"I can't say I blame her. Is this wedding thing really that bad for you Rachel?" He turned his head so that we were finally face to face with questioning eyes.
My insides fluttered. "It's weird I can say that. It's just not natural to be this age and be married to someone they picked. People who were married at this age so many years ago were not set up by the government. In school they told us if it was such and such a date we would marry, maybe even start to have kids. Well, it isn't that time and people don't get married at this age anymore, so I just want to spend the time I have growing up like an average teenager."
Nick just stared at me and made a small smile. "Okay. Do you need help finding out how to get rid of it?"
"Oh, thank you, Nick and yes. First we need to do research on it so we know what we're up against."
"We should break into the school."
"What?" I yelped.
He was way too calm to have suggested that."Well, think about it, there must be something in there about this. You know, like files and that stuff."
"You want me to break into the school. Are you nuts?"
"Well, how else do you plan on learning about this? They aren't going to have it in a book in the school's library about 'How to Screw over the Government to Become Free' for everyone to borrow."
"Yeah, I know…"
"Let’s make a plan on breaking into school."
"Okay fine, Nick."
"I don't feel right about doing this."
I finally came out and said what had been bothering me, well one of many things that was bothering me. I started to twist the chain of my necklace with my fingers nervously.
"Rachel there isn't another way we can find anything out. Don't worry, if we're to be found I want you to run or hide and not to get caught. I'll take the blame, but whatever happens, do not get caught alright?"
"Now that isn't fair."
"Rachel, I'm not going to do any of this unless you promise me that you'll not get yourself into trouble. I'm to take the blame," Nick's voice was stern to try to have me listen.
"Nick I'm not going to let you do that."
"They'll accept that a guy like me would do that, but not you."
"That's more of a reason for me not to hide."
"You'd have a freaking heart attack if we get caught. We'll make it look like we're going to the basketball game and then we’ll hide until the coast is clear. You'll not get caught or if someone sees you'll hide."
"Fine, but I don't like it."
"I didn't think you would."
Nick took my hands in his and looked at me. "I don't want you getting into trouble. I can get out of it because of the other things I've gotten in trouble with. I don't want you getting into trouble or more of it so trust me and promise me you'll not get yourself caught."
I gazed into Nick's bright, dark, blue eyes and saw how sincere they were. For some reason it made my heart skip a beat. I shouldn't forgive Nick so easily for what he did, but why was I feeling like I was? I hated when girls did that in books, go back to the man who treated them horribly. I had promised myself I wouldn't be like that.
"I promise, Nick, even though I don't agree."
"That's all I'm asking."
"Well, I guess I should go to bed since we have a basketball game to go to tomorrow. I hope you know what we're going to do."
The next day we were sitting at the basketball game and I was a little lost, I must admit. I could tell though Nick was having fun explaining the game as it was going on. Nick's friend, John, was one of the team players which really surprised me because when I met him he didn't strike me as a big athlete.
"Rachel, hold on a second I'll be right back alright."
"What?" I couldn't hear very well because of all the screaming fans.
"I'll be right back," he spoke louder.
"Why? Where are you going?"
"I need to get one more thing."
Sitting there I watched him as he hopped off of the bleachers. Nick waltzed out of the gym with his normal stride that I was pretty sure I couldn't ever do myself. A little bit later someone quickly grabbed my hand I yelped. I glanced over and it was Nick.
"It's okay, Rachel. Now come on."
Nick pulled me up and dragged me off the bleachers through the many bodies. He guided me out into the halls which were deserted.
"Nick what's going on?"
He just pulled out a huge ring of keys that looked like a key to every door in the whole school and then some. Nick yanked me into one of the custodian rooms.
"You got to be kidding me."
"You're friends with the guards and I've my way with people at school."
I started to scan the room we were in with my arms crossed firmly over my chest.
"How long are we going to stay in here?"
I was now standing next a dozen mops with the buckets, tissues and many cleaning supplies. It really smelled in here. Nick was sitting in the chair at the table with his feet on the table. He folded his hands behind his head to rest his head while leaning back on the chair.
"After the game and everyone is gone then we can wander. The game's almost over and they'll be kicking everyone out soon."
"That'll take forever!" I sat down on the ground and rested my head against my hand. "What do you think we'll find Nick?"
"My guess is files and a few loose papers. You know, nothing major."
We sat there in the quiet for an hour and a half when Nick got up and checked out the halls. He walked out into the dark and I followed.
"Remember no names."
He took
