"When's the last time you had this thing tuned?" Wave asked, tightening the suspension on Jet's hover board.
"Beats me." He said, sitting on an overturned bucket near by. "Not like I've had the money to do much of anything."
Wave's brow furrowed. She'd been hoping her unwanted guest would be gone by the time she woke up, but of course Sky was awake first and offered him coffee.
That girl is too kind for her own good.
So now Wave was working, for free, having to make conversation with this guy because Sky went out into town and left them alone.
"You planning on traveling west one you're done here?" She was trying, in vain, to appear more friendly than she felt.
"Why would I?" Jet complained, obviously just as sour as she was.
"Well, if you aren't allowed in the city, your best bet is to move to another. Closest place is two days travel west."
Her guest seemed to be contemplating it, sipping his tepid drink while watching her mess with his board. "I doubt I'd survive out there as long."
Wave shrugged.
If she didn't find some way to pay off Jax, she might find herself moving out that way. With Jax's rich daddy and connections, he's bound to make her life a living nightmare if she and Sky stuck around. Though, it wouldn't take a genius to figure out where they got off to and Jax could easily find them.
We're screwed either way.
To make things worse, the Grand Prix was coming up soon. Typically she saw an increase in business around this time because her prices were lower than most but that wasn't the case this year. If she was any good at racing she'd take a crack at that Prix herself. That prize money would solve all their problems.
"If I could come up with the money." Jet said, speaking out loud to himself. "Pay my fine. Id love to join that Prix and give that pompous fool a run for his money."
Wave didn't need a reminder of who that 'fool' was. "I was thinking the same thing."
Outside she heard the pattering of footsteps approaching the shop and guessed correctly that Sky as on her way back.
When the blue hawk came rushing in, Wave was putting the last finishing touches on Jet's board.
"Took you long enough." Wave said in jest. "Was the bakery open?"
Sky paused to catch her breath, not speaking until she could inhale without coughing. "Yes, but check this out." She had a paper, handing it over to Jet since Wave was busy. "The Prix's scheduled for next month and the prize is enormous!"
Wave handed Jet his hover, taking the paper from him in exchange. "It typically is hun." She skimmed over the flier as her assistant continued to talk
"No." Sky objected. "Mr Reynolds announced he's putting his entire estate up. The whole thing, mansion, money and all. Everyone in the city is talking about it!"
"Isn't that all supposed to go to Jax once his old man kicks it?" Wave asked, setting the flier down on the dining table.
Sky frowned. "Apparently not."
Wave snickered. "I guess he fell out of daddy's favor." She wished she could've seen the look on Jax's face when he learned the news.
"I wouldn't laugh too hard." Jet warned. "If Reynold's really did cut him off, Jax is gonna choke you for that money."
Sky was putting away what few pitiful groceries she was able to get, digging a dented pot from the drawer under the oven.
Grabbing a can of soup, she pulled the tab to open it. "He's due back for his payment in a couple weeks. He might demand all of it up front." She sighed. "And you can bet he'll be in a foul mood."
"What power does he have now?" Wave said. "His little friend group only stuck around because of his dad's influence."
Sky took a wooden stirring spoon, throwing the cold, congealed stew in the pan with a cup of water. "You can bet Jax will join the Prix to try and get the estate back. He still has friends in high places. Plenty of businesses would be willing to sponsor him if they think he's going to cut them a piece of the profit."
Wave had all but forgotten that a sponsor was needed to even compete in the Prix. Jax wouldn't have an issue getting one, he could con a beggar out of his last farthing.
Sky was busy retrieving bowls from the cabinets for lunch when the sound of another approaching guest could be heard on the horizon. For a second all three in the shop felt a shiver, in fear it was Jax.
Instead, there was a knock and Storm poked his head in. He came in silently, first looking over to Sky as she ladled the soup into the chipped ceramic dishware.
"Here for your board?" Wave asked.
Storm nodded, though he had his own bowl in hand. "Ma wanted me to bring these." He put it on the table, pulling off the lid to reveal freshly made biscuits. "She said there was too much for just us."
