Get Your Spy On

Chapter 4
Eric’s POV

I didn’t expect anyone to feel sorry for me the day my parents died, but I also didn’t expect people to hold that against me. Yes I know they were both burglars, bank robbers, anything you can think of, but the public still should have had mercy for the child. He didn’t know about it, not until they died. The boy moved in with his uncle and aunt in California, moving an hour or two away from his old home. Everyone knew who he was though, but soon people moved on to other things, celebrity news I bet.
I got home from school, and plopped myself on the couch, my hair soaking wet from the rain outside. I heard my uncle walk out of his art studio and into the living room, coughing loudly to get my attention. I look over at him, his face is splattered with red and yellow paint. “Hey, man.”
My uncle, Neil, smiled warmly at me.”Hey, Eric. How was your day at school? I bet one of my teachers still teach there.”
“Nah, they’re all new. It was okay, nothing great. The kids still don’t know about my parents, so that’s a plus. Where’s Aunt Maggie?”
“She’s out with your grandma. They’re going to see a movie about assassins, not my cup of tea. Listen, I know you probably don’t want to hear this, but the Alpha called my phone today, he wants to meet up with you.”
I slumped deeper into the couch, rubbing my eyes tiredly. I’m not in the mood to hear about the Alpha and the dinner for the fortieth time this week. I’m not exactly sure why he picked me out of everyone in the world to be a spy, but he says he knows my parents very well.
“You wanted to know more about your parents, right? This guy seems to know them pretty well. Do you think your parents were spies?”
“Yeah, I think they were,” I say, feeling a lump forming in my chest just thinking about them. I love them, I miss them, and I just want to hear their voices again.
I hear Neil cough awkwardly then return back into his art studio. I open my sketch book inside my bag and study the blank piece of paper. I grab a pencil from the pencil holder on the counter then I start sketching a werewolf with a moon behind him. My hand moved across the paper and before I knew it, I started working on another sketch, this time with colored pencils.
At school I sketch, at home I sketch, in my mind when I’m dreaming I sketch. The guys my age are into sports and video games, but I’d much rather work out at the gym, paint, sketch, write, and do murals. I heard the door open quietly and saw Maggie walking into the room, smiling. She eyes my sketchbook then mouths sorry.
“It’s all right, Maggie,” I said, putting my sketchpad away. “I finished two sketches, one of a werewolf, and the other of a cub of bears.”
“You certainly draw a lot of animals,” Maggie noted as she started walking into the kitchen to make dinner. “How about drawing people? Maybe a girl at your school?”
“All the girls at my school are interested in dudes that are on a team of some sport. They aren’t interested in the guy who’s quiet and loves to be artistic. I’ve actually had to be a little of a douche just so people wouldn’t call me a girl.”
“Well maybe your friends on the spy squad will like you for who you are,” I heard Maggie say inside of the kitchen. “I hear from Neil that they’re two girls on the squad with you.”
“I really don’t care who or what they are,” I say quietly, barely audible for Maggie to hear. I got up from the couch and walked up to my room and frown at my wall. I do this a lot when I’m trying to think. My wall is different than everyone else’s wall. I’ve written everything I like, and all my past friends on it. I see one name in particular that takes me to home
Alicia. Alicia was my first love. I met her when I was thirteen. Two years ago. She loved me and I loved her, until a new guy came into her life. At first everything was okay, but after a while, things started changing. He started coming to everything we went to, and eventually she stopped inviting me over, or hanging out in general. I saw her one day at school and I asked her what was happening to us, and all she could say was that she had moved on.
I had to see her make out with him and love him for eight painful months. When I left to move in with my uncle and aunt, I didn’t say good-bye; I just packed up my stuff and moved away. I don’t think I’ll ever get over her, I’m heartbroken.
I wrote down with paint the name Sandy next to the name of one of my old best friends. Sandy is a nice girl, we haven’t said much, but we are sort of friends. She’s a senior, way to old for a sophomore like me. I hear my cell phone ring from my desk across my room. I look at it and see an unknown number blinking on my phone. I click the ignore button, knowing right away that it’s the Alpha. Why he is even called that anyways? I bet his name is Bob or something. After he calls three times I answer it, nearly yelling at him. “WHAT DO YOU WANT?”
