BEWITCHED - L. GARMADON

A NEW FRIEND

"Where are we going, Sensei?" [Name] asked, their normal daily routine disrupted by something as they walked down the steps of the mountain, a curious tone to their voice.

"To get my nephew," Sensei Wu smiled, holding his hands behind his back as they walked.

The young girl hummed, her expression thoughtful as she processed his words. "Is that why you had me set up a spare room?"

The old man chuckled, nodding. "Yes, he will be staying with us for his school holiday at Darkley's."

[Name]'s brows furrowed. Holiday? She didn't go to school, but she was pretty sure that Darkley's wasn't on holiday at this time, mainly because she was snooping through the mail one day and saw that Sensei Wu got mail from Darkley's. Of course, she decided to learn more about the school out of curiosity, trying to figure out why her sensei got this mail. However, Sensei Wu looked so happy at the thought of his nephew coming to stay over, and she didn't want to ruin that, so she stayed quiet, nodding.

Once they reached the bottom of the steps, they watched as a green bus pulled in from the pathway. "Ah, right on time." Sensei Wu hummed, watching as the bus doors slid open to reveal a young boy dressed in all black, a few strands of his platinum blond hair visible from under his hood. He walked down the stairs with a bag hanging off his shoulders, hands shoved into his hoodie pockets and an expression that was far from pleasant. [Name] smiled warmly, eager to have someone her age to talk with.

"[Name], this is my nephew, Lloyd." Sensei Wu introduced the two youths, gesturing towards them. "Lloyd, this is [Name], my student."

Lloyd glanced at the girl, and immediately wrinkled his nose, whining. "Ugh! You didn't tell me I would have to live with a girl, Uncle!" He complained, stomping his foot. "Girls are gross!!"

[Name] blinked at that, appalled. This was seriously her sensei's nephew?? Sensei Wu stepped in, reprimanding Lloyd. "That is no way to speak to my student, Lloyd. If you're staying here, you must learn to respect [Name], now apologize." He sternly instructed.

Lloyd huffed, crossing his arms in defiance. "No way! I bet she has cooties!"

"I could say the same about you!" [Name] shot back, also crossing her arms and looking away from the villain wannabe. "I bet you smell!"

Lloyd gasped, gritting his teeth in an offended manner and opening his mouth to retort. "Nuh uh—!"

"Lloyd! [Name]!" Sensei Wu cut in once more, his words firm and commanding. "Enough, you two! As long as you both are staying at the monastery, you will learn to get along! Understood?" He declared firmly, his words leaving no room for argument.

The two kids glanced at each other, before huffing, grumbling out, "Yes Sensei/Uncle." in unison. The old man nodded approvingly, "Now go apologize to each other." He instructed. Lloyd was about to retort, but a quick smack on the back of his head shut him up.

"I'm sorry Lloyd." [Name] apologized first, never liking to see Sensei Wu disappointed at her. She glanced at Lloyd with a slightly apologetic expression, kicking the ground. Lloyd scratched the back of his head, avoiding making eye contact with the girl and muttering out a quiet, "I'm sorry too I guess.."

Sensei Wu smiled at their exchange, gesturing towards the endless amount of stairs leading up to the monastery. "Now come, children. Let's get to the monastery."

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Lloyd gasped for air, tearing his hood off as he wiped the sweat from his forehead due to the large amount of steps there were. When he took over his fathers throne, he vowed to ban all types of physical activity all together, stairs specifically. It was torture! On the other hand, Sensei Wu and [Name] looked perfectly fine, having traveled up and down the mountain several times before and growing accustomed to the distance.