~ Part 7~ | The Lies We Tell

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** I'm Not Fine (Blixemi) **
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"But no matter hard I try
There this little voice in my mind
And it tells me every time
That I will not be fine"

~ I'm Not Fine (Original Blixemi Warriors Song)

*******

"We have arrived!"

The old masters tone was proud as he stopped, arms spread open, welcoming their arrival with joy and-

"Uh...Master Wu?" Cole said carefully. "I think we're in the middle of nowhere."

And they were. Zane tilted his head, feeling puzzled by this situation as he scanned the destination.

"Is there really such as place as nowhere?" Wu hummed. "If there was nowhere how would we know it existed?"

Must be some sort of riddle. Zane concluded, his mind already working to unscramble his teacher's cryptic words.

Cole just stared at him in confusion. Mouth open a tiny bit and brow scrunched. "Uh...what?"

Wu simply ignored the dubious faces of his students as he kicked off his brown slippers and walked a few paces. "Shoes off, students!" He instructed.

The tall blonde obediently slid off his simple grey shoes. He glanced around at his peers to see if they were following. Most of them looked confused while Kai grimaced at the sight of Master Wu's feet.

"Is that sanitary?" Jay inquired, only to be bopped in the head with the hiking stick. The ginger had to jump around to get off his running shoes as he yanked off his socks with a grunt. Cole was already destroying his own by wearing them with his heels crushing the back. He could slip out of them easily. Nya bent to take off her hiking boots, giving Kai a stern look until he reluctantly shuffled out of his red treads.

It was very quiet. Thin spindly trees grew from the ground, the grass wasn't very lush and was more of a pale sickly green. The ground wasn't muddy but wasn't dry. It's texture smooth and cold to the touch. There was enough foliage that it gave some shade, long streaks of sun casting like spotlights around the small nook of the woods. You could just make out the blue sky if you looked up. Bushes and ferns grew around, tiny stick like plants crowding around them. Many weeds and the occasional wild flower stick out of the ground, brushing against Zane's skin like tickle wisps.

Wu was dressed in his usual white robes, he simply walked around in a circle-like shape, weaving through the trees with his eyes closed and his hands clasped behind his back.

How peculiar.

"Master Wu?" Zane called out to the headmaster. "What are you instructions for this class?"

The old man didn't answer. Zane watched carefully but as this continued on he was aware of the rest of his classmates behaviours. Kai began to feel impatient, pressing his lips together in agitation. Jay stood to his left, the boy was rocking on the balls of his feet. His grey track pants were a little long and the end reached to his toes. Cole sort of plopped onto the ground with a sigh and began picking at the grass. Nya simply glanced at her brother questioningly as Wu continued doing laps around the space.

Zane studied the man for a moment. Perhaps they were supposed to follow. Zane waited for the headmaster to pass him before he filed behind the man. Placing his feet where Master Wu did and walking around the trail Wu was making in the grass. Zane could tell the man was content. Shoulders were relaxed, all tension was released from his body, he seemed to know where to go even though his eyes lids were just barely closed.

Zane decided to experiment and he shut his own eyes as well. He took steady breaths, matching Master Wu's inhale and exhale, relaxing his body. As he walked, carefully listening and monitoring Master Wu's presence so he wouldn't get lost, Zane began to feel his sense open. His ears could hear more, the slight crunch of their footsteps, the chirping of the crickets, and call of the birds. He could feel the gentle breeze move his hair like feathers and the feeling of the grass compressing under his feet.

There was a rustle as someone began to step in behind Zane. He furrowed his brow and studied the persons movements. Purposeful, but small. It was Nya. He heard the faint feminine sigh as the girl calmed her body as well. Cole stood, saying something vaguely like: "what the heck". His stride were heavier but he relaxed a lot sooner than Nya. Jay joined in after, his steps quicker and he made more noise, muttering to himself as he tried to figure out what to do, earning a "shut up" from Cole. Last was Kai, after a few seconds of standing there alone in his bare feet he moved in behind Jay and warily closed his eyes, almost crashing into the shortest boy in front of him.

Zane started to focus more on the energy flowing in his body, how the cool fresh air pulled into his lungs and the pulse of nature around him. A silent beat pulsing through the air. A drum that kept their pace, swallowed him in his peace, rising into a crescendo like an orchestra at its point. Just as the music reached its peak everything...

Stopped.

Stillness.

Zane opened his eyes. Suddenly this world of calm he had been in was sucked away as Master Wu smiled at his pupils.

