Lucas' fingers were inches from the door when he made up his mind. A human shield...His eyes darted to Nathan, if it's an attack they won't hurt a student...too much explaining to do. He retracted his fingers.

"Sorry, dude," he apologized ahead of time. Quick as a flash he grabbed the unsuspecting Nathan.

"Wait!" Nathan's cry fell on deaf ears. Lucas threw the door open and pushed Nathan through while taking cover behind.

Noise erupted, lights turned on, and toilet paper streamed through the air.

A yell of "surprise" was cut short as the whole room froze.

Lucas peaked out from behind Nathan to see a room full of boys armed with toilet paper, water guns, a few streamers, and what looked like a huge cake. Noticing them all staring at one person, Lucas turned to see pie dripping down his roommate's stunned face.

"Why did you get in the way?" A boy who held the remains of the pie asked.

"Yo, Lucas."

Lucas looked up to see Auden walked over, hand behind his back.

Realizing there was no real danger, Lucas had already began to relax.

Auden grinned. "Happy Birthday." The second pie was smashed in Lucas' face. Noise resumed, toilet paper flew, the lights flashed on and off as someone played rapidly with the switches.

The roommates stood next to each other, pie covering their faces. Speechless, Lucas reached up to wipe his eyes free. Someone pressed tissue into his hands.

"What took you so long?" Peter slung an arm around both Nathan and Lucas as they tried to clean their faces. "We could barely keep the football team from the cake."

"Why didn't you say it was your birthday earlier?" Banster asked as he popped out from the crowd.

"Oi!" Auden yelled, shooing guys away from the cake. "We need the candles!"

Lucas didn't say a word as he cleaned his face. Have fun tonight! Amber's voice echoed in his mind and the pieces clicked.

"How does it feel to be a year older?" Brian asked as he appeared from the side of the room.

"Candles!" Auden bellowed above the noise of most of dorm three, the hockey and football team who were all shouting above the other as they tried to approach Lucas and congratulate him.

Birthday... the date flashed through Lucas' mind. Ah...the day ECHO put on my forms. He didn't know when his real birthday fell. In fact, he hadn't celebrated one in as long as he could remember.

"It's just like..." Lucas froze as something in his mind rattled.

"Happy Birthday, champ!" A familiar hand ruffled his head. Gentle lips pressed against his cheek.

"My boy is growing so big!"

"Where are those candles?" Auden's booming voice brought him back.

Lucas blinked. What was that?

"Rick!" Auden was storming after a guy who darted out of reach.

"Congrats, man!" A hand thumped Lucas' shoulder.

"Was it a surprise?" Nathan asked eagerly.

"Uh..." Lucas wasn't able to respond as another hand slapped him on the back. Suddenly he was being ushered towards a giant cake. It sat in the middle of the coffee table usually filled with gaming devices. They had all been shoved under a couch to make room. The cake itself was covered with green icing and white lines to form a football pitch. A goal stood on each end

"You can't find them!" Auden sounded mortified. He scrambled onto a chair. "Hear me, hear me!" he yelled.

No one listened.

Raising his fingers to his lips he let out a piercing whistle.

Silence.

"We seem to have...ah...misplaced," he glared at a boy who shrank back, "the candles."

There were dramatic gasps all around as well as a high pitched "oh no!"

"Therefore..." Auden looked around solemnly. He suddenly point a finger at the cake. "Whoever finds candles gets to have seconds!"

Chaos resumed.

Lucas watched in wonder as the boys went on a rampage. The sofa cushions were thrown to the side, guys ran into the dorms, even Nathan and Brian joined in the search.

Auden jumped from the chair and walked over to the speechless Lucas. He slung an arm around him and motioned around the room. "Food, young one. If you have food," he curled his fingers into a fist, "then you have power." When Lucas didn't reply, Auden turned to look at him. "What's up?"

Lucas blinked before turning a questioning look on his dorm head.

"You seem deep in thought." Auden jostled his shoulder. "Spill it."

"It's..." Lucas ran a hand through his hair. "It's just been a while since anyone celebrated my birthday." He surprised himself at his honest answer.

Auden didn't reply for a moment. "The accident..."

Lucas heard him murmur.

