“And that’s how you field dress a wound sustained in combat.”

The handsome nurse giving a presentation to the Medical Science class was former military, and ticked off a lot of boxes for Tameka. Apparently for Lynn, too, who stared dreamily at the grown man with warm tawny eyes and rich brown skin. He was tall, though not as tall as Xelan, and equally weary of the world.

Since Tameka wasn’t getting anywhere with the object of her obsession, it was permissible to diversify her fantasies. ‘I save babies for a living’ Chris worked at Arkansas Children’s Hospital and would make a fine addition to Tameka’s older guy kink collection.

Pablo ruined the moment by asking, “What about infection?”

Chris’ eyes sparkled as if delighted at least one of the thirty students in the lab had listened enough to ask a question. “Use whatever antiseptics you have and pray for a miracle.”

Tameka made a quick note—yes, she actually paid attention enough to take notes—and glanced over at Rayne who did the same. But more intensely and with an ever-present frown.

There was something wrong with that girl lately. All black and white, no color. Grave eyes flitting about the room, assessing. Rayne probably knew the number and location of the exits in every building they entered, the number of people between her and them, and the number of steps it would take to get the hell out of any situation.

Cagey.

That’s how Rayne was acting.

It saddened Tameka to see it, especially given Saturday night’s cuteness with Sagan. Everyone pretended not to notice the blond and the brunette holding hands and sitting closer than necessary. Their ‘secret’ longing glances were so obvious to Tameka, who cheered them on at every turn.

Fuck Justin.

“Chris, thank you for the presentation.” Their advanced Medical Science teacher, Dr. Jones, was a small, unassuming woman with a shy smile, but she wasn’t fooling Tameka, either.

Tameka, Rayne, Sagan, and Kyle took this class because that one hundred and twenty pound PhD in neuroscience was a special forces operative in retirement. Xelan even encouraged the Progeny to learn basic first aid for the upcoming invasion. Unfortunately, because of some mix up with Mrs. Mendax in registration, the four Progeny couldn’t take the class together. So, Rayne and Tameka got to hang out with Pablo and Lynn first thing in the morning while Kyle and Sagan took Anatomy down the hall. Further up the north artery of the school, John and Nikki were working on the last of their foreign language requirement in senior year Spanish.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

It meant they could all walk to lunch together, at least.

Chris, presumably a fellow special ops, hugged Dr. Jones and waved goodbye to the class as he left. “Stay good and be nice to your teacher. Or else.” His smile was too kind for the stern warning at the end, and Tameka almost laughed trying to imagine a big teddy bear like him killing enemy soldiers.

But could Tameka kill someone? Take a life in the name of the greater good?

The dark notion sent her down a spiral only interrupted by the bell for first lunch. On A-days, the crew ate early, right after first period.

The class funneled into the hall, Pablo asking, “What did you guys think about the part where the skin might be too shredded to suture?”

“Mmm.” Lynn exaggerated the sound with a thick helping of sarcasm. “Can’t wait for whatever meat byproduct they’re feeding us for lunch today.”

Tameka laughed, grateful for Xelan’s lunch box diet requirements. Beside her, Rayne didn’t laugh or react at all. She looked hollowed out by a melon baller. Until…

Sagan emerged from Anatomy class with a cute bubblegum-blond kind of wave. Extra on the sugar. “Hey!” She immediately fixed herself to Rayne’s side, perking the brunette girl right out of her pitiful reverie.

“Hey.”

The two smiled at each other like lovesick goofballs, forcing Tameka to nudge them both forward. “C’mon. This grilled chicken with veggie medley won’t eat itself.”

“Fuck that. I’m having pizza.” Kyle had also arrived.

Tameka worked to ignore him, especially his furtive glances in Rayne’s direction until the brunette girl acknowledged him with a side hug, saying, “You know you’ll need to burn the extra calories.”

In Rayne’s embrace, the boy’s entire body relaxed. “Yeah. Yeah. Extra cardio.”

Tameka rolled her eyes.

John, as a tall Native American, stood out in the crowd. Nikki, the shortest blond Tameka had ever met, didn’t. So she looked extra grateful for the tall boy to escort her to the center of the thickening herd, where the rest filed to lunch. They greeted the group, “Hey.” “What’s up?”

Tameka glanced John up and down. Since training with Xelan no one had called him scrawny. If they could see Nikki’s shoulders, biceps, and back, they’d find her equally intimidating. It was reassuring to be surrounded by so many capable people.

With that thought…

“Be back in a second.” While everyone else chatted, Tameka took a quick detour to her locker. There, she stole a quiet moment to reassess and consider the rest of her day. Shoving aside her weapon’s cache, she traded her backpack for her purse. Hidden from view, she checked her phone for text messages. The little Nokia almost fit in her hand, making it easy to scroll discretely.

One new message. It was from Xelan. After restraining a squeal of excitement, Tameka took a steadying breath and checked it.

Tomorrow night, you upgrade to chain dart. Wear padded gear.

Tameka beamed.

Finally.

“Ms. Phillips, that had better not be a cellphone in your locker.”

Tameka dropped the Nokia and whirled to find Mrs. Mendax at her back, looking none too pleased. One day, the strict ‘no tolerance’ policy on cellphones in school would seem stupid and archaic. But today was not that day.

“No, ma’am. I’m just getting a tampon.”

Mrs. Mendax loosened up at the mention of female problems and nodded before turning away.

That was a close one. For someone who couldn’t walk in heels, their principal was awfully stealthy in them.

Tameka found the others in the cafeteria at their usual spot, but today was special. Sagan sat beside Rayne. Out in the open.

This was shaping up to be a great day.