Rising Shards

Alix had just sent Kitty a picture of myself and her. I wasn’t mad, it wasn’t even like a horny picture or anything, but Alix was freaking out like she was about to get fired and then after that I’d exile her from my home for good.

”OK, deep breaths maybe,” I said.

Alix bowed down in front of the bed, mashing her face into the blankets as she stuck her cute butt up in the air. ”I am so, deeply, humbly sorry for this embarrassment. I understand if you are ready to cut all ties with me and throw me into the nearest incinerator. I accept whatever punishment you deem fit.”

”I don’t really want to punish you,” I said. ”Well, punish maybe in a different way, but I’m not mad, Alix! It was just a mistake! I can see the picture you sent, it’s not like it’s us in the middle of sex or anything. It’s just a cute picture.”

Alix finally looked up, her face literally the same as the pleading bottom emoji. ”You’re not mad?”

”I mean, if I get in trouble maybe, but I don’t think we will,” I said.

”Are you super duper sure?” Alix asked.

”I’m fairly certain, yeah,” I said.

Before Alix could start bawling, her phone rang. Pure terror struck her as her hand scuttled toward the phone.

”It’s Kitty...” She said.

”You better pick up?” I said. ”You want me to?”

”No, no, I can do this,” Alix sat on her knees and took a deep breath. ”I can do this.”

”You got this,” I said. ”Just a silly little mistake, that’s all.”

Alix finally clicked the answer button probably right before the call would have went to voicemail. ”Er, hello? Alix Corinani speaking, author of Corinani-nomics for Cani.”

”I know who this is, and you know who I am, so,” Kitty said. ”Why’d you send that picture?”

”I...er...maybe had a little mistake...” Alix said.

Kitty talked so loudly that it was like Alix had her on speakerphone. I gestured trying to say she could leave the room if she wanted, but Alix shook her head, holding her free hand out. I grabbed it and got a squeeze back that said she needed my support.

”Did you just send it to me, or is this gonna be a school thing I’m gonna have to deal with?” Kitty asked.

”Just you,” Alix said. ”Er...my bad.”

”For what? You just sent a picture of you and some girl, what do I care?” Kitty asked. ”I was just confused, did you fuck or something? Wait, don’t answer that.” I could hear her getting up and rustling through something.

”Here it is,” Kitty said. ”Let me rephrase. Is this a conversation I can be frank with you about potentially sensitive topics? If not, I will disengage immediately.”

”Er...what?” Alix asked.

”Notecard the school board made me read,” Kitty said. ”I got in trouble when I asked Letoh if she was fucking that chick at the...the you know. The social studies teacher from Wildfire Hearts, with the shoes. She didn’t take too kindly to my wording so I have to be careful now lest I upset someone.”

”Ohh,” Alix said. ”Er, no, you can be frank with us. With me, I mean.”

”You’re still with that girl, right?”

Alix looked to me, a frantic grin forced upon her face. I just shrugged and nodded.

”Y-yes, she is,” Alix said.

”Why are you so fucking nervous? Relax a little, you should be happy you got laid,” Kitty said. ”Kay, put her on.”

Kitty wanted to talk to me? This was turning into one of the stranger dates I’d been on, but I couldn’t deny I was curious to hear what she had to say. Making sure I looked as calm as possible, I nodded and said I could take the phone. Alix didn’t look like she knew what to think as she handed it over, and really, neither did I.