“Hello, Eric. This is your last chance to be a spy, and by declining you will die. I’m sure you’re well aware of that, correct? I told Neil everything about what’ll happen if you decline, but he seemed unfazed. I’m intrigued, how much does he know about this spy business?”
“I haven’t told him anything, everything you’ve told him is all he knows. Listen, thank you for the offer, but I don’t think being a spy is for me.”
“I can promise you love,” the Alpha said, his voice bold and determined. “There’s a girl on your squad who acts just like you. Well she isn’t quiet like you, but you both have a lot in common. I can make you forget about Alicia.”
“How do you know about Alicia?”
“Because, I know you, Eric. I studied you the minute your name came up in my computer one day. I watched you as you went to and from school, your sketches, your room, your family. I knew little of your parents, but I knew their kid was a spy to be.”
“Why would I meet you anywhere if you just admitted you don’t know anything about my parents? That’d be the only reason why I’d go.”
“You’ve known your parents for nearly fourteen years, what possibly would you want to know about your parents, Eric?” the Alpha said, his voice nonchalant. “Perhaps you want to know more about the robberies and breaking and entering into homes, the home of Alicia’s to be exact?”
“I’ll meet you at the diner on Perrel Street. Don’t keep me waiting.”
I hang up my cell phone then change my clothes to more appropriate attire. I don’t really care about my appearance when it comes to the Alpha, but he might bring other people, maybe even the people who maybe will be on my team. I put on a button down shirt and crisp jeans and some casual shoes. I let my brown hair be slightly tasseled, but not the “I just rolled out of bed” hairstyle. I slip out of my room and into the living room to see Neil and Maggie sitting on the couch, staring at me intently.
“Be careful.” Is all Neil said.
I walked out of the house and started jogging toward the diner since it’s not far from here. I haven’t lived on this street for very long, but all the kids seem to like me, and all the girls make sure their bikinis are hanging low as I run by. Any guy would love that, but to me I find it untasteful. I don’t want to date a girl who tries to attract boys by her cleavage. There are other words you could use to describe them, but untasteful is the nicest one I can offer.
When the diner came into view I saw a man, the Alpha no doubt, tapping his shoe lightly on the ground, his arms crossed in impatience. When he spots me, he gives me a half nod then walks into the diner stiffly. He looks out of place in his suit and tie, his jet black hair slicked back. You’d think he looked intimidating, but he mostly looked like a man with money.
I walked inside the diner and settled myself in a booth the Alpha has claimed in the corner. I stare at him, waiting for him to speak. I clear my throat and start playing with the salt and pepper shakers. “So, what do you want me to do, sign a contract?”
“No, there’s no need for a contract,” The Alpha said, waving his hand in the air, laughing at the thought of a contract actually existing in the spy squad. “Eric, you must have some interest in being a spy or you wouldn’t have taken the spy test, correct?”
“I only did that because I thought it was a joke. What do you expect me to think when Neil handed me a stack of papers and told me to fill out the correct answers?”
“Neil knows little about spies, but yet he still hands you the papers and answers the calls,” He mused for a moment. “Nevertheless, the spy dinner is coming up and I’d like you to attend. I trust it you’d want to sit next to the boy who’ll be joining you on the spy squad?”
“Before I agree to become a spy, what do you know about my parents?”
The Alphas face drops for a moment, as if I’m bringing up another bad memory in his life. His hands fidgeted in his lap, and tiny sweat beads started forming on his forehead. I thought alphas were supposed to act fearless, not sweat and quiver in fear.
“You see, your father was supposed to be a spy, but he disappeared before they could elect him as one. They searched years for him, but they never found a trace of him. When they did find him, they found out he was married and had a kid. The current alpha at the time let him go, figuring he wasn’t any good anyways, but when he started robbing and breaking into houses, things got serious.”
I stared at him, waiting for him to go on, but instead he cleared his throat and got out of the booth. “Where are you going, what happened next?”
He turned to me, a small smirk playing on his face. “Well, Eric, you’ll learn the rest of the story as you progress through your years of being a spy. I’ll call you with the rest of the details for the dinner tomorrow, alright?”
As we walk out of the diner, I see a girl with black hair looking over at us, her eyes narrowing for a second, but turn soft hastily.
“Hello, Wendy,” the Alpha said politely, his smile looking forced. “This is Eric, Eric meet Wendy. Her father is one of the best workers I’ve ever known.”
