Lionblaze Lost the Lightning
a/n: this is the third book in the series. First read Lionblaze has a Shadow, then Lionblaze Stole the Stars.
Chapter 1: Prologue
"Jayfeather, quit standing there being useless," Lionblaze huffed, taking a long drag off his cigarette to calm his nerves. "Help a brother out and grab me some pepperoni from the fridge."
"Why can't you get it yourself?" Jayfeather snapped, shooting an annoyed glance at his brother. "You're just sitting there on the couch drinking all my beer and smoking my smokes."
"Can you just grab me the pepperoni?" Lionblaze snapped, using shaking hands to pull another cigarette from Jayfeathers pack. "That's your only job."
"Fine," Jayfeather mumbled, getting up off his chair. "I'd quit smoking and open a window if I were you, Dovewing and her dad are gonna be over any minute."
"After this one," Lionblaze mumbled, lighting the smoke. Fuck, I've never been so stressed out in my entire freaking life.
Today was the day when Lionblaze and Dovewing were going to announce her pregnancy to her father. Lionblaze had never felt more uncomfortable and awkward in his entire existence.
I don't think I can do this
I've been stalling for weeks
I wish I could stall some more
"Here's your pepperoni," Jayfeather said suddenly, shoving the package in Lionblazes face. "Now put your smoke out and let's air out the room before they get here."
Lionblaze stared at the pepperoni, feeling sick. He took another drag.
"Take it!" Jayfeather snapped, shoving it right up against his nose.
"Unwrap it please," Lionblaze mumbled, not bothering to reach up and grab it. "I need you to unwrap it-"
"For fucks sake," Jayfeather dropped the pepperoni on his lap and stalked back over to his chair. Lionblaze sighed and forced himself to unwrap it himself.
Man, it feels like I have to force myself to do everything…
I wish these stupid nerves would screw off
Sudden footsteps distracted him, and he immediately turned to look through the window by the door. Dovewing was walking up the steps, with her father behind her. Lionblaze nearly threw up.
He looks so happy and clueless
And I'm gonna be the one that wrecks it
"Shit, it's smoky in here," Lionblaze mumbled, dropping his cigarette in an empty coffee mug.
"Told you," Jayfeather sighed.
Lionblaze waved his arms around in an attempt to clear the air before answering the door. He opened it slowly, and tried to wipe the pained look off his face.
"Hey," he managed to say, smiling feverishly at Dovewing and then her dad. He opened the door a bit wider. "Come on in."
"It smells like cigarettes in here," the dad said disapprovingly, narrowing his eyes as he sniffed the air. "I thought you smoked outside."
"I do, but dumbass over here," Lionblaze nodded to Jayfeather. "Likes to just smoke in the house like it's a free for all."
"Hey, that's not true-" Jayfeather started to protest.
"Well, we have some things to talk about," Dovewing broke in, obviously changing the subject. "Dad, why don't you have a seat next to me and Lionblaze on the couch?"
"I wish you would tell me what this is about," the dad said, shaking his head in confusion. "I don't like being left in the dark."
"Well, that's why we're all here," Dovewing laughed nervously. "So you're not in the dark anymore."
Lionblaze felt vomit rise in his throat as Dovewing and her dad settled themselves on the couch.
I think I'm gonna be sick
"So," the dad said, looking up at Lionblaze expectantly. "What's going on?"
Lionblaze took a big bite of his pepperoni stick and chewed very slowly, pointing to his mouth to indicate that his mouth was full. Dovewing glared at him.
"How's that pepperoni?" She snapped, crossing her arms.
Lionblaze swallowed it reluctantly. "Tastes like death."
"Can we please get to it?" the dad said, looking down at his watch. "I have to be at work in half an hour."
"One second," Lionblaze mumbled. He turned around and quickly walked into the kitchen. He heard footsteps behind him, and he realized Jayfeather had followed him.
"Idiot," Jayfeather hissed as he shut the kitchen door behind him. "What the hell are you doing? Get out there and face the music."
"Just thought it'd be nice to make some sandwiches," Lionblaze mumbled, grabbing a loaf of bread out of the cupboard. "I'm hungry and I'm sure they are too."
"You just ate a huge piece of pepperoni," Jayfeather growled, grabbing the loaf and throwing it back in the cupboard. "Stop stalling. Her dad's gonna catch on soon, and that's gonna be even more awkward."
"Fine," Lionblaze sighed, walking very slowly over to the fridge.
"What are you doing now?" Jayfeather demanded.
"Just remembered this baloney is going to expire," Lionblaze replied, grabbing a package of baloney out of the fridge. "Better eat it up before-"
"That's enough," Jayfeather grabbed his brother and shoved him towards the door. "Go deal with this."
Lionblaze sighed for what seemed like the zillionth time and walked out of the kitchen, baloney in hand. He walked slowly over to the couch.
"Piece of baloney?" Lionblaze offered, shoving the package forward.
"Yes please," the dad said happily, grabbing a slice.
"No," Dovewing hissed. "Lionblaze, sit down."
"Okay," Lionblaze shoved three pieces into his mouth at once and forced himself to sit on the couch next to her.
