Remy Stands Tall
I stopped running and felt nothing but shame. What are you doing, Remy? All Cricket wanted was for you to stand up to those bullies and this is how you respond? By running away? Is standing up to those jerks so much to ask? Answer: Yes, it is.
I felt bad. I felt like I let my best friend down, because I did let my best friend down. I know I should have listened to him and not let them control me, but I guess I'm too much of a coward to do that. I want to go back there, and make things right, and tell those bullies off, but what would happen if I do? I then had a thought. Would Cricket still want to be friends with me, Remy, the coward? I'm not so sure that I would want to be friends with me. And that scares me more than standing up to them, losing my best friend. Oh, I just don't know what to do. I then saw Weezie and went towards him.
"Hey, Weezie." I greeted. Weezie turned to me.
"Remy, my man!" He said back. "What's the haps? Besides those bullies cramping our styles, I mean." I sighed with a frown.
"I feel bad for ditching Cricket back there." Weezie frowned too.
"Yeah, man. I hear you."
"And it got me thinking, do you think that we did the right thing?" Weezie was confused.
"What do you mean?"
"By not standing up and letting Cricket down. Should we have risked it and stood up for ourselves against those jerks like Cricket wanted us to?" Weezie then looked serious.
"I'm going to be real with you. Yes, I think we should have definitely stood up to those jerks."
"Then should we go back? We still might be able to do the right thing."
"Sorry, I'm going to have to bail. We can't change people, especially the Cyber Knights. I'd like to, but we're just kids and they are also kids, but meaner because they are bullies. Once a bully, always a bully. It is what it is." He then left. I ran after him.
"Weezie, wait!" I stopped and sighed, more confused than ever.
"Running away from us?" Asked the leader of The Cyber Knights. I screamed. She seemed to just come out of nowhere. "A wise choice, because you know that if you stood up to us, it'll be pointless. You're too much of a chicken. You just keep letting us boss you and your friends around, and there won't be any trouble, got it?" I nodded with a sad sniff and whimper. Don't cry, Remy! Not now! Not in front of a Cyber Knight, especially the leader! She gave me a taunting look as a tear rolled down my cheek."Are you crying? Are you a wittle cry baby? Do you need your diaper changed, milk bottle or binky?" I sniffed again as I wiped my tears, feeling embarrassed.
"No."
"I think you're lying, but anyways, check your phone. I ceased my tears. Huh? My phone? Then I knew. Oh no! Not again!
"What did you do?" I asked. "Don't tell me I have to go back to the airport."
"No. Not the airport. This time, you're going to a place that no kid on earth will ever go to, The Happy-Go-Lucky Casino." I gasped.
"But only adults are allowed there. They're not going to let a kid inside."
"Then why did you call for a ride there?" I became angry.
"I didn't! You or your no good friends hacked into my account again! If it were me, I would go to Snuggly Pete's House of Pizza. In fact, I think I would like to go there for my next birthday." She smiled as a car came by and parked by us.
"Yes, we did. And we'll do it again because you'll let us. You're so easy to toy with."
"Well, next time, I'll say no! I'm pretty sure hacking into someone's account and pretending to be them should be illegal, if it's not already."
"Whatever! You know you won't." I sighed.
"I know." Just then, I saw the owner of the car. It was the same guy that gave me the ride to the airport.
"You again?" He questioned me. "You know this ride will be pointless, right? They're not going to allow a kid inside." I sighed again.
"I know, but I have to. You need the money, right? And I need my perfect five-star rating" He smiled.
"Right, so, come on, kid! We're burning daylight out here!" I followed him into the car, hearing a snicker from the Cyber Knight.
On the drive there, I called Vasquez. And just like I knew that he would, he wasn't happy. I heard his disappointed sigh on the other end.
"Not again, Master Remy! You know, you have to stop doing this. Your family may be rich, but this doesn't make it ok. You're draining all of their money. You have to stand up for yourself."
"I know." I said. "Sorry for the call…again."
"We'll talk about this later, Remy. I'm sure your parents would want to talk about this matter too."
"Yes, Vasquez. I understand. Thank you for this. It won't happen again." I hung up, now feeling worse than ever. I feel like I just lied to Vasquez and at home, I fear that I might lie again to Mom and Dad.
