Page 26 of Jinxed
This is competing, but the results forus could mean inventing technology that could help society. Advance it. Monica Chan’s vision truly come to life. These are the types of secrets I dreamed about knowing.
And now I get a front row seat to the action.
‘So we are going to train, and train hard. Preparation is absolutely key. The competition is made up of three different battles. You earn points by defeating all the other bakus inthe arena or lasting the thirty minutes – but you can also earn a share of the points by repairing bakus that have been broken during battle before school begins the next day. The team with the most points wins the competition. And every single winning teammate gets a guaranteed summer internship in the Moncha division of their choice and one-on-one time with Monica Chan herself.’
My jaw drops.It’s an incredible opportunity: and a guaranteed opportunity for me to meet my idol.
‘Although maybe it will be Eric Smith this year,’ says Tobias, with a shrug, which snaps me from my daydream.
‘Why do you say that?’ I ask.
‘Because Monica is normally the one to give the orientation speech. Maybe she’s taking some time off this year. But working for Eric Smith will be just as good,’ says Tobias.
‘Maybe better,’ says Kai. ‘My folks say she’s taken a real step back. I want to work for someone who’s still at the top of their game.’
No one could be better than Monica Chan.I don’t say the words out loud though, because I don’t want to antagonize my teammates any further.
Tobias continues. ‘The final battle takes place inside Moncha headquarters, which is always a trip. The arena in thereisinsane.I missed out on a win in my first two years,’ he says, clenching his fingers into a fist, as if the losses happened yesterday – not years ago. ‘But my brother was the captain last year, and we kicked ass. And I’ll be damned if we don’t win again this year. That means no shenanigans from my team. This is our future we’re talking about.
‘And absolutely no black marks.’ He isn’t lookingat me when he says it, but my fingers instinctively tighten around Jinx’s inactive body.
The bell for the end of school rings, the mark pops off Jinx and he springs back to life. I can’t help the grin that appears on my face. Part of me had been worried that the stasis might be permanent – with Jinx, I’m starting to learn that things don’t always work the way they are supposed to. I stare downat the black mark and wonder if I should return it to Mr Baird.
>>Keep that thing away from me.
I’m not planning on using it on you. Although, if you’re bad...
>>I will pee on your bed sheets.
You don’t pee.
>>That doesn’t mean I don’t have my ways.
I laugh, but then I cringe at the thought of anyone finding out just howunofficial Jinx really is. He’s a chimera, composed of so many spareparts and garbled together connections, I don’t know what anyone would think of him if they took a closer look.
‘All right, team, I’m sending your bakus the coordinates for the training session this afternoon. I want to see you all there in half an hour, no exceptions.’
I raise my hand tentatively.
‘Dude, we’re not in class. Just ask your frickin’ question,’ says Kai, rolling his eyes.
Tobiaslooks at me expectantly.
‘I... uh, have detention this afternoon.’
Tobias’s lips purse together. ‘I forgot about that. Well, you’ll have to miss this one then. But that’s the only one you’re going to miss, got it?’ He snaps his fingers at his baku, Aero, and storms out of the classroom.
‘He’s a bit intense,’ says Ashley, leaning over. ‘But he’s a good guy. It’s kind of hard living in hisbrother’s shadow.’
‘His brother?’
‘Nathan. He won last year. Pressure’s on for Tobias to step up too.’
My eyes widen. I know a lot about pressure – asking me not to put pressure on myself is like asking water not to boil when it’s placed over a heat source.
‘He said if he doesn’t win, his parents might send him to work at BRIGHTSPRK,’ says River, jumping in on our conversation.
Ashley andmy expression are almost mirrors of each other: the same instant grimace at the name BRIGHTSPRK. They’re Moncha’s biggest rivals, and they started their own school following the Moncha model. They’re based out of San Francisco, but mini BRIGHTCities are popping up all over the world.
