I didn't want to admit it, but I was a bit worried when Fletcher took us all home instead of Wolfe.
She said that an emergency had come up and he'd left in a rush.
Considering that everyone's here, I think it's either a national security thing or someone's pulled a prank.
My guess is Zoe.
Why?
Because her tracking device is missing.
The front door opened as I beat a wild Graveler in 'Pokemon: SoulSilver', but I only looked up when a strong smell filled my nose.
GOD, that smells like-
OH…
Zoe's in TROUBLE…
"'Ha ha'." Wolfe finally said, showing the tag on the bagged tracker.
"…I should go, okay? Call me, you guys, if you need anything." Fletcher started, breaking the silence as she stood.
"Numbers on the fridge. You okay?"
"…I'm okay."
"Call me if you need anything, okay? After you take a shower, or before, it doesn't matter. Okay, I'll see you guys."
A heavy silence fell over the house once she was gone, and I hid behind my DS to avoid the situation altogether.
When he left, hopefully to take a shower, I shot Zoe a 'nice going' look that got me a tongue in return.
NOW who's immature?
Watching the Fireflies sitting around our kitchen table, I was coloring in a small doodle of Poison Ivy when Wolfe walked in.
Wearing only a towel.
In front of the Fireflies.
I resisted the urge to start laughing at the awkward moment that occurred when he finally noticed.
The giggles and whispered "I told you he had boobs," probably tipped him off.
Wolfe sent me a sharp look, most likely reprimanding me for not warning him, but I only shrugged in reply.
'What did you expect?'
"Can I see you two in the family room?"
Yeah, it sounds like we're in trouble…
Following Lulu out of the room with my sketchbook under an arm, I peeked back in to make sure none of the girls wandered off.
"Who are those people?"
"My troop. It's Monday. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday are troop nights."
"Alright, get rid of 'em."
"I can't! Everyone's parents go out on troop nights and won't get back till eight! And mom's our den-mother."
Wolfe looked towards me for confirmation, and I nodded.
"Why can't you take care of 'em?"
'You couldn't PAY me to.'
"You better tell your little friends-."
Wolfe had leaned to the side, grabbing something most likely, and jerked back as if surprised.
Guess he forgot about the little opening between the counter and the cabinets…
"Today we're supposed to sell cookies."
"I don't DO cookies."
But cookies are DELICIOUS…
"We HAVE to. If we don't sell enough cookies, we can't go to the jamboree."
Yeah, that sounds like a big loss…
But Lulu's Puppy-Dog Face seemed to sway the big bad SEAL, and he relented.
"Fine, but YOU'RE helping."
DAMN…
"Alright, ladies, this is how it's gonna be. Tonight, I am your den-mother. That means if you want to see tomorrow, you'll do EXACTLY as I say. Do we understand each other?"
He DOES realize these are thirteen-year-olds, right?
"Den-mother, you frighten me." One girl spoke up timidly.
"GOOD. Now, let's move out."
Grabbing my bag on the way out of the kitchen, I pat Lulu on the head so she wouldn't be so nervous.
This was a first for both of us.
Picking up the three boxes of cookies near the front door, I took them to the van without accepting any help.
If I'm going along, I'm doing my part.
Wolfe came up once he'd put a steering wheel lock on the front door, which I thought was a bit of overkill, and I climbed into the front passenger seat.
I immediately put on my seat-belt, and looked back to make sure the younger girls had done the same.
After experiencing Wolfe's driving skills once, I didn't want to take any chances that someone would go flying through the windshield…
Thankfully, Wolfe stayed below the speed limit on the drive to the supermarket, and I relaxed once we had parked.
With all this stress, I'll be LUCKY if I have a heart attack at twenty…
It didn't take long for them to set up, and the Fireflies seemed fine, so I went inside with Wolfe to make sure he got everything.
Splitting off to find my Lucky Charms and Seth's Coco Puffs, I walked down the large hallway to find the cereal aisle.
I had just seen the sign for it when someone blocked my path.
"I didn't expect to see you here, baby. Miss me already?"
I am SO not in the mood for this yet…
Side-stepping him, I continued walking until Bryan decided to grab my shoulder.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Completely prepared to break every bone in his hand, I was stopped by Wolfe's sudden appearance.
He grabbed my other arm and yanked me out of Bryan's grip, his glare enough to send Bryan in full retreat.
"See you later." He stuttered out, running away to whoever had come with him.
Frustrated that I wasn't allowed to hit anyone lately, I pulled out of Wolfe's grip.
'I could have handled it.'
"It doesn't matter. I'm here to protect you."
'I don't need you to.'
Turning away, I was too upset to think about getting my cereal and went straight for the check-out lines.
Wolfe followed after with the groceries, but didn't say anything as we unloaded the cart and bagged everything.
Picking up two heavy bags, I went alone towards the exit, cursing in my head and thinking of what I'd do to the next person that ticked me off.
The opportunity came sooner than I expected.
Instead of Lulu and her troop at the table near the entrance, there was a group of boys destroying their cookies.
I'm pretty sure I saw red for a moment, but I held back the worst of my rage with the knowledge that the perpetrators were only children.
That didn't mean I couldn't scare them a little, though…
Dropping my bags onto the table with a loud sound, I nearly smirked sharply when the boys jumped in surprise.
I settled for a glare as they went still, body's stuck in-between fight and flight.
I made the decision for them with a low growl, and they scattered like disturbed ants.
Irritated, I picked up the bags and turned around to see Wolfe come up.
He had probably seen what I had done, and now that the anger was dissipating, I started feeling guilty for being mad at him.
It's hard enough for him to do his job with Zoe and Seth rebelling, he doesn't need me on his ass, too.
"Where's the troop?"
…
Oh, CRAP.
The device on Wolfe's belt started beeping, and I followed him quickly, ignoring Peter's attempts to grab my attention.
If Lulu was hurt-
I let out a slow breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding when I saw her and the other Fireflies near the van, unharmed.
"Lulu, what happened?"
"Those boys broke our cookies…"
"…Broke your cookies?"
"Uh huh…"
"Lulu, THIS is not a toy." Wolfe scolded, lifting up the wrist that held her tracking device.
"Forget the cookies. I'm here to protect YOU, NOT cookies. Understand? That's Cece's job."
Slightly embarrassed at the grateful looks the Fireflies sent me, I looked away and shrugged dismissively.
"Now get in the car. You're going home."
Just as I put a bag of groceries into the back, Lulu hugged me from the side tightly.
"Thanks, Cece."
I pat her head awkwardly with a nod, and looked over my shoulder when one of her troop members spoke up.
"You can't take us home yet. You're supposed to take us to get something to eat."
"…Where do you usually go?"
BAD question…
"WELCOME to WOODY WOODCHUCKS!"
Have you ever gotten the urge to stab yourself in the ears?
I get that feeling every time I step into Woody Woodchucks.
The Fireflies scattered as I took Peter off of Wolfe's shoulder, not wanting to lose him in the chaos.
"And they say WAR is hell."
Got that right…
Rubbing a headache away as the Fireflies sang a song I wasn't paying attention to, something suddenly occurred to me.
"Where's Peter?"
…
When Wolfe made a sudden u-turn, I kinda had an idea…