"That is all for today, students."

******

Zane wandered around the campus. He paused every once and awhile to admire the various Asian inspired architecture and custom oil paintings hung on the wall. Since this was a small school there wasn't any clubs or extracurriculars, meaning lots and lots of free time. Judging by Zane's fellow students body language they weren't exactly comfortable enough to spend that time hanging out together. Not that Zane knew how to properly socially interact and 'chill'.

Zane found himself wandering into the kitchen. It was large enough, a stove with six burners and a giant fridge. Cole was quite thrilled by the last appliance.

Mistaké usually cooked the meals with a grouchy look on her face before she grabbed her share and left. Wu often would attempt to invite her to join them for dinner but his actions only made her shoot him a look that could kill a lion.

Zane noticed the recipe book resting on the counter. Curiosity spurred him as he carefully opened the old, yellowed book and picked through the recipes. For some reason the instructional writings for culinary preparation interested him. Zane felt himself smiling as he gazed at the pages, faded pictures, typed step by step procedure, and small scribbled notes in pen dotted each recipe. The ground chicken lettuce wraps caught Zane's attention. Zane gazed at the picture for a moment, eyes sliding to the ingredients.

Ground chicken.

Zane moved to the fridge, pulling it open and ignoring the cool air that came from it. He found where the meat was, surprisingly enough, ground chicken was there. His photographic memory recalled the next thing on the list. Hands grabbing peppers, ginger, thyme, and other items as he laid them on the counter.

Zane studied the instructions, reading it slowly and carefully all the way through before he took out a pan. Placing it on the middle burner, Zane turned on the stove and got to work.

*****

Kai let out a shaky sigh, trying to keep all the tension building in his chest down as he plodded out of Master Wu's office. Previously he stormed out but after the morning exercise he felt much more at ease. Still not perfect, still very angry and scared at the situation at hand, but better.

Kai decided to avoid crossing paths with his sister, Zane, Cole, or the really annoying one and went to the kitchen. Maybe he could attempt to listen to Wu's advice and get some calming tea if he could figure out how to make it.

He pushed open the door but was startled when he heard the sound of food sizzling and the enticing smell of ginger and chicken.

"Zane?" Kai's eyebrows flew up when he caught sight of his quiet roommate puddling around, stirring the mixture in the pan, chopping peppers, and sprinkling in spices.

"Hello, Kai." Zane turned with a calm expression, unstartled as he dropped the peppers in the pan.

"Uh...what are you doing?" Kai made his way in, reaching towards the canisters of tea bags Wu had on the counter.

"Making ground chicken lettuce wraps." Zane said like it was obvious. "Can you pass me the head of lettuce to your three?"

Kai glanced around, his eyes finding it beside him as he grabbed it as silently handed it over.

"It smells...good." He brunette offered, sniffing at the contents.

"Thank you. Would you like to help?"

Kai couldn't hide his shock. In all his life little to no one asked for him to help in such a friendly manner. Well, other than Nya and...

"Er..." Blue eyes stared expectantly. "Sure."

"Thank you." Zane regarded him with such warm eyes that Kai began to feel uncomfortable. The thin blonde passed the lettuce back to him. "Please wash this under cold water."

Kai followed his orders, bringing the vegetable go the sink and running it under the tap. Kai glanced at his companion, Zane moved swiftly, chopping at a remarkably fast speed. "Have you cooked a lot?"

Zane faltered for a moment, the content look on his face shifting for a blink into something almost pained. It was gone in a flash and Kai watched as he forced a smile on his face.

"The lettuce is good now." He gestured to it.

"Oh." Kai fumbled to turn off the water.

Zane strolled over and cut out the hard bit at the bottom. "Can you try and separate the pieces?" He demonstrated, fingers sliding between the layers of leaves and breaking them off before setting it aside.

Kai nodded. Simple enough.

Grip, pull, peel....With a crack the lettuce broke off in his hand. Kai grimaced at the long split he had put in the piece. Maybe this was why Nya never let him help out in the car repair shop.

"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?" Kai spun to face the angry face of Mistaké. The old women's wrinkled face was pinched furiously as she glared him down with eagle-like eyes.

"Relax." Kai slid a smirk over his surprise. "We're just cooking."

"And who said you could do that? Knowing you little millennials, you'll probably burn down the building!" Mistaké shrieked, shoving Kai aside as she moved to inspect for any damage.

Kai felt burning anger simmer in him. He hated when adults talked like that to him. He opened his mouth, a stinging insult balancing on his tongue.

