12 12. Project World-Interface

--'Good morning RGST... We have a new announcement after breakfast, so please all groups report to the main hall at 12 pm. Lunch will be postponed till 2 pm. Again, please report to the main hall at 12 pm for a mandatory announcement.'--

All the kids in RGST hurried up and made their way to the cafeteria. The girls in Group A2 got to their table, but like normal, the Izon and Gabe were already there.

"Morning ladies." Izon scoffed as the girls plopped down at the table.

Marly rubbed her tired eyes and replied, "Not today, Hayes. "

"What is this too early for you, Westfield? Did you not get enough beauty sleep?" Izon instigated.

"I swear one more thing out of you, Izon," She threatened, "One more thing."

"Or what?"

"I'll beat you to next week."

"But then you'll get you ability taken away." He teased.

"As long as you shut up... I think I'll be fine." She smirked grabbing his apple.

"Hey! That's mine." He defended.

"Ya, and I'm hungry." Marly took a big bite out of his apple, "Yum." She exaggerated. The two went back and forth arguing, flirting, and exchanging blushes while their friends sat and watched.

Ryela didn't pay much attention to what was going on, neither did Gabe but instead, she slowly fiddled with her food and kept her head down. As the breakfast went on and it got closer to the meeting, Ryela became quieter and quieter which snatched Gabe's attention.

"I'm going to put my plate up," stated Marly.

"Yeah, same I don't want to get too full," agreed Natalie

"'Too full' is that even a thing?" Izon joked as he got up, "I'm getting more food."

Ryela seeing everyone getting up, brought her back to her attention. She straightened up her posture and started eating some fruit on her plate. But not even for a few minutes distraught hit her again and her demeanor was low. Her face was blank but Gabe easily read her emotions like an open book. Ryela could feel his intense stare so she slightly gave a glance, but her eye shot back down.

With a big sigh, Gabe asked, "What's up?"

"What?" Ryela questioned confused.

"You look stressed, so what's up?"

Ryela looked eager to talk but in response, she simply shrugged.

"If you don't want to talk, that's fine... just promise me one thing okay?" Gabe proposed.

Ryela looked up intently and raised her eyebrow, "What is it."

Gabe gave a genuine deep stare into Ryela's eyes, "Promise... no secrets..." He revealed, "I know we already said that... but a promise you can't break. As a friend a promise... is like an oath... Once I make a promise and you agree...Its sacred and it can't be broken." He looked at Ryela giving his full attention. His crystal, ocean blue eyes again pierced her heart and brought peace among her. "So do you, Ryela Hart, promise me no secrets... from now on?" he chuckled as a precious smile spread on his lips.

"Promise." she agreed without the slightest hesitation.

The rest of the team finally made it back to the table and of course, Izon had a plate of food. He was about to take a bite of a strawberry when the intercom blasted through the cafeteria.

--'Please, all kids report to the Main Hall for a mandatory meeting. Please, all kids report to the Main Hall for a mandatory meeting.'--

"Looks like we have to go, team," Gabe informed, "Let's head out."

"Awe, no! I just got more food..." whined Izon as he took he finished off a strawberry.

"Then you better eat that quick," laughed Natalie.

Just then Izon started stuffing the food on his plate down his throat trying to eat as much as possible. "Okay, I'm done." he choked out as he dumps the rest of the food away. "Let's go."

All the kid's in RGST made their way to the Main Hall and sat down in there designated seats. As soon as everyone was seated Henry made his way up to the platform. Still being butthurt, Ryela gave a pained look and slumped down in her seat. Like always, following Henry was sweat MaryAnn. Seeing her made Ryela feel a lot better and she regained good posture in her seat.

<"Attention RGST teens. So some of you may remember us doing this in the past. But today we are starting project World-Interface-" explained Henry as his voice echoed throughout the hall on the speakers.

Loud gasp and cheers of excitement were let out through the auditorium.

"-so today we will be letting out a select group of kids to explore a little of the outside world to maintain a social life between normal people. And while some of you are out, you will be assigned to gain resources for us. You will be given cash for things like food, clothing, technological supplies, and other things like that. You will be given Identity Badges with a new name, age, and personnel provided. You will only have to keep up the new identity until you return. So to get started we examined each of your actions throughout the time that's gone by and decided who all will be going-"

Henry explained tapping his tablet.

"Frick..." Ryela said under her breath. Group A2 got a little unsteady as they shared mix emotions with each other. Henry then began to read of the name.

"-I'm going to read off a list of names, so if I read your name please make your way to the front for your Identity Badges... Colby...-"

A boy sat up from his table while his friend gave a small cheer. He made his way up to the front and grabbed his badge and backpack full of supplies.

