Damn, she was right. That’s exactly what they were doing. I glanced at her and found her smile looking too tight.
I told her.
Brady added.
To make up for her slip, I pushed my own smile to grow brighter, pinning a purposefully attentive stare on Orson.
He went on to say, “They’re only hiring the best of the best teachers over there. Everything’s really top notch.” Again, he pushed up his glasses. “Really impressive.”
My dad clasped my mom’s hand and twirled her so her back leaned against his chest. “Actually, guys, we were going to save this for later, but why not just tell them now, right?” He made a show of searching the gazes of the otherparentsfor permission. When they gave it, my dad grinned, “Well, guys, another reason we were able to find these wonderful instructors for you is because …”
Griffin asked.
“Drumroll please,” my dad joked, and I almost snorted aloud. “They’ve offered us amazing positions there, working in their state-of-the-art lab.”
“That’s cool,” I said. “So would you guys be teaching? Or just doing research?”
“Probably just research, especially at the start,” my mom said, running a hand along my dad’s arm as if they were happy lovers.
Celia squealed. “Oooooooh, let’s just tell them the whole shebang. It’s too exciting to keep under wraps.”
Once more, theparentsshared looks I would have previously bet my entire savings were genuine.
Alexis gave her a generous smile. “Go on, then. Tell them.”
Celia clapped and squealed some more. “Well, guess what? Okay, never mind. You’ll never guess.”
I snarked, and Layla tittered. Lucky for us, Celia’s act was so spot-on everyone assumed Layla was already reacting to this incredible news.
“If we decide to take the positions—” Celia said.
“And we probably will,” Porter interjected.
Celia’s smile revealed her perfect teeth. “Of course we will, because …pum-para-pum… when we work there, all five of you will get full scholarships to study there!”
“Including room and board,” Orson added.
“Everything’s included,” Celia told us. “And because you happen to already know and love the super-top-secret founder of the place, who’s only just now letting us tell you…”
She waited until Hunt offered, “Magnum?”
She pointed at him as if he were some lucky winner. “Ding-ding-ding. It’s your Uncle Magnum.”
Layla said.
“Your Uncle Magnum is so generous, he’s actually built the place keeping you lot and your special gifted levels in mind. In fact, he’s even built you five a special house just for you, where only you’ll get to live as a special welcome bonus. Isn’t that just beyond words incredible?”
“Wow, Mom,” Brady said, “that’s really amazing. I can’t believe it.”
“We hardly could either,” Porter said, tucking a strand of his wife’s hair behind her ear. “Now you don’t have to even worry about applying to other universities. Your Uncle Magnum’s making it super easy for you, and your parents couldn’t be more grateful.”
He removed his glasses to rub at his eyes as if emotion were getting to him. “You don’t know what it’s like to be parents. We worry so much. Now that we know your futures are supported and looking bright …” He shook his head, sliding his glasses back on. “It’s such a relief. The costs of a university education nowadays are no joke. And you can’t beat the education your Uncle Magnum’s going to make sure you get. He’s even chosen these guys”—he gestured to Homer, Yolanda, and Armando, who continued to stand still like props in the performance—“to teach there ’cause he knows how serious you are about learning self-defense and that kind of thing.”
Brady told the four of us.
Layla answered.
“Have you put together the best part yet?” my dad asked.
