In homeroom, before class started, Dobin pulled Lana into a corner in the back.
"I never asked. What's the story behind Blaine's apology and him giving you that bracelet?"
Lana explained how he helped her then asked her about the blanket and her explanation upset him.
"He punched a wall?!?!" Dobin asked.
Lana giggled. "I know, right?'
"He's right though… You aren't unlovable. You need to get that shit propaganda out of your head. A lot of people care. More than you know. Maybe I'm wrong about him. I don't know. He does seem quite attentive toward you."
"He is. Now let's take our seats. The teacher is here."
They sat through their morning classes with Lana not really hearing the teacher. Her brain was stuck at "shit propaganda." While Lana knew that on some level, her survival for 10 years was dependent on her believing those words and many others like them. She felt the forced inward reflection. Do I want to feel useless, unworthy, unlovable, undeserving of any position in society? Why do I cling to such words? They were once a safety net but that net is no longer needed. Or is that the fear? Working without a net? Like taking the training wheels off a bike?
Lana sighed to herself and took up her pen. Soon she was writing notes with no idea what she was writing. She would need to use her notes this evening to find out what class was about.
At lunch time, Dobin put his arm around her shoulders, "too much to think about? You've been distracted since we talked."
Lana nodded, "ten years of programming, of being in survival mode. How do I undo this?"
"I don't know. I don't even understand how you let it happen."
Blaine stepped out of his classroom as they walked passed. He heard everything they just said and frowned while his eye twitched.
Lana's class let out faster so his class marched behind hers, eye twitching the whole way.
{Kyle: I want to find those responsible and play that old Barney song nonstop for ten years!}
{Blaine: Only if they are hanging by their toe nails the whole time with just enough food to survive, never feeling full, always enjoying the taste of thirst, blood dripping from their fingertips with a healer coming in just before death for the process to repeat all over again.}
{Kyle chuckled: She means that much to you, huh?}
{Blaine: She's pure Heaven.}
{Kyle: That she is. Let's see if we can help her.}
As soon as his formation was dismissed, he ran to catch up to her, "are you okay?"
She nodded, "I… I think there's something I need to do. But I'm scared. If I make an appointment, can you come with me?"
"Your wish is my command, my dear."
Lana nodded then waited by the door for everyone to get a tray of food that was getting one. She made sure Duff understood the lunch-time procedure as this was his first day being fully incorporated. She allowed him time on his own to study first. The park bench was closer to the school's classrooms than her tree was so they were going to go there. They tried lunch at her tree on a school day a few times and it was just too tight on time. Chekof and Karlen took their meals to go. Rene had now joined their party as well.
They still needed to incorporate Tobias. It was always hard bringing someone into an established group. Dobin and Almin both had boxed food as well so Lana wouldn't need to worry about meat. She could just make a salad and a soup and call it done.
Lana discussed her thoughts on a meal with Kattie and Almin who both stepped up. While they got started, she sent a text message. She got a prompt response.
[Is 6pm okay?]
[See you then.]
She was trembling at the thought of her appointment and Blaine drew her close. He whispered in her ear, "who's the appointment with?"
When Lana told him, he had an astonished look on his face which was slowly replaced with a caring smile, "I'm with you all the way. Whatever you need."
She snuggled into him under a tree while the others cooked. Duff studied his book and Lana was shocked to see he was more than halfway through it. In agriculture class, Lana told Cynthia to come to her tree after class. She had a question for her.
Cynthia was one of the more responsible members of her class and had the second-best grades. She simply wanted to amount to something some day and maybe help her family rise up from their station. Farming was considered one of the few labor-intensive jobs that had prestige in this age. Everyone needed to eat and the farmers that grew the best quality got first-pick in selling their products. She was determined to do her family proud. She stood 5 foot 8 inches tall with fiery red hair and a mind full of determination. Lana thought she was perfect for this task.
After the first hour, Blaine and Lana went to the DFAC to get some food samples before going to her tree. She couldn't process the samples herself. She had to take them to her chemistry lab and have her teacher help her. He showed her how to run the machine then let her return to her tree. She would process her own samples during class the next day. She could then compare the samples. This would happen over the next few weeks. Her fellow chemistry students and Paul were going to be filling out the surveys on how dishes tasted and how they felt after consuming them. That portion would happen throughout the month of March since the March portal outing got moved up.
The couple then headed back to the tree so she could grow all the food required for dinner. She also grew some food to use as samples for the next day and labeled them.
The tree informed her she had a visitor and gave her a visual. It was Cynthia. She asked the branches to part and asked the girl to come in. Lana invited her to the table.
"Cynthia, I invited you here because I was wondering if you've given thought to learning an ability."
"That sounds specific. It sounds like you have one you want me to learn? Why would you even offer such a thing?"
Lana grinned, "perceptive as always," she said as she pulled her snow globe out of her bag. "Blaine learns abilities by copying from others. I have an ability he needs so I'm looking for someone who would be interested in learning it." She placed the book on the table after pretending it was on the chair beside her the whole time.
Cynthia looked at the ability and started thinking of the ramifications. She opened the front cover and read the description.
Duplicate inanimate objects. Lower levels are not a permanent duplication. But last one hour per level up to seventh level. Levels 8, 9, and 10 are permanent based on the level of the gear copied. Level 10 of this ability can be duplicated permanently regardless of level the item is at.
"Lana, you know my family is poor, right? I can't buy this from you."
"All I'm asking is you learn it, secretly if you can, and let Blaine copy it from you. And I get to keep the book." Lana smiled knowing she'd be able to make a copy of it for herself.
"When can I start and where can I study where I won't get seen?"
"Right here in the tree and right now if you want. BUT, I only authorize you. You can't bring anyone with you. Understand there is a person following me and watching me while being invisible. He doesn't know I know because most people can't see invisible… If you come to study and the tree doesn't allow you to enter, that would be why."
"So….. You're in danger. And this ability will help you deal with that danger?"
Lana nodded, "one of the key pieces, honestly. You get a level-8 ability and we get the help we need to be safe."
Cynthia nodded, "agreed," and she stood up to shake hands which Lana happily returned. "Should I just sit here?"
Lana chuckled, "if you listen closely, our friends are approaching for dinner. I will feed you, but you won't be able to study with them here. Stand there," Lana pointed and handed her the book. She asked the tree to put her in the bedroom out loud so Cynthia could see how it worked.
Cynthia walked into her room then called down, "hey girlie, do you know what a slice of Heaven you have in here? You can study, take a nap then get back at it!" She had a playful, happy tone as though she had just been given a wonderful home.
Lana chuckled, "there's study space in my lab as well." She pointed to the other room, "we'll need to coordinate which room I'll be needing. But you can study here."
Lana put her globe back in her bag, turning it off as her friends entered.
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