GREY

I dropped down from the vent, landing in a kneel with my fingertips on the smooth desktop. I jumped off and picked up the little screws that were still bestrewn on the floor and tightened the vent back in it's place. 

I still couldn't believe what I just saw. The same surreal moment was on loop in my mind. Xander and that Kimber girl. In a relationship.

Part of my wanted to question if it was just a friends with benefits arrangement. But the way Kimber looked at him told a different story. I also noticed that Xander tried to shadow his concern, but I know he cared.

I plopped down on my bed still in awe, raking a hand through my hair. It just blew my mind. But with that came another thought. My main goal was to find a dirty little secret about Society because my intuition is ringing the alarms unceasingly.

Xander's scandal might not have been what I was particularly looking for, but boy was it good.

The fact that I held this secret gave me an advantage over Xander. I never liked him from day one. Now that I have one of his little secrets, I'm waiting for him to try me.

He's Vera's most entrusted agent and she wouldn't be too happy about him breaking the Honor Code. Something so authoritative and drilled into these people's minds that they'd never even think about breaking one of those rules.

I wonder what would happen if someone breaks the honor code, or if anybody has done it.

A knock came to my door, disturbing me from my thoughts. I opened it and Tegan was at the door, clad in black pants and long sleeved sheer paisley blouse that dipped down low at her cleavage.

"Hey I was wondering if you wanted to go down and get an early dinner with some friends from class."

I'd rather not.

"Sure," My voice lacked the enthusiasm to match hers. I closed the door behind me and we walked down to the cafe together. The cafe was like a school lunch cafeteria. Only way better. It was a black walled room with the accent wall padded with black cushion.

A long silver table was against that wall. The rest of the room was dotted with square smooth wooded black tables, with silver chairs. It's like a lounge.

No matter what time of the day it was, there was alway food. There's  actual chefs and talented cooks who prepare it. I'm sure Vera had them kidnapped too. That's how we all got here.

Tegan and I grabbed black plastic to-go containers and headed for the salad bar. I saw that there was chicken breast and asparagus over where the hot food was being kept. I knew they're other options over there too but non of that stuff wetted my appetite.

What else is new.

Everything here is so healthy. Protein and energy foods that will boost our stability. Salads, vegetables, chicken. It all made me frustrated. A couple months here and I've been eating like the freakin' birds. I want a burger. A pizza. Not salads almost everyday.

I saw Sara and Bianca waiting for us, so Tegan and I joined them with our dressed salads in hand.

"Hey guys!" Sara greeted brightly.

"Oh Tee! Tell us more about that story with your ex," Bianca said between chewing her food.

One thing I've noticed is that these girls like to talk about their lives before Society. Something I don't particularly want a share in. Tegan likes to talk about her past relationships. In which I don't have enough fingers to count them off.

"Oh yeah! Chris," Tegan made a sound of disgust. "I don't even think I liked him. I guess he just looked good on me? Like we went to senior prom and y'know . . ."

I rolled my eyes. "Yes Tegan we all know."

I immediately tuned out her reply when I caught sight of Xander stalking in. Running his thumb across his bottom lip.

Wiping the Kimber off your lips Xander? I was so tempted to say it aloud but I refrained, smartly.

He briefly spoke to a guy sitting in one of the corner tables and walked back out. Seeing him regenerated images of what I saw earlier. Along with the feeling of desperately wanting to tell someone. Someone who can share my awe. But I knew that wouldn't be smart.  

"Earth to Grey!"

All this time and I hadn't realized I was staring at the floor absentmindedly while my name was being called.

"What," I shook my previous thoughts away.

"Have you ever had a boyfriend? You barely talk about your life before you came here," Sara pointed out.

"Yeah. And it's gonna stay that way."

"Why," Bianca whined. "C'mon G. Spill the beans. We're all girlfriends here."

Pfft.

