Talent Storm (5 page)

Well done, Sexy
, thought Danessa.

I met her sparkling eyes and winked.

The Instructor cleared her throat. “I see that you
have
been paying attention. The reasoning of what he said, class, is sound. As he said, it’s why the Coalition’s citizens are mostly unionized today. I apologize, Mr. Stone.”

I grinned, before bowing deeply to the class. “No need for applause.”

“Don’t push it, Mr. Stone.”

I flushed before striding back to my desk. During the remainder of the class, I filled two more pages with doodles.

☼☼☼

The day of final exams, and the end of basic had finally come. Although I was looking forward to not being treated like a child, I was worried about the further stress of advanced training. When I arrived at the Academy, I observed Danessa leaning against a pillar next to the large, oak entryway doors. She was reading her engineering textbook and wearing a royal-blue skirt that exposed much of her legs. She saw me approaching, smiled, and waved.

I waved in return and strolled to her side. “Last minute studying? So the perfect student hasn't mastered the material yet?”

“You can never be too prepared. That's your philosophy also, right?” she asked. “I bet you studied all night.” She closed her book, then lowered it in her left hand while adjusting her skirt with her right.

I leaned on the pillar next to her. “Unfortunately, I had to skip studying this time, I was too busy relaxing.” I yawned while stretching my arms over my head.

“This time and every other time too, right?” She winked at me. “I hope that you pass. It would be horrible to have to repeat any of these classes. Besides, maybe we'll get assigned together after our talent training.”

“How did you know I was talented?”

She pointed to her head. “I’m a telepath remember?”

“Oh, right. Maybe you could stay out of my head?”

She shrugged and gazed into my eyes.

I squinted at her. “What?”

“I miss you. I miss being with you.” She lightly brushed against my arm with her fingertips.

I took hold of her hand in mine before gently lowering it to her side. “Danessa, I really like being friends, but remember what it was like the short time we were together?”

“Yes,” she said, looking down.

“Believe me, I’ve been tempted by your beauty, but we’re much better friends than lovers.”

“Remember how jealous you used to get.”

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah. You flirted with everyone. You would have been jealous if I did the same.”

She shrugged. “I don’t think so. Maybe we could be friends with occasional... benefits? I did love kissing you.” She looked back up at me, her eyes gleaming with a wild twinkle.

I cleared my throat uncomfortably. “Umm... well sure,” I said shuffling my feet.

She smiled deviously while reaching down and clutching my hand. “How about right now?” She motioned her head to the bushes on the side of the building.

I would have loved to tear her clothes off right then. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“That’s not what you were thinking. You’re scandalous.”

Damn, I just told her not to do that. “Umm, I....”

“Oh relax, I'm only kidding,” she said as she released her tempting grip. “You're still having your party after exams, right?”

Smiling, I relaxed against the pillar again. “Of course. It's going to be stunning. You're coming, right?”

“I wouldn't miss it for perfect scores on all my exams,” she said.

I chuckled. “You're probably going to get perfect scores anyway. And speaking of exams, we should probably get going.”

She nodded before extending her arm, allowing me to go first. Shoulder to shoulder with other students, we made our way through the door. Suddenly, I felt a strong tug on my waist. I gasped, horrified as I looked down at my naked legs and boxers. Laughter followed by applause, resonated around me. My face burned hot with embarrassment. Heart pounding, I yanked my pants back up before spinning around to face Danessa. She threw her head back, laughing heartily.

“Oops,” she said, putting her hands on her mouth. “I can’t help but feel partially responsible.”

“Partially?” My eyebrows dipped, but her smile only grew. Anger wouldn’t help. I’d just have to get her back. What was there really to be embarrassed about anyway? I had nice legs. Relaxing, I laughed too while bowing to the crowd. I leaned in close to Danessa. “You better watch out now. Walk in front.” I pushed her forward. “Excuse me if I don't trust you right now.”

☼☼☼

After completing all of my finals, I skipped down the halls to liberate myself from basic once and for all. Although my lack of studying made my exams difficult, I was pretty certain that I passed them all.

Just as I grasped the doorknob, seconds from freedom, my chemistry teacher called to me. “Jaden, I’d like a word with you.”