"My apologies, Mistaké." Zane stepped in before Kai could bark at her. "We simply wanted to make a nice meal for you and the headmaster since you both work so hard."

Mistaké narrowed her eyes at him. Suspicion written all over her face. She warily glanced at what Zane was doing. "Are those...my ground chicken lettuce wraps?" Mistaké questioned warily.

Zane nodded. "Would you like to try the meat mixture?" He raised a small spoon.

She snatched it from his hand before sticking it in her mouth. Kai watched, his body tense as she steadily chewed. Mistaké relaxed

"Well, that's a good meat mixture, that's for sure." She relented. Zane exchanged a relieved look with Kai. "You can cook in here, I don't care, just don't destroy anything or I'll be paying for it!" She shook a finger warningly before whisking out the door.

The boys only moved when she had left the hall. "Sheesh, she's a walking old witch." Kai muttered as he tore away at the lettuce some more.

Zane chuckled. "I do not advise saying that to her face."

Kai snorted. "Whatever, I'd gladly let her know what her nose reminds me of."

Zane paused, glancing at the door. "Oh look, I think she's coming back."

The blonde boy chuckled as his peer let out a curse and stumbled back. Kai scowled hotly when he realized that Mistaké was not in fact entering the room again. He glared at the amused look directed at him.

"Haha. Very funny." Kai said sarcastically.

"I find it quite amusing, yes." Zane replied cheekily.

"Y'know, I almost thought you didn't have a sense of humour." Kai quirked an eyebrow.

"I could say the same about you." Zane returned the look.

There was a beat before Kai shrugged. "Fair enough."

Zane brushed off his hands. "Well, I'm also to done here. Will you help me set the table?"

"I'm not sure if you should trust me with the plates." Kai responded with a smug half-grin. "I'll let you finish that up, pal." He patted Zane on the shoulder before departing, his aura of arrogance following him out.

Zane shook his head, not surprised as he poured the chicken into a serving bowl.

"I suppose he'll just have to be on clean up."

*****

Cole's eyes widened as a delicious smell wafted through his nasal passage. Jay yelled as he smashed into him from behind.

"Cole!" Jay complained. "Stop standing there and move."

Cole made a face at his friend but complied, moving towards his seat at the large table. Zane was already seated, he greeted his classmates with a bright smile as Cole scooched in quickly and began to scoop. The chicken smelled absolutely delicious. Cole tried to act causal but his mouth was watering. The ravenette placed the meat and peppers into the lettuce, cupping it like a taco and shoved it in his mouth. Jay snagged the serving bowl from him, giving Cole a look, but dug in with just as much enthusiasm.

"What a lovely dinner," Wu commented with a knowing look to Zane. "I believe we have Zane and Kai to thank for that."

Cole couldn't stop himself from choking on his wrap with surprise. Zane, he could picture but Kai?!!! He had barely wanted to pass Jay a pencil today, simply keeping his gaze on his page while Jay nervously asked him the question.

Even his sister Nya whipped her head around to stare at him. "Kai cooked?" She said incredulously.

Kai's embarrassed face soured. "You don't have to say it like that." He sniffed defensively. "And I didn't cook...Zane did most of the the work."

"What did you do?" Jay pressed curiously.

The spiky haired boy tensed. "I...washed the lettuce."

"That's its?" Cole couldn't help but blurt out.

"I also peeled the leaves!" Kai snapped hotly.

Nya sighed, spooning her rice onto her lettuce as Jay pursed his lips to keep from laughing. Zane placed a hand on Kai's shoulder.

"Kai was very helpful in the kitchen." He said sincerely. His eyes twinkled. "But I wouldn't mind that he offers his talents in clearing the table."

Kai shrugged him off with a pout as the rest of the table snickered.

"Is that where you were?" Nya questioned innocently, but her eyes seemed to stare into him. "I didn't see you in your room after class."

"It was hard to separate the lettuce, it took awhile!" Kai replied, keeping his eyes on the bowl he was reaching for.

"Hm..." Was all Nya replied, turning back to her food.

Cole exchanged at Jay questioningly. He wasn't an expert on woman and knew absolutely nothing about figuring out the complex minds of teenage girls. So he had no idea what hm meant. Jay looked lost as well, giving a half-shrug.

Cole didn't think much of it, bending over his plate as his overstuffed lettuce leaf dropped food everywhere. There was a slight tension in the room between the siblings but that was normal, right?

Everything will be just fine.