To Prevent confusion, Brian is my best friend and BrYan is Casey's little brother. Tala is my step-brother and Santes is a good friend of mine.
Both groups of boys got along; although, that Kai seems to be irritated with his friends. I slightly smirked at the sight. It reminded me of me and my friends back home. I would be the quiet and logical 'mom' of the group and the others were my hyper active kids that needed to be watched before they bounce off the wall. For now, watching him control the others was, to me, interesting. Even the guys in my group were getting scarred of him. My mind was drifting off into another world that made me smirk inwardly. This went on until someone slapped the back of my head pretty hard.
"Yes?" I said a little irritated.
"Our 'babysitters' want an explanation of why our group grew all the sudden," Casey said his eyes showing absolute hatred toward me.
"I met them in the hall. They aren't part of CI and yes they are only friends," I answered in one breath not even looking up.
"Then, do you want to hang out with us?" Ana, our 'babysitter' asked.
"Kai pleeeze?" I heard all the guys' voices beg.
"May I talk to the girl? I have a few questions," he said and looked at me. I got up and followed him away from the crowed. When we were a good distance, we stopped and started to talk.
"Are they hyper?" Kai began.
"Not half as hyper as Max but yes they are. Beware of Casey though. He's a fashion freak," I warned.
"Hmm. Don't bring any food or anything that contains sugar. Tyson and Max will want it," he said.
"Don't say anything that contains figurative speech. Casey and his younger brother Bryan won't get it," I replied.
"Don't insult China or computers. Rei and Kenny will kill you," Kai said putting down another regulation.
"Anything else that I should know cause that's all that's on my mind." I said in a conclusive voice.
"Yeah, don't get on my nerves or you're in for it," Kai threatened trying to intimidate me.
"Don't worry. I won't. Just don't get on mine." I said glaring at him.
We both walked back and Kai approved it. Us teens with the new team were going to a restaurant to meet up with our parents and the new team was going to pay for their meals. I was listening to Under My Skin by Skillet on my mp3 and thinking about my brother. Yeah, I got a brother. He said he'd let me go on this by myself with my guardians. I began to wonder of what he was doing but I was to wonder no longer. I felt two strong arms trying to tackle me but I got out of their grip and I turned around to face my opponent only to face my brother.
"I trained you well," He said smirking.
"Well you trained my for more than five hours a day on our school breaks," I said in an irritated voice.
"I see that you've met my best friend, Nick," he said nodding to Kai.
"Yeah, and I felt the need to take that bag of food away from Tyson," I said about to throw up at the thought of the boy.
"Tala? She's your sister?" Kai said in astonishment.
"Yeah. She's a good little sis too. Let's go. We can talk about this on the way," Tala said and started to walk in the direction to the restaurant.
"He's your best friend? I should've known," I said when we started to walk.
"Nick, we grew up together. Do you remember Volitaire? That's his grandfather," Tala stated.
"What? I thought he hated teenagers? I mean that guy hates my guts!" I said with my eyes two times wider than before.
"My grandfather will hate you period. So if you want to be the 'little angel' to him, it won't work," Kai said irritated.
"I don't like being the center of attention, Kai. Your grandfather just, well, scares me. Not to be insulting or anything but that's just how I feel." And with that I drifted off into my world.
We got to the restaurant and were all sitting together and were all taking on a conversation except me. I watched my brother, who I looked up to, take on a conversation with Kai and Rei. Most of the time I did this. It was common for me to not talk but to listen to people talk and think about what they say in my mind.
I never knew of what it meant to have an empty mind until then. A good friend of mine and a wonderful mentor, Santes, once told me to 'feel not think.' It's obvious that the quote came from Star Wars, but at the same time, it was a quote from a famous philosopher. Santes was right. I was lost in a blank world of tranquillity that left me serene.
It felt like this could go on forever and it seemed to until a little disturbance came along. My cell phone rang and I answered it a little annoyed.
"Nicole?" The voice said.
"Who is this?" I said in a British accent to throw them off.
"It's Santes," it replied.
"Santiago!" I exclaimed happily.
"Hey. So I hear that you're in China. Hong Kong to be exact," Santes stated in his usual calm voice.
"Yes. Did you read it on the email?" I asked smiling.
"No. I see you. Turn around," he said and hung up.
I turned around and with expectancy to see him but was surprised of WHAT I saw. He was with a bunch of friends and was giving me the type of look of when he was trying to keep a low profile. He later came up to the table that I sat at and received a glare from brother dear.
"Hi Nicole," he greeted.
"You came with your STU friends?" I sat nodding to his collage batch of friends.
"Yes, and this must be your brother," he said nodding to Tala who was still glaring at him.
"Tala, this is the guy I told you about who taught me about several philosophers. Santes, this is Tala, my brother," I introduced them accordingly. They both shook hands but my brother still in doubt. Santes and I began talking again and asked how things were doing in our homes… specifically Russia and the Philippines.
"Well, this maybe a little late to give you this but here," Santes gave me a wrapped gift and I opened it.
It was a black and navy blue notebook. The outside was black with a navy blue design on it. In reality, it was my Asian signature. What was an Asian signature? Something that represents you name in a unique stroke or design. The leaves inside were somewhat transparent and every page had silver outlining.
I stared at it and was speechless. When I could finally choke up a few words I croaked, "Is this is return for the notebook I gave you for Christmas?" He nodded and I was in utter shock. "It's also for being the little apprentice that you are. Although, there are others, I haven't seen you since last year. So this serves as your birthday and Christmas present," he said to reassure me. I looked at him and was about to speak but Casey butted in. "Back off from her," he said standing in front of me in defense. I shook my head since I knew that he didn't pay a bit of attention earlier since he was too preoccupied with Max, Kenny and Tyson. I stood up and got out of the way and stood in front of Casey facing him and said softly, "He's a friend of mine. Don't worry," and apologized to Santes. We talked for another fifteen minutes then I had to leave. After saying bye to the male who mentored me in several ways and helped me understand things I wouldn't understand for the next ten years or so. He was wise for an eighteen-year-old and used it well. I always admired him for that and would do anything to learn more about the teachings from the famous philosophers of the ancient time.
On the way back to the hotel Brian and Bryan came up to me and started to talk to me. Since Brian was my best friend, I took on the conversation. They all talked about war games and other boyish topics. I understood this since Brian educated me in such branches and literally gave me lessons. I played a little of it but I was more of a 'solver.' In other words, I played a lot of CSI and other games similar to it.
When we were back, we all divided and went to bed for the night. Only to see that tomorrow was going to be the same. Tala was staying in his own room so I didn't have to worry. I stayed with my guardians and it was the same with the others.
Please write a review! Thanks.
P.S. BrIan willfrom now on be called Double B. And this is based on my real life and real-life friends.
