Page 62 of The Pacifist
“You were granted a mediation meeting?”
“Why are you surprised? We should have a chance to defend ourselves against her accusations.”
“Yes, but with the drama involved in this case, I figured they would protect her from a public appearance like that.”
“They did. No media or outsiders will be allowed.”
“I see. And how do you feel about seeing her again?”
Scratching my left eyebrow, I thought about it. “I’ve been very angry with her but you know how Mila always says, don’t ask what’s wrong with you, ask what happened to you?”
“Sounds like Mila all right.”
“I keep thinking that the timing of all this is odd. I’m still frustrated, but I’m also worried about what might have happened to Anne to make her behave this way.”
“Good. Then you’ll meet her with an open mind. I hope you will reach a peaceful understanding.” Pearl leaned in to hug me. “I’m afraid I have to go, but we’ll see you soon, Jonah.”
Hugging in virtual reality felt like hugging a ghost, but I still hugged her back. “Yes, and say hi to Mila from me. Tell her I miss her.” I didn’t tell Pearl that Mila wasn’t answering my calls.
She leaned back and smiled. “I will.”
I let her leave first. In early versions of virtual reality, the avatars had simply popped in and out, but in this version, there was always an entry and exit to make it feel more realistic. Usually it was a door, but being that this setting was an open field, Pearl’s avatar moved to a group of trees and disappeared behind them.
I exited and found myself back in my living room knowing that my avatar would continue walking until it reached the same group of trees.
The clock on my wristband told me I had three hours until my family would be expecting me at the House of Mediation where we would have our chance to confront Anne and get answers.
CHAPTER 13
Saying No
Mila
It was the smallest of words and yet so hard to say.
With my dog, Loki, yapping around my feet I practiced in the mirror.
“No.
“I know you’re disappointed, Dad, but I won’t do it.
“I said no.”
Placing my hands on my hips looked unnatural to me and so did pushing out my chin. Raven had told me to stand my ground and look my parents square in the face when I told them.
Spreading my legs, I bent in my knees and raised my head up as I spoke to myself in the mirror. “It’s not up for discussion, I’ve made up my mind.”
I looked strange in that position but at least my voice had sounded firm. Straightening up, I gave myself a nod. “Nothing to be scared of. It’s going to be fine.”
My hand went to my wristband and I bit down hard on my lower lip. What I wouldn’t give to call Jonah and have him reassure me that I was doing the right thing.
But Raven had a good point. This was something I had to do for myself.
After my talk with Raven, I wondered if I’d fallen in love with Jonah because he was safe and my ticket out of marrying a stranger in the tournament. My love for him felt a hundred percent real, but what if it wasn’t?
With the pain in my chest and the longing I felt for Jonah, I almost hoped that it had all been my mind playing tricks on me. If I was lucky, my parents would take the news well and I’d feel a huge sense of relief when I realized that my feelings for Jonah weren’t anywhere as powerful as I thought they were.
With another nod to my reflection, I left the dogs in my room and went to my parents’ suite.
