Your Loyal Servant

(21) Where Are You?

Tommy's tail flicked my nose and tickled my face, and I'm confident it was on purpose. Because he refused to stop, even though he knew I was awake, I released a loud groan and rolled onto my side, burying my face in my pillow. But that cat was well-aware that I'd go right back to sleep, so he did the thing he knew would get me up: he walked all along my head.

Finally, I pushed him away and sat up with an irritated moan. I cut my murderous glare towards the feline, who just looked back lethargically, tail whipping to and fro as if he'd been doing it the entire time. The longer he stared at me, the more annoyed I became, so eventually I gave in and slid out of bed, which earned a mew of satisfaction from Tommy.

I stumbled groggily into the bathroom, and after I finished my early morning routine, I glanced at myself in the mirror. It wasn't a surprise to find my hair in utter disarray atop my head, tangled and sticking out in various directions. I tugged my fingers through an intimidating tangle, and huffed as I grabbed my hairbrush.

As soon as my hair was smooth and flat about my head, I staggered down the steps, slowed by a large yawn. I wandered into the dining room and plopped into a seat, rubbing the sleep from my still-exhausted eyes. When they flashed open once more, a steaming cup of coffee and a plate of scrambled eggs sat in front of me.

School was back in session, starting today. Which meant Christmas vacation was over with—damn it. No more staying up until godforsaken hours in the night and sleeping in until the afternoon. But it also meant seeing Apple and Selma after two weeks of being apart.

Apple had gone to California to spend the holidays with her family there, so she spent her days at Disneyland and the ocean. Meanwhile, Selma was off in New York checking out a college, and her family had just decided to make a vacation out of it. So she spent her days hailing taxis and wandering Madison Square Garden.

I was positive they'd have tales to tell of their adventures.

Howie seated himself across the table from me, already dressed and prepared for the day ahead. His hair was perfect, his uniform ironed, his shoes shined. His breath probably smelled like toothpaste, but I could only speculate. He flashed that friendly grin of his at me as I dove into the meal before me.

"Are you excited for the new semester?" he questioned conversationally, sitting straight.

Swallowing, I glanced at him, staring almost blankly at him for a moment. I let my fork rest on my plate as I replied, "As in, school? No. I am excited to see Apple and Selma, though."

His smile broadened and his head tilted. He informed me, "The second semester tends to be easier, though. Most seniors shove it aside since the majority of them have already been accepted into college."

I cleaned my plate quickly and pushed it away. I sighed, long and slow, as I crossed my arms. "That's assuming you've been accepted. I haven't heard back from any yet."

"You'll know by February," he assured me with conviction.

My eyes locked onto his strange silver ones, and I asked, curious, "Did you apply to college?"

He chuckled, so fast it sounded more like a hum. He glanced away as he shifted in his chair. He didn't look uncomfortable, but he did seem hesitant. Finally, he admitted, "A few."

"But you didn't go," I assumed. I figured it was safe to say so, because if he had, he would've been there right now rather than sitting across from me.

When he gazed at me once more, the flicker in his eyes was intensely determined. His voice was firm as he said, "My obligation to repay this debt and restore my family's reputation came first."