The Modified (The Biotics Trilogy, #1) (26 page)

I barely make it to the cafeteria in time to eat some fruit and an omelet. I try to act normal, but Joey and Sam seem to be fixated on me. I ignore their stares and shovel in my food.

“So did you enjoy the dance last night?” Sam asks, with a sly grin.

“Yeah, Kenley you just up and disappeared. What was up with that?” Joey gives me a playful nudge with his shoulder.

I ignore their comments and continue eating, hoping to keep my embarrassment in check. I look down the table and meet Landon’s shocking blue eyes. He sends me a mouth-watering smile that makes me drop my forkful of food, and I feel my face heating up.
Damn, fair skin!
I yell to myself. I turn away, letting my hair fall over my face and then realize my hair is not in a braid. I was so distracted that I forgot to have an Ada do my hair.

“It is time for all cadets to report to their designated training areas.” A robotic voice fills the room through the intercoms. I quickly grab my tray and make my way to the exit, dumping my uneaten food and leaving the room before any more questions. I feel bad about Landon, but I need to get my composure before he sees how much he affects me. I make a quick stop at my room and have Galileo call for an Ada, and then hurry to my Fortification training room.

I’m the last one to step foot into Dr. Patel’s room and all eyes dart to me as I enter. I look around and it seems like everyone’s paired up except for Caleb. I smile and wave as I walk over to him, but he seems less enthusiastic about the pairing. At first he acts like he’s bored, but then an hour into the class he changes.

Caleb grabs a colorfully striped medicine ball with his telekinesis and makes it float in the air. It spins so fast that it begins to look less like a ball and more like a rainbow blur. A tap on his shoulder from Dr. Patel sends the ball flying across the room, sending people diving for the ground.

I hold back a giggle as Caleb walks over to me and whispers in my ear. “Top that, Grayson.” I open my mouth to give him a snarky reply and then see him grinning at me mischievously.

“Caleb, where did that come from? This playful side of you?”

“I’ve always been fun, I just chose when and if I let it out.”

“I like
this
Caleb,” I say and watch his face change, gone is the grin. Before I can say anything, two androids enter with trays of sandwiches and drinks. I regret that I won’t see my friends at lunch, but I feel a reprieve from having to see Landon before I can get my emotions under control.

This session has been intense, and I’m totally exhausted by the time Dr. Patel announces the end of training. I go to leave the room and find my exit blocked by our instructor.

“Ms. Grayson, are you okay? You seem a little distracted today?”

“Yes, ma’am. I just had a hard time sleeping last night. I’ll do better tomorrow, promise.”

“Good to hear, because you’re one of the best, and I need my best cadets always on their toes.”

“Got it. I won’t let you down, Dr. Patel.”

 “Warm milk,” she says as I move past her to the door.

“Warm milk?” I ask, turning to face her.

“Yes, it always helps me sleep,” she replies with a smile.

Warm milk? As if that will help me sleep
, I think as I enter the mess hall for dinner. Looking at our table section, I realize I’m the last one to arrive again. Thankfully, everyone’s occupied with eating.

“Is that steak?” I ask, sitting down and pressing the menu button on the table in front of me.

“Yeah, and it’s delicious. I can’t remember the last time I ate steak and it was so tender. It’s literally melting in my mouth.” Caleb’s voice is full of pleasure and we all stare in surprise at the expression of pure joy on his face.

“I thought there was a shortage of beef in the world,” I state confused.

“I guess the Federation has its connections. And I’m glad too,” Caleb replies with a crazy grin.

“I guess we’ve found Caleb’s Achilles heel…a good steak,” Joey chimes in.

“Man, Caleb, what’s got into you? You’re like all happy and shit. Like a freakin’ bundle of joy,” Sam asks jokingly when the laughter dies down.

“I don’t know what you mean. I’m always the life of the party, right, Kenley?” Caleb responds with a wickedly handsome smirk.

Everyone’s attention turns to me. “Caleb was quite the rebel today during training. He got a little carried away and caused a ball to spin out of control, almost wiping out half the class. And he so got busted by Dr. Patel.”

“So you got in trouble, huh, Caleb?” Joey quips. “And here I thought you’d be teacher's pet.”

“Nope, that honor goes to your girl, Kenley.” Caleb stuffs another piece of steak into his mouth.

Geoffrey sits with his mouth hanging open watching Caleb as if he has sprung horns suddenly. Sam shakes her head and dives into her steak. I look down the table at Landon and give him a quick smile, still embarrassed about my crazy dream.
Wake up, Kenley. It was only a dream. Yeah…but it felt so real,
the irritated voice in my head yells.

“So now that we know Caleb has finally woken up and decided to be human. Kenley is Dr. Patel’s little lab rat, and Joey and I had a bitchin’ day, what about you, Geoffrey?” Sam asks, looking pointedly at him.

“Oh um, me? Yes, well…I reviewed and revised some battle plans. It was all done digitally on a simulator. Mara and I worked together and-”

“Mara, huh? Is that the hot little number with the glasses you were in a deep convo with at the dance last night?” Sam asks slyly.

“Why yes, she’s very nice and we have the same IQ. And she didn’t mention she was hot at the dance, in fact we didn’t dance, so why would she have been hot? I mean the temperature is kept at a comfortable level in all the rooms,” Geoffrey rambles, completely missing the point of what Sam was trying to say.

“Can someone explain to him, please?” Sam begs, rolling her eyes.

“Geoffrey, Sam means that Mara’s hot, good-looking, nice to look at, Wake up and notice,” Joey says and nudges Geoffrey who turns bright red when he realizes what Sam meant.

“I…err…guess. I hadn’t really paid much attention. She’s nice and super intelligent.”

“Well damn, I give up.” Sam shoves a piece of steak in her mouth and chews vigorously.

The rest of us dig into our food and I feel more relaxed than I have all day.

 “That was just what I needed. I’m so stuffed that I think I need a nap now,” Joey quips.

“I heard you got quite a workout today,” I say to Joey as we exit the cafeteria.

“Yeah, I was paired up with your boy, Landon. He’s one tough SOB.”

“Hey, I was paired up with Johnston, and I can’t believe he’s in Strike. What a wuss. He refuses to hit a girl,” Sam’s disgusted voice chimes in.

“So, I’m a tough SOB, huh? I’m flattered Joey, and you’re not too shabby yourself.” I jump a little when I hear Landon’s voice right behind me. I can feel his breath, he’s that close.

“Thanks, Shaw. Of course, I wasn’t using my full potential,” Joey replies, pushing out his chest and grinning like a fool. “I didn’t want to hurt you too much.”

“Of course you didn’t,” Landon says while slapping Joey on the back, and then moves to my left side. “If you don’t mind I’d like a word with Kenley. If that’s all right with you guys?”

“Yeah, sure. Come on guys, let’s give them some alone time,” Joey says and then winks at me. He laughs as I send him a withering stare and then drapes his arms lazily around the shoulders of Geoffrey and Sam. “You too, Caleb. Keep up.”

“Hey, I’m coming, wait up,” Caleb calls out from behind us.

“Come on slow poke,” Joey says over his shoulder as he begins to walk away with Geoffrey and Sam.