"No one in my family ever was much of a partier," Lucas murmured.

"Hah!" Auden slapped a hand on his shoulder. "What are you talking about? We're your family!" He turned to grin and give a thumb up. "And boy, if there's anything we know it's how to party." He winked before leaping forward and joining the chaotic search for candles.

Lucas stood where he was, watching the scene in silence for a moment before Brian and Nathan came over and forced him to join the search.

In the end the hero ended up being a group of guys who snuck out to the cafeteria and stole a pick of spaghetti. The entire pack of raw pasta was plugged into the cake, making it look more like a porcupine than a football pitch. Then, after Auden questioned if they were really allowed an open fire, he let out a "what the hey, it's an important event," and proceeded to light every single piece of pasta.

Lucas wasn't able to blow out the gigantic flame that almost burned the cake and the dorm down. Someone ended up splashing a bucket of water to dose the fire hazard before the fire alarms could go off.

Not one boy complained as they ate soggy cake with melted icing. In fact, many swore that it was the best baked good they ever tasted. Lucas wasn't sure what to think of the charred taste along with a hint of pasta. But he wasn't one to judge, especially since this was the first birthday cake he could remember.

Someone brought forth a golden crown shortly after which Baster took over to make a great show of crowning Lucas as the birthday boy. Though he tried to make a break for it, the ECHO agent had no choice as he was held down.

A procession followed the boys who carried him from dorm to dorm on their shoulders and presented him to any boy they came across that hadn't made it to the party. They would follow the introduction of "birthday boy" shouts by spraying poor souls with the water guns. Lucas went along with it, baffled at what to make of this situation that was entirely new to him.

Confronted by the other dorm heads, Auden made sure things quietened down a bit after. Video games were unpacked, an intense pool and ping pong competition started up. Junk food appeared from boys who had somehow smuggled it in.

The party went on. Soon, Lucas found himself playing a game of pool. He was paired with Brian and was surprised to find his roommate was pretty skilled. Together the two were taking down Peter and Nathan.

"Nooo!" Nathan let out a groan as Brian pocketed another ball.

Brian and Lucas exchanged a high five when Lucas' hairs stood in warning. He turned just in time to see Jamie inching towards him. The boy held something in one hand.

Not again... Lucas prepared himself for the attack. However, when his eyes flickered to the object, his eyebrows rose in confusion.

Taking one last brave step, Jamie pulled an arm back and let fly his weapon of choice. Lucas saw it coming. He twisted, eyes following a large piece of raw meat as it flew by his face.

Splat!

It hit Brian right in the middle of his face.

The boys around the pool table lapsed into silence.

Jamie stood, shaking as he stared at the result of his attack.

The steak slid to the floor where it lay while Brian slowly lifted a hand to touch his face.

"Dude...did you just throw a steak?" Jordan, the football goalie, asked from where he had been watching the game.

"Failed attempt," Jamie hissed before turning and scurrying off.

"He's mental," Jordan announced in his British accent as his eyes followed the fleeing culprit.

Peter was doubled over from laughing. "He actually did it," he gasped as he leaned on the pool table for support.

Nathan poked the piece of meet with the pool stick. "Should we cook it?"

"What just happened?" Brian voiced.

Lucas turned to Peter. "Wrong kind of steak, huh?" He had caught on as he remembered his and Peter's last confrontation with Jamie. "I thought you said I would thank you for it?"

Peter nodded. He pointed in the general direction of the raw meat as he tried to catch his breath. "You got free meat..." He trailed off as laughter racked his body.

A grin spread across Lucas's face. He turned to Brian. "You okay?"

"I just got slapped by a dead cow," Brian still looked in shock.

"Those buggers can really fight," Jordan replied, the boy seemed to be trying to hold back a grin of his own.

Nathan picked up the steak using his pool stick. He raised it into the air. "Anyone know how to cook steak?"

There were shouts of excitement all around as a crowd formed and the debate began on how to best cook it. Peter joined in.

Jordan, Brian, and Lucas stood together, watching the scene in awe.

"It doesn't get much crazier than this," Jordan murmured.

"Am I the only sane person here?" Brian questioned.

