As we enter the building Red steps closer.
“What the hell was all that?” she whispers.
“I don’t know, she was furious on Saturday, when she realized I had a third bloodline, and I hightailed it out of there. This is the first time I’ve seen her since.”
I gave her the short version of how I ended up here on the walk back yesterday, but I didn’t mention Dietrichson. She’s clearly not happy, and this is all just a mind fuck.
Looking to the sign post I see that Tech is on the third floor whilst Science is on the first. Red pulls me towards the elevator and I don’t put up a fight. Stepping in, Red takes care of the buttons while I’m trying to piece together anything I may have missed, with Barbette, but come up short past the third bloodline.
I’m not taking in my surroundings or the layout of the building. I spot the elevator and that’s what I’m focused on. I’m sure it’s the same over the top decor as the rest of this place.
Luckily, before anyone else can join us the doors shut, and we’re moving. It’s spacious in here, and it looks bigger because the walls are all mirrored.
I agree to meet Red outside the main doors so we can head to Business together after this. She seems unsure about leaving me alone, but I offer an encouraging smile and she gets out on the first floor. Hopefully, this girl will realize she doesn’t need to waste her worry on me, I can handle myself just fine.
Arriving on the third floor I’m met by a woman with a clipboard. She takes my name, confirming I’m here for Tech and directs me to the far wall, where lockers are lined up. Dragging my case across the hardwood floor I find my name. These are next level, my locker back home didn’t come with a touchpad, and a plaque with ‘Steele’ on it.
Reading the instructions she gave me on a slip of paper, I quickly run through the process of setting up my fingerprint, and store my belongings I don’t need until later.
There isn’t a lot of space where the lockers are, so I’m pleasantly surprised by the size of the actual Tech room as I head inside. A board is set up at the door, advising us to wait for our seat assignments. So I hover at the front, taking in the rest of the room.
All the walls are bright white, with a standard blue carpet throughout. There are two separate desk layouts positioned opposite each other. One setup with computers, while the other is bare. Behind the desks are tall benches filled with different electronic devices, some dismantled, and there’s even a small freaking robot.
Crazy. Looks like we aren’t working on spreadsheets here then.
People begin to step in around me, and a guy greets us. He’s wearing casual jeans and a band t-shirt. Light blonde hair falls past his ears, with giant framed glasses covering his eyes.
“Hi, I’m Derek Griffin, please just call me Derek. I’m your Tech tutor and this is our workspace. I prefer old school seating assignments because I’m classic like that. For the time being I’d like it to run off first names. So, when I call your name in a group of three please take your seats, starting from the front row. This will also be your team when group exercises are required. We’ll be on the computer side today, but please take notice of the board, at the beginning of each lesson. If that’s not too complicated for you, I’ll begin.”
He starts to reel off names, and people begin shifting through the small crowd, taking their places. Who knew a class of trainee criminals could listen so well?
“Kai, Luna and Parker please,” he calls.
I don’t know anyone else here, so I don’t bother to look for who I’ve been assigned with.
I take the middle seat on the next table available, setting my bag down and try to get comfortable. I'd be better without all this shit on and a proper pair of shoes for god's sake.
Shadows on either side of me take a seat. Fuck whoever is sat on my right smells delicious, a gentle woodsy scent with a slightly sweet accent. I could definitely envelope myself in a shirt from this guy.
Looking in his direction, I stall when I notice it’s the last guy from Ace that I haven’t met yet. He gives me a small smile and faces forward. Glancing to my left, I can’t help the sigh that leaves my lips. There sits my favorite car buddy, with a scowl in place glaring daggers at me.
For fuck’s sake, can’t I catch a break for five minutes, please?
What names did the tutor say? Kai and Parker.
Well Parker is my current favorite Ace guy, I can’t help but look at him from the side. He has short curly brown hair, and I want to reach out and run my fingers through it. Dark eyebrows frame stunning hazel eyes, but my gaze is frozen on his full lips.
Not only has he got hot nerd vibes going for him, he didn’t open his mouth, and the small smile he blessed me with was pure. I admire him for a moment, then prepare for him to be an asshole, just like the rest of them.
That’s their new name, Aceholes.
*****
Derek explains to the class that we will be completing an assessment this morning, to understand what we are capable of. With that he turns his back on us proceeding to play around with the gadgets upfront. Great talk sir, thanks ever so much.
I click start and proceed to fill in my personal details to begin the assessment, clicking through I hear a frustrated sigh from my right. Glancing over I see Parker is a little flustered, red in the face and his leg is bouncing.
What has him all worked up? I check Kai but he doesn’t seem to
