Page 15 of Nolan
I’m curious why she thinks it’s a recent development.
No. A while back, actually. The weekend guys are all pretty close. One of them, AJ, dated this other guy Booker’s sister and it went to hell. Caused a lot of friction. They’ve smoothed it over now, for the most part, but it took a while.
Well, that’s gotta be rough, but that doesn’t mean the same thing will happen every time to everyone. Anyway, I wouldn’t worry. We’re just talking for now, right? Getting to know each other?
Yeah.
I dial back on the seriousness of the conversation, internalizing and processing her words. Talking. We’re just talking. I’m not betraying Apollo just by messaging her.
That being said, I should tread carefully and not push any boundaries too fast. No matter how much my gratification drive wants me to.
Got any embarrassing Apollo stories I can rub in his face?
A few. You’ll hear them all eventually. If not from me, then from Jess. Are you pretty close with him?
He’s my best friend.
Wow. He’s lucky, then.
Another odd thing when we’ve only just met. Apollo, lucky to have me?
You think so?
It takes her a moment to answer. Almost like she’s writing me something, deleting it, and starting over.
My brother and I haven’t been close for a long time. Let’s just say we have some things to work out.
I get the feeling that’s a closed topic, and I shouldn’t pry.
Fair enough.
I don’t want to make you feel uncomfortable, talking with me. Want me to talk with him?
No, I think it’s best for anything to come from me, when and if it becomes necessary.
Maybe that’s the answer to my dilemma. Bionics aren’t stagnant. We’re receiving updates, upgrades, changes to our programming all the time. My grat drive moved fast. I have no idea if this is something that will stick with me forever, or, like with Apollo, it might become unattached and become drawn to someone new.
Except I don’t like that possibility. Just considering it makes my systems revolt, as though to punish me for even thinking it.
Then it’s settled.
She garnishes her message with playful smirking emojis.
If we move past the getting-to-know-you stage, we’ll both handle Apollo our own way. I can’t pretend I’m best buds with him the way you are, but can he really get mad if we’re being cautious?
I like her way of thinking. Either way, I’m definitely going to need to be careful.
I think honesty is the best policy.
So do I. Thanks for making me feel welcome, by the way. I’m afraid to ask, but—what all did Apollo tell you about me?
He said you’re an aspiring fashion designer. That you’ve always been artistic. He showed me a picture of you, when you were fifteen.
Oh god, that awful thing.
She sends me a flurry of embarrassed emojis.
He’s killing me. I had braces back then and everything. I’d like to send you something more recent, if that’s okay?
