Conquered (previously known as Veni Vidi Vici)

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

    Terrence got to be home for a week before him, his family, and anyone else he wanted to bring went to the victor's ceremony at the capitol. He was excited to go home and have a good meal.

    "Terrence!" he heard two familiar voices say. He turned and saw Ali and Aspyn waving at him.

    “Aspyn!”Terrence exclaimed.

    “Shh! Please call me Ashley.” said Aspyn.

    “Okay, Ashley, you have something orange in your hair.” Terrence pointed out.

    “Oh. That’s from Rebecky. It took forever to get it, mostly, out.” said Aspyn.

    “Terrence!!” said a very familiar squeal.

    “Hi Ali! I told you that I’d come back!” said Terrence.

    “So, he barely makes it back alive just to get clobbered by his little brother.” Gage smirked.

    “Good to see you, too” Terrence said, ignoring his brother’s comment.

    “Oh Terrence!” said Mrs. Everdeen, “I’m so sorry that we didn’t give you enough attention before. I promise that things will be different now.”

    “Hi Mom.” said Terrence.

    “Terrence,” said Ali, “your girlfriend told me all about her adventures, but I didn’t get to hear about yours.”

    “First of all,” said Terrence, “she’s not my girlfriend. Second, I want to eat something before I tell any stories.”

    When they got to the Everdeen’s house, Terrence found his father waiting for them at the table.

    “Welcome home, son!” he said.

    “Ali, why don’t you get Terrence what we got him.” said Mrs. Everdeen with a wink.

    “Ok!” Ali exclaimed.

    “I think you’re going to like it.” Aspyn said, smiling.

    The surprise turned out to be a cake with a tree on it. Terrence looked closer and saw that there was a boy climbing the tree.

    “Ha, ha very funny.” Terrence said sarcastically.

    “When you said you couldn’t climb trees, well, that was the best part!” said Gage.

    “I don’t see you at the top of the tree outside.” Terrence argued.

    “Well…” Gage started.

    “Boys, that enough.” commanded Mr. Everdeen.

    “No wonder you had so many arguments!” said Aspyn, “You’ve had plenty of practice!”

    Terrence just ignored Aspyn’s comment, but he knew it was true. He was argument prone.

    “We’re proud of you son,” Said Mr. Everdeen, “having to put up with two stubborn girls is hard work!”

    “I’m not stubborn!” Aspyn insisted.

    “Yeah, they were a real handful.” Terrence agreed.

    “I’m not stubborn. Where did they get that idea? I follow orders, sometimes.” Aspyn mumbled to herself.

    Terrence thought about his family. How did they hold out while he was gone?”

    “How did you get the money for the cake?” he asked.

    “Oh.” Terrence’s mom paused to think, “Yes. We were in the bakery looking for a donut or cupcake for you. The Mellarks said that they would be happy to do a whole cake for you!”

    “That’s nice of them!” said Terrence.

    “Now that you’ve eaten, will you please tell us about winning?” Ali pleaded.

    “Okay, okay.” said Terrence.

    He told his family about how the chariot race and how he destroyed everyone in his path in Aspyn’s honor.

    “I knew it! You like her, you like her!” Ali said in a sing-song voice.

    “I do not like her!” Terrence insisted.

    “At any rate,” said Aspyn, “I’m really touched that you defended me like that.”

    “You saved my life plenty of times.” said Terrence, “It’s the least that I could do for you.”

    There was an awkward silence in the room that was broken by Ali.

    “When are you going to get married?” she asked.

    “We are not getting married!” Terrence and Aspyn exclaimed in unison.

    “Okay Miss Matchmaker.” said Mrs. Everdeen with a laugh, “Go clean up you toys.”

    “Terrence needs a break from pesky girls like you!” Mr. Everdeen joked.

    Ali giggled as she grabbed Aspyn’s hand and began to drag her off.

    “Wait! Asp… I mean Ashley. Can I talk to you?” Terrence asked.

    “Sure.” said Aspyn, “I’ll be with you in a minute Ali, okay? First, I have to teach your brother how to climb a tree.”

    “Okay, Ashley.” Ali said, “Gage, Mommy, Daddy, can we play hide and seek?”

    “Of course, dear.” said Mrs. Everdeen.

    “Do I have to?” Gage complained.

    “Yes, you do. It’ll be fun!” said Mr. Everdeen.

    Then, Mrs. Everdeen began counting, Ali ran off squealing, Mr. Everdeen went with her, and Gage sulked away.