The Waywards
An: I don't own Kickin' it
Fourteen.
Eddie's heart ached. The early morning sun hung overhead but he barely felt the warmth. He plastered a large grin upon his features as he walked up the path toward the school. He spotted three teens walking away from Kim and Taylor. He glanced at the boys, confused by their presence.
"They are Kim's new body guards," Taylor smiled softly. "Daddy dearest approved."
He sighed heavily.
"Eddie?" Kim frowned. "Are you okay? How is – everything?"
Eddie knew they were worried. He was concerned too. Last night had been another day of extensive training. He thought he'd never get home. His official duties started the next morning. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry at his misfortune.
"He is fine," a deep male voice commented.
"Leave him alone Chad," Kim growled, watching Chad wrap an arm around Eddie.
"No worries, doll face," Chad smirked, patting Eddie's back. "Eddie and I are becoming friends real fast, right?"
He laughed softly. "Yeah, Chad is actually a pretty nice guy."
Chad smirked before crossing his arms. "Alright, I want to see what you've got."
"Huh," he frowned. "Here?"
Chad nodded. Eddie watched him cross his arms over his chest while giving him a firm look. He noticed the excitement lingering within the taller male's eyes. He bit his lips, drawing a little blood. He focused on his power for a few seconds and then a bright blue glow illuminated his hands.
Seconds later, the ground beneath him frosted over. A thin sheet of ice covered a small patch upon the grass. He watched Chad stomp on the ice. A little crack appeared in the ice but itremained strong despite the contact.
"Wow, very nice, Eddie," he beamed. "I'm impressed. I wonder what it'll look like when you actually freeze someone."
"What?" Eddie exclaimed.
Chad chuckled. "What? You are my bodyguard now. You'll have to freeze some things, mostly people."
The bell rang signaling the start of the day.
Chad looked to Eddie. "We are walking together after class. There is a rough neighborhood I have to avoid on my way home, makes my route long. With you I can walk right through it. The boys on the team are going to be so jealous. Catch you later!"
"I don't like him," Taylor remarked. "I' m so sorry Eddie."
Eddie smiled softly. "I'm fine. Well, we better get to class."
He started off with a light jog before walking the rest of the way. He could feel the eyes of his friends on his back. Despite the large smile upon his face, the heaviness of his heart refused to leave him alone.
"So you see Phil," Jerry began, eyeing the smile on the male's face. "We are quitting because we got a job that pays more."
"Don't tell him that," Milton frowned, smacking Jerry's chest.
Milton narrowed his eyes at the shorter teen. He didn't know which was worse, the delivery of the message or the disappointed look on Phil's face. He wished they rehearsed their speech earlier but unfortunately they had no time. He gave their former boss a large smile.
"You will no longer work here," Phil frowned. "Here at the Phil's."
"No," Jack frowned.
Milton watched Phil nodded solemnly. He turned to Tootsie who stood beside him. He noticed the goat bow its head. Phil's power was still a phenomenal concept. He never thought he'd meet someone who could speak with animals. He would miss watching Phil's interaction with Tootsie. They were a fascinating pair.
"Looks like they are leaving us Tootsie," he cried, patting the goat's head. "All alone, with no way to work."
The goat moved toward the boys and stood there. A tiny 'ba' left the goat as if she were begging them to stay. The redhead's heart went out to both of them. He never realized how difficult it would be to leave. Despite the heartfelt scene, he knew their new job was a necessary step in the right direction.
"We will eat here all time," Jerry beamed. "As body guards we need to keep our strength up."
"Bodyguards?" Phil frowned, eyes wide with fear. "Oh no! No,that is not good. Not good!"
"Phil? What is wrong?" Milton asked.
He scanned the man's thoughts carefully, catching a few words. He could hear Phil's compliments about them. He smiled. He watched Phil clasp his hands together. He gave them his best pleading look. If only he could comfort the restaurant owner in his moment of distress.
"Too dangerous," Phil stated.
"Rudy agrees," Jack smiled softly.
"No, you don't know how it works here in Seaford," Phil frowned, arms crossed. "They came to me too. I showed them I was a bad choice and they left me alone."
"The mayor asked you to be his body guard too?" Jerry questioned.
"No, another family," Phil commented. "No, good. You should say no."
Milton smiled at Phil's concern. It was another thing he enjoyed about Seaford. The people were so kind and nice. He couldn't imagine living anywhere else. He stepped forward, eyeing Phil's shaking hands. He frowned at the amount of distress and anxiety seeping from the other's form. Why was he so upset?
"Phil, we signed a contract," Milton shared.
"A contract? You signed your soul away? Without discussing with Rudy or me?" he grasped his shirt, staggering back. "No good!"
"Phil, please," Jack frowned, eyeing the last few customers eating. "You have one hour before close. You are making a scene."
