Free Remainder by Stacy H. Pan Page A

thankful she is not making me do something else even more awkward that I do not want to do.
    I am engrossed in people-watching when I hear a shy "hi." I turn and see a happy familiar face. "Alden," I say surprised. I have not seen him since my first day in the Research Center.
    "How are you, Enforcer-656?" He smiles sweetly and his question is full of concern.
    "I am okay, all things considered." I give him a small smile in return. He nods his head as if he understands my feelings.
    "This is quite a party," he exclaims as he waves his hand and looks around. I am thankful for the change in topic. I do not want to talk about the events from today or my feelings.
    "Yes it is. I am surprised to see you here."
    "My brother asked me to help him with the food. Milo. He works in the kitchen here. You may have met him."
    "Yes. I have met him. He is very nice." I think back to the other day when I met Milo for the first time. I knew there was something familiar about him. It all makes sense now. I take notice of Alden’s black backpack and decide to ask him about it. “What’s that?” I ask, pointing to his bag. 
    “Oh, it’s my laptop. I always have it with me, except at work, of course. I guess you can call me a computer nerd.” He beams his contagious smile at me and I can’t help but smile back. “Enforcer, I really hope you are okay here." He looks around to see if anyone is in earshot and then steps closer. "Milo and I, we’re not like other pure bloods. If you ever need anything, Milo knows how to get in touch with me. You have to be careful. There's a lot of people, especially pure bloods, who you cannot trust."
    I give him a puzzled look.
    He nods his head in agreement like he understands the reason for the look on my face. "I know, I know. I just told you to be careful of who you trust, but then told you that you can trust me and Milo. I hope in time, you will see that you can trust us."
    "Thank you," is all I can manage to say. I want to trust him. I feel in my gut that I can trust him. However, I am guarded. Training Day and the draining today have shown me that pure bloods don’t care about people like me. Alden is right. I have to be careful. It is up to me to protect myself. “Can I ask you something?”
    “Of course,” Alden responds with a smile.
    “Why were you in the auditorium during Training Day? I saw you...on the last row...at the top.” I look at him intently, waiting for his response.
    Alden looks uncomfortable, almost embarrassed. For a moment I consider breaking the silence and telling him that he does not have to answer or changing the subject completely. I push the thought from my mind. No. I want to know why he was there.  If I am going to trust him, I need to know why he was there.
    “I go to the Training Days whenever I get the opportunity. They reinforce what I believe is right….and wrong. I am a friend to you, Enforcer-656, and people like you. Clones have friends everywhere. You just have to look.”
    Alden looks out into the crowd and a frown crosses his face. I look to see what has changed his mood and I see Alec staring at us with a disapproving look. What's his problem?
    Alden looks back at me and smiles weakly. "I should go find my brother," he says. "It was good to see you, Enforcer.” Alden starts to walk away, but then turns back to face me. “Be careful," he warns and turns back in the direction he was heading.
    I look back at Alec and he has a more placid look on his face. I guess it gives him pleasure to see me alone. If that is true, he is going to make it his mission to ensure I have no friends. Everything about that man infuriates me. I turn away from him since I can’t bear to look at him.
    I hear a squeal and see Bailey stumbling towards me while holding on to an attractive guy, while another guy follows them. She is obviously drunk.
    "There you are! Why...why aren't you drinking?" she asks me. She places a hand on the guy's chest as he holds her up. "This is my