Rebel

Chapter Fourty Five

"I promise you, I've done my best to learn as much as I can in training." I insisted, staring up at my instructor, Bristol Jya. Her dark gray hair was pulled into a bun at the nape of her neck, but a few of the hairs were loose and hanging towards my face like snakes ready to bite.

Bristol sighed, "I'd like to believe you on that, but after what you just showed me it doesn't seem true."
That's 'cause it's not. "Well look, I'm sorry if you don't believe me, but I'm really telling the truth."

Bristol scowled, "Sure you are." She spun on her heel and began walking towards the back of the Lecture Room. "You haven't graduated yet, and we're bringing in a new batch of soldiers. You'll be the oldest one here by tomorrow."

"That's cool." I said, glancing up at the ceiling, "Now, can I go?"

Bristol turned around and huffed, her nostrils flaring enough that I could see it from where I was standing. "Fine. Go."

I nodded, "Great." I spun around and walked out of the door, letting it slam with a satisfactory click behind me. Alexsandra had told me that morning to meet her in her room after training. The only problem with that plan was that after training I had dinner. I love her, but I also love food.

I walked down the hall until I reached a fork in the walkway. The left hall went to the cafeteria, the right went to Alexsandra's room. My stomach groaned and I groaned with it. "Why do you do this to me, Lex?" I wined under my breath, before hesitantly walking down the right hall.

I wasn't positive which room was Alexsandra's, but I had an idea. I didn't get to test that idea though, because Alexsandra was waiting for me in the middle of the hall.

"Sage!" She declared, running and throwing her arms around me, "You're here! I was really worried that you'd go to dinner before coming."

"I was debating it." I mumbled.

Alexsandra pulled back and grinned at me, "Good thing you didn't! I got a surprise for you! Come on!" She grabbed my wrist and yanked me down that hall, coming to a stop in front of one of the doors. She pushed it open and skipped inside. I chuckled and followed her into the room.

"Oh hey! We were just talking about you!" Aiden declared, throwing out his arms dramatically.

The whole gang was there, even Bailey. Everyone was standing in a loose circle. Dario and Aiden were facing the door, both standing. Bailey was standing next to Dario, her white eyes narrowed at me. Harvey was fidgeting with something that I couldn't see, standing next to Aiden. Olwyn was next to Bailey with her arms crossed and her red glasses balanced at the tip of her nose.

"All good things I hope." I said, walking up to stand in between Harvey and Olwyn.

"Well there's only good things to talk about if the subject is you." Harvey smirked.

"I'd beg to differ." Bailey muttered under her breath, barely audible.

I laughed as Alexsandra shut the door and came to stand by me. "It seems my reputation precedes me."

"But we already know you, you goon." Olwyn said, rolling her eyes.

Everyone stared at her.

Olwyn raised an eyebrow, "Oh come on. Everyone knows that that saying means that people hear about you before they know you. But we already know you."

"Oh sure, everyone knows that." Aiden said grinning.

Olwyn glared at him, "Okay, maybe you may not have known that, but that's because you're a moron. Everyone who has a brain knows that."

"Whatever you say, Boss." Aiden said, saluting her.

"Okay everyone!" Alexsandra said, clapping her hands to get everyone's attention before Olwyn could reply, "You all are probably wondering why I asked you to come here, let alone before dinner."

"Yes, that has crossed my mind." Dario said.

Alexsandra pointed at him, "Exactly! I'm a genius!"

I chuckled and nudged Alexsandra with my shoulder, "Oh, no doubt."

"Okay, well anyway, I asked you to come here because I have prepared a surprise for you all!"

"Oh no, I'm scared now." I teased.

Alexsandra elbowed me in the ribs and I laughed, grabbing my side. "Rude!" Alexsandra said, "But trust me, you guys will like this." She paused and glanced at the door. She muttered something under her breath but I couldn't hear it. "Well I guess we can go now." She said, turning back to the group, "Everyone follow me."

Alexsandra walked out the door with everyone on her tail. She led us through the hall and up several flights of stairs. She stopped on a floor that was only about twelve feet by twelve feet. A ladder was propped on the wall, leading up to a trapdoor on the ceiling.

"I've never been here before." Aiden observed, glancing around the room.

"That's because this room is usually banned." Alexsandra said proudly, "But I got them to make an exception."

"An exception for what?" I asked skeptically.

"You'll see!" Alexsandra grinned. She turned to the ladder and began climbing up. She shoved open the trapdoor and climbed out of it, disappearing from view.

We all stared at the ladder for a moment, "Well..." I said, "I guess I'll go up next." I grabbed the rungs of the ladder and pulled myself up, coming over the top. I stood up and the first thing I noticed was that we were on the roof. But we were only about two stories off the ground, so Sanctuary must be mostly underground. When Olwyn came up the ladder behind me, I started to take in the rest of it. Alexsandra had laid out a giant green blanket, large enough for us all to sit on. On top of it was a large woven basket, but I couldn't see what was inside. The sun was setting, casting everything in golden light.

"Surprise!" Alexsandra cried, throwing her arms out grandly.

I chuckled, "Well would you look at this?" I muttered, "A... picnic on the roof?"

"Yup!" Alexsandra said proudly, "I know we've all been quite busy recently, so I thought it'd be cool to... you know, have a picnic together and just chill!"