Piece By Piece (Complete)

10. Trouble

Sang

I regretted the words two minutes after I said them, since I was now sitting amongst a group of guys I wasn't completely convinced were real. I watched Mr. Blackbourne and tried to focus on his words, an update about my mother's school, I realized, but I could feel the others' eyes on me and I wished the leather couch I was sitting on could swallow me up in its overstuffed cushions.

"And Miss Sorenson was an invaluable asset," Mr. Blackbourne explained. I was? I didn't know what I'd done, other than try and help Georgia. And even then all I'd really done was make a phone call.

"Now that things are settling on that end, we need to redouble our focus on Ashley Waters," he continued. I assumed that was the high school where the mission was, as he and Sean had given me a brief overview yesterday. And now, looking at their team, it made sense that they could blend in there. All of the guys were my age and variations of what you'd get if you searched handsome on Google. I tore myself from my thoughts and glanced back at Mr. Blackbourne. While it was hard to focus on his impossibly perfect face, I thought of it as a test of will.

I tried not to think too much about what a real school and tests would be like, but last night I'd had several nightmares about being unprepared, of being leagues behind everyone else and unable to catch up.

"And Miss Sorenson will assist us," Mr. Blackbourne finished.

"So we're ok with her rubbing elbows with the scum at that school?" North boomed, his arms crossed. "Listen baby, I'm all for you helping out, but—"

"Mr. Taylor," Mr. Blackbourne intoned. "Miss Sorenson is quite capable of handling herself."

My thoughts were already swirling from North calling me baby, the endearment slipping so easily from his mouth, and then Mr. Blackbourne had defended my skills. Skills I wasn't even sure were relevant considering I didn't know what they were doing, what I would be doing. I bit my lip, trying to understand why I was even here, when a warm arm settled around my shoulders and I looked up to see a wide smile from Silas, his touch sending a ribbon of tingles shooting through me. "Don't worry aggele," he whispered, as North muttered something about me being a fragile bird. "You'll be fine. You'll see."

His hand stayed around my shoulders, and I didn't shake him off. Didn't want to. It was another touch of kindness, and I felt myself leaning into him the slightest bit.

"So she's just helping us for this mission?" The one with broad shoulders and reddish-brown hair asked, leaning forward on his elbows. Nathan, I reminded myself, catching his gaze before my eyes shifted toward his arms and I was momentarily distracted.

"To be determined, Mr. Griffin," Mr. Blackbourne replied. "Miss Sorenson?"

I looked up from my study of Nathan's arms and knew I'd been caught when he smirked at me. I was doomed, I decided, giving the group another cursory glance. I'd never thought the team would be this large, let alone populated with guys that made my insides do somersaults.

Too many butterflies were zinging through me now and I flushed, meeting Mr. Blackbourne's gaze. "You'll be an official student at Ashley Waters the day after tomorrow," he continued, thankfully choosing to ignore my internal freakout. "Mr. Morgan, who is not present at the moment, will have things sorted for you in terms of your schedule." I nodded, wondering what classes I'd be taking.

"And what..." my voice sounded too small, so I tried to exude a bit more confidence in front of the guys. "What would you like me to do at the school?"

"We'll need you to listen and observe, Miss Sorenson. We're still in the process of gathering intel."

Since everyone else clearly knew I pressed, "On what?"