Page 12 of Renegade

So much for staying out of trouble.

I didn’t even know what demerit meant, but it didn’t sound like a treat.

Chapter Twelve

Adan

The advantage to not being a freshman was having my own room. I liked my suite mates fine, and we spent a lot of time studying or just hanging out in the common area, but I couldn’t lie that I liked having a small, private space all to myself. Despite the fact that my hacking got me in here, I still spent a lot of time on my computer doing things that could probably get me in trouble with the administration if I got caught.

Not that I planned to let that happen. I’d become a lot smarter since getting busted, and in fact had turned my attention to computer security. Here at the academy, students were provided with limited internet access and it was monitored, making it impossible to get away with any online activity that the school did not like. Basically, we were supposed to use it for research for classes, for contact with family and approved friends, things like that.

And I did those things, of course, usually in class or other public areas on campus. But, for me, those things were tinker toys.

Which was why I had installed a divider in my laptop that revealed only what I wanted to when in public. And that included even the common room because I didn’t want the guys to have any trouble because of my activities. While pursuing my goal of getting into the Urban Academy for my degree from there, I had not given up my original goals of a broader degree. One that, now, was going to be in computer security. In order to do so, I backtracked and signed up for online classes at a junior college that would accept just about anyone, even with a vague homeschooling record. Once I completed those classes—something I was very close to now—I would have established thebackground I needed to get admitted to the school of my choice. Not the one I got kicked out of…and not even one in this country. The internet and world of online degrees was a wonderful thing.

I was just about to call it a night and head for my room to finish my ridiculously easy English and math classes when Blaze cleared his throat.

“Who was she?”

Casimir frowned. “Which she are you referring to?”

“The one with the long brown hair from this morning. We saw her in the office,” I put in. “I have been thinking about her, too.”

“Oh sure. The one time I’m not summoned, you two see someone who clearly has you both interested. Brown hair?” Casimir asked. Of course, that hair color wasn’t unheard of here in our little corner of the world.

“Yeah, with golden highlights. And I didn’t think it was dyed. It looked too natural,” Blaze added. “Did you, Adan?”

“I’m not an expert on women’s hairstyles. I just thought it was pretty.” I shrugged. “But I was more into those curves. They went on for days.”

“They did, didn’t they?” Blaze’s grin spread wide. “She must be new. I’ve never seen her before and looked like she was filling out forms.”

“Tell me more,” Cas asked. “Did you get a name or anything?”

“No.” If only. “But it’s a small world around here. I’m sure she will turn up again. She looked a little on the young side, so maybe a mid-year-entering freshman?”

“Likely.” Blaze opened his laptop. “We’ll be sure to point her out to you.” He yawned. “Or maybe not. Say, you guys hungry?”

“I could eat.” In fact, I’d been regretting not getting extra at dinner to bring back with us. “What do we have?”

“Not a damn thing.” Casimir opened the cabinet where weusually stored our snacks as if to make a point, which it really didn’t. “Didn’t either of you bring stuff from home to tide us over until we can restock?”

“Not me.” Blaze closed his computer again. “I did have some sandwiches and chips but I ate them in the car. Adan?”

“Nope. I guess we’ll have to do something about that.”

“It’s a little soon to get caught in the hallways after curfew, don’t you think?” Casimir snarked. He wasn’t serious. We never got caught. So far.

“Probably, but if my stomach rumbles any louder, it’s going to distract me from studying.” I stood up and stretched. “In the interest of education, we will need to take action.”

“Right. Otherwise, I’ll never finish these six chapters of history I was assigned on day one. What is wrong with the professors that they would do something like that?” Casimir grumbled. “It’s like they want us to fail.”

“I think they have to hand out a certain number of failures daily or they don’t get any cookies.” I clicked the lock on my laptop that would prevent anyone from seeing my hidden side of the hard drive. “To the kitchen, then?”

“It’s good to be home.” Blaze pulled on a hoodie. They never heated the hallways at night much. Also, it was dark colored. “I hope they have some cookies, now that you’ve mentioned them.”

“We’ll find something. Ready?” I zipped my black sweatshirt while Cas tugged his over his head.

“Let’s go.” Blaze put his ear to the door before opening it. “If the schedule is the same, there shouldn’t be anyone nearby for another half hour. By then, we can be back here refilling our cabinet.”

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