I glance at Wendy up and down. There’s no noticeable muscles appearing on her body, and to be honest, she looks like she’ll fall right over if a kid pushed into her.
“He’s the best worker you’ve ever known.” Wendy said innocently, but you can tell it’s one hundred percent fake. I suppressed an eye roll as she glanced my way. I nod my head at her, even though I have no idea why, maybe it’s just a polite hello?
“I’ve been notified by Alex’s older brother, Ben. He says I should keep an eye on you while you’re around Sloane. Will you be able to keep your temper around her?” The Alpha said, loving every minute of this.
Wendy’s eyes flickered of anger for a moment, but she quickly covered it up again. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, sir. Sloane’s father would be the one I’d give the cold shoulder to, not his daughter, correct?”
A smirk played on my face as I watched the Alpha’s expression. Surely he’d be speechless after that, right? After a moment, the Alpha smiled unfazed. “I very well hope you don’t give the “cold shoulder” to anyone. We’re a family, Wendy, and whether you like it or not, Sloane will be just as good or even a better worker than you.”
Wendy turned a shade of red, but it disappeared as she composed herself. Wendy sure dislikes Sloane, I wonder why. She cleared her throat, then stared at the Alpha straight on. “You do remember my test score, correct?”
The Alpha gave her an unimpressed look before speaking. “Yes I’m very aware of your test score. You got a ninety nine out of one hundred. Eric and Sloane scored one hundred and three.”
She turns and looks at me, her eyes widening in anger and surprise. Just by meeting Wendy for about two minutes, I can tell it’s all about winning with her. Just like Alicia. “How did you get one hundred and three on a test?”
“I answered the questions with multiple answers and demonstrated what would happen if you did either,” I say, smirking at her. She reminds me of Alicia so much that I’m starting to hallucinate her standing in front of me, not Wendy. I run my hand through my hair, feeling self conscious all of a sudden. “Everyone probably did that though.”
Two girls appeared, catching Wendy’s eye. She hurried over to them and dragged one of the girls in particular to a car, more thank likely hers. The Alpha smiled at me and shook his head. He wiped an invisible smudge off his shoe then looked at me. “At the dinner we will announce who the captain of the squad is. I’m assuming you’d want to be the captain, is that right?”
I look at him, then back at Wendy who got in the car, gabbing away with the girl in the car with her. Would I want to be the captain and have to instruct orders to people I barely know? I bet they all want to be captains, and by me getting the position, they will probably hate me instantly. But on the other hand, my parents would want me to do what I want to do, and being the boss would keep my mind off of school and well Alicia.
“Why not?” I say, shrugging my shoulders. He nodded his head, and without another word, he walked away and got into a waiting limo. I roll my eyes then I head on home, processing all the things that just went on.
I didn’t feel like going home and having to retell everything that just happened to Neil and Maggie, but I also don’t have anywhere to go since I don’t have friends. All my old friends live an hour away and I haven’t spoken to them since I’ve moved here.
That’s pretty messed up too since I had a best friend who trusted me with anything. He told me something horrible about his past right before I left, and then what did I do? I ignored his calls and messages. Not because of the secret, but because I didn’t want to deal with losing him as a best friend. Some dude would come along and they’d become best friends, I couldn’t see that happen right before my eyes. So I let my friend believe I dropped him because of the secret.
I know, it’s foul of me, but it was easier than having to go everyday waiting for him to stop talking to me. The guys at school are nice for the most part, but they’re starting to pick on me about my sketching ability. A senior tried to snag my bag so he could have my sketchbook, but due to my spy skills, I moved it out of reach. Neil told me I should stop bringing it to school so these issues go away, but there’s so much inspiration at that school that I just need to sketch it all down.
Neil was outside waiting for me when I got home, holding out his keys. “You’ve got your permit. Go driving, I know you won’t get caught.”
I snatch the keys from him and give him a thankful smile. I hop into the car, resting my hands on the steering wheel possessively. I thought about where I could go, maybe a drive thru, or maybe I’ll just drive around until I see a cop car following me.
I remember Sandy talking to some friends about Wendy’s party at her house that’s coming up. She said the address out loud at least twenty times. I punch the address in on the navigation system and start driving toward her house. Slowly butterflies started flapping in my stomach, the feeling I only get when Alicia’s around. Alicia loved changing her hair color, and the last time I saw her it was blonde. A nice yellow, like the sun. It drove me crazy to see that guy smell her hair and run his hand through it as if it was his hair. She would glance me and see if I were watching, wanting to put me through torture.
