Guardians of Terra

Chapter four

I sat in my last class of the day dreading the rest of the day. What could Christian, Nicolai and Brad want with me?

I couldn't stop thinking about Christian's green eyes. They were so mesmerizing. The way he scrutinized me during lunch, and the way he grabbed my arm earlier made my stomach flutter. He was so beautiful and strong, but I can tell that he wants nothing to do with me. He never even apologized for grabbing me. 

I was no one. So what could they ever want with me?

I felt a tap on my shoulder, and I turned to my right towards a small Asian girl, "Can you please stop tapping your feet?" she said with an irritated tone. I apologized. She huffed and turned towards the front of the classroom. I rolled my eyes, she needs to chill.

The bell rang to signal the end of the day. I sighed and slowly packed my things into my backpack. Making sure that I was the last one to leave the classroom. But, due to it being the end of the school day, everyone else was quick to leave the classroom.  So I couldn't take my time.

I dragged my feet whilst walking towards the school car park daydreaming of what could it be that Christian and his friends may want from me. Once I got there, I saw Christian standing next to his jeep. I halted and stared. I think he felt me looking at him, because he looked up towards me. He was expecting me.

I sighed and started walking, his eyes never left my face. "Hi" I greeted him whilst walking towards him, but he kept on staring at me. I felt awkward. Why is he like this?

Once I reached him, I felt to hug him. But his platonic face, stopped me. "So where are your friends?" I asked him, to break the silence. He put his hands in his jeans pockets to get his phone out. He scrolled through his phone, then sighed. He put his other free hand on my shoulders and turned towards me.

He looked into my eyes, and for the first time since I've attended this school I saw Christian look nervous "I'm going to have to drive you to our place" he said. Is he serious? I mean, I know more than half of the student population would love to go to Christian's house, but I'm not like everyone else.

"Why?" I asked. I was beyond confused, and just wanted to go home. "Why can't you just tell me now, what do you guys want?" I asked. If it was any other person, they would have left by now, but I didn't. Maybe I was this desperate to have friends, or I blatantly was not normal.

Christian ignored me and got into his jeep. I stood there and contemplated whether to go into the car or not, "fuck it" I said to myself, and slipped into the passenger's seat.

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Christian was playing Begin Again by Purity. One of my favorite songs. I smiled to myself, at least he has good taste in music.

The drive was pretty boring. Christian didn't speak to me once. So I had to entertain myself with my own imagination by daydreaming of how his place would look like.

"Maria!" I was woken up from my daydream by Christian's yell. I looked outside and we were parked outside in front of a coffee shop. I was so confused. "We are here" Christian said as he got out of car, I silently followed behind him into the coffee shop.

I didn't want to ask why we didn't end up going to his place, because I didn't want Christian to think that I am happy to be around him, or that I was desperate.

He walked to the counter and spoke to an older man. He looked to be in his early thirties and had rigid and firm posture with long hair tied into a top knot and a moustache. He was very short compared to Christian, nevertheless he was a very handsome man. He wasn't wearing the clothing the rest of the staff of the coffee shop were wearing. He must be the owner. I thought. 

The older man looked at me, analyzed me from head to toe then carried on speaking to Christian. Weird.

I stood there next to the coffee shop entrance awkwardly so I looked around the place. This coffee shop had a cold vibe to it, it was white and baby blue. It was very small, so it only had five tables around the place. And it was  not warm and inviting like conventional coffee shops. There were a couple of customers there, they all looked like business men to me.

I looked at Christian and he walked towards me with the older man, "Maria this is one of the guar... I mean he is the owner of this place, Sebastian" Christian said, as Sebastian gave me a cold smile and said hello. "I brought you here so we can talk about what you can do with.."

I interrupted Christian and asked him where Nicolai and Brad were. "They are busy with another task" Christian replied impatiently. Task? What is he talking about?

"I know you must be confused as to why they spoke to you, when they rarely speak to anyone else" Sebastian said, referring to Christian and his friends. He was right, I was very lost. 

Christian and his friends stood out against everyone else, mostly Christian did. Maybe because he attended school everyday, and Nicolai and Brad rarely did. "Lets sit, so we can discuss this." Sebastian said as he led us towards one of the seats nearer the window.

"Well, I just wanted to start Maria by saying to you that whatever I tell you here, it cannot be told to any one else. You understand?" Sebastian said. I nodded. What in the hell? "Me, Christian, Nicolai, Brad and countless other people work for a secret government organization that deals with unconventional organizations that either have abilities or are trying to harness abilities to harm others" Sebastian carried on, but I had a feeling that he didn't say all that he wanted to. I looked at Christian waiting for any sort of confirmation. But Christian was people watching, and didn't seem to be listening.

"Abilities? What kind of abilities?" I asked. "You mean like hacking?" I asked. I repeatedly looked from Sebastian to Christian to see any expression on their faces to signal that they were crazy. I saw none. Maybe this is a joke. I mean Christian is only seventeen, how did he get involved with the government? 

"All you need to know is that the people we deal with are very dangerous" Sebastian said calmly. For some reason the way he was speaking to me, was frustrating me. I felt agitated. 

I looked at Sebastian, "so if what you are telling me is the truth, what am I doing here?" I asked curiously.

Sebastian looked towards Christian. Christian finally looked towards me and said "I was given the task to recruit you." I suddenly felt a light migraine coming.

What did I get myself into?