The Academy: Ashland

A Bit of the Past

“Do you ever miss it?” I asked Trip and Kelsey after we finished training.

Trip shrugged and Kelsey dragged her fingers across the platform the four of us were sitting on, “Sometimes,” Kelsey said. “I miss my grandmother and her house in Cleveland.”

“I miss my sister, Jainxx,” Trip said. “And our au pair Rosa.”

Seth looked over at me, “What do you miss?”

“Bailey’s Diner,” I said after a moment of silence. “I miss Luke trying to protect us and Michael mixing his milkshakes and fries. I miss Zac trying to act tough, before Evan grinned at him and he couldn’t anymore.”

Kelsey smiled, “Cam tried to act tough. After our parents died he fought a lot. It’s why Kaycee noticed us.”

I raised my eyebrow, “I can’t imagine Camron fighting anyone.”

Seth laughed, “He’s one of the best fighters. He used to kick Kelsey and Trip’s butts all the time.”

Kelsey and Trip pushed Seth, “Shut up,” they both said.

Seth chuckled and grinned at Kelsey and Trip before he turned to me, “They were terrible at fighting when we were kids,” Seth said. “They were good at shooting and hanging out up here, but no one could get them to practice hand-to-hand. It drove your- the Cap nuts. He lectured Taven forever.”

I laughed as I imagined the Captain lecturing Taven, “How bad were they?” I asked.

“Terrible. I hung them up on the balance beam for three days once. We only let them down after my dad made us,” Seth said. “It was hilarious.”

Kelsey glared at Seth, “It sucked,” she said. “We lost the feeling in our arms and legs.”

Seth grinned, “That part was funny.”

Kelsey pushed Seth off the platform and he landed on a balance beam below him in a crouch, “Let’s go, Parker. I’m going to kick your butt,” Kelsey said as she dropped down next to Seth and grinned.

Trip rolled his eyes and looked over at me, “We’re going to be here a while,” he said with a grin.

I smiled back, “I’m okay with that. I haven’t got anything better to do.”

Trip laughed and laid back on the platform, “Where’d you learn how to shoot?” he asked.

I rested my head in the palm of my hand, “Sam taught me.”

“Is that the same Sam that is none of my business?”

I nodded, “Yup.”

“Are you going to tell me about him?”

“Nope.”

Trip looked at me and chuckled, “Okay.”

I stuck my tongue out at Trip, “What’s your sister like?”

Trip shrugged, “She was always happy,” he said. “And hyper. She ate lots of chocolate and loved ice cream. She loved princess stuff and wore a princess dress for an entire year once.”

I laughed, “Really? A year?”

Trip nodded, “Rosa and I used to take it off her when she slept to wash it. When she woke up she would change her clothes and put the dress back on.”

I laughed, “Is her name really Jainxx?”

Trip shook his head, “Its Jessie.”

I grinned as I watched Seth and Kelsey, “Travis and Jessie Alexanders,” I said. “That’s adorable.”

“Shut up, Ashland,” Trip said as he poked me with his foot.

I grinned and laid down next to Trip, “But it’s fun to mess with you.”

“What about your family?” Trip asked. “Luke, Michael, Zac and Evan? What are they like?”

“Weird,” I said.

Trip waited for me to elaborate and when I didn’t he laughed, “Is that it?” he asked.

I nodded, “Pretty much. Luke has some issues and is really overprotective. Michael’s got some issues and a scary obsession with mixing his food. Zac’s got some issues and is way too mature for a fifteen year old. Evan’s got too many issues and is the sassiest and most mature kid I know.”

“They sound interesting, Trip said with a smile.

I nodded, “They are.”

“How long did you know them?” Trip asked.

“I’ve known Luke since I was five. We met Michael when we were six and Zack and Evan a few months later,” I said.

“And then you ran away together!” Trip said, dramatically as he grabbed his chest.

I laughed and shoved Trip, “Shut up.”

Trip pouted, “But its adora- holy Jesus crapping fish sticks!”

“Holy Jesus crapping fish sticks?” I asked, looking over at Trip, who now had Kelsey sitting crisscross on his chest.

Trip glared at me, “I hate you people,” he mumbled as Seth sat down next to me.

“No you don’t,” I said as I scooted my head over and onto Seth’s thigh. “You love us lots.”

“Love us lots?” Seth asked, raising an eyebrow as he started to run his hand through my hair.

I nodded, “Lots and lots.”

Kelsey shook her head at us and yawned, “Bedtime!” Trip yelled.

Kelsey glared at Trip and Seth laughed, “He’s right,” Seth said. “Taven and my dad will come and get us if we don’t go soon.”

We all groaned and I poked Seth, “Shh. It’s nap time.”

Seth snorted and kept running his hand through my hair, “You’re like a cat,” Kelsey said as I grinned and hummed.

I pouted and hummed, “Shh. Not like a cat.”

Trip laughed, “You’re purring.”

I stick my tongue out and kept humming, “Shut up. I am not.”

Seth and Kelsey grinned, “You kind of are,” Kelsey said as someone walked into the training room.

“Do you realize it’s past your happy sleepy time?” Taven yelled.

The four of us ducked down on the platform and laughed, “Isn’t it time for happy adult games with Jack?” Kelsey yelled back.

“Mckeen, I will ground you,” Taven said.

“No you won’t,” Kelsey sang.

“When do you plan on going to sleep?” Taven asked.

“Later,” Trip called down. “Go play your happy adult games.”

Taven glared up at us, “Travis!”

“What?” Trip looked extra innocent as he peeked over the edge of the platform.

Taven huffed loudly and glared up at us, “I hate children,” Taven said.

“No you don’t,” we all yelled.

A/N: Comments are amazing and wonderful and they make me a very, very happy writer!