Untitled for now...

Chapter 21 - Unexpected

Malikai looks down at the floor for a moment then looks up at me and begins, "You gotta understand, I am nothing like my parents, they disgust me in almost every way imaginable... but I guess I should start there... I was an only child, my parents are well known in all circles, very wealthy and very hard to impress... I was never the son they wanted, they wanted an elitest when in all actuallity they got a son that could care less about class and "our standing in the community". So once I started my transformation and could fend for myself I left, never looking back. I live on the streets with me, myself, and I to worry about. Yah, it sucks scrounging for odd jobs but nutrition is easy enough to find in these parts. So yah.. that's me." 

"Well, that wasn't so bad, who cares about class or standing, I have my own issues with society and fitting in." I smile alittle and rest my hand on his shoulder. "No judgement here... me and Melanie though... that's a bit harder to swallow than a hatred of annoying social pressure."

He looks up at me and smirks, "try me." 

I take a deep breath and begin prepared for the worst... "Well it started when I was eight years old..." 

I finish and he just kind of looks at me for a minute, "Malikai... can ya I dunno... say something?"

"Damn. That's intense." I breathe a sigh of relief and fall back onto my pillow as he regains his composure. 

"Pardon me." I glance up at the door and freeze mostly from shock, my father?

"Good evening, daughter, how are you feeling?" He strolls over towards my friend and I carrying a boquet of Calla Lillies, my favorite. 

"Better Father, ready to go home." 

"I am sure of it, and you are October's roommate I presume?"

Malikai is obviously uncomfortable but responds, "Yes sir, I'm Malikai." 

Father nods in approval, "I am Sabastian Herring, October's father." Malikai mumbles a how do you do then retreats to his own bed and his world of television. 

"Thank you for the flowers Father, I must admit I'm a bit shocked to see you here." 

"Yes well, I just wanted to check on your progress, I was here briefly the day you arrived here, seeing as your friend is very good with numbers and remembered the house phone quite accurately." 

I feel my eyes light up a bit at the mention of Melanie but quickly toned it down hoping that he didn't see. "You know October, that girl has been risking her neck, literally, to come to the house and try to see if you are back yet. It took a bit of forceful convincing to reign your brother in, but I don't know how much longer any of us will be able to take you being here." I begin to smile and notice that Malikai has the television muted, he obviously is just as taken aback as I am. You would think for an elder Father would be different... you know, not like this. "Well, I'm sure you will be out in no time, try to make it home before 4 tomorrow." And with a wink my father is gone as quickly as he came.

"What-the-fuck?" Malikai is looking at me wide eyed, "I dunno" I shrug and we resolve to watching the television for a bit. What did he mean by that, and why is he being this way, he must know... that had to be what he meant during our last "talk"... ugh. 

"October Herring? Malikai Lovitt?" I look up to see a nurse walking in with two clipboards and two juice boxes.

"Yes?" We both answer at once,

"I have your dispatch papers here, I'll just need you to sign these and drink one juice box a piece, then you may go." I jump up and grab my stuff while Malikai waits for me to move, then I hand her the papers and chug my juice box while he takes his sweet ol' time. Hmph. The nurse leaves and I am flying around the room like a speeding bullet, "Oh my god what time is it??" 

Malikai chuckles before going into the bathroom to change, "8 am October, calm down." 

I grin and shoot him the bird before getting dressed and by the time he is finished sipping his drink, I have all of our junk crammed into our bags and his bag sitting on his bed, "Let's, gooooo!" 

"You don't have to wait for me you know," he grins and grabs his bag following me out the door. 

"Yah, but what fun would that be, I finally have a descent friend. You aren't getting away that easily."