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I trusted the Heechus with my life, so there was no question of Miko’s safety while she was in their care as I slogged through these godsdamn feelings. Striding to the bookcase, I bent, slipping into the library and swinging the door closed with my tail.
CHAPTER 6
The Ultimate Mask
MIKO
“No more ducks for you, Babycakes. Where the fuck have you been? If you didn't answer me just now, I was calling the police next, or worse, my mother.”
I pulled the phone away from my face and squinted at the screen, confusion fogging my brain. When did I answer a call?
“What?” I asked Monstera.
“Wake up, Miko. Chug some coffee or some shit. I'm seriously concerned here,” she replied. A moment later the notification for a video call popped onto the blinding screen. Squinting one eye, I accepted it and lowered the brightness display, then leaned the phone against my blanket covered bent knees.
A yawn cracked my jaw as I rubbed my eyes with the heels of my hands. “I'm sorry I forgot to call. Yesterday was a lot and…” I trailed off, eyes locked on the pale image of myself on the screen. “I must've passed out when I got into my apartment.”
“That's it. I'm driving up there right now. Something's wrong. I can feel it,” Mo said, emphasizing the last two words.
“No.” I cleared my throat. “No, really. I'm fine, Fated B.” I said, then moved my lips to form a halfhearted smile. “It's just early.”
She scowled, her frustration leaking through the screen. “9:30 is not early.”
WiFi can’t transmit emotions, right?
I waved her off with a lazy flip of my hand. “We have different definitions of that word. I just had an incredibly vivid dream,” I told Mo, knowing full discussing my dream would distract her enough to change topics.
She straightened and her eyes narrowed. “A dream?” Monstera shifted closer to the lens, a huge mug of coffee held between her palms. “Tell me everything.”
I recapped all the details I could recall, from the sights and smells of the endless climb on that damn beanstalk, to the giant’s shack-like house, and finally, the grotesque and the golden goose locked in a cage. My heart skipped a beat as I thought about the stone being, Bane.
Mo tipped her head to the side. “Are you crushing on a figment of your imagination?” she joked, but something about her following laughter seemed forced. “So, you freed Bane,” she said, ticking off each item on a finger, “and the literal motherfucking golden goose from Jack and the goddamn Beanstalk,” she paused and shook her head, “then what?”
“I don't remember much after that point. I think he flew me somewhere, but it's all just a confusing, blurry jumble.” Pain flashed, disappearing swiftly. My hand darted to the side of my head and gently kneaded my scalp, yet nothing felt unusual or damaged. I dropped my hand onto the bed and flopped onto the pillows, picking up my phone and repositioning it on the pillow next to the one I was using.
A frown pulled at Monstera’s lips. “Let’s put all that to the side for now. Tell me how everything went with the dean. You're obviously staying somewhere new.”
A genuine smile transforms the lower half of my face. “I am. I got a job as the librarian’s assistant for the summer,” I paused, “and free rent while I have the position! I’m staying in a cozy little apartment below the library.”
I continued to fill her in on all the little details she will no doubt inquire about. Flipping over my wrist, I glanced at the time and exhaled slowly.
“You don’t have to go already, do you?”
“Nope. Since someone woke me up so early, I have plenty of time.”
My fated bestie kept chattering on as I peeled back the covers, flipped my phone’s video feed around, and gave her a brief tour of my apartment.
“Jesus-motherfuck, you have some luck,” she said while laughing.
My laughter joined hers, then I turned the camera back to my face as I leaned against the kitchen counter. My face tilted down and I, covertly, sniffed myself.
Mo broke into a fit of snort-laughter. “I have to say, that was really sexy, Koko. Do it again so I can record it.”
“Piss off,” I sputtered, but wrinkled my nose. “Ugh, I really do need a shower. I can call you back after.”
“No, no, no. Just point the camera at the ceiling or something. I don't feel like hanging up to get rid of the video. I still want talk to you. It's been forever.”
“It’s only been a day.”
