The Difference Between Real and Pretend

Two

With that final note, she kisses the top of my head, and leaves my bedroom. I throw myself on top of my bed. It's nightfall, and I really am exhausted.

Suddenly, there's a knocking at my door. I frown. "Mum," I call out. "Yuh said the history lessons were ovah!"

A head full of white pokes in my door. The boy gives me an amused smirk, "Sorry, not your mom."

I glare at him, and pull him into my bedroom. Locking my door, I hiss at him, "What're yuh doing?! I can't be caught hiding ah boy in mah room!"

"I got hungry," Jack shrugs. "It's weird. I'm never hungry."

"How did yuh know where mah room was?" I demand further of him.

"When you left the barn-"

"Horse stables," I interrupt him to correct him. He rolls his eyes.

"When you left, I followed you. It was surprisingly easy. I've been hiding for over an hour, waiting for your mom to come out of your room."

He... he what?! What nerve! He could've been seen! I can't think of anyone in our kingdom who would've taken lightly to seeing a bare-footed strange lurk around, especially when he carried a stick around, and clearly wasn't Scottish.

"Yuh could've been seen!" I point out angrily. He gives me an arrogant smirk.

"But I wasn't." Jack says smugly.

"That ain't thah point!" I frown, frustrated.

"Can I have some food now?"

"Fine!" I snap. "Stay here. I mean it." He nods, and I squint at him suspiciously. He sits on the edge of my bed, and I take my leave from my bedroom. This time, I also lock my door behind me.

I run down the stairs, knocking over several servants and maids, including Maude. Frankly, I'm surprised she hasn't quit yet. My brothers make her life a living nightmare.

Finally, I make my way to the kitchen. Only a few cooks remain, seeing that it has gotten very late in the night. Some of them give me warm smiles, while some others protectively grab their silverware.

I grin sheepishly at them, and grab a bowl full of green apples. Popping one in my mouth, I also grab a loaf of bread and toss it in the bowl. On a second thought, I also grab a bowl of jelly pastries, the ones my brothers favourite out of them all. Balancing the two bowls in my left hand, I take a plate with a pot of hot water and some cups with tea.

Feeling accomplished, I ignore the odd looks the cooks are giving me, and make my way back to my room. I set down the tea, and unlock my door.

Bringing in the food and the tea, I put it down on my table. I rush to the door and lock it.

Glancing over at Jack, I find that he's no longer patiently sitting on the bed. Instead, he has taken up full residence, and is laying in it.

I take the apple out of my mouth, and point at the food. "Dinner is served," I inform him dryly.

He gets off from my bed, and begins to eat. He mumbles out a thanks, but it's muffled by the sound of his chewing.