CHAPTER 13: Good Boy Whispers
I awaken from a heavy nap. I rub my eyelids and see two blue icicles in the dark corner of the room. Mitsuko elegantly crosses her legs and claps her palms atop her bare knees. I wonder how long she's been watching me?
"I'm surprised you're still here."
I sit up on the bed. "You told me to wait for you…"
She briefly jolts her eyebrows up. "Yes, I did. And you listened. I guess you're not as stupid as you look…" Mitsuko glances toward the window with a rare look on her face, a troubled expression…
"Are you ok?" I ask.
"Tch. I would be if you weren't in my house."
I stand up. " I can leave… I got my credits now and a new pod next to the school, so—"
"Sit. Down," she says with a glare. I sit on the bed, my hands resting properly on my lap like the teacher's pet. Mitsuko takes a deep breath. Her breasts slowly rise and fall. She crosses her legs in the other direction.
"Come here," Mitsuko says. My nerves tense up. She tilts her head and snaps her fingers, making me flinch, like a spell that pulls my focus into her. She points at the floor. I assume my position on my knees… I'm already trembling. Half her face is covered in her blonde hair, the shadow of night and her eyes appear to be glowing. It looks like something is on her mind. Her thoughts are far away from here.
"Are you scared of me?" she asks softly.
I don't know what to say. My body shivers like Mitsuko's blue eyes are freezing me to death. I'm going to hit hypothermia any second…
"Fine, don't answer. I can see it in your eyes… A scared puppy, unloved, discarded, needy… I bet you were waiting for me all night, weren't you?"
I look at the ground. Mitsuko snaps her fingers again, making me twitch. "Eyes up here. Answer me."
I gulp nervously. "Yes, I was."
"Why?"
"Because you told me—"
"Ugh. Honestly, you're pathetic." Her words cut me like a dull razor blade. My ego is being diced to pieces.
"Take my shoes off," Mitsuko says. My mouth drops and I want to protest… Not because I don't desire this, but I don't know if I have the courage. I wonder why her shoes are still on, despite the genkan at the front door. Maybe it's because her mom isn't home? Was she planning this all along? My brief hesitation is enough to make Mitsuko's eyes contort with annoyance.
"I'm not going to ask again. You can consider this your apology for last night."
My eyes shine with hope. So last night was real, and Mitsuko does remember… She senses my thoughts and I swear I see a blush on her shadowed features. Embarrassment or rage?
"What the fuck was that?" Mitsuko says.
"N-nothing…"
"Bullshit." Mitsuko stands up and steps in front of me, towering over my kneeling body. She grabs my chin with two fingers and forces me to make eye contact. Just her two fingertips is enough to make the hair on my neck stand to attention. "What was that twinkle in your eye?"
I'm shaking violently at this point. My knees ache, still sore from yesterday. My breathing hitches. My mind is corroding. I try to breathe, but I can't seem to get enough air.
"Speak!"
I jolt with fear. "You said nothing happened last night! At the coffee shop!"
"Yes. I did. What about it?"
I continue panting for breath. "I-I… I didn't know if it was real. If we really…"
"If we really what?"
I can't take this anymore. Mitsuko is making me feel crazy. I have to say it, to prove my own sanity, to prove that it was real. "That I kissed your feet!"
Mitsuko's face turns red. "No, you didn't. You're imagining things…"
She releases her grip on my chin, pushing me slightly. She sits back down, crossing her legs with a slow deliberate movement. She purses her lips, contemplating…
I feel bottled emotions pouring out from me. "Why… why are you doing this to me…"
"Because you deserve it," Mitsuko whispers, a hint of apprehension in her voice.
"Is that really it?"
Mitsuko becomes enraged. "Honestly, you're really pissing me off right now. I liked it better when you didn't talk. So do us both a favor, shut the fuck up! Nobody cares what you have to say, understand?!"
I tuck my chin to my chest to conceal my face. Tears leak from my eyes.
"Fuck… Hey, idiot… Why are you crying?" Mitsuko says, barely audible. She squats in front of me. One finger pulls my chin up. I try to look away. I'm ashamed, broken and confused.
"Hey… Look at me," Mitsuko says. Her voice has taken on a different energy, almost nurturing… A far cry from her usual cruelty. I lean into her soothing voice and force my wet eyes to meet her gaze. With an indiscernible expression she gently wipes my tears away with her thumb.
"I'm sorry, ok? Just… Please stop crying…"
I stifle my tears as best I can, clenching my fists like a boxer as I hyperventilate.
"Listen to me. Look into my eyes and take a deep breath in… 1, 2, 3, hold it… Release, 1, 2, 3… Good… Again for me."
I obey Mitsuko's instructions, clinging to her every word. Her lips are intimately close to mine, her blue eyes swimming deep in my spirit. I can smell her sunflower hair, a peachy fragrance that calms me. I catch my breath and my heart rate slows. The tears have stopped. I'm amazed by her power to not only break me but to put me back together so quickly.
"Good boy," she says. My brain tingles in reaction to the phrase. Mitsuko's eyebrows perk up with curiosity. "Oh? What was that?"
I lick my lips before speaking, the endorphins still flooding me. "I-I don't know…"
Mitsuko studies my face for deception. She can see I'm telling the truth and that I really am at a loss. "I think that's a trigger for you. Do you mind if I test it?"
I shake my head sideways. Mitsuko leans into my left ear. Her lips nearly touch my flesh. Her cold breath blows against my ear as she whispers at the lowest possible volume, "Good boy."
My entire body shivers as tingles pop in my brain and travel down my spine, my arms, my legs, all circulating toward my hips and back to my skull.
Mitsuko looks into my eyes. "Did you feel that?"
I nod my head up and down, almost whimpering.
Mitsuko laughs quietly, her sharp canines glinting in the moonlight. I can see her cheeks are a rosy red, but she does not look shy at the slightest. In fact, I recognize this look from last night, right before she…