Part 8: No Response
That day after school, Cira darted down to the rear parking lot, getting there as fast as she could so she could be on time to fall in as first element leader for the first year unarmed drill team.
Often, she remembered that her step dad was in the military. Cira always liked hearing the story about how he met KITT and Devon Miles, how he had surgery and whatnot, had to get a new identity and car, etc. Why he actually was in the military and eventually was a cop of some sort, she hadn't ever bothered to ask him when she was little. Such things weren't on her curious mind at that age.
Why was Cira interested in JROTC in the first place? She joined, at first, because she was curious about it. She had no idea what it was. Michael hadn't asked her to join or anything. Was she interested in aviation? Since Cira was a girl, she'd have less of a chance of doing the things that the boys were interested, infantry, stuff dealing with weapons and jobs related to an involving ground combat. Cira had fun being different, doing tuff, motivating things. Simple things too. Keeping her uniform sharp every time for inspection for the first few minutes of class, throughout the whole day itself was one thing. She considered drill simple. It was just like another form of walking, nothing to it really. Hell, it took less effort than skipping or jogging did, that was for sure.
So maybe that was it. She did have a slight interest in aviation, but Cira found herself having discovered no new passions for any subject yet. Honestly she didn't really care. Most importantly, JROTC helped time pass by a little quicker in school. Especially with having people like Alex to hang around.
She walked a little faster to the back parking lot, which by now was already emptying out.
"KARR, I'm out here early."
"I see that." KARR replied. As he did so Cira just spotted the TransAm to the left side of the lot, not directly in the middle where the drill team would be marching. His scanner wasn't on, so people wouldn't notice it when everyone was marching around.
"You picked a good spot. We move around a lot." Cira said.
Alex's last class of the day was JROTC. All the other kids on the drill team had their JROTC class either in this one, or the one before that. There were maybe only one or two that had JROTC earlier in the day, but their classes later in the day were close to the JROTC room. Cira unfortunately, was none of the above. Her class was well on the other side of the school, so she wouldn't be able to leave early or get there on time for the drill team to quickly meet before walking outside. The first year drill team commander gave her permission to just head directly outside everyday right after class was over so that way she would be ready. It gave her a few minutes since all they did at the brief meeting was attendance. Then everyone would leave. There was no point in Cira hurrying for that.
Sighing from the brisk walk, Cira opened KARRs door and tossed her backpack in the back, then got out. Sitting down for a few minutes to wait for the others to come out, Cira rested her back against KARR's left front tire, facing towards the door she had exited from. Two more cars left and then the parking lot was suddenly quiet.
"Looks like we have it all to ourselves today." Cira observed.
"Indeed." KARR agreed. "Everyone must be taking their time."
"Yeah, they're just taking attendance for each team. They'll be out here shortly." The first years will be practicing over here. "The color guard and Upper-class team will be practicing farther down the parking lot. It's a nice day, so we'll be out here for a good hour or so."
"Michael and Devon know you have this every day, right?"
Cira folded her arms and rested them across her stomach and against her thighs, for her knees were tucked up towards her chest. She wasn't sitting with her legs crossed.
A cool breeze flowed through the parking lot. Soon, Cira sensed movement towards the doors. Having been staring out into the parking lot, resting her head on her knees, a few cadets came out. These cadets were the commanders, as usual. The commander of the first year drill team was Cadet 2nd Lieutenant Alex Johnson. The Commander of the color guard team was Cadet Senior Master Sergeant Drake Lee, a close friend of Johnson's. Lee was carrying their country flag, while Drake another cadet who Cira didn't know was carrying the state flag. He was dark skinned, apparently of African descent, with the rank of Cadet Staff Sergeant. His name tag read Williams. Two cadets carrying rifles came up being them. One was a girl, a third year, with her permanent rank of cadet senior airman, carried a rifle. She had strawberry blonde hair, a slightly bigger, less fit body than Cira's. Her name read Kyles. The other rifle guard was a first year, like Cira, with the permanent rank of cadet Airman. She recognized him by his name tag, Jack Bailey. He was the joker type, but still could play serious when he wanted to. Cira did have him in her classes, though it wasn't ROTC. However, she still didn't find the time to talk to him or some of the other cadets much. Cadet Airman Jack Bailey was the left rifle guard.
