Status: Edited

"Have you decided yet?"

"Don't rush me, Anderson. You're really starting to get on my nerves."

"It has to happen quickly if we're to get anything out of it. We're running out of time and you know it."

"It won't matter that we're running out of time if we can't get this right. Now would you relax?"

"I'll relax when you finally get your head out of your ass."

. . .

Bonzo seemed angrier than usual all throughout training the next morning and any time someone messed up in a drill or formation, he would pop off like a firework. Throughout the rest of day, I avoided him as much as possible and refused to meet his eyes any time he would look at me.

By the end of the day, I was grateful to be able to disappear into the battle room for Ender's training session. We weren't taught anything new that day and instead focused on perfecting some of the skills we'd already learned. I was just happy to be able to get my mind off my last conversation with Bonzo.

When training ended, I exited the battle room with everyone else, already dreading having to return to the Salamander barrack. But to my surprise, Ender was waiting for me as I entered the hallway outside the gate.

"Ho, Ender," I greeted, glancing at him curiously as he gently grabbed my wrist and lead me off to the side of the corridor to let the others pass.

"Hey, Lara. I've only got a minute, but I really needed to talk to you," he said quickly, ignoring the Launchies that waved to him as they passed.

Concern took over my face. "Yeah, of course. Is everything okay?"

"Actually," he began. "I wanted ask you that. I was worried when you didn't show up to training last night." Ender's eyes scanned me, as if checking for any physical ailments.

I shook my head apologetically. "I couldn't make it last night. Bonzo asked to talk to me after dinner yesterday and made it an order, so I couldn't skip out."

A frown overtook Ender's face. "He ordered you to talk to him? What did he say?"

I hesitated. Was the conversation really worth worrying Ender about? "He wanted to talk to me about you, actually," I said carefully, searching his features. If anyone was asking about Ender, he had a right to know about it. Although maybe not all of it, I decided. "He wanted to know why I was spending so much time with you."

Ender's frown didn't let up. "And what did you say?" He pressed.

I shrugged, "The truth, mostly."

"Mostly?" His eyes narrowed.

A sly grin crept across my face as I responded. "Well, yeah. I told him it's for extra practice. But don't worry, I didn't say that I also do it because I enjoy hanging out with you."

Slowly, he began to catch on to my banter. A smile tugged at his lips as he spoke. "Oh yeah? And why didn't you tell him it was because you liked hanging out with me?" He crossed his arms over his chest in mock anger.

I laughed lightly. "Because that would obviously be a lie! And I can't go telling my commander lies, now can I?"

He snorted, a smile fully taking over his features as he shook his head. "Of course not, you little bugger."

I took a step back, clutching my heart in fake offense. "You wound me!"

Ender laughed as I smiled. "Well I'm glad he didn't give you a hard time." I nodded, feeling slightly guilty for leaving out some of the key details. "I have to get back to Phoenix, but I'll see you tomorrow." He shot me a wave before heading off.

I stood there a moment, wondering whether keeping the truth from him had been the right thing to do.