The Spy's Inheritance

Chapter Four: Friends

I rushed to get everything set up for my father to have his meal. As I started setting the table, where my dad would usually grace me with his presence, I carefully focused my mind on the job. Not wanting my emotions to get out of control and having another discussion with daddy dearest about why emotions are bad. 

Once I was happy with the table, I moved on to the kitchen, looking for the perfect plates to dish up in. You see my dad had me put into an etiquette class because he expected me to be the perfect hostess when he had work functions at our house and since that was at a minimal he expected that I be the perfect hostess towards him whenever he ate at home.  

I stood ready at the door to collect his coat. My dad was always home by five o'clock if he called to let me know he was eating at home but I was always ready a minute before. I patiently wait and finally he pulls into the garage. I step to the door and open it as he steps in. "Welcome home, Father. I hope your day was productive. May I take your coat?" My smile feels as fake as the words I'm forced to speak. My father nods and hands me his coat. "Dinner tonight is a hearty beef lasagne made by Maria. It will be served in an hour and at the crystal clear glass table. Would you like a red wine to go with it or some whiskey?" I ask playing the role of perfect hostess. "I'll have whiskey on the rocks. Thank you... Christina." I look at my dad shocked before I slip my emotionless mask on. "I'll be back with your drink." I quickly walk out of the room and hang my dad's coat up before I pour him whiskey and take it to him. He looks at me with some emotion burning in his eyes. "Dad are you okay?" I ask my tone filled with concern. He sighs and nods before sitting down on the couch. I stare at him. It's the first time in so long that he is showing emotion. What has gotten into him? 

After dinner I started tiding up when I heard a pair of footsteps following me. "Allow me to help you tidy up." I smile at my dad warmly. When last has he offered to help? I tried to hide my emotions but the shock and concern was just too much to hide. "I'm alright Christina. You don't have to worry about me. Although I'm worried about you." I turn to look at my dad. "One of my college's child came to talk to me today. The child was upset. The child had told me you were being bullied and it only stopped when you changed the way you look. Is this true?" I take deep breath in not knowing if my dad would be angry with me for being so weak or if he'd feel bad for being so tough on while I was being bullied. I finally opened my mouth to speak, tucking my fear away. "It's true. I only dressed up a little to fit in and it worked. The kids left me alone today." My dad pulled me into a hug that I hadn't expected. "Oh Chrissie. I'm sorry I was so tough on you. You should have told me, my little one. I guess I grew a little distant and cold when your mom passed. I promise I'll make up for the time we lost. I can't believe I was so blind. Christina please forgive me." "I'll forgive you dad now and forever. You're the only parent I have left." 

The evening seemed to pass by too quickly. My dad and I stayed up a little later than usual just talking about what has been going on. I felt relieved having someone know about the bullying that would actually do something about it. If I met the stranger who told my dad I'll be in his or her debt because if it hadn't been for the his or her complaining to my dad he wouldn't have known and I would have completely changed myself just to suit the school. 

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When I woke the following morning I had a text message from Josh. It read: "Rise and shine sleepy head. Meet me in the library so that I can teach you a thing or two about James Bond." I smiled and replied: "HA. You mean so that I can teach YOU a thing or two." I skipped happily downstairs to grab a bowl of cereal when I stopped dead in my tracks. "You're in a good mood. Breakfast will be served in T minus two seconds." I laugh grabbing a plate and head to my dad so that he can dish the pancakes onto my plate. I ask him permission to sit down and eat and he grants it to me. I quickly wolf the food down and thank him before I excuse myself and go and get ready for school. 

By the time I get into my car I'm past ecstatic. I drive to school hardly able to concentrate. 

The parking lot couldn't come sooner and soon I was in a parking. I gather my stuff and bolt to the library, adrenaline pulsing through my veins faster than a bullet. Since when had I become so excited to see a person before? 

As I walked into the library I spotted Josh sitting at a desk reading a copy of "Casino Royale" written by Ian Fleming. I walk up to him and smile. "Good day, 005." He looks up and smiles. "Good day, 007." We laugh at our little joke and then get into talking about the books and who the best author was although it didn't turn into an argument because we both agreed that Ian Fleming was our favourite although the authors to flow weren't bad they just weren't the original creators of our favourite spy. 

The bell rang too soon and we said goodbye each of us going to a different register class. As I reached the my class I got a text message. I almost ran to my seat. I sat down quickly and carefully took out my phone to see who texted me. It was Josh. His message making me smile and blush: "You're mission 007, should you accept it, is to be my friend. Further information shall be given to you in the secure location. This message will self-destruct in ten seconds." I smiled like a dork and replied: "I accept the mission."

I quickly chuck my phone into my bag as if it's about to self-destruct and put my bag as far away from me as possible just as the other tall dork walks past a bright smile stretching across his lips. I hide my own behind my hand. We were friends. I have a friend. The idea replays itself over and over again and I don't want it to stop. I try and listen to the announcements waiting for the bell to ring...