MAJOR/minor Chapter 14: HALF/day

Izzellah’s hands were in the grasp of a much larger pair. Pale, eager fingers guided her smaller digits to intertwine her whisk and moved her wrist in a atypical motion.

“It’s important whisk quickly but softly.” Mabel instructed. She continued to aid Izzellah in her efforts to make homemade whipped cream. “You want to create little bubbles. That’s what makes it feel light and fluffy. Be careful not to overmix or you end up with butter.”

Izzellah continued to rotate her arm with Mabel’s guidance until she could feel her muscles start to ache in frustration at her.

“Couldn’t we use an electric mixer?” She asked in annoyance. She didn’t have to look up from her work to hear the mechanical buzz and whirling metal slosh about many bowls of cream and sugar.

“We’re all out.” Mabel shrugged. “Besides as my special helper you have to set the example.” She spoke a little louder. “There won’t always be appliances around, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still make a delicious treat with a little patience and elbow grease!”

Izzellah heard the murmurs and looked up from her bowl momentarily to see the rest of her minor class looking at her before going back to their work. They were in the school’s kitchen each standing at either side of a shortened minor table. Each had a MAJOR hovering over them as they worked. Mei was working with her brother, Peter was partnered with Riri, and because she was Mabel’s “special assistant” Sabrina was with Lisa while her mother opted out.

“And what kind of uses are there for whipped cream?!” Christine asked overly excited! The MAJOR teacher was wearing an apron that said “Vegan” on it with the definition that she was a mass murderer of fruits and vegetables. She worked right alongside the class and chaperoned Mabel’s cooking lesson.

“Well whipped cream is usually used in desserts as a topping for its sweet flavor and smooth texture. For example today we will be using it in a special drink.” Mabel came back to the raised MAJOR table where Izzellah was and retrieved a plastic grocery bag. Inside was a dark brown box. She opened it up and brandished a full sized Hershey bar. “Homemade hot chocolate!” She beamed.

The minors in class clapped and some even laughed in delight at Mabel’s little announcement. Izzellah had to choke down an audible groan. Her kind were too easily impressed. Was making hot chocolate really something to be excited about? She did so at home all the time. She was initially excited about the cooking portion of her minor class. She wanted to learn important living skills, but it was underwhelming. Instead of learning how to fillet a fish, or cut up a chicken, she was learning how to use a stove to boil water, and whip cream.

Mabel came back to her and took the bowl to continue whipping. She stirred it tight and fast and almost like magic the cream fluffed up into a thick whip.

“Can you pass around these bars, assistant? Two for each group.” She smiled and Izzellah wasn’t annoyed at the request. She jumped down from the stepstool she was on with and armful of bars as Mabel instructed the class on how to properly measure out the milk and turn on the electric stoves. The minors fiddled with the knobs as their MAJORS placed the pots on the eye. That was too dangerous for a minor after all. Izzellah made a round handing off the bars of chocolate.

“Can’t we do something else?” She asked Mabel upon  her return.

“Baby steps.” Mabel said.

“But this is so useless!” Izzy snapped.

The murmurs halted as everyone looked at her.

“Well not everyone is advanced as you.” Mabel said loud enough for everyone to here. “You have to give them time to catch up to your awesomeness.” She laughed and the rest of the class laughed with her and continued.

Izzellah caught herself and felt Mabel’s hand on her shoulder. She dragged her close.

“What was that about?” she asked.

“Sorry.” Izzellah cringed at her outburst. She didn’t know where that came from. “It’s just frustrating to be treated like a kid.”

Mabel closed her eyes and nodded in a knowing fashion. She picked Izzy up.

“Hey don’t-”
“Look.” Mabel said as she placed Izzy on her shoulders. She walked a circle around the group as the minors went about prepping the hot chocolate. Some were having trouble measuring the proper amount of milk. Peter didn’t even know how much a cup was and filled the pyrex measuring glass to the top. Lisa had burned her hand on the stove. Mei’s brother had turned his chocolate bar into a pile of dust and Mei was showing him how to break it into proper chunks for melting, another was crying because he had spilt some milk on the floor.

