in which we learn not to dare Summer but also she uh. she would like someone to call her bluff, perhaps
~~
Summer leant forward over the table, grinning at April. “It’s only chance, isn’t it?”
“I don’t like how much it’s been in your favour. Are these dice loaded or something?” April grabbed them up and shook them by her ear.
Summer snorted. “You’ve been using the same dice! How would they only be loaded for me?”
“I don’t know, maybe there’s a switch, or they’re magnetised or something.” April threw the dice into her tray.
The dice rolled across the tray, bumped into each other and came up a handful of low numbers; not all ones, but low enough that April couldn’t hope to put a dent in Summer’s lead.
April narrowed her eyes. She reached for the crisps. “One of your siblings could have.”
“No we wouldn’t have,” Casey called from the next room over. “We take cheating very seriously in this household.”
“Hey, butt out!” Summer yelled back.
Casey laughed. “I’m defending your honour!”
“It doesn’t need it!”
“I don’t think you have any,” April said, and threw a crisp at Summer.
It bounced off her arm and hit the floor.
“Oh, those are fighting words.” Summer snapped her attention back to April.
“All’s fair in love and war, isn’t it?” April pushed back from the table, further onto the couch.
“If that were the case, you wouldn’t accuse me of cheating.” Summer grinned, shifting onto her knees to have more stretch over the table.
“Well – ah – games are… different?” April flicked her gaze down to the board between them. “Speaking of–”
“Do you want to cement your loss?” Summer sat back, one foot up on the beanbag and an arm wrapped around her knee.
April snorted. “I could still turn this around.
“Sure.” Summer took the dice and shook them into her tray.
They rolled into a jumble of numbers, enough to get Summer to the end of the board.
“You were saying?”
April scoffed. “Hey, shut the fuck–” She broke off as Summer threw a gummy bear at her. “Hey!” She slapped a hand against her arm to catch the sweet. “Don’t waste them.”
“What, are you going to let that stop you?”
“I know where these clothes have been!”
“Hand it over then.” Summer held out her hand.
“What, so you can throw it again?”
“No, so I can eat it. What do you take me for?”
“Gross.” April narrowed her eyes. “You wouldn’t.”
“We don’t waste food in this house.”
“It’s not a strict adherence, exactly–” Casey broke off in a laugh.
“I told you to butt out!”
“Wait, what does this mean for the crisp I threw at you?”
“Oh, you mean this one?” Summer reached down to pick it up.
“Please don’t, it’s been there for a while.”
Summer shrugged, puffed a breath over the crisp, and ate it.
“Well that’s horrifying.”
“Good for the immune system or something.”
“I don’t think that’s how it works.” April dropped the gummy bear onto her plate amongst the crumbs of the pizza.
“The moral of this story is that you should never say anything even remotely dare-like to Summer.” Casey entered the room and dropped onto the nearest chair. “She isn’t fond of backing down.”
April shifted on the couch to face him. “Oh, so she’s always been like this?”
“Long as I’ve known her.”
“Even before–” April caught herself. “No, sorry. Never mind that.”
Summer settled back on her beanbag. “Not so much,” she said in reply to April’s half asked question. “So you can probably blame Casey, actually.” She grinned at him.
“Well, I get it from Kari, so actually it’s her fault.”
Summer laughed. “Bold save.”
Casey waved a hand in acknowledgement, taking a long drink from his bottle.
“The more I hear about Kari, the more worried I am about meeting her.” April settled back on the couch. “She seems…” she trailed off.
“No, she’s really nice.”
“High energy,” Casey supplied.
“Don’t start describing her like a dog.”
April laughed. “Is this what having siblings is like?”
“Depends what brand of siblings you get.” Summer shrugged.
Casey stretched out to grab at the crisps.
Summer pulled them back out of reach. “I didn’t hear a please.”
“Oh come on! They’re clearly in the sharing bowl!”
“Sure, for people who don’t interrupt a hangout.” She offered the bowl to April.
“Oh, don’t – don’t bring me into this.” April took the bowl all the same, holding it close to her chest.
Casey sighed, shifting about on the chair to lie across it, one armrest under his head and the other under his knees. “It’s a cruel, cruel life to be surrounded by sisters who don’t care that I’m wasting away.”
“Sucks to be you.”
“I mean…” April glanced down at the bowl in her arms. “We’re not going to eat all of these.”
“Oh, I like her. I like you, you’re one of her better friends.”
“We could. I could.” Summer straightened off her beanbag, leaning over the table. “Easy.”
April snorted. “I’m not enabling that.” She placed the bowl back on the table, in reach of everyone.
“To be clear, Summer, no one is daring you to eat the rest of the crisps.” Casey reached for a handful. “Besides, you should probably finish your game.”
“Oh, we have. I won.” Summer locked eyes with April, a grin curling across her face. “Which means I get a prize, right?”
“Right,” April said cautiously. “Did we – can we put limits on that? Only I’m saving up for something.”
“Oh, monetary prizes are for people who already have money.” Summer waved her hand.
“Makes sense,” Casey said, muffled around a handful of crisps. “Don’t scare her off.”
“I won’t.” Summer rolled her eyes.
“Wait, why would you even need to warn her off.” April flicked her gaze between them.
“How do you feel about dares?” Summer asked.
“As long as they’re not dangerous?”
“Of course. We’ve lost siblings that way.”
Casey burst out laughing. “Oh my god, Summer, what the fuck.”
She shrugged, grinning, unrepentant.
“A hazard to know,” Casey said to April. “Don’t let her escalate.”
“Right, yes.” Summer turned her attention back to April. “A dare.” She wriggled on her perch. “How about a kiss for the victor?”
“What?” April blinked at her.
Casey flicked his gaze between them, hand in the bowl of crisps.
“Back of the hand,” Summer said, holding hers out across the table. “You know. Princess style.”
Casey pulled the bowl back out of the way, shrinking to the sidelines.
April shuffled forward on the couch so she could reach and gingerly took Summer’s hand. She swept her thumb down the side of Summer’s n a nervous sort of movement, and Summer’s mouth went dry.
It had gone uncomfortably quiet.
“Like this?” April brushed a kiss across the back of Summer’s hand and looked up.
“Yeah.” Summer had to swallow before she could speak. “Yeah, that – that’s good.”
April sat back on the couch, Summer’s hand slipping slowly out of hers. “What next?”
Ooh ok hey I've been. tagged several times? I guess?
