Chapter 12

My first show had been a massive success and in an instant, despite what Steven had previously told me, more shows were quickly lined up for later dates. My merchandise had been at the highest demand on personal record. The profits coming in were through the roof. Fans tuned in for my Thanksgiving and Holiday specials, respectfully, and raved about both online. During the holidays, I spent them away from home for the first time in my life and instead, entertained at shows from Paris to New York. The money almost literally poured it from back to back sold out shows. In between shows, I went to the gym three times a week, which I grew to love. Kickboxing gave me an outlet to let out my frustrations and it made me stronger. I continued acting lessons twice a week. We'd started a podcast that released an episode every Saturday, titled Sigmund Saturdays. A web-show that fans could tune in to watch had a new video up every Wednesday, titled Wizarding Wednesdays. And finally, as if that wasn't enough, I had my school board meetings every Friday.

I'd missed a couple of those meetings when my schedule got too tight, but I was always excused by Headmaster Merlin, who assured me it was alright considering my lifestyle. I missed Milkweed though and I'd been seeing less and less of it with going back to homeschooling. It was like being back on the village sometimes. Obviously, I was rich now, but the work I did was a new type of work. It wasn't field work, but corporate work. I wasn't being shunned anymore either, but being overly popular made me remove myself from most activities anyways. There were times when I just wanted to rest, but there was always someone calling my phone to invite me to a launch party or to come to a birthday bash or whatever else they wanted me to show up at. They didn't ask me to show up to for fun though, they asked me so they could flaunt a celebrity around like a show dog.

I frowned to myself as I exited my kickboxing class, sitting in the backseat of a luxury car when the door was opened for me. I'd lost count of how many cars my father had started purchasing. That was his new, out of the blue passion. Luxury cars. What did he know about luxury? It seemed like every other week, there was a new car being delivered to our home. The garage was starting to look like a dealership. And it wasn't just the cars. My mother's growing handbag collection was something I'd noticed as well. And the amount of shoes in her closet, my goodness. She had a high heeled shoe for every occasion, in every color of the rainbow. When she stepped out for book club, her face was always caked with makeup. She never wore makeup before. And as a pair, my parents just looked different. Their mannerisms had changed completely. I felt like I was living with different people that I wasn't even related to.

Some of my peers at school had said the same of me, but I didn't see it. I could agree that I was definitely dressed better than I used to be. I was highly groomed, never with a hair out of place, something I grew to appreciate as my old hair had been most unruly. And I could agree that I didn't make time for folks the way I used to, obviously. What I didn't understand was something Rudy, one of my good friends from Milkweed, had sent me in a letter. It stuck with me and honestly upset me.

Sigmund, I never hear from you anymore, but I thought I'd write this letter to you anyways. I really didn't appreciate the way you brushed off my birthday party this year. I was really looking forward to seeing you again and catching up. You told me you'd be there, but I guess I'm just as disposable as all your other friends here. I can't believe you stood me up after I helped you plan your own birthday party. I thought we were friends, Sigmund. You've gone Hollywood on everyone and that's fine. At least I know where I stand with you.

-Rudy

It was something people loved to accuse me of, going "Hollywood" on them. I hated it and I didn't see it that way. They didn't understand how busy I'd become. They didn't understand my life and how hard I was working to keep everything afloat. When the door opened for me in front of my home, I rushed inside and tossed my gym bag on the floor of the entrance.

"Welcome home, Sigmund." My butler, Walten greeted. I ignored him. "Your bath is drawn in your bathroom, whenever you're ready."

I was already upstairs had had already slammed the door behind me. It was the same thing, every week. And as usual, I hadn't seen any sign of my parents in the house. They were always out doing whatever they pleased during the day. Some nights, they weren't even home for supper and I ate at the table alone. As I sunk into the bathtub, my cell phone went off. I answered it with magic and pulled it over, telepathically.

"Hallo?"

"Hey, Sigmund. Steven."

"Why are you calling me?"

"I'm just letting you know I've cancelled your acting lesson for today." I nearly cheered over the phone.

"Did you?"

"Yeah, you're gonna come down to the studio instead to record a special podcast for the New Year! Oh, and speaking of New Year's, you've been nominated to join other stars for the ball drop ceremony in New York City, so-"

"No."

"What? C'mon Sigmund-"

"I said no. No!" I ended the call and submerged myself completely under the water. I wasn't sure how much longer I'd be able to do this. I could just feel myself starting to crack on the inside. The stress was getting to be too much. I let out a sigh from beneath the water and came up slowly for air. I needed to talk to someone about this.


Walking into Milkweed Academy on Friday, I met with the other board members in the office and sat at my place at the table. I opened my notebook as the meeting started, dating the top of the page with a conjured quill feather. Headmaster Merlin entered the room and welcomed everyone before he started on the agenda for the afternoon. He called us in for a review of documentation.

"We have a student who's requested re-admittance to our academy." He told us.

"Who, exactly?" The witch beside me asked. Merlin hesitated with his answer.

"Kyle Bloodworth-Thomason..."

