The Program Page 0,91
and folds his hands in front of him.
“Is there a problem, Sloane?” the teacher asks. Within seconds Kevin is standing at my side, looking concerned.
“No,” I say. “I’m sorry. I choked on a piece of gum.”
“Perhaps that’s why we don’t allow gum in the classroom,” the teacher responds, sounding annoyed at the interruption.
“Are you not feeling well?” Kevin whispers. “Maybe we should go out into the hall for some air.”
“No,” I say instantly. “I’m fine. Really.”
Kevin shoots a nervous look at James, and then walks to the front and interrupts our teacher midsentence. I don’t dare turn to James, but I can feel him watching me.
“Of course,” the teacher says to my handler. “Sloane, can you come sit in the front, please?”
I gather my things quickly and take an empty desk directly to the side of the teacher. I sit there for the rest of class, feeling kind of humiliated. But maybe just a little bit charmed.
After class Kevin pulls me aside and levels his stare on mine. “What was that about in there?” he asks.
“I laughed. It’s not a huge deal.” I don’t appreciate him being so nosy, but then I think that a regular handler might be a lot more intrusive than Kevin’s being right now.
“Do you know James Murphy?” he asks.
“No.”
Kevin exhales as he straightens. “Then let’s keep it that way. James isn’t the sort you want to get to know, Sloane. I can’t protect you if you’re going to go down that path.”
“And what path is that?”
“A self-destructive one. Just promise me you’ll stay away from him. Please.”
I don’t like being told who I can and can’t associate with. But Kevin’s eyes are pleading with me, so I nod, even though it’s going to be a hard promise to keep.
CHAPTER FIVE
LACEY HAS TAKEN UP PERMANENT RESIDENCE ACROSS from me at the lunch table, always sharing her cupcakes, always entertaining me with her stories about guys. I haven’t been back to the Wellness Center since that first time, and Lacey hasn’t mentioned meeting her there again. I just hope my mother will eventually let her come over to our house.
“Oh,” Lacey says, biting into the orange frosting. “I ended up having coffee with a new guy last night.” She beams.
“Really?” I have to admit, I’m a little jealous. The thought of going out on a date sounds so exciting, so free. Even if I were allowed to date, I’d have to take Kevin along. How creepy would that be?
“He’s cute,” Lacey starts. “He has a car, and best of all, he’s over eighteen.”
“So no Program?”
“Right. He’s so freaking normal I’d say he was boring, but right now I don’t mind. He knows how to kiss.”
I laugh. “I think that may be the real reason you like him.”
“It’s not funny,” she says, tossing a rolled-up straw wrapper at me. “Overusage of tongue is a serious problem. I think that’s the real epidemic here.”
I’m cracking up. Kevin stands more alert from the side of the room as he watches us, but I can’t stop.
“And yes, part of why I like him is his technique. But I have plenty of other reasons, too.” She grins. “He’s really nice to look at.”
“Wow,” I say. “With so much in common, I think you may be soul mates.”
“Oh, shut up.” She laughs. “I’ll tell you one thing,” she says, getting more serious. “The minute I graduate, I’m out of this town. Out of this state. I hear that back east they’ve contained the outbreak without The Program. Think of all the normal people who’ll be walking around there.”
I widen my eyes. “They’ve contained it? I didn’t hear that.”
“It’s not mainstream news,” she says, sipping from her drink. “Total underground, but it’s for real.” She smiles. “Maybe you’ll come with me.”
“I’d have to take Kevin with me,” I say, motioning toward my handler.
Lacey seems to consider this. “He can come,” she murmurs, running her gaze over him. “I like blonds.”
Kevin notices us eying him. Lacey laughs and turns back to her cupcake.
“So,” I ask a few minutes later. “Did you keep any friends from The Program?”
Lacey shakes her head. “Nope. They were all pretty lame.” She glances up at me mischievously. “Are you thinking of finding your friend—the one with benefits?”
“He didn’t have those kind of benefits, and yes, I’m thinking about it. Do you think I should? Do you think it could make me sick again?”
Lacey’s expression darkens. “I wish I knew what makes us sick, Sloane. But we don’t know. And neither