@writingamongther0ses, @zmwrites, y'all tagged me a couple of times so I'm just gonna slam in a larger-than-usual excerpt I guess?
idk just have the whole scene thus far (Forget to Fall, Kari making some Life Choices)
@aohendo, @winterandwords, @loopyhoopywrites if y'all feel like it?
~
Kari caught Mark on the landing, just before he entered his room. “Hey, want to come with me for backup?”
Mark hesitated, glancing back at her. “What have you done?”
“Nothing! I just – have to tell Thornton something and I’m reasonably sure that she’s going to be mad about it, so I would like. Backup.”
“Is this the sort of backup that gets me in trouble for you?” Mark slid his bag from his shoulder and tossed it into his room, not even flinching at the thud it made.
“No. Promise.” Kari held up her pinkie finger.
“That’s for swearing, not for promises.” Mark left his door hanging open and re-joined her at the top of the stairs. “So. What are you going to tell her?”
“That I’m not going to uni and I’m planning to drop out at the end of fifth year.”
Mark blinked at her. “Well,” he said slowly, “At least you’re not planning to drop out in the middle of fifth year.”
“I could do that?”
“Please don’t, I think she might actually do something we all regret.”
Kari laughed. “Hopefully, it’ll be fine.”
“Sure. That’s why you’re taking me for backup.” Mark followed her down the stairs. “And why you’re doing this while she’s cooking. You are aware there are sharp objects in the kitchen, right?”
“Sure, but she’ll be cooking. Can’t not focus on that.”
“Why aren’t you getting Katie to back you up?”
“Because Katie also thinks this is a bad idea.” Kari rolled her eyes. “Something to do with throwing away my future, I think. I don’t know.”
“You didn’t listen to your girlfriend?” Mark let out a mock gasp. “That’s terrible.”
“Yeah, well–” Kari stopped as she entered the kitchen. “Hey, Thornton.”
“Hello Kari, Mark. How was school today?”
Mark shrugged, boosting himself up to sit on one of the tall stools at the breakfast bar. “Oh, you know. Standard. Boring.”
“Tell me about it.” Casey was already sitting there, pens in hand as he drew over a piece of paper. He heaved a huge dramatic sigh, not lifting his head.
Kari snorted, trying not to laugh too hard at him.
“Had a hard day, kiddo?” Mark ruffled his hair.
“School’s so boring, why can’t I just be a binman? I want to be a binman.”
“And drive the great scaffie carts at weird hours of the morning?”
Casey nodded. “And then I’d want to go to bed earlier.”
Thornton laughed. “Is that so?”
“I think that’s generally how it works.” Kari nodded. “I always want to go to bed early when I have to get up in the morning.”
“Is that so?” Thornton shot her an amused glance.
Kari shrugged.
“That’s what the coffee is for,” Mark whispered to Casey.
... you know I was sure I had more tags to fill but hey, apparently not
Dang I'm gonna have to find some other way to distract myself from writing today then lmao
anyhow. thanks @zmwrites wow I really just tried to use your old username i am so on the ball lmao
Anyway, have Jade and Kari and my attempt at writing PDA and I swear I'll get there eventually lmao
“If you’re going to learn how to ride a motorbike just to impress me, you’re going to do it properly.” Jade caught her wrist at the bottom of the stairs and spun her around into the side, just out of sight of everyone exiting the ice. “Is that clear?”
“Oh, I didn’t say it was to impress you, did I?” Kari tried not to stutter as her breath caught.
Jade hummed and pushed her back, leaning her arm on the wall beside Kari. “I thought it was pretty obvious.”
Kari wrapped her hand into the loose edge of Jade’s coat. “Well, if it worked,” she murmured, tugging Jade closer.
Jade kissed her, smiling. “I’d say it did.”
“Oh good, I wasn’t sure,” Kari said, between kissing her back. “Glad to have that clarified.”
Someone cleared their throat nearby.
Kari glanced past Jade to see Seb with his skates back in their bag and slung over his shoulder.
“If you’re quite done?” He wasn’t watching them. “There are children present.”
“Sure.” Kari patted at Jade’s waist. “Hey, did you know Jade has a tongue piercing?”
“I really didn’t need to know,” Seb said, all but shrieking as he turned away. “We can have some secrets.”
Jade laughed, stepping back to let Kari pull herself from the wall.
“Hey, don’t worry about it.” Kari bounded forward to hang an arm around Seb’s neck, pulling him into her side. “Someday, you’ll be able to overshare about your partners too.”
“I can’t wait,” Seb said dryly, not bothering to push Kari off. “Burgers?”
gonna tag @writingamongther0ses, @aohendo, @starfast if y'all feel like it? go wild ;)
me, a simple ace, writing Kari and Jade: what???? the fuck is flirting??? H O W
(am I doing this right)
Kari rang the bell on the counter and stepped back, hands in the back pockets of her jeans. The repair shop was big and filled with an organised sort of chaos. Tools and cars and spare parts everywhere. Loud music that she doubted anyone could hear over.
Stepping forward, she rang the bell again, looking around.
A guy twisted to look over at her, hands deep in the engine of a car. “Get that, will you Jade?” he yelled, turning back to his work.
“Little bit busy over here!” someone yelled back.
“Ain’t we all,” someone else called back, laughing.
Kari shifted her weight, tilting her head.
“Fine, fine!” Someone stepped around the side of a pillar, wiping her hands on a towel across her shoulder. “What can I help you with?” She smiled at Kari.
This had to be Jade. She was slim, almost lost in the bulky suit she wore, a cap shadowing her face and keeping her hair out of sight. Kari caught sight of a flash of nail polish as she tied the rag onto a hoop at her belt. Was she genuinely wearing makeup, in a place like this?
“Can I?” She stopped on the opposite side of the counter from Kari. “What is it, car trouble?”
“Uh-” Kari closed her eyes, shaking her head. “No, I – I'm here to pick up a bike. A – friend's bike.”
“That so.” Jade quirked a small smile. “Name, registration plate...?”
“Ash Esparza.” Kari glanced down at her phone. “I don’t - hang on, I’ll just find the...”
“Oh, I know it, xie's one of our regulars.” Jade ran her hand down the records book in front of her. “Ah... got it. Ok, she’s done.” She looked up, meeting Kari’s eyes. “I’ll just wheel her out. You’re driving her back?”
Kari nodded. “Yeah, Ash is busy, so...” She clicked her jaw shut and refused to look away, although she shifted her hands into her jacket pockets and tightened them there.
Jade laughed and pushed away from the desk. “At least you look like you can drive one of these babies. I swear, some of the people xie sends to pick up the bike...” She shook her head.
Kari waited at the desk, assuming that was where she was supposed to stay.
