Verita (7 page)

“Biologist, nice. I can totally see you doing that. We’re research and development. We get to invent stuff.”
Andi
smiles; she’s obviously pleased with her assignment. From what I know of
Andi
, it is a perfect fit.

As happy as I am to see
Andi
right now, it’s hard to imagine that I didn’t like her when we first met. She was way too perky for my taste. She was tall and thin, but muscular. Her tan skin balanced out her short, spiky platinum hair. I assumed she had grown up on a California beach, afraid to break a nail and obsessed with clothes. Worst of all, I had incorrectly assigned her all of Jenna’s attributes. Fortunately, she was persistent and determined to be my friend. And so, eventually, I got to know the real her, and just how wrong my snap judgment had been.

She was from Idaho and from a family of farmers. She’s the second youngest of seven kids.
Andi
is genius smart, but she has never looked at it as an advantage. She didn’t fit in on the farm. Her book smarts were viewed as a nuisance by her family. Farming was a family tradition, and as such, they were more than reluctant to change a thing about it. Whenever
Andi
suggested a better, more efficient way to approach a task, her family reacted as if she was causing trouble.

School wasn’t much better for her. There was no gifted program in her school system. When she was younger her teachers even questioned putting her in special education because she wasn’t able to complete her work. They never realized that she had mastered the material years before, and would rather read new material than drone on doing boring, pointless worksheets. When she was tested and it became apparent that she was gifted, her parents were given the option of letting her skip ahead a few grades. They decided against it. They didn’t want their daughter to be more of a freak than she already was. So she spent most of her school career bored. In the end, it was up to
Andi
to negotiate with her teachers. Every year she had to convince the teacher to allow her to teach herself. In return, she promised she would not disrupt the class, and she would complete any tests necessary. If she didn’t get 90% or better on the tests, the teacher could put her back to studying class material, and she wouldn’t complain. Eventually the teachers would give in; it was easier for them that way.

Her only fear was that her parents wouldn’t let her go to college, regardless of if she got a scholarship. They claimed they needed her on the farm, and she couldn’t leave them shorthanded. Her fears came true – but worse than she had imagined. Not only were her parents not going to let her attend college – they weren’t even going to let her finish high school. They wanted her to quit school and help with the farm more. If she didn’t, she would be kicked out of the house.

So
Andi
chopped her hair off to make recognition harder, and ran away. Her plan was to get several states away and get into foster care. Best-case scenario, with a new alias, she would complete high school and then work her way through college, maybe even get a scholarship.

She did manage to get into foster care, but then she was approached about the
Verita
project. The way she saw it, even if the project didn’t work out for her, at least she got away from the farm permanently.

Despite her upbringing,
Andi
is bubbly and optimistic – a sharp contrast to me, but we help balance each other that way. Besides, she is quick to pick up on the irony of things and is skilled in the use of sarcasm. It’s an unusual balance in a personality, but once I got to know her, I decided I liked it.

“So how come this is the first we’ve seen of you? Have you been hiding all day?”
Andi
jokes, breaking into my thoughts.

“No; I just found a quiet spot to read through the handbook.” I shrug.

“Always the bookworm.”
Andi
smiles, knowing she’s just as guilty as me when it comes to books.

“Well, not today. The handbook is pretty dry reading; rules on top of more rules. I actually fell asleep,” I admit sheepishly.

“Well at least you’re here now. You haven’t missed much. Most everyone is hanging out in the recreation halls. There’s not much to do until tomorrow, when the recently awakened start their jobs.”
Andi’s
face shows her frustration. She doesn’t like waiting any more than I do.

“We were planning to go over to recreation hall B and go swimming after lunch. Do you want to join us?” Jeremy asks. I’m touched by his effort to include me, but I suspect it has more to do with pleasing
Andi
than me.

“Sure, but I need a bathing suit first.”

“Same for us. We’re going to stop by the laundry center on our way over.”
Andi
smiles, knowing I couldn’t refuse a chance to swim.

