“Then what is it? If it’s not an answer then what is it?”
I couldn’t do this. I had to leave. I had to run.
And that’s what I did.
I slid off the bench and left the restaurant in a hurry.
“Haruka!”
I tried avoiding the people coming in as I made my way out. The door was open, and I hurried through it into the sidewalk beyond.
Then I felt strong arms wrap around me, and hold me still.
Duncan’s body felt large as he hugged me tightly to his chest. His arms were like bands of steel.
“Don’t go…please…please, don’t go.”
“…Duncan….”
“If you leave me—if you leave before we’ve even started—I won’t be able to move on.”
For a long while I couldn’t breathe, then my body started to relax but it was simply my strength deserting me. I was only standing because of his support.
Around me I noticed people were watching our display of confused affection.
Then Duncan spun me around within his arms and I found myself pressed against his chest, my face buried against it.
Above the pounding of my heart and the blood rushing through my head, I heard his whispered words in my left ear.
“Haruka, I love you.” I heard him swallow loudly. “Stay with me. Choose me.” He swallowed again, and I felt his chest heave as he inhaled deeply. “If you choose me, I swear I’ll never give you a reason to doubt your feelings or the choice you made. So choose me, and let’s move forward together.”
His arms tightened then relaxed.
“Let’s be together….”
He didn’t say anything else, and I lost track of time as he held me firmly.
Little by little I felt my heart begin to ease down.
Little by little, I began to hear his heart beating loudly in his chest, and I noticed it was beating in time with mine.
I realized I was shivering, but it was actually both he and I that trembled together.
And then I slowly slipped my arms around his waist, and held him tightly too.
#
(Caelum)
It was almost seven pm by the time we arrived at the restaurant.
Alistair announced, “This is the place. Aggh, it looks crowded.”
Klaus was eagerly peeking through the windows. “I see some free tables. Let’s go inside.”
I glanced at Melanie who had a complicated expression on her face.
I sighed inwardly. “I’ll walk you home after we eat.”
Ah, what the heck did I just say?
No, I was being courteous and chivalrous. That’s all it was.
By some misfortune Klaus heard me. He stepped up to Alistair. “Lady Alistair, please allow your humble retainer to escort you home—ow!”
Alistair thumped his head. “Escort me home? Since when do I need a runt like you protecting me.”
I could tell she wasn’t being serious. She had that dominating gleam in her eyes again. But Klaus looked wounded.
“Lady Alistair….”
She sighed loudly. “Alright, alright. You can walk me home. But who’s going to walk you home?”
He straightened and puffed out his chest. “Leave everything to me.”
In a tremendous display of bravado, he took a hold of Alistair’s hand and pulled her along to the restaurant’s entrance. She was so surprised she didn’t resist as she hurried behind him.
I stared open mouthed, glanced at a similarly stunned Melanie, then hurried after them.
Alistair’s voice suddenly grabbed my attention.
“Jeezes, can’t you two get a room? You’re making a scene.”
Melanie and I came to a sudden halt and avoided crashing into Alistair and Klaus.
The two were staring at a young couple, a tall student and shorter girl, embracing loudly on the path leading to the restaurant’s entrance. The guy and girl were facing away from us, so I didn’t get to see their faces until they slowly faced Alistair.
The girl was pretty, with long auburn hair, large dark eyes – and an impressive rack!
The guy was tall, dressed in the uniform of a Galatea Academy senior and quite handsome.
Yes, they complemented each other perfectly.
Yes, they both looked like a loving couple.
And yes, I recognized both of them in a heartbeat.
Duncan Armand recognized Alistair and froze on the spot. But his eyes continued to move, and after sweeping over her and Klaus his gaze fell on me. When he finally noticed Melanie behind me, his face paled.
As for Haruka, I could describe her reaction in a word – terrified.
The moment her gaze settled on me, her eyes widened like saucers and her face drained of blood. Even in the evening light and the light from the restaurant I could see she had turned as white as paper.
For a long moment none of us moved. Only Klaus appeared oblivious, though he was keeping quiet.
Haruka looked ready to faint, but Armand’s arms held her against his body.
His attention hardened on me, and color and confidence returned to his face.
With his arms around Haruka, he gave me a single acknowledging nod.
I remembered our exchange in the cafeteria.
I recalled telling him Haruka would slip out of his grasp.
And this was his reply.
As they say, actions speak louder than words.
I clenched my jaw until it ached.
Then I clenched a fist that by some miracle I kept rigid at my side.
Alistair broke the silence between us. “I guess you made your choice, Haruka.”
It didn’t sound as though she was being critical. In fact, it sounded as though Alistair was relieved, but when I looked at her, she was clearly uncomfortable. It was fair to describe her as deeply troubled.
I didn’t even glance at Melanie.
I knew where she stood, having coming to a stop beside me.
I reached out and took her right hand in my left, then pulled her past Haruka, Duncan, and the visibly uncomfortable Alistair. Klaus looked at me in surprise when I entered the restaurant with Melanie in tow, leaving him at the doorway.
