Verita

by Tracy Rozzlynn

  “Yes. Do you mind following us to the bio-dome? It will be easier to explain if we can show you.” Ryan gestures to the door, and Dr. Brant and the rest of us follow him out.

  Dr. Brant is delighted with Ryan’s work. She instructs us to plant the seed around her office after the cameras are taken care of. If it grows well there, she’ll have Ryan instruct some of the construction workers on collecting and reseeding it. Ryan agrees but makes one odd request. He asks if he can choose the second spot to plant the seed, but he won’t say exactly where he wants to place it. Dr. Brant agrees on the condition that it is in an area that is supposed to have grass.

  By the time I meet Andi at the laundry center after work, I’m as bubbly as she is. I’m in the mood to celebrate. I actually allow her to pick the dress for me, style my hair and even put make-up on me. Andi is thrilled with the opportunity. She had expected to have to drag me through the process instead of my easy compliance. Though frankly, I’m a little scared of what the end result will be. When she’s done, she drags me over to look in a mirror.

  “It’s a bit much, Andi,” I remark, pointing to my usually hidden cleavage.

  “Nonsense. You and I will be the center of attention tonight, and you’re going to love every minute of it. Just look at us.”

  I look. Andi has on a slinky, shimmery silver dress, a matching silver band slicking back her slowly growing hair. She looks like a runway model. My hair is loose, cascading down with its natural curls. A small barrette sweeps some of it to the side, so it won’t fall into my face. I can’t remember the last time I had it down. With my work, a ponytail or braids just makes more sense. She’d done a nice job on the make-up; nothing too heavy. The dress she picked out was emerald green, complementing the deep auburn of my hair. It ends right above my knees, and when I twirl it flares out. I feel like a little girl twirling around and let out a joyful laugh. But then I look back at the neckline and sigh. There is one strap which loops around my neck; the problem is that it plunges down a bit too far for my comfort level. I am simply not used to showing cleavage.

  “But, Andi.” I gesture to my chest.

  “Oh, come on, grow up. You have beautiful breasts, so don’t be afraid to show them off a bit.” She grabs my hand and drags me out of the room. She’s not going to give me the chance to back out.

  I relax a little when we get to the dance floor. Our dresses are not out of place. Everyone else is dressed up too, and there is plenty of cleavage besides mine and Andi’s. I notice some of the guys even have on tuxes. I wonder if everyone’s trying to make up for all the proms and formals that we missed during our trip here. We spot Jeremy waving at us. He’s at a large table right next to the dance floor. We make our way down the stairs and over to him.

  “Wow, you both look great,” Jeremy compliments us.

  “I have to agree.” I turn and see Ryan standing behind me and feel my face flush. He’s wearing a tux and I have to admit it looks good on him. “I almost didn’t recognize you,” he teases.

  “I don’t look that different.” I roll my eyes at him and pretend to pout.

  “I’ve never seen you with your hair down before. It makes quite a difference.” He stares at me just long enough for me to feel uncomfortable.

  “Really?” I automatically reach up and touch it like I didn’t know it was there.

  “Yeah, it’s nice. You should wear it like that more often, when you’re not going to be out in the field.” He starts to blush and quickly turns his attention to Andi. “You look great too, Andi.” He clears his throat.

  “Thank you, Ryan. Care to dance?” Andi holds out her hand, and I watch them make their way to the dance floor.

  “I’d ask you to dance too, but I should make sure everyone finds the table first,” Jeremy apologizes.

  “That’s okay. I’d much rather take the opportunity to talk instead. You won’t believe the day I’ve had.” I sit down next to Jeremy and explain all of the day’s events. He listens intently, only stopping to wave more of our group over as they arrive. By the time I finish my story, we have a full table.

  “Wow, some day. Definitely deserving of a dance.” Jeremy grabs my hand and pulls me onto the dance floor before I can protest.

  We spend most of the night dancing in a large group. Jeremy’s a blast to dance with, thanks to his mom. She’s the one responsible for his years of dancing lessons, and now he can dance to anything.

