Perception

Part 50

Kota POV

The meeting wrapped up quickly, and those that wanted desert had some, otherwise most of us had to leave for other obligations--after the predictable line for goodbye hugs and the covert quick kisses with Sang, of course. There have been a lot of impromptu meetings we've worked around lately. North, Victor, and myself remain.

I have nothing planned, but sticking around the neighborhood. Mom is working this evening, and I have to be nearby for Jessica.

"Why don't we go work on our homework at my house, Sweetie," I suggest to Sang. She crinkles her nose then smiles.

"I already did all of my homework from today, as well as working on the next couple days' assignments. But if you want to do homework instead of finding something more entertaining to do, then by all means, let's go. I'll just have to find something to amuse myself with while you study," she says with a sweet smile. The glint in her eyes as she glances at North and Victor was enough to have me reconsider.

"We're almost done with that place, anyway. Maybe we can find something more fun to do," I admit.

"I have an idea," she says but pushes her hand to her lower lip like she's nervous, "but you guys may not like it," she seems to wilt a little.

"What did you have in mind, Princess?" Victor asks. She turns those gorgeous green eyes to him, and I watch as he gets lost in them. I can see Luke's plan having more merit than I had originally thought. She repeats the same process with North, and I just know he's a goner.

We're such suckers. We'd do anything to earn those heartbreakingly gorgeous smiles; to see the shadows chased from her eyes, and joy make them glow. I should probably be worried about a team-wide downfall, with this tiny green-eyed bird at the middle of it, but I really can't find it in me. The only reason this has a snowball's chance of working is because she is the embodiment of all of the strength, courage, hope, innocence and gladness that we have scraped together after surviving our less-than-stellar childhoods. Even Mr. Blackbourne seems to recognize how intrinsic she is in the team's wellbeing. He's...soft, almost tender with her. Certainly more so than any other time except when he was talking any of us through a breakdown. Since we've learned to talk each other through them, he hasn't had to in a couple years to my knowledge.

"Kota?" Sang says, looking at me like I'm a little nuts. North and Victor are both looking at me like I'm a moron, and I tell them not to say a word with a narrowing of my eyes.

"Yes, sweetie? Sorry, I was a little distracted. What were you saying?" I ask, desperately trying to catch up.

"I wanted to learn to drive. North said he'd teach me, so we were talking about whose vehicle to use. I don't know if I'm ready to drive manual transmission, so that leaves yours or Victor's. I don't think I want to risk Victor's car," she says, and nervously fiddles with the hem of her shirt.

"I told you not to worry about the car, Princess. I don't care if anything happens to it. It has airbags, so I'd feel safer with you driving it than Kota's car. Does it even have airbags?" he asks me. I push the glasses up my nose before answering.

"I honestly don't know. It's supposed to, I know that, but we bought it used. Sometimes people would have the airbag light disconnected if it ever deployed because getting them reset is tedious, and expensive," I say. North grunts his agreement.

"Well, I guess I'll drive whatever you guys decide," she says sounding less sure of all this driving stuff than she was before.

"Have you ever read the driver's education booklet, sweetie?" I ask. She grimaces, then shakes her head.

"No. Do you think I should?" Sang asks with trepidation. I give her a warm smile.

"Yes, sweetie. That'd probably be best. I'll have to find my copy, and get it to you. I guess that means driving lessons should be postponed, for now. Do you have anything else in mind?" I ask. She just shakes her head no, and I wrack my brain for something to do.

"We could always go to my house and swim. George and Jasmine are gone until next week. I think they're on the European leg of their travels," Victor offers. I'm about to agree, but Sang turns pink and shakes her head.

"Um, no, I don't really want to swim right now. Maybe later in the week if that's okay?" she asks, sounding flustered. Vic looks like he's going to push the issue, but a subtle head shake from me, and widened eyes aimed at him halts his words.

"No problem, Baby. I don't know if Uncle needs me to work yet, or if I'll have Academy stuff to do, but I'll go if I can," North reassures.

"Yeah, Princess. As long as my parents aren't around, I'll have everyone over any time," Victor says. She aims warm smiles at both, but her eyes widen when North twitches and pulls out his phone.

"Yeah. No, they're still out there. Hold on, I'm going to have to call you back. I'll ask Kota," North says. "Kota, Mr. B. needs me to go somewhere but there's someone watching both this road and the diner. He says I absolutely cannot be followed. My Jeep is at the diner, but I need to get it without either tails following," he explains quickly.

"Can either Gabe or Luke distract the one at the diner?" I ask.

"No, they're swamped, otherwise they would," he says.

"Call Derrick," Sang says quietly.

"Fuck no, Baby. We can't involve him in Academy stuff," North thunders. Sang rolls her eyes, and turns to me.

"Do you have his number? I'll call him myself," she huffs. I hesitate, wanting to know what she has planned, but read out the number to her as she types it into her phone.

"Derrick? Hey. I really hate to ask a favor of you, but I need your help. There's some guy that's parked on our road watching the houses. I saw him aiming binoculars at the windows of my house. No, I can't call the police myself. They may want to talk to my parents, and they're not home. Yes. Okay. I'm just so worried about Marie being there alone so much. Okay, thank you! Call me back when you hear what's going on," she says then hangs up. She looks at North, Vic, and I and smirks. I have to forcibly close my mouth, as my jaw dropped at her inventiveness. Her phone buzzes in her hand, and she picks up.

"Hi Derrick. That fast? Okay. Thank you. Hey, did you know there's another that's been hanging around in the trailer park? I was told about it over the weekend. Yeah, it sounds like a team job. That's terrifying. No, but maybe you could spend more time over there with Marie. Okay, let me know if you find anything else out. Yep! Bye," she hangs up. "There were a couple of squad cars already in the area. Apparently Bob's diner is becoming a hot-spot for the men in blue on their lunches or something. They'll be here within a couple minutes, so you can probably start walking the back way through the woods," she says to North.

"Great. That was amazing, Baby!" he says as he scoops her up and buries his face in her neck. Victor takes her from him, and twirls her around. She giggles, and hangs on tightly. North is already has his phone to his ear, as he walks out the patio doors.

"I guess I'll go distract the tail at the diner. Are you okay staying with Sang until I get back?" I ask Victor.

"Of course I'll stay with Princess!" he gently sets her on her feet, and smoothes his hand over her hair. With that I nod, hug her gently, and head out after North.