Please don't eat me

Please Be Joking

  "You had one job." Clare said, the disappointing mother tone palpable in her voice.

  "And you failed it successfully," Katie patted my back with amusement.

  I looked down, trying hard to keep my face from burning up as I felt Clare's incredulous stare focus in on me. "Technically, I did ask Angelica. She just, kind of, misunderstood."

  "Well, you'll have to tell Henry and Monica that they can't come," Clare said matter-of-factly.

  "I can't do that," I weakly said and looked up at her. "We already talked about it and everything. Plus it'd be weird if I asked those two specifically not to come." 

  "Well, there'd be too many people regardless. Isn't that right, Jasper?"

  She turned to Jasper, who had been silently dying of laughter in front of us all. He was knelt on the ground, hand over his mouth, and I could've sworn there was a tear in the corner of his eye.

  "Jasper!" Clare said more forcefully, and he collected himself enough to get back on his feet.

  "Dude, the more the merrier," he said. "This is going to be so much fun."

  "Really?" Clare questioned and he nodded gleefully.

  "I didn't even expect you to do it," Katie said. "So well done, I guess?"

  I nodded to her and smiled. "Thanks. I guess."

  "So in total," Jasper said, "that's us, Angelica and them, Clare's boyfriend and of course my lovely Ming. Gosh, this is going to be my best sixteenth birthday party ever!"

  I drifted my hand over to my pocket, feeling the piece of paper inside of it.

  Of course, it was exciting and terrifying that Angelica was going to be coming with, but right now my mind was on something entirely different. After the conversation with Angelica, I had spent over two hours focusing on fixing the card and got three more pieces to join before I literally passed out from the exertion. Cynthia had woken me up in a panic, finding me at my desk and drooling, and before leaving for school I had taken the fixed piece and shoved it in my pocket. Even now, feeling the card in their brought a proud smile on my face. I did it. And this afternoon, while Cynthia was busy with her club, I was going to go to Chakra. I had no idea if Hector was going to be there, since today was Tuesday, but I didn't want to wait for Wednesday to show him.

  So school went along at a painfully slow pace and finally when the bell had rung and it was over, I almost raced for exit, walking to Chakra at a brisk pace. Even if Hector wasn't in, I could show Mr Wilson. I had to show somebody my progress, and it couldn't be Angelica for obvious reasons.

  So I walked into Chakra and walked right up to Larry.

  "Hello Conrad," he said. "Your training with Hector isn't until tomorrow."

  "I know. I just, uh, I wanted to ask if Hector was here today. There's something I want – well, would like to show him."

  He pursed his lips and shook his head. "Sorry, he's busy today."

  "Oh," my shoulders sagged a bit. "Then is it possible I could talk to Mr Wilson? I'm willing to wait for a bit."

  Again, that sad face. "I'm sorry, but both Mr Wilson and Hector are in a very important meeting right now. But if you're fine with waiting, then they should be out in fifteen minutes or so."

  I nodded, thanked him, and took my seat. If Mr Wilson and Hector were in the same meeting, then it had to be about me. Was there other Soul Guard officials there with them? I wondered what they were saying, making me nervous. So nervous, that I didn't notice the sound of the door opening or the familiar voice that said goodbye. I almost glossed over the other voice, sounding even more familiar, that said goodbye back, and it was only in those last few seconds that I perked up and turned.