Uncontrollable by Avery Blake & David W. Wright

Author:Avery Blake & David W. Wright [Blake, Avery]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sterling & Stone

Claudio walked Julianna through the neighborhood for a brief tour of the club house, park, tennis courts, and pool, though they didn’t actually spend time at any of those places. He wanted to bring her somewhere else, a bit off the beaten path.

Claudio waved and greeted his neighbors as they walked, mostly older people out for some exercise, walking their dogs, or tending to their lawns.

“Do you know everybody here?” Julianna asked.

“I grew up here. Didn’t you know your neighbors back home?”

“Not many, no. For the most part, people nodded at one another, but I couldn’t tell you more than a handful of their names.”

He thought that seemed sad, but kept it to himself.

They made some more small talk until they reached the shaded, secluded nature trail.

“So, what happened today?” he asked.

“What do you mean?”

“I heard people talking about you getting into an argument with Rose.”

“The redhead? That’s her name?”

“Yeah. What happened?”

She told him how Red had been a bitch to her, then asked if he knew her.

“She’s friends with Rachel. And yes, she’s horrible. I’m sorry you had to go through that.”

“I feel like such a freak. Like, I really don’t belong here. Everyone is so much smarter than me.”

“I doubt that.”

She told him about the rest of her day, how teachers ignored or insulted her, how people stared, and how alone it made her feel.

“And the worst part is, there were times I felt behind. I didn’t understand a word the teacher was saying, and I actually started to wonder, will I be able to keep up with the others? Am I too stupid?”

“What do you need help with? Maybe I can help you.”

“No, really. I don’t want you to see how dumb I really am.”

“Stop it, Julianna. You’re not dumb. You’re amazing.”

“You barely even know me.”

“And yet … I’m still amazed.”

“Okay, what makes me so amazing?” she challenged him.

“You’re one heck of an artist, and not like the other people here.”

“Yeah, a freak.”

“That’s not what I meant. You say things a lot of Elites would never say. You’re not afraid. Wait, that’s not the right word. You’re … free. And that’s intoxicating.”

She looked at him deadpan. “Intoxicating? Are you coming on to me, Claudio?”

He blushed.

She smiled.

“See, that’s what I mean, Elites aren’t that forward. We could never be so bold. We say we’re not afraid and the chip allows us to act without the anxiety most people would feel, but … you just say things that …”

“Are intoxicating?” she said, laughing.

“Okay, now you’re just being obnoxious. Seriously, let me help you.”

“I don’t want to talk about me anymore. How was your day?”

“It was okay. I had lunch with an awesome girl.”

She blushed. “Smooth.”

“It wasn’t a line. Okay, maybe it was, a little. But you are awesome.”

“Thanks, but I’d rather fit in than be an awesome freak.”

“How was it back home? Did you have lots of friends?”

“No, I never had a lot. But that’s because I keep people at a distance. I don’t even know why it bothers me so much that nobody likes me here, but it does and I hate it.

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