Staring at the doorknob, I considered bolting. No, it was probably important that I talk to him. I exhaled in a huff before meandering back to his class with sagged shoulders. What did he want?

“Jaden, have a seat for a moment. We need to talk about your final exam.”

Could I have failed? My heart quickened, my hands becoming clammy as I dumped myself in a desk chair.

“Don't look so worried. You did pass the exam,” he said.

I released a shaky deep breath that I wasn’t aware I was holding. “Oh, thank Talent. I couldn't stand basic again.”

He squinted at me, so I shook my hands and said, “No offense, your class was one of the more interesting ones.” It wasn’t really.

“Honestly, you should have aced the exam, but you barely passed. You’re intelligent and have so much potential, but you goof off and waste it. You need to start applying yourself or it will come back to bite you.”

“You’re right,” I said, wanting to be released as soon as possible. What did he want from me? I did what was required. What did it matter anyway... I had talent. The military would control me no matter how well I performed; my life was predetermined. At least I enjoyed my life so far rather than busting my balls.

He shook his head with pursed lips and a frown. “I don’t want you to just agree.”

That had backfired.

“I want you to see why it’s important to apply yourself. We live in a hard, dangerous world. Although the Coalition seems safe now, just recently, we were at war. You never know when you might need some information that we attempted to teach you.”

I lowered my head trying to appear contrite. “Thanks Teacher, I’ll think it over.” After leaving the classroom and building, I had already disregarded his advice.

CHAPTER 4

The day after finals all students were given the results of their exams. Although I passed all of mine, I didn’t do well. Apparently, studying was important. Either way, I passed and was finally free from basic ed. prison. I’d enjoy my time off before advanced training captured me again.

Ben had aced all his exams and sat next to me on the shag carpet at my uncle’s house. Suddenly, his face fell, and he frowned deeply. “I just realized that I forgot to bring the alcohol over. Now we have nothing to pregame with. I guess we'll have to go get it,” he said as he started to stand.

“Wait...” I said. Ben glanced at me before shrugging and settling back against the wall. “I just remembered that I have that bottle you gave me a while ago. I hid it for just such an occasion. We’ll drink it on the way to your house. I’ll be right back.”

Ben bobbed his head, smiling. “Stunning.”

I sprang to my feet, excited for the night and jogged down the hallway. Half way down, I stopped and fiddled with the drop-down staircase that led into the attic. With a thump, the stairs smacked the ground. I ascended, holding the wobbly handrails. When my nose breached the attic surface, I was assailed by an overpowering musty odor. Wrinkling my nose, I climbed the remaining stairs. I grabbed the rim of the attic and hefted myself in with a grunt. An oppressive wave of heat washed over me. I’d have to make this quick.

I picked my way over boxes and clutter to the back of the room. My uncle would be furious if he discovered I hid alcohol in the house. He violently opposed drinking even though most people didn’t care. He also hated secrets. Walking to my stash, I spotted a displaced ceiling panel. My brow furrowed. I had to investigate. I reached up, then lifted and slid the panel off to the side. A cloud of dust puffed around my head. I coughed while fluttering my hands before my face. After blinking a few times, I stood to my full height and peeked into the newly discovered space. Maybe this could be my second hiding place. After my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I noticed an envelope. I extracted it, my curiosity getting the best of me. I blew off the thick layer of dust, then slid a few boxes out of the way. I plopped down in the clear space to examine the envelope. My mother’s name was written on the front. I opened the envelope and removed the letter inside. My father had written it.

Dear Jane,

All is well, but it’s torture being away from you. I hate it when we’re assigned to different missions. I hope that we’ll be together soon, even if it’s on the battlefield. How have you been holding up? Is Commander Deo treating you well? My brother has been unbearable as always. He keeps hinting at the dangers of our relationship.

I overheard something at camp one night. I shouldn’t be saying this, but I thought you should know. My brother was recently appointed as one of the secret generals. He’s going to be even more intolerable of our relationship now. We’ll find a way to stay together though, as we always do.