I shook the memory away, my hands gripping the steering wheel to prevent my anger. Whenever it comes to her I feel like I have anger management problems, or I’m a killer. The thoughts that run through my head toward that dude all end with him dying or getting the shit beat out of him. I don’t like the feeling, but when it passes, I feel better.
When I pull up in front of her house I start throwing little rocks at her window, feeling like a guy from some romantic movie. Her face appeared in the window, looking slightly surprised, slightly relieved, and slightly angry. “What are you doing?”
I told her a fake story then watched her jump out of her window noiselessly. We both got in the car and I drove her to a deserted place I’ve been to a couple times. I couldn’t help but think that Alicia would love this trip. She’d buy beer with her fake ID, and then we’d buy a variety of chips, and then just sit on the hood of my car, watching the sun go down. I glance over at Wendy and saw her seatbelt unbuckled.
I really don’t want to go into our whole sort of date, but by the time we’re done with our date, she’s nothing like Alicia. I dropped her back at her house, then sped off, not glancing at her once. When I got home, I couldn’t help but feel a smile spreading across my face. Sure we didn’t get beer and chips, but it was nice to look out at the sunset not drunk.
Maggie and Neil are both outside on lawn chairs, both of them painting or drawing. I usually sit out with them and sketch, but I found myself walking into the kitchen and picking up our home phone. I punch in my old best friends’ phone number, and hope for him to pick up.
“Eric?” Bryan said after the first ring.
I felt terrible. Has he been waiting for me to call all this time, or was his phone just by him at the moment? “Yeah, it’s me. I just wanted to call and see how you’re doing.”
I heard some coughs on the phone then some muttering. “Yeah dude, thanks for calling. I haven’t heard from you in awhile. Everyone misses you here, well me and my parents that is.”
I laugh. His parents used to compare me to him, causing Bryan to go crazy. “I miss them. How’s school? I’m not in love with the school here, it’s lame compared to ours.”
“Well Alicia dating that dude still, but you probably already guessed that. She asked about you after you left though, but she didn’t really care if you called her or not. School’s lame, all the people are lame there.”
“I don’t care about Alicia anymore. I think I might like this new girl I met, but she goes to another school. She’s a junior, a year higher than us. I don’t have a picture of her if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Well, doesn’t she have a Facebook?”
“Er,” I say, walking over to my computer. I punch her name in on Facebook and see her name pop up, and a picture of her holding a kitten, wearing a cheerleader outfit. “Punch in Wendy Piece. She’s the one with the kitten in the cheerleader outfit.”
I hear Bryan stifle a laugh as I hear him start typing away on his keyboard. “Okay, I found her. She’s hot bro, but she seems a little perky for you don’t ya think?”
“Er, no actually she’s not that perky once you get to know her. She’s different outside of school you could say. She’s more . . . wilder.”
“Whatever floats your boat, Eric. She kind of looks like Alicia if you think about it . . . oh never mind, it’s not important. I just don’t want you to think it’s okay to pretend this girl is Alicia, because she’s not, she’s a different person, entirely a different person.”
“I got it, Bryan. I don’t need you to nag me. Listen, how are you doing? I know you’re probably stressing about that thing.”
“Dude, it’s fine, but what I want to know, is why the heck you didn’t tell me about your situation. A friend told me about it, since they know I’m your best friend, they wanted to let me know.”
“It hasn’t even been announced yet. I won’t do it, Bryan, and I hope you won’t do it to me either. You and me will run when the time is right, okay?”
“Don’t worry Eric, all I have to do is bring one of the people from your squad and they’ll be happy.”
I think for a moment, then I start speaking in a rush tone. “I’m sitting next to the Dover’s; they have a son who’s on my team. If you take him, they’ll be happy.”
“They’re going to want a girl if they can’t have you, Eric. It’s either Wendy or the other chick, and I hear the other chick doesn’t know anything about being a spy, but she can fight.”
“You’re going to have to take her Bryan because I can’t let you take Wendy from me, okay? Her name is Sloane Adams, her father is next in line for being an Alpha. All you have to do is get her alone without her father.”
