Eugenia part 25

Read part 24 here!

As expected, Decklan was more assuredly not on board with the new idea. “That’s way too dangerous! What if Bluff traces her phone?”

“I’ve already thought of that! She’ll be in the station!”

“Oh, right, because Bluff knowing you’re so intimately involved is a much better idea.”

“No, no! We’ll say she’s calling in, mess with the audio a bit, and keep her safe and sound in the station. Everyone I work with is on our side. My office hates Bluff, they won’t screw us over. Their jobs are too important.”

“I don’t like this.”

“Do you have any other ideas, Oh Brilliant One?”

“Enough!” I said loudly, looking up from the computer. “So I’m working on the order I’ll call the names. I’ll start with the people last seen around New Diego first, then work my way through the youngest, since they’ll be more keen to revolt, and then everyone else.”

“I don’t like this,” Decklan repeated, but it was softer this time as he looked at me. His face reflected the lamplight strangely; there were lines I hadn’t noticed before. The stress was getting to him.

I decided to ignore this observation and responded by shrugging nonchalantly. “We don’t have much better ideas.”

Making a frustrated half-grunt half-growl, Decklan retreated into his room and shut the door.

“Don’t mind him.” Jon told me, glancing at my list. “Bluff got to him again today.”

“What? Why didn’t he tell me?”

“Didn’t want you to worry, I suppose.”

“Is it safe for us to stay here, Jon?” I closed the laptop and handed it back to him.

“For now. Deck’s been on his best behavior, and you haven’t been spotted in a while. Bluff doesn’t have anything on us.”

“Yet.”

“Yet,” Jon agreed. “Well, I’m off to bed. Night.”

I waved and sat back on the couch, mulling over the 180 that my life had taken lately. Andy wandered into the living area. “Girls are asleep. And it only took my describing photosynthesis in moderate detail.”

“Thank you, Andy.”

He patted my shoulder reassuringly. “It’s rough for all of us. But hopefully Jon’s interview will make some headway.”

I smiled at him and waved again as he left me. My eyes were starting to get heavy when Decklan’s door opened quietly. “Meg?”

“Yeah?” My head lolled back to rest on the back of the couch.

“Can we talk?”

“What are we doing right now?”

A sudden change in weight distribution on the couch caused me to open my eyes and stare at Decklan, who had sat down roughly. “I could do without the sarcasm.”

“Sorry.” Sighing quietly, I sat up straighter and looked at him. “What?”

Decklan sighed too, leaning forward slightly. “It’s just… I’m sorry for the way I’ve been acting.”

Was that it? “I understand, Decklan. This isn’t easy. Jon- Jon told me about Bluff today.”

“Traitor.” he muttered under his breath. “Well, yeah. I just thought I at least owed you an explanation for my acting like a bear.”

I laughed a little, watching him closely. “Alright.”

“It’s just- I really like you, Meg,” Oh no. “and I don’t want anything to happen with you. And I know this sounds weird and selfish, but it would be ok with me if you stayed in this apartment with us for a while.”

“Are you trying to be romantic?” I asked lightly, trying to change the tenor of the conversation. “Because you’re not doing a very good job of it.”

Decklan laughed. “Sorry. I’m not good with this kind of stuff.”

“Then what are you good at?” I hoped it sounded honestly curious, as it was intended, and not rude.

“Arguing?”

“Debatable.” I winked, glad that we had moved away from dangerous waters for now. “Anything else?”

Pretending to be deep in thought, he scratched his chin. It looked like he’d skipped shaving this morning by the looks of the fine, even stubble. “I’m decent at organizing things, I suppose.”

“Are you trying to be the most boring person in the world?” I asked him, only partly joking. He laughed and shrugged sheepishly. “What do you like to do?”

We made eye contact, and I watched as the green flecks in his brown eyes danced as he considered this question. Finally, they closed for a moment. “I like to build things.”

“Now we’re getting somewhere! Build what?”