I’ll love you always,

Heath

My jaw dropped. I couldn’t believe it; my uncle was another one of the generals. Now I knew two of them. I couldn’t let my uncle find out that I knew. I wouldn’t tell Ben either even though he let it slip about his dad. My muscles tensed, and my heart quickened. With shaky hands, I stuffed the letter into the envelope and then placed it back before replacing the ceiling panel. After retrieving my bottle of pear wine, I exited the attic and inhaled to calm my nerves. I dabbed the sweat from forehead and then returned to my room with a forced smile.

“Look what I found,” I said, displaying the bottle of wine.

Ben pumped his fist into the air. “Stunning. Crack it open. We’ll go get the rest of it after. It’s a little smarter than walking with it.”

I grinned and popped the cork, enjoying the pear aroma. “Good thinking.”

☼☼☼

After retrieving Ben’s alcohol, we returned to my uncle’s house. I somewhat tipsily lined up the various bottles of wine and liquor on the table. Ben set out my uncle’s glasses and filled a bowl with ice. The party would primarily occur in the living room and kitchen, while the upstairs was off limits. We needed to keep cleanup to a minimum. I located two decks of playing cards and a pair of dice for various drinking games. After lining up the kitchen chairs along the wall, we were finished with the preparations, just in time for our guests to arrive.

At hearing a knock at the door, I hustled to let my first guest enter. In the doorway stood a pudgy girl with a round face, a lanky boy with dark rings around his eyes, and a big-nosed boy wearing a yellow cap.

“Hello, Young Chap,” the big-nosed boy said. “I’m Timothy and these are my compatriots, Sandra and Ryan.” The grins on their faces stretched.

I squinted at Timothy for a second. ‘Young Chap.’ Was he serious? He was the same age as me. Talent, Ben had weird friends. “Hey everybody. Welcome. I’m Jaden,” I said, moving to the side to admit them.

In the kitchen, we fixed them up with drinks and chatted.

Tim sipped his drink before meeting my eyes. “Tell me Jaden. On a scale of one to ten, how much do you like carrots?”

I glanced at Ben and he shrugged. “Umm... an eight, I guess.”

“Intriguing. What are your feelings on the Magna Carta?”

“The what?”

“Is your pointer finger longer or your ring finger?” he asked.

I shook my head and gulped my drink. “My ring—”

Someone knocked on the door, and my head snapped around.

“I'll get it,” I said, jumping at the chance to escape Ben’s friends. I skipped to the door before swinging it open. “Danessa,” I said with alcohol-induced excitement and a big grin. “You look fantastic as always, my darling.”

She grinned, pushing at me playfully. “You always were the charmer. Hey, it looks like you’ve started the fun without me.”

I glanced down, giggling. “How can you tell?”

“You’re all flushed, not to mention you’re grinning ear to ear. I hope you saved some fun for me.”

I beamed Danessa a warm smile. “I saved it all for you. Let’s get started. After you,” I said while stepping to the side and extending my arm.

Just then, a couple other attractive girls I didn’t recognize showed up behind her.

“Hello ladies.” I smiled at them, admiring their short shorts and long legs.

Danessa squinted at me, furrowing her brow. I quickly refocused on her, then led them all over to the alcohol. I fixed them some drinks while admiring Danessa out of the corner of my eye. She was especially attractive today. She wore her same blue skirt and a low cut top, which revealed her ample cleavage. Her golden hair was mostly clipped up with a few strands framing her face. Her brilliant green eyes matched a stunning gemstone that hung around her neck on a silver chain. She smelled sweetly of a rose perfume. I inwardly kicked myself for hesitating on her lustful invitation earlier, even though I knew it would have been a mistake. Maybe tonight would end in the benefits that she suggested. I never did get very far with her when we were together.

“I'm glad you came. You're more fun than anyone else. It wouldn't have been a party without you,” I said to her.

“Jaden, are you trying to seduce me?” She stepped closer, her nearness exciting me. She brushed her fingertips on my chest while running her tongue slowly across her top lip.

I felt my skin tingle with excitement. The alcohol and party atmosphere made me feel bolder than normal. “Yes,” I said as I gazed intently into her eyes. I placed my hands on her lower back and neck, then pulled her in, kissing her deeply.