"I don't care," he glared, pointing. "Rudy traveled all the way to Seaford with you boys. He is very smart! Very nice! And you don't even listen to his words of wisdom! Why would you do that?"
"I don't get it," Jerry frowned. "We are just body guards. How bad can it be? I mean we have powers."
Phil shook his head. His eyes swept over them before looking off into the distance. His brows furrowed and his lips turned down. Milton frowned. The usually happy man transformed into an unrecognizable sight.
Phil shook his head. "I weep for you three. I weep, weep, and weep some more. Please, you have to go back and stop this immediately."
"Phil, we aren't going to do that," Milton shouted. "All my life my parents said people with powers aren't going to amount to anything but trouble. They said powers shouldn't be allowed to roam free."
Milton gritted his teeth. He was shocked by his own anger. He rarely allowed himself to be mad. He was the peace maker of their group. He enjoyed calming the crashing waves of a fight. Unfortunately, the memories of his parents flashed across his mind.
"Now, we are going to be able to prove to the world," Milton stated. "Prove to them we can exist in this world too. I want to be accepted and Seaford accepted me. Phil, Seaford gave us hope, so we need to repay them."
Phil glared long and hard at the boys. "False hope. They gave you false hope – fine leave the Phil's. Be bodyguards, be dangerous. I warned you. Rudy warned you."
Milton eyes widened. "Phil, really we—"
"Be careful," he interrupted, sounding worn out. "Be very careful, please."
Milton's eyes never left Phil. He analyzed him as they exited the restaurant. There was something lurking beneath the smile. Their painful farewell only proved his suspicions. Before he could truly understand his own thoughts, he decided to push his doubts aside. He spoke the truth. Seaford was the answer. He didn't wish to go anywhere else.
Bright golden rays of sunlight bathed Jack in a warm glow. Blue skies hung above his head. He glanced casually at the others accompanying him. Jerry and Milton seemed focused on the conversation they were having while Kim seemed unfocused, possibly in another world. He wondered what she was thinking about but he kept the concern to himself. It was just another day in Seaford.
"So," Jack began. "Where is your dojo again?
"You really don't have to walk me anywhere," Kim remarked, thrusting her hands into her pockets. "I'm fine, really. I'm a black belt in karate."
Jack gave her a firm look. "Congrats, but we were hired by your father so –"
"You should leave Seaford," Kim blurted out.
All three males paused.
"Why?" Jerry frowned. "What are we not good enough for your city or something?"
"No," she shook her head. "I just –"
Jack frowned at the moisture gathering in Kim's eyes. For a few seconds, he analyzed her closely. She was a very strange human. He wondered about her previous outburst but before he could question it, she began to speak.
"The dojo is located around the Seaford Mall," she pointed.
They followed her direction. They stopped before a dojo, painted in black and yellow paint. A generic sign hung above the building, reading dojo was interesting. After two weeks of living in Seaford, there was still much to explore. He watched Kim sprint into the dojo. She bowed respectfully to her sensei before disappearing within the locker room in the back.
"Guess we wait?" Milton questioned.
Jack nodded. The boys found a couple of chairs in a tiny waiting area. He guessed the place was a designated spot for parents. All three males occupied a few chairs while they waited for Kim to finish her class.
"You know what is weird?" Jerry asked, watching Kim's class start. "She told us to leave Seaford but didn't say why."
Jack scoffed. "Who knows what her problem is."
"I tried to find out," Milton sighed. "But her thoughts were jumbled. Her thoughts were so unclear. It is strange. The same happened with the man in the registration office."
"She just feels embarrassed that her father hired us," Jack said. "She is a black belt in karate. I wouldn't want a bodyguard with a title like that. Though, she hasn't really shown us could be all talk."
Jack ignored Milton's look. He could hear the statement 'be nice' floating around in his head. He heard the mind reader loud and clear. He didn't hate Kim. She was just a human and like other humans they hated people like him. Memories of her visiting Jerry in the hospital filled his mind. He sighed. He knew he would have to give the girl a chance eventually.
"Being a bodyguard is so cool," Jerry beamed.
Jack couldn't agree more. His recent change of heart showed him something new. He was less reluctant to spring into action for the sake of a life. He could finally shake off the shackles of his past. For a few seconds, the sound of Kim's excited chants caught his attention.
He watched Kim's blonde ponytail whip about as she punched and kicked at a punching dummy. She was definitely skilled. A tiny smile found its way to his face. She was more talented than he imagined.
"Can we go grab something to eat?" Jerry asked.
"We are working," Jack reminded.
Jack watched Jerry's shoulders slump. He noticed the look in the other's eyes. He knew the other was terribly hungry. Unfortunately, their job came first at the moment. He patted the other upon the back.
"Fine, after Phil's," Jerry grumbled, stomach rumbling.
Jack snickered shaking his head. His eyes fell back on Kim. Maybe he underestimated her.
