Mason finally jumped off the top bunk, resting a hand on Margo’s arm. “I think she’s had enough.” Margo didn’t let up.
Jaxon walked over to Margo, knowing she’d listen to him. He patted her back. “Mason’s right. Let the Chancellor be the one to kill her. Cate’s so scared she’ll probably wet herself on her way to breakfast.”
“Will not!” Cate piped up, grimacing when a fist flung out at her face.
Jaxon caught Margo’s arm before it had time to reach Cate. “Come on, up you go.” He pulled Margo away from Cate. “She’s not worth dying over,” Jaxon reminded her. “You have what you need, let’s get breakfast. If she shows her ugly face in the dining hall we can throw food at her or stuff her in the trashcan.”
I wondered if Jaxon really had it in him to be mean or he was just trying to calm Margo down. It seemed to work. Margo let go of Cate, climbed off her and glared as she grabbed her clothes, underwear included, and took them to the bathroom.
“Wow,” I breathed, unsure what else to say.
Joshua climbed down from his vantage point on the top bunk of his bed. “Yeah, no kidding. Let’s get showered and ready for breakfast.”
I couldn’t have agreed more. I grabbed my own fresh change of clothes, shoes and a towel before heading for the bathroom. I waved at Joshua, a brief see you later. I called to him and walked into the girls’ bathroom.
The bathroom had three shower stalls and one was already running. I assumed Margo was in there. I didn’t say anything. I shut the first door to the stall, dropped my clothes and a towel in the second part and closed the shower curtain as I turned on the water. The spray was hot, but it felt good. I hadn’t realized how tired or sore I was until my body started relaxing under the hot stream. I lathered up, washed my hair and turned off the shower.
Pushing back the curtain in the stall, I rolled my eyes as my clothes and towel were missing.
“Cate!” I screamed, knowing she was the only one capable of such a stunt.
Cate cackled, “Looking for these?” She waved my clothes from above the other side of the stall. “Have fun trying to get dressed and ready on time!” She dashed out of the bathroom with my clothes and towel trailing behind her.
“That’s just great,” I muttered. “Is anyone else in here?”
The bathroom was oddly silent. Margo must have already finished and left for the cafeteria. Apparently, the others had gotten the memo to avoid Cate at all costs.
I pulled the shower curtain down, grateful for its pale beige color as I wrapped it around myself. I headed out of the bathroom, seeing Mason give me a strange look as he came from the opposite side of the bathroom fully dressed. “Cate did this.”
Mason gave a strange look and laughed, “She wrapped you in a shower curtain?”
“Shut up!” I retorted already growing annoyed as I dripped a trail of water into the cafeteria. “Give me my clothes, Cate!” I called at her.
Margo stood as she approached Cate. After helping her today, it was no wonder she tried to be supportive, “Give her the clothes, or so help me God I will beat your brains into this bench!”
Cate rolled her eyes. “It’s not your fight, Margo.” She showed me the clothes. “You want them?” She glanced me over. “You know you could just wear that today? Suits you well,” Cate smirked proudly. “I bet Adam would love it,” Cate snickered.
Joshua rolled his eyes. “Give her the clothes, Cate.” He stood up, approaching Cate as she sat on the bench, staring up at him. Joshua loomed over her, snatching the material from her tight grip.
“Feisty boy,” Cate smirked, as her fingers released their grasp and Joshua fell back a step, walking over toward me.
“Just ignore her,” Joshua told me, handing me the clothes as he tried his best not to stare at my attire. I was thankful he wasn’t thinking anything inappropriate, considering I could read his mind.
“Don’t worry. I intend to,” I breathed, taking the clothes and turning for the bathroom. “Thanks.”
“I’ll come with you,” Joshua offered, following behind me.
“Why’s that?” I frowned. “I don’t need a body guard.” I could take care of myself.
Joshua nodded in understanding. “Maybe not, but we’ve got about five minutes before they start calling names. I don’t know what would happen if you’re not ready in time. But if Cate steps in once more, it’s possible we’ll find out.”
“Yeah, fine.” I knew he was right. He stood outside the bathroom door as I quickly dried off and got dressed into the recruit uniform.
Together we headed back to the cafeteria when Maya came in. “Our first recruit for training this morning is Elsa.”
Elsa stood and I breathed a sigh of relief. Jaxon approached Joshua and me as we headed further into the cafeteria. “I grabbed breakfast for you. It’s on the table.”
“Thanks.” I nodded, heading for the long table as a meal sat all alone. Everyone else had already eaten. I grabbed a seat, grateful it was on the opposite end of the table from Cate. I really didn’t want to have to deal with her again today.
I sat between Jaxon and Joshua as I ate everything I could manage.
“Slow down.” Joshua patted my shoulder. “Don’t make yourself sick.”
I knew he was right, but I was starving and didn’t know if my name would be next. I was beyond nervous and just hoped my breakfast would stay down.
Before Elsa was even back from seeing the Chancellor, fifteen minutes later, Maya came into the cafeteria. “Mason you’re next. Come with me.” He stood up and followed Maya out of the dining hall.
I glanced at Jaxon. “Thanks for getting me something to eat.”
Jaxon nodded. “Sure. They were closing the cafeteria, and I figured you might be hungry.”
He seemed like a really nice guy. “Thanks.” I smiled, having another bite of breakfast.
“Can I ask you guys something?” Jaxon kept his voice down. “Have you noticed anything weird from the procedure?”
I glanced at Joshua wondering how much to say. “Like what?” I asked curiously.
“In the bathroom, I–-” Jaxon paused, shaking his head, unsure he felt comfortable telling us.
“It’s okay,” I said, resting a hand on his arm. “We won’t tell anyone.”
Jaxon nodded faintly. “I don’t know how I did it, but when the water got really warm, I just kept thinking about fire and then my hands,” he showed me his palms. “They were engulfed in flames.” Nothing seemed to happen now as he showed me.
I shook my head. “I don’t see anything.”
Jaxon lowered his hands beneath the table so no other recruits could see what he was doing. One hand then two glowed together with a ball of fire. He closed his hands and it disappeared.
“Wow,” I breathed, my mouth hanging open. “Do you think everyone is capable of that?” I asked Jaxon curiously.
Jaxon tilted his head to the side eyeing me. “Try it?”
I took another bite and glanced at Joshua as he held his hands under the table and tried. “Nothing.” Joshua shook his head as he was unsuccessful in his attempts. “Maya had said it was fine tuned for each of us. Maybe you’re the only one capable of fire.”
Jaxon nodded, “Maybe, but did you see how red Margo got when she was fighting with Cate? I kept thinking that if she got any angrier she would have burned her!” Jaxon laughed softly. “It’s stupid. Probably not even possible.”
“Most of what’s going on here seems impossible,” I reminded Jaxon.
Joshua spoke up, “Jacqueline and I can share each other’s thoughts telepathically.”
I wondered why he divulged that bit of information with Jaxon. It wasn’t as though I didn’t trust him, but I wasn’t sure he wouldn’t go run and tell the Chancellor.
“Really?” Jaxon was intrigued. “That is pretty cool,” he laughed. “Better than these.” He held up his hands.