The Academy: Ashland

Ian, Kara and the Fort

A/N: Comments are still very welcome. They are also still encouraged. I'm hoping to make the Academy into a series so if you start to lose interest please tell me so I can try my best to fix it. Thanks!

            Ian and Kara are two of the smartest, sweetest and most adorable kids I’ve ever met. They “forced” me to help them build a blanket fort with a pillow floor in the rec room. Then, we went to the library and they stacked up three huge piles of books before we brought them back to the rec room.

            “Just stick them in the fort,” Ian said. “We need snacks.”

            I put the three stacks of books into the fort before Kara grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the rec room, “Where are we getting snacks from?” I asked as we walked.

            “Our kitchen,” Ian said. “Cook says we can’t take any food from the big kitchen.”

            I laughed as Kara dragged me to the elevator and Ian pushed the call button for the elevator, “We used to get food from the big kitchen,” Ian said, leading us onto the elevator after the doors opened. “But Old Cook left, so we got a new one. New Cook is mean.”

            Kara tapped my shoulder and held up her whiteboard. ‘Now we just take food from our kitchen.’ was written in bright blue ink.

            Ian nodded, “But that’s okay because we always get good snacks.”

            I grinned, “Of course.”

            After a minute, Kara tugged my shirt and the elevator stopped at floor 7, “This is out floor,” Ian said before the doors opened and he led us down the hall. “Do you like Doctor Who?” Seth said all pretty girls do, but Miranda said it don’t make any sense so no one really watches it.”

            I laughed, “You shouldn’t listen to her,” I said. “Everyone watches Doctor Who.”

            Ian laughed, “I like the Doctor. He’s funny.”

            “I like the companions too,” I said.

            Ian looked at the ground, “Louie says I’m a nerd for liking Doctor Who,” Ian mumbled with a frown.

            Kara pushed her whiteboard into my hands, ‘Louie’s a jerk to Ian. I don’t really like him. Ian wants to be his friend.’

            I nodded to Kara, “Is it bad to be a nerd?”

            Ian nodded, “I think so.”

            “But Jack’s a nerd,” I said.

            “Jack’s cool,” Ian said. “I’m little. So I can’t be a nerd.”

            I frowned, “It’s alright to be a nerd. Seth, Trip and Kelsey are nerds.”

            Ian looked up at me in shock, “Really?”

            “Yeah,” I stopped walking and motioned for Ian and Kara to come closer. “Can you keep a secret?”

            Ian nodded and quickly drew an X over his heart the made me smile (Luke and I used to do that a lot when we were younger), “Course I can,” he said. “I’m very good at keeping secrets.”

            I smiled and looked over at Kara, who nodded and drew and X across her heart too. ‘Good at keeping secrets. We never tell. Don’t have anyone to tell.’

            I smiled, “I’m a nerd too,” I whispered loudly. (And I am. Sam practically forced me to be one. He taught me all about Doctor Who and the Harry Potter books. He showed me the Lord of the Rings books and got me a library card. He showed me Star Trek, Firefly and Star Wars on Bailey’s TV whenever we were at the diner.)

            Ian giggled as Kara made a gasping sound and grinned, (that’s how Kara laughs, Markus told me she can still make some noises), “Really?” Ian asked.

            “Really, really,” I said with a grin. “Nerds are the best people in the world.”

            “Why?” Ian asked.

            I looked down at Ian in surprise and thought, “Nerds live in a uniquely magical world that only belongs to them,” I said. “It’s what makes us so amazing.”

            Ian grinned, “You’re cool,” he said as Kara nodded.

            I gave Ian and Kara a mock curtsey, “Thank you, my small friends.”

            Ian laughed and Kara gave her little gasping laugh, “Ian, Kara, who are you talking to?” a blue eyed, brown haired man asked as he walked out of the kitchen (it’s sad, every floor looks the same. You’d think someone, anyone, would have been more creative).

            I waved sheepishly as I straightened up and the kids turned around, “Hey Ricky!” Ian said as Kara waved.

            Ricky looked at me in shock for a minute before he smiled, “Hello Ashland,” he said. “What are you doing here?”

            Ian stared at Ricky for a minute before he nudged Kara, “The munchkins kidnapped me,” I said.

            “We come for snacks,” Ian said in a deep voice.

            Ricky laughed and walked back into the kitchen. A few minutes later, he came back with cookies, juice boxes, a small bag of fruit and a few sandwiches, “Here are your snacks.”

            Ian and Kara grinned as the three of us took the food, “Thank you,” Ian and I said as Kara nodded.

            Ricky laughed, “You’re welcome,” he said as Ian poked me.

            “Come on,” Ian said.

            I laughed and nodded, “Yes munchkins,” I said.

            Ricky laughed again as Ian, Kara and I walked down the hall, “It was nice to see you, Ashland,” Ricky said.

            I nodded my head as Ian and Kara rolled their eyes, “No talking,” he said. “We have to get back to the fort.”

            I laughed, “Yes, small one.”