“Having fun?” Sabrina sneered as Mabel lingered next to hear, unable to hold herself back from bragging.

“You have no idea.” She taunted as she stroked on of Izzellah’s legs.

“Watch the hands!” Izzy said as she slapped her MAJOR pack mule on the cheek.

Mabel laughed it off as they made their way back to their station.

“You see it don’t you?” Mabel placed her back down.

“They don’t know what they’re doing.” Izzellah answered. It should’ve been obvious. How many minors actually cooked for themselves. Some of them didn’t know math so measuring something was a trial, and many were probably outright afraid of the stove. She remembered being scared of her own kitchen until her mother had taught her. At one point she couldn’t even hold a steak knife.

“It takes time.” Mabel said. “No one becomes an expert overnight.”

“It’s not just cooking.” Izzellah said. She broke the chocolate into chunks and placed them into the pot with a pat of butter to simmer. She added a bit of sugar and a cinnamon stick. “It’s everything. I feel like I’m not doing anything.” She stirred the pot as the chocolate melted into syrup. She tasted it and added the milk.

“Is this because of what happened the other day?” Mabel asked with expert intuition. She seemed more mature somehow. Not the overly energetic brat she had come to expect.

“Sabrina told you.” Izzellah sighed.

“You got a Winton suspended. The whole school knows.” Mabel informed.

“Great.”

“Darren is an asshole.” Mabel tasted the chocolate milk as it began to steam. She shrugged and went to a cabinet to grab a handful of different things. She poured them in an stirred and tasted. “He never should have tried anything. Never should’ve have touched you.”

Izzellah didn’t say anything.

‘You just need more confidence.” Mabel informed. She tasted drink after her additions and nodded. She dipped her spoon in again and offered some to Izzellah. It tasted richer, slightly thicker, and with just a hint of spiciness. “I think you just need more confidence.”

“Easy for you to say.” Izzellah griped. “You’re a MAJOR.”

“Not really.” Mabel said. “My sister is a tier 3. In a lot of ways it’s like living with my own MAJOR. It makes you feel inadequate.”

“I don’t think it’s the same.” Izzellah said. “.....How did you deal with it?”

“I learned a skill.” Mabel beamed. “Cooking, fighting, things she can’t do even if she an fry my mind with a thought.”

“Can she do that?!” Izzellah shuddered.

“Don’t know.” Mabel shrugged. “I’ve heard things, but honestly Bren’s kind of a pussy so she hasn’t really tried to do anything.” Mabel flexed an arm. “That’s why I’ve been building up these puppies.”

“I thought you just liked fighting Sabrina.”

“That too!” She smiled and flexed her other arm.

“You’re just showing off now!” Izzellah laughed as Mabel showcased her budding musculature.

“It made you laugh didn’t it?” Mabel noted. “You should try it.”

“Try what?”
“Working out, learn a self defense class. I can help you!”

“Of course you could.” izzellah rolled her eyes. “What good is learning to fight when anyone who wants me can just have me. Knowing kung fu won’t save me from someone twice my size with ten times my strength.”

“Maybe not, but I think knowing how to properly kick Darren in the balls might have helped you a bit.”

Izzellah scrunched her head in consideration when she heard a shout. One of the students had the stove up too high and their chocolate boiled over. Mabel immediately went to their aid. She was nice, surprisingly gentle, she gave the minor clear instructions and positive reinforcement. The MAJOR made eye contact with her and smiled warmly. It was so bright and welcoming, it reminded her of..Izzellah shook her head. She could feel the blush on her face. What was she thinking, getting all misty eyed over Mabel!? She saw the redhead exchange shots and jabs with Sabrina who tasting her own hot cocoa and came back to her senses. Inevitably she was dragged over to see whose was better.

