I rubbed a hand down my face as I read their texts. I decided to start with who had replied first and work my way down. At least Bellamy didn't need a response. I sent Knix a reply first and thenTexas.
Marv:We're just now leaving myhouse.
Marv:My mom found out about the phone and brokeit.
I paused, looking over at Marv. "Can you do me a favor?" Iasked.
His tornado gray eyes flicked to me once before refocusing on the road."What's thefavor?"
"I don't want the guys to know how my mom broke the phone," I saidquietly.
No one else needed to know. It would be embarrassing enough letting them see the shattered remains. Marv's phone vibrated in my hands as I waited for hisreply.
Texas:I'll have a new phone for you bytonight.
Marv:I don’t really needone
"If they ask, I won't lie to them," Marv finally said, drawing my attention back. "But I won't tell them what you told me if it makes you feel anybetter."
"Thank you," I replied. A few seconds later, the phone vibrated once more, Knix's name poppingup.
Knix:You're getting a newphone.
I bit my lip and narrowed my eyes at the screen before clicking back to Texas' name. I sighed in frustration as Ityped.
Marv:Tattletale
Texas:He's the boss. You have to listen tohim.
I glanced out of the corner of my eye as Marv leaned forward and began flicking buttons. The radio came on along with a blast of cool air. I typed a quickreply.
Marv:I listen toMarv.
Texas:Youshould.
I set the phone aside, done with texting, and turned back to Marv as he drove. "Why can't I go to school today?" Cleo butted her head into my hand again, urging me to scratch her ears. Icomplied.
"Knix and Bellamy won't be able to work with you tonight. They're busy now. We're supposed to train you on communications before we take you out to work withus."
"What are they doing?" Soft classical music drifted between us, quiet enough for talking, loud enough for the notes to be heard. Marv grimaced, but remained silent. "Can't tell me?" I guessed. He nodded. "What kind of communications training am Igetting?"
Sharp eyes caught mine and held for a moment that seemed to stretch on forever. It would have been dangerous if he had held my gaze for too long since he was driving, but when he broke off to glance at the road, I felt unexpectedlydisappointed.
"You surprise me," he muttered, shaking his head. "It's not really communications, but that's what Iris calls it. It's normal stuff like etiquette and body language and you're going to be doing self-defense training as well, though that's less communication and more general," he said. "Bell's already informed Principal Wiggins. We'll just push the tests you had today further along in the week. He's working something out with a few of your teachers. You might be able to do a few of them from home with yourcomputer."
"How do I surprise you?" I focused in on that little bit, perhaps because it had been said so quietly under his breath, while the rest of it had been in a normal, polite,tone.
"It's nothing," he replied, slowing as we came to a red light. I squinted at him, pursed my lips, and waited. Marv heaved an exaggerated sigh as he looked over at me. I smiled as he began talking. "It wasn't an insult," he explained. "Most people would be less understanding than you've been. You're putting a lot of trust in me – us – and we can't tell you everything, yet. But you're extremely collected about it all. I wasn't like that when I firststarted."
"Am I supposed to demand answers?" I asked. "I didn't think I would get them eitherway."
He chuckled. "You're already demanding answers," he said. "But you've been a lot easier to deal with than other people we've recruited. You'll get your answers, eventually." The BMW slid into a small space onto the highway between a semi and a green minivan. "We like those who ask questions. We don't want you to just follow us blindly or not questionorders–"
"Orders?" I bit the inside of my lip. I wanted to ask about the other people they had recruited, but it didn't seem like the time. "I didn't realize you were giving meorders."
He smirked, flashing me an amused grin. "Not yet,Sunshine."
"I don't know if I like the sound ofthat."