Breeding in the Academy: Searching for Freedom (All 14)

Chapter 27

Turning towards the Prime, I pulled my arm from Luke's who pouted slightly before straightening once again. A professional mask had shuttered over their faces, and I frowned. They were in front of people they clearly didn't know their personalities and weren't sure of their behavior towards them. As Prime, they were conditioned not to show weakness which would be an asset for becoming an agent but not to form relationships.

I knew that I couldn't tell them not to do that and expect them to immediately do it. It will take time and trust for them to open up. The only reason they were more open was because I was the one who saved them and were "attracted" to me, but once they begin to open to others, they can find others to put that attraction on. No matter how stubborn Mr. Blackbourne was about his feelings and the other's feelings towards me, bar my brother, were about me, their affection was based on me saving them.

Affections were fickle and could easily tear your whole self apart. It could make you feel like you have the whole world in your hands, and the next moment, it could make you feel like you were worth less than dirt. Affections, especially love, can destroy a person, and I don't want to suffer that again.

I pulled out ten cards from my pocket. They were black and had a number and initials etched in them. A sticky note was plastered on the back of each card. Holding them up, I looked at the Prime. "These are your cards. You keep them on you, understand me?" They nodded at my serious tone. "These cards have fingerprint technology, meaning that they will only respond to you. These will be your cards to enter your dorm. They allow you to go into the places you are authorized for. They are also linked to a bank account that money you earn will go into. The note on the cards is a pin number, which will allow you to make purchases. This is a way to verify that you are making a purchase. These cards might be work on your fingerprints, but there are some around here who can bypass that. Do not give your pin number out to anyone. If you do and a they take your card, they will spend your money. Understand?"

Ten heads nodded at me, and I smiled. I passed them out, giving the card to the rightful person. As I gave the card to Mr. Blackbourne, our fingers touched, and I stilled. Looking up, my green eyes met silver which were already staring at me. I pulled back, wiping my hands on my pants discretely. "Your cards also record your meal times. You get one breakfast, one lunch, and one dinner. Now let's eat."

The ten followed me through the cafeteria, like a pack of chicks following their mom. Although their facial expressions didn't show it, their body language did when the people in the cafeteria seemed to lower at the sight of us. Ignoring the gawking crowd, I pushed a tray in the hands of the man behind me who happened to be Victor. I looked at them. "Ignore them for now. They are not only shocked at you but also me."

The Prime took my words and went through the line, ordering the options that were available. They had about three different entrées of a burger, chicken dish, or tofu dish for the vegetarians, a side that consisted of a salad, mashed potatoes, or fries, and a desert which was a piece of chocolate cake or apple pie. The drinks were water, coffee, sweet tea, and lemonade. Carbonated drinks were special since we really didn't have a way to make it after Damien made the machine catch on fire just by drawing some in his cup. Until the inventors can remake a soda machine that was Damien-proof, sodas were for special occasions.

Once we got through the line, I made them follow me to the furthest table. My shoulders relaxed at the familiar sight of the Toma team and Damien already eating and chattering away. The Prime seemed to relax, too, at the sight of familiar people. I sat down next to Damien, and Milo immediately slid to my right.

His sharp glare at the other Prime showed that he wouldn't let others next to her. He was her brother, and although they were his friends for years, he was still protective of his twin. He hadn't spent much time with her, and they could wait for a few weeks...or years.