“You got the money to pay for this for xir?”
Kari frowned. “Ash didn’t say anything about that.”
“Well.” Jade reappeared, pushing Ash’s motorbike. “The money’s got to come from somewhere.” She stopped beside Kari and kicked the stand down with a backward flick of her foot, and was suddenly in Kari’s space when she straightened up. “What do you suggest?”
Kari blinked, feeling her breath brush across her cheek.
The grease on Jade’s face was sticky splatters, but somehow looked intentional. Like it was all a part of her makeup routine – and she was wearing makeup under it, Kari could see, and-
“I have money on me.” Kari blinked, stepping back and turning slightly to pull her bag from her back. “Xie can pay me back later.”
Jade laughed, the sound like a bell ringing through the workshop. “It’s fine! I’m just messing. We’ll just email Ash the reference and xie can transfer it.”
“That... makes sense.” Kari rolled her bag back up onto her shoulders. “Thank you.”
“And if you ever need your own bike serviced-” Jade held out Ash’s keys, “You know where to come.”
“I... don’t have a bike.” Kari shook her head, holding out her hand, palm up, for the keys.
“Well there is a crying shame,” Jade said, placing the keys in Kari’s hand and letting her fingers linger there. “If Ash ever sends you back, then.”
“I’ve been thinking of getting one,” Kari said, though the thought hadn’t crossed her mind until then. “Maybe you could – I could... come here for advice?”
Jade smiled as Kari closed her hand about the keys, pulling her hand back just before Kari caught it. “We do know what we like about here.” She lifted her cap off and ran her hand back through her hair to smooth it down.
Kari wasn’t sure if the black streaks were because of her hands or if they’d been there anyway, if maybe she’d dyed streaks like oil through her hair for the aesthetic, but it was striking and she was staring. Fuck.
Kari forced a grin and swung onto the bike, tugging the helmet Ash had loaned her out of her bag. “Maybe you can teach me sometime.” She was grateful for her dark skin, and now the helmet covering her face in case the burning she could feel was obvious. Get it together, Kari. This wasn’t how she did things.
“I’d like that.” Jade stepped back, cap back on her head and hands in the back pocket of her suit.
Kari made sure the bag was shut and slid it onto her back, then put the keys in and kicked the bike into gear as she rolled down the ramp. She lifted a hand in farewell and tried not to make it look like she was running away as she turned onto the street and melded into the traffic.
Ok let’s try that again with fewer computer crashes
It’s later! It’s technically the next day! whatever I didn’t put a timeframe on this thing
we’ll ignore that I totally meant last night and it would’ve been except that my friends deserted me so I watched four films and it was great.
I am so behind on Camp help me.
It’s fine
The full engagement scene :)
~
They ducked into the museum as it started to rain, not realising what it was at first.
“Oh - should’ve found a café,” Seb murmured, looking around.
“What, are you a thirsty bitch?” Ash’s face was almost perfectly sincere, with just the hint of a smile around xir lips. Xie didn’t try to hush xir voice at all, but they were alone but for the attendant waiting at the till.
“You,” Seb said, poking xir arm, “Have been spending too much time around Kari.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing.” Kari glanced back. “We could still head back out. The rain isn’t all that heavy.”
“Nope, too late now.” Ash shook xir head. “Thirsty bitch can wait. I want to see around here.”
“Sorry, the babe has spoken.” Kari shut the door behind them. “Try not to die of dehydration in the meanwhile.”
Seb snorted. “Thank you for your concern. It’s fine, we can kick back.”
“Like damn this place is pretty.” Ash looked about, tilting xir head as xie examined the room. “I could live here.”
“This building is not for sale.” The attendant – an old lady, dressed demure and almost like an old librarian – looked up, frowning.
“Xie means xie likes it. Nice building and all that,” Kari replied, grinning. “Sorry. It’s not literal.”
“I mean why wouldn’t you?” Ash wandered farther in, studying the exhibits. “Indoor balcony, perfect for looking down on people-”
“You need all the help you can get with that, don’t’cha.” Kari grinned, following xir.
“Bitch.” Ash shot a glance back over xir shoulder at Kari. “But just imagine; you have guests arriving, and they’re late. It’s dark – maybe candles? Mood lighting? I don’t know, it’s fancy.” Xie shrugged. “And they’re standing in the entry, taking off their dripping coats – because of course it’s the middle of a fantastic thunderstorm – and looking around for you, because it was the butler that opened the door and is still waiting for their coats, but there’s no one else around.”
”And then – there you are,” Kari said, snapping her fingers, “Leaning over the balcony in a truly elegant dress - or suit, I don’t know, whatever works-”
“Dresses are good. Easier to be elegant in one of them-”
“-One of them long cigarette holders clasped in your delicate hand-”
“I’ve never smoked a day in my life, thank you.”
”Smokin’ hot, though.” Kari clicked her fingers into guns at Ash, winking.
Seb faked a groan. “God would you two get a room.”
“Oh, we have one.”
”Yeah, it’s back in the Ferry.”
Seb shook his head and walked past them. “So what is this place, anyway?” He glanced at the attendant.
“It’s the museum of writing,” the attendant replied. “We have a long history of literary authors in Scotland, not just Edinburgh.”
“I’ve heard of a few of them,” Ash said, grinning.
“Figures you’d want to live in a museum.” Kari snickered. “Can we go upstairs?”
The attendant nodded and pointed to where the stairs were.
Ash took them first, with Kari not far behind xir. Seb lagged, actually looking through the items on display.
Ash leant over the balcony and gazed down across the room. “It is so much better from up here.”
“Yeah, look, you can see the top of Seb’s head.” Kari snorted. “Seb, are you aware you’re going grey?”
“You do it to me,” he called back, not looking up.
“Sorry not sorry.” Kari grinned, leaning both forearms on the balcony.
The attendant sighed. “You three and I may be the only people in here, but would you please quiet down.”
“Sorry.” Seb shot her an apologetic smile. “We’ll - try to keep it down.” He turns, making his way about the exhibits to the stairs.
“Gosh, Kari, you’re always getting us in trouble,” Ash muttered, smirking as xie kissed Kari’s cheek. “Can’t take you anywhere.”
Kari smiled, lifting her left hand from the balcony to turn slightly from Ash and sort through her pocket. “What are you gonna do about it?” She closed her hand about something and glanced back over her shoulder, as if gauging the mood.
“I don’t know, maybe-”
“Marry me?” Kari interrupted, turning to face Ash, smirking, her tone playfully challenging still.
