CHAPTER 32

The Future Is Ahead.

The Past Is Behind.

It wasn’t the next day, or even the day after that Iva and Andy finally came back. It was, in fact, the following Saturday, well after the ability tests were over. With Jack’s encouragement, Benjamin managed to drag himself through.

“So what do you think will happen to Iva and Andy?” Benjamin asked. “Are they gonna flunk everything?”

Heidi shook her head. “I checked with Proteus. They’ll advance one level in each subject.”

“You mean if I didn’t even go to these tests, I would have done the exact same?” Gary asked.

“You only got one level in each subject?” Benjamin said. “Me, too.”

“Hey, me three,” Heidi said. “I’m just happy to get out of level two telekinesis.”

“Do you think we really have to keep taking telekinesis?” Gary asked.

“Of course you do.” Benjamin’s stomach growled. “Anyone else ready for lunch?”

They headed to the dining hall, but when they walked in, Benjamin felt dread in the pit of his empty stomach.

“What happened to the menus?” he asked. “Please, just please, tell me Leena Teasag isn’t working.”

“I’m afraid it’s true,” Magic Pan said, already ahead of them in line. “This morning after breakfast, the menu system again went off line.”

“How very coincidental,” Heidi said.

“Yeah, last day of school and we have to eat strained spinach,” Gary added.

“I am sure I’ll be able to figure out the problem by next year,” Magic said.

“Yes, I’m sure you will,” Benjamin said, looking at Heidi.

She smirked and nodded her head, but said nothing.

They sat at a table near the back—just the three of them. Benjamin looked out across the cafeteria. “You think he’s going to get that kind of attention once he gets back to Russia?” He motioned toward Nick Konstantin who, as always, was surrounded by a throng of girls.

“Probably,” Heidi said. “There’s just something special about Nick.”

Benjamin laughed. “Don’t let Andy hear you say that.”

But Heidi didn’t hear his reply. She’d stopped eating and dropped her fork. Standing up, she stared across the cafeteria to the door. Benjamin followed her gaze.

Iva and Andy stood at the entryway, holding hands. Benjamin rubbed his eyes to make sure. Yes, they were holding hands. Slowly, the entire dining hall grew silent and stared at the couple.

They did look older. Andy’s hair was long, reaching well past his neck. And his shoulders, once about the same size as Benjamin’s, looked about twice as wide. And Iva looked years more mature—not just the one year she’d been gone. Her calm eyes looked through the students.

Benjamin heard a large clattering sound and turned to see Ryan Jordan staring wide eyed at Iva. His plate was in pieces at his feet. Julie glared at Iva and grabbed Ryan’s arm like she thought it would run away. Jonathan was also watching Iva, but it wasn’t with the same puppy-dog face as Ryan. He looked annoyed. But then, why shouldn’t he be? His number one competitor in telegnosis had just come back from nowhere.

All at once, Andy must have noticed the entire dining hall watching them. He looked down at his left hand and quickly released Iva’s own hand from his. Benjamin felt Iva’s hurt through the Alliance bond. Was Andy stupid? Still? Even after a year alone with Iva?

Iva spotted them and started walking over, ignoring the rest of the tables, and Andy followed close behind. Heidi didn’t wait for Iva to reach the table. She ran over to her friend and hugged her. “What took you guys so long?”

“We were starting to think you’d never come back,” Benjamin said.

“Sometimes it felt like the year would never be over,” Andy said. “But Apollo was good for his word, with a little encouragement from Ananya, of course.”

Heidi bit her lip. “So how was it? Was it horrible?”

“No, it wasn’t horrible,” Iva said. “I would never want to stay there, but I’m glad I’ve had the experience.” She laughed. “And I’m glad the experience is behind me.”

“You guys missed your ability tests,” Gary said. “We got our results this morning.”

“I don’t feel like I missed any kind of testing,” Iva said. “I’ve been tested constantly for the last year. Working for Apollo is challenging, to say the least.”

“Well, your time with Apollo is behind you,” Heidi said. “That’s what’s important.”

“Let’s hope,” Iva said.

“So what did we miss?” Andy asked.

“Who cares,” Heidi said. “We want to hear all about Delphi.”

“Not yet,” Iva said. “We just got back, and I’m tired. And I’m not quite ready to talk about it.”

Benjamin noticed Iva and Andy still remained close, even though they weren’t holding hands. What had happened for the last year in Delphi? Were Andy and Iva dating? He’d make sure to ask Andy about it once they returned to Virginia tomorrow morning.

“Ivana?”

They all turned in the direction of the speaker. Nick Konstantin stood a few feet away.

“Hi, Nick.” Iva smiled at him.

He beamed back in return. “Iva, where ’ave you been? I ’ave missed you more than words describe.”

