Read Online Concisus by Tracy Rozzlynn - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Tracy Rozzlynn
Tags: Verita
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You’re upset. Is it because of Dr. Brant? She’ll change her mind eventually.” He lightly brushes a hand down my hair.
I jerk away.
“Tell me what it is, maybe I can help.” He looks hurt and confused as he reaches for me.
“You can help me by giving me some space.” I jump to my feet, unable to endure his feigned concern any longer. “I think it’s best if we’re just friends.”
“You’re going back to Brody.” He doesn’t sound defensive or mad, but sad.
“What? No,” I snap defensively. “This has nothing to do with Brody.”
“Then why? You said you love me. What happened to change your mind?”
How dare he throw those words in my face? An image flashes in front of me: Kelly’s lips drawn close to Ryan’s ear so she can whisper sweet nothings to him before they kiss. I can’t believe he’s pretending to be clueless and innocent. I consider confronting him about what I saw, but then he’d have the satisfaction of knowing how much he hurt me.
“I made a mistake,” I say.
“A mistake, yeah, I guess that’s what it was.”
The walls of the lab suddenly seem too close and the air too hot. I dig my nails into the flesh of my palms to keep myself from completely falling apart. “My database is self-explanatory. I’m going to work with Jake and Molly today.” I glance over my shoulder as I leave the lab, and see that Ryan’s already turned back to his computer.
Molly’s at the lab when I get there, but she doesn’t comment on my tear-streaked, puffy-eyed face. Jake must have already told her about Ryan and me. Elliot neglected to assign Molly and Jake any work, so they both volunteer to help me.
Working on the database is tedious, but it’s a good enough distraction. I like working with Molly and Jake, even if I am only entering data. Periodically, we take turns pointing out some of the scientists’ mistakes which are a bit scary. If scientists make such blatant mistakes on reports, who knows what kind of mistakes they make out in the field. What worries me the most is how many mistakes originate from Elliot’s group. For now, the three of us find the humor in the errors and laugh until our sides ache. My laughter is forced, but Jake and Molly don’t need to know that.
Chapter 6
A side effect of sleeping upside down in the pods is waking earlier than usual. The pods still have everyone sleeping through the two extra hours of Verita’s twenty-six-hour day. I shower, dress, dry my hair, and even apply makeup, but everyone still remains asleep. I run my hand along the sleek metal casing of the pod. The soft padded interior is comfortable and looks innocuous, but the barely audible hum that emanates from the clusters of projectors is anything but. I should use the extra time and take a run, or get some extra work done on the database, but instead I climb back into my pod, fold my arms behind my head, and close my eyes. I daydream about being back in the field as I tap my foot against the projector nodules.
I’m in the same position when Andi finishes her shower and shakes her wet hair at me. I take it as a sign she’s forgiven me,
“A good cry might help,” she says. I’ve never been able to hide anything from Andi. “Ryan, right?”
I turn my face away, and my mouth quivers. I squeeze my eyes shut to keep the tears at bay. Andi slides into the pod next to me. I feel the light brush of her hand on the back of my head. “I don’t want to talk about it,” I insist.
“Fine, but don’t expect me to idly sit by while you wallow in self-pity.” The gentle concern in her voice buffers her harsh words which are what I need to hear. Andi jumps to her feet. Staring down she purses her lips in mock irritation, rests a hand on her hip, and wags her finger at me. “If you wanted to wallow you should have told me last night when we could do it properly with lots of chocolate and ice cream.” A smile breaks through her charade as she pulls me up. “Come on, food
I jerk away.
“Tell me what it is, maybe I can help.” He looks hurt and confused as he reaches for me.
“You can help me by giving me some space.” I jump to my feet, unable to endure his feigned concern any longer. “I think it’s best if we’re just friends.”
“You’re going back to Brody.” He doesn’t sound defensive or mad, but sad.
“What? No,” I snap defensively. “This has nothing to do with Brody.”
“Then why? You said you love me. What happened to change your mind?”
How dare he throw those words in my face? An image flashes in front of me: Kelly’s lips drawn close to Ryan’s ear so she can whisper sweet nothings to him before they kiss. I can’t believe he’s pretending to be clueless and innocent. I consider confronting him about what I saw, but then he’d have the satisfaction of knowing how much he hurt me.
“I made a mistake,” I say.
“A mistake, yeah, I guess that’s what it was.”
The walls of the lab suddenly seem too close and the air too hot. I dig my nails into the flesh of my palms to keep myself from completely falling apart. “My database is self-explanatory. I’m going to work with Jake and Molly today.” I glance over my shoulder as I leave the lab, and see that Ryan’s already turned back to his computer.
Molly’s at the lab when I get there, but she doesn’t comment on my tear-streaked, puffy-eyed face. Jake must have already told her about Ryan and me. Elliot neglected to assign Molly and Jake any work, so they both volunteer to help me.
Working on the database is tedious, but it’s a good enough distraction. I like working with Molly and Jake, even if I am only entering data. Periodically, we take turns pointing out some of the scientists’ mistakes which are a bit scary. If scientists make such blatant mistakes on reports, who knows what kind of mistakes they make out in the field. What worries me the most is how many mistakes originate from Elliot’s group. For now, the three of us find the humor in the errors and laugh until our sides ache. My laughter is forced, but Jake and Molly don’t need to know that.
Chapter 6
A side effect of sleeping upside down in the pods is waking earlier than usual. The pods still have everyone sleeping through the two extra hours of Verita’s twenty-six-hour day. I shower, dress, dry my hair, and even apply makeup, but everyone still remains asleep. I run my hand along the sleek metal casing of the pod. The soft padded interior is comfortable and looks innocuous, but the barely audible hum that emanates from the clusters of projectors is anything but. I should use the extra time and take a run, or get some extra work done on the database, but instead I climb back into my pod, fold my arms behind my head, and close my eyes. I daydream about being back in the field as I tap my foot against the projector nodules.
I’m in the same position when Andi finishes her shower and shakes her wet hair at me. I take it as a sign she’s forgiven me,
“A good cry might help,” she says. I’ve never been able to hide anything from Andi. “Ryan, right?”
I turn my face away, and my mouth quivers. I squeeze my eyes shut to keep the tears at bay. Andi slides into the pod next to me. I feel the light brush of her hand on the back of my head. “I don’t want to talk about it,” I insist.
“Fine, but don’t expect me to idly sit by while you wallow in self-pity.” The gentle concern in her voice buffers her harsh words which are what I need to hear. Andi jumps to her feet. Staring down she purses her lips in mock irritation, rests a hand on her hip, and wags her finger at me. “If you wanted to wallow you should have told me last night when we could do it properly with lots of chocolate and ice cream.” A smile breaks through her charade as she pulls me up. “Come on, food
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