The Fix

Chapter 34

"Johan, what is HE doing here?" I whisper.

"He said his name was Randy Jackson," Johan replies.

He could not have been any more obvious. What is Eadlyn going to think?

"Your Majesty," 'Randy' says.

"Sir Jackson," I reply, though I'd still rather punch him in the face. Just because he left doesn't mean my siblings and I don't have an axe to grind.

I decide to take the high road. I'll just train him like all the others. I won't sink to his level.

"Trainees," I address the group. "This week's grading scale will be based off of points. Today, the one with the most points gets a phone call home." I pause to see how this is affecting the crowd, then continue. "The first challenge is physical. We'll be running two miles."

Stephen raises his hand. "Why did you say 'we'?"

"Well, because I'm running with you so you can't say it's not fair or impossible. Those who get a time under forty minutes get one point. Under thirty gets two. Under twenty gets three. Under fifteen minutes receives five points. The one who can stay ahead of me longest gets a two point bonus," I tell him, and all the others.

"Isn't that unfair to you?" someone asks.

"Why would it be?"

"Well, because..."

"If it's because I'm younger or a girl, you're wrong. Start stretching. We'll run in a minute." I start my stopwatch.

After a minute, the timer beeps.

"Time's up! We're running now," I say. "This way to the track."

I take them to the track. Josie is sitting in front of it with her friends.

"Josie, we need to run here. Can you go a little further from the track so you don't get covered with mud?" I ask her.

"And miss a chance to see hot guys? No way!" one of her friends replies.

I roll my eyes. "Seriously? You mean, 'tired, sweaty people training?' Suit yourself." I turn around and address the trainees. "Ready, set, go!"

Everyone starts running, including me. After running the two miles, I take the times for everyone behind me. Only two people were faster. One is Johan. The other is 'Randy Jackson.'

"Congratulations. Now, for seven points, what has no beginning, end, top, bottom, or side?" I ask.

A murmur goes through the crowd.

"I'm serious," I say.

Jules raises his hand. "Infinity."

I nod. "Seven points. Add that to your two points from the running and now, you're in the lead. You guys can have a break now for lunch."

The trainees walk away and I go to eat lunch with my family, the Italian family, and the Elite. I wonder if I should even tell Eadlyn that Jack Ranger is back in the castle. Or Kile. He might get angrier than Eadlyn. Uh oh. I open the door and take a seat between Kaden and Eadlyn.

"Tell me about your troops," Eadlyn says.

"Tell me about YOUR Elite."

"You know about them already."

"Uhh..." I look around the table. Kaden taps on my shoulder. "Yes! Thank you!"

"So, what about your troops?" Kaden asks jokingly.

"Are you kidding?!"

"Dead serious."

"What's going on?" Arthur asks.

"Help me!"

"No, I'd rather let them bug you until we find out."

"Seriously?!? Not you, too!"

"How 'bout a duel?" Kaden jokes, waving his fork around like a sword.

"Is Arthur rubbing off on you?" I joke back.

"Hey!" Arthur says, stifling laughter.

"We'll stop annoying you when you tell us!" Eadlyn says, singsong.

"Okay! Yield!" I giggle.

Ahren looks over at us.

"Just the usual today!" Eadlyn tells him.

"Which usual? The one that results in someone being soaked or the one with chaos?" he asks.

"The second one! Tell us!" Kaden says.

"Okay! I only met a few, though!" I reply. I contemplate telling her about Jack. No. I can't spoil the mood now. I'll wait until we're alone.

"Spill!"

"Okay! I met four. Johan and Stephen are social, Victor and Jules are less social, but they're all nice enough, I guess," I tell them.

"I get the feeling you're not saying everything," Ahren says.

"How?"

"Brotherly instinct."

"But Osten can't read my mind."

"Yeah, but he's a lot younger. Larger age gaps."

I snicker.

"Hey!" Ahren says. "It's possible!"

"Nope!" I reply.

The food is brought out. We eat lunch and I go to the Women's Room with Eadlyn.

"Was Ahren right?" Eadlyn asks.

"About what?" I ask her.

"Was there something you didn't tell us?"

Oh, great. No escaping this, now.

"Uhh..."I say, stalling.

"Please?"

"You're not going to like it."

"Tell me."

"Fine... Jack Ranger is in my troop."

"WHAT?!?"

"But he says his name is Randy Jackson."

"How?!"

"I don't know."

"But you can kick him out, right?"

"Eady, I'm not kicking him out unless he pulls something. He's a valuable asset, and the leaders probably wouldn't let me."

"Why?"

"They don't want to lose valuable people."

"You could get hurt! What if he tries something?"

"He won't. Trust me, none of them will be trying anything."

"How can you be so sure?"

"I'm not weak!"

"In a duel! If he tries something..."

"What? What is THAT supposed to mean?"

"Nothing! It's just..."

"It's just, what? You don't think I can handle them? Newsflash, Eady, you aren't the only one who handle people!"

"I never meant it that way!"

"It can only be read two ways, Eady! And from where I'm standing, it sure sounds like you're calling me a weakling!" I storm away.

Author's Note

     Uh oh, DRAMA! Life for the Schreaves isn't as perfect as it seems...

-Nom Nom