Together We Make Teal by Justin Ho

Author:Justin Ho
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-10-24T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Anna’s bedroom is a treasure trove of books, pens, and all sorts of writing material. Unlike Petra’s room, the walls are painted a dark maroon. There’s a bookshelf dedicated to each of the four corners, and everything is color-coordinated, so each shelf is one block of the gradient. Callum, as usual, has gone down to the food court to fetch lunch. Meanwhile, Anna has gathered us for a makeshift team meeting.

Will sits on Anna’s computer chair while Petra leans behind him onto the solid oak desk. Anna sits on the corner of her bed while I take to a bean bag stolen from the relaxation room. All the while, my stomach is churning. There’s a frigid quality to the air, a seriousness that doesn’t accompany our usual sessions in the main office.

“So. Callum’s hiding something,” says Anna. “I don’t know what, but it’s making him more anxious. He’s less of himself and more on edge.”

“I’m worried,” Petra responds. “I tried cheering him up yesterday by baking his favorite dessert….”

“Lemon meringue pie?” I ask, attempting to lighten the mood.

Petra smiles, but it’s wistful and almost forced. “It turned out amazing, not gonna lie. But he barely ate anything before heading back to his room. His door was locked, which almost never happens.”

Will is silent. For this rare occasion, he’s left his tablet somewhere else. Perhaps it’s a sign of the apocalypse. “I’ll go with him today.”

“What?” says Anna. “The fans have been waiting for this moment forever. Callum and Luk are supposed to do this next Quest together. It’s supposed to be televised. The GMs would be pissed if we changed plans last minute.”

“I’ll go,” Will repeats. He stands, and his eyes are like daggers behind his glasses.

Petra places an arm on his elbow, partly holding him back. “Are you sure? The fans want you to answer their questions on the live chat.”

“Luk?” says Anna. “You have the last word.”

Her eyes are like Will’s, pointed and demanding an answer, an explanation. But there’s also some grace there—like she wants to give me a genuine choice.

“I’ll go with Callum,” I say. “I’m the only change in Daylark in the last three months. I think that I can get him to talk….”

“Why don’t I go?” says Petra. “I’m pretty good at getting people to talk about their feelings. Callum should be a piece of cake.”

“We have to think this through a bit more,” says Anna. “This is only one event. There will be plenty of time to talk to Callum after we’re done.”

She continues. “Petra has to stay because she’s having a phone interview with KHON2. Will has to answer questions online. And I’m on deadline to submit this piece on Aria, so if we all can—”

“No.” Will’s single word could command an army.

The room is quiet. I think I hear a page turning on one of Anna’s open novels. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Will put his foot down so hard, and the silencing effect says enough about how often it happens.

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