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She lays the papers on the table and folds her hands over theood, especially considering how often you’ve changed schools Many teachers have remarked on your near-perfect test scores”
Near perfect Only because I realized when I was younger that I got too ot suspicious when I did too well on tests Other kids teaseda know-it-all And foster parents freaked out when I recited facts and details back to them
“In fact, we had your school run a few basic tests on your entire class so we could confirm our suspicions Your results stood out” A slow smile spreads across her lips “We know you have an exceptionalwhat you can do Perfect recall is a rare gift” She leans close, like we’re two friends sharing a secret “Don’t worry, we haven’t told anyone else about your unique talent, including your foster parents”
I’m tempted to bolt out of the room like I did at the job interview today I’ve worked so hard to hide my freaky memory over the years, but they know Yet Lynne doesn’t look at me like I’m a freak Instead, she eyesto see what kind of candy falls out of me I’m not sure I like that any better
She waits for , but when I don’t respond she sits back and continues “I’irls here Why is that?”
Her question catches e in topic “No one else will”
“I see” She looks down at the paper in front of her “Your record shows you’ve been in quite a few fights during your tio Want to tell me what happened?”
My stomach clenches at the memory It’s still fresh in irls deserved it, but I hate thinking about that day It’s one of those moments that ives me a smile, which I can tell is fake I’ve seen that kind of smile before on social workers, teachers, and foster parents The s to be patient with a kid who doesn’t want to cooperate “Do you like to fight?”
“No,” I say again “But I will if I have to”
“Good, good” She see bells in my head But before I can question that, she continues “We’d like to hter and hope floodson my face I don’t want her to kno desperate I aroup of extraordinary teens to participate in a short research project, which will take place tomorrow at one of our facilities near here We’ll pick you up in the , so you’ll only miss one day of school The project is confidential, so I’m afraid I can’t disclose any other details at this time” Her smile widens, her teeth perfect and white “What I can tell you is that this is a once-in-a-lifetireatly rewarded for participating”
Her offer is te blind I study Lynne’s expensive clothes and her fancy nails, trying to iine what kind of “research project” Aether Corp could be doing with foster kids Froroup WatchingOr ifted” teens and want to ask us questions, have us solve puzzles, stuff like that But then, as she so pleased to hear I could fight? And why are the details confidential?
“We’ve already obtained peruardians” She slides forward a stack of papers, the top one signed by overnment authorities Below it, there’s a blank line with nature “Please read over the contract and let me know if you have any questions”