My head shot up from the desk as the room erupted into commentary and side conversations. I held back a laugh that wanted to escape. Kyle was really pushing his luck this time and it didn't seem like anyone wanted anything to do with it. Headmaster Merlin raised his hand up.

"Alright, alright. Everyone, please! Now we all know the protocol here. If the student is requesting re-entry into the academy, an elected member of the school board needs to visit the student and converse with them on why they believe they should be allowed to return. Despite our feelings, every student is given a fair chance. Now the question is, who would be willing to sit and speak with Mr. Bloodworth-Thomason? Well, only those who were against his original request for departure are eligible to take up the task."

With that being said, all eyes fell on me. When Kyle requested to leave Milkweed, I was the only one on the board who was against his decision to be expelled from the academy. The laugh I was holding in finally came out. I shook my head quickly.

"I couldn't." I chuckled. "I'm far too busy for Kyle and his foolishness."

"I'm sorry, Sigmund, but it's you're duty as a member of the board to complete this task."

"Seriously?" I gasped. I folded my arms in protest. "My schedule is completely full right now."

"Then I'll allow you to skip out on next week's meeting to meet with him instead. I'll send him a letter and let him know to expect a member of the board next week. You'll meet at his home and I'll give you a form with the information you need for travel." Merlin handed me an envelope that was unsealed. As I opened it, he continued. "That document must be stamped valid or void by the end of the meeting and sent to us for approval. If valid, Kyle will meet with us for potential reentry."

"And if void?"

"Well, coming from you, that decision will be final."

The power. The absolute power in my hands at that moment. It was a feeling I couldn't help but to laugh about. Kyle had no idea it would be me visiting and even though I was already tired thinking about the week ahead and the packed schedule I had, knowing I'd be seeing Kyle lifted my spirits completely. The meeting continued and I had actually enjoyed it, even though it dragged on and subjects from other meetings seemed to repeat themselves.

Milkweed was a home away from home for me these days, even though I didn't spend as much time as I used to. Instead of heading back home after the meeting, I decided to walk around the halls of the student dormitory. Classes had already let out for the evening, so students were out of uniform and going about their day to day. Some studied near the pantry, where we were able to grab an energy drink or a snack and sit around in the tall chairs to study together. Others ran around the halls after each other, finally letting out the stress of the day. Once a couple of students noticed me in the hall, the regularity of it all seemed to vanish.

"SIGMUND!" One of my old peers gasped from his bedroom door. From the same room, my old friend Rudy poked his own head of black, curly hair out quickly. I gave him a wave, making my way over to greet him.

"Hallo!"

"Hi.." He mumbled, straightening up. He folded his arms over his Milkweed letterman sweater. "Meeting day, right?"

"Ja, we just finished."

"I see.." I went into my vest pocket and pulled the letter he'd sent me, unfolding it carefully. I held it out for him to see.

"I...I got your letter." I started. "Your birthday party-"

"Yeah, you didn't show up."

"I wanted to, honest. My manager, he pulled a stunt at the last minute and scheduled tour dates for me that I didn't agree with."

"So you couldn't just ask him for one day off?" I almost laughed at his question and how idiotic it sounded when it processed in my mind. Everyone in school knew how famous I'd become, but for some reason, no one seemed to know what it took to get there. A day off? Not possible.

"Rudy, I wasn't even home for Christmas this year..."

"Well, we had wizarding finals and I busted my tailbone to make the grade, but I managed. And I still made time for my friends!"

"Oh wow, wizarding finals!" I laughed sarcastically. "As if that compares to the work I'm doing."

"I work hard too, Sigmund!" He argued. "And I still find the time!"

"Such happy for you!" I clapped, feeling myself growing annoyed. Rudy himself had allowed his face to redden in anger. "You know NOTHING about my life! Your life is child's play!"

"And yours is nothing but costumes and rolling in money with the way you're dressed! You look ridiculous!"

"Y-you're just jealous!"

"Am not!"

"What kind of friend are you to write out a letter like this to me?"

"I could ask you the same thing, Sigmund. What kind of friend are you?"

I paused at his question and bit my bottom lip quickly to keep back the insult I wanted to blurt out. At this point, other students had been watching us argue. We were getting nowhere with this and I was growing more and more upset with the whole situation. It was a side effect of the fame. No one treated me normally anymore. No one understood my situation. No one had any sympathy and everyone thought my life was cake and ice cream. I sighed.

"I'm not a friend..." I muttered, pushing my hands into my jacket pockets.

"What?"

"I'm not a friend. I'm not your friend...not anymore. I can't be anymore." Rudy was taken aback by what I'd said. His face flashed a mix of emotions. For a moment, sadness, but ultimately anger.

"AS IF I CARE! YOU'RE NO FRIEND OF MINE!"

"Rudy-!"

He pushed his roommate back inside and promptly slammed his room door in my face. Leaving me in the hallway, I glanced around in the direction of my other peers. They'd all slowly and quietly retreated into their own rooms, snickering and whispering after the show we'd just put on. I took that as my signal to head back home myself. Milkweed was my home away from home, but not so much anymore.


