JEOPARDY: The Cursed Soldier.

16. Acts of service

It took exactly seven days before Kayla found herself alone with Ivan again.

Only this time they were not in a toilet, but in his car. As he drove to a 'family obligation'. Which is what he had said to Angela when he informed her that he would be out of school for a couple of hours that day.

As you can guess, Angela had, again, ordered Kayla to accompany him... for 'protection'. This time, however, neither Ivan nor Kayla had protested.

Kayla wasn't sure why Ivan hadn't. But her reasons were simple: She hadn't refused because it would be futile and because she had enjoyed it the last time she had left with him.

"Don't you want to know where we're going?" Ivan stole a glance at Kayla. His right hand on the wheel, while the other was on the console between them.

Kayla bit the inside of her cheek. "It's not my job to know."

Ivan let out a frustrated sigh. He took another glance at her before changing his tone. "Thought we got that part covered—you aren't working when you're with me. We're just two teenagers... Hanging out. I know you don't agree... And you don't have to... but I consider you a friend."

Kayla bit the inside of her cheek harder.

Ever since Ivan saved Miranda, she had started respecting and liking him. Not romantically, but as another person in her life. Just like she liked Rebecca. 

"What is the use of asking if I will find out, anyway, right?" The words tumbled out of her mouth—an attempt at being nice—but her gaze was fixed straight ahead.

She heard his lips move and wondered if it was a smirk or a smile. "You like surprises?"

Kayla ran the question through her head, having never thought of it before. "I prefer to never be surprised. But my life doesn't allow me any preferences."

A pause then, "What do you mean?"

Kayla lounged on her seat and closed her eyes. She really didn't like talking about herself. It was worse that she had to do it with a human boy. It meant thinking about what to say and packaging it in a believable and relatable story. It meant lying.

"Can we not talk about it?" She did glance at him this time. He had on that loop-sided smile.

"Don't worry about it. We're here anyway."

At his words, she turned as he made a turn and drove towards a large, orange gate with gigantic words scribbled on the top: GAMERS & RANGERS. Past the gate, she spied large and tall, colorful structures that seemed awfully familiar. Before she could think much about it, the gate slid open, all on its own, and Ivan drove in.

Noise assaulted her supernatural senses. Screams, laughter, and shouts filled her ears. Multiples heartbeats. While excitement and exasperation buzzed the air.

Eyes squinted, she turned to Ivan. "What is this place?"

The smug smirk that stretched his mouth made her want to keep her pride and just find out on her own. But the air buzzed with so much energy that her senses were overwhelmed. Exciting her.

"We're at a play park. A good friend works at a local orphanage and every three months, she brings them here for recreation. Since I'm in the city, I offered to help."

"Oh!"

He smiled wider. "I'm glad Angela let you tag along. From what you told me, this may be an enjoyable experience for you... You've never been to a play park, right?"

Kayla flushed. "No, I haven't."

"Then, this is your chance, come on."

Ivan unstrapped his seat belt and got out of his car. She followed his lead even as he led her closer to the noise and the colorful structures. The closer they got, the more her heart raced in anticipation. And because she was surrounded by humans, she let it race. She let everything she felt show because no one would care. It was what humans did.