Afternoon

Gavi

I woke up with my plant still resting on my chest. Most of the dirt fell off onto me and my bed. Just as expected. I got up and swiped most of the dirt back into the little pot. I had fallen asleep in my work uniform, how pathetic. I slipped that off and threw it into the dirty pile. As I did so, I saw it was already 12 on my clock. Oh god! I slept in! But that brings up the question, why didn't Mom wake me up?

Then as I was putting on a clean top and jeans, it dawned on me what she said last night, "You'll be sorry!" But I doubt she meant it. It was just one of those things people say when they're mad. With my clean socks and boots on, I left my room and went downstairs. I couldn't hear her doing stuff.

"Weird..." I thought as I noticed the quiet in my house. Sure it's just the two of us now, but still more often than not, it's loud rather than quiet. Maybe she's reading in the kitchen? That is her usual morning routine after all. Walking into the kitchen, just as expected, she was sitting at the table. Flipping through a magazine while sipping her afternoon tea.

"Good morning Mom," I said to her.

"Good afternoon Gabriela," Her voice was emotionless.

"Oh? I'm not your daughter anymore?" Oh yeah, I can already tell this is gonna get ugly.

"I wouldn't go that far, but I've decided you need a sense of appreciation for all that you have,"

"And what exactly are you going to do,"

"No more free luxuries. I'm not gonna baby you anymore. You'll have to do things yourself from now on," That's all? I expected... more.

"So what? I'll do my own cooking and cleaning, big whoop."

"Keep that tone and I'll get more harsh if I have to. I bet you haven't even noticed that I've already gotten rid of the internet connection in this house. And that's only step 1," Step 1? How far is she willing to take this? Either way, I can put up with this. This is nothing!

"Oh, and you'll have to pay your phone bill by yourself as well," Okay, this is something!

"What? How am I supposed to do that?"

"You have a job. You'll just have prioritize your money,"

"But I-"

"No but's. I already decided this is how things will go until I see you improve your attitude on your life. Now have a good day." She left with her head up high. Didn't even give me a chance to get the last word.

This is not okay! I'm in hot water now, and over one little spat? This is so unfair! But fine. She wants to play, then I'll play. Now it's my turn to strike, and she is not gonna like it.

"I'm heading out to Tea & Pop!" I shouted while I grabbed a yogurt parfait. I may be ready to play her little game, but I don't need so many new rules coming down on me all at once.

"Okay! But don't call and expect a ride!" She yelled back. That's funny, as if she even picks up the phone anymore.

I grabbed my purse and my keys, and left through the front door. I glossed my lips with two layers of lip balm. I'm gonna hit her hard that it'll end this whole thing. I'm pulling out the big guns, dating!

"Get ready boys, cause here I come. You too Mother, get ready for I have in store."

Jesse

"Good morning Jesse... it's time to stop sleeping and get up now..."

"Uhn..." Madam is trying to wake me up. And it's working, ugh. "I don't wanna, more sleep please..."

"Okay, I'll be back later," I heard footsteps. She left, which means I get more sleep! Yay...
"GET UP NOW!"

"AH!!!" The next thing I knew she was yelling and pulling off the sheets. With me still on top of it! Now I'm fully awake. And in shock after that wake up yell.
" *Huff, Huff, Huff* Why did you do that?"

"Because it's no longer morning, and in this house, we don't sleep through the afternoon too. Now here, look at this nifty little trick," She pulled out a stick and closed her eyes. The stick had several multi color strings with glittery beads tied around the top of the stick. She began to take sharp breaths. She then held the stick outward and began spinning around at an average speed. I sat on the bed as I watched her spin around. It's amusing to watch an old lady spin around while holding a stick. I was counting, after her 5th spin she was enveloped in a bright purple light. All I could see was a big purple blob, but she reappeared almost immediately afterwards. Woah...with a spin of that stick, her clothes changed from her pajamas to a turquoise dress. She stopped spinning, "Ta da! I present an ordinary stick, but with a little magic, it becomes a tool for quick and easy wardrobe changes! Pretty cool isn't it?"

"Um, I'm over here on the bed still," She stopped while facing the wall. I bet she didn't open her eyes if she didn't notice.

"Oh, my mistake," She quickly faced me. With her slight voice change and blushing cheeks, I could tell she was embarrassed.

