To Be Freed

Chapter Six

~Josh~

Monday mornings were never easy for Josh. He was never able to wake up on time, his hair was always disgusting, and, on occasion, he would put his shirt on inside-out or backwards.

He couldn't help but think of Courtney. Was she used to getting up this early? Did she get her schedule yet? He wondered whether she walked or drived to school.

Now he felt like a creep for wondering.

Brushing his teeth, he started wondering if her mom was treating her good enough. From when he saw Courtney, it didn't look like she was abused so...

The day he figured out that she was going to go to school with him, he immediately told his parents. They started making fun of him again, starting with Makoto. Both thought he was joking, making him wish he never announced it in the first place.

He walked into the kitchen and saw Makoto making breakfast. Why doesn't Shorter Dad ever cook?? he began wondering. He wanted to ask but knew that it would turn into a conversation about Courtney.

Josh saw Haru shuffle out of their room and walk into the kitchen where Josh tried as best as he could to camouflage. Haru sighed, "Josh, you look like an idiot."

Makoto turned from the stove and saw Josh creeping away. "You never acted like this until you met Courtney!" He said in a singsong voice.

"You mean: You never acted like this until you met Courtney!" Josh replied in the same tune.

Haru looked from Makoto to Josh as if both of their heads were on fire. "I'm going back to sleep. Have a great day at school, Josh," he walked back the way he came and soon, Josh heard him fall on the bed.

Makoto smiled with a twinge of mischief as he gave Josh his breakfast. Josh frowned, sitting down at the table. "I bet you poisoned it," he muttered.

"What? Of course not!"

He rolled his eyes and reluctantly began eating. Makoto cracked a cheesy grin that almost made Josh want to spit it out. "You've changed, Dad. You've changed."

~Courtney~

Her mom wouldn't start working until the next day so she was going to walk her through everthing about getting ready for school and would also drive her today to show her where it's at. Courtney was woken up much earlier and it was hard for her to get ready when her mom was there rushing her. One thing was for sure to Courtney: she couldn't do this everyday.

She had already taken the pre-enrollment test and was going to get her results today at school.

"Hurry up!"

"Hold on Mom!"

"Don't raise your voice at me!"

"Okay, jeez."

"If you're not out of there in three seconds I'm gonna break through!"

"It's locked, though..."

Her mom was already gone to cook breakfast. Courtney left the restroom in a hurry and ran to the kitchen where her mom was still cooking.

"What time do I have to be there again?"

"7:45 at the earliest."

"Okay." Courtney felt her pocket buzz and slowly walked back to her room.

Want to get out of school yet Josh texted her.

R u a mind reader or some1 with perfect timing