I waited for Vasquez in front of the casino. I heard the helicopter and knew that he was on his way.
I wanted to apologize as soon as I saw him. I screamed my apology to him, but he was too angry to answer. That. or he couldn't hear me due to the noise of the blades. He just dropped the ladder down to me. I just climbed up the ladder. Again, I tried to apologize to him as he piloted the helicopter,
"Remy," He said to me. "Please don't talk to me. I cannot hear you when I have headphones on. That and I'm mad at you. I'll talk to you at home as well as your parents." I sighed.
"Fine!" I just said. "Sorry." And that was that. Vasquez didn't talk to me for the duration of the flight and I didn't talk to him. I dreaded talking to Mom and Dad at home. I was in deep, deep trouble.
"Remy Remington," Mom began when I was sitting with her and Dad at the table at home. Vasquez was also there. "Your father and I are really mad at you right now."
"I know you are, Mom." I just said. "And I'm truly sorry for this."
"Son, what were you thinking!?" Dad asked me. "We gave you a phone and installed that kid-friendly Goober app because we thought that we could trust you." Mom sighed.
"Maybe you are just too young for a phone of your own." She put in. "I mean, what were we thinking? You're only nine. Were we wrong to give you a phone? Perhaps we should have waited another year or two or three or until you became a teenager." I looked at her.
"But Mom, a lot of kids my age have phones, even kids younger than me! You can trust me! I'm your son. How can you not?"
"Not when you pull off a stunt like this." Dad told me. I had to agree with him. He had a point. "Son, we may be rich and live in a mansion and have a personal bodyguard for you, but that does not mean you can do whatever you want with the money. You're taking advantage of us that way and that's wrong. Money does not grow on trees, you know."
"I know it doesn't."
"Then why are you just throwing our money away for useless things? The airport? The casino? Why would you go to those places?"
"Because I…" Should I tell them? I was determined. Yes, I should. Why was I in trouble? It was the Cyber Knights' fault, not mine! But will they believe me? I decided to just risk it and tell them the truth. They were both shocked after I was done telling them.
"So, you're telling us that your phone got hacked into and that's why you got rides to the airport and casino and you expect us just to believe that?" Mom wanted to know. I nodded.
"Well, do you guys believe me?"
"Even if that were true," My father began. "Why did you let them? You should stand up for yourself. Learn to say no."
"I know. Cricket said that too, but you don't know them, Dad! It just seems easier to give in to their demands."
"Son, what your friend said is true. You shouldn't let bullies push you around like that. You have to be strong. Tell them off and let them know what they're doing to you and your friends is not okay."
"Well, you and Mom are adults. Can't you do it for me? Heck, how about Vasquez? He's strong. He can take them on."
"Are you saying you want me to beat up some kids for you?" Vasquez wanted to know. I looked at him.
"I didn't say that, but maybe? If they know I have a strong bodyguard on my side, there is no way that they will ever bother me again!" I smiled. "Vasquez, you're a genius!"
"I can't do that, Master Remy. You have to fight your own battles."
"Then, can you train me to fight?" He shook his head.
"I can't do that either."
"And why not?"
"Because you'll be wanting to learn for the wrong reasons. Violence never solves anything. It makes things worse. Much, much worse!"
"But you resort to violence plenty of times before." I could see Mom and Dad looking at each other.
"And do those times solve anything?" I had to think about this. All I could do was shrug.
"I don't know. Maybe?"
"No, Remy! No, they didn't. Do not train to punch, kick, bite or do other stuff that'll do bodily harm to those bullies, no matter if they deserve it. Promise me!"
"But…"
"Promise me!" I sighed.
"Very well, Vasquez. I promise. I will not punch, kick, bite, or do other stuff that'll do bodily harm to those jerks no matter if they deserve it." He smiled.
"Good."
"But also, I can't stand up to them. I'm scared that if I do it'll end up being worse."
"You don't want them to bully you guys forever, right?" Dad asked.
"Well, no, but…"
"Then you have no choice." I still was uncertain about all of this.
"You never know unless you try." Mom put in.
"Now for your punishment. You're grounded. No video games, no phone, no tablet, no hanging out with friends, no enjoying the mansion, understand?" I just looked at him in shock,
"But Dad, that's completely unfair! It's not my fault that my phone keeps getting hacked into. Why am I being punished for it?"
