Page 88 of The Mentor
“I know.” Marco flexed his muscles and looked proud of himself. “I’ve told you, Brainy, sometimes muscles are more important than brains.”
“Yes,” Shelly breathed. “I wish I was as strong as you, but since I’m not, I had to use simple math to find the answer. I went over a number of geometric theorems, but since the sun is out today it seemed much quicker to multiply my own height by the ratio between my shadow and the flagpole’s shadow.”
Marco’s eyes flew to the shadow of the flagpole. “Yeah, I would have done that too,” he said defensively. “But that’s a little elementary, don’t you think?”
Shelley smiled at him. “Your performance was really impressive, and I certainly can’t match you in showmanship and all.” Shelly tilted her head. “But I think I should get a plus for the fact that I had the same answer as you in less than forty seconds and I didn’t break a sweat.”
CHAPTER 22
Awakening
Kya
Marco, Archer, and the Nboys had spent all yesterday fuming about the result of the competition.
“You still won overall,” Nieall kept reminding them. “It was just a stupid competition.”
“We should have had all three points,” the boys replied grumpily.
Today, however, their moods had lifted significantly, as something spectacular had happened. News channels had been running the story about their visit to the Motherlands on a loop, showing clips of them. The interview with Archer, the boys doing math and spelling, and lastly Marco swinging around on the flagpole like a modern-day Tarzan.
They had become overnight celebrities and Motlanders were starting to arrive out of curiosity.
After our first week with people crossing the street in fright at the mere sight of them, we now faced a different challenge: keeping people away from them.
Varna and Cindy had to call in reinforcements, and I was shocked to see the behavior of my fellow countrymen or rather countrywomen. I had no idea there were so many naturephiles in the Motherlands, but it was pretty obvious that the women attaching themselves to Marco, Finn, and Archer wanted much more than just an autograph. Even Solomon had become a target and he was only fourteen. It was very disturbing and confusing to me, but the men were glowing with excitement and proudly made sure their video diaries were sent back to the Northlands showing their newfound fame.
I almost rolled my eyes, when I saw Archer record a video with Finn and Marco surrounded by giggling women.
“What are you so mad about?” Archer asked me when I finally managed to get him alone in my room. “This is a great thing, we finally feel welcomed here.”
“Yeah, I can see how you would feelwelcomedwith the way those women throw themselves at you as if you were freaking movie stars or something.”
Archer softened his expression. “Wait a minute, Kya, are you jealous?”
“Of course I’m not jealous. I told you we’re not a couple, but I just want to remind you that if you sleep with one of them, our little arrangement is over.”
“Youarejealous!” he exclaimed and smiled.
I shook my head fervently. “Don’t flatter yourself. I’m just annoyed that all your new fans are taking away attention from what really matters and why we came here in the first place. We were supposed to bring the children together and make them feel like one big family but now, with the competition and all…” I took in a deep breath and spoke in one exhalation. “It’s all messed up.”
“Hey.” Archer moved over and pulled me into a hug, my head resting on his shoulder. “I know you don’t like it when things don’t go according to plan, but this is really an amazing thing that is happening; you know that, don’t you?”
“I guess.”
Lifting my face, Archer planted a kiss on my lips. “Don’t worry, babe, I’m not going to sleep with any of those women.”
“Pearl and Khan are arriving tomorrow,” I said to change the subject, because the mere thought of Archer with any of those women brought pain to my chest.
“They met with a group of the council members yesterday,” I said. “There hasn’t been a formal meeting between the Northlands and the Motherlands like that in years.”
“And they’re coming here?”
“Yes tomorrow.” I sank to the bed, and leaned forward, placing my elbows on my knees.
“What’s wrong?” Archer asked and sat down beside me.
“Nothing, it’s just that I keep thinking about yesterday when Shelly and Rochelle saw their mom, and Willow, Tommy, and Sky had visitors from their family units.” Lifting my head and meeting his eyes, I spoke softly. “You probably think I’m being too emotional, but my heart just broke for the kids who don’t have any family, that’s all.”
