Warning: Mean Princess

Episode 7: Round Two

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"Karla, this is quite a surprise!" Dr. Sheperds exclaims when he sees me at their intercom. And he is more surprised when he opens their front door and sees me already in my pyjamas. I assume his wife is not yet home from the hospital because I can't see nor hear her anywhere.

"Hi!" I greet him and give him a little hand wave. "I'm here to see Travis. I already told him I'm coming."

"Uhm, h-he's.." Obviously, he's taken aback by the situation. It is almost 10 in the evening. Any teenage girl who is looking for your teenage boy this late can be a little disturbing.

"H-he's in his bedroom, y-you can go upstairs, f-first room at the right." he looks like he's fighting with himself in his mind while eyeing me for a minute, he points hesitantly at the direction of Travis bedroom without leaving his gaze from me. He's a little suspicious, that I am sure. I almost laugh at his awkwardness. Last time we talked,I was very vexed at them and here I am, standing at their frontsteps acting good naturedly like nothing happened two days ago.

"Thank you." I said and I immediately scamper towards the stairs. When I am halfway, I glance back at him. He's still looking at me dubiously.

"Don't worry, Dr. Sheperds, it will only take a minute, I forgot my bag in his car and I need it bad." I decided to enlighten his innate paternal concern.And I hear him let out a small sigh and give me a you-dont-need-to-explain kind of shrug. I smile at him sweetly and continue covering up the stairs.

I tap the black wooden door softly. First knock, I am a little hesitant. Second knock, I am anticipating, third knock, I'm getting more courageous. Fourth knock, hey where is he? Fifth knock, I call "Travis?"

When there is still no response from him, I knock for the sixth and seven times and call his name again.

Still none.

I slowly turn the knob to open the door and I am surprised that it's not locked. I am actually expecting it to be otherwise.

I push the door a little and peer inside.I scan the place swiftly. I am totally amazed by how it looks. His room is a combination of black, white and grey. I never expected his room to be so neat and in order. I feel ashamed thinking about my usually messy one. Without Ester, it is a dump pile. I walk inside and sit on a chair located near his dominantly black bed. In front of me is a wall-mounted 60-inch flat screen tv. There's a door at either side of the appliance. I assume those are for the wardrobe and for the bathroom. When I look at my left, I see a slightly open glass door, I walk towards it because of curiosity. They say curiosity killed the cat but I don't care because one time that creature cruelly and wrong timingly caught my tongue. I remember my stunts in the cafeteria hours ago.

I shake my head and suppress a laugh.

So much with idioms and all. I'm not very good at it.

I see an entertainment room, with a comfortable sofa set and a monitor with game consoles. A shelf full of DVDs and Games CD is mounted on the wall. There's a drum set at the corner and collection of tennis rackets, medals and trophies at the other. Still, this game room is as neat as the main room.

His ceiling is a couple feet lower than mine but that makes it more homey and warm. The only similarity of his place with mine is we both have ornamental plants in one of the corners. I turn back and walk towards his bed. A macbook is open lying at its center. A website is currently on view. But there's nothing special in it, just some online sports store.

I click my tongue in impatience.

Where is he?

I glance around again hoping to see him appear from somewhere right there at that moment.