11. Wesley

I was at practice today when Elder Park gave us a break. Kind of.

He made us stand in a line. "What makes a good leader?"

Jess was first, and flustered. "Someone who makes the right decisions."

Cass was next. "Someone who is committed to their team."

"Someone who doesn't see themselves as a leader. Imperfect," I answered.

"Someone," Amee paused. "who looks after their team."

The Elder shook his head. "Too similar to Cassandra's."

"A good strategist."

The elder shook his head, as though it barely passed.

"Someone who has good followers," answered Karinna. 

"Is it different to being committed to your team?"

"Cause you could be committed to a shit team."

"But still be a good leader of the 'shit' team?"

"No, cause it's a shit team. It would make you a shit leader."

"Me?"

"Hypothetically," she cringed.

Kim cut in, trying to distract him. "Someone who has morals... and is likeable." he said.

The elder nodded sagely.

"Not like you would know." Kim muttered under his breadth. I moaned, he always had to put his two cents in. The elder isn't old, he's just lived longer. Physically, he looks like he's forty years old. He's lived for eighty. And his hearing is no way near deficient. 

"Pardon?"

"I was wondering who was going to be our 'head.' Chae?"

"It doesn't concern you, Noble." He was condescending.

Kim's face darkened. he was pissed off to say the least, "Cause you're what? Royal, that qualifies you? You think so?"

"Did your parents not teach you, Kim? You're playing with your life here." The Elder was threatening, back hunched, feet apart, ready if anything.

"I was taught that you were older, so you deserve some respect. That is so wrong, when have you earned it? When?"

You've stepped in the shit, I thought.

"I've led this bloodline for longer than you've lived. What rights have you earned to criticise me? Aren't you going to repent? Right now?" He barked.

Karinna was quietly tugging on his shirt. There were no benefits in continuing the conversation.

"Fuck you, I've done nothing wrong. If you're leading this bloodline, I'm outta here."

Behind the Elder I saw Chae and Tae walking towards us, calmly. Their footsteps crunching against the gravel.

"You won't need to leave, Kim." Chae said, her voice soft but resounding, quietly firm.

"Why aren't you in line? You're missing practice, the both of you!" The Elder barked.

"I'm not here for practice. I've had enough of that. I'm going to have to ask you to step down, Grandfather. You're not welcome to be our leader."

The elder's face was livid. 

"With respect." she added. 

You had to admire her, her timing, her delivery, her confidence... just woah. They were standing on the higher end of the slope, the wind blowing against them. Her dark brown hair was tied back and flew wildly. The sun hit her face, clearly exposing her left eye, the amethyst color of her iris, even under her thick side fringe. She stood tall, like a leader. Perhaps even a 'head' of a bloodline.