Spirited Away To You

Chapter 2: Cranberry is a Big No

"AT LAST YOU'RE BACK," Uncle Jeff taunted, "I thought Your Majesty would at least take her phone."

For some unknown reason, Uncle Jeff didn't like me from the very beginning I started staying with them. I blamed it on the fact that he wanted a son who would enjoy watching football with him like real men, but it always bothered me. Made me feel like I was a burden on them.

Well, I was but still. Being the last relative I was taken to after being rejected by all, Aunt Kelly decided to take me in. She didn't have the heart to say no, knowing I was to be put up for foster care if she said otherwise. Now, I wonder if Uncle had known about this before at all, or if it was a big surprise. That too, on his fiftieth birthday. His reaction was one to be recorded and replayed on each of his coming birthdays.

"Leave the girl alone, Jeff," Aunt Kelly as usual rebuked, "Dinner is served sweetie, come, take a seat," she added with a cheery smile.

After a long and pretty disturbing dinner which mainly consisted of Uncle Jeff complaining about the Chinese takeout and resulting in bickering between the couple, I said my goodnight and escaped the scene. But not before Uncle added with his mouth still full, ''For the sake of hygiene, take a shower.'' Just what I wanted to hear.

All the boxes containing my goody stuff around the room made me feel uneasy, but I decided to heed Uncle's words and take a shower. After a long and warm shower, I changed into pajamas and laid down to sleep. But that was another story since all I could think about was the look the guy bore when he saw me. He didn't seem homeless but looked so bored and sad. Also, he probably thought I was a freaky weirdo.

Something was up with him.

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Morning came way too quickly, the sun rays slapping me in the face as its friendly way of good morning.

I looked over the alarm clock knowing I had to use up the five hours of sleep for the day, there was no way I could go back to sleep. So utilizing my thinking, I started unpacking and fixing the mess, that was my room.

By evening, after loads of messing around, I had managed to pile up my clothes in a neat rack, assorted my books, and set up all the pictures of my parents and mine, keeping one of Aunt and me by the nightstand.

Stretching out my arms, I glanced over to see my now fairly oriented room. The fairy lights that Aunt gave me hung on the baby blue walls with my name tangled up somehow and a little glow from the star stickers on the ceiling illuminated the room. The small flower pots sat by the window, the leaves of the flowerless plants swaying with the wind. The bed was made, with tons of pillows, and Trixie napping on one.

Bless that baby, although she sleeps half the day.

I hummed along a tune liking the way the room looked and went downstairs to feed the mice in my tummy.

The worried look of Aunt came into view as she muttered in her device.

"Everything alright?" I asked, picking out an apple to munch on but scrunching up my face when I saw the other side rotten. Only Aunt would use these for decoration. I snuck into the kitchen and threw the apple into its righteous place, the trash.

"Yeah yeah, just your stupid Uncle forgot his wallet and now he's at the grocery store standing like a lunatic and calling me to get his wallet."

''Is it called Marley's Corner?" I questioned to which Aunt nodded slightly, eyeing the time that the antic clock displayed.

"Lemme go then, I saw the store yesterday, it's just around the corner."

"Thanks a lot, sweetie, I would have gone but you know the show's going to start. "

"Yep, I got it," I replied with a small smile seeing Aunt's enthusiasm with her everyday shows.

"I don't know what I would do without you," Aunt Kelly beamed at me as I put on my sneakers and took Uncle's wallet, which sat on the coffee table.

"I should be the one thanking you," I said meekly, my smile faltering as I made my way out.

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"Oh, thank god you came in time, the people were gonna ask me to leave," Uncle Jeff huffed out in frustration. That's what he gets for making a scene. I was surprised the people had coped up with his obnoxious self and had not closed the shop yet.

"You're welcome," I grumbled under my breath.

"Here, take this grocery and tell your Aunt I will come later, have to meet up with some friends."

"Sure," I replied, ready to go back and eat already. 

I stepped out of the store carrying the bags Uncle had burdened me with and walked along the road. The sun was long gone, the moon being my new companion as I walked along the empty streets. The neighborhood was quiet but beautiful with gardens and pretty lawns giving a vibe of luxury. There were very few couples along the way jogging to keep their health in check and some just enjoying the serenity like me. They looked kind and smiled upon making eye contact.

As I took account of the surroundings, I stumbled upon a figure and soon felt something trickling down my shirt.

Well as long as it wasn't cranberry juice.

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Author's Note: Hey guys, hope you all are safe and doing great :3

Your friendly author,
Zafna