I had spent the rest of the day watching Astrid, Gram, and Luka. I noticed Luka's cold nature even more after this morning. Gram and Astrid tried to reach out to him, but he blatantly ignored it. Luka must have noticed me because he would shoot me purposeful glances. I finally took the hint and gave up on them… for now. I ended up reading and drawing until dinner. Astrid had gotten me sketchbooks after she found out my love of drawing.
I came down for dinner and ate as fast as I could. The atmosphere was uncomfortable and tense. I didn't want to stay in there long and got out as fast as I could. I was retreating to my room when I spotted Gram sitting outside my door. He didn't notice my approach and he kept running his hand through his hair. I stopped in front of him and tapped him on the shoulder.
"Hey," I said, pointing towards my door, "did you want to come in?"
He seemed startled when I pointed out that this was the door to my room. "Oh, I forgot this was your door. It seems like I can't do anything right," he mumbled. I scrunched my brow. I immediately decided to sit down next to him. "What do you mean?"
He sighed. " I'm just stressed out. You don't need to worry about me."
He gave me a weak smile. When he saw my unconvinced face, he winced. "Well, it's just that Archean has dumped a lot onto my plate and I don't know if I can get it all done in time."
"Can I help you with anything?" I asked, worried. Gram smiled at me. "Ah, that would be great, but I don't think there is anything for you to do."
I grinned. "You know what? I know what I'm going to do! I will become the leader that way you wouldn't have to be stressed out!" I cried, triumphantly. Gram stifled a laugh. "Amara, I don't think you could handle the pressure."
I gasped. "How dare you! I bet I would be a better leader than you."
Gram raised an eyebrow. "How so?"
"Well, for one, you think way too much," I said, confidently. Gram was now trying really hard not to laugh.
"What do you mean?" he said in a fake hurt voice. I snorted. "Gram, sometimes you have to just do, not think about it so much. Some things are not meant to be contemplated."
Gram shook his head. "Amara, when you are a leader, you can't just run head first into everything."
"Oh really? I promise for the rest of the day that I will just do whatever I want," I stated. Gram frowned. "Don't you do that every day?"
"No! What are you talking about?" I gasped, confused.
"Well, you have the whole day free! I always have stuff I have to do," Gram said. I hadn't thought about it, but Gram was right. I almost never saw him during the day and it was only at dinner did I finally see him.
"Gram," I said seriously, "you need to take a break once in a while."
He patted my head, standing up. "I can't, Amara. I have to go, Archean just texted me."
I jumped up. "I will come with you!"
He let out a sigh. "Amara, you know you can't."
"Don't you remember what I just said? This isn't something you get to decide. I AM going with you," I said with my hands on my hips. Gram ran a hand over his face. He mumbled something under his breath. "Fine."
He turned and walked swiftly to the meeting room. I followed him closely, excited that I actually could do this. We strode into the room where Archean was waiting. Upon seeing me, he shot Gram a sharp look. Gram winced, knowing that he was in trouble. I noticed all of it and crossed my arms. I glared at Archean, daring him to say anything.
"Ms. Solis, what are you doing here?" Archean asked sharply. I stood up tall and looked him in the eyes. "That, Mr. Archean, does not concern you and you should not punish Gram for this. I was going to come no matter what."
Archean raised an eyebrow. "What has gotten into you today?" he snapped, losing patience for me.
I smiled at him. "Curiosity, sir. You always love to hold meetings without me. So, I was curious as to what you are talking about," I replied, my gaze hardening. Archean grunted, finally realizing that he would have to use force to get me out. He turned away from me and looked at Gram.
"I called you here because I have a special mission for Caspian and Luka," Archean said. He pressed a button on a remote that turned on the projector. A map was pulled up on the screen. "There is a supply truck that is being shipped to one of Titus's compounds in the next two days. I need Luka and Caspian to intercept it and retrieve the contents as soon as possible. Tonight would be preferable."
"That soon? Do you think that Luka and Caspian will even be enough?" Gram inquired. I nodded my head in agreement. If one of the brothers were there, they would have a difficult time getting the supplies safely.
"Why are you questioning me? You are the one that trained them, no? Are they not competent enough to take on this challenge?"
"Well, no not exactly...that's not what I... "
"Good, then it will be Luka and Caspian," Archean said, cutting Gram off. I stood there in slight shock. Archean wasn't usually this rude or sharp. Maybe I hadn't known him long enough to see this side of him. Then, Luka's words came back to me. "I was very upset at Gram for throwing away my freedom."
Those words raced through my head. Maybe this is what Luka meant. Archean monitored everything the team did and he didn't really give them a choice, like right now with Gram. Archean handed a folder to Gram.
"These papers are for Luka and Caspian."
Gram nodded and tucked them under his arm. He motioned me to leave and I started towards the door. As I was walking out, I barely heard these words: "Don't disappoint me, Mr. Darrow."
It was the first time hearing Gram's last name. I could almost feel Gram stiffen behind me. He shut the door quietly and briskly walked by, not bothering to wait for me. I decided it was best to leave him alone. I headed back to my room. It was almost dark by the time I got there. I changed into my pajamas and crawled into bed, still troubled by the peculiar actions of Archean. I closed my eyes and drifted away to sleep.