Three Kings, One Girl, One Decision

Chapter 11: Hangovers And Surprise Visits

"I can't believe you got drunk. And on a school night."

"Leave me alone. It isn't my fault," I groan.

"So, what? Kage was forcing alcohol down your throat?"

"No, but-"

"Then it is your fault, Cici," says Gabe sternly. He's sitting on the edge of my bed trying to open a container of pills.

"Here take these, they'll help with the headache," he says, handing me two pills from the container he was able to get open on the fourth try.

"Okay," I say and swallow the pills dry. "Do I have to go to school today?"

"You probably shouldn't considering you'll be throwing up a couple times today," he says matter-of-factly. "This'll be worse than a usual hangover since it's your first time."

I groan but feel somewhat relieved at the fact that it won't be this bad next time, whenever that would be.

"Well, I gotta go to work. Take care of yourself little sister," Gabe says and exits my room.

I groan again and pull my covers up over my head, figuring I could just sleep it off. Within a few minutes I'm out like a light.

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Ding dong!

The sound of the doorbell wakes me up. I look at my clock to check the time. It's noon. Who would be here at noon? Everyone would be gone if I hadn't stayed home today, I think as I get up with a groan and make my way to the front door.

Ding dong!

"I'm coming!" I yell as I walk down the hall. When I get to the door I pull it open to see who's on the other side.

"Who are you?" I ask the man before me, looking him up and down. He's dressed very oddly in white, puffy shorts, purple striped leggings underneath, and pointy dark purple boots. He's also wearing a white vest with a purple undershirt and has a white and purple spotted neckerchief that is tucked into the vest. On his shoulder he wears a long white cape with a purple inside. A tall white hat sits atop his head and he's holding a pink umbrella in his purple gloved hands. The hair underneath his hat is purple, as is the small goatee on his chin. Is this guy some kind of clown?

"I am Mephisto Pheles," says the man politely. "May I come in?"

"What? No way! I'm not going to let a stranger into my house!" I yell, making my throat hurt.

"I assure you, I am no stranger. Just let me in and I'll explain who I am," he says with an amused smirk.

Before I can refuse him he steps inside and takes a seat on my couch. "Just make yourself at home," I mutter, losing my patience quickly.

"Thank you. Please, take a seat," he says, gesturing to the seat next to him.

"I don't need you to tell me to sit down in my own house," I say and sit on the couch opposite to him, this way we are facing each other.

"I was just trying to be polite," he says, looking amused.

"Whatever," I say with a roll of my eyes. "Now, tell me who you are and why you're here."

"Right to the point are we? Very well then, I will tell you. I am Mephisto Pheles-"

"Yeah, we already established that," I interrupt.

"-director of True Cross Academy in Japan," he says, not seeming to notice my interruption.

"Wait, Japan? So why are here?" I ask quickly.