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Another chapter!
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Christmas came and went, the new year followed. January was still as cold and school started once again.
"This vacation went by way too fast," Jake complained, dragging his feet along the school hallways.
"It always feels like that," Alicia added, awkwardly standing away from Spud. Trixie walked in the middle of the two.
"Well, time flies when you're having fun," Spud said, looking over and smirking at Alicia. Her face grew hot as she darted her eyes anywhere else other than Spud.
Trixie looked at the both of them back and forth in confusion. "You two are giving me a weird vibe. Did I miss something?"
Alicia stayed quiet. Spud kept his eyes on the girl, keeping his dopey smile, "Maybe."
Trixie's face morphed into a disgusted expression as she thought of the possibilities of what could have happened. It's never good between those two. "Nevermind, I'm not interested anymore."
Jake made it to his locker and his friends walked to theirs. He took out some books, then saw something from the corner of his eye. Blonde hair. He whipped his head around. It was some other girl. Not Rose.
He sighed sadly and looked back at his locker. Trixie looked at him strange. "You thinkin' 'bout Rose?"
"Hmph," is all he replied with. Jake knew she was going to say something he couldn't argue with.
"Did she get her gift?" Jake nodded. Trixie scoffed, "And how far has that gotten you?"
"Maybe she doesn't know what to say," Jake finally said. "I'm giving her some space."
"Jakey, you're the one who needs space." Trixie closed her locker and walked to class.
After third period, Jake was on his way to lunch. The halls were full with teens with somewhere to be. The boy was practically getting swept by the crowd. Yet, in the mids of a sea of kids, Brad managed to spot Jake and purposely push him out of the way.
"Oops," Brad teased, walking back into the crowd of kids.
"Sorry," Jake apologized. He looked at the person he bumped into. Rose. Jake's eyes lit up. "Hey, Rose!"
Rose looked at him. She desperately wanted to give him the cold shoulder; ignore him. She just couldn't. She greeted him the most unenthusiastically way she could, "Hi, Jake."
"Uh, cool seeing you here."
"Well yeah. I go here."
"Noted." Jake rocked on the balls of his feet.
Rose was standing with Lilly, who looked even more annoyed to see Jake than Rose. "Don't you have somewhere to be?" she asked.
Jake was taken aback by her direct, rude response. It was so weird how the friendly girl from the locker room turned into the mean bitch in the hallway. "I have second lunch," he responded.
"Thankfully, we don't. C'mon Rose." She took Rose's hand and walked away.
Jake huffed in frustration. He just wanted a conversation with Rose. It could be short for all he cared, he just needed to see what she thought about the gift. She could've loved it or thrown it away. Either way, Jake badly wanted to know.
He figured eating with his friends would get his mind at ease, so he continued walking to lunch. By then, the halls were empty and no more teenagers could swoop him in a never-ending wave.
His phone vibrated in his pocket. It was his grandfather. "Hey, G. What's up?"
"Jake, I know you're in school but your father agreed to take care of it. He's dismissing you soon."
"Whoa, wait. What's this about?"
"Your dad will explain. Just be mentally prepared to fight."
Jake smiled in excitement. Usually, he'd hate dragon duties, especially in the middle of a school day. But on a day like this, he was exhilarated to fight. It's been awhile.
Like his grandfather said, Jake's father was picking him up out of school early. The intercom went off, calling Jake to the main office. Jonathan, his father, was there as expected. He gestured for him to hurry. They drove off to Lao Shi's shop.
"Jake, good. Follow me," he told him. Jake and his dad followed Lao Shi to the back. He stopped the both of them, looking directly at Jonathan. "I need just Jake right now."
"Oh, right! Sorry." He went outside to his car.
"Jake, I need you-"
"To fight gremlins? Or wrestle with griffins? To battle against wizards and warlocks?"
Lao Shi raised an eyebrow. "I appreciate the enthusiasm, but where is all this fighting coming from?
"You said be prepared to fight," Jake reminded.
"Oh, I did say that. Well, I meant fight for rights." Lao Shi held up a scroll with pictures of half human half animal breeds of people. "Have I ever told you about the war between the werewolves and werecats?"
Jake shook his head. "No, but sounds dope."
"It isn't so 'dope'."
Jake cringed at him using modern slang. "Why?"
"You see, a war between the two ended in 1888. The werewolves and the werecats agreed to share the land they fought over, dividing it in two." He pointed to the part of the scroll that showed a picture of the two breeds of magical creatures standing on either side of a line. "In current events, though, the werecats are increasingly growing greedy, wanting the other half of the land. A war might break out."
"That's rough, buddy." Jake stood up and brushed himself off, not wanting anything to do with that. "That sucks for them. Tell them, um, the American Dragon will be praying for them."
"Jake, sit back down!"
He groaned and abided. "Don't tell me I have to bring back the peace or something."
