Page 40 of Jinxed

Jinx, do you want to wear this?I ask.

He saunters over to it and sniffs. >>I guess.

If you hate it, we can take it off... but not until we get home.

I hook the collar around his neck. The lights on the edge of his fur light up, and he buzzes twice.

>>I like it!he says, and he soundsgenuinely pleased.

I look up at Tobias and beam.

‘He says he likes it.’ Immediately I realize my mistake.

Tobias falters for a second, then laughs. ‘You seem to really understand each other!’

I laugh too, slightly overloud, as if I’d made a really funny joke instead of almost letting slip about Jinx’sunusualcommunication style.

‘Hang on, let me get my coat and then we can get the car downto BakuBeats,’ he says, shaking his head at me and chuckling.

I’m sad to leave his amazing house, but it makes me all the more determined to move Mom and me into one of our own one day. The dream is so close, I can almost taste it.

We settle into the self-driving car, which Tobias programs to take us to BakuBeats. The interior is the softest leather I’ve ever sat on, and I barely feel a thingas the engine starts.

There’s even a special basket in front for bakus to sit in, and Jinx immediately curls up inside.

>>Oh this is nice. Very nice.

What is it?I ask.

>>They’ve made this basket out of microfibres that if I just...he wriggles around in the basket. He’srubbinghimself up against it, as if it’s giving him pleasure. >>Ah, That’s it. I’ll sparkle like new by the time I get out of this.

I grin. Moncha knows how to keep the bakus happy even while travelling in a moving vehicle.

Our destination is not far from Moncha HQ. ‘I can’t wait to visit the headquarters for the final battle!’ I say.

He grins. ‘You’ll love it. Although I’m pretty excited to be the team captain this year.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Well, the captains get a tour of the headquarters before thebattle – probably to give us added incentive by reminding us of the summer internship – as if we needed reminding!’

‘So teammates don’t get to come on the tour?’

‘?’fraid not. Captains only. But you’ll get your chance – I have no doubt you’ll be a team captain one day.’

His praise makes me blush.

There’s something else I’ve been dying to ask him. I speak the words before I lose my nerve. ‘So... what’s the deal with you and Carter?’ I ask.

He cocks an eyebrow. ‘I could ask you the same thing.’

‘You first.’ I grin.

Tobias flashes me a quick smile, before turning serious. ‘Carter Smith...’ he gestures over to the Moncha logo embossed into the leather – the same symbol I saw on their front door – with the added stars. ‘My father is one of the top coders in Eric Smith’s personaldepartment at Moncha: Team Happiness is what they call themselves. Dad said specifically for me to “take Carter Smith under your wing, son”.’ Tobias deepens his voice and puffs out his chest, emulating his father. Then he deflates, and catches my eye. His eyes search my face, and he looks almost – guilty. ‘It’s a favour to his boss or something. I mean, I’ve known Carter for years – he’s alwaysbeen annoying as hell but I used to pity him. I wouldn’t want Eric Smith as a father. But I should tell you something. And before I say this – you have to know, I’m really glad about the way things have worked out.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Well... you weren’t supposed to be on my team.’

---