"Because son, that's our money that is being wasted on pointless trips. Why not cancel them instead?"
"Because that'll ruin my perfect five-star rating."
"I don't know what that means, but some things like this are way more important than stars. Do you understand?"
"But I…"
"Do you understand?!" I sighed in defeat.
"Yes, Dad." I looked at him. "I still think you are being unreasonable." I looked at Mom. "Mom. Tell Dad he's being unreasonable."
"Sorry, Remy." Mom apologized. "But maybe this will teach you money management skills. This might be for the best." I looked at Vasquez.
"Vasquez?"
"Sorry, Master Remy." My bodyguard also apologized. "I kinda agree with your parents on this one." I sighed. I still couldn't believe that this was happening, but didn't want to argue. Dad urged me to give him my phone.
"Now, give me your phone." I dug into my pocket and gave him my phone. "That's a good boy. Vasquez will go into your room and take away your tablet, TV and your gaming devices so that you aren't tempted. You'll get them back on a later date."
"How long will that take?"
"Your mother and Iwill discuss it. Maybe a week?" He looked at Vasquez. "Vasquez?" Vasquez saluted him.
"Yes, sir!" He said. And with that, he was off.
Since I didn't know what to do, I just went to my room. Upon arrival, I saw Vasquez hauling off my TV.
"I hate to do this to you, Remy every time you get grounded." He began. "To be frank, it's more work for me, but if it means you learn a valuable lesson each time, it's worth it. Just be grateful that you're not me when I was your age whenever I get into trouble with my parents. I would get the chancla. Anyways, actions have consequences."
"I understand, Vasquez."
"Very good, Remy." He then left. I went into my room and looked inside. My room looked completely empty without all of my electronics. Just my toys and bed were left. I haven't played with my toys for a couple years now.
I then had a thought. What if my friends texted me and I couldn't text them to tell them that I was grounded and couldn't use my phone? If I don't tell them, they'll send me a whole bunch of texts, asking me why I was ignoring them. They'll get mad and might not want to hang out with me anymore. I can't let that happen! I have to get my phone back! I'll text all of them the situation and then I'll give my phone back and not look at it again until my grounding is over (If Mom and Dad will still let me have a phone that is). I'll just have to sneak into my parents' room without them knowing.
Oh, what am I thinking?! I can't do that. If caught, I might not be trusted ever again and get grounded until my high school graduation in about nine years. But then again, Cricket will be excited that I turned into a little rebel. Oh, I just don't know what to do.
I decided to risk it and take my phone back. I didn't like it, but that is what I decided to do. I walked to Mom and Dad's room, took my phone, and bolted out of there. I didn't want to risk being caught in mid text if my parents or Vasquez saw. I decided to text in my room. It's almost my bedtime anyways. That'll be the perfect opportunity to do it when everyone's asleep. I just hope that I didn't get any texts before then. I still didn't believe that I pulled this off. Cricket would be so proud! I hope it was worth it.
I laid in my bed, thinking of what to type, but for some reason, I couldn't. Why can't I? I should know, right? Before I could type anything, Vasquez came in. I quickly hid my phone under my pillow, hoping that he wouldn't notice anything odd about the pillow. I know I should give my phone back, but I still needed it. It's taking longer than I thought it would.
Minutes later, I couldn't get to sleep. I also forgot what I was going to type on my phone since I returned to my room. All I could think about was The Cyber Knights. Could I stand up for myself? I can't know unless I try, right? But what if I fail miserably? What if I try and I make things even worse? Oh, I don't know what to do. My phone then vibrated. I put on my glasses, picked up my phone and looked at it. It was a text from Kiki.
Kiki: U asleep?
I typed my answer and sent it to her.
Me: No. I can't get to sleep. All I can think about is the Cyber Knights.
I got a response pretty quickly.
Kiki: Same. I'm also super bummed and depressed that I got all of my game data deleted from my Bintendo Twist Plus.
I was shocked at this.
Me: All of it? That's awful!
KikI: I know. I worked my butt off and the Cyber Knights deleted it!
Me: Wait, is that why I saw you laying down in the middle of the road?