The rest of the afternoon goes by quickly and easily.
Andi’s
friends immediately adopt me as one of their own. They show me the supply store, laundry center, and all the different recreation halls. Entertainment won’t be an issue here; it’s just a matter of deciding what you feel like doing. I’m surprised at how easily I fit in with everyone, but at the same time, I’m hesitant to let myself get too comfortable. I know it’s because I’m afraid of getting hurt again.

After dinner, there’s a social mixer in
rec
hall A. Back in high school no one would have gone, but it seems like the whole base is there. Probably because there isn’t much else to do besides hang out and get to know everyone. We wander our way through the special game areas they have set up. They’re mostly silly games, like picking the rubber duck with the red dot on the belly, or throwing rings at bottles, but they prove to be a fun distraction. Eventually, we make our way to the dance floor. It’s crowded, but luckily we have excellent timing, and we grab a table just as another group leaves. Everyone else in our group leaves to dance on the dance floor, leaving
Andi
and I by ourselves.

“Hey,
Andi
, if you get your choice on what inventions you want to work on, you might want to invent a better fence,” I suggest, knowing I’d pique her interest.

She bit, of course. “What do you mean?”

“Well, earlier today when I fell asleep, some kind of creature must have climbed the fence. I don’t think it meant any harm. Probably just curious, but curious creatures can cause a lot of havoc.” I try to act as nonchalant as I can.

“Whoa, I’m glad you’re okay.” She hesitates, then: “Not to doubt you, but how do you know something was there if you were asleep?” She proceeds to crunch the ice left in her glass.

“It woke me up. I didn’t actually see it, but it left some of its hair on me. I’m hoping to get a chance to examine them tomorrow.” I pat my pocket.

“I’d keep it quiet; they may want to place you in quarantine just to be safe,” she whispers cautiously.

“Hey! Time for dancing!” Jeremy grabs
Andi’s
hand and drags her to the dance floor, laughing the entire way. I’m left staring at my water, feeling decidedly alone despite the crowds around me.

I have to laugh watching
Andi
and Jeremy dance together.
Andi
is carefree enough that she doesn’t care what anyone else thinks of her dancing. Jeremy, on the other hand, must have had some formal training. I have never seen a boy dance the way he does. I wonder whose idea the dance lessons had been. If Jeremy gets his way, they’ll make a nice couple.

For the second time today, I have the feeling that I’m being watched. I look around and find the pair of eyes I’m searching for. They’re deep brown and staring intently at me. I look away, pretending not to notice. I pretend to watch everybody on the dance floor, but can’t help stealing another look. The deep brown eyes are attached to a nicely chiseled face – a face that is smiling at me. He has wavy blonde hair the color of wheat, broad shoulders, and well defined muscles that show through his black and tan uniform. He’s a soldier. I must be imagining that he is staring at me. I don’t know him, and there are so many other people around me. He could just as easily be looking at one of them. Besides, he’s definitely not my type. I don’t go for the big, burly and tough type. I don’t like the type that looks more likely to wrestle a gator than crack open a book. That was Jenna’s type.

Being watched makes me feel uncomfortable, so I decide to get some fresh air. I get up and make my way to the exit. I take a sideways glance, then bump into a large, broad chest. I look up and find my path blocked by that same pair of deep brown eyes.

“Hi,” he greets me, sending an unexpected wave of excitement through me.

“Hi,” I manage to respond. I feel fire rising in my cheeks, but it’s not from embarrassment.

“I’m Brody.” He holds out his hand.

“I’m Brett.” I reach out to shake his hand and note the effect his mere proximity has on me. I have the sudden urge to pull him close and press my lips to his. I shake the impulsive thought from my head, and manage a weak smile.

“How about a dance?” Instead of shaking my hand, he bends and lifts my hand to his lips, giving it a gentle kiss. I should be annoyed by his flamboyant gesture, but instead I only feel a wave of butterflies take off in my stomach.

“Um, okay.”

