As Life Goes: Gen. 5.6-Matthew

After that night I started spotting Kia around campus. I’d catch her coming from class and we’d talk for a while. She was a cute girl, certainly easy on the eyes. If we happened to both be in the student center we’d chat. I learned she had a bit of a competitive side and our table tennis matches could get heated. We started doing friendly wages and were pretty even on wins and losses. She was fun, but a little strange at times. Like the day I saw her walking in circles in the Quad.

The other kids gave her a wide berth, some were pointing and laughing. As I got closer she appeared to be talking to herself, but not just talking to herself, but having a full blown argument.

“Hey, Kia. Everything okay?”

She stopped to look at me for a moment. “No! Does it look okay?” she yelled. “That stupid professor was a jerk. He shouldn’t be teaching if he doesn’t even know his own students!” she went on.

I could understand her frustration with the professors, some of them were real asses simply because they could be.

“It’s not my fault he doesn’t remember what assignments he gives! I told him he hadn’t assigned the essay that he conveniently said was due tomorrow, but he said he had. Everyone in the class is either too dumb or too scared to speak up so they all just mumbled and looked at me like I was the crazy one! Then. THEN he kept asking me questions trying to imply I wasn’t even in the class. I finally got fed up and left, but now I have a freaking essay to write that’s due tomorrow!”

People were staring as they walked by but she didn’t seem to notice since she was back to mumbling to herself. I on the other hand did and that feeling of anxiety started creeping in. That day Claudia was yelling at me in front of the school, something I hadn’t thought about in a while, started replaying in my head. Kia wasn’t yelling at me, but I still didn’t like the attention. One…two…three…I needed her to calm down. 

“Deep breaths, Kia, take a few deep breaths.” I took a few of my own. “Why don’t we um…go to The Grotto, we can get a latte and I’ll help you with your essay.” She kept mumbling so I reached out for her arm. “Hey, did you hear me?” That action made her jump a bit. She looked at me confused for a minute then smiled.

“Matt!” she exclaimed, throwing her arms around my neck.

We spent a few hours just hanging out at The Grotto but never got around to working on her essay. When I tried to bring it up, she just pretended like it wasn’t a big deal.

I didn’t see Kia for about two weeks after that. I’d text her, but she’d say she was busy. Guess maybe she was embarrassed for having had a meltdown in front of me and everyone. But then again, finals were coming up. My buddies and I were pulling all night study sessions it seemed like.

I did call home to check in with Mom and Dad. Dad told me he’d gotten Mom a new dog. Vor was again getting up there in age and GG Wind said it wasn’t good for his health to keep turning him back since animals weren’t meant to be like us. Ancha wasn’t a replacement, since no one could replace Vor, but it would help Mom from being too upset once Vor left us. Dad said Mom loves her and that the two dogs got along great. Too great in fact since Ancha apparently wasn’t fixed and she and Vor were expecting puppies. The house was going to be busy soon. 

Kia texted me a while later asking if I wanted to hang out. I was studying for an upcoming test in my finance class, but I decided a break was a good idea. 

We met up at the bowling alley and I decided not to bring up the incident from a few weeks ago. I knew better than most how stress could trigger strange behaviors, so I didn’t hold her outburst against her. We just enjoyed the night laughing and having a good time and a friendly wager of course. If she won, I’d have to take her out to dinner and if I won she would have to do my laundry. She actually kicked my butt, but I didn’t mind, it wasn’t like spending time with her was a punishment.

Continue Reading: "As Life Goes: Gen. 5.6-Matthew"

Going Solo: Gen. 5.1-Matthew

***So I am putting this warning here. Matt's gen will touch on some sensitive issues. I plan to cover aspects of mental issues given the traits he has rolled (neurotic and eccentric). There will be incidents during his generation that will focus on these issues and a few others that may be hard on some. Those chapters will be given an additional warning. I just wanted to make you aware of this fact in advance.***

Today was a big day. It was my birthday and I was excited. I would get my wings today, my real wings. Dad and I had lots of conversations about this day. I’d wanted my wings for a long time. I mean I know I have them, but they are these funny looking things where as Dad’s and Mom’s were so majestic. I would be like them today. We arrived a little early, Mom wanted to make sure everything was perfect. I couldn’t wait to see what gift Grandma and Grandpa got me. I told them I wanted a new laptop, but Mom said I didn’t need it. Grandpa liked getting me stuff anyway so I was pretty sure I’d get it. I’d already gotten the best gift from Great Grammy Wind. Dad had been telling her how Vor was getting old and Mom had been sad over the thought of losing him. I was too, he was my best friend, well she sent this stuff that Dad put on his food and the next day he was young again.

