The Beginning | Experiment S #1

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

       "So, how is school going?" Mom asked Saturday during breakfast.

       "It's okay," Avery said and I knew she was going to start rambling. Almost every single time she talked about something, she was rambling. "Well, there are these four people who are quite annoying to us. One's name is Kai and I don't know the other names. I don't think anyone does. They're more like Kai's followers. Kai is kind of cute, but he's annoying. He would be more cute if he wasn't annoying and I m--"

       "Avery," Abby said. "Slow. Down."

       "Oh, sorry," Avery said. "I'm trying. I really am."

       "You know, there is someone in this very room who is cuter than Kai and is a lot nicer," Marshal said. "Hint, hint."

       "I still don't know why you keep saying hint, hint," Avery said. "Is there a reason behind it? Are you hinting at something? Oh! That's probably why you keep saying hint, hint!....What are you hinting at?"

       "I don't know if you're being completely serious or you're just pulling my leg," Marshal said. 

       "I'm being serious," Avery said.

       "I'm going to pretend that wasn't my heart that just shattered on the floor."

       "What?"

       "Nothing, nothing," Marshal said, going back to eating his breakfast. 

       "So, this Kai guy," Mom said. "How bad of a time is he giving all of you?"

       "A really bad time," Abby said. "He uses every chance he has to bother at least one of us, though most of the time, it seems to be directed towards Cam. It's like Kai wants Cam to get mad."

       "Well, I'm sorry about that," Mom said. "But whatever you do, do not engage in any fighting with him." That seemed to be directed towards Cam, especially when Mom was looking at him when she said that.

       Cam noticed Mom looking at him. "I won't. Well, unless he throws the first punch. Then that would be in self-defense."

       "I'm serious, Cam," Mom said. "If you want to continue being fostered here, you can't get into anymore fights or social services will move you again."

       "Yeah, I know," Cam said. "But they shouldn't move me if I'm only fighting for self-defense. I'm not going to go starting any fights, and Kai should know better than to throw the first punch. I promise, no fights."

       "Good," Mom said before looking at her watch. "I actually have to go run a few errands. I should be an hour, two at the latest. When I get back, I want to see all the morning chores finished. If you need anything, don't be afraid to call."

       Mom got up from the table, carrying her plate to the kitchen before leaving the house.

       "Ooh, no adults in the house," Marshal said. "How fun."

       "Uh, it happens all the time when they're both working," Abby pointed out.

       "Same difference. So, after we finish our chores, I say we get into food we're not supposed to get into," Marshal said. "Like Pringles. They bought Pringles, yet they won't let us have any. You think they'll notice, Juliet?"

       Cam snorted. "Definitely not."

       "I never knew your name was Juliet," Marshal said. "And how would you know?"

       "Probably because I get into food all the time and nobody has ever noticed," Cam said. "It's not my fault I'm always hungry."

       "Yeah, I noticed," Marshal said. "You tend to eat Juliet's leftovers. I want some leftovers too."