"It'll go well with the soup." Sky smiled to him. "Did you want to stay for soup? I can send some home with you."
Wave took note of a slight blush on Storm's cheeks as he looked to her assistant.
"Ma will be worried...if I don't come back soon..." He acquiesced without much of a fight beyond that though.
"I'm surprised Jax let you out of his sight." Jet snapped, still sitting in the back and glowering at the new guest.
Storm glanced at him over his shoulder. "I don't really talk to him much anymore." He was solemn as he spoke, as if something was eating at his conscious. "With Mr Reynold's cutting him off, he stopped paying for ma's meds...I have no reason to be around him."
Wave sat at the table. "Does she have enough for now?"
Storm waited to take a seat until Sky invited him. "For a couple weeks...I don't know what to do after that..."
Sky gave the seat next to her a pat, looking directly at Jet.
Jet rolled his eyes, grumbling, but not fighting.
Storm took his spoon, stirring his soup and staring at his reflection in the ripples. Wave watched him out the corner of her eye while taring one of the dinner rolls apart into smaller pieces. "How much do her meds usually go for?"
Instead of Storm answering, Sky did. "What do you mean?"
Wave swallowed a mouthful. "Ma was nice enough to help us when we needed it. We have money."
"But that's for Jax-"
"What's he gonna do?" Jet interrupted. "Sick his nonexistent friends on you?"
Sky didn't answer but made a face that signaled contemplation.
"When's the Prix?" Wave looked to Sky.
"Well, Regionals are in a couple weeks. The top five from there go on to the finals." Sky gave up using a spoon and picked up her bowl, slurping her tomato stew from the rim. "Why do you ask?"
"Because-" Her friend continued. "With the money we have, I can pay your fine-" Wave pointed to Jet. "And get Ma's meds. Even if we don't win the Prix, there's still prizes for second and third. As long as we see to it Jax doesn't win."
"Then who's racing?" Jet asked, picking at his dinner.
"You are." Wave confirmed. "You have the most experience with racing than any of us."
Jet didn't object but didn't immediately jump on the opportunity either. "We need a sponsor. I doubt I have much of anything someone would be interested in."
Wave rose a brow. "Last I checked, my shop still counts as a business. I'll sponsor you." She smiled. "I'll keep your gear in top shape"
"Give me one reason why I should trust you?"
"Because I don't care about the prize." Wave said. "I want to see Jax get what he deserves. As long as Ma gets a cut for her meds, I don't care what you do with the money."
Storm hadn't said much as the others conversed, finishing his meal and standing to put the bowl in the sink.
"Are you taking off?" Sky was just behind him, putting her dishware away as well.
Storm shook his head. "Just going outside."
His new friend piped up. "There's a ladder going to the roof, I planned on getting some fresh air anyway."
It was still early in the afternoon when the two climbed the steps. Sky sat with her legs hanging off the edge. Storm was beside her, lounging back on his arms and breathing in the dense, heated breeze.
"Sorry lunch wasn't much." Sky said. "I wish we could afford more..." Thinking about how quick her boss was to give up their money, she added: "I hope Wave knows what she's doing."
Storm didn't say much, staring out ahead.
Worried she may have offended him, Sky continued: "Sorry you've been struggling, if it helps, we have been too so I understand."
Storm must've noticed her anxiety because he gave her a small smirk. "I'm just worried...ma was already sick when she took me in. I don't mind struggling, I just don't want her to."
A man of few words, this was the most Sky had ever heard him say.
"Well...if Jet wins the Prix, then you won't have to worry anymore."
"Yeah..." Storm mumbled. "If."
They didn't say much after that, losing time as they sat together and watched the hours tick by. Occasionally Sky could hear Jet and Wave talking down below, likely polishing their plans.
"I may take my board out for a run." Storm said after an eternity of silence. When he stood to stretch his limbs, he reached a hand down to the girl next to him.
Sky eyed the offer. "Do...do you want me to tag along?" There was a nod. "Oh...well I'll let Wave know so she doesn't get worried."
