//Kristen Lore\\

I woke up to the sun's rays hitting my face harshly. I got up with a groan, but my face instantly contorted into a bright smile remembering I had a date with my boyfriend, Bede, this evening. I could hardly wait! I simply had to go say hi to him at his gym. Putting my hair in a romantic tuck, slipping on my pastel red sweater over my white shirt, putting on my frilly white skirt, high white socks, and my fur-lined brown boots.

I tried leaving the house unnoticed, but I had no such luck. My mum stopped me before I could even go now near the door. She gave me a loving gaze, stepping forward for a tight and warm embrace. "Where is the champion going today in such a rush?"

I returned the hug, "Mu-u-u-um!" I exaggerated the 'u' in 'mum', my voice muffled by her shoulder. I was abnormally short. It isn't my fault that my mum and dad gave me their short genes. "Please just call me Krissy like you always did!" She chuckled letting go.

"You don't want breakfast?"

I smiled, "Maybe I can stay for a bit longer." I sat at the table while my mom readied the plate of pancakes and bacon. The sizzling sound of bacon filled the room, and the scent of the delicious food hung in the air. Just as my mum placed the food on the table, Hop burst into the house startling both my mom and me.

"Goodmorning!" Hop nearly tripped coming into the kitchen. "Mrs. Lore, Champion." Hop grinned at me.

My mum shook her head at Hop disapproving of the formality. "No need to call me Mrs. Lore, Emily is quiet alright." She told him.

"Right, sorry Emily. What are we having today?" Hop asked sitting next to me. Mum smiled at this. She never said anything, but she always wanted a boy, or that's what Dad always told me. Despite that longing of hers, she still loved me dearly, no matter the gender. According to my dad, the moment I was born she instantly fell in love me. She couldn't have been happier with any other person.

"Pancakes and bacon." Hop gasped happily in response.

"My favorite!"

"Almost anything that is food is your favorite." I joked making the boy laugh.

"Thanks for letting me eat even after that very rude entrance."

My mum waved a hand at him dismissively, "Oh don't worry about that honey. You did it all the time when you two were there younger."

"Good ol' times aye?" I nodded in agreement munching up the plate of my mum's delectable cooking. Hop got his plate, inhaling his food. "Wow! This is delicious! Have you ever thought of being a chef?!" Hop asked with a mouthful. Luckily my mom didn't have to see that disgusting sight. Her back was still turned on us as she prepared her own plate.

"Oh stop it Hop. You're simply saying that because you love me."

"I'm being serious Emily!" Being honest, hearing Hop call my mum 'Emily' was weird.

Mum laughed sitting at the table with us now. "Where were you heading off to anyways?" She asks, cutting the pancakes into little bits. Hop turned his gaze, but continued to eat.

I shifted on my seat slightly unsettled by the question. It was as because of Hop. "I was going to Ballonlea." I tried making the sentence muffled with all the food, but failed. Hop nearly choked. I'd been dating Bede for a short while, and Hop thought that overtime he'd be able to accept it, but I suppose he wasn't expecting to ever actually accept it. Despite not talking to Bede anymore, Hop still never liked Bede. No, the word was hate. Hop hated Bede with, "a burning passion".

"Really?!" Hop spit his food out unintentionally making my mum recoil back. "O-oh, sorry Emily. . ."

"It's fine. . Why exactly?" My mother turned back to me, now picking at her food. As I opened my mouth to say something(don't worry, I swallowed my food) "Oh! Is it to see that sweet Bede again?"

Hop stared at my mum in disbelief, "Sweet? I think the word you're looking for is awful, dreadful, rude, and that's just to name a few." I could tell Hop was fighting the urge to shout again.

"Now, now, Hop, why do you think so poorly of your friend's boyfriend?"

Hop stayed silent at that, proceeding to eat.

-

By the time my mom had finished, Hop and I were ready done, making small talk. Once she did finish I said my final goodbyes, stepping out of the house. We both started heading for the lab where Hop now spent most of his time. "So. . You actually like Bede?"

"For the last time Hop, yes. Why do you ask?"

"Does he truly make you happy?"

"Oh dear God, when will the questions end?"

"I'm sorry it's just that. . Personally I don't think he deserves you."
I shook my head while we continued walking.