Lucas watched before the grin on his face suddenly widened. "I think I like it."

Brian and Jordan turned their disbelieving eyes on him.

"Fry it!" A guy yelled. He took his shirt off and waved it in the air to emphasize his point.

"Grill it!" Lucas joined in the chant as he melted into crowd and lost himself in the game.

As the evening went on something happened to him that had never happened before. He forgot himself. For the first time he felt one with the other boys at Ellison High. He felt like one of them, as though he belonged, as though he had an identity. There was no suspicion, mistrust, no mission, no ECHO. There was just that moment of belonging.

When the dorm heads announced the party was over, the boys grudgingly left for their rooms. Needed showers were taken and the dorm quietened down as one after the other they headed to bed.

Lucas sat on his own, unaware of the smile on his face. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes, letting out a satisfied sigh.

A clearing of the throat made him lazily open them.

Nathan stood there, one arm slung around a Brian who looked somewhat uncomfortable.

"Here..." Nathan thrust out the plastic bag he had been dragging around all day. "It's your gift..."

Lucas hesitated. Gift... he had been receiving them all night. They had ranged from used socks, sweaty shirts, video games, a soccer ball signed by his team, puck signed by the hockey team, and even a thoughtful bar of soap. He still wasn't sure how to react to it. He hadn't really owned anything of his own. ECHO always had provided everything, and yet they also owned everything.

"Brian chipped in too..." Nathan said as he shook the plastic bag.

Without a word, Lucas took it. He peered inside and pulled out a box. Opening it he found a pair of brand new obnoxious yellow football shoes.

"This way we'll always be able to keep track of you when you're on the field," Nathan explained.

Lucas stared at the new shoes when a thought struck him. They were the nicest thing he had ever owned. He looked up, a genuine smile on his face.

"Thanks."

Brian broke from Nathan's grip. "Yeah, whatever," he muttered before he headed for the bathroom.

Nathan grinned. "He's always been horrible with giving gifts." He plopped down next to Lucas. "Try them on!"

Lucas did as told. Putting the shoes on, he laced them up. He walked across the room while Nathan watched intently.

"Do they fit?" Brian's voice called from the bathroom.

"Yup," Lucas called back.

"Good."

Nathan sprang up from the bed. "They're the newest on the market." He walked to his bed and stripped his shirt. "Jordan swears they help you hit a ball twice as far." He changed and fell into his bed. "You'll be scoring goals in no time."

Lucas returned to his bed and took the shoes off. "Will I?' he asked, his amusement evident in his voice.

"Not as many as me though," Nathan added before he turned over. "Why do we have class tomorrow?" He groaned into his pillow.

Brian was done in the next few moments. With the bathroom free, Lucas headed in. He took a shower while his roommates turned the lights off and went to sleep. Brushing his teeth, Lucas couldn't keep the smile from his face. He looked up at the steamed mirror. Surprised to see his teeth flashing, he wiped a hand across the glass to clear the steam. A boy grinned back at him. Shaking his head, he spat out the toothpaste and rinsed his mouth.

Looking up again the smile on Lucas' face froze. His eyes drifted to the scars that covered his chest. A finger went to a particular one that cut across his chest.

Does it hurt? He remembered the question the nurse at ECHO had asked as she stitched him back together.

No, his own answer echoed in his mind as he remembered sitting there, fingers clenched into fists as a needle passed through his flesh. He moved his finer to another that was over his heart.

Half an inch more and you would be dead, he remembered a voice inform him.

Fingers moved to his stomach.

Who almost gutted you this time? Another voice asked.

Slowly, his fingers moved to the fresher scar from the bullet he had taken not too long ago. How many more... he wondered. There wasn't much of a blank canvas left to paint on.

Looking up, he found a familiar solemn boy staring back at him from the glass. Turning, Lucas snatched a shirt and pulled it on. He headed back to the room. Finding his way in the dark, he slipped into his bed. He pulled the sheets up and stared at the ceiling above.

Wish! The boys' yells echoed in his mind as he recalled trying to unsuccessfully blow out the past candles earlier. He hadn't made a wish then, yet now that he thought about it...Lucas didn't blink as he stared at the darkness above.

