Tobias was keeping an eye on Martin, why Danny had no idea. It seemed like Gloria had put him off to the idea yesterday, but they had come up with a new plan to accomplish some new goal. This worried Danny, because Martin had taken to him pretty quickly and gained his trust. So if it came down to it, he knew that Tobias would have no trouble trying to use Danny as a pawn.
Other than that, the past few days had gone pretty well. All of the kids wanted to know what government secrets he knew. Though it was soon revealed that he knew nothing about the cases his dad worked, they kept asking.
"Hey Martin," Tobias called. His tone caused a shiver down Danny's back. He knew that tone too well. Tobias only used it when he was baiting someone, "About how much would you go for, if you were put up for ransom."
Martin snorted, "It doesn't matter, my dad has never paid my ransom."
"Not once?" Tobias gave an odd look.
"No, the last time I was taken they pulled my tooth, beat me with a tire iron, sent him the video of it and he told them over the phone he had no intention of paying them."
"What did they do to you after that," another kid in the class asked.
"The S.W.A.T team came and got me a few hours later, but it's the point of the matter. He won't pay."
Tobias looked aggravated hearing this. Danny let out a breath of air in relief. It was official that that Tobias couldn't make any sort of profit off of, whatever he was planning. What caught him off guard was the slightly smug look on Martin's face, like he was anticipating it.
It was something between a smirk and a smile, his eyes sparkled just a bit too mischievously, catching Danny's eye. There was a laps of time as they held each other attention. Then Martin gave him a small smile and a wink. Danny blinked as if to try to figure out if that just happened, but Martin was already turned around and talking to the group of kids that had surrounded him earlier.
"Danny," Ruben called giving him a weird look.
"I'm sorry what, I didn't hear what you said," Danny apologized.
"I asked if you were staying on campus for lunch or not?"
"No, I was going to show Martin this place," he paused seeing anger flash in Ruben's dark eyes, "You can come with us if you want."
"You sure Martin won't mind?" he was being sarcastic but Danny ignored it.
"I don't think so. Actually you might like him."
They walked down the street as Danny explained the place they were going to for lunch, "It's a small Italian restaurant, but it's a family owned so the food is good quality. Next time we can probably call ahead of time and just pick it up instead of having to wait for them to make it."
"Do you normally eat here or is this just closer," Martin asked.
"This is closer, there's this one place that's on the way to your hotel that I normally eat at. We can stop there after school," Danny suggested.
"Cool," Martin agreed.
"How long did you say you're going to be in Florida?" Ruben grumbled.
"The rest of the school year," Martin said.
Ruben gave him a glare, "Are you and your family moving here or something?"
"No, but my dad doesn't want me moving from place to place during the end of the school year. We'll probably be leaving sometime around the last day of school."
Danny was now the one giving Martin a look. That wasn't the explanation Martin had given him the other day. He let it slide for the moment, deciding to confront him on it later.
As he expected Martin really liked the place they went to. He even ordered something to go so he could have some more later. Ruben didn't like Martin, it was soon clear when he kept making snide remakes about how much Martin ate. Which was a lot. He almost ordered everything from one side of the menu, for one meal.
Back at school, things smoothed out, mostly because Martin never caught that he was being insulted. When they got to class Tobias and Gloria were already, talking amongst themselves.
"What's going on?" Danny asked. Martin wasn't with them at the moment, one of his teachers had to talk to him about something, so he was able to talk a little more openly to his friends.
"There's something off about that Martin guy," Ruben said, as if he was reporting back.
"I thought so," Tobias said, then looking at Danny, "I have a job for you."
"No, whatever it is I'm not getting involved." Danny protested.
"Why not," Ruben scowled, "You never objected to anything we've done before this."
"He's the son of the Deputy Director, soon to be the Director of the FBI," he reasoned, "Do you know what he could do to us."
"He already told us that his dad doesn't care about him," Tobias smirked.
Now that earlier conversation made since, they were trying to figure out how Martin's dad would or would not react to something happening to him, "Just because he won't pay a ransom doesn't mean he won't do something about it. He sent the S.W.A.T team in for him, what do you think happened to the people who were holding him? And if you're not going to make a profit, what's the point of going after him in the first place?"
"Street cred," Tobias said simply.
"What about college, and having a future that doesn't involve violence or constantly having to look over shoulder to see if someone is after you?"
"All I need to do is talk to him, follow him around and find out the best time to ambush him."
"There is no good time!" It was at this time Danny realized that he probably needed to find some new friends, "There's always someone with him, and the hotel he's staying at is full of FBI agents!"
"There's always a way," Gloria declared.
"Forget it," Danny sat in his seat pulling out his books.
He didn't see Martin again until gym, when he asked why Martin explained that his dad needed to talk to him about something and the conversation took longer than anticipated. Martin leaned back on the bench that they had to wait on before they could get into the pool. Before Danny could ask anything else, Tobias, Ruben and Gloria came out of nowhere. The later of the two attaching herself to Martin's back draping her arms around his neck.
"Hey Martin," Gloria greeted in what she was sure to think was a sexy voice. But Martin only looked scared, seriously scared. He actually looked to Tobias for help.
