4

Chef PeePee’s mornings were always very early. He grew used to not needing as much sleep as the average person, yet he was still always tired. Though, it was mostly because of the stress his job caused.

‘Job’ was one way to describe his situation. Bowser pretty much owned the chef, which as kinky as it sounds, wasn't very pleasant for Chef PeePee.

Today's morning was barely different from any other morning. He'd cook breakfast, clean the table, clean the kitchen, take Junior to school if he missed the bus and Charleyyy was on, go to the store if needed, then clean wherever else Bowser told him to. The only difference is that while he was making breakfast, he made sure to listen upstairs to make sure Junior didn't get hit with a shoe again, or worse.

Having Junior on his mind, he drifted his thoughts to what the boy had said the previous night. Could they really escape this place? Become runaways? If they did, would anyone look for them? He was debating on going through with it. It would take a lot of planning and telling by his school grades, Junior isn't the sharpest tool in the shed. Though, with enough luck… it could happen…? Chef PeePee had no idea. For now, it was just wishful thinking.

He checked the timer on the stove. 6:55 a.m., it read. 5 minutes until Junior would have to get ready for school. The chef prayed nothing bad would happen, but only time could tell.

“Hey, Chef PeePee.” He heard a voice say. He turned to see a tired-looking Marvin. “Woah, what happened to your face?” He asked. The chef had almost forgotten about his bruises. He had taken another aspirin that morning, so he couldn't feel them.

He debated on telling Marvin what actually happened. Would he even do anything? He was his friend, but he was also friends with Bowser… kind of. Though if Marvin did care, maybe he could help him and Junior out.

“Bowser… slapped me yesterday… a few times, actually…” the chef admitted, averting eye contact with the red-hatted man.

“Oh…” Marvin said, after a moment of awkward silence. “Well, can you still make Jeffy a pop tart or something? He's hungry since he didn't eat his green beans yesterday.”

Chef PeePees jaw almost dropped. He just ignores the statement? Is he not worried? Does he just think it's the daily norm? Chef PeePee had to hold his eyes back from rolling, letting out a small sigh instead. “I guess…”

“Thanks!” Marvin said, walking out of the kitchen and back up the stairs where he came from.

“At least he said thanks…” Chef PeePee mumbled to himself before getting the toaster out and making Jeffy's pop tart that he was probably going to throw or something.

Meanwhile, in Junior's room, his father had arrived to wake him up.

“JUNIOR! WAKE UP!” Bowser yelled, right next to Junior. The boy sat straight up, startled by the sudden loud noise. “Why the hell are you in Chef PeePee's bed?!”

“Uh… we switched beds…” Junior lied, nervous to tell the actual truth in fear his dad would get mad.

“Why?! You know what, whatever. Let me see your face.” Bowser grumbled. He grabbed his son's chin and lifted it upwards towards himself. “Isn't looking too bad today.” He let go of Junior's head and turned to walk out of the door. “Get dressed, brush your hair and teeth, and use some of that makeup stuff to cover your face. You're going to school.”

Bowser had bought a few tubes of foundation a while ago for when Junior's injuries needed to be covered up for guests or to go to school. Though if they were too bad or swollen, then Junior would have to stay home like the previous day. Junior would've just rather stayed home or in his room, but a school official would've come to his house and gotten him in trouble, or people would get suspicious. That's how Bowser would convince others that he was the perfect dad for his perfect little son. If only they knew what went on behind closed doors.

Junior reluctantly got up to get dressed, donning his usual and signatureorange-shirt-green-shorts-JR-handkerchief combo. He combed his hair the best he could, covered his bruises, brushed his teeth, and went downstairs for breakfast.

He saw Jeffy and Marvin at the dining table and Chef PeePee in the kitchen, which is where he went.

“Morning, Chef PeePee!” Junior said brightly. Chef PeePee turned to face him. “What's for breakfast?”

“Bacon and eggs.” The chef answered. He got a closer look at Junior and noticed his bruises were hardly visible. “What happened to your bruises, Junior?”

“Dad made me put some girl makeup on.” Junior answered, slightly embarrassed. Chef PeePee was about to speak when he heard Jeffy's plate hit the wall with a loud smash. Marvin screamed his name as Jeffy ran to the upstairs living room. Chef PeePee let out an annoyed sigh. “Great.”

