Twenty minutes ago, even with my screw-ups, it wasn’t like there was another kid here ready to take my place. But not anymore. Now, either Darla or I would probably go home. Kwan, Tyler, and Malcolm kept stealing awkward glances at Ivy, who sat by us, eating quietly. I felt bad for her. She knew this HQ better than anyone, but she was still an intruder in our group. Malcolm seemed especially uptight. He was pushing his food around his plate while he tried to figure out just how worried he needed to be. Darla was the only one who wasn’t concerned. She was seated at the end of the table, closest to the large window, with my helmet next to her. What if it allowed her to overcome her claustrophobia and kick butt? That would probably seal my fate here, and I’d be saying sayonara. “How’s your lunch, Ben?” Ivy suddenly asked me from across the table, and the eyes of Kwan, Tyler, and Malcolm immediately darted toward me.
