Just A Show

Chapter 5: I Bought A What?"

I flopped on the bed and hugged my knees as I rolled to my side. School is dismissed for a week again because the terrorists attacked (again) and I'm bored as hell (again also). Sander was sent to the hospital yesterday and was confined there for a week. I need to get to school before it's too late. I need to spy students before Russians blow us up.

I can't just watch seven more days shred from my calendar without doing anything! I can't even watch the deadline take place by the end of the month.

I need to change dad's mind about dismissing school!

*whistle

I grabbed my phone and read Daryl's message.

[Hurry up Cassie, we're freakin' counting on ya']

Does that sound comforting? No.

I sighed and hurried to dad's office. I knocked and opened the oak doors. I saw a few officials of Verdonna including Gayle's dad Secretary Rick. They were all familiar except one man dressed in white, aged about 50 and blue eyes that remind me of Aden's blue orbs.

They all turned and bowed down for respect. I curtsied back, smiling.

"Cassie, meet Ferdinand Saffron, General of the U.S. Army and Mayor of Chicago." Dad said, fixing himself on his chair.

Saffron? I gasped. It can't be....

Wait, wait.... so Aden's father is an army general slash mayor of Chicago. Am I not that updated?

"Cassie?"

"I-uh... was just checking.... on uh... you." I beamed a smile. "Yeah." I turned my back, left and shut the door.

I fumbled my pocket for my phone. Once I got it, I sat on the carpet and texted Aden.

[Is your father Gen. Ferdinand Saffron?]

It took a while before I receive his reply.

[How did you know?]

[He's here, actually. I bet he's gonna help us.]

His replies were faster than usual.

[Great. But I see nothing he could do to help us.]

[What do you mean?]

Why is he acting this way?

[Look, I can do things myself. Just focus on your own safety.]

I was about to reply "How?" then another message popped up.

[Find a way to continue class.]

I gulped realizing that there's no more breaks. I have to complete this task. I shivered, fear shadowing me. Tears rolled.

*whistle

[Good luck.]

Hope struck me again like holy light. I wiped my tears and stood. All I have to do is turn the knob again.

Stop being a cry baby Cassie! You're already 16 years old.

Alright. How do I convince dad?

Hmm...

"UGGHHH it's too impossible!"

How can I convince him if he knows damned well that a school like that will be the main target of the terrorists?

How?

How? How? How-- OH right!

A smile crept in my face and I made my way to my room. I'll just wait for the officials to go away and then I'll talk to dad. If only I'm not a princess, I might've been awarded with the medallion of Verdonnian pride.

__________

"You are going to put up Royal Security at Azredon Institute?" Dad looked at me with those 'Are you serious' eyes.

I secretly wished that I didn't make up my mind that fast.

Darn, how do I deal with this?

"Yeah. I mean, why not? Everyone probably miss school. Safe, fun and glorious school."

Yuck. I'm brushing my teeth later.

Dad took off his reading glasses and looked at me.

"Wait, let me get this straight," He said slowly. "You are stripping half of this palace's security by putting it on a school."

"Not just any other school! It's an institute!" I tried my best to convince him. "An elite institute for amazing youngsters like... like... ME."

God, what am I even doing?

"I'm afraid..."

Oh no. Oh no no no no no.

"I'm afraid I can't do--"

"I BOUGHT IT AND I WOULD LIKE TO PROTECT IT WITH MY DEAR LIFE, FATHER."