Her fearful, distant expression quickly shifted back into the fiery, defensive posture I'd first come to know from her.
"What's up?" she asked, moving to stand in front of me.
"What are you doing here? Where's Firinne?" I asked, raising a suspicious brow. I might have been new to this world, but even I knew it wasn't appropriate to wander through someone's home alone.
"In the bathroom," Kira replied quickly. "Why?"
She stepped closer, moving into the light pouring in from the nearby balcony. We were on one of the highest floors, just below the vast glass dome. Her thick red hair no longer hid the side of her face, and I noticed a dark purple bruise spreading beneath her eye, despite the makeup on it.
I must've stared at it a second too long, because she pushed her hair back over that side, turning away from me.
"Are you ok—"
I reached out, about to place a hand on her shoulder, when the sound of footsteps coming up interrupted us.
"Is it my turn yet? Sorry, I drank so much tea... I had to sneak off," Firinne called, her voice light as she appeared at the top of the stairs, a wide grin on her charming face.
Kira ignored my hand hovering in the air and walked back into the printer room, followed by Firinne, who kept that same bright smile for me. She grabbed my arm and leaned in, eager to ask more questions about the printer and the quick intro I'd given earlier.
"I love these! Thank you so much, Sade!" Chaoxing said, clutching the two sparkly, matching tablet cases she'd made for her and Henry, along with the cute little bag I'd printed for her, a black version of mine.
"It's really addictive, I get why you're into this!" Firinne grinned, still scrolling through the endless list of printable items on her tablet.
"Thank you, Sade," Kira even said, glancing down at the simple tablet case she'd made with my help.
Again, I felt so happy to be useful.
"Is it time to party now?" Firinne snapped her fingers in the air, swaying her hips playfully.
"What do you mean?" Chaoxing smiled, curious.
I could see Chaoxing shared with me that same fascination about Firinne. We both looked at her as some kind of cooler, better, older sister.
"Give me access to the sound system, I'll show you," Firinne flashed another of her charming grins, running a finger down one of the long, tiny braids of Chaoxing.
This one was already tapping away on her tablet to give her access.
We all followed the music back downstairs, where the sound was loudest. Firinne picked the songs, Chaoxing dimmed the lights, and Kira's head was already leaning back, her eyes closing as her head bobbed gently with the music.
I'd never really danced before. At the clinic, we were allowed to listen to music at the Information Center, but we never had dance parties like we've seen in the movies. At first, I felt a bit self-conscious, my shoulders stiff, only letting my feet go from one side to the other.
"Come on, Sade!" Firinne grabbed my hands. "I know you've got it in you," she laughed, spinning me around.
As usual, I mimicked them, trying to loosen up. Of course, no one was specifically looking at me. I didn't feel any judgment from the women around me. To the contrary, they inspired me.
I let my arms feel light, my feet get jittery on the improvised dance floor, and my eyes close to feel the rhythm. I began to stop thinking about how I looked and more about how I felt.
And I felt so much joy.
Pure, weightless joy.
Outside, the evening light faded. Tiny sparkling lights began to appear all around us, floating like fireflies around the plants and along the stream. The music got faster, and Firinne bounced around, her energy getting contagious. She kicked a foot into the stream and splashed Kira. I expected her to answer with a pout or another long-suffering face, but instead, Kira burst out laughing, jumped into the stream, water splashing up to her knees, and flung water back at Firinne with both hands.
We all rushed into the stream, dancing, laughing, splashing wildly.
"I've never heard this music before!" Chaoxing called out over the beat, her shoulders moving to the cool rhythms.
"It's from outside the City!" Kira answered as she sang the words she seemed to know by heart, her long red hair back, her eyes closed in bliss.
For a second, it didn't even occur to me that Kira might've slipped, revealing our secret in a burst of careless joy. But when she opened her eyes and met mine, the brief flicker of realization passed between us. Before I could say or think anything, Firinne swung an arm around Kira's shoulders, and the two of them sang along to the lyrics they seemed to both know.
I was too busy laughing, too caught up in the moment, to care.
I felt so alive. I felt so free.
Chaoxing took my hands and we twirled around too, the biggest, most radiant smile lighting up our faces.
I wished this moment could have lasted forever.
When I finally got home, it was like carrying an electric charge, my body buzzing with energy that just wouldn't settle.
For the first time ever, V was home before me.
"I guess you had fun?" he said, smiling, his eyebrows raised in surprise, though I could see he was pleased by how ecstatic I looked.
"So much fun," I grinned, going straight into his arms.
He seemed a little caught off guard at first, but didn't hesitate very long before wrapping his arms around me. One hand rested between my shoulder blades, the other gently cradling the back of my neck as he rocked us softly, side to side.
The melody in my head had followed me all the way back home.
Only now, it felt softer, slower.
"I think we should go on another date," I said, leaning my head back just enough to look him in the eyes.
I could see sparks of light in his eyes. A reflection of my own. I guess my energy was contagious too.
"I think we should," he smiled, and hesitantly, pulled me back into the warmth of his embrace, still rocking with the slow tune of my heart.
🗓️ Next chapters: this Monday, August 25th 🗓️
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