Ash snorted, looking away as xie tried not to laugh. “Wait - are you serious?” Xir voice rose to a squeal as Kari brought out a ring, badly tied round with a haphazard sort of bow. “Oh holy shit.”
“I can go down on one knee if that makes it better,” Kari offered, and started to lower herself.
Ash grabbed her by her jacket and pulled her into a kiss. “You absolute moron what the actual fuck.”
Kari laughed, melting easily into the kisses, still gripping the ring. “Is that a yes?”
“Give me that ring you daft bastard yes I’ll marry you.” Ash reached for it.
Kari pulled back to untangle the ribbon – the bow had come loose, and the ends were curling about her wrist – and slid it onto Ash’s finger.
We’re going to have to get you a matching one,” Ash said, lifting xir hand to admire the ring. There was a small tiger's eye quartz set into it, and it glittered warm in the light.
“Sure.” Kari smiled. “You mean like this?” She pulled another ring from her pocket; the same design, but with a hawk’s eye quartz.
“You can’t buy your own engagement ring,” Ash hissed at her, laughing, as xie helped Kari put it on. “Jesus Christ.”
“Well I kinda did, so-”
“What - those stairs are not that long.” Seb switched his gaze between the two of them and the rings. “That was... what just happened, exactly?”
“We’re engaged, keep up.” Kari laughed, smirking at him. “Some wingman you are.”
“How... long have you been planning this?” Ash squinted at Seb. “Were you in on this?”
He held his hands up in surrender. “I’m saying nothing.”
Kari laughed. “Good man.” She kissed Ash’s cheek. “Long enough to know this is the right call,” she whispered.
“God you’re terrible,” Ash murmured in reply, turning to kiss Kari.
“Yeah, but you love me anyway.”
Seb turned away, clearing his throat.
Kari laughed. “Ok, you want that drink now?”
“Might need something stronger than coffee.” Seb flashed them a grin, leading the way down the stairs.
“It’s early yet, buddy.”
“I’ll take what I can get.” Seb shrugged.
“Because you’re a thirsty bitch,” Kari said, smirking in an extremely self-satisfied way.
I’ve been picking at this on and off for the last couple weeks, so...
Hey! It was originally for the writing group I’m part of - Shirley gave us Proust’s character questionnaire thingy and said to subject one of our characters to it, so I ran with Kari because I figured she’d have the most fun answers.
Also then I didn’t have to deal with the rest of the group being iffy about fantasy names. that sort of thing.
It’s sort of helped me with her character, so I guess it was worth it?
May become part of the hypothetical sequel but we’ll see.
~
Kari set the tray down on the small table as Merriam busied herself with notebooks and pens and a recorder. “Isn’t that going to pick up everything?”
The coffee shop around them wasn’t... loud, exactly, but it was a Saturday morning and people were steeling themselves up with coffee and cakes before plunging into the shops across the square.
“Only as background chatter. You and I should be clear enough.” Merriam tapped it on. “Besides, it’s as an aid to my written notes. It doesn’t need to be perfect.”
“Sure.” Kari shrugged and sat down, hooking the heel of her boot over the crossbar of the chair to lean her knee against the table. “Ok, you have questions, I have chai. Shoot.” She picked the cup from the tray and moved it closer to her.
“Thank you for agreeing to this.” Merriam glanced up, taking the lid off her pen. “Not everyone was so forthcoming.”
Kari snorted, muttering “You wonder why.” into her cup before taking a drink, “It’s cool, you bought me tea. I mean I’m sure bribing a minor is highly questionable, but whatever.” She put the cup down. “I can probably take you, so nothing’s gonna happen.”
Merriam hummed. “What’s your full name?”
“Karigan Fletcher.”
“Not Thornton?” Merriam looked up, pausing in her writing.
“What? Oh. No.” Kari shook her head. “Nah, she lets us keep our own surnames.”
“Ok.” Merriam pulled out a sheet of paper from behind her notebook and scanned down it. “Right. What is your favourite occupation?” She set the paper down on the table beside the notebook and picked up her pen again.
Kari tilted her head, leaning back against the chair. “Training, I guess. Nothing like a literal punching bag for all the annoyance a day builds up.”
“Training? You... study fighting?” Merriam flicked her gaze up, writing a series of half words and symbols.
“Boxing.” Kari raised a hand, made a fist. “Past uh... five years now. Eleventh birthday present from Thornton was to get to go to the classes with Brendan.”
“Would you like to do anything with that?”
Kari shrugged. “I mean... sorta? I like the training and I like teaching it. Don’t know if I wanna go professional, I mean I like my face as is, thanks.”
Merriam laughed, a wispy, polite sound that meant she was only half listening. “Al... right. And where would you like to live?”
Kari frowned. “Man, I don’t know. Hang on. Hey, Katie!” She called across to the counter, leaning half out her seat. “Katie!”
There was no one ordering, and so Katie was leaning against the counter chatting to one of the other baristas.
Katie turned around. “What?”
“Hypothetically speaking, if you could live anywhere, where’d you wanna be?”
Katie frowned and shrugged. “Manhattan?”
Kari nodded. “Ok, cool. Thanks babe!”
Katie shook her head and looked away, a fond grin across her face. The other barista said something to her, laughing, and she covered her face with her hands as a blush started.
“Manhattan,” Kari said to Merriam, grinning.
Merriam raised an eyebrow. “You know her?”
“You mean that wasn’t obvious when we ordered drinks?” Kari snorted. “Dude, that’s my adorable girlfriend.”
Merriam nodded, the merest flicker of something that could have been a smile across her face. “I... see.”
Kari frowned, tensing, but Merriam made a few notes and nothing more.
“What’s your favourite journey?”
“I like the walk up the Law,” Kari replied, turning her cup on its saucer. “Although Riverside isn’t so bad, if the road’s quiet.” She frowned. “Haven’t been either place in a while. Kinda icy, I guess.”
Merriam looked up, over the edge of her glasses, and studied her.
Kari shifted. “What?”
“When and where were you the happiest?”
“Is this genuinely one of your questions?” Kari reached for the piece of paper.
Merriam pulled it back out of reach. “Yes.”
“Jesus, fine.” Kari lifted her hands, rolling her eyes as she pulled them back. “So. Uh. Kicking back with ‘Fern and the others in the basement.”
“Can I have... some explanation on that?” Merriam was writing again, her free hand holding the sheet of questions down.
“Dude. We’re sixteen? We just watched films, played games, music, chatted. No wild parties, no... whatever you’re assuming.”
Merriam didn’t argue the point. “What is your most treasured possession?”