The waitress inside greeted us, and thankfully my voice held steady as I asked for a table for four. We were seated quickly without incident, and a few moments later Alistair and Klaus joined us.
Melanie looked anguished, and she was breathing hard, but after a while and a few sips of water she calmed down a little. Then she released a long, shuddering breath and gave me a smile.
“Thank you.”
I blinked at her, my feelings in turmoil, and found it hard to be gracious. I gathered my self-control, and gave her a nod.
“You’re welcome.”
Alistair sat in silence and Klaus looked on in evident confusion. Then Alistair straightened and said in a clear voice, “I’m hungry, and I want food.” She gave me a wicked smile. “So let’s eat.”
Melanie and I stared at her, somewhat disbelieving our ears. To be honest, food was the last thing on my mind. But I understood what she was doing, making an effort for our sakes. I gave her a grateful smile. “Yeah, let’s eat.”
Melanie dropped her gaze to the table, but after a long moment she looked up and smiled weakly. “I am a little hungry…just a little.”
“My Lady Alistair, allow me.” Klaus jumped up from the table and flagged down a waitress with his wildly flailing arms.
Alistair growled, reached up, and yanked him back down into his seat.
“Will you behave,” she muttered, clearly annoyed.
I looked at them both, involuntarily comparing the image they cut with that of Haruka and Duncan.
I wondered how long before these two would be locked in a tight embrace.
My chest hurt, even as I laughed as Alistair pulled on Klaus’s cheeks, stretching his face like a super-sized vanilla cream cookie.
Reflections – 13.
Fragments possess the abilit
y to communicate with other Fragments.
It requires a synchronization to take place between two or more Fragments, resulting in something akin to quantum entanglement.
The Prides’ researchers call it Fragment Link, and it allows Familiars wielding linked Fragments to communicate telepathically. This doesn’t imply all thoughts are transmitted over the link, just those that a Familiar is consciously willing to send.
The longer the synchronization or Fragment Link is maintained between Fragments, the greater the spectrum of communication between the respective Familiars. It’s not just conscious thoughts that are sent through the link, but Awareness as well.
This has a number of benefits for Familiars out in the field.
Team members able to communicate with each other free of the effects of electromagnetic jamming, and also able to sense the location of their team mates and know what kind of surroundings each individual is in. As a result, a team captain can implicitly know the placement of his or her team mates without having to consult a palm-slate or data-slate or holovid map.
For this level of communication to take place, a Fragment Link needs to be maintained for several weeks.
In the short time that I was bonded to the Gauntlet, the Lanfears chose not to link my Fragment to Caprice’s Valkyrie Armor. At the time, I didn’t even know that such a link was even possible.
But Caprice told me later that such a bonding or entanglement had taken place between the members of Team Galatea.
If I didn’t feel like an outsider before, I most certainly felt like one after that.
It was one more painful reminder that I had lost my place beside Caprice.
Chapter 17 – The Fifth.
(Caelum)
After dinner, true to my word, I escorted Melanie home.
We rode the mag-lev together, and spoke very little.
I walked her to the apartment complex where she and her family lived in Habitat One.
She told me I didn’t need to accompany her home, but I admitted I’d be worried just leaving her alone without dropping her off at her door.
Before she entered the apartment complex lobby, I asked, “Are you going to be alright?”
She stopped, turned and faced me. “Yes. I think so. I believe so.” She smiled faintly and said, “Thank you for asking.”
I nodded. “No problem. All’s good.” I gave her a cheerful salute. “Have a good night and don’t let the bed bugs bite.”
I started turning away.
“Will you be alright?”
Her words caught me mid-step. I stopped then half turned to face her. “Who? Me?”
“Yes…you….”
I gave her question some serious thought, even if for only a few seconds. “Probably…not….”
I heard myself laugh sheepishly, and fairly bitterly.
Melanie looked hesitant. I realized she was debating whether or not to approach me.
I lightly raised a hand, forestalling her before she could take a step.
“But…I’ve been through this before”—not completely a lie—“so I know what to expect.” I thumped my chest proudly. “Hey, this young heart can take it—”
“Liar.”
That one word cut my false confidence in two.
Melanie walked up to me. “Caelum Desanto, you are a liar.”
I looked at her and folded my arms. “And what if I am a liar? What can I do about it? The girl who told me she loves me on Tuesday is now wrapped in another guy’s arms three days later.” I leaned forward an inch or so. “You tell me how to get through this.”
Melanie suddenly glared at me. “I can’t tell you that. If I had the answer I wouldn’t be hurting so much.”
I snorted in her face. “So you’re as much a liar as I am. You’re the kettle calling the pot black.”
She inhaled sharply. “Yes, I’m a liar, and I’m not going to be alright.” She pressed down upon her chest. “No matter what I do, I can’t get him out. The gods know I have tried! I have really, really tried! But seeing him together with your busty friend is like a knife through my heart.”
I saw her pain and I felt it, after all we were in the same situation but on facing pages.
I couldn’t look at her, and so I turned away.
“I’m sorry,” I muttered. “I feel the same way.”
When I managed to face her again, Melanie was looking at me with pained eyes.
