Fickle

3

The next day the morning started early for those in the house. Fickle slept on the floor in the dining and living room since there were no other beds and he refused to take Valerie up on her offer of using her bed while she took the floor. He couldn't however, refuse the blanket and pillow she gave him. She insisted he stay the night. She needed to not only repay him for giving her more time to get the rent paid, but she also needed him for Thursday so that Fickle could keep his promise of taking the rent to Mrs. Camembert.

Fickle did need sleep. Like humans, he used sleep as a way to recharge. His creators made him as close to being a human as possible.

Valerie got up around six in the morning to prepare breakfast, though it was just cereal. Fickle slept soundly in the other room, and Jaime was rolling around in his own bed slowly waking up but not wanting to.

Eventually Valerie went into Jaime's room and he got up reluctantly. In the dining he sat down to eat his cereal as Fickle sat across the table looking sleepy.

"Mom, do I have to go to school?" Jaime asked with hope that his mother might just comply with his wishes. To no surprise though, she did not.

"You have to go to school. Your not sick." She responds calmly. She looks over at Fickle. "Would you like something to eat?"

"Oh, no. It's okay. I'll eat later." Fickle replies with a smile, lying through his teeth as he could go days without food as long as he could sleep. "I can't eat first thing in the morning."

"Really? Well, alright then." Valerie looked slightly relived. It was hard enough feeding two people, let alone three. She herself ate little to begin with to ensure Jaime always could. "I'll be taking Jaime to school. Then I'm off to work. Your welcome to stay here."

"Thank you for your kindness. I hope work goes well." Fickle nods. He already asked for clarification on school and work the night before so he knew clearly what they were talking about.

And so, the day went on. Valerie and Jaime left not long after breakfast, though Jaime still protested. Only a few minutes after they left, there was a loud knock on the front door of the house. Fickle, who was now sitting at the table, got up slowly to open the door. Valerie didn't say anything about visitors.

In the doorway was a tall male with short blond hair and blue eyes. He was dressed in a suit and had a large watch that looked so expensive it could buy all the houses in the neighborhood. He obviously was rich, and wanted to let everyone around him know. As soon as the door opened the man attempted to walk straight past Fickle and into the house.

"Valerie!" He shouted loudly and boldly as he moved forward.

Fickle however, put out his arm blocking the strangers path. "What do you want?" Fickle's voice was stern and he wore an expression of suspicion.

"Who is this nobody?" He man laughed stepping back. He flipped his hair, and smirked. "You must be that commoner that bewitched my mother. Not like it was that hard to begin with. But you can't fool me. You're just a commoner with a silver tongue."

"My tongue is pink not silver and you haven't said what you want yet." Fickle responded narrowing his eyes and closing the door as he stepped outside.

"I am here to see Valerie. Though I suppose she might have left already. Otherwise she would have opened the door. But while I'm here, let me ask you something." The man steps closer to Fickle and gets into his face. He showed no intention of backing down, and neither did Fickle. "What are you planning to do to my future wife?"

"Valerie is not engaged to anyone so I do not know who your future wife is. However, Valerie has been very kind to me, and Jaime is my friend." Fickle responds with sincerity and confidence. He had a slightly agitated voice though. "I plan to repay them in anyway I can."