My stomach dropped. "Seriously?"
He nodded. "If today goes well, you can start classes next week."
On the one hand, I'd be free to go out and go to college. On the other hand, I'd be back to living with Dr. Vodola without Sawyer as a buffer.
"You swear?" I questioned, raising one eyebrow, and my chest swelled.
"As I said, you clear up that mess you created, and you'll be out of that building."
"I'll think of something to say at the conference, but if you go against your word, I'll let the world know everything you've ever put me through."
Dr. Vodola didn't respond, and we finished the rest of our ride in silence. He pulled into a parking lot. Dr. Green and a few others were in suits waiting by the door. Dr. Vodola parked, and I climbed out. My arms stayed firmly over my chest as I followed him into the back of the building. We walked by people, lights, and wires were everywhere until we got onto a stage where there was a long table that I'd recognized my whole life. The bright lights shined on us. A person came in pouring water into all the glasses. The doors were opening, letting people file in slowly. I took my usual seat between Dr. Green and Dr. Vodola. My back was straight against the folding chair.
My head started to reel. What lie could I share to explain why I was running down the street like an escaped lunatic? Would Dr. Vodola hold up his end of the deal? Was it worth risking not finding out? The room finally finished filling up. Cameras were rolling and flashing at us. I watched as people were pushing their electronic devices as if to record us.
"Hello." Dr. Vodola started from his chair. "I'd like to open up by sharing that Adam has been reaching his milestones at a normal rate like his peers."
A hand shot up.
"Madeline, are you going to explain that video of you running away from the center?"
I gulped and leaned forward. "I'd been sick a few times the past year. One of which landed me in the hospital for a few days. I'd been poked with so many needles, and unlike everyone else, I have two regular physicals a year. They wanted to run more allergy testing, and I was done. Have you ever had an allergy test before?" I added a laugh.
There were murmurs and chuckles.
"So, you're saying that you were avoiding allergy testing?"
I nodded. "Yup. That and I have always had a history of having trouble sleeping. That night I hadn't slept well at all, and the last thing that I wanted to do was get poke by dozens of pricks. Do you like being poked when you want to sleep?"
The man smirked. "No."
"I'm fine. The scientists treat me well." I added.
Dr. Vodola was sitting next to me, and he was grinning. He almost looked like a smiling cat who had caught the mouse, but a small taste of freedom was better than nothing at all.
Beth had said I had passed my tests, so I was technically a high school graduate. Dr. Vodola worked it out to start classes a week late at the community college by us. I stood in the middle of my old room. I was still not believing that I was back here. Over the years, I'd cursed this room. The nights I spent crying in bed or the back of my closet. It was only months ago, but it felt like a lifetime. I held onto the strap of my bag as I looked around the room. A few of my books sat on the dresser because Dr. Vodola hadn't packed them. My drawers were still open, and my bed was unmade. It all had been waiting for me.
Taking in a deep breath, I knew this had to be better than an old office. Coming back here to go to school was a baby step towards freedom. I was able to leave the house again. I had to be smart, though. I had that stupid tracker in my neck like a tagged animal. I dropped my bag onto the bed and started to unpack. There were only a few things in the bag, so it didn't take me long. I placed the bag under the bed then sat on the mattress. Now what?
I had a smile on my face as my hands wrapped around the straps of my backpack. It was partly cloudy, but the campus was active. People were walking all over. Some were holding coffees as they were standing off to the side, talking to each other. I took a deep breath as I started up the sidewalk. I didn't turn around to watch Dr. Vodola drive off. I felt eyes on me, but I kept on walking ahead. My sneakers kept rolling on the path towards a new beginning.
"Madeline?"
Turning, I watched as Justin was standing in a glass doorway. He jogged over to me. Justin was grinning at me as he held a notebook in one of his hands.
"Hey."
"You're here?" Justin questioned.
I nodded and crossed my arms as a breeze swept through the buildings.
"Yeah, Dr. Vodola and I had worked out a deal. So now I go here."
"Does that mean you're back home?"
Home. Could I call Dr. Vodola's place home?
"Yeah, it does."
"Does Sawyer know that?"
I shook my head. "I've only been back a couple of days."
"He's going to be happy. Sawyer was crazy after that video of you was leaked."
My cheeks warmed.
"Yeah, not my finest moment."
"So, what classes are you taking?"
I pulled a print-out out of my back pocket of my jeans. My eyes ran down the list.
"I have some math class, writing, science, and Spanish."
"Do you have writing today?"
I nodded and shifted my weight from one foot to the other.
"Yeah, that's where I'm headed now."
"Sounds like we have a class together then. Are you ready to head that way?"
"Lead the way." I opened my arms.
He laughed.
Between the writing and math, I would hide out in the library and use my school email to contact Sawyer. Dr. Vodola couldn't screen those emails.