"Now that you've finally sat down," Dovewing said, glaring at Lionblaze. "How about we tell dad the news?"
"You two are really making my mind wander," the dad said in a concerned voice. "You're not mixed up with drugs are you?"
"No," Lionblaze mumbled. "We're gonna-"
"Are you getting married?" the dad interrupted. Lionblaze inwardly groaned. Just when I work up the nerve…
"No, we're not getting married," Dovewing replied. She took a deep breath. "I'm-"
"I HAVE TO GO TO THE BATHROOM," Lionblaze hollered suddenly, spewing baloney all over the place.
"LIONBLAZE FOR GODS SAKE," Dovewing screamed.
"I can either throw up in the bathroom or on the floor here," Lionblaze snapped back, clutching his stomach.
"You're not gonna throw up," Dovewing growled angrily.
"I fucking am," Lionblaze squeezed himself, feeling spit rise in his mouth. He got up quickly, feeling shaky.
"YOU'RE NOT SICK, YOU'RE NOT GONNA THROW UP," Dovewing screamed. "SIT DOWN RIGHT NOW!"
Suddenly the door opened, and Hollyleaf walked in.
"Hey guys," she said, looking confused when she saw Dovewings dad. "What's going on?"
Lionblaze couldn't hold it in any longer. He leaned over and threw up pepperoni all over the floor.
"What the hell!" Hollyleaf cried.
"Did you just puke all over the rug?" Jayfeather cried from the other room.
"I'm pregnant," Dovewing sighed.
Hollyleaf sat nervously on the plastic bench, looking down at her phone for the fifth time.
My interview was set for twenty minutes ago… what the heck is taking him so long?
Hollyleaf was applying to be a chef in one of the most high class restaurants in town. It was called Kelly's Steakhouse, and it was the only restaurant in the city with a five star rating. Hollyleaf didn't understand how the manager of such an establishment would let himself be so late for an interview. Hollyleaf looked around, feeling more nervous by the second.
I know I don't need a job, she thought, thinking of all the money Lionblaze had won from the lottery. But I'd go crazy sitting around all day like Lionblaze and Jayfeather… I need something to do.
"Hollyleaf?"
Hollyleafs head snapped up, and her palms instantly got sweaty again. She wiped them on her black jeans and smiled up at the waitress who was speaking to her.
"Ashfur will see you now," the waitress said. "He just walked through the back door."
"Oh, okay," Hollyleaf said shyly, fingering her shoulder length black hair. I hope it's not sticking up weird… oh god what if it is?
"I'll bring you to his office," the waitress said. Hollyleaf followed, feeling terribly stressed out. What am I even doing... I can't cook at all… they're not gonna want to teach me… this is an awful idea.
"Ashfur?" the waitress called, knocking on the door. "I've got a girl named Hollyleaf here who says she's got an interview."
The door opened within a few seconds, and a man looked out at them. He was older, Hollyleaf guessed late thirties. He was wearing shorts and a long sleeved shirt that he had rolled up to his elbows. He stared at Hollyleaf for a few moments with a confused look on his face. Then he sighed and rolled his eyes, rubbing his forehead with his fingers.
"I completely forgot," Ashfur admitted. "I'm sorry about that, Hollyleaf. Come on into my office."
Hollyleaf followed him in, admiring the fancy dark wood desk and leather chair. She took a seat across from his desk and awkwardly fiddled with a button on her red sweater.
"So," Ashfur started, looking at Hollyleaf curiously. "I hear you want to be a cook."
"Yes," Hollyleaf said at once, surprised at how simply Ashfur spoke to her. He sounds like a regular person, not the boss of a restaurant… strange.
"Why do you want to be a cook?" Ashfur asked. "Most girls want to be a waitress."
"Well, I really like trying new things," Hollyleaf replied a little too fast. Goddamn it, stop talking so fast. He's gonna think I'm on drugs.
Ashfurs lips twitched as if he was going to smile, and his eyes shined. "You look nervous."
"I am," Hollyleaf admitted, looking down at her fingers. She picked her nail polish awkwardly.
"We don't have any girls in the kitchen right now," Ashfur continued. "There is a lot of work involved, a lot of cleaning. Are you sure you're up for it?"
"Yes," Hollyleaf mumbled.
"I think it might be fun, having a girl chef," Ashfur smiled. "Sure, I'll give you a try."
What… really?!
"Aren't you gonna ask me if I can cook?" Hollyleaf blurted out the question before she could stop it. Shit. Why.
Ashfur raised an eyebrow. "Can you?"
"I try," Hollyleaf replied carefully. Well, that's not a lie, I suppose.
"You'll learn," Ashfur shrugged. Hollyleaf was appalled. I've never gotten a job so easily before… this is so weird.
"I look forward to have you working for me," Ashfur said, reaching over to shake Hollyleafs hand. "I'll give you a call tomorrow and let you know when you can come in for your first shift."
"Thank you so much," Hollyleaf smiled kindly. She was suddenly glad she had straightened her hair and put red lipstick on.
I look really nice today, and from the way Ashfurs looking at me, I can tell he noticed.
Did that have something to do with him hiring me on the spot?