Kari started to answer, but cut herself off and looked to the side, frowning. “I guess... I guess the feather ‘Fern left us. Katie sealed it to keep it safe and gave it me for Christmas just past.”
“A feather?” Merriam did look up at that, her pen poised.
“Yeah.” Kari turned back to meet her gaze. “A feather. Wild, right? It’s not like I’m a featherweight boxer or anything.”
Merriam sighed.
Kari grinned. “That was ‘Fern’s favourite joke. Probably why she gave us the feather.”
Merriam flipped her page, although there was still room on the first. “Can we... talk about Ifernia?”
“What? No.” Kari frowned and rested her wrist on her knee, the other hand in the crooked of her elbow.
“She’s obviously someone you’re close to-”
“And you said this wasn’t about her, so.” Kari grinned without any humour. “C’mon, we’re talking about me here. I’m in the limelight.”
“I do believe the two of you are more intricately wound than you’re-”
“Walk on, buddy.” Kari wasn’t grinnng now. “Nothing more about ‘Fern, alright?”
“Alright,” Merriam muttered, flipping back the page.
“Good.” Kari settled back, relaxing. “What’s your next question?”
Merriam sighed and glanced down her list. “On what occasions do you lie?”
Kari laughed. “How d’you know I’m not lying now?”
“Well if you are-” Merriam made as if to leave.
“Nah, I only lie when it’s important.” Kari waved at her to keep sitting. “You know; skipping class, covering a friend, backing their play... the usual.”
“What do you mean, backing their play?”
“You know, if they’re in trouble and spinning a story? You go along with it and don’t rat them out.”
Merriam nodded. “Ok... which words or phrases do you most overuse?”
“I... guess I say ‘walk on’ a lot? It’s possibly my trademark now though, so can I really overuse it?”
“Not ‘like’, then?” Merriam let out a small laugh. “I suppose you haven’t used it as much as I might expect.”
“Don’t be pithy, ‘like’s a filler word. Thinking space. Whatever.” Kari snorted. “We all have those and it’s ridiculous y’all shit on us for using more obvious ones.”
Merriam half rolled her eyes and made a couple more marks on her pad, finally filling the page and flipping it over.
“Well they’re not exactly a sign of being dumb. If we need time to focus our next words then we need time to focus our next words.”
“Alright, alright, you’ve made your point. What’s your most marked characteristic?” Merriam didn’t look up.
Kari blinked, shaking her head. “Uh.” She slowly grinned. “Have you looked at me? Gotta be these guns.” She slipped off her jacket to flex her arm, showing off her muscles.
Merriam snorted. “If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?”
“Was I too mean?”
“Answer the question.
“Huh.” Kari took a slow drink. “I guess I’d change... I could really totally do with more confidence.” She grinned.
Merriam snorted again, picking up her tea for a careful drink.
“What, you don’t believe me? Oh, fine. Maybe a bit more height. No, wait, lower centre of gravity is better for fighting. Yeah, I’m good.”
“Alright... and what talent would you most like to have?”
“Like something I don’t have to work at?” Kari wrinkled her nose. “Valueless without work. But I guess... I wanted to be a gymnast, when I was younger. But man that’s hard. Maybe a talent for that would be nice.” She laughed. “Or maybe I could’ve just worked harder, right?”
“Maybe.” Merriam dipped her head. “You don’t like things being based purely on talent?”
“I... guess?” Kari shrugged. “I mean yeah sure maybe we are predisposed to be better at some things than others, but ehhhhh.” She craned over the table. “Are you writing that down?”
“I thought it answered my next question well enough. Something you most dislike?”
“Ok, fair, it... sorta fits.”
“Does something else fit better?” Merriam looked up, raising an eyebrow.
“I dislike people picking on the younger kids, it’s shite as fuck, ken.” Kari leant back, folding her arms. “Because we’re doing the best we can with what we got, but ok it isn’t a standard family so it’s just – an easy target, I guess.” Kari snorted. “Jerk ass morons.”
Merriam set down her pen and reached for her cup. “You went through the same?”
“Who, me? The Black lesbian from a broken family? No.” She drew out a ridiculous gasp, hand on her chest. “Why d’you think I learnt to fight.”
“I’m... sorry for that.” Merriam set her cup down, having barely taken a sip.
Kari shrugged. “They’re learning. Next question?”
“Right.” Merriam studied her list. “What are your favourite names?”
“For... calling people? Like nicknames? Insults? That isn’t super specific, is it?” Kari took a sip. “I like to get inventive when I’m yelling at people, though, so it really depends on the circumstance. How I’m feeling. What they’ve done. Et cetera, et cetera.” She waved her hand in a carry-on motion.
Merriam reshuffled her pages as she wrote, ticking off the questions. “What do you consider your greatest achievement?”
Kari tipped her head back. “Ohhh man yeah that first day with Katie. Like I knocked that thing out the ballpark. Dinner, movies, flowers, the works.” She squinted over at Merriam. “Wait you did say gayest, right?”
Merriam sighed and shook her head.
“My bad. Greatest? Uh... probably that time I laid Billy out? Buddy was asking for it, so ya know.” She grinned. “Dumbass couldn’t catch these hands.” She shifted forward to pick up her cup. “Although that wasn’t a challenge as such, it was just so satisfying.”
“I suppose that works.”
“Hey, you don’t get to judge what works for me.” Kari glared over the rim of her cup.
“Alright, alright.” Merriam shook her head. “What - or who – is the greatest love of your life?”
“Gotta be the girlfriend, right?” Kari grinned, setting her cup down.
“I said greatest-”
“I know, but I’m like sixteen and I haven’t done much, so it’s a fair answer.” Kari shrugged. “It’s valid. She is a delight.” She glanced over at Katie, who was serving a customer.
When Katie glanced over the customer’s shoulder, Kari made a love heart with her hands and winked. Katie smiled and shook her head, focusing back on the customer.
“Your greatest extravagance?”
“Whole lotta gay in this, isn’t there? Did you tailor it specially for me?”
Merriam stared at her, deadpan, over the top of her glasses.
“Take all the fun out of life, why don’t you.” Kari laughed. “Probably my boxing gear, like you can’t skimp on that. I mean I did at the beginning, and... well, I learnt that lesson.”
“What is your greatest fear?”
Kari leant across the table, grinning. “I’d tell you, but then I’d have to kill you.”
Merriam sighed.
“If I become a famous boxer and some dude takes it on himself to mansplain how boxing works.” Kari shrugged, drawing back.
“I get the feeling you aren’t taking this seriously.”