Behind him was Cadet Tech Sergeant David Gates, another friend of Johnsons, who was in Cira's JROTC class. A trail of at least 20 cadets followed behind them, ready for practice. The cadet Commander, named cadet Captain Josh Black, who was a senior in high school, also decided to show up today.
As they walked over, still being several yards away, Adamson leaned over towards Johnson and pointed towards KARR with a surprised look on his face. Johnson nodded and smiled.
They all walked over to her. She almost forgot about it, but Cira suddenly hoped Alex wasn't the type to go telling everyone about KARR, that he talked and could drive by himself. She suddenly felt awkward as she heard them say "how did she get a sweet car like that?"
"Well, Cadet Knight beats us again." C/Capt. Black said.
Cira stretched her legs and arms before standing up. Once she stood up and when he stopped a yard or so before her, with Johnson and Adamason next to him, she saluted them. Being cadet officers (of temporary rank), Black and Johnson saluted back with equal respect. Cira did not drop her salute until they dropped theirs first.
"Yes sir," she said, standing up well before he and Johnson approached her and stopped a good yard or two away. "As always. It's because I don't have to hurry to the room for attendance. I just go straight out side. I'm too far across the other building to worry about rushing in for attendance. So I got permission by Cadet Sergeant Tucker to just take my time and get outside first. I would notify someone ahead of time if I couldn't make it on a certain day."
"Ah," Black answered with a nod. "I keep forgetting about that." he glanced at the front of KARR and was about to say something. She stopped him and asked. "Sir, I have a quick question before we all start." Adamson and Johnson were about to turn around to talk to the rifle guards to get them ready, but Cira said to him first: "Lieutenant Johnson, please don't leave yet. This deals with you."
He turned with a confused look on his face. "Sure, okay..."
"Sir," Cira said looking up at Black, who was at least a foot taller than her. He had sharp eyes and dirty blonde hair, not as finely cut as Johnson or Adamson's, but still finely groomed around the ears and the back of the neck. "I need to talk to Lieutenant Johnson personally about something before he starts."
"About what, it's not too serious, I hope?" he asked curiously.
"No no," she said, shaking her head. "Nothing too serious. I assure you of that."
"Okay." he answered with a shrug. "I'll get the upper class team as well as the armed team to start farther down the parking lot." he said this mostly to himself as he turned around.
"We'll take the area closer to the field, sir. The first years can have the middle near where Cira's car and that light post are." Johnson said as he pointed to the post some ten yards down the parking lot from KARR.
"Sounds good." Black replied.
With out question, Adamson turned to a third year female cadet and a second year cadet, who was male and had a lot of African blood in him. Cira wasn't familiar with their names and hadn't had any chances to talk to them yet.
"I did something wrong?" Alex asked her.
"Not really," Cira replied slowly. She glanced over Johnson's shoulders to make sure Adamson and the rest of the color guard team had their backs turned to them before he told the team to form up a few parking spots to the left of KARR, well away from the armed team and upper class team. "I just wanted to make sure you didn't go telling any one about KARR."
"Oh. Sorry I had you worried about that. It's common sense. With as something as special as you and KARR, I wouldn't do that to you two. I'm sure you don't want a lot of un-needed attention like that." he replied.
"Yes." Cira replied, smiling at having heard him call her and KARR special. She figured KARR knew it was best to stay quiet at this time with so many cadets around, which he did. KARR shut down his scanning mode to re-charge a bit while she was out practicing. Seeing her smile, Alex returned it willingly. "I don't want people constantly questioning KARR. He's had an...interesting reputation in the past, which I don't want to explain now. Sorry, I had to ask."