Another, sleepless week had gone by and what usually would've been hard on me, wasn't. I was looking forward to Friday, more than I ever had. I could hardly wait to travel back to Galaxy Hills, the same town where I'd had my first major show. I couldn't believe the odds of running into him in such an odd place. Why that town of all places? Ahead of time, I'd recorded my podcast for the weekend and on Friday morning, I worked on packing my travel bag. To my surprise, my mother poked her head in the doorway of my bedroom.

"Ah, Sigmund-" She gasped, her eyes meeting the opened, leather duffel bag on my bed. "What's all this?" I rolled my eyes at the question.

"Did you not check the bulletin board in my office?" I muttered. "Or were you too busy with your shoe shopping to notice?" Sheepishly, my mother sipped on the glass of white wine in her hand and tapped the glass lightly before speaking again.

"Sigmund..."

"Hm?" I hummed, turning to my closet to pick a couple more pieces out. I didn't have time to listen to her speak. It was never anything of substance these days.

"When you get back home...things will be different. Alright?"

I froze for a moment. So, it wasn't just me after all? Was it? I wasn't the only one who felt the shift in the way our family operated. We never spent time anymore. We used to spend every moment from the early morning hours in the fields to the late evenings around the table at supper, eating nothing but a light soup some nights. The house never smelled like baked bread and sweet tea anymore. My mother's lips, once naturally stained with the juice of the berries we grew, were now slathered with red, sticky goop. My father was hardly home anymore, neither was she. Neither was I. This had been the first time either one of them seemed to acknowledge it though, and I wasn't all too sure that she truly meant what she said.

"...sure." I hesitated, folding a shirt into my bag. Without anymore words, my mother turned away and made her way out. I felt something coming over me, but I wouldn't let it blur my train of thought. Not until I returned from my business trip.

Once my bag was packed to my liking, I made my way out of my mansion home and outside to meet my driver, who was already up front. I opened the itinerary I'd been sent by Headmaster Merlin and read it over. I had to judge Kyle on a few of his behaviors over the course of my time spent with him. The criteria for re-entrance to Milkweed was quite high, I just couldn't see Kyle meeting any of it. I laughed to myself, anticipating the reaction I'd receive from him when he'd come to the realization that the final say would ultimately be up to me. From the car, I hopped in the jet and from the jet after 5 hours, I'd landed once again in Galaxy Hills.

Evening had fallen on the quiet, little town. There was a charm to it, one that I hadn't noticed while touring. No, it wasn't in the slightest bit, posh, but that was what made it charming. Although my driver insisted on chauffeuring me to Kyle's home, I insisted on a different mode of transportation. Hadn't flown on my griffin in quite some time, but I wanted to. I wanted to see the town from another perspective, get into Kyle's mind and just ponder on what he was probably feeling at the moment. Flying overhead was nothing less than peaceful. The quiet of the open air, the twinkling of the lights through people's windows as they turned on for the night. Simultaneous to the street lights that suddenly lit up in time with the rise of the moon. Indeed, Galaxy Hills was quaint.

Coming across Kyle's brownstone home address, I let my griffin land and alerted the Headmaster through my looking crystal that I had arrived. Within mere minutes of our brief conversation ending, the door to Kyle's home had swung open and to my amusement, a red head poked out. He scanned the street, looking to the right, then the left and freezing in place at the sight of my griffin. I don't think he'd spotted me climbing off its back till he'd rushed to the curb to meet me.

"Hallo~!"

"SIGMUND?!" His voice cracked. "W-WHA-?!"

"Surprise!" I grinned, giving him a wave. "Aren't you happy to see me?"

"HAPPY-?!" He seemed to have caught his tone and choked up, coughing into his arm for a moment. I held back a laugh the best I could. It was probably one of the most difficult things I've ever done because the animation in Kyle's expressions was nothing but hilarious. His eyes were frantic, the tone of his voice was frightened with a hint of annoyance. He was beyond confused. "I thought Headmaster Merlin was supposed to be here?"

"Did you forget I'm on the board?" I chuckled. "Why are you so surprised?"

"B-but-!"

"You screwed up with the majority of the board. They all voted against you returning."

"...did they, truly?" Kyle asked me, his voice softening and his eyes widening, brimming with a look of sadness. I sighed, almost feeling pity for him. Almost. In my peripheral vision, I saw two figures coming down the stairs of Kyle's home. My brows furrowed in their direction and before I could fill him in on what was happening with the board, the pair rushed over to our spot on the sidewalk and saluted me.

"And what is this?" I accidentally chuckled. It was the tacky costumes for me. And I hadn't noticed at first, but once I did, I nearly did burst out in laughter. It was the obnoxious boys who had come to my show. The same ones who dragged Kyle around with them during my merchandise autograph session a few months back. Oh, it was such a challenge to keep the laughs back, you have no idea. The whole display had caught me completely off guard.

"M-my elves, of course." Kyle stammered. "Doesn't every successful, powerful wizard have elves?" Successful? POWERFUL? Who was he trying to fool? He must've thought Merlin himself wouldn't have caught on to the charade. I had a feeling it was about to be a long, yet entertaining night.