Next morning, Roger's alarm cackled making him roll over and open his eyes. A scowl was traced on his lips.
"One more minute," he complained. But it was inaudible over the screeching of his alarm so Roger heaved himself up and dressed himself in his grimy, lion fluff clothes.
He was feeling much more joyful than yesterday which wasn't hard. Yesterday was the worst day in his life. He skated downstairs down the banistairs and screwed up his fists. Today he'd do it, today he'd ask his parents if he could go to school. It was one night until Halloween anyway, they got much more joyful this time of year. On entering, beaming, he heard the merry chatter.
"Morning Grip," Blood said. Grip was his lion name, few people used it as few people recognised him being lion folk. He scowled and dropped into his seat next to Olimpia like usual.
"Ignore it, Roger," Olimpia whispered in Roger's ear but Roger coughed loudly. His family swung round to face him and silence bit at his nerves. He was staring down at his fingers and wringing his hands.
"Mum, dad and Grandma B-blood? I well, I uh wondered if I-I could go to school?" Roger proposed, milky white from terror. He hunched his shoulders up so he looked like a hedgehog. His family sniggered and cried with mirth except Olimpia who offered him her soft and chubby hand. When his family had cried all they could, his dad grimaced.
"Pathetic Swan, you think you can go to the school here! Well, it's a fat no. Come here, swan", dad yelled at me. My lip wobbled but I obeyed my dad and went to him by the deserted fireplace.
He swung the poker up and Roger screwed his eyes shut. He wished he had never disobeyed his family's wishes of going to school. One hit on his shoulder and he felt like death would be better than this. Another hit on his buttock sended him flying to the floor, tears streaming out of his eyes. He didn't stare at his family, cheering and clapping except Louie and Olimpia who were gasping and crying. Their bodies shook like Roger's. The last one hit him the worst in his back and he fell onto the floor, screaming madly.
He didn't climb up until his dad hit him across the face with his hand, and he stumbled across to Anne, Louie and Olimpia. He hid his face in his hands and wept silent tears.
"Don't try that again, Roge, it was horrific", Louie whispered to Roger, his green cat-like eyes gazed at Roger's with empathy. Grandma Blood was chatting about how being half-animal was a dishonour and dad nodded scowling at Louie and Roger.
"I didn't think, I'm sorry, Louie. I just wish I wasn't different," Roger gulped. He nodded courteously at his mother, too frightened to look at his dad or Grandma Blood, and left the breakfast table with Olimpia and Louie following him. Anne was chatting joyfully about the half-animal's being the disgusting type.
They fell outside the room and hurried downstairs to Olimpia's room. It was the prettiest room ever seen. Gold and green tinsel hung around the room, paintings of faries, gold chairs and tables and a green bed. Leaves covered the floor around a waterfall next to the gold bed.
"Phew. Roge, are you alright? I hate you're clothes, by the way, they're hideous! Can't you change into tarten?" Olimpia said, hugging him with all her force. Louie barged Olimpia out of the way and kissed Roger beaming. A grin spread across all their faces even Roger's.
"Stunning," Roger breathed.
"Smells alright," Louie sniffed.
Olimpia skipped onto her bed and smiled at her siblings, inviting them to join her. They rushed forwards dragging each other, Roger got splashed by the waterfall and his hair fell on his face as he jumped on the bed.
"What's up Oli?" Louie questioned, shuffling nearer to her and resting his hand on her's. Olimpia was joyful but her head was not. It kept fretting.
