Chapter 20 - Jetlag

"I'm so tired, my entire body feels heavy...," I muttered wearily, as we walked out the airport.

"Yeah, that's the jetlag. It sucks, I know," Sighed Theo with a worn out look on his face.

"Quit your complaining, we'll be back home within the hour," Replied Siara, before turning to me, "Welcome to the capital city of Cahgo, Gelanes. Our home base isn't too far from the airport, you can get some rest once we're there."

"Sounds good, I could really use a nice, long nap," I nodded in response, as Theo flagged down a taxi.

I helped him put the luggage in the trunk, which was almost all theirs, I didn't exactly have a whole lot of belongings to bring with me.

Siara then hopped into the front seat, while Theo and I climbed into the back. I let out a yawn as I leaned against the door, resting my head against the glass of the window.

I feel so damn drowsy, this jetlag thing is the worst. I think I'll just take a quick nap, my eyelids feels so heavy. Yeah, I'll just doze off for a little while...

...

"...ake up. Hey, wake up! We're here," Came a voice as I felt someone roughly shaking me by the shoulder.

"Wha...? What's going on? Where am I...?" I muttered as I yawned sleepily, keeping my eyes closed.

"You better get up, or I'm gonna smack your face at super speed!"

"Tch...alright, I'm awake," I grumbled irritably, reluctantly opening my eyes and dragging my feet out of the car.

"Hey, don't click your tongue at me!" He frowned indignantly.

Why do I feel even more worn out than I did before? Shouldn't sleep make me feel less tired?

"Yeah, whatever."

"Come on, we'll introduce you to our friends, you can go to sleep after that," Remarked Siara, as Theo stepped behind me and pushed me along.

"Okay, okay, stop pushing me, I can walk on my own," I sighed as I picked up my pace, before turning my gaze up ahead.

Oh, wow...that's one big building. It's a large mansion, with a huge yard around it that's the size of a small park. I'm getting major X-Men vibes from this place.

As we approached the entrance of the mansion, the doors were suddenly flung open, a young woman stepping out with a smile.

"Hey, you guys are finally back, I missed you!" She grinned cheerfully.

Wow...she's pretty cute. She was on the short side, with a slender build and a light brown complexion. She had brown hair tied up in a ponytail, keen black eyes and long eyelashes.

She was wearing a blue tank top with black shorts, and had on gloves that went up past her elbows, along with boots that went up past her knees.

"It's good to see you, Xandra, it's been a while," Replied Siara with a smile, as she walked over and gave her a hug.

"H-hey, Xandra...you look really good, I, um...I missed you," Chimed in Theo with a stutter, a slight redness in his cheeks.

"Thanks, buddy, glad to have you back!" She grinned as she walked over and patted his shoulder.

Buddy, huh? Ouch, that's gotta hurt. So, this must be the friendzone, I've never seen it in action before. It's just as brutal as I've heard...

"Y-yup, glad to be back...buddy," He laughed with a slight look of defeat in his eyes.

"You must be the one these two saved from those cruel researchers, right? It's nice to meet you, my name is Xandra Ortiz," She introduced herself with a friendly smile, as she raised her hand towards me.

"Oh, uh...nice to meet you too. I'm Ariodred Phoenix," I replied awkwardly.

"Ariodred, huh? That's kind of a mouthful...do you go by any nicknames?" She asked me.

Wow, she's really forward...I can't imagine speaking to a stranger in such a friendly manner, just thinking about it is kinda mortifying.

"Well, um, my mother used to call me Ario, or Red sometimes," I responded, feeling a little uncomfortable under her piercing stare.

"Hm...mind if I call you Red? It's pretty fitting, cuz of your hair and eyes," She remarked as she glanced at my head before fixing her gaze onto my eyes.

"Uh...sure, I don't mind," I nodded in bemusement.

"So, where's the boss at? We wanted to introduce Ario here to him," Spoke up Theo.

He'd been calling me by my entire name this whole time, wonder why he switched to the nickname?

"Oh, he had to go attend a meeting with the president about something. He left, like, ten minutes ago, you guys just missed him. I think he said he wouldn't be back until later tonight," Replied Xandra with a shake of her head.

"Hm, that's too bad. Guess the introduction will have to wait, then," Sighed Siara wistfully.

Fine by me, I'm completely drained right now...I could really use some sl-...

"Hey, in that case, how about I show you around the place? It's pretty big and easy to get lost in, so it'll help to know the lay of the place early on," She suggested as she turned to me.

"Maybe later, I'd actually rather-...," I began to turn her down.

"I'll come along too!" Blurted out Theo before I could finish my sentence, startling me.

"You're awfully enthusiastic, huh? I like the energy, let's go," Grinned Xandra with a nod of approval.

Oh, hell, no, I'm not letting myself get swept up in this, I'm way too tired to deal with this right now.

"Ahem...could we do this later instead? I'm exhausted, I'd like to get some rest right now," I remarked with a weary sigh.

Wow, feels like I just killed whatever vibe was going on here. Whatever, I don't care...I just want to go to sleep...

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