"Yes, as the magical protector you have to restore and help these people compromise."
"G, that's boring!"
"That's your job. Name one person who likes their job." Jake was silent. "Exactly."
"At least they get paid," he mumbled.
"You do get paid." Lao Shi rolled up the scroll.
"Since when?"
"You get paid with honor." He hit his grandson on the head with the rolled up scroll.
Jake held the spot he hit. "Can I at least bring my friends?"
"No, of course not. It will look unprofessional if the American Dragon is partnered with humans. Plus, they're in school."
Jake sighed. It couldn't be helped. He guessed this would be better than sitting in any classroom.
The land of the werewolves was vast and nameless. Fog hovered over the dull village. Jake stayed in his dragon form, trying to think of the most simple and quickest way to end this feud.
"Who would want to own this depressing land anyway?" he mumbled to himself.
He flinched as someone held onto his arm. "Oh, American Dragon!" a woman cried dramatically. "We're so glad you could make it." Her tail wagged like a little puppy dog, ears straight up.
He chuckled nervously. He responded with, "It's a pleasure," though it didn't sound like he meant it.
She tugged his arm, indicating he'd follow. "It's been awful. The werecats are just . . . awful!"
Jake looked around at the village once again. Depressing fog still lingered, citizens walked around quietly, houses and buildings looked the same. Sure, it was dim and dull but it seemed at least peaceful. "I don't see anything 'awful'."
"Things are normal right now but the werecats have been sending threats. We are all extremely terrified!"
Jake looked around for a third time. Everyone seemed to be carrying on with their day as calm as possible. "I don't see anyone panicked."
"Are you serious? This is the most scared I've seen them."
Jake tilted his head. "Do werewolves lack emotion or?"
She sighed, "They're always like this. If you lived in a place such as this you'd understand."
"You're right. I'd be sad in this dump, too." His eyes widened. "Not a dump! I mean . . ."
"No, it is pretty bad. But it's all we got. And even so, the werecats want to steal the only thing we have: our land. Despite it being a dump."
Jake leaned down to her height. "So, what are you? The mayor? President? Whatever democracy this is run by."
"No, no! We werewolves don't have a leader."
Jake scrunched his face wondering if he was wasting time talking to some random woman. "And you are?"
"Jill. Mother of two."
"Jake. Mother of none." She stared at him silently. "Don't know why I just said that."
"So will you help us American Dragon?"
He exhaled. "That's what I'm here for."
Spud walked Alicia home after school. They made it to her home. She awkwardly waved goodbye. The whole walk there they talked as friends. Alicia talked too much, occupying the conversation with normal topics as much as she could. Avoiding any mention of winter break at all costs.
"Cia, hold on," Spud took her hand.
Alicia mentally cursed. "Hm?"
"I want to ask you something. It's really important."
"Um, right now?" she asked anxiously.
"Yes, right now. I can't wait."
She clenched her teeth. "Oh boy."
"Alicia. What are we?"
"Spud! Do you hear that?" she said, practically yelling.
"Uh, no?"
She pretended to be disappointed. "It must be my mom calling."
"But I didn't hear-"
"She's calling me."
Spud let go of her hand. "Did you at least hear what I said?"
"Talk to you later!" Alicia closed the door and slid down. She hit herself lightly on the head after each word. "Stupid, stupid!"
"Compromise? Ha!" the werecat laughed. Jake was now on the other side of the land to meet the leader, which was over a hill and sunny. Crops around the two were flourishing, citizens were happy as can be, and it didn't need like they needed anything more.
"But, why? Look at your land. It's ten times better than there's. You're doing the most right now."
"The most?" She stroked her own tail. "I'm doing what any good leader does."
"Can you at least tell me why?"
She laughed once again. "Seriously? You're asking why? Isn't it obvious, dragon?" She picked a flower from a vase on the windowsill. "More land equals more power. So you can try to convince me to stop," she crushed the flower and let it's petals fall, "but I refuse to end my plan."
"Carida-"
"That's Ms. Carida to you."
"Okay, Ms. Carida. You can cause a war."
"Your point?"
Jake's jaw dropped. "War. Death. Ring a bell?"
"Again, your point?"
He shook his head, ready to call his grandfather and beg him to let him go home, to tell him it's a lost cause. He left the building. Where was his phone? He couldn't find it on him anywhere.
Jake jogged back to the office. "I think I left my-" That's when he caught the werecat sniffing her desk intensely, practically rolling her face in some kind of crushed up plant.
"Get out!" she demanded.
"No way. Is that catnip?"
"I said get out, that's an order!"
Jake walked up a bit closer to her. "You're a little druggie, aren't you?"
She bawled her fist. "You tell anyone and I'll be ruined."
"Oh, I bet you will."
Carida rubbed her temples. She knew she should have locked the door, but she just could not wait. "What do you want? Money?"