I should say no, run the other way – but I’m so unsettled that my mouth betrays my mind. Right on cue, a slow song starts, and I manage to suppress a groan.

We don’t really dance. Instead, we sway and slowly turn in a circle, but I don’t mind. I don’t think I could handle anything that requires more coordination. The close intimacy of our bodies is overwhelming. I inhale the spicy, musky smell of his skin and tighten my grip around his neck. My mind feels numb. I can’t think past the moment or the current breath. Fortunately, he doesn’t seem interested in conversation; He just continues to stare into my eyes, smiling.

The song ends and he releases me. “I’ll see you tomorrow for diner. Dining hall B, six o’clock.”

“Six o’clock,” I repeat, more to myself than to him. My mind is still numb. I should be mad that he didn’t even bother asking, that he just assumed I’d accept. He smiles once more at me, turns, and disappears into the crowd. It takes me a moment to realize that I’m standing in the middle of the dance floor, alone, looking stupid.

As soon as I reach the table,
Andi
asks, “Having fun?” Plastered across her face is an amused expression.

“Yeah, I guess,” I answer absentmindedly. My mind is still focused on Brody and my strange reaction to him.

“Are you going to make me ask what that was about on the dance floor?”
Andi
crosses her arms and gives me a stern look.

“I was just dancing,” I respond innocently, but my cheeks betray me, and I blush bright red.

“That wasn’t just dancing – not the way the two of you were looking at each other and holding each other. Just watching it made me feel like I was intruding. Who was that, anyway?”

“His name is Brody.” I give a bashful smile. “Was it that obvious?”

“Obvious is an understatement. You never told me that you met someone. I’m a little hurt.” She pushes her bottom lip out, feigning a pout.

“I didn’t tell you because we just met. I can’t explain it. We barely even talked, but there was just something about him.” I sigh dreamily. I know I’m acting like a silly schoolgirl with her first crush, but I just can’t help myself. It’s a bit unnerving. After Brad, I had sworn off dating for at least a few years – but now I have a date, and in less than a day, too.

“So when are you seeing him again?”
Andi
prods as she smirks at me.

“Tomorrow for dinner.” I take a long drink of water, attempting to cool my still flushed cheeks.

“Well I’ll expect a full report tomorrow night then.”
Andi
laughs, shakes her head at me, and I know I’m forgiven. “It’s getting close to curfew. Where are you sleeping? I’m in Dorm E, room 502.”
Andi
suppresses a yawn. “How ‘bout you?”

“Well, I guess we’re roommates again then. What are the odds?” I laugh. “You know those things are contagious,” I complain as I join her yawning.

Chapter 5

It feels strange waking up in the pods for the first time. I usually toss and turn in my sleep and wake up feeling tired. But today there is no noisy alarm clock blaring me awake, and no pile of blankets lying on my floor. Instead, I gently wake up on time. Slowly, I become more aware of my environment, until my eyes open, and I sit up, feeling completely awake and rested. As far as I can tell, I didn’t even dream – good: that means no nightmares either. These pods might not be so terrible after all.

Out of habit, I start squinting and looking for where I’d left my glasses. Then I remember that they gave me Lasik surgery before I left. Laughing at my habit, I grab a towel and head for the showers. Then I let out a loud groan. Everyone woke up at the same time, and now there’s a mad dash to get to the showers. Most of the girls are probably anxious to have enough time to fix their hair and makeup. I’d already figured out yesterday that there are more pods than showers. So I sit back down on my pod, pull my legs up to cross them, and sit patiently until the first wave of showers finishes. Looking over, I see that
Andi
had decided to do the same.

Andi
is still amused by my bizarre behavior last night, and teases me while we wait. Seeing the look of embarrassment on my face only encourages her. But strangely, last night’s dance feels like a daydream. I can still remember his chiseled face and bodybuilder body, but my reaction to him no longer seems realistic. Not sure just what to say to
Andi
about it, I finally manage to change the topic to our new jobs. We are both anxious to get started.