As you might have already figured out, I am writing a bunch of drabbles that shows the different facets of each of the characters. I am hoping to illustrate the diverse way that each person deals with everyday situations with a comedic spin.
Just to let you know, this is just a bit of light writing while I finish a Sky High series called "The Dragon and the Falcon."
Read what you like.
Love ya,
Fiery Peace
Part 2"Does Warren work at the Paper Lantern everyday?" Zach asked one day out of the blue.
"I don't know," Will said, "Why?"
"I was just wondering if he ever did anything more than go to school or go to work," Zach said with a shrug.
"He goes to the community center," Ethan said offhandedly.
"What? How do you know?" everyone asked.
"My cousin told me," Ethan acquiesced, "Warren coaches junior basketball with troubled youths. My cousin said that the kids all love him."
"Really?" Layla asked with interest, "That's wonderful."
"It gets better," Ethan chirped, "Guess who his assistant coach is."
"Who?" Zach asked.
"Magenta," Ethan answered.
"No way Dude!" Zach said, "Maj would have told me."
"Well, it's true," Ethan said with a smile, "Why don't we go and visit the community center tomorrow afternoon if you don't believe me."
The next day the gang all headed to the local community center to check out Ethan's story. Sure enough there was Warren and Magenta coaching a group of 8-10 year old boys and girls. Magenta was running some passing drills with one group and Warren was coaching another group on the proper shooting stance.
"Does everybody see how to place your hands on the ball," Warren instructed.
"Yes Coach," the kids answered.
"Good. Then I want you to line up and practice shooting the ball one at a time. Begin," Warren ordered as he noticed his friends standing in the gym door.
"What are you doing here?" Warren hissed, "Leave. I'm busy."
"Whoa. Whoa. Whoa," Will said in a placating voice, "We just wanted to watch you coach. I didn't know that you and Maj were working together."
"It's something that just happened," Warren said keeping his eyes on the kids, "If you want to watch fine, but don't distract my team."
Will, Layla, Ethan, and Zach all found places to sit in the bleachers to observe the coaching duo. Maj and Warren worked well together and seemed to be able to relate well to each child's specific need. It was nice to see the two working together without any hint of sarcasm or brooding.
"Alright everybody," Warren said with a few minutes before practice ending, "Remember that we have a game this Friday so come dressed in uniform. Now we have time for one game of Shoot Out. Line up!"
The children all cheered loudly as the organized themselves into two equal teams. Everybody, including Magenta and Warren, lined up at the free throw line into two straight lines with each team having their own basketball. The object of Shoot Out seemed to be to try and get your ball into the net before the other person. If one of the players did not get the ball into the basket before the other player then that person was "out." The kids all screamed and cheered on their team until only Warren and Magenta were left in the game. The kids went wild when Maj finally out shot Warren.
"Take that Fire Boy," Magenta crowed as her team surrounded her in congratulations.
"I'll get you next time," Warren said grinning at his assistant before turning his attention to the kids, "I'll see all of you on Friday. Get out of here!"
"Bye Coach Warren! Bye Coach Magenta!" the kids all yelled as the emptied the gym.
"This is great you guys," Layla gushed to her two friends once all of the kids had left, "Why didn't you let us know that you were coaching kids here?"
"And why didn't you tell me?" Zach pouted as he glared at his almost girlfriend.
"I think that's what Layla already asked," Ethan said to his still-pouting friend.
"It's no big thing," Magenta said rolling her eyes, "My Uncle Bill runs the community center and when I came to visit I found out that Warren has been working with these kids for a couple of years now."
"Yep," Warren agreed, "I needed an assistant coach and when Maj discovered my extracurricular project, she volunteered. We've been coaching together for nearly a year now."
"That is so cool," Will said picking up a basketball to dribble with, "I never thought of the two of you as 'kid friendly' types."
"It's alright," Magenta said grinning, "It's more Warren's gig than mine. He really knows how to relate to the kids that need special attention."
"You're pretty good at that too," Warren said blushing.
"Dude! Your are so blushing," Zach said feeling better about another guy working with Magenta.
"No-I'm-not," Warren growled with fire in his eyes.
"No! Not even! Absolutely not!" Zach squeaked out as he ducked behind a smirking Magenta.
"Well, I'm impressed," Layla said, "The kids all respect and love you two. It takes a lot to get a child to trust you. Maybe you two should think about a career working with children as a cover for when you are Super Heroes."
"Nope," Magenta said, "This will have to be a hobby. I have plans on being a fashion designer."
"What about you Warren?" Layla asked.
"I think that I may go into teaching or guidance counseling," Warren said sheepishly, "I really do enjoy working with these kids and I feel like I'm making a difference in their lives. Maybe I can help children that went through some of what I did growing up. It would have made my life a lot easier if someone could have related to me and made me feel that it was okay to talk with others about my feelings."
"You got my vote," Will agreed, "You have always had a way of putting things in perspective for me. Go for it!"
"You all think so?" Warren asked shyly.
Everyone heartily agreed with Will and gave Warren more encouragement to follow his dreams. Will saved Warren from further embarrassment by insisting on a quick game of three on three. The teams consisted of Warren, Layla, and Ethan versus Magenta, Zach, and Will.
"Are you sure you really want to do this?" Warren asked Will, "I saw you dribble and some of the kids on the team do better than you do."
"Oh yeah?" Will said grinning as he faced off with Warren, "Trash talk, huh? I can take you!"
"Whatever," Magenta said rolling her eyes.
They all agreed to play until the score of 20. Warren's team dominated from the beginning. Clearly Magenta had gotten the raw end of the deal on team members.
"We are so kicking your butt," Warren teased Maj after Layla scored and brought the score up to 18-10.
"Try winning with Will on your team," Magenta snapped irritably as she and Warren watched Will try for a jump shot that ended with the ball not entering the net, bouncing off the floor, and nailing Will in the unmentionables before slamming into the back of Zach's head, "That's it! We forfeit!"
"Hey Stronghold," Warren said with a naughty grin to his friend rolling on the gym floor, "Guess not everything on you is invincible."
"Shut up Warren," Will groaned as his friend helped him to his feet, "You mind if I never play basketball with you again?"
"Sure," Warren laughed, "Guess nobody is perfect."
"You got that straight," Zach snapped rubbing the back of his head, "You are a disaster on the court, Dude!"
"Sorry Zach. Sorry Magenta," Will apologized.
"Let's all come to the game on Friday and cheer on the kids," Layla suggested, "It'll be fun."
"We're in," Zach and Ethan said together.
"Count on me," Will laughed, "I'll do better cheering for your basketball team than trying to play. Since my team lost because of me, how about if we stop for some ice cream on the way home? My treat."
"Now that sounds like a plan," Warren said with a smirk, "Let's go."
The group soon became the unofficial cheerleaders for the community center. When there was a game, all the children looked forward to seeing Layla, Will, Ethan, and Zach cheering them to victory.
To be continued…
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