Chapter Text
The blaring of my alarm makes what was already supposed to be a shitty sleep even worse. Not even growling as I cover my head with my pillow dulls the persistent beeping. Damn fucking thing! I swear I will destroy you one of these days. But that day is not today, especially if doing so would only give Mom an excuse to take me out shopping for a new one, a fate I dare not tempt.
So that leaves me here in limbo, lying in bed, struggling to debate with myself about which insufferable situation is more unpleasant. With each successive beep, the sounds slowly bleed into one another, forming a single constant noise. Eventually, that noise distorts, twisting into a taunting laugh. One hauntingly similar to those I have heard countless times before. Feeling my heart racing, I lift my arm to gently slam my hand down onto the alarm.
Current enemy dealt with, I take a shaky breath and throw off my covers, moving to stand… only to immediately tumble to the floor as my foot slips on the pile of empty energy drink cans littering my floor.
Cans crunch beneath the weight of my face impacting the floor, while others are tossed into the air, causing a cacophony of tinking sounds as they land back down. One even manages to land directly on my head. I growl once more in annoyance, pushing myself up to my feet, and flick my tail to shove a section of the thin metal coffins into the corner of my dim room.
Thankfully, Mom didn't sneak into my room this time and open my blackout blinds; otherwise I would be ten planes sideways blinded for the rest of the day. Thinking about it now, that doesn't sound so bad. I wouldn’t have to deal with looking at Melissa’s disgusting preppy attire anymore.
I mean seriously! How do you intentionally dress like the equivalent of a snobbish nark? Or maybe I could just use the excuse to take advantage of the government’s subsidies for chronic late night rage baiting on Peruvian knitting forums. Raptor Jesus knows how easy it is to pull the wool over on those corrupt bastards.
Trudging across my room, I rummage through the closet and pull out my usual attire. A nauseating scent of fresh citrus assaults my nose, indicating their recently washed state. Even if I was the one who did it, I wish we would buy something less noticeable. I hate walking around smelling like a Girl Scout cherry pop.
Handling the fabric, I am reminded of the one too many earfuls I got from my parents and friends that have convinced me enough to at least be somewhat presentable when I go to leave now. That may be a completely different story from how I treat my room, but goddammit this is my sanctuary where I don’t have to give a raptor’s ass about people’s thoughts and opinions… not that I do that, anyway. All those judging pricks can suck it.
Changing out of my pajamas, I slip on my long-sleeved black-and-white striped off shoulder strap top, and cover it with an oversized U-neck charcoal shirt and mismatched high-denim plum shorts. The resulting effect gives off a not-caring vibe, while also preserving a level of ‘fuck off’. Perfect.
Feeling rather pleased with myself, I step before my full-body mirror set up in the corner of my room. Realizing I had almost forgotten the most important piece, I quickly put up my hair into a pair of twin pigtails and strike a pose with my hands on my hips.
Now that my eyes have adjusted to the lack of light in the room, I clearly make out the reflection staring back at me. And to be honest? It leaves a lot to be desired. Thin-framed and lacking any sort of curve to indicate me as a ‘proper’ girl by today’s standards, the lackluster image is a true representation of who I am. Only a single thought comes to the forefront of my mind to summarize what I see.
Man, you look pathetic.
Shaking my head, I free myself from the dreary thought and force a crooked smirk onto my snout. “Nah, you look great. You just have too high of standards for yourself. Can’t please them all…”
A deafening silence blankets my room, allowing me to fully comprehend the revolting words that just came from my mouth as I cringe hard. Holy fuck. Do people actually talk like this to themselves? If so, they are in need of a serious reality check. I don’t know how Amber talked me into trying this. That was stupidly naive of me. Half the shit that comes out of that birdbrain’s beak is utter garbage.
Although… I can’t be too mad. She is one of the few people that I find tolerable, a friend even, amongst a handful of others. The rest can eat shit and die for all I care.
