“Why do they keep using them, then?”
“The first named command every faerie gets is to serve IPCA. They think they can control the faeries--I know they can't,” I muttered darkly. I looked down at his sketch. “Man, you are so good at that. ”
“Nice subject. And I like your outfit. ” I couldn't tell from his smile whether he was serious or poking fun at me.
“I can bring you some boots like this along with the shorts, if you want. ”
He laughed. “Just because I can look like a girl doesn't mean I want to dress like one. ”
“You're right. You probably don't have the calves for them, anyway. ” Standing, I stretched. “I'd probably better go. Technically I don't even know where they're keeping you. ” I winked at him.
“You should take these, then. You can practice. ” He handed me the sketchbook and pencils. “You'll come back, right?”
“Sure. You're the coolest person here. ” He started to smile, so I shook my head, putting on a mock-?serious face. “Don't be flattered--most of your competition is undead. ”
I sat down on my chair and rolled backward out of his room. He watched me, laughing silently, and I gave him a jaunty salute. Back in my unit, I pulled out the sketchbook and looked at his drawings. Mine were pathetic in comparison, but I was much, much happier than I had been before I went to see him. Pulling out the pencils, I started practicing.
The whole next week I didn't get a chance to sneak into Lend's room. Between my usual classes and Raquel being extra attentive (read: annoying) I didn't have any free time. Every day that I didn't see him got more frustrating. Finally, the weekend came again. I was hoping against hope that Raquel would be busy.
The buzz at my door as I finished getting ready Saturday morning made me think otherwise. Raquel walked in, smiling. “Don't you look nice,” she commented.
Of course I looked nice--I wanted to go see Lend that day. I forced a smile. “What's up?”
“I don't know, I thought maybe we could go somewhere today. Anywhere you like--the beach, the mall again, a movie. ”
“Really?” This was new. Usually field trips were carefully scheduled and coordinated. For the most part we visited museums that had to do with my current curriculum. I used to like that when I was younger. We'd walked around and I'd pretended Raquel was my mom and we were a normal mother and daughter. Of course, taking the Faerie Paths back always ruined the illusion.
“Things have been pretty hectic; we could both use a break. ”
“Okay, sounds good!” I meant it. Much as I wanted to see Lend again, I hadn't been out of the Center all week.
Her communicator beeped. She looked down at it and a deep, worried frown crossed her face. And then, just when I was expecting a sigh, Raquel swore. She swore. That had never happened before, not as long as I could remember. Whatever the news was, it had to be really, really bad.
“I'm sorry,” she said, already racing for the door. “It's an emergency. ”
“Don't worry about it. ” I watched her go. I wanted to know what was up, but I knew that unless it involved me she wouldn't say anything. Never one to waste an opportunity, I grabbed my art supplies and the shorts I had ordered online, then headed for Lend's room, surprisingly fluttery at the thought of seeing him again.
Chapter Ten
POETRY AND HOLDING HANDS
Lend was lying on his bed with his back to the door when I got there. It must have been dead dull for him, trapped in here. I thought about letting him nap but figured he probably wouldn't want to. I tossed the pair of basketball shorts at his head. It would be nice to look at him without having to worry about seeing through his projected clothes.
He sat up, startled. Then, seeing me, he grinned. He was wearing the cute black guy again today. I liked this one's smile, but underneath Lend's smile was just as nice. “Hey,” he said. “Took you long enough. ”
I sighed, feigning nonchalance. “Some of us have a life, you know. ”
“Yeah, I remember what that was like. ” He pulled the shorts on underneath the covers. “Weird to have real clothes again. ”
“Aren't you freezing?”
He gave me a funny look. “It's not cold in here. ”
“You're crazy. ”
Pulling off the covers, he stood up. I laughed; the shorts were hanging over a pair of khaki pants. The pants dissolved, leaving a great set of legs.
“So, have you been practicing?”