I heard Bryan sigh loudly on the phone, then shuffling of papers. “Listen to me, if I die because of this, I’ll be pissed.”
We talk for a little while longer, then we both hang up, feeling uneasy. I turn around and see Neil staring at me, a look of disgust on his face. I guess if you hear your nephew talking to your best friend about kidnapping someone on your squad so you can protect the girl you like, it’s pretty intense. Maggie walked into the room. By the look on her face, I can tell she heard everything I said.
“Guys,” I start saying, but Neil cuts me off.
“I know Gary and Sloane, Eric. You just sent your best friend on a suicide mission. I’ve seen Sloane work out, it’s intense. She knows things that not even you probably know. Yes she lacks in the spy education, but she knows how to fight, just like Bryan said.”
“It’s not my problem if he gets hurt, Neil. He’s on the other team. I’ll protect who I want to protect, and if that means someone on my team has to get kidnapped, then that’s what’ll happen.”
I went out of the kitchen, and into my room. I looked at my wall and wrote Wendy’s name down in a bright pink. I laid in bed and wonder what’d be like if my parents were here right now. They’d more than likely be out robbing something. Whenever I suspected something, they’d give me an answer that seemed reasonable. I didn’t want to believe they were bad people, so I believed anything they said.
I don’t know why they robbed places either, or why they died the way they did. We weren’t poor, both of them had full time jobs besides being burglars. They’ve never brought me along on their missions, and if they had to, they’d send me over to Neil’s house. In the will it said that I was going to my uncle, but that wasn’t surprising since nobody liked me on my moms’ side of the family. Neil dated my mom back in the day, way before my dad was even interested in my mom. They dated for about three years, then broke up junior year. My dad dated her senior year, then they had me a year later.
They were pretty young when they had me, but they were well off when it came to money. Moms’ family is rich, which is partly the reason why Neil was so interested in my mom. Now you might be wondering if Neil hated my mom and dad for getting married, and you’re right, Neil was angry.
You see, Neil needed money when I was three, so my parents decided to help him out by giving him ten thousand dollars so he could get back on his feet. Dad was writing his will at the time, so dad told Neil that in return for the money, he wanted Neil to be my God Father. He reluctantly agreed, but by the time my parents died, we became closer than I was with my parents.
Maggie and my mom were best friends in high school, so Neil knew her mostly through my mom. They got married the same year my parents did, but of course they didn’t have a kid. Maggie is downright broke, from the moment her parents left her on the side of the road to fend for herself, to when I was about five. She left Neil when they became broke, then came back when he was well off again.
My parents told Neil to leave Maggie, but he loved her so much he couldn’t do it. I’m glad he didn’t listen to my parents, because she is one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet when it comes down to it. Sure she made bad mistakes when she was younger, but so did Neil and all that matters is if you fix it in the end, right?
The next day I got a phone call from an unknown number. I figured it was the Alpha again, so I answered it, my eyes rolling as usual. “Hello?”
“Hey, is this Eric? The Alpha gave me your number, he wants us four to meet him at his house for breakfast. This is Alex Dover by the way.”
“Um, yeah, this is Eric,” I say, glancing at my alarm clock. Six forty in the morning? “What’s his address so I can get on over there?”
Alex gave me the address, and then we hung up. I slid on a t-shirt and jeans, figuring it’ll be casual wear. I write a quick note and stick it on the refrigerator letting them know I’ll be out with my team for the afternoon. I took the keys from the jar on the table then got into the Porsche. I started it up, then drove cautiously down the street. The address Alex gave me seems to be accurate, but just to be sure I punched it into my navigation system.
In ten minutes I arrived in front of a posh house. It was a generous size house, nothing compared to a celebrity’s home. I park my car next to a truck, betting it’s Alex’s. I knock on the door, feeling slightly intimidated by the knocker on the door. A butler opened it and stared at me for a full moment.
“Welcome,” he said finally, giving me a bored expression. I walked inside the house, noting it’s bigger inside than it looks outside. “They’re eating in the dining room toward your left.”
The butler pointed to the left then rushed in the other direction. The house is white marbled, shiny if I may add. The feel of the house is vacant, as if it isn’t used often. I walked through one of the left doors and was welcomed by the smell of fresh orange juice and bacon.
The Alpha looked up at me and smiled welcoming. He motioned with his hand to come over. “Boy! Welcome!”
