White Lies

Part 1: Chapter 12

Thomas's POV:

   When I awoke.. I immediately wanted to go back to bed. So I settled back down, curling up in the warm bed, only to feel a hand on my shoulder. Though, it was warm. It wasn't Marco. I tensed, only to hear a familiar voice, "Whoops. Sorry kid".

   Rudolph.

   Phew. I peeked out at him, "What is it?.. Where's Marco?"

   The question seemed to plaster a big smile on his face, "Oh, well, they didn't want to take his training away from him since they already gave him a break on missions. In fact, I think they prolonged his gym time. An official is coming here in the meantime to watch you".

   "Huh? B-But.. Why can't you?"

   "Someone has to lead the training", he patted his bicep, "Don't they?"

   I paused, "Well.. Yeah.."

   His stare suddenly seemed to harden, furrowing his brows, "Dang".

   "D-Dang?", I looked back up.

   "Yeah.. I see why Marco gave into you".

   "Excuse me?"

   "Ah", he shook his head, "I'm running my mouth again. Well, they're doing attendance now. Then they're having breakfast.. I don't see why you can't join them. Then if officials say you can't be out of your room any longer, then.. I'm sorry, you'll have to stay here with one of them until Marco's done, but if not.. I suppose you're welcome to watch them train".

   I lit up, causing Rudolph to smack a hand down on my head in an effort to pat it... I think I have a concussion.

                                                                          --- 

   After waiting for attendance to end and being led down a few hallways, I entered a medium-sized lunch room. Rudolph took a quick glance around before his eyes fell on one table. I noticed Axel immediately, his face a mess of food, talking loudly to two other girls. One looked unamused whilst the other tried pointing out the crumbs on his face, yet kept being talked over. That's when my eyes fell on Marco. He was silent, poking at his slop of a meal. What he had though, unlike anyone else, was a tiny fruit parfait along side his dish. Esmeralda.

   His head lifted, noticing Rudolph waving, who then pointed a thumb to me and his gaze followed. We locked eyes. Marco suddenly looked away, which caused me to raise a few questions. Oh gosh, he either doesn't like me, or he totally does. His voice cut off my thoughts, "Come".

   Axel perked up, saying in the deepest voice he could, "HE HAS BEEN SUMMONED".

   Marco looked to him, glancing over his now-sloppy facade, "What are you? Twelve?"

   Axel snapped and pointed, "Yeah, on a scale of one to ten".

   The girl sitting across from them on the right blinked, "You're fucking stupid".

   I smiled, walking over, only encouraging him, "See, Tommy thinks it's funny!"

   I nodded, not wanting to make him feel bad, "Mm".

   Marco sighed, patting the seat beside him, "Don't lie".

   I took a seat, whispering, "I.. I just.. Didn't want to-". He held up a hand, silencing me. He understood.

   The girl on the right.. Err.. Well, now on my left, looked between us, "This the kid you mentioned? The one you're babysitting?" Marco instantly looked to me, his head snapping in my direction so quickly it made me jump.