The next morning, Ben was seated at one of the tables with his family in the gym. He looked around the gym as the civilians and fighters filed in for breakfast. Every few minutes, Ben would return to his breakfast before looking out for another scope. He tried to be as casual about it as he could, but his dad easily caught.
"Looking for someone, Ben?" Tom asked, looking up from his book.
Ben looked at his dad. If he told him about that night he'd have more questions than he wanted to answer. Everyone was still on edge about him since his spikes weren't gone yet. "Uh yeah. I'm looking for Dai."
Hal's head perked up from his food. "Dai's still on patrol for a couple more hours. What did ya need?"
"Uh nothing, just a dumb question for him." Ben answered.
"Okay, well I'll let Dai know you've got a dumb question for him." Hal answered smirking.
Ben kicked at Hal beneath the table. He missed Hal's leg, but managed to nick his pants. Hal returned the kick, kicking the leg of the table. The dishes shook from Hal's kick.
"Boys not at the table." Tom said, turning the page in his book.
"Sherlock Holmes." Came a voice. Tom looked up from his book as Anne Glass walked by the table. "Was that on your class reading list?"
Tom smiled. "Personal list, actually."
Anne smiled. "Mind if I join you guys?"
"Please." Tom nodded toward the chair beside him.
Ben glanced across the table to Hal. Hal jerked his head to the side and Ben nodded. They grabbed their plates and rose from the table. Ben gently tapped the back of Matt's head, drawing his attention. Matt looked up from his plate and glanced at his dad. He grabbed his plate and followed Hal and Ben.
"Where're you guys off to in such a hurry?" Tom asked.
"Uh…I got patrol. Ben reminded me that I'm on after Dai's off. Gotta get ready." Hal explained.
"I sorta promised Matt we'd toss a football around in the courtyard." Ben said.
Matt looked up at Ben. "You did?"
Ben nudged Matt in the back.
"Uh yeah. Bye dad." Matt said, hurrying off before he could blow everything.
Hal and Ben followed quickly. They dropped off their dishes and hurried out of the gym.
"Geez Mattie." Ben groaned.
"What? It wasn't my fault; you couldn't come up with a believable lie!" Matt replied.
"He's got you there Ben." Hal said.
"Shut up." Ben said.
"Why'd we have to leave anyways?" Matt asked.
Ben glanced to Hal. How would they explain that to their brother when neither of them knew what was really happening between their dad and Anne Glass?
"Dr. Glass just needed to talk to dad alone." Ben said
Matt looked up at Ben. "It didn't look like it. It looked like she just wanted to eat with us."
"Yeah, but without us there, they can talk too." Hal said, rubbing Matt's head. He took off running down the hall.
Ben and Matt ran after Hal. They ran around the corner to their room. Hal entered first, followed by Matt and Ben, who was holding back. Hal sat down on his cot and started gathering his supplies for patrol. Matt dove onto the cot beside Hal face first. Ben sat on the arm of the couch near the cots. Matt rolled onto his side.
"Do you think dad likes Doctor Glass?" Matt asked.
"Course he does. After all she's done for us." Hal said.
"No I mean, likes her. You know, like mom?" Matt repeated.
Hal and Ben exchanged unsure looks.
"I don't know Mattie." Ben answered.
"Do you think she likes dad?"
"That's hard to say Matt." Hal replied.
"Because, you know, they talk a lot. I mean, a lot, like every day." Matt explained. "And I even saw her make dad laugh. Like how mom made him laugh. If dad and Anne got married, I think that be cool."
"Why do you say that?" Ben asked.
Matt sat up. "Well, I heard dad say that she lost her family when the skitter's came. And we lost mom. If they got married, we'd be completing each other's missing family."
The boys sat in silence. Ben stared down at the floor. He'd seen everything that Matt had said, but he never said anything. He didn't even think that far ahead. Why should he? They were in the middle of a war with aliens. Still, he couldn't help but agree with Matt. Anne was a good woman, great actually. The way she looked in on them when their dad was out, she wasn't afraid of Ben because of his spikes. But the loss of their mom was still too fresh for any of them to really think about the possibilities of something Matt was suggesting.
"Course, that can't happen until we win the war." Matt said.
Hal pat Matt's shoulder. "Good thinking pal."
"Yo Hal."
The boys turned to the door. Maggie was leaning on the frame with her gun in her hands. "You ready or what?"
"Yeah I'm coming." Hal said. He stood from his cot. "Oh before I forget." He turned back to his bed and tossed the lacrosse sticks to Ben. "Better than throwing a football. Maybe Mattie could teach you something?"
Ben nodded. "Thanks."
Hal smirked. "No prob."
Maggie nodded to ben and Hal. "Later boys."
"Bye Maggie!" Matt called. He hopped up from his cot and grabbed the sticks from Ben. "Come on!"
