The Academy: Ashland

Hanging Out

            “Cam should be coming soon,” Kelsey said as she helped me wash the chili Amber dumped on me out of my hair.

            I sighed, “How soon?” I asked.

            “In two days,” Markus said.

            Kelsey and I grinned as we turned to face Markus, who was standing in the doorway of the kitchen, “Really?”

            Markus nodded, “Taven and Zoey told me,” he said. “But I wasn’t supposed to tell, so…” Markus made a zip-your-lip motion.

            Kelsey and I grinned, “We won’t tell,” Kelsey said as I nodded.

            “Do you need some help?” Markus asked as he walked over to the sink.

            Kelsey sighed as I ducked my head back into the sink, “I think I’m making it worse.”

            I poked Kelsey twice, “I think you got most of it out,” I said.

            Markus grabbed something from one of the cabinet, “Close your eyes,” he said to me. I closed my eyes and I felt Markus pour something cool onto my head. “Rub that in.”

            I went to move my hands, but Kelsey pushed them back, “I’ve got it,” she said.

            “I can do it,” I said. “I have arms.”

            Markus laughed, “Shut up and let Mother Hen Kelsey be happy.”

            I heard Kelsey slap Markus’ arm before she started to rub the soap into my hair, “This feels weird,” I mumbled. “Why can’t I just do it on my own?”

            “Because I said so,” Kelsey said. Markus laughed and I groaned before I tried to squirm away from Kelsey, “Keep still,” Kelsey snapped as she lightly slapped the back of my head.

            “That’s abuse,” Seth said from somewhere behind me.

            I waved my arms, “Seth! Save me from this evil mother hen!” I yelled.

            “Shut up,” Kelsey said with a laugh.

            I could hear Seth trying to hold back his laughter as Trip said, “I’ll save you!”

            “No you won’t,” Seth said before I heard the unmistakable sound of skin hitting linoleum.

            “Ow…” Trip mumbled.

            Everyone laughed and I felt Kelsey rinse my hair, “You’re good,” Kelsey said, turning off the water and dropping a towel onto my head.

            I pulled my head out of the sink, “Thank you,” I said as I rolled my eyes and wrapped my hair in the towel.

Kelsey grinned at me and we looked over at Trip, who was still laying face down on the floor, “Get up,” Seth said. “We’re going to train.”

Trip sighed and rolled over, “It’s too late to train. Can’t we watch a movie?”

Kelsey laughed, “Don’t be lazy,” she said. “Get up and let’s go train.”

Trip groaned again and I rolled my eyes before I grabbed his hands and started to drag him out of the kitchen.

“Where are you taking me?” Trip asked.

“Training,” I said as Kelsey, Seth and Markus followed us. “I think I’m going to hang you off a platform by your ankles.”

“Okay,” Trip said.

“I think she’s serious,” Seth said.

“Okay,” Trip said, looking back at Seth.

“You’re okay with her hanging you fifty feet in the air by your ankles?” Kelsey asked.

“Of course,” Trip said with a grin. “It sounds fun.”

Markus sighed, “Travis, I think you should come and see me in the med lab.”

Trip looked at Markus and tilted his head as I dragged him to the elevator and Kelsey hit the call button, “Why? I’m fine,” Trip said.

“You’re going to let Ash hang you off a platform,” Markus said.

“Yeah? So?” Trip said.

Markus shook his head as the elevator doors opened, “You have problems,” he said as we all walked onto the elevator and I dragged Trip behind us. “A lot of problems.”

Trip grinned, “Thanks,” he said as the elevator doors closed.