I sat down in the empty seat next to Wendy and gave her a small nod. She looked pretty wearing no makeup and wearing casual clothing, compared to all the other clothes she wears. So what if I stayed up all night going through her pictures and news feed on Facebook?
A waiter set down a plate in front of me full of pancakes, hash browns, bacon, sausages, and a generous cup of freshly squeezed orange juice. I looked up across from me and saw a girl with blonde hair slightly passed her shoulders, looking at me quizzically. Curious is my guess.
“Everyone, this is Eric. I hope you all make him feel at home, yes?” The Alpha said, smiling broadly again.
The blonde girl, Sloane, glanced at him for a moment and nodded her head quickly. “Hi, I’m Sloane. This is Alex, and that’s Wendy.”
She stared at Wendy for a moment, then returned to her food, coughing a bit. I can tell she isn’t used to being center of attention. The black haired boy, Alex, smiled at me warmly. “Nice to meet you, Eric.”
I smile at both of them. We ate in silence until believe or not, Sloane speaks up. “So, Eric, I heard from my sister that you’re doing well in school lately. I’m glad you’re fitting in.”
“Who’s your sister?” I ask Sloane curiously.
“Sandy,” she said, a bit of an edge to her voice. “I should’ve known she wouldn’t mention me to her friends. I think she’s embarrassed of me.”
I wanted to tell her that’s not true, but Sandy hasn’t mentioned a sister in the last week. Don’t people with siblings talk about them to their friends a lot? I thought Sandy was my friend too, so wouldn’t she be able to talk to me about her sister?
“I bet she didn’t talk about her boyfriend either,” Alex said, smiling at Sloane.
“No, she hasn’t,” I supplied, hoping this will make Sloane feel better. “She’s always saying things about her being single and ready to mingle, things like that. Do you guys know her boyfriend?”
Wendy choked on a bacon strip. I looked over at her, but she wouldn’t meet my eyes. Alex cleared his throat and looked at his plate with his full attention. Sloane finally spoke when nobody else was going to. “It’s Alex’s older brother Ben.”
“Oh, dude, I didn’t mean it to be rude-“
“No, it’s okay,” Alex said, waving his hand dismissively at me. “I don’t get involved in his relationships, and this one is no different.”
Wendy snorted and took a gulp of juice. Sloane gave her a dirty look then whispered something to Alex. I felt embarrassed to be sitting next to Wendy and her unkindness. So far, I haven’t seen anything wrong with Sloane and Alex.
“As you all know,” the Alpha said, moving his plate away from him, “you will ALL be asked to come up on stage and they’ll announce you’re the new squad for this year. We will announce the team leader, then after that you’ll walk back to where you’re sitting, correct?”
Sloane nodded her head, Alex looked uncertain, but nodded, and Wendy looked like she’s heard this speech a million times. I said correct, and the Alpha continued on. “Furthermore, you will start your training every day after school. If you cannot do both, you will be given a substance, a substance that can keep you up.”
“Like drugs?” I said jokingly, but nobody laughed.
“By taking that you should be able to stay up long enough to finish all your homework, correct?”
We all nodded in unison. He smiled broadly at us again, then walked out of the dining room, giving us privacy. Wendy wasted no time to start making rude remarks. “Sloane if you think you’re getting team leader than you’re high.”
“I don’t want to be team leader, Wendy,” Sloane snapped back, giving her an angry look. “If anybody will get it, it’ll be Eric. My dad told me last night.”
Wendy gasped slightly, but recovered by giving Alex a dirty look. “Nobody cares about your brothers relationship with Sandy, okay? Shut up about that or there’ll be trouble.”
“I’m not scared of you, Wendy,” Alex said, rolling his eyes at her. “You got a low score on your test, so I can only guess what your IQ is.”
Wendy was a flash of light, she jump out of her seat and jumped at Alex aggressively. Right when she was about to make contact, Sloane grabbed her by the waist and threw her to the ground at the exact same moment as Alex ducked.
I stayed in my spot, dumbfounded. How did they both react to her so quickly? Wasn’t she a flash of light for them too? Wendy tried to get back up, but Sloane kept her down by putting her right foot on Wendy’s stomach.
“What are you doing?” I ask, surprised.
Sloane ignored me, and stared at Wendy. “What do you think you’re doing? We’re a team, Wendy, a team. I don’t know what you have against me besides my dad, but you need to get over it because if you keep letting it cloud your judgment, you’ll be dead.”
