SIDEKICK

Chapter Thirteen: Working Hard and Hardly Working

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Working Hard and Hardly Working

Peter slams his fist down on the table, “Lance, I want Arus to train me.”

Lance bites down on his toast. “Absolutely not.”

This is the fiftieth time Peter has asked him. The battle simulation was three days ago, and since then, his enthusiasm is getting higher.

Everyone sits around the table in the kitchen, munching down on breakfast. Deidre insists that everyone eats together whenever there’s a meal.

Even me, though I'm technically here against my will.

I look at the empty seat across from me. I guess that rule doesn’t apply to Arus.

“Why not?!” he asks.

“Because like I told you the forty other times you’ve asked, you’re still too inexperienced,” Lance replies. “Her training is stricter than mine. You complain about my teaching now, imagine if you suddenly take on the force of Arus. You won’t last a day.”

“I complain because your training is going too slow!” Peter protests. “All we do is sit and meditate. It’s boring. Only the last month have we finally started doing something and it’s just hand positions!”

Seth pushes up his glasses and interjects, “But even if Lance gave you his approval, you’d still have to convince her. And you’re far too arrogant.”

Peter smirks. “Is that why she still refuses to train you, eh, Seth?”

Seth stands up. “At least I know when to give it a rest!”

“What?” Peter teases. “Are you jealous that I’m catching up to you?”

Seth grabs his shirt. “Let’s find out how ‘great’ your skill set is, shall we?”

“Alright! Alright!” Deidre places her hands between them and separates the two. “That’s enough banter at the table for one day.”

“Ow!” Joseph yelps. “You kicked me!”

Naveen cuts into her sausage and pops it in her mouth. “You must be imagining things, Dent-face,” she says coolly.

“Gramps!” he turns to Lance. “She fucking kicked me!”

“Oh stop it you two,” Lance scolds them. “I don’t want to hear this childish squabble between two adults. Deal with it,” he turns to Peter. “And it’s still a no.”

Victor’s head bobs around aimlessly as he grabs another piece of bread. Naveen and Joseph stand up and begin to argue, and Seth gets riled up at Peter. Meanwhile, Peter is arguing with Seth and Lance. Deidre is sighing in the background and Lance is yelling at Naveen and Joseph.

This is one strange loop of arguments.

“Oh for God’s sake,” Lance mutters. “Charles!”

Les’ head rises from his plate.

“You’re the oldest among these children! Split them up now!” Lance orders.

Les stands up. “Don’t bring me into this!” he shouts. “And for the millionth time, it’s Les, you senile old man!”

The fights continue on for another few minutes, before Deidre slams her fist down onto the kitchen counter. The marble top cracks from the impact of her fist.

“THAT’S ENOUGH,” she roars.

Everyone freezes, and slowly turns their head at her. She removes her head and clears her throat.