Chapter Sixteen: Frog

I was equal parts elated and horrified. When Kayla had said those glorious words, I had been so shocked that I fell out of my bed and landed right on top my phone. By all appearances, it was broken. The screen was cracked, there was no light, and there was no sound. What horrible timing! I thought. The girl of your dreams confesses her love to you and you have no way to respond! She had completely put herself out there and I had left her hanging because of my stupid clumsiness.

I got up and paced around my room, thinking about what had happened and what I could do. She loved me! And she loved me, she loved who I had been, scrawny, speckled and ugly, not the strapping guy I was now. It was incredible! And I agonized over the fact that I couldn't talk to her.

After about an hour of pacing and processing, I threw on some clothes and went to look for Zane. I knew that most mornings he was in the training room, preparing for the day's instruction. I didn't find him there, but I did find him in the kitchen, eating a biscuit.

"Zane! I am so glad to see you!"

He jumped and nearly dropped his biscuit. "Hey Freddy, what's up with you? I don't think I've ever seen you so pumped up."

"She loves me!" I exclaimed, unable to contain myself. "Kayla loves me!"

To my surprise, Zane frowned. "She does?"

"Yeah, she just told me on the phone."

Zane tapped his fingers on the counter. "Interesting."

"But then I broke my phone," I said, holding it out to him. "Can you fix it?"

Zane took my phone and inspected it. "I'm pretty sure I can, but it will take a few days."

I exhaled. There was hope. But I really didn't want to wait a few days. I wanted to talk to Kayla that instant. What was more, I wanted to see her. My heart jumped at the thought of going back to Indiana. I could probably find a way to do it. I could sneak away and leave for a few days, or maybe even a few weeks. Sure, I'd be abandoning my responsibilities and disappointing my parents, but Kayla Morrison loved me. Nothing else seemed to matter.

I glanced over at Zane. "Hey Zane, if I took those dissimulation capsules again, what would happen?"

He raised his eyebrows. "At this point? Probably nothing. You've already gone through a rigorous process that reversed their effects, so it's almost like you're immune to them now."

I grimaced. So I couldn't go back to looking the way I had before, but maybe I could make up some explanation for why I looked different.

"Are you trying to figure out a way to get back to Indiana?" Zane asked, looking thoughtfully at me.

I shifted. "Maybe." I knew I shouldn't be confiding to Zane, but maybe he could help. "I mean, it'd only be for a few days, what could possibly happen in that time?"

"Believe me, about ten thousand things could happen," Zane replied, narrowing his eyes. "But the chances of disaster would be a lot less if you took the proper security measures."

My mouth fell open. "So, you're going to help me?"

"Maybe," he said, his eyes calculating, "especially if we do it in a way that misleads the Jumerum and keeps you out of harm's way," he mused. His eyes lit up. "We could fake your death!"

Before I could voice my concerns, Tabitha Dahl burst into the kitchen, followed closely by her niece.

"Mr. Vonnegan!" She scolded. "You are late for your etiquette lesson!"

I smiled. After what Kayla had said to me that morning, not even the prospect of an etiquette lesson with Kirsten could put a damper on my mood.

"I apologize, Ms. Dahl, what can I do to make it up to you?"

Momentarily flustered, it took her a moment to respond. "You can come with me this instant!" She commanded.

I nodded and followed her out of the kitchen.

"I'll work on a plan," Zane muttered as I passed by him. "I'll let you know."

I was a little bit worried about what Zane's plan might end up being, but if he helped me get to Indiana to see Kayla, I really couldn't complain. Tabitha led us into the training room, then turned to face me.

"We'll be reviewing some things today, but first, I need to relay some items of importance from the queen. She wanted me to tell you that they've decided to hold the presentation gala in the banquet hall of the old castle, so be prepared to travel to the surface on that evening."

"In the old castle? Really?" I asked.

"Yes." Tabitha responded. "I believe they are aiming for a more traditional feel. Secondly, with the gala being only a few days away, the queen would like to know if you've found a date."

I sighed. Finding a date was the furthest thing from my mind, but I knew my mom would be disappointed if she knew I still hadn't found someone.

I turned to Kirsten. "Hey Kirsten, would you like to go to the gala with me?"

She gasped and started to tremble. "More than life itself!" She said breathlessly.

Ms. Dahl stood there looking sour, in stark contrast to Kirsten's raptures. "That was a rather casual way of asking the young lady to accompany you," she sniffed. "But I suppose it will have to do."