Glitch

little girl who’d danced on the platform
    and imagined her growing colder and less human every time
    a new V-chip was installed. Just the thought made me feel
    like throwing up. I thought I’d saved her that day on the
    train platform. But had I? She would still grow up and forget
    what it had ever felt like to feel.
    “I don’t want to procreate,” Max laughed, not seeming to
    sense my dark mood or thoughts. “I just want you. For my-
    self.” He leaned in and his voice got suddenly low.
    “Don’t you understand? I want to spend my life with you.
    I want you to be there when I go to bed at night and when
    I wake up in the morning.”
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    G L I TC H
    “Oh.” I thought about it. I didn’t know how Max thought
    we could stay in the Community our whole lives and some-
    how be safe. But then, the way he talked about it— waking
    up next to someone every morning. Not being alone. Ever
    again. I slowly smiled.
    I still felt a nagging sense of worry about Max’s confi -
    dence. It seemed too simple, even reckless. On the other
    hand, it gave me a fl ush of happiness to be wanted. My own
    parents didn’t even want me. Not really. I was just part
    of their Community duty. They didn’t miss me when I was
    gone or care that I’d been hurt. Max wanted to be family
    with me. Being family had to mean even more connection
    than just being a friend.
    “Yes, I’d like that,” I fi nally said. “I’d like to be family
    with you.”
    “Good.” He grinned and let out a big breath I hadn’t no-
    ticed he was holding. He pulled me closer, his lips immedi-
    ately on mine. He held me tight and then swung his legs up
    onto the bed to lie down beside me.
    “I want to be the one to protect you,” he said into my ear.
    His hands moved down from my neck to tuck themselves
    securely around my waist. “You know I can protect you,
    right?”
    “I never said you couldn’t.” I separated from him and
    propped myself up on my elbow. His blond hair was mussed
    and I smiled and reached over to smooth it down.
    He grinned, his dimples catching in the light.
    “So do you actually have notes and homework for me,” I
    said, feeling an uncomfortable blush in my cheeks at the
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    Heather Anastasiu
    way he was looking at me. “Or was that just an excuse to
    come over?”
    “Yes, I brought notes,” he laughed. “I already synced my
    tablet to yours while you were sleeping.”
    “Well let’s do some homework so if anyone walks in we
    won’t look anomalous.”
    “You shouldn’t be studying right now. You need to rest. I
    just had to see you and let you know I can take care of you.”
    For a moment he stared beyond me at the wall. “I’m making
    sure of it.”
    “What?” I sat up in alarm. Something about the way he
    said it fi lled me with dread. “What do you mean, Max? How
    are you making sure of it?”
    He smiled and waved a hand, the intense look disappear-
    ing from his face. “It’s nothing. Don’t be afraid. I’m always
    careful. Everything’s going to get better. You’ll see.”
    194

Chapter 14
    i was walking down the hall when someone stopped
    suddenly in front of me. I ran right into them, my tablet case
    clunking to the ground in my surprise at the impact. I bent
    down, trying not to let my irritation show or betray any other
    anomalous response, but then I looked up and saw it was
    Adrien. My eyes widened just a fraction before I made my
    face blank again. He’d dropped his tablet case too with the
    impact and he stooped to the ground at the same time, too.
    I’d had a twinge in my stomach all day at the thought of
    seeing Adrien again, but now that he was here in front of
    me, I didn’t know what question to ask fi rst.
    “I have a way to get into your house unnoticed,” he whis-
    pered, turning his head toward mine but keeping it facing
    the ground. “I’ll meet you in your bedroom at eight tomor-
    row.”
    I opened my mouth to speak, but he didn’t give me the
    chance.
    “I’ll answer any questions tomorrow,” he whispered
    quickly, then stood up. I sat another moment watching after
    him, dumbfounded. His tall, lanky body quickly disappeared
    around a corner. I fi nally realized I might attract attention if
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    Heather Anastasiu
    I kept crouching on the ground like this, so I got up and
    turned toward the lunchroom.
    I had to work hard to hide the excitement and nerves bub-
    bling in my chest. Finally , I might get some answers. Adrien
    knew things. He might be dangerous,