[18.2] Life is Full of Karens

After I finished with class for the day, I walked out of the library to see Felix and Cyrus already waiting. I raised an eyebrow, "Well aren't you two fast."

Felix chuckled, "Cyrus was so anxious he demanded we pick you up."

Cyrus flushed red, "I did not!!"

I ignored him and gave them a nod, "I just need to go tell the Headmaster that I won't be home right away. The last thing I want is for him to panic and go on a massacre."

Felix laughed, "He wouldn't do that."

Cyrus's face paled, "You didn't see how angry he got that day…"

As we walked, I glanced at Cyrus, "So you're actually going to come?"

He straightened his back, "Of course. I will show you how great I am at art."

"C-Can I come?"

"EEK!" I jumped with a scream and turned around to see Hazel staring at me with puppy dog eyes. I held my heart, "How long have you been there!?"

"I-I've been following you since you left the library…"

I blinked, "Wow. You have zero presence."

Her bottom lip trembled pitifully, "Oh…"

I felt a bit bad for the girl and glanced at Felix, "Can she come too?"

Felix chuckled with a warm smile, "Of course! We are a laid-back club. Anyone is welcome."

I grinned, "It's a large club?"

The smile on his face twitched, "Not… Technically."

"What does that mean?"

He scratched his head, "I'm really the only one who attends… Sometimes my little sister and her friends come along, but they never paint. They just drink tea and chat."

I blinked, "You have a little sister?"

He grinned, "I do. You have already met her."

I frowned, "I have?"

Hazel tugged on my dress shyly, "She's the one who was in the garden the day you saved me."

My mouth dropped, "You mean your sister is that little brat!? How!!! Your personalities are so different!!"

He scratched his head with an embarrassed smile, "Please don't hold a grudge against her… She's a good girl at heart, she just has a bit of trouble controlling her anger."

I clicked my tongue, "Well she better get that figured out quickly before I break her nose."

His face paled, "Y-You would hit her!?"

I flipped my hair, "No, I wouldn't… I mean. I would if she was an adult. However, she's only a child and I can't pick on a child."

Hazel stared at me with starry eyes, "You're such a good person."

I grinned, "If you keep complimenting me I'm going to have to keep you around."

Her eyes lit up even more, "You are so beautiful and excellent at magic. I really wish I could be a skilled magician like you… You might even be the best in the world!"

I rubbed my nose smugly.

This child isn't so bad.

Cyrus frowned, "Don't compliment her. She is already too arrogant."

I glared at him, "Oi."

Once we made it to the office, Felix motioned to the door. "We will wait out here for you."

I walked inside and caught sight of the Headmaster's secretary. She looked up over her book with a scowl, "Ugh. What did you do this time?"

I held up my middle finger, "Shut up, Karen."

Her face turned red with anger, "I told you my name isn't Karen!!!!"

I ignored her and pushed the Headmaster's door open slightly, but froze when I noticed the Headmaster behind his desk deep in thought as he read a book. I squinted my eyes to read the cover.

It read: A Guide to Being the Perfect Parent.

Is he… Reading a parenting book?

I glanced over and noticed Zephyr in his human form flicking paper at Caldwell who was tied up to the Headmaster's desk with his hands and mouth bound so he couldn't move or talk.

...What the f*ck is this.

I pushed open the door and cleared my throat to announce my presence. The Headmaster frantically hid the book in his desk. He leaned back nonchalantly, "Ah, Reika. How was your day?"

I looked at him suspiciously, "...Good."

"Good. And your classes?"

"Also good…"

"That's good."

This is weird.

I cleared my throat and averted my eyes, "I was just wondering if it was okay to go to the art club today."

"Oh… Um… One moment." He bent under his desk and I could hear the book being opened. I smacked my forehead.

Is he really checking the book to see what he should answer?

He poked his head up and acted as if he hadn't just gone under his desk to read a book. He wore a deadpan expression, "I support your interests. You may go."

"Cool… Thanks…"

"Oh, but could you bring these two along?" He motioned to Caldwell and Zephyr, "They are annoying me."

"Sure."

The Headmaster undid the magical bounds on Caldwell who jumped up immediately. He ran out the door crying, "YOUNG MASTER!!"

Zephyr stood up and followed me out with a yawn. The Headmaster called out after us, "I will pick you up for dinner."

I nodded, "See you then."

Once we walked out, I glared at Zephyr, "What was that all about?"

He snickered, "Apparently he was hurt that the pig called him a bad guardian. He's been reading those books all day."

I pinched the bridge of my nose feeling a headache coming on, "He's going to be even more annoying. Won't he?"

I walked into the hall to see a crying Caldwell smothering Cyrus in a hug. He wailed at the top of his lungs, "YOUNG MASTERRR!"

Cyrus groaned and tried to squirm out of Caldwell's arms, "Caldwell!! Calm down! Get off of me!!"

Caldwell sobbed, "I thought you were going to be stolen again! That meanie Headmaster tied me up so I couldn't stay by your side!!!"

Cyrus tried to shove him off, "Then I should thank him."

Caldwell looked as if he would cry, "Y-Young Master…"

Felix laughed at the two, "Caldwell. Cyrus is joining us today in the art club room. Would you like to join?"

Caldwell raised an eyebrow, "Cyrus is? But didn't he say he hated that kind of thing?"

Cyrus blushed in embarrassment while Felix laughed.

Cyrus shouted, "I-I like it now!!! I'm going!"

Caldwell finally got off at him and stared at him quizzically. Then he glanced over at me and his face lit up in understanding.

I raised an eyebrow at him, but he didn't say a word.