It was amazing. Mom was so happy. Dad liked making her happy and Vor was going to be with us for a long time still so it was a win/win.

The guest had arrived, it was time for my party. I blew out the candles and made my wish. My body tingled…gone were the little wings, in their place pink ones. PINK! I was a boy with pink wings. I would never live that down!!! 

Mom laughed when she saw my face, she must have known what I was thinking. Dad said it was all those jokes I liked to play and the color was nothing to worry about. I had a playful spirit and that was a good thing. He was right about that, it was fun to joke around, although not everyone felt that way.

I got to enjoy the summer hanging out with my friends. Kraig was like me, he like to joke and have a good time. We could get into a lot of trouble together.

Dax and I had been friends since elementary school and we still got along great. Hanging out and goofing off was our favorite pastime.

Summer passed too quickly and it was the morning of the first day of high school. I got up and made my bed. Brushed my teeth.

Continue Reading: "Going Solo: Gen. 5.1-Matthew"

Going Solo: Grace Gen 4.28

Today my baby was growing up. I couldn't believe how the time had flown by. It seemed like only yesterday I was bringing Matthew home from the hospital and today he was turning 6. A big boy, going off to school in the fall. Growing up. Jonas and I decided to throw his party at the local candy store. Kids loved to hang out there to play games and have fun. Hope and Caleb couldn't make it out this time. Caleb's niece had been attacked and they were dealing with a family crisis. I felt bad for Starr. She was a nice girl, liked to have fun. I had an ache in my heart hearing what happened to her. I knew all too well how she was feeling.

The rest of the family was here to help us celebrate as was Wind who had been back to visit on several occasions. The party was a great success and everyone had fun.

Matt and Vor were as close as ever. Nearly every waking moment was spent playing together, well that was when Matt wasn't playing tricks on people. He was a bit of a prankster. Sometimes they were okay, other times, well he brought out the hot head in his father.I didn't mind too much, he was only being a kid.

A few months later, it was time for school. I got up early to make sure Matt had a good, hot breakfast, while Matt got up to make sure Vor had his morning meal.

Jonas has to hold me as I cried watching him get on the bus. I knew I couldn't keep him sheltered from the world forever, but it just felt like he was growing up too fast. Matthew was a smart boy, and did well in school, but Jonas and I would still help him with his homework sometimes.

Continue Reading: "Going Solo: Grace Gen 4.28"

Going Solo: Grace Gen 4.26

Two years Jonas and I had been married and life was great. Jonas decided to just move into my house since he knew I loved it here. With him there, I finally got around to those cosmetic fixes I'd been putting off because I didn't want people in and out of my house. The living room and kitchen got major make-overs as did my, well our, bedroom.

It now felt more gender neutral and it allowed us a chance to make it more ours instead of just mine. Jonas even built me a small greenhouse in the corner of my lot, and Wilson gave us the cutest fairy cottage as a wedding gift.

We spent lots of time together, I helped him maintain the community garden and still helped out at the store from time to time.

We had a great life. The only thing missing was a child. We'd not been doing anything to prevent us getting pregnant for the last year and so far we'd not had any luck. Jonas tried to keep me from being too upset by saying trying was the fun part. I knew it would happen for us eventually, but each month that passed made me feel more inadequate. He finally agreed to go with me to the doctor, I wanted to make sure everything was okay. If I knew that, then I'd be okay with having to just wait for it to happen. The day of the appointment I was fine, Jonas decided he'd get checked as well.

The nurse called back two days later with the results. We both showed everything to be within normal range. She suggested I better track my fertile days, change my diet, and maybe take some herbal supplements, things like that, but otherwise it was just a waiting game. That news did make me feel better and Jonas took great pleasure in giving me an I told you so. Having that worry off the table did ease some of my stress.

Jonas thought we should just enjoy each other when we wanted and wait for nature to take it's course. His calm, and positive attitude about the situation put me at ease so I agreed. I did do some research on various vitamins and things that were supposed to help, but decided against them. We were both young, and hand plenty of time, I had faith it would happen eventually. Another year passed and it was still just the two of us, well three with Vor being included.

Vor, my loyal companion wasn't as young as he used to be. It was a hard fact to acknowledge, but I knew my time with him was limited. I knew we had a few more good years, I just didn't know how many, but we planned to spoil him for as long as he was around.

Today was Love Day, and our anniversary. Jonas said he had a special date planned for us. When we arrived at the park, I couldn't help but smile.

"I thought it would be nice to revisit our first date."

"It was very sneaky of you to trick me into coming on a date back then."

"Yes, it was, but I really wanted to spend my birthday with you."

We climbed into the balloon where he had champagne and strawberries waiting. Being back in that moment, I could feel how romantic a setting it was and couldn't believe I'd missed that before.