"He he it's okay," I giggled a little. One blunder and the whole magic trick lost its professionalism. But who cares, there's magic in my room and I wanna be part of it! "That was so cool! I wanna try, I wanna try, I wanna try! Please!?"

"Okay okay! Just do what I did, think about the clothes, and presto!"

"Yay! Thank you so much!" I jumped off the bed with my hands already out. She tightened one of the strings, and promptly handed it to me. "Let's see, what to change into...! Um, may I have some privacy to change?"

"Aw are you shy? Don't worry, I won't look," She said as she stepped out. "By the way, I did some digging around, and I found a bit of information about you,"

"Oh? What did you find?" I asked while I was in the middle of spinning. With my eyes closed, I hope I don't run into a wall...

"Well, it's rather important, so I think you'd better listen and remember, ready?"

"Okay, I'm ready," I couldn't tell if  that light thing was happening, so I just stopped after the 5th spin. Looking down, I wasn't happy with my new attire. It was a basketball team jersey and shorts, I wonder how I got distracted. Well, more spinning I guess.

"Because of your species, your date of conception is yesterday correct?"

And, 5. "I think so. I can't remember anything past yesterday," Another 5 spins and I was now in a fancy black tuxedo with a red bowtie. Ooo! I cut quite the dashing figure, but too formal. Here we go again.

"Okay, so your birthday slash date of conception is October 17th, 2014. If people ask, don't give the year. Just the month and day, and say you're 14. That seems to be about your starting age."

And another 5 done. "Oh? That's oddly specific don't you think?" Now, I'm in a cowboy costume... no, just no. It's not Halloween yet.

"It's for your safety. People will get very suspicious if you say your full birthday and they realize you're only a day old. Unless you trust they believe in magic and won't flip out, then play it safe. You saw what happened when you couldn't walk past the church property line. Also, speaking of which, avoid anything church and holy. It'll kill artificials like you."

"Oh okay, and you don't have to tell me twice! It burns so much! I can still feel the burns thinking about it..." I talked as I span. This time I didn't stop at 5, I was curious what would happen if I over do it.

"Okay good. Lastly, your curse type. It's how we categorize and distinguish. Yours is, ready?, Type S14. Not too important for everyday life, but I just thought you would like to know,"

"S14, got it. By the way, how did you find all this out?" I'm still spinning. I'm gonna be so dizzy when I stop...

"Easy. I called The Other Side library. They keep accurate track of all artificial humans."

I stopped spinning. Not by choice, but by fall. I tried landing on the bed, but I missed and landed on the floor with a thud.

"Jess sweetie are you okay in here?" She peeked into the room.

"I-I think I'm okay. Just over did it a little," I struggled to get up.

"Oh, okay good. Nothing too serious and, oh my! What an interesting choice of garment, it suits you well," She's flattering me, even though I don't know what I should be flattered about. I finally stood upright and took a good look at myself.

"Ooo! Cool!" I was amazed by myself too. After so many tries, I got one I liked. A baseball tee shirt with a white body and yellow short sleeves, desert camo pattern cargo shorts, and blue sneakers to top it all.

"Yeah, it is cool!" She picked up the magic stick from the floor, I must've dropped it. "You can use this when you need it, just ask first. Now one last thing,"

"Actually, I have a question and I'd like an answer this time." I finally have my chance to get my two cents in. "You haven't met me until just yesterday, and with all my heart I am thankful for all that you have done for me. But now I must ask, can... can I stay here?" There it is. I asked the question that can change the mood in a heartbeat.

There was a minute of silence. It was nerve-racking. What if she actually says no? Oh my god what did I do!? I just ruined a good thing and now who knows what will-

"Yes."

"...P-Pardon?" Did I hear what I really just heard?

"Yes. Yes you may live here."

"..." I was speechless. Words couldn't express my gratitude and happiness right now. All I think to do was hug her with the biggest hug I can give. And I did so, shedding a few tears while doing so. "Thank you. Thank you so much..." I wasn't tearing up, I was on the verge of a waterfall. I sniffled as I tried to hold it in.

She hugged me back, while stroking my head. "You're so very welcome. I was never gonna let a young boy go out and live by himself on the streets. You can cry here, this is home now. Your home. Our home."

"I-I'm...*sniffle* I'm home..." I whispered softly to myself. I couldn't hold in, I started sobbing. She was still holding me closely as I cried in joy...

"There there my sweet Jesse..."