  I’m also surprised to find that Ryan is a pretty decent dancer too. He can keep the beat and has a carefree attitude on the dance floor. He doesn’t seem concerned about anyone thinking he looks too goofy. Andi, as expected, is as uninhibited as usual. The atmosphere is infectious; I soon forget to be self-conscious, and just enjoy dancing for the first time in a very long time.

  The music slows down. I turn to head back toward the table, but instead Ryan grabs me by the waist.

  “Just where do you think you’re going?” He laughs as he pulls me towards him. I recognize the song and its singer. It’s a much faster beat than this song usually has and I’m curious to see how he’ll manage, so I relent and place a hand on his shoulder just as the lyrics start to the remake of Son of a Preacher Man. He pulls me close, grabbing my free hand and sliding his other in the small of my back. Ryan surprises me again. While he is silly and goofy to the fast songs, he is graceful with this slower number and easily leads me to the beat. At first I find myself struggling to keep up with his lead. I’m not used to being led by someone who actually knows what he’s doing. But soon I’m lost in the music, and before I know it the song is over. I look up, still wrapped in Ryan’s arms, and realize just how fast my breathing and pulse have become.

  “I’m going to get a drink of water; do you want one?” I ask, trying to compose myself.

  “I’ll get the water and meet you at the table,” he suggests.

  I nod and make my way back to the table. Andi is sitting there waiting for me, a playful glint in her eyes.

  “The dance floor seems to be a dangerous place for you,” she teases.

  “What do you mean?” I feign innocence even though I know what she is implying.

  “The way you and Ryan were dancing I’d guess he was your boyfriend, not Brody.” She raises her eyebrows and waits for my response.

  “We were just dancing. Honestly, the only reason I did was because I figured he wouldn’t be able to keep up with the song. But he surprised me.”

  “Are you sure that’s all?” Her innuendo is clear.

  “Andi, will you stop trying to play matchmaker for me? I have a boyfriend, and Ryan has a girlfriend. We were just friends dancing.” I giggle dismissively, then I say, “Though I have to admit, it would be nice if Brody could dance like that.” A sigh escapes.

  “Ha! I knew you had a moment.” Andi almost jumps out of her seat in her excitement over catching me.

  “If I did it was about the dancing, not the boy. Apart from Jeremy, how many guys do you know that can actually lead?” My voice now sounds cross.

  “Counting Ryan and Jeremy? Two.” Andi holds and wiggles her fingers to emphasize the number. “Well I’ll see you in a bit.” She disappears as soon as Ryan returns with the water. I roll my eyes after her. She can be so mischievous.

  “So is your inability to be led a control thing or what?” Ryan jokes as he hands me my glass.

  “No, it’s a learned bad habit,” I admit.

  “How do you learn not to allow the guy to lead?” He raises his brow at me.

  “In middle school did you have dance during gym class?”

  “Yeah, I think its mandatory torture for all middle school students.” He takes a sip of his water and waits for me to continue.

  “I think you’re right. I had a semester of dance, and it was torture. We learned everything from the waltz to square dancing. Only one thing was consistent throughout the semester. No matter the dance, none of the boys knew the steps or how to lead. That left me to lead them through the steps, and I’ve been lead
ing ever since.”

  “Well for not knowing how to be led you adapt pretty quickly.” He smiles and tilts his glass towards me.

  “Thanks.” I tilted my glass back in an unofficial toast. “So who taught you how to dance like that?”

  He breaths out a sigh, and I see sadness creep into his eyes. “My sister Lauren. She was two years older than me, and the summer before my freshman year of high school she decided she was going to teach me how to dance. She told me that there are few things in life that a woman finds sexier than a man who can make her laugh, and a man that can dance. I wasn’t given a choice: she was going to make me learn one way or another.” He smiles, but it makes him appear sadder somehow.

  “Well, it does sound like your sister was a smart woman.” I pat his arm.

  “She was. She helped me keep my sanity. I was always the smallest, the youngest, and the worst hockey player in the house. She took pity on me and helped me recognize and develop my other strengths. Like school work, and even dancing.” He sighs.

