Hulk Girl

Chapter Seventeen

"...Wake up, little brat."

I opened an eye slowly. Through the blurred vision, I could just make out Kieran's tall silhoutte standing by the foot of my bed. A little bit of my sleepiness went away as a flashback went through my head--the first day that Kieran had woken me up for school rudely.

"I don't want to go to school," I cried, burying my head deeper into my pillow.

"Fine by me," I heard him yawn. "However, if you're not down by ten minutes, don't get angry at me when Nana comes and gives you a good smack with her belt." 

Just the mention of Nana and her belt was enough of a wake up call. I suddenly sat up, wide awake, "Alright, alright. I'll be down in 10."

Kieran gave a satisfied grunt and went out of my room, looking none too ready himself with his mussed hair and crumpled clothes. I stood up and headed for the bathroom where I took a hasty shower and brushed my teeth. Since it's the first day, I took quite a while with picking an outfit for school. In the end, I chose a hand me down from Frankie. It's a fairly simple floral dress, and it made me feel all feminine and one with nature.

I felt like I could paint with all the colors of the wind.

Humming a tune under my breathe, I grabbed my bag and went downstairs. Nana was pouring herself a cup of coffee when I reached the dining room, and the table was already set.

"Good morning, Nana," I greeted as I took a seat across from her. Kieran still wasn't here, which was a first since he's usually the first to be here. Yeah, come to think of it, it was always Kieran who had to come and get me whenever it's time to eat.

"You look nice!" She complimented, eyeing the dress with a smile. "Is that Frankie's?"

"Thanks, and yes," I answered as I helped myself to toasted bread. "It has never seen the sun since Frankie gave it to me three years ago, so I thought I'd use it now."

She shook her head and chuckled, "Better check if organisms have clung to that dress."

I started, "What? Is that possible?"

"Yes, dear. If you start to itch, that would be a good sign."

As if on cue, I felt a little itch at my back. Crap, was Nana actually serious? Just when I felt like I wanted to look nice for school, this happened. I stood up with a sour face and moved to go out of the dining room to change. Maybe I'm only meant for one kind of outfit only, and that's shirt and jeans. Before I could take another step though, Kieran appeared and blocked the doorway at the same time that Nana called, "Joking! I was joking--Oh, good morning, Kieran!"

"What's wrong?" Kieran asked, looking amused. He sat beside Nana at the table.

I gave Nana a somewhat dry look with a hint of amusement, but didn't say anything since I began to eat again.

"Thought I'd take up her siblings' job and mess with her," Nana said to Kieran, all the while chuckling to herself.

Was she for real? Kieran met my eyes across the table and he motioned to Nana with his hands secretly, and I could clearly see him mouthing, "She's cool."

I made a face at him. He'd find anything that would 'mess' with me cool. He lives for the fun of it! I stood up, feeling full, but still grabbed another toast to munch on while walking to school.

"I'll be heading out! See you later, Nana," I called, grabbing my backpack.

"Good luck on your first day!" I heard her call behind.

"I'll be needing that, alright," I muttered to myself, a feeling of dread slowly creeping on me now that I'm out of the house. 

I was already a few steps ahead when I heard our front door closing followed by the sound of Kieran's jog.