"-Annabell... Brianna... Kaitlyn... Jackson... Keyla... Trixebella...-"

"Yeah! Go, Trix!" Yelled a boy as she made her way up.

"-Laylond... Bailey... Brookland...-"

Henry one after the other called off names as cheery kids jumped up from there seat and made their way to the front. Ryela looked down in disappointment knowing she wasn't going to be called. Every name he called the more upset Ryela got. She sat up in her seat and was ready to leave.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Maly asked as Ryela tried to stand up.

"I know he is not going to call me so what's the point. It's just wasting my time," she whispered back.

"Awe, come on... You n-"

"Marly..."

The kids of Group A2 turned their head in disbelief, and Marly gave an awkward shrug.

"Go, up there!" Natalie cheered. So Marly got up and made her way to the front.

"-Natalie... Andy... Izon...-"

"Congrats!" Gabe supported with a big soft smile. The group made their way back to their table and sat down.

"Bro, this is sweet man." Izon praised as he began to dig thru the bag.

"Now listen..." Gabe continued, "You're gonna have to bring me something back while you're out." He joked.

"And what's that?" Izon questioned.

"Could you stash some Takies?"

"All ready had it in mind, brother."

"You know me so well," Gabe joked as him and Izon did a bro-hug.

"-Kyte... Meadow... Grace... Caroline... Gabe-"

Henry continued on his list as Gabe got up and grabbed his stuff. Henry finished the list which happens to not have Ryela's name on it and closed out with a few instructions.

"-Some kids will be let out at different times of the day, not too late of course, but so that the city doesn't overflow with new kids and we look suspicious... Also, you will stay in a buddy-system the whole time. It doesn't matter who, as long as you are together-"

The couples were easily spotted out as they began to talk back and forth about each other going together and what fun stuff they were going to do.

"-of course, there will be chaperones...-"

The kid's excitement dialed down a few notches at the sound of that and a few 'awe' were let out.

"-Well that's all we have for this meeting, the people going will be called back in later for further directions.">

Henry brought his meeting to a conclusion and he stepped out of the way, but MaryAnn made her way up.

<"Also, training day starts today. We postponed it till after lunch. It's not mandatory but we recommend you come. All right that sums that up. Lunch will be served in ten minutes, so don't be late. I heard The chef is cooking up something special.'> MaryAnn explained and finally finished the meeting.

Kids stormed out of the Main Hall and flooded into the Cafeteria. Soon lunch was called and they began to eat and talk about project World Interface.

"S-so... None of you w- will be here the whole day." Ryela stammered quietly.

"Oh, don't worry it'll only be for a little bit. We will be back." comforted Natalie.

"Nat's, right. It'll only be for a few hours," agreed Marly, "I can get you something while I'm out. Maybe clothes or something. What do you like?"

"It's fine... don't trouble yourself." Ryela paused and grabbed some food off her plate.

--"Attention. Project World Interface begins now, and groups will be called... Recruits from... Group A2... Group B3... please make your way to The Main Office... That's all for this hour... Continue in your lunch..."--

"Looks like we got to go..." Gabe steered off as the kids got ready to leave.

Ryela with a saddened look slumped in her chair.

"We're not leaving right now, we just getting our instructions for today. We may still have some time before we leave," reasoned Marly as the team stood up, "Wanna come with, or at least stand outside the office?"

Ryela scoffed and rolled her eyes, "I'll save myself the time."

"Awe okay... Will you maybe walk at least halfway?" Izon questioned with his big blueish-green, emerald puppydog eyes.

Ryela's frown fell and she lightened up, "Sure, but just for you." she said nudging his arm.

Group A2 made their long way to The Main Office, but Ryela stopped at the hallway right before they turn into it.

"This is my stop..." Ryela confessed looking up at Gabe.

"Awe okay, we may still be able to come back before we leave..." reasoned Marly as she gave her a hug.

"Nah it's fine," explained Ryela releasing the hug, "You shouldn't let a weakling like myself waste your time of fun." She gave a light punch to Marly's arm.

"Awe fine," Marly said giving her another intruding hug.

"It's not like you'll be gone forever..." Ryela faltered, "...right?"

"We'll be back," Gabe reassured, with a soft genuine smile, "Promise."

Ryela looked up and her eyes brightened. But her soft look turned into a mischievous grin, "unfortunately..." She muttered playfully.

"Ah! I heard that." Marly laughed, giving Ryela a joking push.

"Go have fun... I'll be here." Ryela influenced with a small grin.

Ryela's friends give her one last hug before they have to leave. So they waved her goodbye as they made their way to the office.

--AUTHORS NOTE--

So guys, this is ma part 2, already working on a chpt 13, yayayayay... So stay tuned!!