I didn't get a response.
Me: Kiki?
Kiki: Yeah. I don't want to live without my electronics, Remy! I can't!
I couldn't believe it. I still didn't know why I found Kiki like that, but I knew it couldn't be anything good. I also knew she was being a bit over dramatic about this. If Cricket and our grandparents lived in a world without electronics, so can we, right? Anyways, I felt terrible for the girl. Poor Kiki! How low can the Cyber Knights go? I was mad then. This had to stop! I typed back.
Me: I know what to do, KikI! It may be crazy, but we have to do what Cricket says, and stand up to those mean jerks! We can't let them walk over us to adulthood and beyond.
Kiki: Remy, that's crazy! We can't do that! That'll just make things worse.
Me: We have to, Kiki. It's the only way! Mom says we won't know unless we try.
Kiki: Do we have to?
Me: Mickey!
Kiki: Mickey?
Me: Sorry, dang autocorrect. Kikimiki! Kikiflora! Kikimora! Tiki! Jiji!
Kiki: Remy, are you okay? Stop yelling nonsense at me. You're scaring me!
Me: I don't know where those came from, especially the last one. But this is serious, Kiki. We do have to put a stop to this bullying before it gets even worse!
Kiki: I'm really scared.
Me: Me too. We'll meet at the end of my street tomorrow at noon to discuss what to do. You get some sleep. I'll text Weezie and I'll call Benny tomorrow morning and tell them the same thing.
Kiki: Why not your house?
Me: Kiki!
Kiki: Okay, okay! Sounds good!
I put my phone and glasses away when done, then went to sleep. I made the decision too that I'll keep my phone until all of this is over.
The next day, I met up with Weezie, Benny and Kiki.
"Alright, friends." I said, putting on my determined big boy voice and pacing before them back and forth. "What happened yesterday was unacceptable. Cricket needed us to stand up to those bullies, and how did we repay him?"
"By being hopeless cowawds?" Benny guessed.
"Right you are, Benny!" I told the five-year-old. "We were hopeless cowards, every single one of us and we should be ashamed of ourselves!" They all frowned. "But we can change that and set things right." They were all confused.
"Weally? How?"
"By doing what Cricket said and stand up for ourselves. Tell those bullies that they can't be mean to us and control us ever again." My friends all gasped.
"I know we texted each other about this last night, Remy." Kiki told me. "But I still don't know about this. They won't listen and will continue to torment us for the rest of our lives. This will be a waste. Trust me, it's not worth it."
"Remember what I said about not forcing people to change?" Weezie added.
"We can't live in fear of them and let us rule our lives." I told them. "They might be The Cyber Knights, but deep down, they are just kids, just like us." My friends realized that I was right. "Like us, they get scared, sad, happy, mad. They might look tough on the outside, but on the inside, they might not be, and are just trying to get by in this world."
"Wow, Remy!" Said an impressed Weezie. "That is the deep truth right there."
"Thanks." I said. "I guess it was pretty deep, wasn't it?"
"But will it work?" Kiki asked. "Do you really think we can stand up to them?"
"Well, there's only one way to find out. By trying."
"How are we going to stand up to those meanies?" Benny wanted to know.
"Good question, Benny." I told him. "Very good question. And to be honest, I have no idea." Benny frowned. He looked back at me.
"I bet Cwicket might know. We should ask him."
"Benny, that's a terrific idea! I bet he will too, so let's go to his house and ask." My friends all agreed and we all went to Cricket's house. Oh, I really hope Cricket can forgive us and we can all be friends again.
As soon as we got to Cricket's house, we saw Tilly swinging on the swinging bench on the porch outside. We waved to her and she waved back. I then went back to determination mode and rang the doorbell. Seconds later, Cricket's father answered the door.
"Hello, Mr. Green." I greeted him. "Is Cricket at home?"
"I'm afraid you just missed him." Mr. Green replied. "He just left for the park." We were all disappointed.
"Oh, well, when he comes back, can you tell him that we stopped by and send him over maybe? We need to talk to him."
"Will do, Remy."
"Thanks."
"Well, see you around, kids!"
"See you!" We all bid our goodbyes to Mr. Green as he closed the door behind him.
"Now what do we do?" Benny wanted to know.
