I packed what supplies I could find and am leaving to find other survivors, hopefully some with more information.
—The diary of Megan Jean
The group had returned from the orphanage hours ago, but Madame Dulac’s question and Mia’s lack of an answer still plagued her. She barely touched her dinner. Now as she walked along the grounds with Flo she didn’t find herself any more alert.
“Mia?”
“What?” Mia looked up at Flo, who wore a mischievous grin.
“You haven’t said a word all evening,” Flo said. “Are you lost in your head?”
“Sorry,” Mia said. “I suppose I’m just nervous.”
“Only two more nights until we fly out,” Flo said. “Don’t worry. You’ll do fine. What did you think of the children?”
“Wonderful,” Mia said. “I didn’t realize other countries had problems with parents not taking care of their kids.”
“The whole world has problems,” Flo said. “It’s how the people manage them that shows their character.”
“What kind of person do you think I am?” Mia asked. “I know that we just met, but lately I’m not sure who I am anymore.”
“I think you are brave and intelligent,” Flo said. “I think you put others before yourself and are scared to upset people. But what I think shouldn’t matter. The only opinion that should is the one you have of yourself. What kind of person do you think you are?”
Mia sighed and shook her head.
“Have you been questioning yourself lately?” Flo asked.
“I feel like I’m not my own person,” Mia said. “I have these specific goals. If we are successful and the Registry is stopped, what then? I feel like a symbol, not a person.”
“You will find a way,” Flo said. “Trust in yourself. Are you still upset with Andrew?”
“No,” Mia said.
“Have you spoken to him?”
Mia shook her head.
“Go see him tonight,” Flo said. “Sometimes seeing ourselves reflected in another’s eyes helps.”
“Won’t that draw attention?” Mia asked.
“We can go now,” Flo said. “People will think we are reviewing our security detail for the trip.”
Flo switched directions before Mia could object. She didn’t know why she wanted to anyway. Maybe Flo was right and seeing Andrew would do Mia some good.
They arrived at the employee housing and as Flo had promised she walked off with Zack. Jesse and Bryan weren’t around and Mia was left with Carter and Andrew.
“How’s learning to act French?” Carter asked.
“Interesting,” Mia said. “How’s being a bodyguard?”
“Boring,” Carter said.
He stood up from the couch and started to leave.
“Where are you going?” Mia asked.
“To leave you two alone,” Carter said.
Mia wanted to tell him to stay, but she did want alone time with Andrew. She took his spot next to Andrew.
“How are you?” Mia asked.
“Nervous,” Andrew said.
“Did you memorize your cover story?”
Andrew relaxed on the couch and turned toward Mia. He lifted his hand and started to twirl a lock of her fake hair.
“I’m nervous for you,” Andrew said. “There’s a lot riding on this.”
“For some reason I’m not that scared,” Mia said. “Flo is very smart and she’s in charge.”
Mia lifted one of her legs and tucked it under herself. She placed a hand on the couch between her and Andrew. He lifted his free hand and set it on top of hers.
“We can still call this off,” Andrew said. “France is a safe country. The two of us can live here together.”
“You know that’s not an option,” Mia said.
“I had to say it anyway.”
Mia thought about the type of person she wanted to become and Flo’s suggestion about open and honest communication.
“Why wouldn’t you let me help out on the trip over here?” Mia said. “Or at least include me in the planning?”
“We’ve been over this,” Andrew said.
“I have helped a lot,” Mia said. “I was just as important to you when we stopped the militia from raiding Affinity and you didn’t object. I saw the look in your eyes. You know more about this mission than I do.”
“It was Zack’s call,” Andrew said.
“So you’re back to following orders?”
Andrew pulled his hand away and Mia grabbed it back, pressing it between both her palms.
“That’s not fair,” Andrew said.
“I didn’t like being treated that way,” Mia said. “Promise you won’t keep me in the dark?”
“I can’t,” Andrew said. “This is what you wanted. If anything bad happens to you the plan falls apart.”
“What about you?”
“I’m expendable,” Andrew said.
“No,” Mia said. “If anything happens to me, would you fall apart?”
Andrew looked Mia straight in the eyes. He let out a light laugh and his eyes went warm. He opened his mouth to answer but then shut his lips and shook his head. That look was all Mia needed to know his answer was yes. She reached up and grabbed his chin, pulling his face down toward hers, and planted a light kiss on his lips.
“You’re not expendable to me,” Mia said. “And you can’t protect me from everything. Especially if your protection gets in the way of me living my life.”
Andrew brought his hand down on Mia’s back and started rubbing up and down.
“I want to though,” Andrew said.
“That’s not your call,” Mia said.
“I promise,” Andrew said. “I won’t keep you in the dark.”
Mia leaned her head against Andrew’s shoulder and he wrapped his arm around her. She closed her eyes. Flo was right. Talking about this and letting go of her anger did make Mia feel much better.