Gifted

Chapter 6: The Talk

"Wow, I thought we were gonna get caught for sure by the principal or a teacher, guys," said Kenzie before letting out a sigh of relief, slumping deep into her seat.

"Hey, are you okay Landen?" asked Kayla, receiving no answer from him.

Landen briefly glanced back at Kayla's reflection from his rearview mirror before silently returning his attention back to driving.

Kenzie then set her hand on Landen's leg and looked up at him. "I know that you're not a confrontational person. I know that you didn't enjoy doing what you did, but you did what you had to. You saved me. I appreciate it, and without you, I can't imagine what would've happened back there. Don't be so hard on yourself. It isn't your fault. They forced you."

"Speaking of doing what he had to, what exactly did he even have to do, Kenzie?" asked Dez, looking over at Kenzie. He noticed the bruise on her neck.

"I'll tell you another time, Dez. Landen and I just need some time to rest and try to move on from this. I hope you understand."

"Yeah, I get it. I hope you both are all right, whatever happened out there."

Dez, along with Carter and Kayla silently looked out of the car window at the passing vehicles for the remainder of the car ride until Landen dropped him and the others off at their houses.

"Wow, it looks like Dad is home. What are we going to do, Landen?" Kenzie asked.

"Just be cool, Kenzie."

"Be cool? I'm trying, but you know how dad is. If he finds out about what happened, he'll be so mad. We just pulled up at our house and he can see us."

"Kenzie, just listen to me. Be cool. All right?"

"Fine. Okay. You win. I'll try."

"You both look like you've seen a ghost or something. Is there something you both intend to tell me? Landen, how did your exam go today?" Giovanni asked, walking toward the siblings as they exited from Landen's car.

"Fine, I guess. Mr. Riley thinks I've become strong with my powers," Landen replied.

Thinking deep inside his head, Landen knew that his father could tell something was bothering him. It would only be a matter of time before Giovanni would question him on his response and he'd be forced to tell him the truth. Coupled with this fact, Landen let out a short sigh before he continued to speak.

"Dad, we won't even try to lie to you. We got into a fight at school with some kids there."

Giovanni's eyes widened.

"Landen! What are you doing?" Kenzie asked, annoyed.

"You what? Kenzie, make some sense to what your brother is saying. Is this true? You and your brother don't usually get into fights."

"Dad, we didn't mean to get into trouble. Abbie and her friends attacked me, and Landen was the one who saved me from them. Without him, I don't know what could've happened."

"She's right, Dad. All of what she said is true. I was there, and they forced me to use my powers on them. They were choking her out, and there wasn't any talking to them. I did what I had to, and I did what was right."

"So you decided the best course of action was to make yourself an easy target Landen? By using your powers on them? Do you realize what you've opened yourself up to, boy? What about your dream to enter into the Gifted military like your mother, me, and you have talked about? Due to your fight, there may be consequences preventing you from getting that far now. You know what our society expects out of its Gifted individuals, and there is enough stigma surrounding them as it is now," said Giovanni before turning to Kenzie next. "For you, why didn't you tell your mother and me sooner? Maybe we could've prevented this from happening, or at least from it going as far as it did. Look at your neck, you have a bad bruise on it. When will you kids—–" he said before being interrupted by Kenzie.