Free Battlefield by J. F. Jenkins Page A

he didn’t get a response from Orlando. “Do you understand what is going on?”
    Orlando managed a slight nod, trying to make it match in time with whatever Peyton was going on about. He gave a weak smile. “I gotta get going to my next class. Sorry, we’ll continue talking about this later.” He gave Alan a glance, trying to find a way to communicate that he knew and heard everything. His want to “infiltrate”, however, wasn’t there. That sounded hostile, dangerous, and a little scary. Why couldn’t he just go to a football game and enjoy it, and what he saw was what he saw?
    Three hours later and he was finally home. He let the door close loudly behind him. Lyssa would still be at work, and he would be alone. He could get away with anything for the next couple of hours. One of the cats wandered by to check out the noise, and he bent over to pick up the enormous orange-and-white fluffball, carrying him into the den.
    â€œJimmy, how nice of you to come out and say hi.” The cat meowed at him. “Good to see you too. How are you today?” The animal struggled in his grasp the second he sat down on the white leather loveseat. “No, Jimmy. It’s time for some cuddling. Your brother had a long day today and needs a hug.” This earned him back claws in his arm. “Ow! Jimmy!” He scowled and dropped the cat onto the floor again and watched him run away.
    The phone rang while he nursed his wound. “My first day was fine, Lyssa. Go enjoy your break,” he said as he washed off the blood on his arm.
    â€œWhat’d you learn?”
    â€œThat our house is bigger than my new school?”
    â€œAnything else?”
    He sighed. “Mas palabras en mi clase de Espanol?”
    â€œAre the kids nice?”
    â€œSure, I’m totally BFFL with the quarterback of the football team, and I’m pretty sure his hot, twin sister, who’s probably the head cheerleader, hates my guts. Drama, let me tell you.” He wanted to add: and I found out that my school is the headquarters for an evil alien tribe that’s trying to wage war here on Earth. “You know, the usual. Oh, and I’m totally popular. I got checked out by a lot of underclassmen.”
    â€œSounds like you had an eventful day then,” Lyssa teased. “I’m glad you’re adjusting so well. Now, I don’t want you to flip out or anything, but I’m not going to be coming home right away after work.”
    How convenient. “Oh?”
    â€œYeah, I actually might be in kind of late.” She was hesitating. He knew instantly what she was going to say. “I kind of have a date with a co-worker tonight.”
    â€œOh?” She hadn’t had a date since high school, and that was five years ago, and because his parents weren’t around to look after her, give her a hard time, and make sure the guy she was seeing was worthwhile, that meant it was his job.
    â€œAnd I don’t even get to meet him first? Lyssa!”
    â€œBecause I know you’d grill him to the point of no return, and I’d like at least one pleasant date first.”
    â€œFine, but if you’re not home before midnight—”
    â€œWe’re just going to a movie, all right? Then maybe some dessert.”
    â€œAnd you mean actual dessert, right? Like ice cream or cake? Not lacy thongs and kinky whipped cream time?”
    â€œOrly, really!”
    â€œI just want to make sure he doesn’t violate you.”
    â€œHe wouldn’t be violating me, thank you very much.”
    â€œWell, I don’t want you to be easy either.”
    â€œI’m not a—. I have no intentions of letting him touch me tonight all right? See, this is why I didn’t want to tell you in the first place. You’re freaking out on me.”
    â€œWell, someone has to make sure you stay closed for business.”
    â€œI’ll be home later. That’s all I