  “You miss her, don’t you?” I say sympathetically.

  “Yeah I do, but she made me swear before I left that I would never have any regrets.”

  “How could she, unless—”

  “I told her,” he admits.

  “And she let you go?” I’m stunned.

  “She was a little reluctant at first, but she trusts me. She never knew exactly what the project was, because I didn’t know at the time, but she knew I thought it was my best chance at happiness, and that was enough. She said she would rather never see me again but know that I was happy. It was hard to leave her, but I knew if I stayed she would return to Maine to help me. I couldn’t do that to her; she had a full college scholarship, and she was in love. I couldn’t let her give that up.” Ryan feigns a cough and takes a drink of water, but I notice him wipe his eyes on his sleeve.

  “Wow, she sounds like she was something.” I reach to pat his arm again, but he moves it and I end up grabbing his hand. I give his hand a quick squeeze, but he takes a moment before he lets it go.

  His attention suddenly shifts to someone on the dance floor. “Who’s that?”

  “Who’s who?” I ask, looking in the same direction as Ryan. Initially I look over at the rest of the group dancing together. Jeremy and Jake are mock fighting over who gets to dance with Molly. Zachary is dancing with Sarah, and Wendy is dancing with Adam. They have both recently started dating. Troy is wrapped tightly in Hazel’s arms. Andi, for once, had been wrong. The newness didn’t wear off, only intensified. They are now engaged and will be married in a little over a month.

  Finally I see the ‘who’ Ryan is referring to. Now that I see them, I realize just how impossible it is for anybody not to notice them. Andi is smack in the middle of the dance floor with a tall boy. He has a round baby face and black hair spiked in every direction. They’re both looking at each other with big doe eyes. It’s a bit nauseating to watch.

  “I’ve never seen him before.” I continue to watch as they slowly turn in a circle, even though it is a fast song that’s playing.

  “Do you think someone spiked her drink?” Ryan looks worried.

  “No, she doesn’t look drugged; she looks twitterpated.” I stare at Andi in disbelief and wonder if that’s what me and Brody looked like when we first met.

  “Twitter what?” he stammers.

  “It’s a phrase from Bambi. Do you remember the scene where the skunk and the rabbit instantly fall head-over-heels in love?” I gesture towards Andi, currently the perfect example of what I mean.

  “Oh yeah, twitterpated. That’s a good description. It’s a little sickening to watch, though.” He rolls his eyes.

  “I know what you mean. But we probably should watch just to make sure your first theory isn’t right.”

  We watch them dance through the next three songs, totally oblivious to everyone else. I’m getting ready to walk over and pry them apart when Andi finally separates from him and walks back over to the table.

  “Well?” I ask as she stares at me like she’s shell-shocked. “Are you going to tell us who that was?” I smirk.

  “That was Jackson. Isn’t he dreamy?”

  It’s just too strange seeing Andi this way. “Okay, Ryan, I think your first guess was right. We might want to get her down to the hospital.” I shake my head and start to laugh. That’s when Andi finally snaps out of it.

  “Hey! I didn’t laugh when it was you and Brody on the dance floor, did I?” She stamps her foot at me and I laugh even harder – until I notice the annoyed look on Ryan’s face, but by the time I glance back to see his expression again, the look is gone.

  “I hope we didn’t look that bad,” I say through my hand. I still can’t control my giggling and may be well on my way to a laughing fit.

  “Well if that’s how you’re going to be.” Andi crosses her arms and turns her back toward me.

  “Okay, okay, I’m sorry.” I grab my water and chug some, hoping to keep the giggles at bay. “I really am happy for you. I’m glad you’ve met someone. It was just a bit surprising to watch you lose yourself like that for a while.” I do my best to look serious and somber. “So when are you going to see each other next?”

  “Tomorrow for dinner.” Andi uncrosses her arms and gives me a scrutinizing look, wanting to make sure I’m actually done laughing.

  “Okay, let’s make a deal: I won’t tease you anymore about the dance floor, and tomorrow night after dinner you’ll tell me all the details about your first date. Deal?” I try my best to look as sincere as possible.

