Excerpt: Fleeting Wish

“Ugh. You. Straight to my point - I found that letter you left me. And why couldn’t you have just told me you were leaving for the weekend? Huh?” She placed her hands on her hips and frowned. “And just where are you going?”

“Tampa; family reunion… unfortunately. There’s definitely going to be a plane ride involved, family warfare and definitely some puking.”

“Tampa?” she questioned.

“Family house is there,” came his immediate reply.

“Puking?” He started to laugh as a disgusted look crossed her face.

“Long story.”

“Family warfare?”

“I'm afraid that's an even longer story, but one I’m willing to tell. And I can even make the long story short,” he pointed to Fenrir, “He’s the moronic, rebel gang member… Oh and he’s also a failure.” He pointed to himself. “I’m apparently the single, moronic rebel and I can’t forget that I’m also a failure.” Faustina’s frown deepened and she furrowed her brow.

“That’s horrible, they call you both failures?” She looked toward the young blonde, “I mean, it’s even more terrible for them to call you a failure as you’re still young and full of potential!”

“And I’m not?” Maxim questioned, an idea suddenly popping into his head.

“You’re old and your sex drive is over the top... not to mention that it controls your life… But still, that‘s awful.” The rogue arm once again came down around Faustina’s shoulders. “…Move it or lose it, Narok. I mean it.”

“How about you come with us… as my pseudo wife?” Noticing the all too stunned look upon her face, he chucked. “Well? How about it?”

“Ah - ah…” Faustina’s English failed her for a few brief moments. “Actually, you know… I wouldn‘t want to impose.”

“It’s not a problem, in fact, my parents would love to meet a girlfriend of mine. They say that my “swinging single” lifestyle will never work out, I‘ll be a complete failure and I‘ll die alone.”

“Aaah… Uh…” A grin played slowly across Maxim’s face and he suddenly sprung into action.

“Fenrisulfr! Want to do me a favor?”

“No.”

“Great! Go home and order another plane ticket for Ms. Nyquist, here, mmkay? Run boy, run! If you get us first class tickets, I‘ll give you two hundred bucks. But if that‘s impossible…” He gave the teen a shove toward their joint home. “Then switch our tickets to coach for all I care! Just make sure she gets on the flight, damn it!” The ex-gang member raised an expectant eyebrow toward the principal. When he got no response, he turned around and began to jog home.

“Aaah! Wa-Wait!” she cried after his retreating form. “Hold on! I never - ugh… Maxim.” Her eyes narrowed to slits. “You. I am not flying to Tampa.” He opened his mouth to speak. “No! Not even if you beg!” He pouted, drudging up her sudden ire. “Will you quit it? That will never work on me! I‘m a principal! I'm trained to resist pouting, begging and tears!”

“Please?” he begged, puppy dog eyes in full effect. It was an unfamiliar feeling. She stared down at him, slack jawed, trying to tell him “no”. But the word didn’t come. The only word that sprung forth from her vocal chords was a very tiny,

“Okay…” She watched him grin and walk off, leaving her there to dwell upon what she’d just done.

She was going to meet the people who were responsible for turning a perfectly wonderful human child into that man. She was terrified.