To Rule the World | A Zodiac Story

The Jaden Chapter

Jaden woke up at 9 o'clock in the morning. Or, at the very least, Gemini woke him up. Today, it was different though. Today, Aquarius woke him up.

Aquarius shook Jaden out of bed. Jaden day up and rolled his eyes. At the moment, Jaden and Aquarius couldn't communicate very well. Charades and expressions were as good as it got.

"Listen, I hate waking up, too, but you gotta be at Virgo's in an hour," Aquarius told the boy.

Jaden rolled his eyes and picked out a shirt. He put it down and signed, "Aunt Gem is way too good for you."

Aquarius grimaced. He had been trying to learn sign language since he had arrived, but Jaden's hands moved so fast it was hard to keep up. "I recognize Aunt and Gem. That's all I've got, but I promise I'm working on it."

Jaden wanted to snort, but didn't want to be rude. "You're going to leave just like everyone else."

"Leave!" Aquarius shouted in glee. "I recognize that word. You have to leave for Virgo's soon? Yeah, I'll let you get dressed."

Jaden stared after the guy whom he deemed an idiot. A prince who couldn't communicate with all of his people? It seemed foolish. Why be in a place of power at all if you can't use it to educate yourself and others? All the same, Jaden pulled on a long-sleeved gray shirt with trousers and went downstairs.

The bakery smelled delightfully of freshly baked everything. It was Jaden's safe place. He loved everything about it. He loved the way that the baked goods smell would fill up the bakery air just before it opened. He loved the way that the yellow walls were slightly faded but still vibrant. He loved the way each window glistened in the sunlight. He loved how each table would soon be inhabited by someone new, someone he's never met.

He loved how, in the morning, Gemini's hair was well brushed. How she didn't have a single flour stain on her face. He loved how every morning he would get a croissant. He loved how Gemini would always give him a big hug before he left. He loved when Aries came over and squeezed him even tighter.

That's when he saw Gemini. Her blonde hair was nearly brushed and clipped out of her face. Her face was clear of any baking ingredients. Her apron was freshly washed. Not many got a chance to see her this organized.

"Hey, Jaden," Gemini greeted him. "You're croissants' on the table."

"Thanks, Aunt Gem," Jaden said with a smile.

The two of them sat down together and started to eat. The bakery opened in half an hour, so they had a little time before Gemini had to work.

"I'm sorry I couldn't wake you up this morning," Gemini said, shoveling food into her mouth. "I got really busy with this new recipe I'm trying."

"Its okay, Aunt Gem. But Aqua isn't very good at waking me up," Jaden protested.

"He's still learning about it all," Gemini assured him. "Aquarius is doing good in my sign language class, though."

"He's only been understanding every three words I sign," Jaden reminded her.

Gemini sighed and leaned back in her chair. "It's not exactly an easy language. No language is. You've gotta cut him some slack."

Jaden pouted. This guy came into their home without good reason or warning. Jaden didn't care if he was friend or foe. Jaden wanted Aquarius out.

"Here, I'll take your plate," Gemini said, grabbing both her and Jadens plate. Jaden thanked her. The moment she turned her back, Jaden rose his hands to say some forbidden words about Aquarius.

"If you sign those words, you're grounded for a month," Gemini told him. Jaden lowered his hands. "Anyways, Aquarius is taking you to Virgo's today, so be good. Sign slowly."