“Let’s all thank our special guest teacher Mabel Hawthorne.” Christine announced. She ended her statement with a quick sip of her own soy cocoa from a metal thermos. Each student was gifted one to take home their own beverages and one of Christine’s customary baked treats. Today it was mini cupcakes.

“Thank you!” Most of the minors said and gave an applause at Mabel’s excellent lesson. Even Izzellah found herself raising her own thermos in a makeshift toast.

“Impeccable skills. Ms. Hawthorne.” Christine complimented. “I would love if you could hold weekly seminars.”

“Really?!” Mabel squealed.

“Yes!” Christine said taking her hands. They both bounced up and down in a fervor of their own shared excitement. “I try these cooking classes every few months and so far no one had had such a good relationship with my students! You teach without talking down to them. Something tells me you really get it.”

“I’m just doing my best.” Mabel blushed. “I figure everyone deserves to know how to feed themselves.”

“Exactly!” Christine affirmed. “Everyone deserves knowledge.” They hugged and Mabel looked over Christine’s shoulder at Sabrina with the biggest shit eating grin Izzellah had ever seen. Sabrina didn’t stare daggers but lazer beams of pure hatred at her friend and rival.

“One more thing class.” Christine reached into her apron pocket and pulled out a clear plastic case with a disk inside.

Izzellah caught her breath.

“A very special film came in today.” She said. “Next class will be a special extended viewing of Francis Luke Renard’s controversial documentary “the Great Mistake”, so all those who do not wish to participate can leave after the first fifteen minutes of class. Please plan accordingly.”

With that one casual announcement came confirmation. As soon as her Friday class Izzellah would finally learn something about the Dark age. She would finally have solid proof of the downfall of the minors.

Izzellah walked down the hall flanked on either side by a MAJOR. It was obvious after the incident with Darren all of her friends were being overly cautious. Even Riri and Peter who usually disappeared after minor classes stuck around. It was a little claustrophobic, she was used to her walk with Sabrina and today she didn’t actually need her since the plan was to go home with Lisa. Now there was Mabel, Mei, her brother, Lisa and her mother to add suffocate her in their overprotection.

“So I guess next week we’re gonna find out what happened  to all the minors.” Lisa said.

“Yeah.” Izzellah muttered.

“I thought you were all excited about it.” Sabrina added.

“I’m curious, but the thought of hearing all the fine details about how my race was brought to the brink of extinction isn’t doesn’t feel very pleasant.”

“I’m sure you’ll endure.” Mei said.”The path to knowledge is often mired in the swamp of ugly truths.”

“Such delightful syntax.” Sabrina smarmed.

“It might not be that bad.” Peter said optimistically from his church on Riri’s shoulder. “It’s just a film.”

Izzellah ignored the idiocy of that statement. It wasn’t “just a film”, but he wouldn’t understand. He was deeply ingrained in the status quo of minor society. He was bonded, and had a cute MAJOR to hang on to. Did he even want to learn, to be more than a glorified pet, she wasn’t even sure he knew how to read. Maybe seeing the film would wake him up.

They made it to the front of the school. Izzellah waved goodbye but held Izzellah back by her pants leg. The MAJOR regarded her and Izzellah beckoned her to lean down. She gave Sabrina a hug.

“I know what’s wrong.” Izzellah said.

“Nothing’s-”

“Don’t bother trying to lie. You’ve been more sour than usual.”

“I should’ve waited with you.” Sabrina said. “Then Darren wouldn’t have-”

Izzellah smacked her cheek. “Don’t even try to blame yourself. It’s not your fault that.”

“I failed you!” Sabrina cut off. “Literally the only reason you even hang out with me is because I’m supposed to protect you at school.”

“You don’t actually believe that do you?” Izzellah asked. It was true in a way. On the surface level that was the arrangement, but she had to know the pretext of that had been shattered by now. “You’re my friend, Rodriguez.” Izzellah stated. Izzellah felt the temperature rise under her palms that touched the smooth skin of Sabrina’s face.