With that, Sloane lifted her sandal off her stomach and replaced it back on the floor. I noticed Wendy was breathing heavily as she stood back up. She sat back down in her seat, her eyes moist. I’m betting she didn’t expect Sloane to have any spy smarts.
The Alpha came back in, his smile still on his face. “Bravo, Sloane, bravo!”
She gave him a confused glance, then slowly, it dawned on her. He was watching this exchange of words and moves with delight. Why would someone find joy in that? The Alpha looked at me, looking slightly unimpressed with me.
A waiter walked in and started taking all the empty plates into the kitchen. He returned with a cart full of desserts. Sloane thanked him, and picked up a piece of boston crème pie. I grabbed a piece of blackberry cheesecake, my favorite surprisingly. I saw a small bruise already appearing on Wendy’s arm from the slam to the ground. I don’t know how she’ll explain to her father that Sloane took her down so easily.
“Do you believe that there are other things out there in the world that we don’t know about?” The Alpha asked joyfully, digging into his apple pie. “Perhaps secret agents?”
Wendy rolled her eyes at him, clearly not enjoying this. “Listen, Alpha. I know all of this, so I’m not interested in the Tutorial Guide to becoming a Spy.”
Alex shook his head angrily. Wendy’s attitude is getting to all of us, including me. It’d be nice if she was actually being supportive about this. I mean doesn’t she want to be a spy as well? I took a bite of my cheesecake so I wouldn’t end up saying something mean to Wendy.
“Let’s just talk about this subject on your first day of training,” the Alpha offered, giving Wendy a meaningful look. He escorted us all out of his house eagerly, then slammed the door on us as if we were trash.
Just like in the movies, we all gave Wendy a dirty look at the same time. Wendy rolled her eyes at us, then walked to her expensive car. Sloane glanced at me shyly, then gave me an awkward hug. I hugged her back, holding in a laugh as her face turned slightly red.
Alex gave me a shoulder hug, something guys do to be friendly. They both walked to their cars and got in. I couldn’t help but notice that Alex tried to walk cool, but ended up walking like there’s a stick up his ass. I got into my car parked next to Alex’s and started driving back home. When I pulled up in front of my house, I noticed Wendy was sitting on my lawn, a cross expression on her face.
“What’re you doing?” I ask as I get out of my car and start walking toward her.
“Why’d you hug them? I thought we were going to be on the same team and hate them?”
I shake my head at her. How could you be so shallow and expect a person not to like them just because you don’t like them? “I like them, Wendy. I don’t know why you don’t like them, they’re nice people.”
“No they aren’t, Eric! They were just acting sweet to you so you’d be on their side!”
“We’re a team for crying out loud, Wendy!” I say angrily. “I can’t believe you can’t suck up your pride and just say you’re sorry!”
“I’m not sorry for anything!” Wendy shrieked loudly. She looked like she was on the verge of pushing me, or crying. Maybe both. “If you want to believe their nice people, go ahead, because I’m not interested in hanging out with someone who is.”
“Then what are you doing here at my house? Get a grip of yourself, Wendy and go away.”
“Whatever,” Wendy said coldly. She walked away and got in her car.
I stomped into my house, ignoring Maggie and Neil completely. When I get to my wall I start writing down Alex and Sloane. After the dinner I’ll have a lot of names to write down on the wall. When I’ve had more than a few minutes of quietness, Neil walks in cautiously. “You okay?”
“I’m fine,” I said, giving him a look. “It’s Wendy whose not.”
I tell him everything about the dinner, including the dessert. He listened and offered opinions every now and then, but mostly he just listened to me. He agreed that Wendy’s being unfair toward Sloane and Alex, making me feel slightly better. When he left I still had a lot of questions to ask, but I guess I’ll have to wait until later. I settled myself in front of my phone. I just told Bryan to kidnap Sloane and not Wendy. What am I going to do?
I grab my cell phone and start dialing his number. He picks up on the first ring, sounding annoyed. “Listen, Bryan. You can’t get Sloane either. Is there anyway you can just not get any of us at all?”
“I’ll see what I can do, but if worse comes to worse, I’ll just kidnap you, okay? You know you’ll get away if I take you, and it’d be a lot easier.”
“Fine, see what you can do.”