"Why is he back at the park?" Kiki also wanted to know. I was about to answer when Tilly spoke from the swinging bench.
"I know why he went back to the park." She spoke. We all went over to her.
"Why did he go back to the park, Tilly?" I questioned her. She informed us on everything. We all gasped when she was done with her explanation.
"But, Tilly." I said. "Cricket doesn't have a drone. I know him. He doesn't have a single electronic device. How can he have a drone fight without a drone?"
"Frankly, I don't know how that kid can live." Kiki put in.
"Well, he did grow up in the Country." Weezie also put in. "So, it makes sense. Also, electronics are expensive. If you really think about it, our generation is more spoiled than the last one, and it's only going to get worse as time goes on."
"He didn't bring a drone. He brought his kite instead and is hoping for the best." We all gasped again.
"He doesn't know what he put himself into!" Benny stated. "He'll be cweamed!" I thought about this, then looked at my friends, once again with determination on my face.
"No, he won't, guys." I told them. "I have a plan."
"Does it involve still standing up to The Cyber Knights?" Kiki asked. I looked at her and nodded. She sighed with disappointment. "Alright, Remy. I knew it was too good to be true." She looked at me. "What's the plan?" And so, I told them. "And do you think that'll work?" I nodded.
"I know it will, Kiki. It has to. So, are you all in?" At first they all hesitated, but eventually, they all nodded. "Perfect, meet me in front of Big City Park in half an hour."
"I don't know the concept of time yet." Benny admitted. "I'm only five." Kiki looked at him.
"I'll go to your house after I get my kite and we can walk together, Benny." She told him. "You just get ready with your own kite." Benny lit up.
"Yay!" He cheered. "I'll be weady!"
"Can I come?" Tilly asked. "I also want to help my little brother. I'll bring my kite." I smiled at her.
"Sure, Tilly." I said. "The more, the merrier!" Benny cheered again. We all put our hands in the center and did a little chant. After that, all of us walked our separate ways.
As soon as I was about to go to the park with my kite, I saw Vasquez. I froze in fright. Uh-oh! I was about to run and hide when too late, he saw me.
"Master Remy?" He asked me. Peachfuzz! Busted! Oh well, I might as well come clean. "What are you doing here and with your kite? You're grounded, remember? You're not allowed to be out here. I never knew you were the type of rebellious kid to disrespect his parents like this." He narrowed his eyes. "You better go back into the mansion to your room right now before one or both of your parents catches you and extends your grounding." I sighed.
"Very well, Vasquez." I headed towards the garage to put my kite away before I headed back inside of the mansion. "I guess trying to make things right by standing up to those Cyber Knight bullies will have to wait… at least for me."
"Wait, you were going to stand up to those bullies?" I stopped and looked at him. I nodded.
"Uh-huh! I was going to do it with my friends and we were going to go to war with them with our kites and their drones. But if I'm grounded, I guess I'll have to do it myself later. Can you tell my friends that, so they don't think I chickened out on them? Thanks! I would really appreciate that." I was about to go off again when Vasquez stopped me.
"Wait, Remy!" He sighed. "I guess if you are just going to stand up to those mean kids, I'll give you permission to go and do it." I looked at him, not believing what I was hearing.
"Really, Vasquez? You're serious?" He nodded. I smiled, but then frowned right away. "What about Mom and Dad?"
"You just leave me to take care of that. You just go and do what you need to do. But you come home right after and resume your punishment, understand? No playing afterwards, just come back immediately." I smiled.
"I will, Vasquez. Promise." I then hugged him. "Thank you for this."
"Of course. You show those bullies that they should never mess with my little Remy, okay?"
"I will." After that, I ran off.
My friends were all already at the park's entrance when I arrived. All of them had their kites. Kiki carried Benny's for him, as well as her own.
"Remy, you're late." Kiki said.
"Sorry." I told her.
"Kiki haught you were going to chicken out." Benny stated,
"I did not!" Kiki argued. Benny looked at her.
"Yes, you did. You and Weezie made a bet out of it. You said that if Remy didn't show, Weezie would give you 5 dollars."
"Benny, shut up." Benny gasped.
"You can't say that to a cute and innocent five- year-old! I'm telling!"
"Whatever." She looked at me. "So, are we doing this thing?"