“This coffee table, for example.” He gestured to the dark wooden table beside us. Intrigued, I leaned forward to examine it more closely. Suddenly, things I’d never noticed lit up in the dimming light. Each leg was curved and shaped into what looked like breaking waves, and the edges of the table sloped downward slightly, creating an elegant yet withdrawn vibe.

“It’s beautiful.” I told him honestly, looking back at him. “You’re good at one interesting thing, at least.”

He smiled. “It’s just a hobby.”

“But you could sell these!” I exclaimed, honestly surprised. “What are you currently majoring in?”

“Politics.” He watched me closely as I processed this angrily.

“Do you like politics?”

“I’m good at arguing.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

“What do you want me to say, Meg? I like building things, not so much politics. But I don’t really have a choice.”

“You don’t… you passed the test! You can do whatever you want!”

“I wish it were that simple.” He smiled sadly at me. “Woodworking and building things like this… they’re considered Reg jobs. Something below me.”

“Considered…”

“Sorry, they are Reg jobs. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t apply for a job like this.”

“But-”

“Meg, it doesn’t work that way. Being in society is just as restricted as being out of it.”

This was news to me, and although I was inclined to disagree, I understood what he was trying to say. “Decklan…”

He shrugged, and it was then that I noticed his arm was casually draped over the couch behind me. “If your plan works, maybe I will be able to follow my dreams.”

Afraid to sit back but also wanting it more than I understood, I stayed where I was, leaning forward slightly. “Not maybe. Promise me you will.”

We didn’t blink for a long time. “I promise.” He whispered, and then stood up, pulling his arm slowly from the couch. “School tomorrow. Goodnight, Meg.” Hesitantly, he leaned forward and kissed me lightly on the forehead.

“Goodnight, Decklan.” I whispered back dreamily, unsure of where my sense of self control had gone. He turned to leave, but I stood up abruptly. “Decklan.”

He turned, and before either of us had a chance to think or speak, I reached my head upwards and pressed my lips to his.

We stayed in this position for several seconds, my feet straining to keep me at his tremendous height. When I finally pulled away, he looked at me with eyes wide and then took his hand and placed it lightly on my cheek.

Closing my eyes to the warmth, I inhaled sharply as he brushed some of my short hair out of my eyes and leaned in for a second kiss.

This one lasted significantly longer than the first, and included much more movement from both of us. I marveled at the way our mouths moved together, opening and closing, pressing harder and harder.

My long arms reached up and wrapped themselves around his neck without my consent, and his even longer appendages held me firmly around the waist. I pulled him closer, and he certainly wasn’t complaining.

“Meg?” Asked a groggy voice from behind us.

Gasping, we broke apart and I turned to see Emma standing in the doorway of Andy’s room, where the three of us girls had been sleeping. Andy was in Jon’s room for the time being. Her little fists were rubbing at her eyes, so I doubted she’d seen anything… compromising.

“Hi, Emma.” I blushed so fiercely I was suddenly afraid of combustion. Decklan muttered a goodnight and left quickly. “What do you need?”

The sleep had left her eyes enough to blink up at me. “I was thirsty.”

“Yes, right.” I scooped her up and carried her on my hip into the small kitchen. “I’ll get you some water.”

“Thank you,” she mumbled into my shoulder, small arms wrapped around my neck in a much more innocent way than mine had been wrapped around Decklan’s just moments before. I blushed again as I grabbed a small cup out of the cabinet.

Watching my little sister drinking the water, settled comfortably on the counter top, left me with such a rush of affection that I could barely contain myself. She was braver than I was, and if I was going to change the system for anyone, it was going to be her. I’d never had a real family before, but I figured this could be a good start.

I carried her back to our temporary room and laid her back down before changing into my pajamas and crawling in between the younger girls. Julie unconsciously turned to rest her head on my shoulder and Emma snuggled into my other side. I silently prayed to anything I could think of that Jon’s interview worked.

Continued in part 26!