drink, staring at the cup in surprise. "Oh, hey. Fruit punch. I love fruit punch."

"Maybe that's something you should start buying," Helpy suggested. "It offers you something with flavor that's not your father's alcohol."

He shrugged. "Maybe." He took another sip, then chuckled. "I could also just take some from the fridges at any of the locations, since it's one of the drinks offered on the menu."

"That's also true."

Suddenly, someone came up from behind him, wrapping their arms around their neck. In a flurry of panic, he fought his way out of the person's grip before kicking his chair away, moving away from whoever tried to hurt him.

"Mike!" Helpy exclaimed worriedly as he grabbed onto Michael's wrist. "Calm down. It was just Felicity."

He turned around, not surprised to see that Helpy was right. Felicity was standing there, staring at him, looking both shocked and guilty.

"Lo siento, Michaelito. I wasn't trying to scare you."

"It's fine," he assured her, smiling sheepishly. "I'm just jumpy sometimes. Don't worry about it. I'm okay."

She chuckled softly. "Well, I'm glad you're okay."

"Anyway, did you need something?" he asked, pulling his chair back and sitting down, sitting at an angle so he could still see her.

"Mmhmm!" she hummed happily. "I wanted you to meet my friend," she explained, stepping to the side.

A girl around Michael's age stepped forward. She had porcelain skin and shoulder-length honey blonde hair, paired with unnaturally pale purple eyes. She wore a purple blouse that matched her eyes and a short black skirt, as well as short white gloves and gray heels.

"Um, hello," he said awkwardly, chuckling nervously. He was terrible with new people. "I'm Mike." He held out his hand for a handshake.

She smiled and shook his hand. "Nice to meet you. I'm Marilyn."

TO BE CONTINUED...