"You bet!" I replied. So, off we went.
We saw Cricket battling the Cyber Knights with his kite battling their drones, and their drones were winning.
"Poor Cwicket!" Benny observed. "I knew it! He is being cweamed out there!"
"Yeah." Weezie agreed. "But don't forget that's why we are here. There's three of them, and with our help, there will be seven of us. We got this!"
"It'll be kites versus their drones." Kiki put in. "Our battle will be legendary."
"Yeah!" Benny added. "Legendawy! Uh, what does legendawy mean?" But no one answered him, for we all ran in to aid with our kites.
"I'll go get him." Kiki said when Benny floated away on his kite after we won the battle with The Cyber Knights. I looked at Cricket and frowned. Now comes the question I have been dreading.
"Hey, Cricket?" I asked. He looked at me.
"Yeah, buddy?"
"We're still friends, right?" He was confused.
"Still friends?" He questioned. He smiled. "Of course we are! Why ever not?" I sighed. I had a feeling he was going to say that. That's so Cricket. I just wanted to make sure.
"I just thought that since I refused to stand up to those Cyber Knight jerks, you wouldn't want a scardy cat as a friend."
"Lots of people get scared about certain things. It's just human nature. So, no, I'm not mad. Maybe I was at the beginning, but the fact that you guys came back to help me win against those Cyber Knight jerks, made up for it."
"Really?"
"Yeah, really." I smiled.
"It sure felt good standing up to those meanies."
"It sure was." Tilly agreed.
"Aman to that." Weezie put in. I then frowned.
"Well, I have to go now. I'm supposed to be grounded for some reason. See you guys later, or years from now, depending on my punishment."
"Okay, see you, Remy! Hopefully your grounding won't be as bad as you think."
"Yeah, hopefully."
"See ya!" Weezie added. With one more wave to Weezie and Cricket, I ran off.
As soon as I entered the house after I put away my kite in the garage, I saw Mom, Dad and Vasquez.
"Son, we know what you did out there." Dad began. Vasquez told us everything." I frowned and hung my head in shame.
"I'm sorry, Mom and Dad." I apologized. "But if you just let me explain…"
"We're not mad, Remy." Mom said. "We're the opposite really." I was surprised.
"Wait, really? You're not mad that I snuck out and defied you and Dad?"
"We were mad at first. But when we were told that you only did it to stand up to yourself against those bullies, we became less mad." I smiled. This is going way better than I thought.
"But we are still a little mad at you, son." Dad said. "You're not out of the doghouse yet." I frowned again. And there it is. "We know you snuck into our room last night to take your phone." I looked at them, shocked.
"How did you figure it out?"
"When I opened the drawer and saw that your phone was gone."
"Oh. That."
"Yeah." Mom put in. "That. And before you say it, we knew it couldn't be anyone else." I was about to add that it could be a burglar that broke in just to take my phone and nothing else, but decided against it. Dad sighed.
"And maybe I was too hard on you earlier." He confessed. I was shocked again.
"Really?"
"Yeah. If it was really that bully who hacked into your phone, it wasn't your fault. It was the bully's."
"And you believe that?"
"Well, you are our son, Remy." Mom stated. She smiled. "We believe you." I smiled back. I couldn't believe that this was really happening. "But you need to be really careful in the future about that app." I nodded.
"I will, Mom. I promise."
"But you are still grounded for sneaking into our room." Dad said. He ushered me to give him my phone, "But just for one night. Give me your phone." I sighed.
"Fair enough I suppose." I took out my phone. I thought about texting all my friends first, but again, decided against it. I just gave Dad my phone, hoping against hope that they'll understand. Cricket, Tilly and Weezie would know at least because I told them. So, they would tell Kiki and Benny too.
"We're really proud of your son for standing up to those bullies." Mom said. I looked at her and once again, smiled.
"Thanks, Mom. I am too." Dad pointed to the marble staircase.
"Now go to your room, son." He told me. "Vasquez will give all of your electronics back tomorrow."
"Yes, Dad." And so, I walked towards the staircase.
Being grounded stinks. Being grounded in the summer is worse. But risking it all just so you can stand up to your bullies with your best friends by your side, and doing what is right, well I say, is well worth it.