Ben pushed himself off the couch arm and followed Ben out into the hall. Matt tossed Ben one of the sticks. Ben started spinning the stick in his hands, getting a feel for the sport. Before the invasion, Ben was more of a book worm, like his dad. He wasn't one to play sports, but now it seemed like the best way to spend time with Matt when he could.
They walked out into the courtyard in the center of the school. Several other kids already occupied the courtyard. Matt ran ahead a few feet and turned back to Ben. He jerked his stick, launching the small ball into the air. Ben watched the ball and moved the stick to intercept it. He jerked his stick and sent the ball back to Matt. Matt bit his lip and moved underneath the ball. He jumped up and caught the ball in the sling of the stick. Ben smiled as Matt help up the stick triumphantly. Matt hurled the ball back to Ben.
"Yo Ben!"
The sudden mention of his name caused Ben to hurl the ball out of Matt's reach. It fell to the ground and rolled from Matt. "Sorry Matt!" Ben turned.
Dai walked out into the courtyard. "Hal said you had a question for me."
"Uh yah, kinda." Ben said.
"Well ask away. I'm about to get some food behind I catch up on sleep." Dai said.
"Right." Ben nodded. "Well uh…last night a saw you talk to someone. Some supply girl."
Dai nodded. "Yeah, that was Jaden. Best supply runner in the 2nd Mass."
"Do you know where I can-" Ben's sentences died as he turned to find Matt.
Matt was standing in front of a young woman no older than Hal. Her slender cheeks helped accent her oval, dirt streaked face. Her braided hair was streaked in a rainbow of colors, but at her roots was the distinct burgundy color. Her full, pink lips were turned in a smile as she talked with Matt. She wore a black long sleeved shirt with the shoulders missing and a black underbust looking thing over her shirt. Her pants were a light blue, now streaked in dirt and mud. Black, fingerless gloves covered her hands as she tossed the ball to Matt.
"Thanks Jaden!" Matt called.
"Never mind. I found her." Ben said, still watching Jaden.
Dai followed Ben's stare and smirked. "It's been nice knowing ya Ben." He patted Ben's shoulder and turned to leave.
"Huh?" Ben asked.
Dai motioned his head in Jaden's direction. "Whatever you want on the next supply run, you'd better be prepared to beg for it man. Jaden is not an easy person to negotiate with."
"Thanks for the warning." Ben said.
"Later Ben." Dai called, heading back into the school.
"Ben you ready?" Matt called.
Ben held up his and jogged over to Matt. "Just a sec Mattie." Ben walked over to the bench where Jaden was sitting on. He noticed the book in her hands, probably one from the library. Strangely enough, the cover had a picture of a massive shark trying to eat a diver. "Primal Waters?"
Jaden looked up from her book. "'Scuse me?"
Ben looked up at Jaden. "Uh, sorry I was just looking at your book. I've uh… never heard of it."
"Yeah, it's a…interesting series." Jaden said. "I used to think that between a prehistoric shark and aliens, the shark would be more likely to happen. Look how wrong I was."
"I don't think anyone thought this would happen." Ben said. "Uh…my names."
"I know who you are Mason. Everyone does." Jaden closed her book and looked up at Ben. "Names Jaden. Fighters call me JJ. So, what do you want?"
Ben frowned. "Huh?"
Jaden stood up from the bench. At full height she as taller than him by two inches and her figure was a toned slender. "No one comes to see me unless there's something they want me to pick up for them."
"No, no that's not why I-"
"Then why are you here?" Jaden asked, cutting him off.
"Uh…I uh…" Ben stuttered.
Jaden stared at him, waiting. Her sharp greenish-blue eyes seemed to look right through him.
"I was watching you…last night and…" Jaden cocked a brow. Ben felt his cheeks burn. "No, no that's not what I meant. I mean…I…I was up and I…I saw you come back from a run. And I…I was wondering if…maybe you could…teach me-"
Jaden raised her hand. Ben shut his mouth. "Look, I appreciate the offer, but running supplies isn't what you think it is. It just as dangerous as fighting, only you're on your own. My advice, stay with your family."
"Look I just-"
"Hey Ben, are we gonna practice or what?" Matt asked, joining the group.
Ben looked down at Matt. "Yeah, just a sec Mattie."
Matt looked up at Jaden. "Hey Jaden, do you want to play with us?"
Jaden smiled. "Mattie, you know I would, but I'm on a break." She looked down at her watched. "Which has rapidly run out. I gotta report back to Weaver. Another time Mattie."
Matt nodded. "Okay, see ya later Jaden."
Jaden picked up her pack and pulled out a book while stuffing her book back in. She slung her pack over her shoulder and tossed Ben a book. "And if you're interested in prehistoric monsters, start from the beginning. Later Mattie." She picked up her leather jacket and walked toward the door of the school.
Ben looked down at the book in his hands. There was a picture of a shark eating a Tyrannosaurus Rex on the cover. Ben turned it to the back cover and sighed.
"Geez, what'd you do to make her mad?" Matt asked.