"Sorry man she gets like this sometimes," Tobias shrugged.
The disbelief on Martin's face was almost comical. He'd picked up on the fact that Tobias and Gloria were a couple and was expecting some sort of help or even for the other male to get mad at the girl and say something.
"Gloria get off of him," The gym teacher said as he took attendance.
Gloria did as she was asked deciding to sit next to Martin instead, "What are you doing after school today," She rested one of her hands on Martin's inner thigh.
"I'm going straight home," he said removing the hand.
"I though you said something about Danny showing you some place or the other after school," Ruben said giving Martin a smirk, the other gave him a sort of death glare.
"Can I come too," Gloria asked clinging to Martin's arm.
"I rather prefer if…"
"Fine I'll just follow you," she poked Martin's nose, in a playful yet flirtatious manner.
Danny was hardly paying attention to what was being he was keeping an eye on Tobias who still was unaffected by what his girlfriend was doing, or trying to do, with another guy. It had to be a part if their plan, but anyone could see Martin wasn't responding, even when she had all of her unmentionables pressed against him. He looked sick, like he wanted her as far away as possible.
When they were finally allowed in the pool they were able to do whatever they want because the teacher didn't care. Danny marveled at how graceful Martin was and how natural it seemed for him to be water. While the other kids played on the shallow end Martin swam out to the deep and just sank down.
At first Danny panicked, thinking Martin was drowning and no one noticed. He swam out to where he had seen him go down. He ducked under water only to find Martin sitting at the bottom of the pool.
Martin smirked at him.
Danny felt anger swell in his chest. He was worried about Martin but now seeing that he was fine and smirking at him like he knew Danny had been concerned and was able to get a rise out of him.
Martin swam up to him, in what had to be the most beautiful display he'd ever seen as they rose to the top. Martin grinned at him around this time, "What's up?"
"I thought you were drowning," Danny said bluntly.
"I can hold my breath underwater for about two hours if I set my mind to it."
"Oh…"
"Listen, I'm going to go straight home today so I don't have to deal with…that," he motioned towards Gloria, "Maybe we can hang out over the weekend and you can show me around then."
Danny nodded understandingly, "Sure, I'm sorry about her, she's not normally like that. When I talk to you in the hallway I'll just say something about not being able to show you around because I have to study for that math test tomorrow."
"We do have that test don't we?" Martin said ideally. "We could study at my place."
"Are you sure your dad is going to be okay with that, last time he didn't seem like he wanted me there."
"My dad is going to be at a meeting until eight and my mom is going to be at some fundraiser or the other until nine."
Danny mulled it over, it would be better than having to stay at his house, "Sure why not."
"Great, it's a date then." Martin beamed.
The teacher told everyone that it was time to get out of the pool. Danny climb out, Martin not far behind him. Though he swore he felt lingering eyes on him. He turned to see Martin looking the other way, so it wasn't him. When he looked again he saw Ruben watching them.
Even though it was the second time Danny had been there, he was still in awe at the hotel. The stairs were covered in plush carpeting along with the hallways. Martin didn't seem to share the same feelings, he looked pretty down if anything.
He swiped the key card and enter the room, he froze causing Danny to bump into him. "What are you doing here?" Martin's voice was frightful but firm.
"Your dad said that you could use some company so I waited," Another voice from inside the room answered. It was obviously male and sounded like he could be around their age. Martin moved further in allowing Danny to see who it was.
He was right, the other teen looked about their age, but he was taller and more muscular. His hair was short and black and he had piercing gray eyes. But what caught Danny's attention was that for some reason he was wasn't wearing a shirt.
"You can leave now." Martin said.
"Are you sure, you know how your dad gets when you bring your friends from school around."
"Gavin get out."
Gavin moved closer until he was in front of Martin, showing how he towered over him. Martin's breath was coming out heavily and he was shaking, "You know you can't make me."
"This is that last time I'm warning you," his voice was shaky.
"Hmmm," Gavin gave a knowing smirk, "Fine, I'll see you the next time your little friend isn't around." He pat him on the head and left.
Danny watched as Martin let out a breath visibly shaken by what had happened, "I'm sorry about him, he's just…a childhood bully who never grew out of it."
"That's the guy your dad wanted you to hang out with?"
"He doesn't know this still goes on," Martin shrugged his bag off by the table then moved to put some snacks and drinks on the table.
"You should tell him then," Danny sat down in the same seat as last time.
"Every time I do he thinks I'm lying and if he really is…beating me up on a regular basis like I say he is, then I should be a man and fight back." His shoulders tensed and Danny knew he was holding something back, but they've only really known each other for two day. It would be wrong to pry.
They got to work studying, testing each other on how to solve problems, how to apply theories and the vocab for the unit they were on.
Once in a while Danny would look up to see Martin staring at him. But when they made eye contact Martin would blush and look back down. Danny found this strange, especially when he caught himself staring at Martin.
The teen really was a sight to behold. His hair was just long enough to fall over his face and his eyes would sparkle with uncertainty whenever he was caught. And that blush, that was followed by a smile that took his breath away.
There was electricity in the air. He wasn't sure what it was, but it was there.