"Audrey, would you like to be an instructor at Davenport's new bionic academy?"
I stare blankly at him. "What?"
"Well, all of Krane's soldiers need a place to learn how to use their bionics to help people, not hurt people. The lab is obviously too small a place, so Mr. Davenport converted an isolated island off the mainland into a place for them to train out of harm's way."
"Um, they tried to kill us. Why would I want to train them?" I ask slowly and clearly.
"Because their memories have been wiped after the Triton app was deactivated. They are not bad people, Audrey, just kids who are trying to come to terms with what they can do." Lots has happened in the past year, Krane and his army of bionic children being one of them.
My mouth flaps open uselessly. After several minutes I finally look into his eyes. "No, not now." Chase frowns. "I want to finish high school, get my diploma. I want to be a senior on varsity. I might even get a scholarship. I cannot walk away from all of that now."
"But, you're a bionic hero. When would you have time to go to college or have a job?"
"I don't know. But I want to complete my education. I don't wake up in the morning already knowing everything that my classes are going to teach me—unlike you, Chase."
He seems miffed. "You may not be as smart as me but we still want you—we need you—at the Academy.
"Come on, it will be so much fun; instructing the soldiers and living on a secluded island in the ocean away from everyone. As instructors we get a room away from the dorms. Davenport will visit to check up on things; Douglass will be the adult supervision."
It is tempting, I must admit. But then I think of my parents and friends and the possible basketball scholarship. I am not going to let that all slip through my fingers.
I shake my head with decision. "Maybe after high school, then we can see from there."
Chase's disposition changes from eccentric to argumentative. "I cannot see why you would refuse an opportunity like this."
"It's at a really bad time right now. What about Bree and Adam, are they going to drop out of school, too?"
"Adam is a senior; Bree has already talked to the school and arranged to get her diploma early; I don't need to graduate to prove anything to anyone."
"I am proving this to myself!"
He sighs, "If it really means that much to you, we can request your diploma early or you could take online courses—"
"Chase, I want the four-year high school plan! I want to go to senior prom and run for homecoming queen. Why don't you see that?"
Why don't you see what's in front of you? A place where we can be completely free with our bionics! You can be a mentor and help others to be heroes and save lives. Do you not want that?"
"Of course I do! I am not arguing with you about this anymore, Chase. I have made up my mind."
His jaw sets in a stony line. "Fine."
I clench my teeth angrily. "Do not be mad at me for wanting to do something with my life other than being holed up on some island in the middle of the ocean training a bunch of kids who don't even have their memories!"
"You are a kid!" He yells.
"And you're acting like one." His eyes narrow and furiously he stalks away. I turn on my toe and walk in the opposite direction.
When I get home Mom looks up from the television, takes one look at me and mutes it. "Honey, is something wrong?"
"I don't want to talk about it right now," I growl, stomping to my room and closing the door. I hear nothing from Chase the next morning and when I see Bree she is wise to ignore the topic. My phone rings and his name vibrates on the screen. I dismiss the call. He tries again throughout the rest of the day. Midafternoon of the second day of no communication I hear a knock at the window. Expecting it to have been a pigeon flying into the glass I am startled to see a levitating Chase.
"Audrey I'm sorry. Can I come in?" I step aside for him to enter and he offers me a bouquet of yellow roses. "I was stupid and selfish."
"Yes, you were."
"You hate having people tell you what to do and that is exactly what I did. You deserve to finish high school and do what you want with your life. Do I want you to come to the island with us? Yes. But it isn't right to force you to do something you don't want to. I expect one day you'll train with us, but whatever you decide to do, I'll be waiting." I stand with arms crossed a moment longer, glaring. Even though I am no longer mad. But he cannot think he is getting off quite so easily. Reaching out I take the flowers and bury my nose in them.
"I forgive you." He smiles graciously and kisses my hand.
"Thank you. So… now that you're no longer mad at me would you like to go somewhere?"
"Yes, I would. But go to the front door and knock or my parents will freak at seeing you walk down the stairs." He grins and presses a kiss to my cheek, then takes a running leap out the window head-first like Superman. A few seconds later the doorbell rings and Mom is calling for me. My stupid, brilliant, charming Chase Davenport stands at the door. He extends an arm to me and we walk down the street, wandering to who knows where.