Renegade Rupture by J. C. Fiske Read Free Book Online Page B

she probably wanted all along,” Gisbo said.
    “Gisbo, but why? Why you?” Kennis asked. Gisbo looked up at her, but didn’t feel like explaining his whole life story as the new Man-Phoenix and kept silent.
    “You and I have never been very close, Gisbo, but Kinny spoke highly of you. I know what you did to help her against that awful Strife last year, and then there was what Kalloway told me,” Kennis said.
    “Listen, I . . .” Gisbo started.
    “Kalloway told me that you were special, told me that I needed to look out for you. I thought she was crazy, but then I saw what she saw when you lead us into a battle I never thought we could win. You not only lead us, you protected us, inspired us, and you smiled all the way through. You were actually smiling, like some kind of maniac, even though we were outnumbered on all sides. At least, that’s what I initially thought,” Kennis said.
    Gisbo was silent.
    “But I was wrong. You really believed in us, and because of that, you not only thought everything was going to be ok, you knew it was, and that confidence of yours, that stubborn, never say die attitude, it brought something out of us we never knew we had,” Kennis said.
    “I . . .” Gisbo started.
    “That Gisbo and the Gisbo standing before me now are two different people. We don’t need the Gisbo I just saw. I’ve seen what the Drakeness can do. What’s important is that, number one, you don’t distance yourself. Ok? I’m here for you, and so are all your friends. That goes without saying. You are a good person. If Kalloway and Kinny believed in you, then guess what? I do too,” Kennis said, smiling. “Just like your dad, you will beat it too, and I wouldn’t doubt if you go forward to win this Tournament for all of us.”
    “Kennis . . . what, what was all this for? I hardly even know you.” Gisbo said.
    “Well, about time we change that then,” Kennis said. “We’re all in this together, right?”
    “Right. I . . . thank you,” Gisbo said. “You know, you’ve really lost a lot of weight. You’re like, you’re like a whole new person. I mean, wow! Look at your figure, your hair, your chest, it’s . . . ” Gisbo started, as he lifted his hands over his mouth. “That didn’t . . . I mean I . . .”
    “I’m going to pretend that was the Drakeness talking,” Kennis said. “If Kinny can’t keep an eye on you, then I will. Take care, Gisbo, and train hard. I’m always just around the corner if you need me.”
    Kennis smiled, waved, and turned to walk away. Gisbo couldn’t help it; he stared at her, entranced. She really had changed, blossomed into a captivating woman over one summer. Was she really the same slightly overweight smarty pants from a few years ago? She was taller now, curvy, and top heavy. Her hair grew out in long blond locks just beyond the top half of her back. Gisbo felt gooseflesh and butterflies erupt all at once across his being, and for the first time since he arrived back at Heaven’s Shelter, when he wasn’t focused on intense training, his mind was clear and at peace.
    “Whew, take a deep breath, Gisbo. What, what was that?” Gisbo said out loud. He felt an arm wrap around his shoulder. Gisbo turned to see Knob Brawlda.
    “That, my friend, is no girl. That is what we call a woman. A busty blonde, big, tight, and curvy in all the right places,” Knob said, making an hourglass figure shape in the air with his hands. “Trust me, pal, you couldn’t handle something like that. Neither could I, hence why I just look from a distance and never touch. A guy’s got to know his limitations,” Knob said. Gisbo shoved him off.
    “What the hell are you doing out here, Knob?” Gisbo asked.
    “Hey, I live out here too, man. Besides, could you blame me for wanting that kind of view all the way home?” Knob asked, motioning to Kennis’s swaying behind as she finally cleared the trees.
    “’Spose not,” Gisbo said.
    “You should really stop talking to yourself.