Chapter 3

Who rules?

ASTRID

I pull out my cell phone to check the time, but all I can do is see Patrick’s picture and shudder at the memory of Mika McFly’s macabre smile. Just thinking about him, a restlessness is born in my chest. How far can you go with your pride to want to make life impossible for me too? I can’t understand him… or maybe I find it difficult to penetrate the mind of a being like him.

Giving a listless sigh I put my cell phone back in my pocket. I forcefully grab the basket with merchandise to replenish the shelves. Mika should be doing the heavy lifting, or rather the rookie work. I don’t know how he did it, but I guess a few bucks got the manager to hire him and leave his job to me. Well, I prefer to replace things that having to fake a smile when serving a customer.

Today has been one of those days and I still can’t figure out what Mika intends to do to me. After leaving the manager’s office with that lopsided grin, he hasn’t said a word to me. I hope it continues like this… “Wow! He exclaims in a satirical tone. It has placed itself in front of me causing me to feel like an insignificant ant. I can’t control it, Mika makes my life feel miserable

- I see you’ve finished putting things back.

-I lower my head, raising my eyes a little I can only see his lips curve in a strange way. Why are you looking at me? He asks, bending down a few inches to look me in the eye. Someone of your ilk does not have the right to look at me, not even the sole of my shoe, do you understand, Little Bird? Birdie. Well, he gave me another nickname. With no choice, I nod slowly, closing my eyes at the connection with his. “Well, you learn fast,” he says.

Instantly a pang in my heart triggers a new sensation. I wish I was like Patrick, without mincing words. Without fear of saying what I think. Mika is a bloody despotic, careerist bastard. Too bad you still don’t know how to do your job well.

Hearing his words, a question arises in me, however, I get the answer right away. The things on the shelf that I just replenished have been thrown on the floor by him. I widen my eyes in surprise to see all my work literally lying on the floor.

“Good luck next time, Little Bird.” Clenching my jaw to the point of sore gums, I close my eyes taking a deep breath. You could see this coming… disaster, Mika… EVERYTHING. I could have told my parents to change schools, but they were too busy with Patrick and our two-month-old little sister. I had a premonition of being discovered, but I preferred to keep it to myself. These are the consequences. I put things back in their

Place. Mika watches me from across the shelf, enjoying my double duty, arms crossed and my stupid bow on her wrist. Surely he worried about having everyone away to do his “mischief” or he has bought them with his overflowing and dirty money. MIKA Little Bird. It’s the perfect description for someone like her.

Astrid Fisher; his last name has been engraved in my head ever since that haughty little insect appeared before my eyes. Guts; is what others said about him, but for me it was the act of rebellion of a dog. Well, now I don’t have a dog at my full disposal, but I do have a bird that I could teach to sing if I wanted to. His only elusive figure amuses me. Their expressions of horror unsettle me in a way I never thought would happen. What’s wrong with that little bookworm? I think submission. That’s what makes it more interesting. I could mold her my way without objection or qualms. But I had to lower myself to their level. If I want to do this, I’d better do it the right way.

A few minutes from ending this hell to stop faking a friendly smile with others, I find my new little birdie picking up his backpack to go back home. After slinging her bag on her back, she turns to find me standing in the doorway, blocking her path. A horrified face appears before my eyes, causing me to smile. She stops in her tracks in front of me, ducking her head, looking down at her feet in embarrassment.

“Ex-excuse me,” he says quietly.

-Why?

“I-I want to go out, I have to go home,” he stammers. I’ve heard it perfectly, but it’s not enough for me. -Sorry? You talk like normal people, Birdie. Sing for me! She shrugs her shoulders.

“I want to go home… please.”

He pleads almost in a breath.

“First, lace up my shoes,” I order politely. She raises her head disoriented.

- None of my shoelaces are undone. Untie them and fasten them again,” I suggest in a passive tone. She looks lost, confused. Quick, if you want to go home. Little Fissher does as I say. It takes at least a minute to do it.

Standing up, I catch the scent of her hair, like I did when that ball landed at my feet while I was skipping class. She is a girl with good physical qualities, if you can appreciate her well. But too quiet to be noticed, and too insignificant for someone like me to manage to treat her as her equal.

ASTRID Can go now? -I ask looking up to a fixed point. I dare not even look at a part of his face again. Although I have been more than close before, to the point that his breath tickles my neck, having him this close and facing me causes me some caution. Even more so when he is someone as unpredictable as Mika.

“You’re despicable…” He shakes his head, I catch it out of the corner of my eye. His sudden insult doesn’t sit well with me, but I’m too tense to do anything about it. You and your brother are. Beings that involute the earth with their mere presence. Do you think you’ll get anywhere? He mentioned… He mentioned Patrick. I clench my fists. Inside my head a sea of thoughts prevents me from listening to their insults. My breath hitches and, when I least expect it, it seems that my arm has a life of its own and orders my hand to plant a slap on Mika’s perfect face.

“Don’t ever talk about my brother again!” I warn him, feeling my chest swell and cheeks burn. A lump in my throat increases and I think I’m about to cry, but I hold back the tears without a second thought. He will never make me cry. NEVER. I push him aside walking towards the exit of the minimarket, without saying goodbye to any co-worker. I just want to run away from the place. I pick up the pace before Mika reacts to my slap, but feeling his hand holding me back, I know I may have made the worst mistake of my life. I’ve screwed up big time, Patrick.

He pulls me causing me to look him in the face, yes or yes. And even though I’m not willing to do it, he grabs my chin forcing me to look him in the eye.

“Don’t forget,” he mutters,

“I’m in charge of this story, Little Bird.” And finishing his sentence, he approaches my face and kisses my cheek. Take a rest. As I let go, all I do is watch as he turns his back on me back to the minimarket, while with one hand I cover the cheek he kissed.

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