"No problem it's perfectly understandable. Do you two have time later today and maybe this weekend? I was hoping I could get the chance to talk to you later on..." Alex asked, keeping firm eye contact. He didn't look the least bit hesitant, and was 100 percent honest. Being able to keep a professional, but not distant air about him, Cira at first had trouble trying to find signs that he showed interest in her, but when she thought about it a few seconds later, Cira realized it could have very likely been all in his even, calm voice.
Cira smiled again, more brighter this time. "Sure. Want to see if we can do homework together? Or, maybe that's not a good idea." she carelessly waved a hand. I'll leave that up to you and Dad. I think dad and Devon will find you trust worthy enough that they'll let you hang around at least once. Hopefully more, perhaps. You never know."
"Yeah, you never know. I hope I can. We'll talk more after words?"
"Definitely." Cira nodded vigorously. "Meet me by KARR when you're done."
"Okay." Alex "You're first element leader, run over to everyone and tell them to get ready. I'm right behind you."
"Gotcha, sir." Cira replied with a nod as she ran over to the loosely assembled group of first years. They all stood around chatting casually. They were all wearing their uniform, and Cira still only managed to recognize a few of them that were in her class.
"Everyone, get ready to fall in off of ." she announced. they quickly stopped their talking and arranged themselves by who was in which element. They only had three small elements. Most of the people on their drill team populated the upper class and armed team.
Cira saw C/Captain Black dart over to the armed drill team, telling them because they had so many people in this parking lot, they should go practice out in the front parking lot for better space, since the rear parking lot was smaller than the front. Much of the space would be taken up by the color guard, first year and upper class team. Even then there was barely enough room. At least, with each time they all practiced, it would help them become more precise with their movements. That was the only plus.
She turned around to measure herself for the flight as he approached, making sure the spot she stood at would center the rest of the flight off of her.
Cira stood at attention and held out her left arm quickly only long enough until the cadet took his place next to her where he should be. Then, as called fall in, she snapped her arm back briskly. From there, everyone went on with their routines successfully. Black would observe each team one at a time, watching a full routine of each team, and give them advice when it was needed to fix a problem with alignment or timing. He particularly had to help out the first years and the armed drill team. Today in particular, the upper-class team seemed to know what they were doing. And the color guard team got more practice than anyone else because of having so many extra community service opportunities (mainly with posting the colors in public).
Practice went by fast, as usual. They practice their routines several times over. C/Captain Black helped them improve certain areas only twice, and had few comments. Cira was glad because the last time he was here, he had to help some people in the rear elements more than he had to today. Not once did he or Johnson say anything to her, which was good.
Once it was all over, everyone went back up stairs, Cira followed them all, talking to the first year cadets on her team. Some asked her if KARR was hers, and she'd happily say yes. Aside from that, they talked about random, more school and drill-oriented things.
Cira yawned. Everyone lingered around, getting their backpacks together, putting away rifles and such as they waited for C/Captain Black to tell them they were dismissed. He got permission from their Leadership Instructor, and suddenly burst into the very crowed room.
"Colonel Hunt says we're free to leave. Dismissed!" he said, waving a hand around in the air I a carefree manner.
"Bye, sir!" a few of the cadets said.
"Adios." he replied. As he said this, he immediately turned around and walked towards the nearest hallway, to wherever his car was parked in the front. Being next to the door for a few moments, Cira suddenly realized that he had no more than less than a foot of head room. She swore he was taller than Michael, and he was no where near his age.
"Ready to leave when you are, Cira." Alex said as he walked over to her with her backpack slung over her shoulder.
"On our way there, we'll have to stop somewhere to call dad. That way at least he won't be surprised when you show up next to me."
"Sure."
"Dang, you get to ride in Knights car? Lucky." Drake Lee said, walking up being Cira. "Can you give me a ride home in it?"
"Eh, I got to see it earlier at lunch."
"Did you now?" he nodded.