Whether it was coming to recognize that I may not be completely alone in all of this, or from imagining a dozen different ways to see my haters get what’s coming to them, a satisfied smile creeps along my lips. Huh, not bad. But enough goading myself. I need to save my energy if I'm going to survive another day in that godforsaken place called school.
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A tear-jerking yawn escapes me as I scratch the plates between my shoulder blades and make my way down the stairs towards the kitchen. Not even halfway there, I can already hear the soul-crushing sound of another one of Mom’s anime openings playing through the speakers. I briefly consider turning back around right then and there, and locking myself up in my room. Calling in sick might not be such a bad idea after all. However, against my better judgement, my feet keep carrying me forward.
Reaching the main floor and rounding the corner, I am met with the unsavory sight of Mom cheerfully dancing next to the stove as she hums along to the song. She is relatively young-looking for her age. It’s probably thanks to her wearing the classic ‘my son is the MC, so I’m going to die early’ look any sane parent should avoid. She even has her hair tied up with a single scrunchie over her shoulder. I open my mouth to call her out for her hypocrisy to know better, but snap it shut, accepting that will only lead to another endless tide of conversation with her about her hobby.
Despite fully knowing that the look is merely a trope in garbage choices of anime… I give a silent prayer to whatever God may be listening. I swear if she kicks the bucket by some fluke accident, I’m going to kick her ass, and then I’m coming for you next!
Taking a deep breath, I shuffle around the island and pull out one chair that I need to actually climb up onto due to my lack of height. Just another wonderful thing to blame my mother for. I narrow a glare at the back of her head, only for her to glance over her shoulder at that second with a sickeningly beaming smile.
“Ah! Goodness, Cynthia. I didn’t realize you were already up. Perfect timing. I’m just about done with breakfast.” She looks back to flip the scrambled eggs sizzling on the pan, continuing without skipping a beat. “How was your sleep last night? You went to bed awfully late. You know doctors say that a teenager your age should be getting at least eight hours of sleep.”
I groan, resting my chin on the cool countertop. “As shitty as the night before, no thanks to nearly pulling an all-nighter. Those damn online gooners really have some retarded opinions. Unfortunately, it’s up to me to put them in their places.”
Mom’s smile falters, barely perceptible, though returns to normal as she turns around and slides a fully loaded plate of food before me. “Don't let them get to you too much, Starlight. Sometimes it’s better to just leave people be and let them like what they like.”
I nearly gag at hearing her cutesy pet name for me. So instead of acknowledging it, I begrudgingly nod and move on from the subject, pulling the plate towards me and digging in. Mom lingers across the island, hands clasping before her as her snout works to say something else.
I eye her expectantly. “What? Is there a reason you’re staring at me?”
“N-Not particularly. I just…” She wrings her hands. And just when I think she will continue, she turns away again to prepare the next plate of food.
I click my tongue, looking down. A flare of disappointment fills my gut, leaving little room for the steaming food. Of course she can’t speak her mind properly, just like always. I’ll never understand how someone like her managed to secure such a foofy life without a shred of confrontation in her. Aside from looking like some anorexic version of her, I find it hard to believe we are actually related.
That pondering is swiftly dismissed as the sound of heavy footsteps echoing down the staircase becomes louder, eventually revealing a hulking form from the same place I had appeared minutes ago. Ducking his head to avoid hitting a lowered piece of the doorway, Dad enters the kitchen, his broad shoulders barely contained within his light brown suit.
There are plenty of saurian species that have larger sizes, but none of them compare to a full-blooded megalodon like him. It’s easy to say that most people who first see him get easily frightened, and honestly, it is pretty fucking hilarious to watch. I’ve even seen someone piss their pants once when they cut us in line, only to see who they did it to. However, once they realize he is more of the ‘gentle giant’ type, they tend to relax… most of the time.
Before I know it, my tail begins to swish across the polished floor while my plates clack together, betraying my attempts to pretend I didn’t notice him. And despite my best efforts, our eyes meet for a moment, causing him to grin. I shrink, knowing the pitiful jig is up, yet he says nothing.
