Somewhere Out There

Lump Three.

Tech smoothed the bumps out of his hair. He’d just come off the plane and was due to meet the, oh so precious ones. The ones that needed to be protected. Whoever heard of a kid bodyguard, anyway?! But hey, they wanted him and he came at a price.

Money. That’s what it was all about. Tech sighed, that’s what it’s always about! His Dad wanted it and Tech was his key to it. So the boy was sent off to another part of the country and that was that.

But, how on earth the Hansons found him, was beyond his imagination. Tech heard that they wanted traditional kung fu-ists and just rung around. So happen Tech was the lucky one.

Lucky? H’mm. The boy narrowed his eyes in thought. Traditional, my ass. If it’s traditional they want, they should damn well go to China!!

Oh yeah, Tech didn’t want to come but he didn’t have much choice. Everything had been arranged for him – he barely knew the details before they shoved him on the plane.

Tech walked along the row of airport shops, waiting for the Hansons to get him. They actually didn’t know what he looked like but he, Tech wasn’t born yesterday so he knew who they were.

Come to think of it, isn’t that pretty dangerous? Hiring somebody you don’t know, never seen, somebody whose Dad, you’ve only spoken to? The Hansons must be pretty daring people then again, that kind of goes for Tech as well. To, go live somewhere else, a life of danger (heh bodyguard, remember?) and rely some people you have never even met - isn't that dangerous?

Tech kept scanning for a group of blondes and after a while, he spotted them. Here goes nothing, he thought.

Taylor saw a shortish Asian boy approaching them. Gawd, he doesn’t look like he’d be able to get the baddies, he concluded - giving Tech a once over.

At the same time, Taylor saw the boy taking his family in, and judging them. Tay’s nostrils flared – he didn’t like the way Tech was looking at them. It was far from rude, it just gave him a… funny sort of feeling.

“Hello. Assuming you’re the Hansons, I’m Tech.”

Diana, being the friendly one, swept up his hand and comfortably shook it. “Hi,” she smiled. “Yeah, we’re the Hansons. This is…” and she went on to introduce everyone.

Truthfully, all this flew over Tech’s head. He was never really good with names, anyway. To him, Isaac was the big one, while Taylor was the up himself one, Jess was the highbrow one, Avie was the shy one, Mac was the dirty one and Zoe was the sleeping one.

Soon enough, they were driving home. Maybe home was not the right word to use. But they were driving, yes they were.

“So, Tech… or would you rather us call you Mr Lai?...” asked Isaac.

If there was any sarcasm there, he ignored it. “Tech’s fine.”

Walker asked, “How was your flight?”

“Good.” Maybe Tech should have said more. Perhaps he should’ve said something like ‘fantastic, excellent, the most relaxing trip ever’ because after all, they paid for it.

Father Hanson grinned. “That’s good. Oh! I just remembered. There’s actually another person you’ll have to meet. His name is Zac and he’s the drummer of the group,” Walker said proudly. “You see, it’s his birthday tomorrow and so that’s when he’ll be meeting you. He’s really into kung fu so you’re gonna be his birthday present.”

Isaac frowned. Great way to put it, Dad.

Tech looked out the van window. “Oh,” was all he said.

Diana half asked, half told, “You know that you’ll be staying in an apartment, five minutes walk from our place?”

Sixteen, living by myself and working a full time job, thought Tech.

He cleared his throat and said aloud, “I’m aware.”

So, she continued, “We’ll be dropping by there, to you know, help you to settle in. It’s actually quite a pretty place…” she tapered off.

No one talked until they reach the apartment. Walker carried Tech’s bag up, ignoring his protests and they went into his room. For one person, the room was generously spacious but that’s what you expect when millionaires are paying the rent. As Diana said earlier, it was indeed pretty. So overall, it was well,… fantastic. Still, Tech wasn’t satisfied. It just wasn’t home.

“Do you like it?” Someone asked.

“It’s nice.”

“Hey!”

“Yes?” Tech looked at Jessica.

She circled Taylor and taunted, “What would you do, if I were a fan…” then she started jumping at and lunging for Taylor’s neck, shouting, “I LOVE YOU TAYBEAR!!! YOU ARE SO SEXY, BABY!”

Tech smirked and if you were to blink, you’d have missed it. The result was Jess pinned to the floor, squirming.

Diana shot a weary glance at her husband. “Tech,” she approached. “Remember, you’re dealing with fans - they’re not bad guys. I think we’re going to have to work on your gentleness…”

Walker whispered to Diana, “Maybe kung fu and bodyguarding don’t mix.”

She whispered back. “We’ll make it work. It’ll be a first in history.”

“Okay,” he said and wrapped his arms around his wife.

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