Crackerjack II

Chpt. 34: Casual Roommates

"You're very distracting during conversations, you know." Kristen crossed her arms, leaning against the cabin door frame. "I have a hard enough time making people understand me without answering a question they can't hear."

Scorch grunted. Then answer through the bond.

Kristen's brow furrowed, and Scorch straightened his head.

You have done it before.

She attempted to send a sharp retort and frowned when it stalled. Kristen squinted, focusing harder on the next attempt.

I get only images.

"Why's that so funny?" Kristen demanded, hands on her hips.

Scorch cackled. Because now it is you who struggles to communicate your thoughts.

"I've done it before. It's just harder now f'r some reason." Kristen ground her jaw but shook her head. "We'll work on it."

~

Despite the fact that she'd spent the majority of the day sleeping, Kristen didn't wake once during the night, and it was with reluctance that she slowly opened her eyes when sunshine played on her face.

"Come on, Scorch, we have to get to training."

He grumbled and turned over. Our bond has advanced. We should get a break.

Kristen pulled on her vest as she headed for the door. "What do you think yesterday was? Come on."

Scorch breathed deeply and slowly released it.

"Oh, stop complaining and get up."

He did, but throughout the trek to the arena, he continued to grouch, as if he hadn't ever gotten up so early for training. Kristen allowed him to rant, enjoying the sound of his voice. She only interrupted at the doors to the arena.

"Okay, I'm not sure what our training will be today, but I'll be able to talk to you throughout it, right?"

Scorch cocked his head.

"Like, this isn't something that comes and goes?"

No, it will stay.

She nodded and pushed open the doors. The room fell silent as she walked to the bleachers, and she reddened.

Why are you embarrassed?

"Everybody's staring," she muttered, hoping it didn't carry.

Scorch snorted. They wish you were them so they could be you.

Kristen smiled just as Spencer entered. He started when he saw her.

"Kristen! You're supposed to be in the other class now, right?"

She reddened anew, and Scorch shifted beside her.

"Other class?"

"Yeah, I told you yester—" Spencer smacked his head. "Ah! You probably didn't even hear me, huh?"

Kristen raised one shoulder. "I don't remember..."

"Okay, sorry. I should have double-checked. Yeah, your class doesn't start until this afternoon, once I finish with these guys."

Kristen's system flushed with a mix of panic and embarrassment, under which Scorch's annoyance pulsed.

So we did not need to get up so early after all.

"Sorry," Kristen mumbled to both Scorch and Spencer as she hurried away from the student's stares.

Once outside, she gritted her teeth and pressed against the doors, allowing the sunshine to balance out the heat of her skin.