The Eastons

narrated by Alex

I gotta admit, it was a wild ride. Benji, our guide into the mystical world of bending, had us hooked from the get-go. When he threw that question about what we thought energy was, my brain did a little dance, trying to make sense of it all. And that energy ball he conjured up? Pure magic. It's like we're tapping into a whole new dimension.

As the class wrapped up, you could almost taste the anticipation hanging in the air. It felt like we were on the brink of something huge, like this was just the warm-up for the real deal. Ready or not, the bending adventure had kicked off, and I couldn't wait to see where it would take us.

As we exited, my brain was still processing the whys and hows of energy manipulation. I shot a look at John, hoping to find some answers or, at least, someone to share the bewilderment with.

"John, my man, did you catch all of that? It's like bending is a whole new level of complicated."

He chuckled, a mix of amusement and confusion in his expression. "Alex, welcome to the world of bending. Benji sure knows how to drop bombs on our understanding."

My stomach growled in protest, demanding attention after the mental workout in Benji's class. I patted my belly, half-jokingly, and turned to John.

"Man, I'm starving. We need something to refuel the brain after all that bending wisdom. Any suggestions?"

John grinned, always ready for a good meal. "How about Easton's cafe? They've got some great bites, and it's not too far from here."

"Easton's it is!" I agreed, and off we headed to Easton's.

As we strolled towards Easton's, I couldn't help but chuckle at the coincidence of Anne sharing her name with the cafe. "I'm pretty sure it's just a happy accident. Imagine having a cafe named after you—Anne's special brew, anyone?"

John laughed, playfully nudging me. "Who knows, maybe Anne's secretly the heir to a cafe empire."

We reached Easton's, a cozy spot that felt more like a second home. The familiar jingle of the doorbell greeted us as we entered. I spotted Mr. Easton behind the counter, an elderly man with a kind smile and a perpetual twinkle in his eye with the usual white shirt and black vest on top.

"Mr. Easton, the man with the magic touch in the kitchen," I remarked, greeting him.

He chuckled, his warm laughter filling the air. "Ah, my young benders! What brings you here today?"

"You know, the usual,"I replied, sinking into the familiar comfort of the cafe. "Oh, and you won't believe the first day we had at the Academy. Energy spheres, barrier tests, the whole shebang."

"Isn't that great! I bet Collin had a great time too!" he said, smiling.

"Collin?" I asked, "Who's that?"

"Oh, you don't know, do you? Collin's my son!"

Surprised, I asked, "You have a son, Mr. Easton? Why didn't you tell us?"

Mr. Easton chuckled, wiping his hands on a towel. "Collin tends to be more on the quiet side. He was in Mira City, training at their Bender Academy. Just recently decided to transfer here."

John raised an eyebrow. "Mira City? That's a long way from here. Why'd he transfer?"

Mr. Easton shrugged, a twinkle of pride in his eyes. "Said something about wanting a change of scenery. Plus, he wanted to be closer to the old man, you know."

We exchanged glances, amused by the unexpected twist. The son of the café owner was a bender too, and he'd chosen Stronghold City for his training. Small world, or should I say, small city.

As Mr. Easton went about preparing our usual orders, he continued sharing snippets of Collin's newfound interest in bending.

"He's always been curious about energy manipulation, just like his old man," Mr. Easton explained, his eyes reflecting paternal pride. "He said something about wanting to explore his potential and join the ranks of benders. It surprised me too, but I couldn't be happier."

I took a sip of my coffee, letting the warmth seep in. "Mira City, though. That's a big change. What's he doing there?"

Mr. Easton leaned in, as if about to share a secret. "Training, my friend. Mira's got one of the best bender academies. Collin figured if he's diving into this world, might as well learn from the best. It's been a while since I've seen him this excited."

John added, "That's a bold move. Mira City is no joke when it comes to bender training."

Mr. Easton nodded, "Exactly! The kid's got spirit. I just hope he doesn't forget his old man back here in Stronghold."

We shared a laugh, savoring the moment of camaraderie in the familiar surroundings of Easton's cafe.

As we bid farewell to Mr. Easton, the door's chime tinkled behind us, marking our exit from the cozy haven of Easton's café. The city outside was transitioning into the vibrant hues of the evening, and the familiar streets greeted us with the same dynamic energy we'd come to associate with Stronghold City.

"So, Collin, huh?" I glanced at John, who seemed equally intrigued by this unexpected piece of news.

"Yeah, who would've thought?" John mused, adjusting the strap of his bag. "Mira City's a whole different league."

As the sun dipped below the horizon, John and I reached the Grand Energy Nexus. "Well, time to call it a day," I said, looking at John.

"Yep, catch you tomorrow, Alex," John replied, and we went our separate ways. The city settled into a quiet evening vibe, and I strolled home, thinking about the unexpected turns of our first day at the academy. Little did we know, the real adventure was just starting.