"So what do you want to do?" I asked Caleb as we were finishing up lunch.
"Would you mind if we stayed around the house?"
"Uh, sure, why?" I asked him. I was a little disappointed since I liked exploring with Caleb and it's really the only time I could without my brother ruining it for me. Ever since we found out he had super speed, going on a run with Dad was never the same. He was so impatient and such a show off I could never explore with Dad.
"I'm rather sore from the past few days."
"Oh, okay. Well, I did bring some of my board games and card games."
"Seems relaxing. Should we play outside?"
"Yeah, that's perfect. Oh and I have so much to tell you."
"I can't wait to hear all about it."
I smiled. Caleb was always such a good listener. I haven't gotten to see him much ever since this whole training thing started when I was 9 and it's slowly been taking up his time. He didn't go to a normal school either. He was at a boarding school to train to be a GUN agent.
Anyways, we set up a game on the patio. We brought some juice with us on a tray.
"It has been a long time since I've played a game just to play a game."
"Don't you and your roommate play games?" I asked him as I made my first move.
"Sometimes. We're normally too tired to. Our instructors have taken up using games to improve teamwork, fighting skills and other things though. It's not the same as just playing a game with good company."
He looked at me with a smile I never saw before. Okay, weird but okay.
He then told me, "I miss playing with you Annie. This is the most relaxed I felt all year."
Aw, that's just sweet. "I miss having fun with you too Caleb."
"So, you said you had a lot to say…"
"Oh well you are never going to believe what I've been doing all summer."
"You found another hobby?" He asked.
"I don't know if you can call it a hobby. But you know how Uncle Tails said he would give me flying lessons someday?"
"Yes." He said before realizing what I was going to tell him. He was shocked a little and excited. "You flew a plane?"
I nodded with a big smile on my face.
"That's amazing."
"I know, right?! I was so excited when Uncle Tails told Ben and I we were going to learn to fly.
"Ben is able to fly as well?" He asked.
"Uh huh. Whits came with us but she didn't learn. Uncle Tails said he would teach her when she was older."
"How well can you fly?"
"Uncle Tails says I'm a natural. I can already fly at night and even do loops in the air." I went on and on about it that we forgot we were playing a game.
It was almost sunset when I finished telling him about my last round of flying.
"That's really incredible."
"Hey if you want, I can take you for a fly and we can have a picnic or something. Uncle Tails says I'm ready to fly by myself now. You won't have to carry me around this time."
"I don't mind carrying you Annie but I've never been in a flying plane before. That would be wonderful."
"I thought you had planes at your school."
"Yes, but we have yet to come to the part of our training involving planes."
"Will you learn to fly one too?"
"I think I can choose to learn if I want to."
"Right." I took a sip of juice. A part of me worried about Caleb and his dream… and the other kids who go to his school. I know they're still in training but they're still kids. It doesn't sound like they get to be kids at his school and it seems so unfair.
"Annie?" He looked at me with a concerned look on his face.
"I'm sorry Caleb. It just seems a bit much for you to be doing all this."
He nodded letting me know he was listening. He looked at me with concerned eyes.
"You're sore and tired all the time now. The only time you get a break is in the evening after dinner because of all the training and learning and studying. You said so yourself."
He nodded again.
"And even when I visit, you still train in the morning. I come at lunch time so we can just have fun the first day I visit. I know this is your dream, but do have to work so much? And when we're in high school, will I even see you in the summer?"
He nodded and I suddenly remembered something
"I'm done."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, pretty sure." I just wanted him to answer me.
"You already know that I'm fine, my classmates are fine. We're happy, classes can get long but training is normally fun."
"Still… you should be a kid more often." It always bothered me that he had to work more and play less than me and other kids. I started to mess with a game piece on the board.
"Annie. I realize training doesn't look like fun to you but it's the most fun I have with my father. I enjoy it. Just like you enjoy helping your mom, aunts and uncles. You get exhausted yourself too."
I sighed. "I know, I know. I'm sorry I brought it up again. It just bugs me."
"I don't mind Annie. I like listening to you talk."
He reached over and placed his hand on my shoulder. I looked at his hand on my shoulder before looking back at him. He smiled a little at me with caring eyes. I smiled back feeling better I got it out of my system… again…
"Thanks Caleb. I'm sure someday this won't bother me anymore."
"You're welcome. For now, I'll be prepared to listen."