Chapter 11
"Yes," Slade answered his cell phone on his way from work to visit some old companions a week after Wolverine's and Amber's date. "I will be there in five minutes." He shit his silver flip phone shut as he neared the small café which they were meeting there. He parked beside a metallic green prius.
Before he met the others at the round wooden table, he stared in shock. He was unaware that his brother and also his ex-girlfriend and her sister were there. He had assumed it was only going to be Wolverine and maybe Wolverine's friend James, who didn't show up, there but that wasn't the case. Slade needed to control his demeanor. "Hey Wolverine," Slade was sitting the chair next to his companion.
"Howdy Partner," replied Wolverine with a wide grin on his brown face, "I haven't seen you in years." The two males shook hands whilst Jagger was discussing politics with Amber and Ally. Unfortunately for Slade, who wanted to pull Jagger away from the Rhodes sisters and punch his brains out, was confused about his emotions seeing Amber in her normal state and having fun like she did in high school.
"Hey man," greeted Slade with a smirk as he pat the soldier on the shoulder, "It's good to see you as well." He snatched Amber's menu making her eyes dance in blaze of annoyance.
Amber took it back and said, "It's rude to take what people are using, Slade." She held out his name long enough for the businessman to shake in the agonizing remembering of the breakup and anger. She looked over at him and continued kindly, "Chill out, man, I'll be done shortly." Wolverine and Jagger chuckled as Slade slunk in his sweet in defeat.
"Whatever," he scoffed making the two boys laugh harder. "What?" the eldest Princeton demanded to know what exactly was so hilarious. He wasn't keen on noticing the most obvious details which made them laugh even more.
"Nothing," coughed his younger brother making Ally giggle softly. Jagger smiled thinking she seems to act like me when I was her age only she's quieter, not into girls, and not a video game junkie. He looked over at the older Rhodes who scooted over to Jagger making him blush. Well, I am not going to lie to myself. I do like her he said to himself.
Slade drew closer as Amber scooted her seat over to his younger brother. No, this goes against the plan thought Slade unhappily. He glanced over at Wolverine who was eating his turkey sandwich. Suddenly, the eldest Princeton cared more about what his friend was digesting than what Amber was doing with his brother.
He gulped nervously as Amber whispered to Jagger, "Thanks, you really are a nice guy. I think that my sister even halfway trusts you. I owe you." Slade glanced frantically at Jagger who gave her a classic one-armed hug because there were two possibly pissed-off men in front of him.
"Thanks, Ambs. That has made my day, well; if you want to make it up to me then…you can fly with us to Chazz's graduation ceremony. You have to be there for Atticus and Alexis. So what did you say?" Jagger piped up just to frustrate the other males who were watching in disbelief. Wolverine couldn't comprehend what Jagger just did. The Hassleberry kept asking himself did he just ask her out. Does he like her? What will she say?
"Now, hold on a minute, Private. She's my lady," Hassleberry said as Amber and Ally placed their orders. The soldier got a glare of hatred from the girl he liked. Slade smirked and thought those were the words God forbade men to say about Amber or mainly most girls in general. They seem to hate for some reason.
"What did you say?" demanded furious Amber who slammed her tray on the table making her sister shake her head in disgust.
"I said…" Wolverine began but was unable to finish his sentence in fear.
"Look, just because I am a girl doesn't mean I belong to anyone. I'm not even dating you, and I never will after that remark. I'm my own girl. No stupid male controls me or ever will. We aren't property you know, and I don't like being treated that way," she growled lowly. She started eating her vegetarian wrap without saying a word after that. She noticed Slade frowning as he finished ordering his dinner. He was planning on us getting together so I could be miserable. Too bad that it failed thought the eldest Rhodes proudly.
"You aren't giving me a chance to fight this battle," Wolverine protested. He wanted a shot more than ever to make things right.
Amber snarled in response, "You won't ever get that chance. I would rather end up alone and old with five hundred psycho cats than be with you." Wolverine rushed away after Amber's words were spoken.
"That was a tad harsh," Jagger stated watching Wolverine leave briskly. I didn't know how harsh she could be he thought as Slade's friend started punching a brick wall.
"Well what if I said that men were only good for sperm?" Amber asked flatly, "What if I said that's the reason for a lot of rape charges?" Ally looked up at Jagger who was dumbstruck. He knew that she had a point, and he couldn't argue with her.
But Slade could. The eldest Princeton replied as he food arrived, "but that wouldn't surprise anyone. You can be the most feministic person I know, but you have forgotten that if women can be feminists why can't men be chauvinists?" He smiled as he stuffed a hunk of steak in his mouth making Amber want to gag.
"Being a feminist means as many equal opportunities for women as there are for men," Amber replied, "Being a chauvinist means you are a sexist pig, but I am sure you thought the word meant something else." Slade's face turned a ghastly shade of white. How could he have fallen in that trap?
Jagger, who was a bit of a pacifist, said in hopes of ending the tension, "So Amber will you be coming with us on our trip to Duel Academy?"
"Only if Ally wants to," she replied turning her attention to her sister who was quietly drinking tea. The blonde-headed girl looked up from her cup and looked at everyone's eyes. Slade's cold grey eyes were mixed with want and fear of it going terribly wrong. Jagger's also grey eyes were full of hope while Amber's just wanted an answer.
"Okay," Ally replied simply, "I want to see Atticus."
"Why Atticus?" asked Slade who despised her older brother. Atticus was that eccentric, annoying, narcissist brat that Slade always wound up dealing with. The two young men's personalities clashed at all given occasions.
"He's sweet and tells good stories," she responded with a small grin, "I love how he tells countless stories of the people that he hangs out with. He's a lot of fun, and he makes up for the qualities I lack. I love Amber because she gives the best advice, we are similar in many ways, and she defends whatever or whoever she cares about. Alexis is my twin so yeah…" she stopped talking after she realized that she spoke more than a sentence at a time. She noticed her sister was giving her a big embrace with tears forming in her eyes.
Amber said softly, "And I love you for being the most amazing sister I could ever ask for. You are so smart and artistic. You are so talented, and I just darn right love you. I am so glad your graduation is before Lexi's and Atty's just because I get to spend such a special occasion with you, and not dealing with hair and dueling. You're so down to earth." The sisters hugged once more.
"When is your graduation?" asked Jagger curiously.
"Tomorrow," Ally said quietly. She looked at her watch and then tugged her sister's orange sleeve of her sweater.
"Well," said Amber who had just finished her meal, "We have to go. I guess we'll see you in a week." They left to Amber's metallic green prius. Slade sighed in defeat. Now since she won't go out with Wolverine, Jagger…no…Jagger will not win her over ever. That'd be so sickening. I won't allow it Slade's brain stormed. It was going to be a long week.
Mew Kazurinu: Well, I finished at three twenty-six in the morning. I hope you enjoyed this. I couldn't think of a flashback to put in this chapter, but there will be soon. Thanks for reading.