“I-I know.” She said. “But a friend wouldn’t let another friend get hurt.”

“I’m fine.” Izzellah insisted.

“So that outburst in class was nothing?” Sabrina asked.

“It was-”

“Come on, girlfriend!” Lisa said yanking away the pair. “You can get all kissy with your bae later!”

“She’s not my-.” Izzellah yelped mid sentence as she was hauled off by the strength of her halfsie friend.

Sabrina waved goodbye as Izzellah was taken away to walk with Lisa and her mom.

“You are going to love it at my place, Izz.” Lisa beamed. “I’ve got the biggest TV in my room. It’s almost the size of a wall! And my mom will make you anything you want!”

Linda nodded in agreement as she opened the passenger side door for her daughter to climb in.

“Oh! And I have a trampoline in my room!” she boasted. “A full size one, not one of those tiny exercise things.”

“A trampoline?”

“Yes! It’s super fun!” Lisa continued. “And we can dress up in pj’s and watch Amazing Amy!”

Linda helped Izzellah into the backseat as the first step was a little too high to navigate comfortable herself. It was a luxury model that had minor installations built in. She wanted to tell Linda she didn’t need any assistance buckling herself in, but the MAJOR was having too much fun handling a new minor so she decided not to spoil it.

“Oh this is so wonderful.” Linda rasped in that seductively breathy voice she had. Izzellah would swear it was like she was talking and moaning at the same time. Like every moment of every word of every sentence was like a little surprise for her. “I get to spend time with two beautiful, and lovely, little girls today!”

Izzellah instantly wanted to inform the mother Watermiene that talking like that made her sound like a pedophile, but the way she said it sounded so innocent. Just looking into her smiling, dimpled face reminded her of an cherub, she seemed more pure than she was. Linda headed toward the driver’s seat and started the vehicle.

“How about we stop for some food on the way?”
“Yes please?!” Lisa beamed. “I want a milkshake!”

“Now now, Lisa. We have a guest.” Linda chastised. “We should let Izzy choose.”

“McShakey’s on Brooks Ave!” Lisa said quickly.

“Uhhh, Mcshakey’s on Brooks Ave?” Izzellah said half heartedly. She didn’t care where they stopped as she wasn’t really hungry.

“Lisa!”

“She’s the guest mom.” Lisa chirped. “If that’s her choice then am I to argue with her.”

Izzellah had heard of McShakey’s, she’d seen television commercials, but she’d never actually been there. Fast food wasn’t something she normally indulged in almost in spite of her father’s eating habits. She assumed it was a typical fast food chain, but it was actually more of a diner, a diner that specifically catered to minors. Linda walked with both her minor responsibilities in hand. Lisa on the left and her on the right. Izzellah would normally protest such treatment, but not only had she gotten used to being carried, but again Linda’s pure and sincere demeanor proved to be her kryptonite. She was a mother, being held in her strong warm arms made her want to cuddle into her pleasant busum and fall asleep, She felt safe and comforted….and maybe she needed that right now.

When Linda walked in with not one but two minors on each arm all eyes were on her. Izzellah had initially wondered how a restaurant that was built on serving minors was possibly self sustainable with such a limited consumer base, but the answer was simple. MAJORS ate their too, of course. There was actually a substantially long line all the way from the front counter to the door. Linda was allowed to cut right to the front. Well that wasn’t exactly correct, there were two lines, one for regular customers and the other for “VIP” guests. There was only one other group in that line. A young couple of men with a very small boy sitting on of their shoulders.

“Warren! How’s it going today?” Linda asked with the tone of familiarity.

The two men turned around and smiled at her.
“I see Lisa managed to con you into another visit.” One of the men laughed. He seemed slightly older than the other MAJOR who looked more Izzellah’s age. He smiled and waved at her.

“And who is this?” the younger man asked.