Justin was talking the entire way to class. I just nodded along with what he was saying. We climbed the stairs of a brick building. We squeezed by a few people and walked into a room. There were a few people already in there. I picked a seat in the second row. Justin was almost to the last row before he turned around to see me. I was already putting my bag down and settled in the seat when he came to take the seat next to me.
"Really? The front?"
I shrugged. "You don't have to sit with me."
He plopped down at the desk next to me. Justin opened his notebook then slumped in the seat so that his legs were outstretched. A tall thin woman with glasses perched on her nose came into the room holding a stack of papers.
"Hello everyone. I hope that you all did the homework from last week that went along with the reading. We will be going through some editing and revising before going over the next prompt."
Community college was still school. I could do this. Her voice was quiet as she read through the reading parts that I had missed before starting the new one that we were to finish for homework. The teacher reminded us about how often we'd be writing and what format she preferred the papers needed to have. Then she let us leave forty minutes early. I put the syllabus into the folder for this class then into my bookbag. I got up and started to head out the door.
"Hey, since we're out early, do you want to catch something to eat before your next class?"
Justin quickened his pace to catch up. We headed down the stairs, and our steps echoed in the hall.
"Actually, I'm heading to the library."
Justin raised his eyebrow. "You just started classes. Why are you going to the library?"
"I'll see you around, though."
I knew that I didn't answer his question. My insides fluttered. I waved over my shoulder and turned on my heel. Thinking back to the campus map that I had looked at home, I tried to guess where the library was. Turning a couple of times, I found the sign that read 'Library.' I smiled and darted inside. Off to the library's side, there was a café then a large hallway that I could see shelves of books at the end. There was a multi-person check out then a staircase across from it. I turned the corner before the stairs, and there were rows of books then some tables that had white dividers around them. Ambling to one, I grinned. Bingo. There were computers! I pulled
the seat back for me to sit in and placed my bag next to me. I got online and logged into my school email. Opening a new email, I put my name as the subject line.
Hi Sawyer,
I have a lot to tell you. A lot has happened since our last email. I thought that your dad has access to my other email, so sorry if you didn't hear from me. He and I made a deal, though, that if I did that press conference and said everything was okay, he would let me return to his house. He also agreed to allow me to begin community college. I know that going back to live with him isn't ideal, but I couldn't handle that room anymore. I was going crazy from boredom. I just came back from my first class. It's fantastic to see people again—such a weird thing to say.
How are your classes going? Are the dorms as crazy as they look on tv? I had my first class, and Justin was in it. I didn't realize he was going here. It's weird being at the house without you. I hope you come down to visit for the holidays.
I miss you.
I sent the email and looked around the room. This side of the library wasn't hectic. It was probably early in the year. I looked at the time again. I had some time to start the essay for the writing class before math. I might as well use my time while I could.
15
Sawyer
Sitting and eating lunch with a couple of friends, an email notification went off. Glancing down, I didn't quite recognize the email, but it was my last name as the address. That was when the subject caught my eye. A smile grew on my face and clicked it.
"Who's the email from?" a guy in computer my class asked.
"A close friend of mine."
I was reading through her email and could feel the air leaving from my lungs. She was out safely. Madeline was okay.
"Girl?"
I chucked. "Yeah, it's complicated."
A lopsided grin formed on his face, and one eyebrow went up.
"Oh, it's like that."
I rolled my eyes. "Kind of, but I'm waiting for her to be a little older. Her living situation isn't the best, though, and I worry about her."
It was nice to be in an area that did not know that I was the clone creator's son. If anyone did know, they didn't care.
"That sucks."
I nodded.
"It does, but things got a little easier so that when I go home, I'll be able to see her."
"That's good."
"She and I weren't sure if her family would let her go to school, but she's at the college by where we live."
"So good news email?"
I smiled and finally looked up.
"Yeah."
Madeline,
That's great to hear! Keep me updated. Now I’ll be home for thanksgiving for sure!
"Come on, dude, you're either working or in class. It's time for you to experience some real life." Jacob, a friend of mine from down the hall, was calling me on my break.
I rolled my eyes. "Sorry that college is completely on me."
I refused to let my dad help pay for school with the money earned from Madeline.
"I get that, and I'm sorry. Come on; there's a party tonight. Meet us there after your shift."
I sighed and rolled my eyes. Jacob and Justin would get along so well. Maybe that's why Jacob and I were friends. I just wanted to go to sleep and not deal with drunk people.
"Fine."
"Great! I'll text you the address. See you there."
I heard the click of him hanging up. I shook my head and went back to work.
The lights and music weren't hard to miss from a couple of houses over. I continued to walk down in the dark. My hands were in my coat pockets. I had unbuttoned the first couple buttons of my white button-up from the restaurant. Jacob waved me down, and I grinned.
"Throw your coat in my car. You won't be needing it."
I took off the coat and threw it in the back of his car. I rolled the sleeves to my elbows.
"Do I look a little less like I came from work?"
Jacob shrugged and took a swig of whatever was in his red cup.
