Mirror, Mirror

Chapter 2: The Boy and I

It's 3:00 and Take has locked me in my room.

This isn't unusual. It's a drill we do, in case anyone ever finds this place. But Take has never done this at 3:00. The only time I ask to have to myself is the time Take decides to do the stupid drill. I feel something boiling in my chest. I'm not sure if I like it or not.

I wait, hiding in my closet with my light turned off, like I'm supposed to, until Take knocks on my door and tells me I can leave.

I run out the door and down the hallway, waiting outside the door for Garçon to begin playing. But all I hear is silence. I press my ear to the door and try to see if I hear anything. I get this feeling in my chest...not a new feeling. An empty space opens up in my heart. Loneliness.

"Obsessions are a common side effect of neglection, you know?"

The voice makes me jump. The first human voice I've heard besides mine in months. Take stopped talking to me awhile back, so I have no conversation anymore. Unless you count my movies.

"Uhm... w-were... are you...talking to me?"

A laugh sounds out behind the door. "Exactly how much do you think we know about human social interactions? I've studied it, but it's rather hard to practice without another actual human, don't you think? I mean, here I am, talking to you through a door with absolutely no clue on what to do next."

"Well...I mean, you could open the door..." I stutter.

Another laugh. "Yes, I agree that opening the door may make out conversation a bit easier. See, we're already learning how to have a proper conversation."

The door swings open, revealing Garçon. Of course I'd thought about what he might look like, but it's different, seeing another human being for the first time. He's taller than me with long, blond hair that falls just above his blue eyes. He looks me up and down for a moment, and then gestures for me to come in and sti down.

I thought Garçon only had one room, but as I look around, I realize that he has the entire south wing of the house to himself. The walls have been painted white, but over the white walls are pictures after pictures, mostly of dancers. Twirling, laughing, with black, blond, red, or brown hair. The dancer (presumably me) looks different in every picture, but each picture has a certain charm to it.

"Ah, where were we? Oh yes, my theory. About obsessions. So, tell me, are you obsessed with anything?"

"Obsessed?" I repeat dumbly.

"Beautiful things. Tell me, what does your room look like?"

"My room? Um...it's white..."

"With roses, painted on the walls? Of course, you painted the roses yourself...you must have a collection of dolls as well. A wall made entirely of mirror, which you say is for dancing...but most likely is for looking at yourself. How much of that did I get right?"

I stare at him, my mouth gaped open. "Have you seen my room before?"

Garçon grins at me. "Obsessed with beautiful things. See, this proves my theory quite correct. I've studied the effects of neglect to the point where I could write a novel. Neglected children feel that they have something wrong with them, so they are drawn to things they find 'perfect.' Dolls, pretty dresses, beautiful music...all typical for girls such as you."

I stare at him. "And...are you obsessed with anything?"

He smiles again and motions to his walls, the pictures of the dancers. The pictures of me. "I don't know, you tell me."

In one of my books, a boy becomes obsessed with a girl and he is called a "stalker" and taken away by the police. But I don't feel scared of Garçon when he says that. I feel...wanted.

"Garçon?" I call him without even thinking.

"Garçon? Is that what you call me?" he asks quietly.

"Oh...uhm...yes. I...didn't...don't know your name..."

"We really need to work on that stutter," he says, teasingly tapping the end of my nose.

"We really need to work on a lot of things," I reply quietly.

"You're right. You don't even know my name. I'm James Alexander Madison the Second, and you are?" he asks, standing up and bowing with a grand flourish.

"Uhm...well I'm Kara. And I only have one name..."

James laughs again. He seems to find me quite funny.

"We shall certainly have to fix that. From now on, you are Kara Elizabeth Angel the First."

"Do I really need a 'first' after my name?" I ask, tentatively.

"Of course not. Just Kara Angel, then."

I like my new name. It sounds like a grand heroine in one of my books.

James makes me feel like an actual person. It's a wonderful feeling, being a person.

***

A/N: Hello! You guys can expect updates about once or twice a week, depending on how busy I am. They will most likely be short and sweet, like this one :) So tell me, what do you think of James Alexander Madison the Second?

Thanks for reading!

-kaylin_meller