It wasn’t until 9:30 am that I woke up. Memories of last night flooded through my mind all throughout the night, and it was hard to get any decent sleep. The sun shone brightly into my room, illuminating all of my hot cocoa related objects.

Most of the things I had were from the shop in town. Whenever they held special promotions, I would generally participate in them because of their mugs and souvenirs.

A line of Christmas themed mugs lines my dresser, from reindeer’s to elves and even Santa Claus himself. Various medals reading “#1 customer” hung from my dresser and bed. I even had clothing with various designs on them representing the shop hanging along the wall above my bed. Obsession is a word that can’t even describe me with hot cocoa.

 

“I wonder if Random is still sulking,” I ask myself as I get changed into my favorite brown shirt and tan jeans.

 

I turn to stare out the window and notice the sun shining brightly just over the hill.

 

“Shouldn’t there have been a storm?”

 

Not questioning it, I head to the bathroom and then downstairs, where I’m greeted by my mother, Isabelle.

 

“Good morning Cocoa, how are you sweetie?” she asks in her warm, gentle voice.

 

Like me, she had brown hair, but it was shoulder length compared to mine, and her eyes are a crystal clear aqua. Her appearance was that of a kind, gentle, caring woman. Whenever you looked at her, she’d always be smiling. She had smooth, outlined features across her face and delicate cheek bones that really magnified her smile.She wore a purple, striped shirt and blue cargo pants.

 

“I’m fine mom. Where’s dad?” I ask as I pour a bowl of cereal.

 

“He’s upstairs getting ready. How is Random doing?”

 

“Still locked away in her room, sulking. I wish she’d snap out of it, but I guess it’s not that simple,” I sigh.

 

We continue to talk about different things. About Random, about my dream of running a Hot Cocoa shop, about how school is going. It seems like all is peaceful within my family, until my dad comes down the stairs, completely dressed to go to work.

 

His name was frank, and he had a gruff appearance about him. Like he could instill fear in anything he cast his gaze upon. Being a business man, this was necessary to keep everyone in check. He kept his hair combed back and semi oiled. His face was ruff, like it had seen war on the battle field, and he had a few scars that could almost prove it. His brown eyes, from where I got mine, were not too kind or gentle. Even his facial features were almost something no one could look at. He was very tall, at 6’1” and was wearing a business suit and black leather pants, along with his best shoes.

 

“This business would be yours Cocoa, if you applied yourself,” he said, his voice hard on the air.

 

“She doesn’t want to take over, dear. Why can’t you see that?” my mom asks, somewhat defensively. My dad never liked the idea of me doing anything outside of the family business.

 

“There’s nothing wrong with running it. It’s quite simple and much more dignified than a hot cocoa shop.” He grunted as he drank a cup of coffee he poured.

 

“Just let her be. She is young and is capable of making her own choices.”

 

“It would be hard for her to follow such a childish dream,” he retorted.

 

I sigh and put my bowl in the sink. The noise is enough to distract the two of them long enough and turn their gaze toward me. Not wanting to be a part of their bickering, I head toward the door and leave, slamming it behind me and drowning out the fight.

 

“As if I didn’t have enough to deal with in life,” I whisper as I begin down the side walk.

 

I decided to go to the hot cocoa shop, as I needed to clear my head. The only thing on my mind however was Random, and I couldn’t get her off my mind. It’s like a bad song that you listened to last night then sing all day but you hate every part of it.

 

“Welcome Cocoa! Always a pleasure to have you stop by the shop.”

 

“Hi Dan,” I wave to the owner. He always greets me when I arrive, which I found embarrassing at first, but got used to over time. He’s always been kind to me and has even given me some freebies. Whenever I feel down, I talk to him. He was in his mid-30’s and had semi rounded figure. He was also married and had two children. A son named DJ, which stood for Dan Jr. and a daughter named Ashley, after his wife. They were both 13 and 8, respectively.

 

“How are you doing today?” Dan asks as he hand me a mug of cocoa.

 

“I’m doing fine, it’s Random I worry about it,” I explain, thanking him for the mug.

 

“Is she not feeling well? You two have a fight?” He asks while continuing to clean around the counter.

 

“No, nothing of the sort. We took an exam in school that would help us to determine what are job or jobs could be, and she got no results.”

 

There’s a small pause before he says anything.

 

“But she has a ton of talent, she’s even built me this machine and showed me how to use it,” he points behind him. “I don’t see how she could have got no results, especially with how eager she is to try anything at least once.”

 

We continue to go on about my results and how my parents are-only Random knows the truth-and about how his family is doing. Along the way, I notice two familiar people come in through the door.

 

“Are you sure it was okay? She seemed devastated by it,” one of them whispers. I catch a glance of them both as they head to a corner booth and notice it’s Mrs. Natsume and the principal. I don’t think they noticed me, and I use this chance to listen in on what they’re saying.

 

“Even if Random was upset, it was necessary. Having her results not show up was how I wanted it to be. I don’t want her future directed by a computer, but by her own will.”

 

I gasp as I listen to their conversation. So Random DID have results, but Mrs. Natsume erased them, I think to myself.

 

“Even so, it’s not to be done again. I take great pride in running my school and will have no student’s future be detoured, even by you, Danielle.”

 

I take this chance to slip out. “I need to tell Random,” I mumble as I dash over to her house.