Cira sighed. She wouldn't mind, but she was torn for the fact that she wasn't sure she trusted everyone here about the secrets of KARR. 'Maybe I should just get everyone's ooh's and aah's over with now,' she thought, with a slight look of disgruntlement on her face.
Seeing that it took her more than a few moments to reply, Alex asked her:
"Cira, the question?"
"Hmm? Oh yeah, uh...I don't see why not. Let me use the bathroom first." Cira replied, keeping eye contact with Alex, since Drake was to her left. She only glanced at him once. She didn't care if she revealed too much uncertainty.
She didn't really need to go to the bathroom, well she did, and had to talk to KARR.
"Sweet! It's not every day you get to ride in a car that hot! Thanks Cira, you're awesome."
Cira shrugged. "No problem. Excuse me. You two can head out to the parking lot if you want." she said as she grabbed walked out side. She immediately headed towards the bathroom with out saying anything. She was certain Alex would keep his mouth shut, knowing she'd be mad if he started to tell Drake about KARR if he didn't get her permission (as much as he might want to, which he did).
Only several steps before she left the now quiet room, Drake whispered to Alex: "Sir, I think I might actually be jealous if you start going out with her!"
"HEY!" Alex exclaimed defiantly. Cira heard THAT. "That's far from my mind at the moment. I've hardly begun thinking about it."
"Oh?" Drake grinned, hoping he'd continue, but being a guy just like him, he didn't.
Cira didn't hear Alex's full response either. Oh well. Figuring it was nothing to worry about, she kept moving towards the bathroom. The school was quiet now, so she tried contacting KARR with the watch Michael gave her. "KARR? I'm taking Alex and another friend of his home. You okay with Alex AND another person?"
She waited. No answer.
Cira swung open the bathroom door and looked at her watch, frowning. "Huh." No answer. She tried again. "KARR? Wakey-wakey?"
"Still no answer?" she muttered to herself before choosing a stall. "Strange. I'm going to have to tell Michael."
Quickly, she finished up what anyone would need to do in a bathroom, then strode right out to the parking lot.
As expected, Alex and Drake were standing by KARR. His scanner was off. Maybe he was just re-charging, and he forgot to turn his power back on automatically. Instead, she'd probably have to do it this time with them there.
"What the hell is with the inside? It looks like something from Star Wars."
Cira snorted with distaste. "Hardly. Hey, I didn't design it. I didn't ASK for this car!"
"Really?" he asked her, tilting his head. "It's paint job is OUTSTANDING! But hey, what's that thing at the nose?" Drake added, pointing to it as she approached them. Alex leaned against KARR's right window, watching them.
"That's just part of the car, something they included for whatever reason. An extra reflector."
'Smooth, Cira.' Alex mused.
Cira reached for her cell phone and called Michael. Luckily she got cleared to have Alex over for dinner and a bit of homework, and to take Drake home.
"Hmm. It doesn't look half bad. Well I don't live far, I'll show you where I live step by step. Its hardly fifteen minutes away from here." Drake told her.
Suddenly, KARR's engine's revved up, and KARR activated the scanning mode immediately. Drake and Alex yelped. Alex stepped out of the way, but not knowing anything about KARR, he wouldn't in his life ever expect a KARR to fully start its engine on its own till now.
"OH MY GOD!"
Then they heard the engine accelerating.
"Cira...what ha-"
"Woah!" Cira shouted. KARR suddenly shot forward in mid acceleration, and completely deserted them, skidding out of the parking lot. Cira swore she could smell the burned rubber mixing in with the gas fumes. KARR was already headed towards the frontal parking lot before she could do anything.
Cira whirled around just as she swung herself out of the way to avoid being struck head on by KARR.
"That...didn't just happen, did it?" Drake asked, staring after the car. "Your car...ditched us. Completely. Was I seeing things?" he took in a few deep breaths.
"No, I'm afraid you weren't." Cira said, exhaling sharply. "SHIT." she muttered, kicked at the ground with her heel. "Devon won't be happy at all."
"Devon?" Alex asked.
