Emory dashed towards the door, his backpack swayed side to side as he ran, and as soon as Emory got within a few inches of the door, the sound of the lock becoming undone clicked and the door swung open. Emory stopped in his tracks abruptly as he tried to avoid colliding with the door, causing him to fall backwards on his buttocks.
"Huh? Emory? What are you doing sitting on the floor?" a matured yet clearly feminine voice asked Emory. It was Mirianne.
Emory looked up at her and immediately sprang up to his feet as he enveloped Mirianne in a warm but very tight embrace. He was overwhelmed by relief at the fact that his fears were just nothing but just fears and not reality, Emory remained there, hugging his mother for a while.
"This is new, what's gotten into you? You haven't hugged me like this since you were a little boy. Is everything okay Emory?" Mirianne asked, concern and affection mixed in her voice as she hugged Emory back
"I'm just glad you're back, that's all" Emory said as he slowly pulled away from Mirianne
"Well I'm glad you're still my little boy, even if you've changed so much" she said as she raised her hand to his face and pinched his cheek playfully "And I'm glad I'm back too, work is killing me. I had to take extra shifts, since it's almost time for our rent to be due" Mirianne said tiredly as she walked over to the couch and dropped down on it.
"So that's why you didn't come home yesterday " Emory said
"Yes" Mirianne replied as she placed her hand on her neck and stretched it. It stretched with with a quick cracking sound.
Emory folded his arms as his brows furrowed "Speaking of yesterday, why didn't you leave a message or note as usual? Why was your phone not reachable? Why didn't you tell about, instead of leaving me to guess?" Emory scolded
Mirianne chuckled nervously as she scratched the back of her head lightly "Well…I couldn't come home to leave a note and then go back to work, that's just unnecessary stress. And I couldn't call to tell you about it because my phone charger got damaged beyond use and I was too occupied with work to get a new one. Does that answer your questions Mr. Interrogator?" She replied. She moved her leg up on the couch and laid fully on the couch, staring up at the ceiling.
"I guess so, but still I was worried. I thought something happened, next time at least try to let me know, okay?" Emory said
"Yes sir" Mirianne replied sarcastically "Now that you're done interrogating me, shouldn't you be on your way to school young man?" She continued
"I was just about leaving before you came in. Should I make you tea before I leave?" Emory asked
"No, right now what I need to do is get some rest, and I'm going to do that on this oddly comfortable couch. Now go to schooland keep doing what you're doing" Mirianne said as she yawned tiredly
Emory looked at his mother and could tell she was tired from all the work she had been doing recently, anyone could tell. Although Mirianne was beautiful, the stress was evident on her face.
"See you later then. Bye mom" Emory bid his mother farewell before heading out the door.
As Emory stepped out, he thought to himself " I have to do something, she can't keep carrying on like this, she may be strong but everyone has their limit and hers seem to be getting really close. I have to sell the gold Michael paid me with, and I have to sell it quickly."
Emory arrived at the school gate, and met Mr. Kasinski waiting, the man had never really liked him. As Emory walked by him, the man raised up four finger and mouthed "Four more days, I'm watching you" followed by a crooked smile.
Kasinski was counting the days Emory missed school, Emory knew Kasinski didn't fancy him much but never knew it was to this extent, he shurgged it off and refused to acknowledge kasinski, and that seemed to piss the man off as his smile dissappeared, Emory made his way to class flashing a big smile that Kasinski definitely saw.
***
"Hey bigboy" Athena said as she approached Emory's desk. At the sight of Athena, Emory suddenly remembered the book he had borrowed from her parents library, he hadn't even opened the book once since the last time they met. He hoped Athena does not ask about it.
"Hi Athena" Emory said, as he unloaded the contents of his backpack unto his desk; some textbooks, a notebook, jotter, a pen and ruler.
"What are you doing?" She asked
"Preparing for our class, I think you should too Athena" Emory said, as he flipped open his Biology textbook.
"Is that Biology? I read this topic already, it's about…." Athena said, pointing to the topic as she began her usual rambling
Emory zoned out Athena as his thoughts wandered away. He had finally managed to commune with the record but strangely enough, he didn't feel any sense of accomplishment, nor did he feel any different from before or notice anything different about his body. There was also the matter of the gold he had to sell, but Emory was lost as to where to pawn the gold as he had no experience in that area. Why can't things with Michael ever be simple?
Emory rested his chin on his fist and stared out the window, hoping a solution to at least one of his problems would miraculously present itself. And then as Emory eyes shifted from the window to Athena who was still rambling about the Endocrine system, it hit him. What if he was able to sell the gold to the Sinclair family, or one of their rich friends.
"Athena, your parents are rich right?" Emory said to Athena bluntly
"Eh?" Athena said, taken aback by Emory's sudden question
"Your parents, they are rich, aren't they?" Emory pressed
"Y-yeah I guess" Athena replied
"Would they be interested in buying some gold?" Emory asked, his eyes fixated on Athena's
"I don't know, I don't really know about their business and much, but they do have some gold ornaments, jewelleries and trinkets. Why?" Athena answered.
"I have some gold I want to sell, but I have no idea where to sell it. I was planning to take my time and check out the legit pawn shops but I need the money for something important so your parents are my best and quickest option. The mayor won't scam a kid would he?" Emory explained
"Hmm, I think I can help you. Meet me after school tomorrow at the school gate" she said
"Really? Thank you" Emory said, trying to hide his excitement
"Not so fast. I want something in return" Athena said, a mischievous smile forming on her face
"What might that be?" Emory asked. He got excited too early, he should've known there was a catch.
"I want you to owe me a favor" Athena said
"That's it? Then sure if you help me then I owe you a favor" Emory said
"No going back on your word. Word is bond" Athena said, wearing a smile of mischief. Emory couldn't shake the feeling that he was going to regret his decision later.