Jessica POV
The resort was beautiful. It was like a dream that I didn't want to leave. The laughter of the boys who consider me as their little sister brought me out of my thoughts. The bandages around their eyes were gone, replaced by sunglasses. They seemed the same as they were before the incident, but I knew that they were holding their fears from others outside of their little group.
I frowned, growing jealous of their friend dynamics. Why didn't I have that? Why did I not have any friends that I could consider family? Why did Kota talk me out of joining the Academy? If he hadn't, I could have the same thing as him.
Don't get me wrong. I love them like my family. They treated me like their own sibling and made sure I was safe. I knew I could always count on them. I dearly love my brother and mom, but sometimes I wish I had others I could go to. People I could talk to when you can't turn to your own family. People that were bound together by a secret that others couldn't know.
Kota has such a deep bond with the other eight. I know that the Academy has secrets. Secrets that no one but their members are to know. I remember wanting to be part of that. I wanted to have a group of people to call my team, my family, but I remember the nine cold eyes that shoved me away from that idea. Birds are known to be put in hard situations, but shouldn't I be the one who makes that decision?
Where was my family?
An arm came around me, and Luke's sweet cologne reminded me of sugar cookies. He leaned against me, almost knocking me to the floor if I hadn't braced my knees. "Exactly, kiddo. Now, I know that you're here to help us, but make sure you have tons of fun." His voice lowered to a whisper. "Maybe we can go to the kitchen and make some cookies."
The overprotective, go-green brother sounded so disappointed. "Luke, my radar is going off. You better not be doing anything stupid."
My lips twitched as Luke loudly gasped in false shock. He grabbed his shirt where his heart was as if he was hurt by him. "Me? When have I done anything stupid?"
I shook, trying not to laugh. No matter the situation, Luke always made people smile. It was his gift. But it was also a curse because no one really took him seriously.
Uncle spoke. He looked so done. "Luke, a few weeks ago, you put pancake batter in the toaster because you wondered if pancakes tasted better toasted."
I couldn't help but laugh before turning towards North. "You have a radar?"
North sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Live with him over a decade, and you'll be able to sense when he's about to do something that you'll regret."
Nathan snorted behind me. "That's for sure."
His comment made the smile on my face become stiff. How would I know? The only people I've lived with was Kota and he wasn't home most of the time. The Blackbourne team might treat me like their sister, but there is a line that I can't clearly cross. There would always be secrets between the two of us, and I don't want that. But I also know that I'm not fully part of their family.
The rest of the conversation continued before our guide Rachel laughed and spoke. "Please, stop. You're making it hard for me to stay professional. If all of you are ready, I'll lead you to your rooms."
She started to lead us down the hallways, slowly because Raven wasn't such a great guide. Sean tripped two...or ten, times before Raven just grunted and picked him up, carrying him like a bag of potatoes over his shoulder. Sean started to gripe and the group stopped as everyone tried to get Raven to let Sean down.
I sighed at the ruckus my brothers and their friends made. Reaching for my bag for gum, I brushed against my empty side. I looked down, disappointed when I noticed that my bag wasn't there. Turning towards my mom, I told her that I was going back to the car to grab it. Mom just nodded, giving me the car keys. We both knew that Raven would be stubborn and the group wouldn't move for at least another five to ten minutes or until Corey convinced Raven to let him down to make out with him.
Retracing my steps, I made it to the lobby where I saw Dr. Roberts talking to an unfamiliar girl. I blinked, taking in her appearance. She was smaller than I. Most girls were shorter than me since I was 5'8. I was tall but not too tall, thankfully. Her hair was a golden blonde that was pulled back into a low ponytail. A white medical mask covered the lower part of her face. Bright green eyes, brighter than Kota's and even Sean's, shone as she laughed at Dr. Roberts. She wore a pair of straight jeans with a loose white shirt. A baggy black sweater hung on her frame. Her outfit was completed with black slip-on shoes, a gold necklace, and rings on her fingers.
Dr. Roberts saw me and smiled. "Ah, Jessica!"
I smiled, walking towards him. He was like a father and grandfather mix figure to me. He was the father that I never knew. He was also the one who encouraged me to follow my dreams. He was even willing to help me enter the Academy, despite Kota's and the other's disagreement.
He motioned towards the girl next to him. "This is Jessica, the girl I was talking about."
The blonde haired girl turned towards me. She held out her hand which I took. I didn't let my shock show as her hands gripped mine strongly despite seeming frail. Her eyes crinkled, her happiness showing through her body movements. "Hi. My name is Sang. Dr. Roberts has told me a lot about you."
I glanced at the doctor. "Oh, really?"
She nodded. "He told me that you would like to join the Academy, but your brother and his team doesn't want you to join." A blush overtook my face. I didn't want my family to be seen in a bad light. Sang must have seen my embarrassment before she shook her hands in front of her. "Ah, I meant no disrespect to your brother and his team. Being an agent can be very difficult and scary. I've come across others who don't want their siblings to join because of the dangers that they have faced, especially with Birds. But sometimes they forget that there are some agents that don't do the frontline work."
I tilted my head to the side. "Huh?"
She smiled. "Most men, not all but most, tend to forget that there are agents that work behind the scene. You don't have to go undercover or do dangerous things."
My cheeks heated in embarrassment. "Uh, I don't really understand."
Dr. Roberts patted my shoulder. "That's okay. That's why I want Sang to meet you. She'll tell you about the Academy and other functions. During the time you and the others are here, she'll be here to train you."
Blinking in shock, I stuttered. "Wh-what about mom and Kota?"
Dr. Roberts chuckled. "I already got permission from your mom and the other medical personnel. You're exempt from babysitting." His grip tightened in assurance. His blue eyes growing serious. "Kota tells you that the Academy is family, but he has shoved you into the background in an attempt to shield you from the dangers of the world. I understand where he's coming from, but your mom has seen the interest in your eyes. She knows that you want to work in the Academy and has given me the permission to introduce you to other Academy members."
Sang piped in. "And don't worry about your brother and his team." Her green eyes were as serious as Dr. Roberts. "This is your choice. I'll be along side you, and if you find out that you don't want to become an agent, that's fine. The Academy won't shun you because of your decision."
A smile hesitantly appeared on my face before it grew. "You're giving me a choice?"
Dr. Roberts and Sang shared a smile and looked at me. Although I couldn't see Sang's smile, I could tell she was supporting me. "What are the Academy rules?"
"Family First. When family isn't there, the Academy is." I quoted from memory.
Dr. Roberts nodded. "And here we are."
Hi! So I really love this chapter. I realized in the last chapter and the comments that Jessica is treated like their sister. In canon, Kota wants to keep Sang away from the Academy so he would be the same towards Jessica, right?
Unlike my other books, I will be including Jessica more in this and her growth. It's more of a side story that will be mentioned more in the continuing chapters mixed in with Sang and Blackbourne team scenes.
But I like to state if some of you don't really understand. Jessica wants a family to call her own. Sure she has blood family and people that consider her like their own sister. But imagine it like you want to move away from depending on your family to finding yourself with other people. If that makes sense?
I hope that makes sense. If it doesn't, ask me questions. I'll happily answer them to my best ability.
I hope you guys like this chapter.