Joy slowly unfolded her arms, letting out a sigh. She felt only slightly flattered. His voice was staged, and he didn't seem to care about Joy's reactions. What were his motives? Maybe he was dared.
Joy cautiously turned the knob, and streams of water spouted out. The cold water helped her think. Her heartbeat slowed and her muscles relaxed. Had that guy really given Joy an adrenaline rush? That is pathetic.
Joy was surprised to find a new set of neatly-folded clothes on her bed. After putting them on, she mused at how simple she looked. Just a t-shirt and shorts? She felt like someone from the districts, and ached for her walk-in closet full of extravagant clothes and accessories.
"I heard someone screaming from the bathroom's direction. Was that you?" Castone asked curiously.
"Well… yeah, but I'm ok now. Where's Mom?"
"She's eating. Do you want to go to breakfast?"
"Sure."
Joy could hear silverware "clinks" and a low chatter, but she didn't catch a whiff of pancakes, eggs, or sausages. Despite that fact, the bright atmosphere lifted her spirits.
"Watch where you're going, miss! You almost knocked me and your breakfast over." A thin man warned.
Joy and Castone stared at the thin toast, a milk carton, and a banana in disbelief. The man creased his eyebrows and then laughed heartily.
"In the districts, some people don't even have breakfast. Deal with it, and eat up!" He handed Castone and Joy a tray.
"We're becoming like the district people!" Joy joked.
Castone smiled. "Yup! Embrace every aspect.
They sat down together, and hoped their mother, who sat two tables to their left wouldn't notice them. Suddenly, a figure blocked their view, and Joy recognized the bronze-eyed boy.
She stood immediately. "I'm gonna get some more… napkins."
"Ok…" Castone said questioningly.
Joy briskly wove her way through to the condiment table. She was seething with anger, and she needed to compose herself. Castone and that guy were talking like old friends! She watched with awe as they laughed and shook hands. She had to find out what they were talking about.
The strange boy was the first to talk. "I don't see any napkins."
Joy scowled.
"Um… I'm sorry about what I did earlier. I was 'high', kind of."
"What do you mean?"
"Being bipolar, I have manic episodes, where I'm extremely happy, or in this case, outgoing." The boy bit into his toast.
"Take your time believing me."
I'm once again sorry that this is a short chapter. I have a writer's block!