UNDER EDITING 𝐺𝑅𝐴𝑉𝐸 𝐷𝐴𝑁𝐺𝐸𝑅 | 𝐴𝑃𝑂𝐶𝐴𝐿𝑌𝑃𝑆𝐸 ✔︎

Name Calling

(Jasper's POV)

Once we found out Lexi was pregnant, we thought it would be a good idea to let Carlos and Jeanine know. Do I trust them? No. But maybe they'll be less likely to put a hit on us if they realize that Lexi is knocked up. It would just be cruel on their behalf.

Cooper basically demanded that Lexi stay at home today instead of working. It made sense, no doubt. If I had a pregnant wife I wouldn't want her working outside when we're huge targets right now.

Noah and I were given the same job today: Train the kids.

This job sounds like just training little fourth graders, but there were actually a few kids who looked older than me joining us.

"Okay, listen up! Originally we were going to split into separate groups but I think it's better that we all train together. I'm Jasper and this is Noah." I say over the crowd of kids.

I spin a knife in my hands while contemplating how I want this to go. "All right! I think we'll separate into different age groups and work with you individually! 8-10, go stand there! 11-14, over there! 15-17, that way!"

"We're gonna work with each group at a time. While we work with one group, you others can just hang out. But don't go anywhere." I say with authority. Everyone seems to nervously nod at me.

Noah and I make our way to the first group. 15-17. It's probably better to get the oldest group out of the way.

"Alright guys, I think we'll start with-"

"How old is he?" I hear a feminine voice say. I glance over to see a girl with straight blonde hair and glasses. She had a thin appearance and seemed annoyed with being here at all. She points at Noah with an eyebrow quirked up.

"I'm fifteen— well... sixteen by now." Noah says plainly. She gives a surprised look and giggles a bit. "Holy shit, I could've sworn you were like eleven. Sorry, you're just so... scrawny." She shrugs.

Noah just gives her a surprised look and stares at his shoes awkwardly. Everyone always has something out for him, huh? I'm pissed enough that I have to do this job... but now these dumbasses are insulting Noah?!

I decide that I would talk to that girl later. The last time I confronted someone in public Noah had to run after me in a storm. And I'm not putting him through that again.

I ruffle Noah's hair a bit before going back to talking about the plan.

"Let's stay on topic here, no need for judgement. We're going to show you guys hand on hand combat first." Noah knows how to do this. I showed him all of these moves back when we lived at the quarry.

I directed half of the group to go with me, and the other half to go with Noah. The group in total wasn't huge so Noah and I each ended up getting about five people.

It was just Noah's luck that he was grouped with the girl that insulted him. Great.

"Okay everyone! We aren't actually hitting each other! In simple terms, we are teaching you where your fists and feet need to go. You don't need to hit Noah and I when we spar with you." I conclude.

For a few minutes, I walk my group through the basics and I hear Noah do the same. He was explaining a simple punch.

I decide to explain an effective kick. After a few minutes, my group seems to get it down. It was simple move after all. I was about to check on Noah's group when I hear a grunt and something thud on the ground.

Alarmed, I quickly turn towards the noise. Noah was on his knees and holding his nose tightly. Above him was that... girl.

"What the hell happened?!" I yell while running over to the scene. I crouch down beside Noah and look up at the girl for answers. "I'm sorry, I really didn't mean to. He was showing us how to punch and I swung too close to his face and... yeah."