“Oh let me introduce you to Izzellah Ivory.” Linda beamed. “She’s Lisa’s best friend!” She cuddled Izzellah into her chest before moving her forward. “Izzy, this is Warren, his younger brother Walter, and his even younger brother, Walker West.”

“Hi.” Izzellah said trying to offer the minimum in basic human courtesy.

“Well isn’t she cute?” the younger brother said. He moved his MAJOR sized finger to touch her and she batted them away.

“Don’t touch me.” Izzellah said.

“Sorry. Walt. She’s shy.” Linda explained.

“I’m not shy.” Izzellah informed. “It’s just rude to try and touch someone you just met.”

“Rude!” The minor boy parroted loudly. He looked very young, possibly not even five years old. This made the oldest West man laugh.

“Shot down.” Lisa taunted. “Can we eat now mom?”

“We’d be happy to seat you right away. Ms. Watermiene.” said a waiter that seemed to appear out of nowhere. “Right this way.”

As the young woman in the snappy vest lead them into the dinner Izzellah couldn’t help but feel a bit guilty at the crowd of people they left. It didn’t seem fair that they got served first.

“We have your seat all set up!” the waiter informed and they were seated in a very nice corner booth. The space closest to the window was raised and when Izzellah sat down next to Lisa she found that not only did the seat recline, it was also heated. Then Linda squeezed in on the lower seat also blocking both of them from leaving. An inherent protective measure.

“Will it be the usual Lisa?” the waiter asked.

“You know it!” She winked “And whatever my girl Izzy wants.”

Izzellah was immediately presented with a menu. McShakey’s as the name implied specialized in different kinds of blended drinks with milk and icecream. They also had an array of different specialty sodas, fruit smoothies, and food such as burgers fries, sandwiches. It seemed they served almost anything a minor could want. Izzellah did however notice a lack of many health conscious options. Truly a minor specific diet.

“Any recommendations.”

“Our special today is the minor mouth melter.” The waiter said. “It’s a plate of mini sliders, yes mini even for one of you guys. An assortment of batter fried chicken bites in a number of sauces of your choosing, with your choice of sides and one of our classic milkshakes.”

“I’ll take it.” Izzellah said. “Can I get the fruit cup as a side, the hawaiian barbecue wings, and I’ll have a mint oreo swirl shake.”

“Right away little miss.” The waiter said. “And I must say it’s nice to have a new customer!”

That comment made Izzellah wonder just how many minors customers came here. They seemed to know Lisa and her family by name and the section they were in seemed like reserved seating placed a distance away from the rest of the diners in a more secluded area separated by an open passage. She looked around and the only other customers were the three brothers.

The food came and it actually looked good. The waitress made a point to bring up that none of the meal was genetically modified. The cooks took the extra time and care to prepare minor sized meals with minor sized ingredients. Izzellah could taste the difference. She’d grown accustomed to eating MAJOR food simply out of convenience. It was easier to just eat off portions of what her father bought, It lasted longer and it was difficult to find minor sized food in stores. Now she might actually ask her papa to take the time to look. Minor food was less intense. MAJOR food, especially produce was often tiring to eat. An apple tasted more like pure essence of apple, super sweet and crisp. Not so with her fruit cup. It was almost a relief to eat.

“So what do you think girl?” Lisa asked as she shoved a chicken burger in her mouth. Her usual was apparently a order of spicy buffalo chicken sandwiches, fries, an order of mozzarella sticks. A hefty slice of raspberry cheesecake, a regular soft drink, and a MAJOR sized double chocolate, caramel blast with whipped cream and mint chip sprinkles.

Izzellah watched in awe as her halfsie friend scarfed down one of her sandwiches in just three bites then took a huge chug from her drink before working on her mozzarella sticks.

“Where do you put it all?” Just from looking she couldn’t believe that Lisa actually ate this much.

“It’s because she’s a halfsie dear.” Linda said. “It’s not just a superficial change. Her metabolism’s much higher as well.”

“Are you stronger too?”

