Unsweet Sweets

Chapter 1: Arietty

I was minding my own business, looking for my apartment, when my mind was suddenly bombarded with questions.

"Arietty! You're still alive! Omigosh! Are you okay? How's the apartment? I chose it for you, you know? Hey, Ari? You there-?"

"Chill girl. I'm fine, and so is the apartment." Charlotte was my best friend, but she was still up in Heaven. Not in a sense that she was dead, but rather she was a servant for my dad, the God of the world. Charlotte and I communicated through telepathic brain waves, so we didn't have to see each other to converse. "So yeah. Remember your mission. You have to defeat the Muffinmonsters before it's too late." Grrr, she may be my best friend, but she was annoying like a big sister.

"I know, I know," I said grumpily. That's the 74th time, no make it the millionth time, you've reminded me this week alone. Oh look. There's the apartment. I've got to go. Byyyeeeeeee!"

246 N. Treehugger St. Apt.24 Boston, Massachusetts 19350.The apartment looked old and shabby. This couldn't be my home, could it? I was dropped into the world in the middle of the night and all I find is a shabby, old apartment? Shouldn't I enjoy a bit of luxury if I were going to be sent on a mission to get rid of the dreaded Muffins? A girl has gotta relax once in awhile. So I sent an angry message to my dad.

"Dad. Why is the apartment so old and ugly?"

"Oh honey. We've been having a few difficulties. Please bear with it."

"OH, as if I'm not dealing with enough difficulties myself! So I have to bear with this until I stop the Muffinmonsters?! Shouldn't I enjoy a bit of luxury before I might die?!"

"Ehehe...well, my dear, you can get a better house...and the Muffinmonster might still be fresh from the bakery where King Cupcake makes them." he said slowly.

"What? How?"

"It's time you learned a bit of responsibility and manage your own finances and take care of your own house. Let's make a deal. If you live in this shabby old house, I'll make sure that it's in an 'okay' shape. If you buy your own house, it'll be nicer, but you'll have to get the money yourself and take care of your own house. It's your choice, dear. Now I have to go. Being the God of the world isn't an easy task. I have a lot of things to manage, so goodbye for now."

I scowled and looked up at the stupid, old building. Should I find a job and get a nicer house or live in this shabby old one for the rest of my mission? I reached my room and scrambled for the old, rusty keys. I opened the door and was at once thoroughly disappointed and not at all surprised. Looks like I've got more than financial problems to take care of. Oh, well. I'm an excellent procrastinator, so i just dumped all my stuff on the only couch in the living room and ignored all the mess around me. I sat down glumly onto the couch. The couch sagged under my weight. This house was in a truly horrible shape. They couldn't even get a decent couch! What happened to the benefits of being the daughter of the God of the world?

I looked around the room. It was a tiny living room with the saggy old couch that had stuffing sticking out. Next to the living room was an even tinier kitchen. I mean, if you were to go over to the sink, you could turn around and meet the stove. And if that weren't enough, the sink was dirty and black, the cabinets were worn down by termites, and I was sure that the faucet and stove were rusty. Uh oh. I'd have to do some serious repairs. If you were to continue walking further into the house, you would see a small bedroom with a restroom connected to it. I don't think I need to describe the state of these rooms. Let's just say it was just as dirty as the outside.

I sighed. This was going to be a loooong day. I got up and started to clean the mold on the floor, but then, I heard a sound coming from the doorway. The doorknob rattled and turned slowly... Who could be coming to my apartment in the middle of the night?!

(Picture of Arietty on the side)