“I am! That’s totally a great fear! Maybe they’ve never mansplained journalism to you but damn. I hope they never do.”
Merriam hummed. “What is your idea of perfect happiness?”
Kari stared at her, head half-tilted. Then she snorted and relaxed into her seat, hand resting on her knee. “I’m head boy... I’m holding the quidditch cup, and... bloody hell! I’m quidditch captain, too!” She grinned at Merriam, who’s staring at her. “I don’t look half bad, either.” She winked.
“Kari.” Merriam sighed, pushing her glasses up her nose.
“Merriam.” Kari laughed. “Hey, it’s a dumb question! Kicking back with Katie for an all-nighter of films and sugar sounds good right now, but that’s gonna change, isn’t it?”
“That’s a good point, but it doesn’t mean you have to make a mockery of this.”
“Am I supposed to take it super seriously?” Kari shifted. “Because I probably can but...”
“Never mind, then.”
“This is more true to life, anyway.” Kari grinned.
Merriam looked further down the list and tapped at it with her pen. “What’s your current state of mind?”
“Is this a psych eval? This feels like a psych eval. Is this because of the missing sister thing? Or that time I punched your cop buddy?”
“Well, if you want to talk about Ifernia...” Merriam motioned as if to turn the page over.
“I don’t, really.” Kari put out a hand to stop her. “Currently, I am very satisfied with this chai, amused by the questions, and looking forward to training. That work?”
Merriam nodded, setting pen back to paper. “When... when did you punch Cooper?” Her voice was carefully disinterested.
“Uh... couple... months ago...?” Kari shrugged. “Down by the Discovery. She probably wasn’t asking for it, but I wasn’t thinking.”
“Would you say that’s something bad about yourself?”
“What?”
“Your tendency to punch first. Is that a negative trait you should work on?”
“I mean... I guess I do punch people more often than I talk to them about shit.” Kari rubbed at the back of her head.
“Do you punch people because you despise them?”
“I... don’t really despise people? Haven’t got time for that. Homework makes it hard – now homework, I despise that. Especially when it’s added to ‘oh, just finish what you didn’t in class and these extra-whatevers' because hey, I got eight classes to study for. Eight! And they all give homework and they all make us catch up and there just isn’t enough time for that shit. Homework’s just another word for anxiety and stress.” Kari nodded.
“You... feel strongly about that.”
“Schooling’s useful but it’s tailored to one specific type of person and we ain’t all that. Society doesn’t need just that so they should stop fixing us all to aspire to it.” Kari shrugged. “Catch my drift?”
“Ever thought about being a councillor?”
“Nope.” Kari snorted. “That’s a terrible idea and we all know it.”
“Ok, you just have... very strong feelings. Got it.” Merriam gave a soft laugh, scanning down her page.
“Chaotic good, that’s me.” Kari grinned, tapping her chest. “Do not write that part down.”
“I’m not going to claim to understand that, anyway.” Merriam shrugged. “So... what is the trait you most deplore in others?”
“Deplore.” Kari whistled out her breath. “Huh.” She tapped at the edge of her cup. “I guess... I don’t like cowardice? But I can understand it. I can understand not wanting to draw attention to yourself.”
“You just... don’t go that route.”
“Fuck no.” Kari laughed. “’Sides, if I draw their fire that means someone else is out of range.”
“I never thought of it that way.”
Kari shrugged. “I’m currently the eldest, so... I look after the others.”
“Would you expect that of your friends?”
“Huh?”
“Is that part of something you’d expect of your friends, willingness to stand in the line with you?”
“Not... really?” Kari rubbed at the back of her head. “I don’t expect that, nah. If they can put up with my bullshit, that’s good enough.” She laughed at Merriam’s expression. “Loyalty. And the ability to call each other out if we’re being dumbasses.”
“Are you... dumbasses often?”
“Only when the mood takes us.” Kari grinned. “We’re young, ya know? Sometimes it’s better not to think about shit and just do.”
“As long as it’s nothing illegal.”
“Says the journalist who has absolutely kept her nose clean all the long days of her career.” Kari snorted.
“What exactly do you mean to insinuate?”
“Isn’t it obvious? You haven’t exactly been above board in everything you’ve done in the past two months, let alone the year.”
“I have done nothing illegal.”
“Just highly questionable. Got it.” Kari didn’t quite scowl, but her face flattened.
Merriam set down her pen. “If you’re just going to sit there and make thinly veiled allusions to how much I’ve done everyone over, I don’t see why we should continue this interview.”
Kari shrugged. “You’re saying that like it’s a bad thing for me. Isn’t this your job?” She rolled a spoon between her fingers. “I don’t entirely understand why you chose me to do this, since... well, you know. Ifernia and all.” She looked up. “Or is that why you chose me? Still trying to find out what really happened?”
“There’s been a cover up and you know it.”
“She jumped,” Kari said, leaning across the table, “Into a burning building.” She set the spoon down with a definite click. “Does that not answer your question?”
“She was seen after that.”
“Yeah, with a dude dressed all in white with white wings. You do realise what that sounds like, right?”
“And you believe that?”
“Believe - buddy, I was there.” Kari tightened her hands about her cup. “I saw her jump-”
“Can I take your cups? If you’re finished with them, of course.” Katie laid a hand on Kari’s shoulder, staring at Merriam with the slightest of glares.
Merriam glanced into her cup and lifted her teapot. “I’m still using mine, thank you.” She poured herself out another cup.
“Kari?”
Kari tilted her cup to show the chai still in it. “I’m very tempted to down it and go.”
“Honestly, you’re the one that keeps bringing up Ifernia.”
Kari clicked her jaw shut and looked away.
“And you’re the adult here,” Katie said. “You should stick to what was agreed. She said she didn’t want to talk about Ifernia, right? So don’t.”
“I dislike leaving a story unfinished.”
”Ifernia’s is finished,” Katie replied. “It’s a hard life.”
“Alright.” Merriam glanced down at her list of questions. “If you’re ok with answering the rest of these?”
Kari gestured. “Go on, then.”
Katie squeezed her shoulder and moved on to clear other tables.
“What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?”
“If I have to read another old straight white dude’s dramatic whiny poetry about how the love of his life has left him behind.” Kari tapped her fingers against the table. “They all need to walk on and quit whingeing. I doubt it’s the worst thing that’s ever happened.”
“Spoken like someone who’s never been dumped.”
“If I ever react like they’d have you believe they did? It’s probably a good thing.”
“What quality do you like in a man?”
“Am I being too mean to them?” Kari rolled her eyes as she picked up her cup. “That’s a shame.”