Lisa shrugged. “Maybe. I’ve never had a chance to compare myself to anyone but MAJORS before. We can arm wrestle when we get home it you want!” Lisa offered.

“That would be so cute to watch!” Linda exclaimed.

The idea made Izzellah nervous. Lisa wasn’t a MAJOR but she was still over six feet tall. She’d never met a halfsie before and had no idea what the MAJOR/minor hybrid was truly capable of.

“Ummm..”
“Scared?”

“Yes.” Izzellah admitted.

Izzellah felt a tug as Lisa wrapped her arm around her shoulder. “Don’t worry, bestie. It’ll be fun.”

Was Lisa rich? She didn’t really act like a rich girl, she didn’t dress like a rich girl, but Izzellah didn’t really know how rich people acted beyond the posh and spoiled stereotype she’d seen on teen dramas.The prim debutante with the painted lips, the designer brand toting, purse puppy caring, fashionista princess did not describe Lisa at a surface level. Izzellah initially pegged her as a sort of raunchy nerd, (which she was), but she dressed as average if not more so than anyone, but her house said something different.

Izzellah lived in a nice if common two story home with four four bedrooms and three bathrooms if you counted her special minor one. Lisa lived in nothing short of a manor. Three stories with enough windows that made counting seem a chore. Izzellah knew that Winton was a prestigious school and that many of its student body were members of the elite, but just how many? Was Sabrina secretly loaded? Gloria was a doctor, but the Rodriguez's lived in her neighborhood, their house didn’t look much grander than her own. What about Mei, or Riri, or Mabel? Were they all rich girls too? Darren was obviously loaded, but she doubted that any of them were as his family’s Scrooge Mcduck level of cartoonish opulence. Right?

“Wow!” Izzellah exclaimed. She’d never actually seen a house this nice. There was actually a fountain in front of their massive walkway. She heard barking and a giant beast rushed toward them. An english mastiff launched at her! Izzellah recoiled and the mammoth canine leaped over her and landed on Lisa assaulting her with dog breath and slobber.

“Bad Goober!” Linda said. She heftted the large hound off her daughter and cradled it like a lap dog.

“She’s just happy to see her mama!” Lisa said wiping away a waterfall of vicious clear fluid.”

“Now you have to shower.” Lisa huffed. “This wouldn’t be a problem if you bothered to train her!”

“She’s trained!” Lisa assured. “Watch!”

She gestured for her mother to put Goober down.

“Sit.” She commanded. The four legged beast ignored her command and sniffed the ground.

“Sit, Goober!” Lisa repeated.

The dog barked and wagged its tail.

“Sit!”

Goober lumbered over to her mistress and put both front paw on her shoulder and commenced to licking her face.

“No Goober!” Lisa laughed. “Bad girl!”

The dog whined and Lisa’s laughter only grew.

“Awwww! Who’s a good girl!” Lisa encouraged. “Who’s a silly puppy!” She hugged her dog to her and lifted the giant mastiff in a brief hug before dropping the dog again.

“Lisa!” Linda said. “This is what I’m talking about! You still treat her like a puppy!”

“She is a puppy mom!”

“She’s three years old Lisa!”

“She’s a puppy at heart!” The dog ran affectionate circles around Lisa obviously, hopelessly in love with it’s halfsie owner. “You have any pets, Izz?”

“No.” Izzellah replied a little mystified by what she was witnessing. Lisa did have one rich girl trait. She was exceptionally spoiled.

“You don’t know what you’re missing!” Lisa grinned. “Goober go say hello.”

Acting in pure obedience that contradicted her previous display the dog pounced on top of Izzellah pinning her to the ground and covering her in a potent coat of saliva. Then the dog was lifted off by Linda again who gripped her by the scruff this time. She truly did look like a puppy in the clutches of the MAJOR mother.

“Now you both need baths!” Linda huffed.

“Later mom! I wanna show Izzy my room!” Lisa said and Izzellah found herself roughly pulled off the ground in hauled inside the home of the Watermienes.