Jerry watched Rudy head into his room for the night. A yawn escaped Jack's mouth. He chuckled at the brunette's failed attempt at staying awake. He turned to Milton, a thought on his mind. He opened his mouth to voice his concern.
"Ask me anything," Milton commented, a grin spreading on his face. "I know you want to."
Jerry laughed, scratching the back of his neck. He often forgot Milton's ability to read minds. He swallowed his nerves and attacked the situation head on.
"Before – do your parents know about you?" Jerry began. "You seemed really angry at Phil's."
Milton smiled. Jerry frowned at the expression. He knew all about Jack's past. The memory of the inspiring speech never left him. He knew enough about Rudy. The adult loved talking about himself. The peace maker of their group was another story. He shared little about himself.
"I may have withheld some information," Milton smiled. "I truly have nothing to say. I didn't want to concern you with my tale really. You and Jack suffered so much. My story pales in comparison. I didn't think it was necessary to say anything."
"We've all suffered," Jack responded, awakened by MIlton's statement. "Even you Milton."
Jerry turned from Jack to Milton. He pouted, knowing they were communicating without him. After a second, he watched Milton nod. He always wondered what made the red head tick. He accepted others without a moment of hesitation. He was the reason Jack and him got along well.
"I was tired of hearing the same thing every day, every night," Milton remarked. "People with powers don't belong, my mom said. They should be put away, my father said. They were always disgusted. They laughed and taunted."
Jerry frowned, understanding the story well.
"One night, after they exhausted all normal conversation," he began. "They picked up the usual nonsense. In the middle of their long drawn out talk, I was told to get milk. I was so tired of them shaking their fists at people like me. Finally, I showcased my power, grabbed the money for the milk and never went back home."
Jerry's eyes grew wide.
"I know you must think I'm quite reckless," he chuckled. "I mean my family never attacked me or kicked me out. They didn't like powers. They told me right to my face that if I had powers they'd send me away. They were so confident in their beliefs. I can't imagine what they did after I told them I was freak. Freak, it is what they called people like us."
"Hey, Milton," Jack smiled. "You are doing great things. It was hard for me to let go but—I'm trying."
"Right," Milton smiled. "I'm sorry Jerry if I wasn't honest with you."
"It is fine," Jerry smiled. "I get it."
Milton smiled briefly. Jerry noticed the sadness in his eyes. He rested his hand upon Milton's shoulder.
"Hey," he smiled. "I know this may be weird to say but if you hadn't left I may not have come this far."
Milton chuckled. "You would have made it eventually. I'm sure. Anyway, we have an early morning. We should get some sleep."
Jerry let out a ferocious yawn. All eyes landed upon him. Redness spread across his face. As he walked away, he heard the tail end of the conversation.
"Milton," Jack commented. "You don't have to prove yourself to anyone especially your parents."
"Thanks, Jack. I guess I have to remember to take my own advice."
"Sometimes the world may not accept us but we can accept ourselves," Jack beamed. "I learned that from you, Milton."
Jerry sighed happily, entering one of the open rooms. His mind went over the details of the conversation. He was happy to have friends like Jack and Milton. He grinned softly as he headed to sleep.
Rudy lay awake, eyes focused on the ceiling. His heart beat steadily in his chest despite the worry wrapping around his mind. A day or so ago a heated argument took place within their tiny kitchen. The boys were set on being bodyguards despite his suspicions.
He glared down his alarm clock. His new job at the registration office was a bore but he knew there were answers hiding within the walls. Seaford, California, held secrets. His vision guided him to the boys because they needed his help. He wouldn't rest till he solved the mystery the best he could. With the promising thought in mind, he drifted off into a more peaceful sleep.
Hey wonderfuls, another chapter fresh off the press. Anyway, I truly enjoyed typing up this chapter. Hopefully, you enjoyed the chapter as well. The support and feedback has been amazing. I'm blown away.
Special thanks to reviewers:
XoThatCrazyChickoX, thanks for the review. Yes, there was a lot of smirking in the last chapter. You'll have to stay tuned to know more about Mayor Chuck. I'm glad you are enjoying the story. Thanks for the support.
Maddyliza1234, thanks for the review. A rebellion? Who knows maybe she will but you'll have to keep reading to find out. I'm glad you like the direction the story is going. You think the story is amazing? Wow, thanks so much for saying that. Thanks for the support.
Now, I'm curious about what you think. Rudy, Phil, and Kim seem to think differently about Seaford than the boys. What did you think of Kim telling the boys to leave Seaford? Feel free to share your thoughts. Always interested to know what you think of the story, the characters, or anything so far.
Once again I would like to thank those who read, review, follow, and leave favorites. All the feedback is amazing. I'm seriously all smiles. Thanks! Now, the next chapter will be up soon. There may be a faster update but you'll just have to wait and see. The next chapter is 24% of the way done (estimated). Thanks again for the support everyone!
Until next Chapter
Bye