"My dad's boss." Cira explained. "He actually helped make that car. Drake, as you can see, that's no ordinary car."
"OBVIOUSLY! It fricken almost ran over you!" Drake exclaimed.
"Cira, aren't you the LEAST bit shaken?" Alex asked her, taking a different, calmer approach. He stepped forward a bit, a hand on her shoulder.
"Look, we can still get you a ride home, Drake, but it's going to be a good fifteen minutes or so. Do you two mind waiting here for a while?"
"I don't." Alex said. "I'm hanging out with you anyways."
"As long as no more cars try to run us over, sure, I'm fine with it."
"Well then, let me call dad." Cira replied.
Feeling shaky in the knees from KARR's unexpected, careless behavior, Cira quickly dialed in Michael's number.
"Hello Cira, what's going on?" Michael asked.
"Hi dad..." Cira replied, and immediately began to pace around the lot, drifting away from Drake and Alex, who trailed behind her a few yards away after a while. "You're not going to believe this, but here's how things happened: Apparently, KARR was recharging himself during the hour we were practicing, because we talked just before it started and everyone else got outside. I told Drake and Alex to meet me by KARR while I quickly go use the restroom. Drake doesn't know a thing about KARR, and Alex is the only one I've trusted to let him hear KARR talk and drive on his own around him. I radioed in KARR before going to the bathroom and I got no answer. That's how I assumed he was trying to reserve power for a bit while he could. Then, when I got outside and Drake started asking me about the scanner (I made up an answer), KARR suddenly revs up his engine and LITERALLY high tails out of the parking lot. He nearly ran me over because I was right in front of him, but I was quick enough to respond to the rev of the engine and move out of the way just in time." she didn't stop talking until she was completely finished with her explanation.
Michael was silent for a moment. "Oh boy. Devon won't be happy to hear this."
"That's what I said." Cira said with a sigh. "Apparently that program April tried to perfect still didn't completely erase his old else, huh?"
"I guess however and for whatever reason, it may be coming back like an infection. KITT would probably agree. I guess we may have found out about this when we did the inspection later on this weekend." Michael groaned. On the other end of the line, Michael was in his room, pacing back and forth.
"Yeah. Now Alex and Drake are stuck with out a ride. Drake could walk, and he may prefer to, but I'd rather not do that do him. I was really looking forward to riding in KARR."
"Don't show too many people what KARR is really like."
"Yeah, I know. Attracts too many attention. Alex is the only one that knows so far."
Drake seemed to think Cira was taking too long with the talk, but he didn't say anything, and followed alex, carrying his backpack with him just like like Alex did. Cira had however, left hers in KARR.
"And you know what else sucks? I left my back pack in KARR before drill practice started."
"Wow, that does. Don't worry, KITT and I will try to find him and bring him back to FLAG before he causes too much trouble." Michael replied. "I'll have Devon come out and get you three in his Mercedes."
"Thanks dad."
"No problem, kiddo. I'll try to have him be there at your school at the front in less than half an hour. We'll talk about more of this when we get home, and don't worry, you're not in trouble. It a tough situation that you didn't cause." Michael assured her in that laid back tone he usually used around people he was close to. "Oh, and I look forward to meeting Alex."
"Okay. Alex and I will see you with in the next hour, hopefully."
"Sounds good, later."
"Bye." Cira replied, and hung up.
"Are you SURE you're okay?" Alex asked her. He and Drake moved to either side of Cira.
"I am kind of shaken." Cira admitted grimly as they walked.
"I don't think I've ever heard you talk so fast." he commented.
"Heh. I guess it happens to all of us."
"Seems that way," Alex said with a shrug.
"We need to head for the front. Devon is going to pick us up there." Cira told them.
"Okay. We're headed that way anyway."
There were so many questions Alex wanted to ask Cira about her and KARR, and more as to what might have caused this event, but couldn't because Drake was around, and he had no idea what KARR was really capable of. He, like all the other cadets, thought he was just another sports car.