It was an amazing ride, even if we didn't check out much of the scenery.

A little over a month later Jonas was happily humming in the kitchen as he prepared his delicious pancakes. Mine just never seemed to taste as good and he wouldn't tell me his secret. Joking that it gave me a reason to keep him around.

The second I walked out of the room, my nose was assaulted by a strong odor that sent me running for the bathroom.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, just woke up feeling a bit queasy."

"Why don't you go back to bed and I'll bring breakfast to you."

"No, I'm good."

Only I wasn't. Jonas had to open all the windows to get the smell out of the house. I spent the rest of the day in bed. The next day was the same thing. Just moving made my stomach turn. By the third day, Jonas was concerned and called Mom to come check on me.

"Oh, honey you look terrible," she said taking a seat beside me.

"Thanks Mom."

"When's the last time you ate?"

"A few days ago. Nothing will stay down."

"Any other symptoms? Headache? Body ache? Fever?" I shook my head. She smiled again. "You and Jonas have been trying to conceive right? I nodded. "Well, you could be suffering from an extreme case of morning sickness. Have you taken a test?"

I shook my head. "I hadn't had a reason to, I'm not late."

She sent Jonas to the store for an over the counter test just to be sure. Getting me out of bed and to the bathroom to take it was a chore since moving made the room spin and my stomach lurch. Three minutes later my world changed again. The test was positive. If I hadn't felt so much like crap, I would have been more excited, but I only wanted to get back in bed. The rough days I had experienced were only the beginning. I couldn't eat.

Continue Reading: "Going Solo: Grace Gen 4.26"

Going Solo: Grace Gen 4.24

My head was pounding when I opened my eyes. I looked around. I was at home. How did I get home? I swung my legs over the side of my bed. I stood and stretched. I felt like I was floating. I was floating! I'm floating!

"JONAS!"

Both he and Vor appeared in my doorway.

"You're up! I've been so worried, you've been out for two days."

"Yes I'm up, as in my feet won't touch the floor how do I make it stop?!"

He started laughing. "Um..." he floated for a minute then landed. "...think down."

I did as he said and felt my feet touch the ground.

"This will be a learning experience for us both. My grandmother has been talking to my great-grandfather. Neither of us expected you to pass out like that. It scared us both. How are you feeling?"

"My head hurts and my back itches, but other than that fine. And learning experience?"

"Yeah, it's been about a century or so since the last human was approved to become a fairy. The previous council leader wasn't very keen on handing out approvals. I'm going to be your teacher I guess. Oh, and your parents were here. Please let them know you're okay, your father has put me back on his shit list."

I could only imagine how Dad had been acting since he said I'd been out for two days. I looked at my clothes and hoped that Mom changed me.

"I'll call them, but first I want to see."

I walked into the bathroom and looked at my reflection. They were yellow. Bright and beautiful like sunshine. I had wings! I was something different. Being with Jonas my life had changed and evolved and now my body had. I was like a butterfly, I'd lived in a cocoon for for a very long time and finally had emerged into the being I think I was meant to be. I felt the same for the most part other than a tickling sensation radiating from my back. I hoped that would go away eventually.

"They match your aura of kindness."

"My aura?"

"Yes, as a fairy, you can tell a person's aura, their, um...their true inner being. When you look a person, you can see a glow around them."

I looked at him and noticed a glowing white light around him. It was strange. "Yours match as well. What does it mean?"

"Pure of heart."

I smiled. It was very fitting for him. "So every time you looked at me you saw a yellow glow."

He nodded. It was strange, but I liked it.

"Your grandmother's are teal. What does that color mean?"

"They're more blue than teal, but the blue-ish family means wisdom."

There was so much to learn, and understand, but I had time. I smiled at that thought, I had lots of time now. My stomach growled reminding me it hadn't had food in two days. Jonas went to fix me something to eat while I called my parents who were relieved to hear I was up. Dad told me he was going to bury Jonas in the hills if I hadn't woken up soon. I was happy to removed the bounty from his head. I promised to come by to visit. My next call was to Hope. I had Jonas take a picture of the new me, so she could see. Wind came by to check on me. She was waiting on me to wake up before heading back to Hidden Springs. Jonas promised to bring me soon so I could meet the rest of his family which sadly only consisted of his great-grandfather.

Jonas stayed with me and helped me get used to the new me. I enjoyed being a fairy. He wasn't lying when he said they were good with plants. My plants seemed to grow bigger and faster. It was amazing. He still hadn't moved back to his house. We'd settled into a routine of being roommates. He still slept in the spare room. We had breakfast and dinner together each day. Would watch TV or just sit and talk until we were ready for bed.

Continue Reading: "Going Solo: Grace Gen 4.24"