Grant. Grant is the one I wanted to talk to. Rant to really. He was the one who kept me somewhat level headed and calm when I first came here. I needed that.

"Y'know I'm not really. . ." I held my stomach and feigned a sickening look. "I'm not feeling to well right now. I think I'm gonna go down to Medical," I got up and started to head out without further explanation. I heard the girls bid me goodbyes and feel better's.

That was easy.

I took long strides down the hall and headed for the elevator.

"Which floor?" The soft female robotic voice asked once I entered.

"Ground floor," I replied and the elevator proceeded.

When the doors swooshed open, I headed straight to the Medical wing. I figured Grant must be in the lab. I passed several examine rooms on the way there.

When I made my last turn and came across a glass wall as well as the door, letting the lab to be seen, I knew I had made it.

Grant was hunched over looking at his laptop rested on the counter, switching his gaze to a sheet of paper, pen in hand. I opened the door and walked in to the subtle smell of chemicals.

"Oh hey Rey-Rey," He greeted playfully with his eyes still focused on the screen.

"Hey."

"What's up?" He asked.

"Have you ever been in love?"

Real smooth G.

Grant's pen froze mid sentence, taken off guard by the question.

"Wait forget I asked that I ju-"

"No it's fine. I have," He directed his attention to me. He cleared his throat. "I am."

"Really?"

"Her name is Candice. I-" He stopped himself and pursed his lips, looking to the ground. "I've been in love with her since we were kids. And I never got to tell her how I feel."

"Because Vera had you kidnapped," I assumed, sympathy laced in my voice.

"No. Actually I came here . . . voluntarily," He admitted and threw me for a loop.

"What why?!"

He sighed. "It's a long story. Things were different back then."

I went to open my mouth but his words beat mine.

"In time Grey. In time," He nodded already knowing my reply.

"What's with the question anyway?" He leaned himself on the counter with his hands stuffed in his pockets.

"What happens when someone breaks the Honor Code?"

"Oo story time," He slapped his hands together in an excited clap. I pulled up the roller chair by the counter and sat down, instantly intrigued.

"Rachel and Landon," He began. "They were secretly dating. For years actually. Vera didn't suspect a thing because they were always on top of their game. But one day. One day they weren't careful enough and the cameras caught 'em."

"So where are they now?" I asked softly, growing sick at the answer that I might get.

"Dead."

My eyes widened and stomach twisted into knots.

"Queen V had them both executed that very day," He nodded. "Not only that, but someone knew about the scandal and never came forward. Vera found out and had them executed too."

I had no words.

"Have you seen something?" He asked me, growing suspicious.

"No I was just wondering," I shrugged, trying to down play my shock.

Grant seemed trustworthy, but I didn't want to take any chances. I'd rather keep this one to myself. I mean I don't like Xander, but I don't want him dead. Plus, it seems like both of our lives would be on the brink.

"But despite that, y'know Society is for a good cause and we decline the crime rate and-"

"Ok I've had enough of Society advertisement," I held my hand up.

Grant smiled, unfazed by my rudeness. "You see that's what I'm supposed to say."

I frowned. "What?"

He sighed. "Grey, Society isn't all what it's portrayed to be."

I shot up from my seat. "The heck are you talking about?"

He glanced at his wrist watch, disregarding my question. "Hm. I gotta get back to work. I have a patient waiting."

"Grant! Tell me what you're talking about!" I demanded.

He picked up and blue tray with a packet of alcoholic wipes and a syringe on it, heading for the door.

"We'll talk soon," He winked and walked out the door, leaving for his words to sink into my mind.

What does he mean things were different back then? What's Society hiding?

It was like he left me stranded in the middle of nowhere. Confused. Frustrated. Completely left in the dark.

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A/N - oooo what do you guys think Grant is talking about? 👀👀👀.

Sorry it was a little boring in the beginning but I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter!

Votes/Comments are much appreciated! xx

- kya h. ♡