Bolted

I was asleep, dreams of dancing ham comforting me. I had a fleece blanket wrapped around my shoulders, and a down pillow under my head. I had fallen asleep in Carly's bed while she surfed the Internet beside me the night before. My stomach growled as I regained consciousness. I was so hungry, but I couldn't move from my nice warm spot to get food. I pulled the blanket over my head to simulate darkness and trick my brain into letting me fall back asleep. Carly stirred beside me. What time is it? I moved the blanket enough to glance over at the clock on the nightstand, just beside my head. 12:45 pm.

I bolted up. I had missed breakfast and lunch. No wonder my stomach woke me up. I shook Carly awake in desperation. "Carly, Carly, hurry wake up!"

"Is the house on fire?" she mumbled.

"No! I'm starving!"

She yawned. "Just go downstairs. We have leftovers."

I calmed down. Of course there were leftovers. Spencer and Carly had eaten spare ribs, but I had missed dinner and they hid the meat from me. "Where are they?"

"In the microwave on a plate. Just press start."

I grinned and ran downstairs, almost tripping over the bottom step. My stomach growled even louder.

That was when I saw it. Freddie, sitting on the couch, happily gnawing on a pork rib. Fury burned in my every muscle. "You're eating my breakfast!" I accused. He looked up from the television.

"I'm what?"

"You're eating my breakfast!" I repeated, sprinting over to the couch. I was sure there would be only one person alive in this room within the next five minutes.

"You eat ribs for breakfast?"

"How long have you known me, Freddork? I eat anything for breakfast! Give me the ribs!"

He still had the meat poised in front of his mouth. I wanted to smack him in the face and steal the ribs. He knows not to eat food while I'm over here!

"Magic word, Sam."

I gritted my teeth. This kid sucks.

"Please," I stressed. He grinned and handed over the half eaten rib.

I sighed and sat beside him on the couch, rib in hand. He picked up another from the plate in front of him and handed it over to me. I felt the food preventing a panic attack. Some people eat to live; that's literal in my case. I get stressed out and angry when I go at least twelve hours without food.

I smiled. "Thanks, Freddie."

"My pleasure."