Jeffy ran past Bowser as he went up the stairs. Bowser grunted in anger. “Control your kid, Marvin! God!” Marvin rolled his eyes and walked up the stairs after Jeffy, and Bowser walked into the kitchen. Junior started on his breakfast, gobbling up the eggs like he was being timed.

“Did you brush your teeth, Junior?” Bowser asked, getting himself a large helping of food. He took almost the rest of the eggs, which is what Chef PeePee was most excited about. Chef PeePee sighed as Junior swallowed the last of his eggs.

“Yes, dad.” Junior answered. Bowser took an extra good look at his son's mouth.

“Are you lying to me?!” Bowser questioned. Junior shook his head hard. “I bet you are. Go brush them!”

“But dad, I'll miss the bus!” Junior protested, standing up from his chair almost face to face with his dad.

“Then do it fast! If you miss the bus, I'm gonna beat your ass!” Bowser yelled, stomping back up the stairs to his room.

Junior sighed before speed-walking up the stairs to brush his teeth once again. Chef PeePee stood in the kitchen and ate the small portion of the remaining eggs. He watched Junior's bus go to the front of the driveway, pick up only Jeffy, and leave a little after. Chef PeePee felt bad. He didn't want Junior to get hit again.

“Is the bus here?!” Junior asked, running down the stairs with his backpack.

“It just went by.” Chef PeePee replied. “Come on, I'll drive you.”

“Won't my dad be mad?” Junior questioned, frightened by the mere thought of his father's anger.

“He won't find out. He'll be in his room watching Charleyyy until noon.” Chef PeePee said, grabbing the car keys and walking out the door. Junior got the memo, grabbed his bag and phone, and followed.

“Do I have to go to school today? Why can't I just hide in my room?” Junior asked once he and his chef were in the car and pulling out of the driveway.

“No, Junior, you have to go. You've already missed 3 days this month, and it's only the 23rd!” Chef PeePee reasoned. Junior sighed. “Besides, it's Friday. You only have to go today, then you get 2 days off.”

“Alright…” Junior mumbled. “So, did you think about leaving yet?”

“I don't know, Junior… as I said, there's a lot of risks.” Chef PeePee said.

“I know… At least it's only 6 more years until I'm 18, which means I can move out and get my own house and car and go to McDonald's for happy meals every day!” Junior rambled, an excited glint appearing in his eyes at the mention of his future. The chef wishes he was half as enthusiastic as Junior could get.

“That's really unhealthy, Junior.” Chef PeePee told the boy. “We're almost to your school. Get your bag out of the back seat.”

Junior did as the chef said and grabbed his sick SML merch backpack, which you can get on smlmerch.com and his Thomas lunchbox and got ready to hop out of the car. He already saw his friends out of the window, just getting off the bus.

“Have a good day, Junior.” Chef PeePee said as Junior opened the door to walk to the school building.

“It's school, Chef PeePee. How would that be possible?” Junior said blandly before shutting the door and walking to Joseph and Cody, who were standing in the grass in front of the school.

“Hey dude!” Joseph said, waving at his ginger friend.

“Why weren't you on the bus?” Cody asked once Junior finally made his way over.

“My dad made me brush my teeth, and I missed it, so Chef PeePee just dropped me off.” Junior explained.

“I was wondering why you didn't walk out to it with me.” A voice said. Junior turned to see Jeffy. “I thought you got sick again, and I was gonna have you cough on me so my daddy wouldn't make me go to school. Guess I'll just lick a toilet seat or something.” He said nonchalantly.

“Jeffy that's gross. You would get really really sick if you did that, especially here.” Cody said, somewhat worried for the 16 year-old.

“Thats the fuckin point, Codester.” Jeffy responded. “Ima go do that!” He walked towards the school building, and passed Jackie Chu on the way there.

“HEY! You kids need to get inside! Class starts in a few minutes!” The boys’ teacher shouted with his thick Chinese accent.

“Hopefully today isn’t as boring as yesterday…” Joseph mumbled as he, Junior, and Cody started walking to the building.

“Oh Joseph, there's nothing boring about learning!!” Cody exclaimed cheerfully. Junior and Joseph eyed each other in disgust.

“I’ll flip his desk once we get to the classroom, dude.” Joseph whispered to Junior.

“Good.”