The Beginning (book one)

Chapter Fifteen

Ann tried to pry Jack's arms off of her.

"Let go of me, you git!" Ann yelled.

"Are you British, now?" Jack asked with a laugh, still flying up the stairs.

"Pratt!" Ann shot back, her hand heating up for some odd reason. There was a small crack, and a blue bolt struck Jack's forearm. The bolt came from Ann's palm.

Jack let out a feminine shriek in shock, and dropped Ann. She landed in a crouch, clutching the rail for dear life. She let out a breath, and slowly stood up. She walked the rest of the way to the room.

"You're lucky I didn't drop the key when you dropped me." Ann grumbled as she unlocked the hotel room.

"Oh, my queen!" Jack cried out dramatically, flopping onto one of the beds. "Please spare some forgiveness for your lowly, devoted peasant!"

Ann sighed, walking over to the minibar. "I forgive you, I guess..."

"Just can't stay mad at him?" Astrid teased, setting the fast food on an end table.

"No. Just happy I have junk food." Ann said, popping open a sprite.

"Aye, can I have a Coke?" Kyle asked, flopping onto the second bed in the room.

"Fanta, please!" Astrid requested.

Jack walked up to Ann, and kneeled down, bowing his head. "Oh, my queen, if you would, please spare a Pepsi for a simple peasant."

Ann whacked the back of Jack's head playfully, and handed him the Pepsi. She walked around the room handing out the requested sodas.

She sat on the empty bed, watching the awkwardness between Kyle and Astrid unfold.

"Hey, Astrid, you should sit with me!" Kyle said, patting the spot on the bed next to him.

Astrid's face went red. "O-oh, um, sure, if you don't mind."

"I did ask!" Kyle said with a light-hearted laugh.

Astrid tentatively sat next to Kyle, popping open her soda.

"Well then," Jack said, sauntering over to Ann. "Looks like we have to sit together."

"It does look like that, doesn't it?" Ann said with a look that wasn't full of loathing. But, it wasn't exactly a glowing, happy face.

"Hey! Progress!" Jack said, noticing Ann's not-mad-but-not-happy face. Ann pulled some fries out of the fast food bag, handing one to Jack.

"We should turn on some music!" Astrid said, pulling her phone out of her pocket.

"Oh lord." Ann sighed. This meant Astrid was going to make Ann sing or dance because 'she needs to participate in the fun group activities Astrid has arranged'.

Music blared from Astrid's phone, probably waking up the people in the room next door. Ann pulled her book out of her bag.

Ann's reading was interrupted by Astrid.

"You can't just read! You have to interact with us!" Astrid said, pulling Ann up and off the bed.

"No." Ann deadpanned. "Y'know, Jack said it pretty perfectly. I'm standoffish'."

"Oh, shush." Astrid scolded. "I've seen you be fun before."

"Common! Just shut up and dance with me." Jack said. As the song played. Nope. Ann was out.

She walked out of the room, book in hand.

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A/n

Heey!

Happy Father's Day, everyone!

-OneFreakyAlien