𝕿his was what the Naturals program was all about. Sure, it was disguised as a secret FBI program to train up naturally gifted teens and feed into their abilities so that one day they'd be the best agents there ever were, but really, this was the point.
Lying in the shade of a tree together, sprawled out across the grass in the backyard after Agent Briggs left them be.
It was the final day of their physical fitness course that for some reason, Judd thought was the greatest idea for the kids ever since they instated sound proofing in the basement.
Michael, Vallerie, and Sloan all stayed quiet, the silence only disrupted by their labored breathing as their chests rose and fell. A three mile jog hadn't been their idea of celebrating the final lesson, but at least it was over.
Lia had subjected herself to experimenting with how well the pool relieved her aching legs and lack of energy from the run. So far it seemed to be doing the trick, since she had yet to get out.
And Dean, the only sensible of the group, had gone inside to the air conditioning ten minutes ago.
Michael was the first to force himself up into a sitting position, leaning back on his hands. He was soaked with sweat, just like the rest of them, his shirt sticking to his skin and hair smushed against his forehead.
He looked down at the girls, their exhaustion more than present on their faces. But Michael was nothing if not annoying, so he decided to make it worse.
He lazily grabbed hold of Vallerie's arms and pulled her upright with him, ignoring her grumbling and complaining.
"It's too hot for this," she whined. "Get off."
"Oh, but Val," he said in that annoying mocking voice of his. "Completing our last lesson is a milestone. Milestone memories, remember? It's picture time."
"Milestone memories" was a term that Vallerie had coined in order to convince the other Naturals to take pictures. Half the time they didn't need convincing, other times they practically needed bribing.
Michael in particular hated taking pictures, but Vallerie loved it. She took them every chance she got and had her room decorated with dozens, a weak comparison to the limitless amount she had stored on her phone and laptop.
About two months after he joined the program, Michael started taking pictures.
Vallerie found it hard to argue with her own policies and was either too tired or too unwilling to talk him out of it. He'd built up a resistance to her tactical manipulation anyways.
"Sloan, save me!" The girl protested weakly.
Sloan did not save her. She didn't even look up. Vallerie was halfway wondering if their friend had fallen asleep there on the grass.
With their shoulders now pressed together, Michael picked up her wrists and placed them around his neck and then pulled out his phone, a smug and victorious look on his face.
He lifted it up to take their picture, but turned his head and said to her first,
"I'm pretty sure it's the hottest it's been in Virginia since the existence of ever, and I'm still taking this picture for you. This thing better go on a banner big enough to cover your whole wall, ya hear?"
Vallerie laughed at his remark, her head titling back a little and eyes squinting shut from the sun shining down on them through the leaves of the trees.
Michael snapped the picture while she laughed.
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prologue is finally up! short & sweet little intro but don't be fooled, i'm still an avid angst lover & it will be EVERYONE'S problem <3
also if you saw me change the chapter title, no you didn't 😇