Ben looked down at Matt. He nudged him in the shoulder. "Are we gonna practice or what?"
"Hey, I'm not the one who was flirting with Jaden." Matt said.
"I wasn't flirting." Ben replied.
"Then what was that?" Matt asked.
Ben shrugged. "I was just talking to her."
"Uh huh." Matt said. "And that was going really well for you too."
"Just…throw the ball." Ben muttered.
Ben was lying on the couch, reading, when Hal came back from patrol. Matt was sitting on the cot, tossing the ball up into the air. Hal walked over to the cot beside Matt and dropped down. He pulled the gun sling from his back and let it fall on the floor. Hal propped his head up with is hands and looked over to his brothers.
"Where' dad?" he asked.
"Captain Weaver wanted to talk to him." Matt answered.
Hal looked over to Ben and noticed the new book in his hand.
"Meg, huh? Didn't know you were into sharks." Hal said.
"He's not, but his girlfriend does." Matt answered.
Hal looked at Matt and then to Ben. Ben's head snapped up instantly. "Girlfriend?"
"She's not my girlfriend, I just met her today." Ben said.
Matt smiled. "Yeah it was the funniest thing. He couldn't even talk to her without sounding bad."
Hal chuckled. "Really. Who's the girl?"
"No one." Ben insisted.
"It's-"
"Matt!" Ben yelled. He looked back down at his book.
Matt shut up instantly. He looked at Hal wide eyes. "See?"
Hal sat up from his cot. "Give us a sec Mattie."
Matt nodded and walked out of the room. Hal climbed off his cot and walked over to the couch. He looked over Ben's shoulder as he read. Ben seemed to be too engrossed in his book to notice. Hal walked around to the front of the couch and sat down on Ben's legs.
"Ow." Ben said, looking up from his book. "What are you doing?"
Hal stretched his arms behind his head. "What'd you say to her?"
"Who?"
"This girl. What did you say to her?" Hal repeated.
Ben sighed and closed the book. "I just…I noticed the book she was reading and things just…went downhill from there."
Hal nodded. "Uh huh."
"What?"
Hal shook his head. "Just that, the earth is invaded and you still can't get a girl." He started laughing.
Ben shoved Hal's shoulder. "I'm not trying to get a girl I'm trying to be a little more useful around here."
Hal mellowed out a bit. "And you think this girl can help?"
"I know she can." Ben answered.
"Then show her you're worth her time. You've got her book, tell her then." Hal explained.
Ben thought for a moment, and then nodded. "Yeah, thanks Hal."
"Anytime." Hal said. He climbed off the couch and walked back to his cot. He turned back toward Ben. "How's the book anyways."
"It's…interesting." Ben said.
Hal nodded. "So's the cover."
"I think she has a point though."
"What do you mean?" Hal asked.
"Before, she mentioned this would've been more likely than an alien invasion. And now that I'm reading it, I have to agree with her." Ben explained.
The door opened behind them. Tom entered partially, leaning on the frame. "Can either of you tell me why Matt's sitting out in the hall?"
Hal dropped onto his cot and pointed to Ben. "Girl problems."
Ben groaned and leaned his head back against the arm of the couch. "Thanks Hal."
"Anytime." Hal snickered.
Tom exchanged glances between his oldest and younger son. "Girl problems? Ben, is there something we need to talk about?"
Ben lifted his head from the arm. "No, I think Hal managed just fine dad."
Tom tuned his attention back to Hal. "What did you tell him?"
Hal shrugged. "Just…show her he's worth her time. Relax dad."
"Relax. Right." Tom said. He turned out into the hall. "All clear Mattie."
"Finally." Matt said, entering the room. "All this fuss over a girl."
Tom smiled and ruffled Matt's hair. "That's my boy."
"Everything cool with Weaver?" Hal asked.
Tom lifted Matt and dropped him on his cot. "Yeah, he was running through the new supply drop we got last night. I have to say Jaden's a lot faster than a team of us."
Ben's attention was peaked. He glanced over his book.
"I know. I asked her how she does it, but she just ignores the question." Hal said.
"Why ask? She gets the supplies, isn't that enough?" Matt asked.
Tom chuckled. "Curiosity Mattie. Now, bed. Ben, Hal, you too."
Matt kicked his shoes off and slipped beneath his single blanket. Hal kept his shoes on and simply lay back on his cot. Ben marked his place in his book and climbe doff the couch. he walked to his cot and laid down. He pulled up his blanket and stared up at the ceiling. Tom walked to the lantern and turned off the light. The last bit of light was swallowed by the darkness. Ben could hear his dad moving to his own cot by his brothers. He stared up at the ceiling and sighed. Would Jaden even listen to him if he talked to her again? The way she brushed him off today was like high school. She was popular girl who everyone loved, including him, and he was the book worm. If that stereotype stuck, then Ben didn't have a prayer.
what a nice first meeting...ha! and of course the family has to intervine