After an awkward silence, they reached the front of the building and sat against the nearest wall that was some distance away from the flag pole. Cira sighed. "I'm kinda glad you guys were with me."
"I'm sorry this had to happen," Alex said.
"It's okay. It was the least expected. I thought they fixed the program, but apparently it wasn't fixed one hundred percent."
"No kidding." Alex scoffed, folding his arms as they sat down. Would have scared me to death if that were my car.
"Program?"
"You notice how it drove on its own?" Cira asked with a monotonous tone in her voice. As she said this she glanced over at him.
"Oh. Autopilot."
"Yeah, in it's simplest terms..." Cira replied.
"Damn, I had no idea cars had that." Drake replied.
"Well, planes have it, don't they?"
"True. But for it to do something that reckless on its own. Now that's creepy. So I take it it thinks?"
"In a manner of speaking, yes." Cira answered. She figured it wouldn't hurt to tell him more vague things like this. "By the way," she added, holding up an index finger: "I'd rather you not tell any one any of the details I've revealed about my car. I'd rather not have a lot of attention. I know it's looks are good, I just don't need random people constantly asking me things about my car or being interested in me at FIRST because of it." she gave him a warning look and spoke in a cold, serious tone as she said this.
"Okay, okay, it's kind of pointless causing any one person irritation like that." Drake said, briefly raising his hands up defensively.
"Good, and thanks. That way, once we get my car checked up on and fixed, I might let you ride in it more often."
"Thanks for the offer, but I think I've changed my mind."
"I don't blame you." Cira said with an accepting smile, remembering how she met KARR at the same time.
They rested their heads against the wall, kind of tired from school.
"You left your back pack in KARR, huh?" Alex asked, figuring it was okay to mention its name.
"Who?" Alex asked.
"The car's name is KARR. Kilo Alpha Romeo Romeo. Stands for Knight Automotive Roving Robot." Cira replied. "As said before, I trust you two to keep this information somewhat...classified. I haven't told anyone else."
"We're glad you chose us. I guess you know us the best, out of the rest of the guys."
"Yep. And yes, I did leave it in there."
"How far would KARR care to go? And what's wrong with his program?" Alex asked. She could tell he'd been itching to ask her this since the event happened.
"I have no idea. Technically, KARR is much more efficient is gas, and power is regulated differently than most normal sports cars. If he's reckless, well, he could go anywhere he pleases. He's got a data base in his system about numerous states and everything." Cira replied.
"Oh god. That sucks." Drake replied. Alex nodded gravely.
"Hopefully, KARR's new program will take over, he'll regain common sense and come back if he knows what's good for him. I hope he's already not causing problems. Originally, they shut this car down because it was so reckless and relied on its own preservation rather than making sure others were safe first. Since he some how got re-activated a long time ago, he's been a problem for the company my dad works for- well..ages now."
Drake and Alex listened intently, their eyes wide with interest.
"And your dad let you drive this car?" Alex glanced at her over his right shoulder, making eye contact. He was surprisingly close, but since there were only three cadets in uniform present, it didn't matter. And for some reason Cira didn't feel awkward. However, Drake sat a good 8 to 11 inches from her on her right side. Alex seemed to be less than 8, if not less than 6...
"He dubbed me the new driver. Figured it would be good." Cira explained.
"Ah." Alex replied with a nod. He moved his head back.
"Well, hopefully they'll find KARR." Drake said after a few seconds. He was gazing out at the quiet parking lot. "Other wise you might not be able to do your homework."
Cira chuckled. "What an excuse that would be."
"Your car drove away with your back pack and you couldn't get it back. Unless you explained EVERYTHING about your car, they'd probably think you're nuts." Alex said, nudging her with an elbow playfully.
She nudged him back and grinned. "Heh. I'd like to see Mrs. Ross's face. She takes things seriously, but wouldn't be able to believe that. I don't think any teach would."
"I know I'd want to say to the student: "what the hell? That's a new excuse"." Alex replied.