  “Deal.” Andi’s smile returns to her face, and I’m forgiven.

  “It’s getting late, and we have a busy day tomorrow. I’m heading back to the dorm. Are you coming, Andi?” I stand and wait for her answer.

  “No. You’re not completely forgiven yet, and besides, I feel like some more dancing before bed. I’ll see you later.” She hops off the stool and skips over to join Jeremy, Jake and Molly on the dance floor. I can’t help but notice that Jeremy looks perturbed. For a while there, I thought the two of them would end up together.

  “I’m heading back too. I’ll walk you to your dorm, if you want.” Ryan stands up and holds out his arm for me to hold. “My lady.” Somehow he manages to keep his face straight. I, on the other hand, burst out laughing.

  “I don’t know what has gotten into you tonight, but I kind of like your silly side.” I hop up and grab his arm, adding, “Kind sir.”

  “You just haven’t spent enough time with me outside of work.” He holds the door open as we step outside. “So I guess Andi does everything with her usual flair, even falling for a guy.”

  “I guess,” I say, not honestly sure if I agree. “It was certainly strange to watch,” I add, but I don’t really want to talk about it, so instead I reach up and tussle Ryan’s hair.

  “Hey.” He reaches up and straightens it, as usual.

  “You seem so carefree on the dance floor. Why does your hair getting messy bother you?”

  “It’s not vanity; it just doesn’t feel right.” He shrugs his shoulders, unable to explain any better.

  “Well I think it looks better a little messy, but if it bothers you that much I can stop,” I offer.

  “Nah, it’s not like someone of your short stature can reach it most of the time anyway.” He stands as straight as possible and places his hands in front of him, so I can’t reach.

  “That sounds like a challenge.”

  I laugh as I try to dart around his arm. He turns too quickly for me and then starts to jog away from me.

  “Only if you can catch me,” he taunts, picking up the pace. He keeps just far enough ahead of me so that I don’t stand a chance of reaching him. Before we know it, we’re at the door to my dorm. Both of us are lightly panting from our little jog. I just hope I didn’t give myself a blister trying to run in heels.

  “It’s nice seeing your silly side, too.” Ryan holds the dorm door open for me. “Have a good night
.” For a brief moment, we both just stand there, frozen by the energy snapping and crackling between us.

  “Thanks. You too. See you tomorrow.”

  I quickly duck into the dorm and disappear, feeling unnerved by whatever had just happened between us.

  Chapter 12

  I’m up early the next morning. I quickly eat my breakfast and stop by the supply store. They have all the cameras ready and waiting for me. When I arrive at the field lab, the rest of my team is already there. We pack our bags in silence, while we wait for the security detail to arrive. Any trace of last night’s festivities has been replaced by anxiety.

  “Did the soldiers decide to sleep in?” Jake huffs impatiently.

  “They’re not late; we’re all early. They should be here at seven.” I’m feeling just as impatient. Now that I have my bag packed, there isn’t anything to keep me distracted.

  “I don’t like the look of those clouds. It could rain on us,” Ryan says as he looks out the window.

  “I hope it does rain, but after we finish placing the cameras.”

  I start rechecking my bag to have something to do.

  “Why do you want it to rain?” Molly asks, confused.

  “If we get a nice heavy rainstorm after placing the cameras it will wash away most of our scent. There’s a good chance the creature will avoid the area until our scent has dissipated. The rain will speed things up.”

  I start to pace, feeling edgy.

  “Well I hope the security detail is punctual; we’ll need to hurry it up to beat the rain.”

  Now Ryan’s pacing too. We’re all feeling impatient. Fortunately, before any of us completely lose our temper, the security detail arrives, led by Dean.

  We quickly show the soldiers the cleaned-up recording of the creature. Then I make sure everyone has a map of the area, and point out where we will be placing the cameras. Dean explains that there will be one soldier paired up with each scientist. It will be their job to look out for us while we place the cameras. Dean and another soldier, Thomas, will be the lookouts for the whole group. They will alert us the second they hear or see anything.