“You didn’t look like you missed her.” Andy pretty much snarled his reply. “How’d you disentangle yourself from all those girls?”

“Ah, the girls.” Nick waved his hand dismissively. “They are but diversion from Iva, of course.”

“Of course they are,” Andy said.

Iva ignored Andy. “I’m fine, Nick. I just had to go on a trip. But now I’m back, and everything’s normal again.”

Nick clapped his hands together in front of him. “I am so ’appy to ’ear that. Would I be asking too much if I requested permission to keep in touch with you over the next year?”

Okay, Benjamin had to give Nick some credit. That took nerve. He wasn’t going to give up on Iva so easily.

“Yes,” Andy said. “It would be asking too much.”

“Andy!” Iva said. “That’s rude. That would be fine, Nick. I’d love to hear from you.”

“Can I keep in touch with you too, Iva?” Andy asked.

Iva cast him a glance that would have flash-frozen water.

“Then I shall look forward to it.” Nick delicately lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed the back of it.

Iva smiled in return.

Andy stared at her like she’d lost her mind. “You’re not seriously going to talk to him over the year, are you?” he asked once Nick had walked away.

“Why not?” Iva said. “He just wants to be my friend.”

“Friend! Give me a break. He wants to be your boyfriend.”

“Don’t act so jealous, Andy,” Iva said.

“I’m not jealous. I just think it’s ridiculous that you would keep in touch with him,” Andy said.

“And why shouldn’t I?” Iva asked. “You’re the one that obviously doesn’t want anyone to see us holding hands.”

“I don’t care if anyone sees us,” Andy said.

“They why’d you let go of my hand?” Iva asked.

“I didn’t.”

“Yes. You did.”

“Hey, you guys. I hate to break this up, but why don’t we talk about this later,” Benjamin said. “People are staring.”

Whatever conversation Andy and Iva had later, it didn’t include Benjamin. And he decided against asking Andy about it. Instead, he packed his bags and went to sleep, thinking about his trip home.

The atrium was packed when they arrived after breakfast.

“I hope you have a wonderful year,” Proteus said. “And we’ll see you back here again next summer. Make sure you plan out your schedules before you get back.”

“I planned mine out last night,” Gary said.

“That figures,” Andy said.

Benjamin looked around. “Hey, where’s Heidi?”

Andy didn’t even hesitate. “Over there.” He pointed across the atrium. Heidi rested against a column, talking with Josh. Benjamin watched as Josh leaned over and kissed her on the lips before walking away. Heidi placed her hand to her mouth—just for a second—and her hair turned platinum blond.

“You think they’ll be talking on the telecom this coming year?” Andy asked.

“Who?” Benjamin asked, pretending he hadn’t seen. Had Josh really just kissed Heidi?

“Yeah, whatever dude,” Andy said. “You can act all you want. But now you have something to think about for the whole year.”

“I’ll be busy thinking about Cory and whatever mission Helios sent him on.” Benjamin tried to shove the image of Josh kissing Heidi out of his mind. “Plus I need to figure out how to find my other brother.”

Gary perked up. “I’ve been doing a lot of research, and I have some fantastic ideas.”

“Great! Let’s make sure we get together,” Benjamin said.

“Are you guys making plans without us?” Heidi asked.

“It seemed like you were already making plans of your own,” Benjamin said before he could stop himself. Now why had he gone and said that?

Heidi rolled her eyes, but didn’t deny it. “Just make sure to include me.”

“I learned some pretty good telegnostic techniques I think could help,” Iva said. “How about I give you a call in a couple weeks, and we can talk about it.”

Benjamin nodded his reply. He was next in line for the teleporter, and with each step, he was more ready to get home. Derrick and Douglas would be waiting to levitate cars with him, and Becca could probably already sense his impending arrival.

“I think we’ll be able to get together a lot this year,” Benjamin said. “After the fiasco with Nathan Nyx, I don’t think my dad will make me work in his office again.”

Andy laughed. “Good thing. I couldn’t take a repeat of that.”

“Did they find Nathan yet?” Heidi asked.

“No,” Benjamin said. “I talked with Helios early this morning, and he said there was still no sign of him.”

“I guess I don’t have to tell you to be careful,” Iva said. “Nathan is dangerous and not out of our futures.”

Iva—always the bearer of good news.

“Okay,” Benjamin said. “I’ll be waiting for your call.”

“Better yet, let’s plan on meeting somewhere fun,” Heidi said. “How about Egypt?”

“Sounds like a plan,” Benjamin said.

“Let’s meet by the Sphinx,” Gary said.

“Egypt? Two weeks? Sounds great,” Benjamin said.

“It’s your turn, Benjamin Holt,” the old man with the colossal ears operating the teleporter announced. “Step right up. Your future awaits you.”

Benjamin laughed. “I hope it’s only my future that awaits me this year.”