My name is Agatha Lockette and I'm already 16 years old. My parents died in a car accident when I was only 11 years old and I was left under the care of my Uncle Robin and Auntie Martha Smith who only had one son, Arthur, who's the same age as me.
My new family wasn't really rich like my parents and due to that, I had to stop attending school to help in the house. Aunt Martha worked as a tailor while Uncle Robin worked in a local bank, who can only earn sufficient salary, to feed all of us and to send his only son to a private school.
Every day I would wake up at 6 o'clock to prepare breakfast and would clean the house and do the laundry. Most of the day, I was left on my own while the rest go on their separate ways.
"I'm sorry if you're doing all of these things for us, Agatha," Arthur said as he settled down on the dining table with his books, probably homework.
Quietly, I took the cup from the cupboard and pour him some warm red tea from the kettle, the white smoke rising from the red-black liquid as I carry it to him.
"It's nothing, Arthur. I really don't mind staying home," I said with a smile as I head towards the fridge and took the chiffon cake. "Would you like a slice of chiffon cake?"
"Sure, I would love to," Arthur said as he stared down on his cup and relentlessly stirring it with the spoon. "You're too smart to stay at home and should be at school, Agatha. Next time, I'll tell dad to send you to school."
My hand grew numb upon his words that I stopped slicing the cake with a bread knife. "It's not that I don't like to go to school, Arthur. It's just that…" I trailed off as I continued slicing the cake and then put a slice of it on the saucer.
"After what happened, I just don't feel like going back to society." I said and then laid the cake in front of him. "I think I'm comfortable in my being here."
"Then it's okay for you being a recluse? You know, you shouldn't feel bad about what happened since it wasn't your fault." He said and abruptly stopped as he started feeding himself the cake.
"This is really delicious! You always cook better than mum, Agatha!"
I could only watch him enjoying his snack with a smile. "Please don't ever say that again or you'll regret that, Arthur. Now, hurry and finish it so that you can start your homework."
This was my life after that uneventful five years.
At dinner time, the whole family ate together. We didn't talk much afterwards as Aunt would go directly to her studio where she would try to finish her designs while Uncle would spend his time in his study. Usually, it would be Arthur and I to clean up after dinner and would read books that he borrowed from his school's library and read together in my room.
"By the way, Agatha," Arthur said, stopping from his reading then turned to me with a twinkle in his emerald green eyes.
"Yes?" I answered without stopping on the page that I was reading.
"I forgot to tell you but tomorrow is our school's festival. Would you like to visit me?" Upon his words, I stopped on my reading and turned my complete attention to him.
"Festival? Really? Then, you have plenty of stalls and events there, right?" I asked with interest remembering the time when I had to attend one at my school back then.
"Of course! My class will be having a play called Beauty and the Beast! It will be fun since other school will be visiting mine!" He said with a proud look on his face.
"Sounds fun but I think I'll pass, Arthur. Just do your best in the play, okay?" I said then returned my eyes on the book.
Without warning, Arthur snatched the book away from my hands.
"Wh-What?" I asked and turned to him in disbelief.
"You will visit me tomorrow or else I won't lend you my books anymore," he explained as he gathered all the books in his arms.
"But Arthur, it's too embarrassing for me to go," I explained.
"Not enough reason and also, I need a date," he grinned in a somewhat embarrassed way.
"Huh? Date?" I asked in confusion. "What date? I don't understand."
"Geez Agatha, despite your beauty and brain, you're really dense when it comes to matters like this. Anyway, you're perfect for me and I won't be approached by other girls if you're around me." He said vaguely then turned towards the door but before he could open it, he faced me once more.
"I'll buy you that book if you go with me. Good night," he said, opened the door and then slipped out, leaving me completely confuse as I scratched the back of my head.
"Arthur keeps on saying weird things but well… I do want that book," I said with a sigh as I turned towards my bed.