Free Deadlocked 5 by A.R. Wise Page B

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    "You don't like Junction?" Hailey sounded shocked.
    Junction was a game in which the player needed to build a track made out of oddly shaped patterns for a ball to roll through and reach a designated safe area. The track would often span gaps, requiring the player to build ramps that could launch the ball a safe distance ahead. It required a deft ability in geometry and physics, which I lacked. "It's okay, I guess."
    Hailey's eyes grew wide and she smiled when she said, "I love it."
    "Of course you do. You're good at it."
    She smiled, rolled her eyes, and shrugged as if embarrassed. "You really think so?"
    "Yes, of course I do. You're always at the top of the boards."
    "Thanks." She was acting oddly bashful about her accomplishment.
    "Thanks for what? You always get high scores in Junction. I'm just telling the truth."
    "Thanks for noticing, I mean."
    We shared an odd glance, she appeared bashful and my expression must have been one of confusion. "What's with you? You're acting weird."
    She giggled and shook her head. I noticed that her cheeks had started to blush as she said, "Nothing, sorry."
    There were other girls around us, all in a rush to get to the Common Room and secure a seat at one of the popular tables. Most of the Reds stayed together at a table in the back, but Hailey was often able to sit at a Yellow table. She constantly fluttered between the groups, oblivious to the discord between them.
    The Common Room was the largest area in the facility and was furnished with plush couches and revolving chairs. There were short tables throughout that the couches and chairs circled, and it was expected that eight girls would occupy each table - no more, no less. Tablets with touch screens were available for any girl that wanted to practice one of the mental challenge games, but I rarely took the opportunity to do so and instead focused on the social opportunity of the gathering space.
    The ceiling of the Common Room was angled and frighteningly high. I got vertigo if I stared up and we once postulated that it was at least thirty or forty feet straight up before even reaching the ceiling's slant. The ceiling rose at a single angle instead of a pyramid, making one side much higher than the other. Such a large space was rare in the Facility, and the open air unsettled me.
    When we entered through the arched double doors I pulled Hailey to the side, away from the other girls, and asked her again, "What's with you?"
    "I told you, nothing."
    I frowned at her. "That's not true. I've known you for too long. I can tell when you're lying."
    She smiled and looked down shyly. Then she looked to her left, toward the flow of other girls coming into the Common Room, and took my hand to pull me farther to the side. We sat at an empty table; a rarity in the Facility as most of the girls were in a rush to sit next to others whose friendship helped their social standing. The room was quickly filling with girls and Hailey took a deep breath as she leaned closer to me on the couch we'd taken.
    "Promise not to say anything." She whispered to me while glancing around to make sure no one was close enough to overhear.
    "Sure. What's going on?"
    Her cheeks blazed red and she pulled her loose curls over her naturally red lips as if trying to hide what she was going to say. She held her head low while still looking up at me, her cherub eyes awash in a sea of red hair and crimson cheeks. "I had a dream about you last night."
    I was taken aback by the admission and feigned not to understand what she meant. "Okay. So? No big deal about that. I have dreams with you in them from time to time."
    She shook her head demurely and let go of her hair as she reached out to touch my leg, halting my response. "Not that kind of dream." She leaned in closer and gripped my leg tighter. "A different kind of dream. Do you know what I mean?"
    Now it was my turn to blush. I shook my head, flustered and unsure how to react. I was titillated by her admission and, if