For the first time in a very long time he actually had one. I wouldn't mind living like this for a little longer...the thought flittered through his mind. Letting out a snort, Lucas turned so that his back was to the room.

"I'm growing soft," he muttered.

Closing his eyes, he let sleep overcome.

With classes and football practice the week flew by.

By the end of it the boys were twice as hyper. It was the weekend where families could visit. Both Ellison and Bel opened their doors for students and family members from either side.

The campuses were filled with welcoming banners, signs to direct newcomers, and activities to entertain all. Picnics and barbeques were happening all around as students spent time with their parents in the glorious sunny weather. Others went off campus to relax in town.

Due to the financial status of many of the students, Lucas saw many of the parents arrive in expensive cars, long limos, and even a few helicopters.

Nathan, who had been fidgeting all day and changing his clothes over and over again, finally told Lucas a mournful goodbye when a Mercedes-Benz rolled into the driveway. Lucas watched his roommate leave with his head down, looking as though he was going to a funeral and not to meet hit parents.

Even Brian disappeared soon after to keep visiting family company. Lucas was unsure of what to do. He waited, expecting contact from ECHO, and yet nothing happened. In the end he got roped into changing into his football jersey and scrimmaging with some of the team whose parents couldn't make it. He used the chance to further wear in his shoes.

As the game got more intense he got more into it. He finally broke free and managed to net a glorious goal.

The boys rejoiced...all of them. Even the opposing team. And then somehow the game turned into one of rugby as the ball was picked up and carried off.

Lucas would have followed when someone caught his eyes. When his head turned the smile on his face dropped. There, sitting on the bleachers and calmly watching, was none other than M18, or as he was posing as right now, his dear uncle Zack.

The ECHO operative wore a baseball hat and held a Popsicle in each hand. He raised one in a gesture.

Lucas paused for a moment before jogging over. Playfulness left him as professionalism took over. He climbed the bleachers till he got to 'uncle Zack'.

"Hey," Zack greeted him in a friendly tone. He held out a blue Popsicle, already sucking on the red one.

Without a word, Lucas took it and sat down next to him.

"Nice shoes," Zack noted.

Lucas grunted in reply.

"So..." Zack popped the cold snack from his mouth. He leaned back, getting comfortable.

Yet, Lucas knew that despite how relaxed Zack looked, the man could spring into action any moment.

"What happened to being done in a week?" Zack asked.

"Do you have a message?" Lucas replied.

His teammates had stopped rolling on the ground and resumed a game of football with some very questionable tackling involved.

Zack tipped his cap back. "How's it going?"

"Oh you know," Lucas shrugged. "I have a kid who thinks I'm a vampire and is constantly stalking me, got shot not that long ago, dressed up like Frankenstein crossed with a girl, almost got staked, and homework is a drag..."

"Sounds like you're having fun." Zack grinned.

Lucas shrugged.

Zack's grin dropped. "Update me."

Eyes on the field, Lucas proceeded to do just that. "Gym is clear, Bel is out. The dorms seem to be a meeting place, nothing more..."

"Any stronger leads than that?"

Lucas' opened his mouth only to close it again. "I'm working on it," he murmured.

Silence.

Zack broke it. "I looked into that doctor."

Lucas' eyes remained on his teammates.

"I haven't come up with much...but I think you're right." Zack finished the Popsicle. "I feel he's hiding something." He brushed a bug from his pants. "I would avoid contact f possible."

Lucas nodded.

He was aware of how Zack's eyes flashed to his new shoes. The man let out a long sigh. "Lucas..." he paused. "If there was a way too..." he trailed off, shaking his head. "Never mind." He got to his feet. "ECHO sent a message."

Lucas sat up straighter.

"Don't forget your objective, you're not here to make friends," Zack sounded like he was reading a script, a frown on his face. "Also...they want to send in someone else."

"What?" Lucas jumped to his feet.

Zack turned to face him. "They want to get this done soon. But ultimately they left the choice up to you."

Another operative? Lucas didn't like the sound of that. It's risky. Transferring a student or teacher...it's suspicious.

"Lucas."

He looked up to see Zack watching him.

"It's your choice."

Options:

a) Decline a second ECHO operative joining. Lucas has got this.