the game

luke

I've been left alone since we all came back from the game. In fact no one seems to know that it happened. why would they? the government is covering their bases, all of them they can manage.

"Luke!" It's kally. i twist around to find her running at me and then throwing her arms ceremoniously around my neck.

"where have you been?" she's so close. she's too close. i pull back. surprised and incomfortable.

"you know, i..." i need to make something up on the spot. Now seems to be the right moment to mention my lack of imagination.

"the medical team wanted me to collect samples and," i decide but she doesn't let me finish my sentence. Instead she pulls us into her room.

"Luke. At this point you are too high ranking to be collecting samples. Not just that, but I asked the medical team where you were and they had no idea. So why are you lying to me?" she was looking for me? but why?

her eyes spark like she's hurt.

"i'm, well, i," i don't know what to say. What if she knows I'm lying again. "why did you need me?" I veer off course.

"now you're avoiding it completely? Luke! what's wrong? who is hurting you? i'm strong. why can't you let me pay them back, I know you're covering for someone, but I don't understand who," her eyes are hurt but now I see the concern. Why does she care?

"i can take it," i lie.

she gives me a long stare.

"well hid you change your mind let me know, I won't be your friend anymore if you lie to me again," she snaps and then leaves the room. i blink. friends? us? i'm a blank. she's the one that said we could never be friends and now she's saying she won't be friends if I don't tell her what's wrong. What happened to the cold and collected Kally from before? why are her expressions ever shifting now? it's like she's a mannequin come to life. And I would be stupid to not acknowledge the thoughts grinding against my brain cylinders.

I still do love her. and her changing only makes me love her more. but if she keeps giving me hope. if she keeps changing this way, i don't know how long it will last. i don't know what kind of butterfly she will morph into.