Cloud Association: Pretty Boy Psycho

Team Geordie

Curiosity for a fancy house in Kensington doesn't keep Geordie's mind active for long he's got too much get up and go. The three of us are sat on my bed having a lovely time looking through my Salvador Dali book when bang Geordie's striding over to us. Drops himself into the chair which he refrains from spinning. Rests his chin on his fist, with an elbow on his knee, watching us with a less intimidating version of his glare. "I wanna know your threes' plans."

Charlie meets his glare. "Four. You're part of the team."

"I'm the one Thunders wanna catch. I've no right sticking round ya. Charlie your face will be scarred for life because of me. All those trainees died because I was at Cloud High. We're no longer a team."

"I got this scar for speaking out of line. Everyone died because Midnight will have wanted them dead. I'm surprised it took her this long to order a full scale raid on Cloud High; it's been a sitting target for a long time. You can't blame yourself for other peoples' actions. So where should we go?"

"You're asking me?"

"We're Team Geordie," says Charlie. "A team needs a captain."

"You think the captain's me? I don't get why when you reckon I'm pushy."

"You're good at making snap decisions. I might disagree with those decisions, but you get us places. Backing out of being an intolerable bossy dictator while we're in the thick of the unknown would be cruel. We need direction. What do you want us to do next?"

Two beats of silence then pow a snap decision. "We'll fly over to Zone Euro."

"Is Cloud Headquarters a slam down no?" asks Danny.

"There's no negotiation on going there if you wanna stick with me. If you haven't gotta team they won't want you so unless Charlie agrees to go with ya, you ain't getting in."

"Cool down; I was only asking."

"We're going to Zone Euro. Charlie you can figure which part we'll..."

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"... Now what? If that's Casey or a cheerleading freak I'm punching someone."

"I'll go." I hurry onto the landing.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"Lads are you in?" calls Jordan when I'm halfway downstairs.

I freeze unsure wherever I ought to answer the door. Geordie prods my shoulder then places a finger against his lips as he pads down to the bottom step.

"If you're in open up please. We just want to see you're alright," persists Jordan.

"That and there's a bounty on your heads for popping Yuki's eye," chimes in Cain.

Geordie backs up a step. "We need to leave. They want to drag us to headquarters," he whispers. "Out your window yeah."

"What about Charlie?"

"I can manage." Charlie slopes out my room. Stands at the top of the stairs gripping the banister.

"Guys he's going to break down the door so if you're in you may as well open up." That's Ashley. Pheew she's okay. "Lundune is getting crazy with Thunders. Kensington might not be safe soon."

"Don't you move down another step," musters Geordie.

"That's Ash."

"I know who it is. Who are you choosing us or her?"

My feet want to run to the door. I grab hold of the banister. Force myself up a few steps. I can't choose Ashley over Geordie even though a part of me is desperate to. I like Ashley and being an official Cloud Associate could be kind of cool. I can't see how flying aimlessly round Zone Euro will help us especially if there's a bounty on our heads. I reckon I could persuade Charlie and Danny to come with me to headquarters if I speak up. I won't. We can't leave Geordie on his own.