Under the Radar

Fall Back

The next day, I was woken by the annoying buzzing of the alarm clock. Grumbling, I reached over Matt and turned it off. I set an alarm the night before so I would wake up on time. I slumped back onto the bed and pulled the covers over my head. Alarm clock wasn't my favorite way to wake up, but it was effective. Matt chuckled and pulled the covers off of my head. He kissed my cheek and put his arms around me.

"Rise and shine," he said softly. I grumbled something about more sleep and pulled the covers over my head again. He laughed and took them off again. I opened my eyes and looked at him grumpily. His smile only widened and he kissed my nose. "Come on Marissa. It's time to get up." He tried again. I grumbled something unintelligible and closed my eyes. I felt him get off of the bed. I opened my eyes again when I felt myself being picked up. I looked at a smiling Matt and sighed. I closed my eyes and leaned my head against his shoulder as my arms went around him. I clutched him tighter when I felt my feet being placed on the ground. I complained and tried to get back in his arms. He only chuckled and kissed my nose quickly. I opened my eye to watch him go to my bag and pick it up in one hand. I sighed and rolled my eyes when he came back with my bag. He set it on the bed and pointed to it.

"Come on Iz; you have to get ready. We have a big day today," he smiled. I smiled softly at the use of the nickname Katy gave me. Thinking about Katy, I pulled out my phone.

"Fine, but I'm going to call Katy first. Don't say anything. She doesn't really know I'm here," I explained to Matt before I dialed her number. It rang a few times before her voice greeted me.

"Marissa," she said flatly. My smile fell and I was a little taken aback.

"Katy, you sound irritated. What's wrong?" I asked. She laughed humorlessly.

"I am irritated," she confirmed. There was a pause before she spoke again. "Why would you lie to us?" She asked in her high-pitched voice. I sighed and closed my eyes.

"What are you talking about?" I asked. Katy sniffled.

"I'm talking about you and Matt. You lied to us about being on a mission. It's not like you tried to keep it secret either. You've been on the news three days in a row. Does Headmaster know that you're there?" Katy went off. I cringed and looked at Matt. He looked back at me confused.

"Yeah, he knows. He kind of helped to set the whole thing up," I answered truthfully. I heard her sigh into the phone.

"You could've told me," Katy said, her voice going smaller.

"I didn't tell anyone Katy. Only Headmaster and I knew about it. Matt didn't even know," I explained. She sighed sadly.

"You're really not going to UAA," she sighed, saying it more than asking. I closed my eyes and sighed.

"Please, not right now Katy. Can we talk about this later?" I asked quietly. I felt Matt's arms go around me supportively and I leaned back into him. He kissed my hair.

"Okay, when are you coming back?" Katy asked hopefully. I closed my eyes and put my hand over Matt's.

"Tomorrow night," I said barely above a whisper. I felt Matt's arms tighten around me and he sighed brokenly. My eyes watered noticeably. I turned into Matt and kissed his jaw supportively. I didn't want to leave just yet... I don't think I wanted to ever leave. Katy's voice brightened some.

"Oh, great. I'll try to talk some sense into Vy in the meantime," she said. Her voice softened. "You know she's not really mad at you right? She just... she doesn't want to see you go. She's upset about it, but you know Vy. She passes it off as being mad at you. We're you're best friends. We care about you and we don't want to see you waste your talent for him and then get hurt. You'll have no way back in. You know how secretive the institute is. What if it doesn't work out with him?" She tried talking me out of it. I sighed and leaned back heavily into Matt.

"Not right now, please Katy," I begged in a whisper. Matt nestled his head in my neck.

"Alright, I get it. Have a good day, Iz. We'll see you soon," Katy said softly. I hung up the phone and practically collapsed against Matt with a sigh . His arms went around me easily. I hated to say it but Katy was right. It was something I never thought of before. I was so happy and wrapped up in just being with Matt that I never thought any further than just being with him. What if things didn't work and I missed out on going to UAA?