➔ WORD OF THE CHAPTER: deflecting

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We came crashing onto grass. I was laughing so hard with charlie.

"Oh my god! Oh my god.. that was crazy," lizzie squeals, panting.

"We just.. we just flew," big mac breathes heavily.

We all stood up, walking to Mr. kincaid and irons.

"Nice job, angry guy! but we've gotta get to school," maya says. "You should leave the kids with me, they'll slow you down," irons told mr. kincaid.

"NO!" we all disagreed.

"Berger's my best friend," charlie shouts. "He's my little brother," big mac chimes in.

"We're going with you, Mr. kincaid," i say.

Helicopter starts flying above us. Irons look up, "i'm not the only ones looking for you."

"You guys go. I'll slow them down," irons say. "The world needs the guard.. jack. And you're the.. least bad option," irons speaks to mr. kincaid.

He nods. "Thanks," he chuckles lightly. "You're not gonna.." he pauses. "I know you're not. I don't have to say this, but you're not gonna tell them who the guard is or anything," he whispers.

"We'll see..." irons joked.

"Alright, you guys get the heck out of here. Stop that maniac," irons tells us.

———

We are now in the van camper. I was sitting beside maya and i was against the window.

"Sorry, about your man cave, dad," charlie says.

"Yeah.. Adios. Ten years down the drain," his dad says.

"...well it's... not my fault a militia showed up to....steal your magic ball," charlie raises his voice.

"Well, whose is it," his dad retorts. "Well, if you just would've told me the truth about who you are. I would have never figured it out. So actually it's your fault," charlie says.

The four of us in the back were silently watching them bicker.

"really? well we have plenty of time to discuss who's fault it is," charlie's dad says, speeding up the car.

"Mom's right... you're always deflecting, putting up walls," charlie says. "she says that," mr. kincaid questions.

"yeah."

"I disagree. I don't put up walls and i don't deflect," mr. kincaid says.

"see! deflection," charlie looks at his dad. "what are you talking about," his dad looks over at him.

"It's deflecting."

"It's not deflecting. That's disagreeing."

"No. That's deflecting."

..

"Why can't you just be honest with me," charlie sighs.

"If you wanna know anything.. go ahead. ask me. I'll tell you the truth," charlie's dad says.

"Why does this thing not have cup holders?"

"Where do superheroes pee?"

"Have you ever been to space?"

"Do you just not get old and weak?"

Questions kept pouring out from the four of us.

He looks back at us, "That's for charlie, okay?"

"Enough from the peanut gallery," he says.

"Okay, uh.. why did you and mom split up," charlie asks. "That's your first question," he sighs.

"Not something about the jetpacks or something," he asks.

"Look, charlie's that a... it's.. a big question.. I- i think it's hard to understand. I didn't wanna have to choose between saving the world and my family. But i. didn't. have a choice. Oh, how am i gonna tell my son 'oh and alien power source chose me to be the guardian of the planet,' right? i mean would your parents tell you that," he tells him then looks at us for the last question.

"no.."

"no!"

We all sat there awkward and scared a bit.

"No. because it makes you sound crazy, right? Yes," he says frustrated.

"I get it. You have this.. super powerful thing and you didn't know who you could trust. I just.. thought you could trust me.." charlie says.

It was silent for a second.

"So, who's excited for the moon dance," lizzie perks up. I look at her, smiling.

———

We came to a stop in the parking lot. "You kids stay in the car. Where do i go," charlie's dad says.

"Wait you've never been in your kid's school," i ask. "No, i've- ive been... it's been a while," he stammers.

Maya and lizzie exchange glances.

"Alright, how bout we crash through the skylights. Yeah.. just like the time you saved those diplomats in Caracas," charlie suggests. "I know but i had a fully charged suit then," he pauses. "How do you know about that," his dad asks.

"I'm the guard's number one fan, dude! I even defended you on reddit," charlie exclaims

"That was you?"

"That was me."

"Oh.. thank you. You're pretty good."

Charlie nods his head side way, agreeing.

"Okay, so where do i go," charlie's dad asks again.

"Mr. Kincaid, take these.. and charlie you're gonna call him on the phone and tell him where to go, okay," lizzie hands him, her pink light up kitty headphones.

———

"So.. what happens now," i ask in the silent car. "We wait.." maya says.

Charlie speaks on the phone, "no, take a left, take a left. Not a right."

"You see trophy case," charlie asks.

"Just keep walking by it, alright? You're almost there."

"Pass the trophy case and you're gonna look on your right and it should be.. uh glowing, i think."

"Eagles, dad."

I couldn't hear much of what his dad was saying. Why did they randomly talk about eagles?

"I guess. Just keep going, alright? Next question," he says getting impatient.

"Are you even listening to me?"

I glare at charlie and smack him.

He looks at me offended then sighs.

"Dad? Hello?"

...

"AAAAAHHHHHHH"

I look at the phone, shocked. Was that berger's scream? I know his scream anywhere. Very distinguished.

"What's happening," lizzie asks.

"I just heard berger scream. I think they're going to the gym," charlie says.

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