the sharing

[instar]

Trouble is not back at school on Monday. At lunch, Bella sits with Andi who sits with Robin who sits with Ethan.

Comments

[aeskhyne]

He shrugs; smiles. "Not a big one."

[pandion]

"I don't know anything about your family at all come to think of it."

[aeskhyne]

"Yep," says Trouble. "That's 'cause I don't want you to."

[pandion]

"Oh. Well, I guess that makes sense."

[instar]

Bella laughs a nervous, helpless laugh.

[aeskhyne]

Trouble smiles and shakes his head.

[instar]

"Anyway, there's a creepy pattern if you look at the press about them over time -" And Bella describes the way retractions tend to be issued.

[aeskhyne]

"Shit," says Trouble. "That is creepy. I'm creeped."

[instar]

"I am also creeped. I did find, yesterday, a single website by an anonymous raving person who claims that the Sharing is a front organization for brain-eating zombifying creatures. But I'm pretty sure if I looked hard enough I could find someone claiming that about everything from the Girl Scouts to the De Beers cartel, which I am pretty sure just sell cookies and diamonds respectively."

[aeskhyne]

Trouble laughs. "And they can't be eating all the brains, or somebody would've noticed by now, right?"

[instar]

"I'm pretty sure you need your brain to do most things. Or at least I do. It's possible you're operating without."

[aeskhyne]

He flashes a brilliant grin. "Aww, you're makin' fun of me," he says happily.

[instar]

"You noticed."

[pandion]

"You guys are cute."

[aeskhyne]

"Aren't we though," Trouble agrees, beaming. "I wanna bake you things again, can I?"

[instar]

"Of course."

[pandion]

"Bella has an admiiiiirer," coos Andi.

[aeskhyne]

"She does," says Trouble, hugging himself in a way that causes his face to briefly become - interesting.

[instar]

"Andi thinks this is very cute," says Bella.

[pandion]

"Especially since it comes with dessert and I get to have some."

[aeskhyne]

Trouble laughs.

"How about tomorrow," he says. "I'll bring you - I dunno, what do you want this time?"

[pandion]

"Cheesecake!" suggests Andi.

[aeskhyne]

"Cheesecake," he agrees.

[instar]

"Oreo cheesecake?"

[aeskhyne]

"Your wish is my command," he says, eyes sparkling.