Nerd in Disguise: Blood Bound

Chapter 4

Grabbing my MacBook, I lay on my bed and start searching whatever I can on this Jacob Smith. As I expect, there are millions of people who have the surname Smith and first name Jacob. No luck whatsoever.

I grumble as I realize I may need to hack through the school's database on him. I'm no rookie, but I'm not an exceptional hacker either. Actually, I'm kind of a novice but I know enough to get by, courtesy of my tech-savvy ex-best friend. Our school has a really tough protection program, so I doubt I can hack my way through. As I have done on multiple previous experiences, I consider researching the old fashioned way and sneaking into the administration office. Time restraints make it difficult to break into theadministration office as it typically requires a week of surveillance andplanning.

Cue sad face. My mood is not going to get any better, but it's not like I have anything else to do. Sadly, I have no other friends besides the aging school janitor (who knows every nook and cranny of the school), the kitchen staff (who make/teach me awesome food), and selective teachers.  

I crank on some music on my iPod and sigh. I really did not want to resort to this. I'm going to have to make some phone calls.

I dial the number I swore I would never call ever since I enrolled in Elite as Shay Kerr.

"Hello?" The phone is answered on the second ring. "Who is this?"

"It's Shay."

Silence greets me. I bite my lip in anxiety, hoping he won't hang up on me.

Letting out a heavy sigh, my ex best friend Skyler speaks. I call him ex because I don't know if he still considers me as a best friend. Actually, I'm scared he hates my guts and will never speak to me.

"You have a lot to explain." I let out the breath I was holding. He didn't hang up.

"I know."

"What do you need?"

"What if I wanted to catch up with you after almost four years?" I say lightly.

"Shay, you completely disappeared on your best friends four years ago. You and your mom just vanished off the map. Hell, I thought you died! I deserve more than an explanation actually. I'm your goddamn best friend. Pearl and I looked for you everywhere! Fuck, I was almost put in prison because I tried to hack my way through databases looking for you!" He fumes.

Okay, perhaps he isn't exactly happy that I didn't tell him anything...I wouldn't blame him either. I'm a terrible friend.

"But you never get caught..." I try to joke.

"I said almost." He says proudly.

"Did you find anything?" I start worrying.

"Yes and no. I've never encountered such a secure system so everything is just suspicious." He sounds sad. I knows he is upset I didn't tell him anything at all. I'm sure he found some type of info on my mom and I. Out of everyone I know, I would bet my money on Skyler and Pearl to put the puzzle pieces together.

Hmmm, maybe I should contact Pearl too?

"I'm sorry." I say sincerely.

"You still owe me a long explanation complete with coffee and sweets." He has a huge sweet tooth.

"Well, I can tell you in nine days." I promise.

"Nine...?" He sounds confused.

"Nine." I confirm.

"Okay then..." He groans. "So what do you need me to hack?"

"Oh you know me best." I smile a little. Why did I worry asking him? I wanted to protect him so I didn't contact him at all. I worried that he wouldn't want to be my friend anymore but never underestimate childhood bonds.