“You are being... militant about it.”
“I like them when they stop and listen and don’t try to explain things away. Or to take themselves out of the line of fire. They all need to step up and fix things, not duck out because they would never.”
Merriam dipped her head in a sort of acquiescence. “And... the quality you most like in a woman?”
Kari snorted and grinned, setting down her cup. “Where to start. We probably don’t have the time for the whole list, let’s be real.”
Merriam smiled briefly. “If you had to sum it up.”
“Women are – we're strong because we have to keep fighting. And we look out for each other. And they’re more likely to listen to discussions and come back wiser or with an intelligent rejoinder or whatever.”
“Alright... and who is your favourite hero of fiction?”
Kari frowned. “I... I guess Yeine Darr.”
Merriam raised an eyebrow.
“From Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, by N.K. Jemisin? She’s this girl that comes out of the back end of nowhere to the court because she’s invited, and finds herself catapulted into a battle for succession to the throne. Ends up a goddess, I think. It’s been a while.” Kari rubbed at the back of her head. “Goals though, right?”
“Right. Heroes in real life?”
“Nicola Adams. You do know who she is, right?”
“I’ve heard of her.”
“She’s gonna do great things.” Kari tapped her fingers against the table. “And one day, I’m gonna fight her.”
Merriam actually laughed. “She the reason you got into boxing?”
Kari frowned. “Nah, didn’t I say already? That was Brandon. One of the older foster kids. Gonna fight him, too, next time I see him. He owes me a fight.” She pulled out her phone. “You don’t mind, do you?” She started a text. “Just gonna see when he’s next in town, haven’t seen him in ages.”
“Which living person do you most admire?”
“That sounds like the same question.”
“I assure you, the intention is different.”
“Thornton.”
“What?”
“Thornton.” Kari glanced up from her phone. “You know. Foster carer? She’s done a lot for us.”
“That would be... Alice Thornton, yes?” Merriam flicked back a couple of pages to scan her notes.
“Yup. You’ll have met briefly, right?”
“Briefly,” Merriam agreed. “What’s your greatest regret?”
Kari slid her phone back into her pocket. “That I never knew my father.”
Merriam hesitated, pen on paper.
Kari laughed. “Nah, shitting you, don’t write that down.” She shifts, rubbing at her knee. “I mean I didn’t, not really, but that’s not a big deal. I don’t know.” She tips her head back to stare at the ceiling. “Man, I don’t know. I guess maybe I didn’t spend enough time with Brandon before he left? But hey.” She patted at the pocket her phone’s in. “Always time to fix that.”
“You’re... really put together for a teenager.”
“Well, like you say – I'm a teenager. I haven’t done much stupid shit I regret, yet.” Kari grinned. “There’s still time.”
“You expect to do many stupid things?”
“Well...” Kari wavered her hand. “Doesn’t hurt to keep the options open, right?” She took a drink.
Merriam laughed and shook her head. “What do you consider the most overrated virtue?”
“Plato’s, Romanic, or Heavenly?”
Merriam looked up, raising an eyebrow.
Kari laughed. “Hey, I don’t do all the homework, but I listen. I don’t think any of them are... overrated as such, but chastity has made it super fucking hard for ace people to assert their identity without being called special snowflake hets, or whatever.” She frowned. “It’s dumb and everyone should feel bad about it.”
“Special... snowflake hets?”
“Yeah, you know, like ‘oh well sure I’m straight but I’m not rushing into sex like everyone else so that makes me better’.” Kari wrinkled her nose and scoffed. “Bitch please. Aces are ace, and everyone’s just mad they ain’t attracted to their mangy arses.”
Merriam laughed again, noting it down. “You certainly have a way of putting things.”
“Thanks. I’m amazing at this, I know.” Kari grinned.
Merriam hummed. “And no end to the false modesty, I see.”
“The one true bottomless pit.” Kari twisted to look up at the clock briefly before pulling two rolls of fabric from her bag.
“Are we running over?” Merriam raised an eyebrow, glancing up at the clock on the wall.
“Nah, it’s cool.” Kari shook her head. “I’ll just get ready, you keep asking questions.”
“Ok, if you’re sure. The next two are... hypotheticals.”
“Haven’t they all been?” Kari unwound one of her wrist wraps. “Well, not entirely. Sorry, go on.”
“If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?”
Kari hooked the strap over her left thumb and wound it about her wrist a couple of times, pulling it tight. “Are... you asking what my fursona is?” She squinted up at Merriam. “You wanna know who I kin?” She shook her head and continued wrapping up her hand, keeping it tight. “Being human’s fine, thanks.”
Merriam stopped writing and looked up. “Can you explain any of that for me?”
“Technically... yes? I don’t know if I want to, though.” Kari tightened off her wrap and unrolled the next one with a flick of her hand. “There are some things you’re just... better off not knowing.”
“Ok.” Merriam nodded and wrote something else down. “How would you like to die?”
“That’s. Is that pointed? Rude, buddy, that’s just rude. Although I suppose you did buy the drinks, but if I was being that annoying-”
“It’s hypothetical.” Merriam sighed, rolling her eyes.
Kari grinned. “I know. So, hypothetically speaking,” she drew the words out, wrapping her right hand, “I guess... in suspicious circumstances. Or a blaze of glory. I don’t know, man, take your pick. I guess fire would have a certain spectacularly ironic symmetry.”
“Would it?” Merriam looked up over her glasses. “In what way?”
“Hm.” Kari smiled, tucking the end of the wrap in about her wrist. “You mean you can’t connect those dots on your own?”
“Hm.” Merriam laughed, almost mockingly. “And here I was thinking you didn’t want to talk about her.”
“I’m not, am I? I just said ironic symmetry. You drew the conclusion.”
“I will find out the truth about what happened to her, you know. Cooper may have dropped it – you and the rest of her foster family may have dropped it – but I won’t.”
Kari stiffened and tightened her jaw. She picked up her cup and swirled the last of the chai about its bottom. “Oh, would you look at that. I’m almost done.” She smiled around it, although the motion never reached her eyes. “Do you have any last quick questions?” She drained her cup and set it back down.
“I do, actually.”
“Go on, then.” Kari unhooked her foot and bent to pick up her bag.
“What’s your motto in life? Something that keeps you going, that you live by?”
“Buddy, I know what a motto is.” Kari tilted her head. “I guess... I guess it’s like... ‘as long as you can get up, it isn’t over’. Something like that.”
“Thank you.” Merriam nodded. “That’s... given me a lot for this.”