Instead, he wordlessly strokes his thin beard and strides over to Mom, bending over and pulling her into an affectionate kiss. Welp, so much for breakfast. Whatever I did manage to get down is definitely coming back up on the way to school.
Apparently, I gave off a visible cue of this reaction as Dad breaks off the kiss and walks over to me next, leaving Mom swooning with her tail wrapping around her leg and gushing over the kiss. He rounds the island and places his massive hands on my shoulders. Although I can feel their weight pressing me down, there is also a gentleness to them. One of practiced restraint. I give no resistance as he bends over and plants a kiss on my cheek.
“Good morning to you too, my Little Star. I overheard that you didn’t get a good night's sleep. Want to tell me about it?”
I hunch over. “M-Morning… Dad. Don’t worry. It’s nothing I can't handle.”
He chuckles. “Even so, your mother is right. It’s important to consider your health. I don’t want to hear you’re getting sick, or worse, just because you lose track of time with your… pastime.”
There is an edge to his voice, though more out of concern than disappointment. So annoying. Him and Mom both… yet I can’t help but feel abashed as he scolds me. “...I’ll try to get more sleep…” My voice is a whisper as I look away, pouting.
“Thank you,” he says, lifting his hands off my shoulders, only to rest an elbow on top of my head. “Because otherwise I doubt you’d grow any bigger. I could hardly see you this morning. Walking in, I thought I saw a string bean sitting here that had escaped your mother’s cutting board.”
A flush of irritation consumes me as I swipe at his arm. He backs away laughing, eyes keen as he watches me jump from my chair and stomp up to him. “I told you not to call me that! It’s not my fault I didn't get any of your height. All I got stuck with was Mom’s stupid genetics. I never asked to be the size that I am!”
Though meant as a reasonable retort in my eyes, I knew immediately that I had hit a nerve as Dad’s lighthearted expression morphs into a stone-cold one. His violet eyes pierce my scales through his prescription aviator rose gold glasses, freezing my heart.
He steps forward, making me flinch. “Cynthia… you know it is out of our control what cards you were dealt, especially when it comes to interspecies mixing. But that is the miracle of bringing children into the world. There is no one to blame for it. You should be grateful for what you get, because it makes you unique. Understand?”
I sheepishly nod. “I know that. But…” My tongue feels heavy now. I can never seem to look him in the eye when he’s angry with me. Of the few whose judgment and approval I care for, his is at the top.
Dad sighs, patting my head lovingly. “It’s alright, I get it. But I would ask that you not talk like that from now on. Also, I think you owe your mother an apology. What you said was very hurtful towards her, no?”
Swallowing my pride, I turn around to see that Mom is now the one watching me expectantly. She isn’t smiling, but isn’t frowning either. It’s almost like she is doing everything in her power not to show any emotion. Seeing it makes me wish she would yell at me, scold me, or even punish me. At least then she wouldn’t seem so puppet-like.
Before I could open my mouth to speak, however, Dad’s watch goes off, a distressing sound for the house as it means to call him away. Case in point, he immediately curses under his breath, then, with a swiftness odd for his size, maneuvers through the kitchen to take a handful of the breakfast Mom had prepared for him and scarfs it down in a single bite.
“You’re cooking is as amazing as always, dear,” he says, rushing towards the front door to put on his shoes.
I jog after him, tail coiling around my leg. “Wait!” He pauses, looking over his shoulder, one shoe already done. “Are you going to be home late again?”
He bites his lip. “Afraid so. I promise I’ll try to be home as soon as I can, though.” An empty promise. One he has made time and time again.
My shoulders sag at hearing his answer, prompting him to finish tying his remaining shoe and stand. “It’s not what I want either, Cynthia. But right now there has been an unexpected increase in cases at the firm, ones that need our best lawyers on them.” He continues more softly, a whisper under his breath. “You’d think people would be more accepting after all this time...”
Dad puffs out his chest with pride. “How about this? Once I get home tonight, we’ll play that game you’ve been so interested in together. Deal?”
