Disclaimer: I don't own Despicable Me… at all.
A New Found Enemy
Chapter 1: Beyond Reason
"Okay… I have my laptop, books, plenty of pencils, accordion folder, bed set, I-pod, textbooks, biology dissection kit…"
Margo bit her lip as she went down her list of things she needed for her first year of college.
"Don't forget dis."
She turned around to see her father standing in the doorway and her looks softened. He held her cell phone in his hand and held it out to her.
She laughed softly,
"Thanks Dad." She replied, gently taking it from him.
She then went back to packing her things for the long trip ahead of her.
Gru stood silent for a moment, just watching her reflectively as she went through her things, making tick marks on the list she held tightly.
"So… is everything set?" he asked, feebly trying to make conversation.
"Yeah, almost…. I just wanna double check everything before I leave tomorrow." She answered not looking up, "I can't believe I'm going to college!"
He took note of the wide smile that lined her face and he couldn't help but smile gently, himself.
"Yeah… you're getting to be quite de young lady." He said, shifting his footing anxiously, "But are you sure you want to go this year? You could always stay behind for one more year."
Margo then turned to look at him, putting her list down on the small stack of suitcases she had splayed out on the floor of her bedroom.
"Dad… you know I can't…" she said, her voice showing her hesitation, "I won't get a job if I don't go."
She noticed the sad gleam that ran through her father's eyes as she said that and she turned her eyes towards the floor.
"I know." He answered quietly, clasping his hands behind his back.
Margo reached over, throwing her arms around his neck, hugging him.
"But don't worry, Dad… I'll be all right." She said.
Gru returned the embrace,
"I know you will." He said, swallowing the emotion that threatened to overcome him, "No doubt about it."
~O~O~O~O~O~
The next morning Gru woke to see Margo already up and packing things into her car.
He heard her struggling and rushed out the door to see if she was all right.
"Let me help you with that!" he said, wide-eyed.
Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a gun-shaped device and aiming it at the offending suitcase, he pulled the trigger.
Margo winced and turned away, afraid to see what damage her father might have caused to her belongings.
Reluctantly, she turned back around to see her father blowing across the muzzle of the gun and the suitcase properly in order. Her eyes widened, distinctly impressed.
"No problemo." He replied with a cocky smirk.
Margo smiled.
"Well, that's it." She said, putting her hands on her hips, "I should really get going."
Gru looked at her wide-eyed.
"Th-that's it?" he asked, "You're going already? D-don't you want breakfast first? I'll make my special pancakes!"
He found himself fumbling for any way to keep her home as long as possible, but his heart fell when she shook her head.
"I-I would, Dad… Really… but Today is orientation day and I wanted to be early and settle in. Besides, I was going to grab a Starbucks on the way there." She said.
"But what about… what about Agnes and Edith? I'm sure they would like to say good-bye." Gru said suddenly.
"I said good-bye this morning, Dad." Margo replied, "I don't want to get them up… but don't worry. I wouldn't leave without saying good-bye… which reminds me…"
She went over, hugging her dad and kissing his cheek.
"I'm really gonna miss you, Dad." She said, "And don't worry, I'll call you when I get there."
Gru nodded, unable to find anything to say.
He watched as she got into her car, closed the door and started down the street, waving as she passed the house.
He stood there for a moment, feeling numb all over. One of his little kittens was gone and off to find their own way in the world.
He bit his lip to keep his emotions in check. He had promised her that he'd never let her go again, but here he was, saying good-bye for the second time.
Flashbacks of that day still stung and he was silent as he reluctantly left his place on the sidewalk.
He turned around, heading back into the house to see Edith, Agnes, Dr. Nefario and several of the minions all clustered and pressed up against the window.
He forced a smile and re-entered the house.
Already, he could tell that things were going to be really different… and that he'd have to find something beyond reason to fix it.