"I want to know what is the real reason you want that other land?"
She had a crazy look in her eyes. "Catnip. There's a field in their land full of it. We're running out here and for some reason it just won't grow no matter what my men do." She slammed her furry fist on the desk. "I don't care how many die. As long as I get my stuff. Got it?"
"Hm. I see." Jake picked up his phone and began to walk out.
Carida's crazed expression began to simmer down. "Wait, that's it? Not a threat to my reputation?"
"No, do your thing." He shrugged. "It's just all unfortunate."
"What are you saying, dragon?"
"I'm just saying it's sad you're suffering like this. Where I'm from, they grow and sell catnip anywhere."
"They . . . They do?"
Trixie connected her Switch to her TV. She hadn't played video games with her dad in what it felt like forever.
She plopped on the couch. "I'm gonna show you how this new gen gamin' works."
"Well, I'm gonna beat you in this-" he squinted at the screen, "Super Smash Bros."
"In yo dreams!" Her phone rang. She looked at it. It was Spud. She put it back down and let it ring. He could wait. Spending time with her dad seemed way better.
"Aren't you gonna answer?" he asked.
"He'll be fine."
Mr. Carter unfortunately didn't know much about his daughter, but he could try. "Mad at your boyfriend?"
"Ew!" Trixie stuck out her tongue. "Spud is my friend!"
"You're still friends with Spud?" he asked in amazement. The phone stopped ringing, then started to ring again. "Well, not for long if you don't answer."
"Fine, I'll make it quick. Be back." She picked up the phone and stepped away. "What is it, Spudinski? I'm busy."
"Is there something wrong with me?"
She was not expecting that. "Huh?"
"Is there a reason Cia wouldn't want to date me? I know I can be slow-"
"Really slow."
"Trixie!"
"Sorry, sorry," she laughed. "What's going on."
"I tried asking Cia what are we today and she made up some excuse to leave."
"I kinda don't blame her. It seems sudden. And I thought y'all cleared things up months ago? Ion see why she would be thinkin' of you like that right now."
Spud scratched his head. "Weeeeell . . ."
Trixie asked suspiciously, "Why are you sayin' well like that?" He didn't respond. She thought of what Spud suggested in the hallway earlier that day. "Don't tell me. Don't tell me you-!"
"Then I won't tell you." He pursed his lips shut.
"Obviously tell me!"
He admitted through his teeth, "We did it again."
"When?!"
"Christmas," he laughed nervously.
"Spud, why can't you just keep it in your pants?" she yelled. Her father looked behind towards the direction of the yelling. "You just had to jingle her bells, didn't you?"
He snickered, "Clever."
"Not laughing right now."
He immediately stopped. "My bad."
Trixie peered the corner at her dad who was pretending to mind his own business. "Listen, I gotta go. Maybe she's confused. Still, she does owe yo ass an explanation of what you two are. You deserve to know. Shit, I deserve to know at this point."
"So do I give her space or keep asking?"
"Keep askin', dammit. She's actin' like a baby."
"But I don't wanna sound desperate and annoying."
"Spudinski, you always sound desperate and annoying."
"Hey!"
"If it makes you feel betta, I'll talk to her. Sound good?"
"Good idea, the sooner the better."
"Not that soon, boy. Later. I got important stuff to do."
Spud chuckled, unconvinced. "Like what?"
"None of your business, stay out of it." She peered at her dad once more. "Now stop mopin' around and quit botherin' me. Find something else to do."
"Thanks, Trixie. Really means a lot when you help."
Trixie made an exaggerated barfing sound. "Gross. Bye." She hung up.
Jake laid in bed relieved. Carida agreed to leave the werewolves' depressing land alone as long as he would supply her monthly with catnip. Of course, he manipulated what he could and got her to pay, too. Guess being the American Dragon pays off after all. Who would've thought Jake would technically be a dealer.
He scrolled through tiktok lazily. A notification came down into his screen. A text from Rose.
He sat up, not believing his eyes. He tapped on it. It said, Thanks for the globe. It's cute.
"That's it?" Jake couldn't even sound disappointed by the small text. Anything from Rose made his heart skip a beat. He gave his phone a big kiss then hugged it, kicking his feet.
"Should I leave you two alone?" Haley asked at his doorstep.
Jake froze and looked at his little sister, who was smiling deviously, recording the whole thing. Jake threw the cellular device. He ordered in a stern voice, "Delete that."
Haley held the phone up high. "Blackmail," she sang.
Jake jumped out of bed and chased her across the second floor. "I said delete that!"
Not gonna lie, I was having serious writer's block with this chapter. All I could think about is the next chapter, chapter 15. I have it all planned out, I just needed a bridge to connect it. As always, the ideas generate around this time. It's 2:21AM right now. Why does this always happen? Interesting.