Грань будущего
Chapter 2
TearsstreameddownRita’scheeksanddrippedfromthepointofherchin,thensplashedastheylandedinthepalmofthehandIheldouttocatchthem.Iwasstillhotfromexercising,butthetearsburnedlike20mmslugs.Myheartwaspounding.Iwasajuniorhighschoolstudentaskingagirltothedance.Notevenbattlepumpedmybloodpressurethismuch.
Ritaclutchedthebottomofmyshirt,squeezingsotightthetipsofherfingerswerewhite.OnthebattlefieldIcouldseeeverymovecomingbeforeshemadeit,buthereIwasclueless.I’dprogrammedmyselftododgeathousandMimicattackswithease,butwhatgoodwasmyOSwhenIreallyneededit?Mymindwandered,lookingforanout.Iwonderedifmyshirtwassweatywhereshewasgrabbingit.
Thelasttime,IhadstoodlikeaparkstatueuntilRitaregainedhercomposureandspoke.Maybeaftertenmoretripsthroughtheloopthiswouldallberoutine.I’dknowjustwhattosaytosootheherasIheldhergentlyagainstmyshoulder.Butthatwouldmeanreducingmyinteractionswiththeoneandonlypersonintheworldwhounderstoodmetoaroteperformance.Somethingtoldmeitwasbettertojuststandthereandtakeit.
Yonabaruwasgapingatuslikeatouristinazoogapesatabearwhohassuddenlystoodupandbeguntowaltz.AtleastI’dfinallyfoundasituationthatwouldshuthimup.Ferrellpolitelyavertedhiseyes,butonlyhalfway.Andthatwasmoreorlesshowtherestoftheplatoonbehaved.Fuckme.Iwasthedancingbear.Don’tstare.Don’tsayanything.
