Chapter 5 - Learning A Lesson (Posted 10 March 2011)

"So," Kendall said looking around with a finger on his chin, "how are we going to find some grain?"

"How should I know? This is probably only the third time I've been in here."

"Ok. We'll just have to look everywhere then." Kendall sighed.

"Oh, what a brilliant idea." James said sarcastically as he rolled his eyes.

"Hey, I never claimed to be smart, ok?" Kendall said, a little offended. "Do you have a better plan?"

"...No."

"Didn't think so. You go check in the cupboards over there, and I'll check over here."

"You want me to... touch this stuff?"

"Duh. James, the servants won't help you now. You have to learn to do things for yourself."

"I don't see why." James grumbled. "Once I learn whatever it is I'm supposed to learn from you, I'll have the servants back. And I'll have even more when I'm King, so there's no point in learning to get along without them."

Kendall thought about that. "You know, you have a point."

"Well, I... wait. I do?"

"Yes. One day, our roles will be switched. I'll have to serve you along with all the other servants. So... what is the point of all this?"

"I never thought of that..." James said pensively. "Will you... will you still be my friend when that happens?"

"I don't know. I thought you didn't care about me."

"I don't!"

"Then no. This friendship only lasts as long as we're together like this. You won't want to be my friend after it ends."

"How do you know that?" James said, feeling a little twinge of guilt as he heard Kendall's words.

"Because. You'll be His Highness Prince James again, and I'll be Kendall Knight, son of a servant. You don't want anything to do with me now, so why would you want my friendship then?"

"Oh... I guess you're right."

"See? I may not be a genius, but I'm not as stupid as everyone thinks."

James laughed. "Who thinks you're stupid? You don't seem that stupid."

"Well, apparently I am. All the other servants treat me like I need extra help with everything. The only ones who don't are my brothers, but I know they think the same thing."

Kendall's stomach growled loudly, reminding James what they were there for.

"Ok, I'll go look in these cupboards..." James walked over in the direction Kendall had pointed earlier and looked at the labels on all the doors. He turned and looked across the room to see Kendall opening each door and peering inside. Ok, he thought, maybe he is stupid. Doesn't he see the labels? "Kendall, they're over here." James said when he found it.

"What?" Kendall ran over. "How can you know that? You haven't even looked inside them?"

"I didn't have to. Look at the label." James put a finger under it. "Grains." he read aloud.

"Oh... so that's what those are. What does this one say?" Kendall pointed to the label on the door to the left.

"Salt."

"And this one." he pointed to the one on the right.

"Grains, as well."

"Wow." Kendall said, amazed. "You can read!"

"Of course I can read." James said cautiously. "You mean you... can't?"

Kendall laughed. "Of course not. No one ever taught me."

"But... how do they expect you to become a servant if you don't know how to read?"

"I told you, everyone thinks I'm stupid. They think it's a waste of time to try to teach me to read. Maybe they don't expect me to become a servant, they probably think I'll be thrown out of the castle because I can't do anything. I actually wouldn't be surprised if that happened..."

"That's... everyone should know how to read."

"Everyone?"

"That's what I said." James rolled his eyes again. Then he felt arms around him. Kendall was hugging him. Again. "I guess that's good?"

"Very good. At least on that level, you can see everyone as equals."

"Ok. I'll remember that. But don't you think you're going overboard on the hugging?"

Kendall released him immediately. "Oh. Right. Sorry. You could have said something earlier if you didn't like it. I'm sure I can think of another reward for you..."

"No, that's not what I meant..." James instantly regretted saying that. He actually liked being hugged. It felt so nice. It wasn't often he felt another person's touch, so if Kendall's hugs were his only chance at feeling that again, he honestly didn't want it to stop.

"No, I should've realized earlier. You don't want a dirty kid like me touching you all the time. I may be able to teach you compassion, but I'm not a miracle worker."

"But I want..."

"How about I just tell you when you did something good? I mean, you'll still know it was good, but you won't have to put up with me hugging you."

What was James supposed to say? He didn't want Kendall to stop hugging him. But he didn't want to admit it. He couldn't tell him he liked it. "That's a good idea."

Kendall smiled, but it looked different from his other smiles. James didn't know what was different about it, but it bothered him. Had he hurt Kendall's feelings? I don't care if his feelings are hurt. He's here to help me, not get a confidence boost.

