Battlefield: Control (Book Two)

Chapter Nineteen - Orlando

Two weeks had already flown by since their mission at the park. Between homework, training Angela, and keeping his eyes and ears open for more hints and clues, Orlando hardly had any time to think about Tait or see her beyond the school's walls.

When they were together, everything seemed normal enough. He was pretty sure she knew he was still upset all the same. She watched him intently when she thought he wasn't looking. But he was, and he noticed other things about her too, when she wasn't paying attention.

Like how distracted she was all of the time. He realized she wasn't taking notes in class; instead it looked like she was writing plans out. Helping Mondae perhaps? He couldn't tell.

She wrote in a code language and he never got to look at it closely enough to decipher what it meant. He also noticed how she clung to him every chance she had, as if she could sense he was slowly slipping out of her fingers.

They didn't talk much, mostly because he had little to say to her. Not to mention he made sure to keep their time together as limited as possible. He couldn't avoid her forever.

After his class got out on Friday, he made the effort to go to her locker and wait for her to get out of Literature.

When she noticed him standing there, the brightest smile lit up her face.

"To what do I owe this surprise?" she asked, shifting her backpack on her shoulder.

"Gotta keep you on your toes," he said. Just be normal. This is normal. Everything is normal.

"I was starting to wonder if you were too busy for me or something." She laughed.

"Funny, I was thinking the same thing about you. With cheerleading and being such a popular girl, you're hard to keep up with."

"You'll be happy to know that this is my last week of cheering. But I'm sorry, I'll always be popular and a girl." She winked.

He sighed dramatically. "I guess I'll manage somehow. It'll be torturous, you being so curvy and cute."

Tait leaned up and kissed his lips softly, and for a moment they lingered there. He'd missed kissing her, touching her. Why did it all have to be so hard?

"It's short notice, but Lyssa wants to meet you. I don't think I can put it off any longer. We had talked about doing dinner the week after Thanksgiving, but obviously that didn't happen. So what do you say to this weekend? Again, short notice, I know, but I figure that gives us less time to get in trouble," he said, hopeful.

She laughed, and then bit her lip. Did she feel guilty for lying to him? "This weekend is fine. I mean, Saturday will be okay. That's probably the only day that does work for me."

Got big plans to help Mondae torture more teenagers? He forced a smile, hoping it was believable. "That's the day she was hoping for anyway since it works out well for her boyfriend."

"I forgot he was going to be there too."

"Uh-huh. His coming along is good. That means she'll be on better behavior. Less chances of her doing something embarrassing."

"Shoot, I really wanted to see naked baby photos."

"No, you really don't. Anyway, it's either that or Monday."

She faltered. "W-what?"

He forced a smile so she couldn't see him break inside. Too similar to your leader's name? "Our dinner date. It's either this Saturday or a Monday."

"Right. Yeah, Monday is not the night for a date. Is that what being old is like?"

"My sister is only in her twenties. Is that old now?" Give me a sign, please. Anything.

"Maybe we can have some time alone soon?" Her bottom lip raked between her teeth after she said it, and he noticed her cheeks flushed slightly.

Orlando swallowed, not sure how to interpret her reaction. What exactly did she want to do with him? "I'm free tonight if that's what you mean."

"There's a basketball game tonight. I need to cheer. If you're still awake when it's done though, maybe? It's a girls' game. Those tend to go pretty late. It might be past curfew then. Parents are getting tight on it and—"

"Don't worry about it then. I'm sure there will be time Saturday too," he said, and pulled away from her slightly.

The basketball players were in uniform, so he wanted to believe her. At the same time, he couldn't help but wonder if he should be staking out her house to make sure she was, in fact, cheering instead of going out to do her work.

She grabbed his arm, not letting him move farther away. "But I want to see you. I feel like... I don't know... Something changed over Thanksgiving. I'm not sure I like it. If something was wrong, you'd tell me right?"

Too perceptive. I need to not be so obvious. Orlando nodded. "Yeah. There's a lot of things I want to explain to you, but I'll do it when we're alone. Because I don't like talking about my problems where there are prying eyes and ears. It might destroy my image."

"I'm sure it's a big thing to have you trust someone with them, huh?" she asked, her voice getting quiet.

"Glad you're picking up on things about me," he teased. Don't get mean with her, you might chase her away.

"I pay attention to a lot." She narrowed her eyes and then nudged him hard in the stomach. "Which is why I can't wait to give you your Christmas present. It's pretty special and one-of-a-kind."

He hadn't even thought about what to get her. Christmas was generally a last-minute thing since he only exchanged gifts with Lyssa. Even then, that was usually only one present and they spent more time doing things together than anything else. He'd have a handful to buy for this year. Should probably make a list.

"I see by the slight panic in your eyes that you haven't started yet." She laughed and rubbed his arm.

"There is no panic. When I buy it on the internet, everything comes on time," he insisted. "I'm intrigued though. I'd try to torture it out of you, but I suppose the fun is being surprised, right?"

"Right." She moved closer to him, and trailed a hand along his stomach.

It caused him to laugh. Orlando was ticklish just about everywhere. Tait smirked and then leaned up to kiss the spot on his jaw right under his ear. He blinked, a little startled by such a tender and seductive kiss, and in public.

Her present better not be sexy lingerie, because I'm not sure I want that... Or did he? She knew how to drive him crazy with wonder. He laughed again at how her touch tickled. Shouldn't jump to conclusions.

But her body language seemed to suggest she wanted him in that way. They'd only been together for a month and a half. That seemed too early, right? No way did she want to take that plunge yet. I don't even know if I love her.

It was probably just a coincidence. Remember, she might be evil. Remember, she might be evil. Remember, she might be evil...

Gently, he pulled away, trying not to let his discomfort show. He didn't want to discourage her too much. "Then I can't wait. Should be a good Christmas." For a change.

Tait gazed up at him with so much love in her eyes it was almost overwhelming for him. No one had ever looked at him in that way. He was sure it was love because she'd told her brother she felt that way about him, and her brother told Orlando.

His heart was racing, and breaking, at the same time. He saw all the good things inside of her, and once again he was conflicted.

He closed his eyes and kissed her forehead. When he pulled away, he was almost positive he saw Alan at the end of the hallway watching him.