My tail thrashes behind me, eyes widening. “You promise?!” Maybe there is a little hope after all. I’ve been trying to get him to play with me for weeks now.
He smiles. “You know it, my Little Star.” His arms open wide. “How about a goodbye hug to seal the deal?” I stare at him blankly for a moment.
Fuck! He got me. The sly bastard.
I feign a grimace, but know my plates are turning a bright shade of pink in embarrassment. Stupid traitors making it impossible to lie when I'm like this. Dad continues to wait with his arms held out, each second breaking down my poorly built barriers. Eventually, I crack and move to hug him back.
“That’s my girl,” he says, pouring all he is into the embrace. It is here that I can become completely relaxed. Within his strong arms, it is the one place I feel truly safe. My ‘sanctuary’ of a room is but a shadow in comparison. A fake in an attempt to fill in for the original.
Facade abandoned, I try to hold on to him for as long as I can, but our hug ends too soon as he releases me and pulls back. Next to me, Mom appears holding a bag lunch and a box of eye drops.
“Chet, Honey. Don’t forget these again. You may be a busy man, but you need to eat properly too. And I don’t want to see you come home looking like you just cried your heart out.”
He pats himself down overdramatically, touching every part of his body to put on an obvious show. “My word! You’re absolutely right! What would I ever do without you?”
“Starve to death is what, you big oaf. Don’t go making me worried for no reason, you hear?”
“Yes, ma’am~” Dad replies, sweeping Mom off her feet so that she is sitting on his forearm. The size difference is ridiculous. It’s like she really is a puppet compared to him. Mom, of course, giggles all the while until their lips meet for another passionate farewell kiss.
Yup. Goodbye breakfast. It was kinda nice having you in my stomach while it lasted.
Dad sets Mom down carefully and waves to us as he pulls open the door, letting it shut with a click behind him. Sensing my own need to get going or else I risk being late for school, I turn to grab my backpack that I had set out with my shoes the day before. I stop when I see Mom holding it out to me, a sad smile on her snout.
“You’ll need this, Sweetie.”
I hesitantly take the backpack and slide it over my shoulders. “...Thanks…”
She silently holds out her arms, clearly expecting a hug of her own. Instinctively, I begin to turn to walk away… but the guilt from before holds me in place. We stand there for a long moment, my back to her while my grip on the backpack straps tightens.
Mom shuffles behind me. “...I know you favor your father more than me. I can accept that…” She pauses. “But if it’s all the same to you, I'd only like a small piece of that love, too.”
A pang of shame crashes into my heart. She always knows how to hit me where it counts… although I admit I still do owe her an apology for before. What I said wasn’t fair.
Sighing, I turn and press myself into her arms, wrapping my tail around hers in a show of affection that only we can share. Mom gasps, though the surprise doesn't last long as she hugs me back, wanting to make the most of this rare moment.
I rub my head into her chest. “I’m sorry about what I said earlier. What with blaming you for my height and calling you stupid. It wasn’t right.” My lips pull into a line. “And… I love you, Mom.”
This causes tears to fall onto the top of my head as I hear her sniffling to hold back the tide. “It means a lot to hear that, Starlight. Thank you.”
As we part again, I see her smiling through her tears. Miraculously, I smile as well. Not some snarky or mocking one. No, a genuine smile. Man, so many rare occurrences happening on one day. I think I need to go try my luck with a lottery ticket later today. Or maybe I’ll have the opportunity to finally outwit that one smug asshole online who I just can't seem to beat. Mark my words, TrashPanda69, your ass is grass.
Registering my current predicament, my plates burn hot as I spin on my heel and sprint out the door. I can hear Mom call after me to have a good day, but I pretend I didn’t hear her and continue my way down the driveway.
I seriously need something to clear my head after that, and I know just the trick. I make a mental note to stop by the convenience store along the way to pick up an energy drink. Hopefully, that will refresh my nerves and wash away all the repulsive affection I just witnessed that would be enough to sweeten the world ten times over.
…
Aaaaaand here comes that breakfast.
Raptor Jesus, kill me now.