"They wouldn't know how it could be possible. And even if you tried to give them the details in private, they'd probably think you'd done drugs that morning." Drake added.
"Technology can surprise anyone." Cira said with a bemused look on her face. "It certainly does with me. Especially now that I've met KARR. I just hope he'll be okay in the end. I was really starting to like him, as intelligent as he is for a vehicle."
"Don't tell me he talks." Drake said.
"Oh, but he can..."
"What?"
"You heard me."
"Now that's weird..."
"You wouldn't think so after driving with him for a good week or more. KARR is pretty sweet, and very smart. Practically acts human."
"And he has a slight Boston accent." Alex replied.
Drake was getting a kick out of this. "That's crazy! But classy. Trust me, as amazing as KARR is, I won't tell anyone unless you're okay with it. Over the past couple years I've really been trying to be a much more honest and reliable person."
"I've seen him change first hand." Alex assured her. "I've known him for a good couple of years. It was all because he started to like a certain girl in 8th grade. Don't worry, it wasn't you, cause we went to a different middle school."
"Hey!" Drake snarled, flashing a glare at Alex from across Cira.
Alex just grinned. "That's for what you said to me earlier."
"What'd he say? I heard you exclaim 'HEY'!' really loudly just seconds after I cleared the room." Cira asked.
"Oh, uh...I'll tell you later-
"Actually," Drake piped in again. "I told him that I'd be jealous of him if he went out with you since I was so interested in your car."
"Drake!" Alex snarled, back fisting him in the chest lightly. "That was shallow. Really shallow."
"Ow. That stung." he laughed, having fun with this. "He told me he wasn't ready to 'think about it'. Whatever that means!"
Alex reached over Cira again to hit him a second time, but he moved out of the way, and his arm hit Cira hard in the upper stomach. She exhaled sharply, relieving what pain the hit could have caused.
Cira laughed. "You said that, Alex? You'll have to tell me more later." she told him, clearing playing along.
"Nice going, Drake. I hope the first one hurt." he replied, his face warm. But, his skin was tan, so it was harder to see any redness on his cheeks, and he rarely blushed.
"Oh, it did." Drake grumbled, now sitting even farther away. Alex decided to let him go...for now.
They sat in silence for the remained of the 5 or 10 minutes it took for Devon to get to their school in the red Mercedes. He pulled up to the pick up/drop off zone. The window was rolled down.
"Cira!" Devon said with a wave.
"Hi Devon!" she answered. Getting up, she waved back.
"Nice car. It doesn't think and talk too, does it?" Drake asked hopefully.
"Nope. Just a typical, nice Mercedes." Cira replied. She of course, still preferred KARR.
"GOOD." Drake replied. "I feel better already.
As Cira took the lead, Drake followed her with Alex purposefully trailing behind her. Normally, Alex would have tried to walk closer to Cira, but he was currently displeased with Drake for telling Cira. He was going to tell her later anyway!
He walked just the right distance to be able to drive a somewhat gentle snap kick straight into his right thigh, and did so.
"OWW!" Drake yelped. "Gee, sorry I said anything."
"I hope you are." Alex said with a chuckle, feeling better.
Cira laughed, and Devon looked amused, seeing how it must have been something interesting that Drake said that must have caused Alex to kick him.
"Seriously. I am."
They stopped to the side of the Mercedes next to Cira, who was close to the passenger seat. Once they got into the car. The boys took the back seat, and Cira took the passenger's.
"Guys, meet Mr. Devon Miles. He's kind of like my dad's boss." Cira said, gesturing towards Devon. He turned in his seat to look back at them.
"Hello. I'm Alex Johnson, the one you probably heard about from her dad, and this is my friend, Drake Lee."
"Ah, pleasant to meet you both." Devon replied, extending out a hand, first to Alex, who shook it in return firmly, and then Drake as well. "Is it Drake I need to take home?"
"Yes. I'll show you the way."
"Good then, let's go."
With that, now that the doors were all secured, Devon turned the key and brought the Mercedes to life, and they drove off.