“Sure it has.” Kari stood and swung her bag onto her back. “Let me know wherever it’s published, right? I wanna see how much you switch up.”
“I’ve no doubt you’ll offer to... what, lay me out if I do?”
Kari smirked. “I wouldn’t dare say the words.” She raised a hand to Katie as she left. “See you later, babe!”
An aside to Forget to Fall, the technically-in-the-works sequel to Expect to Fly!
In which Kari might have left the house but the kids are doing alright actually
~~
Casey wasn’t hiding. Well, he was, but it was for a game, not because he’d done something.
He shrank back down behind the bush at the far end of the garage as he heard Aunt Alice calling his name. She wasn’t part of the game, and he wasn’t losing this.
Summer walked past the edge of the garage and Casey held his breath as he watched her.
“Casey?” she called out, hopping the small border into the garden and wandering along the grass.
“Summer, have you seen Casey?” Aunt Alice was at the side door.
“Not since he went to hide.” Summer shook her head. “Why, what do you need him for?”
“He’s not in trouble,” Aunt Alice said carefully. “I just need to speak to him about some… choices he made.”
Casey shrank lower amongst the bushes. That was code for he’d messed something up and now she was really made.
“If I find him, I’ll tell him,” Summer said. “But he’s really good at hiding.”
Aunt Alice laughed and placed a hand on Summer’s shoulder, drawing her in for a quick hug. “Have you looked in the attic room?”
Summer nodded. “I’ve looked through everywhere inside. He has to be outside, but there’s just a lot of outside.”
“I’m sure you’ll find him.” Aunt Alice looked over the garage and the small garden beside it, gaze flitting right over the bush Casey crouched behind. “Good luck.”
Summer nodded and hopped back over the small border and onto the grass.
Aunt Alice went back inside and closed the door behind her.
“Well now you’ve got to come out,” Summer said, sounding delighted as she walked across the grass “Because Aunt Alice is looking for you and it’ll only get worse the longer you stay hidden.”
Casey wrinkled his nose. “No it–” He clapped a hand over his mouth.
Summer spun around, a grin splitting her face. “Found you!”
Casey stayed exactly where he was and said nothing.
Summer made her way to the end of the garage and stood over Casey, hands on her hips. “I found you,” she repeated.
“Have you found Jen, too?” Casey asked.
“Yeah, but then she didn’t want to keep searching, so she’s playing games with Mark.”
“Good.” Casey held his knees to his chest.
“Auntie Alice is looking for you.”
“I know.”
Summer frowned. “But,” she said, sitting down in the dirt beside him, “won’t you be in more trouble if you don’t go?”
“Only if it wasn’t an accident. What’s she looking for me for.”
“Oh.” Summer still looked confused. “Do you know what she’s looking for you for?”
“No. But it’s never good.”
“We – we could go in together,” Summer suggested. “So you don’t have to be alone.
“I still don’t want to. But thanks.” Casey shook his head. “I just have to wait until she’s forgotten.”
“Will she really?”
Casey shrugged. “She always used to, when Kari was here.”
“Kari’s not here, though.”
“No, but…” Casey trailed off. “Oh yeah.” He wasn’t sure why he kept forgetting that Kari had been gone for a while, really, but he hadn’t…
Maybe he hadn’t got in trouble since then.
“Come on.” Summer nudged him. “Let’s go in, it’s getting cold.” She stood up and brushed off her jeans. “And I’ll see Auntie Alice with you.”
“To make sure that I do?”
“No.” Summer groaned, rolling her eyes as she offered him her hand. “Now come on.”
Casey took her hand and stood up. “Fine.”
“Good.”
“It’s getting cold, anyway.”
“And I did find you,” Summer said. “There’s that too.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Casey shoved his hands in his pockets. “Still took you forever.”
“I’m still learning all your spots. Soon you won’t stand a chance.” Summer grinned, leading him inside.
“Did you find Casey?” Jen called. “Auntie Alice is looking for him.”
“I know,” Casey said.
“I did!” Summer said, at the same time.
“Was he hiding by the garage?”
“How did you know?”
“He always hides there when he’s in trouble.” Jen sounded smug.
“I’m not in trouble.” Casey rolled his eyes.
“No, Auntie Alice is just looking for you for another reason.” Jen twisted over to grin at him from the couch. “Good luck.”
“Thanks,” Casey said dryly.
“You’re not coming with?” Summer asked.
“What – no, why would I.” Jen frowned.
“For support.”
“It’s fine, Summer.”
“Yeah, he can get chewed out on his own.”
“For solidarity,” Summer raised her voice as she followed Casey along the corridor.
Casey laughed. “It’s really not that big a deal.”
“Kari would,” Summer said, an impish look on her face.
There was a moment of silence in which Casey too waited, the grin growing on his face a match to Summer’s.
Then there was a dramatic, over emphasised groan and Mark’s muffled laughter.
“Fine oh my god. You can’t keep using her like that, she’s not dead.”
“Sure can,” Summer replied.
“What’s it to you, anyway, if Casey meets his doom alone?”
“Doing things alone sucks.” Summer shrugged. “I’ve done too much of it.”
“Yes, but – oh. Sorry.” Jen bit her lip.
Summer shrugged again.
Casey found Aunt Alice in the sitting room. “Hey,” he entered, “you were looking for me?”
“Yes – oh, I didn’t expect all three of you to come.” Aunt Alice looked up from the book in her hands.
“We’re here for moral support,” Summer said. “And also physical support, if you want it.”
Aunt Alice looked like she was trying not to smile. “Well alright then. I suppose this does involve you, after a fashion.”
“It does?”
Casey sat on the couch. “Oh. But – he was wrong.”
“Yes, Casey, I am aware. Unfortunately, by punching him you have given him the moral high ground. You really shouldn’t follow Kari’s example in this.”
“I guess I should have shut him down with words, or told an adult?” He leant back. “And what if they hadn’t listened?”
“Then I would have taken it up. I won’t stand for it either, you know that.”
“What did you do, exactly?” Jen asked, seemingly interested despite herself.
“Punched someone at the boxing class. Not while training.”
“Oh. That… isn’t what you’re meant to do?”
“Not when they’re waiting to leave and class is over.”
“I regret nothing.”
“I didn’t think you would. Still, you’ll have to make a decent apology.”
Casey groaned.
“And I think the other young man may be disciplined as well.”
“Good.”
Summer looking between them. “What did you punch him for?”
“He was being dumb about you,” Casey replied.
“Oh.” Summer’s cheeks coloured “I – thanks,” she said wonderingly.
Casey shrugged. “We don’t go through this alone, right?”
