Battlefield: Control (Book Two)

Chapter Eight - Orlando

The day had been just about perfect.

Class had been easy. In fact, more often than not, all Orlando did was watch half of a movie which meant the last day of school before Thanksgiving break would be spent watching the other half. Either that or they would discuss favorite holiday foods and traditions, another thing that was easy for him to do since he usually kept his answers vague.

The food was always stuffing. He could eat only that and be satisfied. It had been a long time since he last ate stuffing that wasn't store bought. Outside of seeing Tait, that would be what would make the awkward Thanksgiving adventure worthwhile for him—home cooked food.

At Morningtide when they did any kind of family discussions, Orlando would make up witty answers that were over-the-top in shock value. The jab at the elite snobbish students was always too much fun. Things were going well for him at Lunar Falls, so he didn't feel the need to go to such extremes. He wanted to make acquaintances, and have people to sit with when he wanted to—to not be completely outcast from society, and also not be completely in it either.

Naturally, he had a whole lot of mixed feelings about anyone from Lunar Falls getting involved with Altura...of possibly being his enemy, or teammate.

Both possibilities concerned him, he couldn't tell which scenario he hated more. If what Alan said was true and there were students at his school who received the injection, Orlando would prefer they work for Alan over Sprout. She was more or less evil, and so was the woman she worked for.

If someone like, say, Nia, joined up with them, then there'd be a whole lot of trouble.

Orlando knew his alien had good intentions, but something about her was kind of off. Because he dressed in a similar style to her, she seemed to think that meant they had to spend time together or were destined for love.

Outside of Tait and her twin brother Peyton, Orlando didn't seek out the company of anyone. He was used to doing things on his own. Why ruin something that was working well for him? Unlike at Morningtide, his Lunar Falls peers understood and respected it. He didn't want to be buddy-buddy with Nia, though. Ugh.

Might have to suck it up and give her a call anyway, Orlando thought with a scowl. The things I do for the cause. Being nice to her couldn't hurt right? He had promised to be more cooperative. It's not like he tried to antagonize everyone on the team on purpose. Despite what everyone thought, it didn't always give him joy.

Playing devil's advocate was needed. Ideas had to be challenged, boundaries tested. The only person he liked to tease was JD, and that's all it was: teasing. At least he didn't have to do any more for the night.

Homework done, he was about to take a shower and get ready for bed, but his cell phone began to ring. Tait's ring tone played and he eagerly picked it up. "Yes dear?"

"I...Orlando, hi," she said and his smile was gone. There was apprehension in her tone, and she spoke quietly. Both sure signs that the conversation wasn't going to be good.

"What's up?" he asked, trying not to be presumptuous.

"I'm calling about Thanksgiving. I got into a huge fight with my Dad. He said you aren't allowed to come anymore. It's got nothing to do with you. He's punishing me for not agreeing with him. I...I'm sorry."

Unsure of how to react, he found himself speechless. "I understand."

That seemed like the right thing even though he didn't understand it in the slightest.

When he and Lyssa fought, she never punished him for it afterward. He was only punished when he did something wrong. They either worked out their differences, or he grudgingly did as he was told. To ground her simply for not agreeing was odd. Unless she'd said something insulting, then maybe he could see it.