or so wrong in my whole life. But I'll being punished: I'll totally knackered, my legs ache, my thighs are all chafed, and Ire got massive blisters on my heels.?
James smiled fleetingly. Lauren hoped sher talked her brother round, but after an instant she realised it was a sly smile, not a forgiving one.
T know what your game is,?James said, wagging his finger knowingly. Kyle put you up to this, didn't he??
Lauren was baffled. Now the hell does Kyle come into this? Het only been back from his mission for a week and I haven't exactly had a lot of time for socialising lately. I passed him in the corridor one time and congratulated him on getting his black T-shirt, but thatt it.?
Eo, you don't know anything about the mission we're going on??James said, clearly unconvinced. Ttt pure coincidence that you happened to come waltzing in here tonight, after me and Kyle had a mission briefing this afternoon??
Lames, I came in here to apologise again,?Lauren groaned. Bethany was right, I shouldn't have bothered. I mean, I miss talking and hanging out with you James, but if you don't believe a word I say, theret not much I can do.?
T don't hate you,?James said. Lust 厭
James felt angry with himself for warming to Laurent argument. He stood up and pointed to a spot of carpet, directly in front of himself.
Aet over here,?James said.
Lauren didn't know if she was going to get a hug, a slap, or what, but she stepped forward.
Tou think you know people,?James said, laying his hands heavily on Laurent shoulders. T thought I knew you.?
Lauren felt a shiver down her back as James scowled. He didn't so much look at her, but right through her. The intensity was a nasty reminder of how badly sher hurt his feelings.
Can you look me in the eyes and tell me that Kyle said nothing about our briefing??
Lauren sounded a little scared. T don't know anything about any mission, James. Whatt going on? You're freaking me out.?
James realised he was acting weird and let go.
Eorry,?he said, running a hand through his hair. Ttt a pretty hefty coincidence thatt all. Your better not be lying.?
Lauren slapped a hand against her side. Now many times do you want me to say it??
Me and Kyle got called down to the mission preparation building by Zara Asker this afternoon,?James explained, finally deciding to trust his sister. Tt looks like weEl be going on a mission in a week or so, but we need a third person to cover all the angles. Someone younger, preferably a girl. You were the obvious choice, but I told Zara I wasn't having it.?
Lauren shook her head. Thanks a bunch.?
Tara agreed that it was no good having us both on a mission if we weren't getting along. She asked me and Kyle to think of another girl about your age who could go instead. So I thought about Bethany, and Victoria, and Melanie, and Chloe and that whole girlie crowd of yours ?I kind of realised that Ir much rather be on a mission with you than with any of them.?
Lauren was flattered, but tried not to let it show.
Kylet been going all out to persuade me to make up with you,?James continued. Thatt why I was so paranoid when you turned up in my doorway.?
慠ight,?Lauren said, twisting her leg awkwardly and looking down at the floor. Eo 厭
Eo, theret another briefing at eleven tomorrow. If you want to come on the mission with us, I guess thatr be OK.?
7. UNCOMFORTABLE
Next morning, Lauren and James bumped into each other as they headed towards mission preparation after second lesson. They spoke without really saying anything, carefully measuring every word so as not to open up wounds.
As usual, the state-of-the-art retina identification system that controlled access to mission preparation was out of order. A note pinned on the door explained a more primitive enforcement system:
ANY KID WE FIND WHO DOESN't
BELONG IN HERE WILL BE MADE TO RUN
AROUND THE ASSAULT COURSE UNTIL THEY PUKE!
Zarat spacious office was fifty metres down a gently curved corridor. She was in her mid-thirties, but seemed older, with a mumsy air even when sitting behind a desk that clearly belonged to someone important.
Sixteen-year-old Kyle Blueman slouched on a suede-covered sofa off to one side, with his boots propped on a glass-topped table. He was reading from a stack of vanilla-coloured folders that contained police surveillance reports. Kyle had always been on the small side, but a recent growth spurt,