"Would it matter? Are you trying to pick anyone up, or you still holding out on mystery girl?"
I rolled my eyes. My usual response to most things Jacob said.
"I'm not purposely holding out."
Jacob's eyebrow seemed to be stuck high up on his forehead as he stared at me.
"We have girls walking by us in the dorm in nothing but a towel, and you don't even take a glance in their direction."
I shrugged. "I grew up in a house with a girl. They don't like being gawked at when they're in a towel."
"You have a sister?"
I shook my head. "Nope, I'm an only child."
Jacob shook his head with his eyebrows knitted together. "You just said you lived with a girl, though."
"So, are you ready to go in?"
I took a step up the sidewalk.
"Wait, then who was the girl you lived with?"
He grabbed my elbow, and I could smell the beer off his breath.
"Do you know the guy who invited the clones?" I whispered.
His face scrunched as his glassy eyes stayed on me. "Yeah?"
"That's my dad. The girl clone. She lived with us her whole life."
"For real?"
I nodded. Jacob was so far gone, he wouldn't remember any of this conversation. It was better to shut up the drunk Jacob than anything else because he would not let anything go.
"Dude, your dad has to be rich. Why the hell are you working?"
"Because he has a tight hold on his money and saves every cent. He's also an abusive ass, and I don't want any of his money."
I could feel my body heating up.
"Fine."
A girl in a tight short dress with a girl in skinny jeans and a crop top walked by us. Jacob's head followed their turn. I shook my head and made my way through the house. I hadn't gone to high school parties, but I feel like this would still be even crazier. The music was thumping the walls. People crammed into corners, and I heard a yell from somewhere else to 'chug.' My eyes couldn't stay still long enough to focus. Some girls were swaying to the music off. Guys were playing beer pong off near the couches that lined the wall.
I pushed my way through until I reached the back deck. I opened a cooler and grabbed a beer. Popping the top off, I leaned against the railing and stared up at the sky.
"Not your scene either?"
Turning my head, I saw a girl with short brown hair. She was wearing a light blue flowy shirt and skinny jeans.
"Not really."
"My name is Lacey."
"Sawyer."
I leaned over and shook her hand.
"My friends dragged me here."
I chuckled and raised my beer. "Join the club then."
She laughed.
"Do we have matching shirts or something?"
I laughed, and Lacey stood next to me. I smiled at her.
"I don't have the creativity for that; I'll leave that to you."
Lacey threw her head back and laughed.
"Unless it's in a spreadsheet, I'm afraid I can't help you with that."
"Darn." I shook my head.
"Are you in my bio class?" she tilted her head.
I squinted. "Possibly? You sit in the back, don't you."
"Yeah, science isn't quite my thing."
"If you need any help, I can try to help you. I'm decent at it, unfortunately."
She beamed. "I'd like that."
Lacey took her phone out and handed it to me.
"Put your number in."
Jacob sat across from me at the diner. He hunched over his place setting. I took a few more sips of my soda before I put it back down.
"Are you sure you want to eat?"
"I need grease," Jacob muttered.
I bit back a chuckle, and a waitress came over. She was probably in her forties, with her tied back in a high bun. She took our orders and left while she was still scribbling away.
"You were hitting it back pretty hard, weren't you," I smi
rked.
"Fuck you," Jacob grumbled as he rubbed his head.
Jacob leaned back and stretched his legs near mine. Jacob looked at me and narrowed his eyes.
"Was I imagining things when you confessed that your dad is the lead guy on the cloning projects?"
"That is what you remember from last night?"
He shrugged.
"Yeah, he is, though," I responded quietly.
"And the clone lived with you?"
I nodded. "Her name is Madeline."
"You know her?"
"She lived in our house with us, so yeah, I know her well. The hope was that if she lived with a family, then she could be part of society." My voice was soft, and I spun my straw around in my soda, causing the ice to twirl.
"Shit, she's the girl that it's complicated with, isn't she?"
His eyes were round. My gaze stared at the drink before me, and I was only able to nod my head in response.
"You like the clone."
"Madeline."
"Madeline, you like her?"
"It's complicated, like I said."
"I'd say so. Madeline's a freaking clone. Is she normal?"
I shot him a look.
"She acts like every other human. If you met her, you'd never know she was a clone. She is just like you and me."
"Does she have a belly button?"
My eyebrows fused. "What the hell?"
"Does she have a belly button? I mean, if she wasn't in a womb, how did she get her nutrition?"
I huffed.
"I don't know the technical crap; I never asked my dad. He treats her, though."
"For real?"
Jacob raised an eyebrow.
"My dad has been known to lock her in her room. There was one time I had to break down her bedroom door to save her."
His face fell. "Hell."
"I told you, it's complicated. My dad treated both of us like crap. My mom ran off on us when I was little. Madeline and I have always had just the two of us."
"I'm sorry."
Beaker to Life Page 11
