The Lost Duchess

5. Day Off

Unfortunately, my dad didn't bring home my medicine and the dose was still too low for me to go back to school unless I had a full bottle. But I don't, all I've got left are the three I'm supposed to take outside of school. Hopefully, he brings home a new bottle tonight. Otherwise, I might have to apply for the remote schooling program and they take forever to enroll new students. On the plus side, he didn't ask about my episode yesterday and didn't check my room before he left for work. I do end up taking one pill to run out to the store for groceries, my dad and sister both threw fits about the sandwich stuff being gone. The quiet as I walked to the store felt like a blissful break. The lack of people on the sidewalk helped tremendously. Inside, though, there were low murmurs from everyone around me and I did my best to finish shopping quickly.

I'm about to leave the store when I notice a spot of quiet and look over to see Darrett standing against the wall holding his helmet. "And what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at school young man?"

"You're one to talk," he smirks. "So I guess you don't want a ride back to your apartment?"

"Well, I did walk here just fine, and I live around the corner. I think I'll live. But what about you, just letting a poor, defenseless girl walk home?"

"Damn, you've twisted my arm," we share a laugh as we walk over to his bike.

He puts the bags in a hatch under the seat and hands me the spare helmet. We get a few looks as we speed out of the parking lot, and I could swear that I hear him laugh. At the complex, he helps me bring the bags up and I make him a couple of sandwiches as thanks. He scarfs them down and produces two handheld game consoles. He teaches me how to play a game and then shows me how to connect with his system. It's a fighting game based on a popular show, but I've never seen it. Despite my clear disadvantage, I end up beating him. A lot.

After we wear out playing the video game, I bring out the textbook I checked out and show him how I rewrote the incantations he tested the other day. He tries to write one that's supposed to make bubbles, but I end up helping him. He tries it out and it works great! He ends up blowing a bunch of bubbles out of the window to surprise people on the sidewalk. The reactions were mixed, but it was fun watching the people that got excited. I make more food and we relax on the couch while we eat. Then Darrett gets the bright idea to make an incantation that will toast the outside of the bread but leave the inside alone. He dramatically swears that it will be his life's accomplishment and we write up a couple of ideas of how to make it work, but it's hard to get the fire weak enough.

"What about this part? It's the one that invokes the flame after the heat right? If we weaken it or get rid of it, that might work." He looks focused as he stares at the textbook, and then he circles something on the paper we've been using.

"It's likely, but it means that we'll have to experiment to find the right phrase to use instead. It could be a little tricky. Or we could end up blowing something up."

He thinks for a second, dramatically bringing his hand to his chin before saying, "We could try working on a different one."

"Or I could kick your ass at that game again."

He gives me an exaggerated look of offense and says, "I can't believe you would pick on me like that! And after I had the decency to walk you through all the moves too!"

"You're just upset that I'm better than you at a game," I tease back.

"I am not. There's a thing called beginner's luck, pretty sure that's what happened," he looks away for a second. When he turns back to me, he looks kind of nervous. "Uh, ya know... it's been bugging me for a while, but how come no one at school talks to you?"