by Tina Chan
Troop’s mom arrived home later than usual; it was well past dinner and Troop was putting the dishes into the wash when his mom entered the kitchen.
“There’s leftover chicken salad.” He jerked his head to fridge humming beside the stove.
“Thanks, T.” His mom used a nickname Troop’s dad had come up with.
It had been a while since Troop talked to his dad; his parents divorced fourteen years ago.
“Hard day at work?” he asked.
“Yeah. I’ve been assigned a new project which I don’t have enough time to do.”
“We can always move again, to a place further away from the…”
“No.” Her voice was firm. “We are not moving again unless we absolutely have to. Not unless something like that happens again.”
Troop swallowed down a lump of guilt. If they hadn’t moved from Marbleton to the city, then his mom wouldn’t be so overburdened with work. However, that had happened and the company Troop’s mom worked for offered them to start a new life here in the city. The catch was his mom had to increase her workload by a third. She had begun working for the Company a few months after her divorce.
His mom was proud Troop had transitioned to his new school without any difficulties—but that was because she didn’t know the extremes Troop went to ensure he would no longer face any problems from anyone or anything at Ludus High. She didn’t know he was a thorn in disguise as a rose.
“How was school today?” his mom asked, massaging her temples with her index fingers.
“Oh, you know, the usual. Classes, tests, exams, lunch, more exams, etcetera.”
“No troubles with kids?”
“Mom. That’s the past. That part of my life is over. I’m doing just fine at school.”
“Just making sure.”
Troop softened his tone, knowing his mom hadn’t meant to sound overbearing. “Everything’s good. Why don’t you take a shower and I’ll fix up some minestrone soup to go with the chicken salad?”
“You’re an angel. I think I’m going to take you up on that offer.”
If you only knew, Troop thought. I highly doubt you’ll look at me the same.
She kicked off her heels and floated out of the room. Troop heated up a small saucepan. While he waited for the soup to simmer, he flicked through the world studies notes Darrel had sent him. Most of the material he already knew, thanks to private tutoring sessions provided by the Company.
His electro-slate vibrated. The caller ID informed Troop it was Bruno calling him.
“Hello,” said Troop.
“Hey. Listen, you’ve got to hear this. Are you listening?”
“Yeah.”
“Jack’s planning a coordinated hack on the school system tomorrow after school, but he wanted to get an okay from you first.”
“Why doesn’t Jack ask me himself? And anyways, he knows he doesn’t need my permission to hack the school system—he knows the rules we play by.”
“Jack doesn’t have your ID number, so he asked me to call you for approval,” said Bruno.
Troop nodded, even though Bruno couldn’t see him do so. That makes sense. I don’t remember giving Jack my number and even his hacking skills are still one step behind the Company’s. The Company had encrypted all of Troop’s personal information; things could become disastrous if they leaked into the wrong hands.
“He’s planning on breaking the system tomorrow but wanted to make sure you were okay with it ever since, you know, the Harold incident,” said Bruno
“Got it. Do you know what Jack is planning to do after he breaks through the system?”
“Mason offered him three hundred points if Jack raised his grade in Physics.”
“Tell Jack to raise Tompkins’ grade in World Studies while he’s at it.”
“Alright. Are you going to help Jack with the hijack? I know I am. Darrel is too. Jack says he needs enough people to overwhelm the system for tomorrow.”
“Can’t,” said Troop. “Tutor session tomorrow right after school.”
Troop could almost see Bruno wrinkling his nose when he replied, “Oh, I see. Is it one of those fancy private lessons?”
“I suppose you could say so.”
“Ludus High isn’t good enough for you, is it? Nope—you’ve got to have one-on-one classes even though you already attend the second best high school in the United Regions.” There was a hint of taunting in Bruno’s tone. “Only the best for—”
“Bruno,” Troop said. He kept his voice even.
Bruno immediately realized he was walking on a fine line. “Sorry.” He didn’t sound the least bit apologetic.
Troop let it slide, but decided to keep a close eye on Bruno’s behavior over the next few days. Bruno would be more than happy to stab him in the back given the chance; it was common knowledge at school that Bruno hungered after Troop’s power at Ludus.
chapter nine
[ Kristi ]