"Ok, so now we have to make it..." Kendall said. Then something caught his eye. "Kelly!"

"Hey there, Kendall!" Kelly rushed over. "What are you doing in the kitchen?"

"Kelly, I'm hungry." Kendall put on a pouty face. He suddenly felt woozy. "I was going to make some bread, but I don't think I have the strength. Can you get me some? Please?"

"You know I can't, sweetie. I'm not supposed to help either of you."

"But I'm so hungry... I don't... I don't feel so good..." He grabbed onto Kelly's dress tightly.

He wobbled back and forth for a minute before falling to the ground.

"Kendall!" James yelled.

"Oh my gosh!" Kelly bent down and turned him onto his back. "Kendall, are you ok?"

"He's not waking up..." James said. Why am I worried about him? He's just some stupid kid I have to put up with. "What's wrong with him?"

"I think he passed out. When was the last time he ate?"

"I don't know..."

"Go get some water from the tap over there. There are cups on the shelf beside it."

"But... I... ok." James walked quickly to do what Kelly told him. He'd wanted to protest and give some speech about taking orders, but he found that as he watched Kendall lay passed out in Kelly's arms, he just couldn't. He brought the water back and handed it to Kelly, who flicked some droplets onto his face.

"Huh?" Kendall finally opened his eyes. "What happened?"

"You passed out." James said. He'd never seen that happen before. He'd heard about it, but actually seeing it was different. It was scary.

"Sorry."

"Oh, you silly little boy." Kelly said, sitting him up. "Why are you sorry? It's not your fault. Now, tell me when the last time you ate was."

"Yesterday morning." Kendall sighed.

"Why haven't you eaten since then?" James asked. He should have mentioned that!

"Well, I ate breakfast. But then at lunch there wasn't enough for everyone, so I let my brothers split my portion. And then at supper I didn't feel good, so I didn't eat because I didn't want to upset my stomach." Kendall explained.

"Ok, well, I think in this case, bringing you some food is the right thing to do. James, can you stay with him while I get you boys something to eat?"

"I suppose."

Kelly walked away, leaving James staring down at Kendall who was still sitting on the floor.

"Why are you staring at me?" Kendall wondered.

"You should have told me you hadn't eaten since yesterday!"

"Would you have cared?"

"Well, I... no, I guess not... I care now, though..."

"You do?" Kendall was confused. Hadn't he just gotten done saying he didn't care? He needed to make up his mind.

"Yes. You're supposed to be my friend. Even if it's only temporary..."

"Thanks."

James was going to reply but Kelly came back holding two bowls. She handed one to each boy.

"Now, when you're done, put them on the counter over there and I'll come back later to take care of them." Kelly said quietly. "And don't tell anyone I helped you, ok? I don't want to get in trouble."

"We won't tell, we promise!" Kendall said happily. "Thank you so much, Kelly! I owe you one!"

Kelly smiled and walked away quickly.

"What... is this?" James asked, frightened by the brown mush in the bowl.

"It's hash." Kendall said, smelling it. "It's chopped up beef with vegetables and spices in it."

"And... I'm supposed to... eat this?"

"Yeah, it's good!" Kendall said as he ate the sloppy food with his hands.

"We don't have any utensils!"

"We have fingers, duh."

"Please, tell me you're joking."

"Not one bit." Kendall said seriously. "And if you're not going to eat that, I will. But I suggest you eat it, because it's the last food you're going to have until morning."

"It smells edible..."

"Just eat it, James. It's not going to kill you to eat simple servant food." Kendall said as he finished his.

"Oh, fine." James grimaced as he stuck his hand into the warm, meaty goo. He pulled out a clump and placed it in his mouth. He chewed slowly, as if eating the food was painful.

"So, how is it?" Kendall asked cheekily.

"It... isn't that bad..."

"Told you."

"But don't expect me to eat this every day!"

"Every day? I'm lucky if I get it twice a month."

"Whatever. I'm tired. I guess I have to find a place for you to sleep."

"Oh yeah, I never even thought of that..." Kendall thought out loud.

"Well, come on, we're never going to get anywhere by just standing here." James huffed and walked out of the kitchens.

Kendall sighed and ran to catch up with him. He couldn't believe this was only the end of his first day with James. It felt like ten years had gone by since that morning. He didn't even want to think about how long he'd have to stay with James.