I swallowed and said, “But at least Duncan has never lied to you. On the other hand Haruka is a liar. She told me one thing, and meant something else. She fooled me completely, and I hate myself for falling for the lie.” I shook my head. “I should have known better, but I’m so stupid.” I shoved my hands into my trouser pockets. “Girls can be so cruel.”
Melanie sucked in air. “Guys can be heartless.”
I gave her a hard look. “I never lied to Haruka. She knew how I felt. I told her not to leave me again and she promised she wouldn’t. It was all one big fat lie on her part.”
Melanie slapped her chest. “I’ve loved Duncan all my life, and he knows that. Yet he picks her over me.”
A thought dawned on me painfully. “It’s because we’re both Familiars.”
Melanie blinked wildly for a moment. “Wh—what?”
“We’re both Familiars, and they’re Aventis.” I clenched my jaw and felt like punching the nearby street sign. “Fine—if that’s how it is, then so be it. I’m done with them. I am so done with dealing with Aventis. I will never lose sleep over an Aventis ever again. And I certainly won’t lose sleep over Haruka ever again. To Hell with her and her cheating kind.”
“Aventis males think they’re so good,” Melanie grumbled bitterly. “They think they’re the gods’ gift to girls. Screw them.”
I nodded. “The Aventis aren’t good enough for us. Familiars know best. Familiars belong with Familiars.”
She nodded heartily. “I’ll tear up the next love letter I get from them, and throw the pieces off the rooftop.”
“Good for you,” I supported her. Then I blinked and leaned forward sharply. “You get love letters?”
“Yes, at least one a week.”
My eyes almost popped out of their sockets. “Really? That’s awesome.”
“No it’s not,” Melanie complained. “They’re all full of empty words. They say they like me but they don’t know anything about me.” She growled and pulled at her hair. “I’m so sick of it. Duncan’s the only one who knows me and understands me, and yet this is how he treats my love for him.”
“What a bastard.”
“Absolutely.”
“So teach him a lesson.”
“Huh?” She lowered her hands slowly. “How?”
“Accept one of those love letter invitations and go out with a guy. Make Duncan see that he can’t hurt you anymore.”
Melanie frowned. “He would just congratulate me for moving on.”
“Yeah, that’s a problem.”
“But,” Melanie said as she pounded a fist into a palm, “what if it was someone he doesn’t want me to be with.”
My eyes widened a little. “Yeah. I see your point. Someone he has a grudge against. Like a rival on the basketball team.”
Melanie shook her head quickly. “No, those guys were never interested in me. Trent and Micah are the only real rivals he has, and both have steady girlfriends.”
“Then it has to be a rival in love.”
She froze and then frowned at me. “What are you talking about?” Suddenly her eyes widened. “Yes—yes, I understand. That could work. Ha ha, that could really work.”
I blinked a few times, then realized what I’d just said. “Oh no, oh no.” I felt my insides turn over slowly. “Melanie…you shouldn’t take me seriously.”
She grinned like a feral cat. “Why not? It’s perfect.”
Now I felt my insides drop. “No, it’s far from perfect.”
“But this could work. This is guaranteed to light a fire in Duncan’s briefs.
”
“Eh?” Again I shook my head madly. “No, no, no. Haven’t you seen those holovid dramas where the jilted lovers try to get back at their ex’s by pretending to date and make them jealous.”
I reached out and grabbed her shoulders.
“It never works. At best they end up falling for each other and live happily ever after.”
I shook her by her shoulders.
“But this is reality. No script. No holocams. No audience.”
Melanie said, “Well, there is an audience, but go on.”
“What I mean is…no happy ending.”
Melanie arched her delicate eyebrows at me. “Why not?”
“Because I could fall for you, but there’s no way you’d fall for me.”
Her eyes widened slightly and she made an ‘oh I see’ expression. “So that’s what you’re worried about.” She nodded firmly. “Yes, there’s absolutely no chance I could ever fall for someone like you.”
“Ugh, do you have to be so blunt.”
Her eyes narrowed. “But why would you fall for me?”
“Huh? Why wouldn’t I?”
“My breasts are small. You like them large.”
“Breasts aren’t everything.”
What the Hell did I just say? I was going horribly against my grain.
Melanie’s eyebrows steepled. “Really? So when you look at a girl, where do you look at first?”
“Her breasts.”
“Gah—you see? You lied.”
“And then her butt followed by her legs.”
“Really…?”
“And you’ve got an awesome butt and fantastic legs. I noticed them when I saw you walk up to the balcony in the cafeteria.”
Even in the evening light her blush was noticeable. “You…you think so?”
“I’m being completely honest here.”
Melanie scowled. “So you have no interest in my face.”
“No, I saw your face alright. I mean, I told Duncan that apart from your small chest you looked perfect.”
Melanie’s face grew blank. “You…you told…you said that to Duncan?”
“Hell yeah. The moment you stepped up to the railing I thought I’d seen a vision. Haruka’s a brunette and gorgeous and all, but I prefer blondes over brunettes any day of the week. Blondes are special. Especially natural blondes.” I paused. “Melanie?”
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