Chapter Forty
ANGEL SINCLAIR
Monday morning we were instructed via loudspeaker to report to Room 101 after breakfast instead of reporting to our first class.
As we ate, I couldn’t help thinking about what Jax had told me—how they were going to shake things up. He was noticeably absent from breakfast, as was Kira. What was with those two? They always seemed to be missing at the same time.
I choked down some cereal and followed Frankie and Wally to Room 101. Frankie chatted cheerfully the entire way, but Wally sensed my apprehension and shot me several questioning glances during our walk to the classroom. When we got there, we slid into our seats and waited quietly. Jax and Kira were the last to arrive and came in together. Kira sat near the front of the room, while Jax sat in his usual spot two desks behind me.
Mr. Donovan shut the door. “Students, we wanted to let you know we were quite pleased with your performance on Friday. It was nice work from all of you. Excellent teamwork, strategic thinking, and a good utilization of your strengths.”
He leaned forward, bracing his hands on the teacher’s desk. “However, I do have a couple of important announcements before you begin your week’s activities. First, while I know it is disconcerting not to know your exact standing in the class, rest assured we’re looking at all aspects of your character. This includes capability, mental toughness, stamina, physical fitness, intelligence, special skills, flexibility, and adaptability. We’re conducting a complex and thorough evaluation. So if you feel as if you aren’t doing well, I’m here to assure you, you are.”
We all looked at each other, but none of us said anything. What could we say? He’d told us exactly nothing.
“So, after considerable debate and conversation, we’ve decided to make something about the competition known to you,” he continued. “Although each of you has admirable and excellent skills, we’ve decided we’re only going to choose two of you to proceed to the UTOP Academy to further your studies as an operative.”
The room was so silent, you could hear the birds chirping outside the window. I stared at him, speechless.
What. The. Heck?
Only two of us?
“Two?” Wally finally spluttered. “Why only two?”
Mr. Donovan crossed his arms. “Because, Mr. Harris, that’s the number of students we want. Now, if any of you feel this is unfair, or would like to drop out of contention, please say so now. If not, you may leave and continue with your day’s schedule.”
We remained silent, so he smiled. “So be it. That concludes my announcement for the day. Please head to your next class.”
Jax was the first to rise and leave the room. As he passed by, he glanced at me. His expression clearly said, I told you so.
“They’re going to do something to shake things up.”
Holy crap. He’d been right. They’d done exactly that.
One by one, the rest of us filed out without a word. However, as soon as we got in the hallway, Wally pulled Frankie and me aside.
“Did you hear that?” he whispered heatedly. “They’re only going to take two of us. It’s not fair. We haven’t even finished the trials yet.”
Frankie’s expression looked heartbroken, which now that I thought about it, was the first time I’d ever seen that look on her. That worried me far more than what Mr. Donovan had said. “What’s wrong, Frankie?”
Sadness shimmered in her eyes. “Only two of us are going forward. At best, at least one of us will get left behind.”
I felt sick at the possibility. Break up the White Knights after we’d been through so much? Worse, what if both of them were selected and I got left behind? Or I got selected and they got left behind. Or any variation thereof.
None of those options were acceptable.
“Maybe it’s just another test.” I knew I was grasping at straws, but there had to be some way to make this work. “You know, to see how far we’re willing to go—to step on each other—to make one of the two slots.”
“I’m not going step on either one of you,” Frankie said.
“Me neither, “Wally agreed.
“Well, I’m not, either,” I said. “But I don’t think the others will share our sentiment. Kira will be the first to step on all three of us.”
“She won’t,” Wally said, crossing his arms against his chest. “You’ve got her all wrong, Angel.”
“I don’t have it wrong, Wally,” I said irritably. “She’s out for herself and no one else.”
“You’re not giving her the credit she’s due,” he insisted. “Jax is the one we should be worried about. I think he’d undercut us in a fast minute.”
“Don’t try to deflect this from Kira,” I said hotly. “You’re thinking with your hormones instead of your brain when it comes to her.”
“Stop it, both of you.” Frankie put a hand on each of our shoulders. “What are we going to do?”
“I don’t know.” I shook my head. “I guess we proceed and see how it shakes out. We’ve got to go. We can talk about more later.”
We split up, heading for our respective classes. My emotions were swirling when I walked into group session. Bo, Jax, and Mr. Kingston were already there. Bo sat silently, his hands folded on the table, while Jax sprawled in his chair, scowling. I took my place between them and swallowed hard.
“Good morning, Ms. Sinclair,” Mr. Kingston said. “Today for our session, I’d like us to do something a little different. I want to hear your impressions of how the competition is going so far.”
He looked between us, but no one said anything.
Mr. Kingston raised an eyebrow. “No one has any comments?”
“Fine,” Bo said, his voice so sharp I jumped. “You want me to comment? Okay, I’ll comment. You spend the past several weeks dissecting us, making us confess our darkest secrets, then forcing us into teamwork. Now that we’ve started to work together and build trust, you’re splitting us up, presumably to see how we’ll act now that there are only two slots available.”
Mr. Kingston didn’t seem disturbed in the least at Bo’s accusations. “That’s an interesting assessment, Mr. Coleman. So, you didn’t see this as a competition from the beginning?”
“No, I did not. I thought we were being judged on our individual capabilities.”
I nodded in agreement. “I’m with Bo. I thought we all had an equal chance to make it.”
“But you do all have an equal chance to make it,” Mr. Kingston said.
“But you’re only selecting two of us,” I countered. “That changes things. If that was always going to be the case, why didn’t you say that at the beginning? Why all the secrecy?”
“Because they’re manipulating us,” Jax offered. “They’re keeping us on our toes, mixing things up to gauge our emotional flexibility and adaptability.”
“That’s a fascinating perspective, Mr. Drummond,” Mr. Kingston said, shifting in his seat to face Jax. “Do you think this will change anything in your behavior?”
“Not a thing.”
“I didn’t think so. What about you, Ms. Sinclair?”
“Me? I don’t know.” I answered honestly. “I need more time to think about it.”
“Mr. Coleman, would you like to add anything?”
Bo remained silent, but I could tell he was really upset. His jaw clenched, and his hands curled into fists on his lap. I was getting to know everyone’s moods a lot better the more time we spent together.
Mr. Kingston threaded his fingers together, his elbows resting on the table. “I don’t typically do this, but let me venture a guess for you, Mr. Coleman. You feel as though you’re the de facto leader of this group. I think that’s a fair assumption given your performance on Friday’s trial. You helped your teammates succeed, but, at the same time, you couldn’t have succeeded without them. They chose you to take the extra points for your leadership. Now, if you take one of the two slots, you’ll leave six of your teammates behind. Is that what a true leader would do?”
Blowing out a frustrated breath, Bo shoved his chair back from the table and left the room without a word.
Jax laughed and started clapping. “Bravo. Test that boundary of honor. See how far it will stretch.”
“Jax,” I hissed. “Knock it off.”
Mr. Kingston seemed amused as he regarded Jax. “You think you have all the answers, don’t you, Mr. Drummond?”
“Not all of them.” Jax shrugged, then smiled. “But trust me, I know enough.”