Defect - By Ryann Kerekes Page 0,37
here?”
“Nah.” She walks toward where Jake is standing, and I stay close to her. “The instructors know about this place. It’s not a big deal.” She shrugs.
A slow grin spreads over Jake’s face when he spots Sam. Not wanting to be a third wheel, I head over to Sabrina and Alex who sit on a set of worn couch cushions that litter the floor.
“Where’d the music come from?” I ask, sitting down beside them.
“It’s probably been here since this place was built. There were stashes of music and some books Jake found the first time we came down here.”
Even though this music is decades old, there’s nothing old or outdated about it. It is alive with energy and emotion in a way that feels raw, fresh and real. It’s almost distracting. I can’t focus on having a conversation or even think clearly while it floods my senses.
It reminds me of my mother always complaining about the poor excuse for music that was around these days. She said people didn’t make music like they used to, and now I know just what she meant. In fact, I’m beginning to see a lot of the things my mother said and did in a new light.
Growing up, I always knew my mom was different; I guess I just didn’t think much of it. I remember the days she occasionally kept me out of school so we could have all day pajama parties and finger paint. Or the times I’d open my lunchbox at school only to find she’d packed my favorite dessert in place of a lunch – marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate.
Sometimes I thought I had the best mom in the whole world, but other times, as I got older, she’d scare me with her crazy ranting about wanting to take me away. Days like that, she’d escape to her bed, almost as if hiding would prevent my sixteenth birthday from coming. I thought she was just afraid of me growing up, afraid of losing me. And it turns out, she was right.
The door to the room swings open, pulling me from my thoughts. It’s Will. I stiffen, thinking we’re busted, but no one stops what they’re doing, so maybe his presence here isn’t entirely unexpected. He goes to the other side of the room and leans against the wall, his eyes scanning, like he’s ready to spring into action if needed. His eyes rest heavily on me, and for a few seconds I’m stunned speechless. Heat floods my cheeks when I remember what I saw in the hall the other night between Lexi and him.
He’s not in his usual military-issued black shirt. Instead, he’s wearing a heather gray t-shirt that looks soft from many washings and makes his grey eyes stand out more brightly. He must be off-duty. I realize I’ve only seen him out of his official uniform one other time – during our foray into the woods. Was he off then, too? Is that what Kane meant about our play date?
“Eve?” I hear Alex saying. I blink and look over at him. “What are your guesses for the obstacles they’ll give us tomorrow?” he says.
“I don’t know. I guess I’d rather not think about that right now. We’ll have to face them soon enough, but for now, we don’t.”
“True, true.” He nods. Then he grabs onto my knee and gives it a squeeze. “How’d you get so smart?”
I give Alex a lopsided grin, but catch Will’s eyes again. His calm, composed demeanor is replaced by annoyance at the sight of Alex’s hand on my knee. But it doesn’t last for long, because Lexi calls to him from across the room. His eyes flick to her. Lexi’s eyes are possessive as she looks him over. She walks up and stands in front of him. With her standing next to him, he doesn’t look quite as tall anymore; he’s only a few inches taller than her.
They speak in low voices, and I can’t hear what they’re saying from here; probably having a nice chuckle over my file or discussing their hallway activities the other night, but his face is serious, so maybe I’m wrong. Lexi places her hand on his chest. My lungs tighten, and a feeling I can’t place wells up inside of me. But then he takes her wrist and carefully removes her hand. I feel a small sort of victory and press my lips together to keep from smiling. I force myself to look away.
With Will standing in