Gen 1 Chap 2 – Don’t Blow This

The next morning I went downstairs to get the paper with Anubis following behind me.

“I don’t see why the kid just won’t come up the elevator… it’s not that hard.” I mumble.

Looking through the newspaper I didn’t find anything interesting that caught my eye. Test subjects wanted, clean up crew needed, babysitter… nothing that I wanted to put up with.

I was hoping to find something to do that day but I mostly practiced on my guitar late into the day. I needed to hone my skills.

Feeling defeated about what I was supposed to do today, I head back upstairs with Anubis.

I found Alistair staring blankly at the TV so I sat down with him.

“Alistair… what’s wrong with me?” I ask.

“Do you mean what’s wrong with you mentally or physically?”

“I think this would be emotionally… I don’t have the motivation to do anything.”

“Anything being finding a job and contributing to this living space or anything being getting off on your own?” He asks me. I can tell he wasn’t trying to annoy me but he was. I don’t see why he couldn’t just straight up tell me what I needed to do. I sigh and he let out a chuckle.

“Look, Kodak. You can’t just expect someone to come out of the blue and offer you a million dollar contract. I know a few people… stay with the band as our lead singer and I can guarantee you’ll get somewhere in life.” He says.

“You know, that’s an OK thought for me to dwell on… Why didn’t you say that in the first place?”

“I like annoying you.” He says.

“You’re an ass. I’m going off to bed.” I say getting up.

“But you didn’t do anything remotely productive.”

“I played guitar, that’s productive enough for me.”

Thomas being the lazy ass that he is was already in bed. Even though it was only 7 I could tell he wasn’t really deeply asleep. He was a horrible faker.

“There’s also this thing, it’s all the rage right now.” Thomas says through his covers.

“What?”

“It’s called…. THE INTERNET.” and he bursts out laughing.

“Thomas… you may be a bona-fied dumbass but that’s the smartest thing you said all day.” I say climbing up to my bunk.

“Yeah, also, Anubis seems bored. Not that I care, he’s your dog. But maybe you should take him for a walk somewhere. I’m tired of him staring at me.” he says turning over.

“Either that or he’s plotting to kill you. Maybe you should stop teasing him. After all, he does know what you’re saying.”

“And you call me a dumbass…” he said.

The next day I took Thomas’s advice and Anubis and I went off to a park. It was raining but neither of us minded since they had a place to get dry in. For being a big city the places around here were really empty…

We played fetch for a while and I could tell he was really enjoying it. Ever since I came here I’ve been sort of neglecting him looking for singing opportunities. Hell he even chased me around the park a few times.

Our fun stopped when I saw her. Not that I never seen a woman before but she caught my attention because it was late and she was just walking around. Then she spotted me and came towards us.

“You must be new. I haven’t seen anyone hang out here in ages.” She said to me.

“Yeah I uh.. don’t really get out much…” I say stupidly. What was wrong with me? I see a pretty face and I get flustered all of a sudden. Back in Sunset Valley this would have never happened.

“Heh… I can see you’re normally not shy. What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?”

“You um.. have your umbrella open…”

“Yeah so? Not like I believe in luck or anything. I’m Mataya, Mataya Smith. What’s your name?” She asks me.

“Kodak… Kodak Xavier.”

“Well Kodak… that’s an interesting name you got there. Mind if I call you Kody?”

“I do actually…” I say.

“Cool, Kody it is. Hey you wanna get a drink with me?”

I look across to where Anubis was sitting silently watching us.

“Oh wow! You have a dog! I love dogs. Um… I don’t think he can come along though…” Mataya says.

“Well I was actually on my way home, Anubis was getting worn out and plus it’s time to feed him…” I knew I was making an excuse but I couldn’t stop.

“Hey, no biggie. I totally understand. Here’s my number in case you want to hang out.” She said giving me a piece of paper. Did she have this planned?

Without a word I took it. I glanced down at Anubis and could tell he wasn’t entirely thrilled about my new acquaintance and in truth, neither was I.

“I’ll catch you later Kody. Oh and you too Nubie.” She said before walking off.

“I will never let her call you Nubie again.” I say to Anubis. He let out a whimper in response.

When we got home I decided to cook Anubis some food for the week. I also found Alistair eating some waffles I made earlier.

“Not eating pizza?” I ask.

“Pizza isn’t good for breakfast.” He says.

“It’s like 11 at night… speaking of.. where’s Thomas?”

“Like I know… Thomas goes where he wants to without telling anyone. For all I know or care, he’s out partying.” Alistair says.

“Oh… he’s never here once I think about it.” I say to myself.

“He doesn’t need to be. I have good news by the way.”

“What? Spill it!” I say enthusiastically.

“First, what are you cooking? It smells.”

“Dog food.”

“Oh that’s— *cough* WHAT? Why are you cooking dog food?? I use that pot!” He yells.

“One, Anubis needs something different and two I’ve never seen you touch this pot since I’ve been here. Now what’s the news?”

“I got us a gig… It’s tomorrow night.” He says.

” WAHOO!” I yell. A gig, that was my ticket out of here. I just needed to get some publicity in my life and then I could get out of this small apartment.

“Also, my niece is staying with us for a while.”

“Wait wha? What? WHAT?!”

“My niece… is staying… with us.” he reiterates.

“The hell is she going to sleep? The hell is she going to eat? The hell is she coming here? THE HELL??” I ask sounding more pissed than I intended.

“Shut up and roll with it. I got this all planned out. Plus her mother kicked her out with her being 18 and all that. I said she could stay with me. It’s only temporarily.” He assures me. Temporarily my ass. The last time he said something was temporary I had to buy a whole new wardrobe.

“Fine… when is she coming?” I ask.

“Tomorrow. She’ll be meeting us at our gig. Be nice. She’s a nice girl and doesn’t need anymore drama in her life.” Alistair said quietly.

Drama what did he mean by that? I shrugged it off and finished cooking Anubis’s food. Tomorrow is another day and I’ll ask him then.

“Bleach that pot why don’t you? I don’t want to eat dog food.”

I laugh. I’ve been using this pot for Anubis’s dog food ever since I got here but he didn’t need to know that. I say goodnight to him and head off to bed with mixed feelings. I’m excited for tomorrow yet I’m dreading it at the same time. All I know is, I can’t blow this.