Page 35 of The Love Simulation

“So, um, what are you doing?” I ask her as I slowly approach.

“Since we couldn’t bring our phones, I have to do something to keep me entertained,” she says.

Now I see it. She’s pretending to hold a phone in her left hand and using her finger to scroll.

“We have the tablets and TV,” I point out helpfully.

“No. I need something with social media. Something like—yass, earwax-cleaning videos.” Angie stares intently at her “phone,” grimaces, then sighs. “Whew, they got it. These videos always make me feel like I need to see an audiologist. I bet that patient can hear colors now!”

Simone and I make eye contact. I think we both know this situation needs to be handled with care.

“Angie,” I say gently. “I’m sure there’s something entertaining around here to do. Something that doesn’t make us question your sanity?”

She scoffs. “What else should I do? Write in my diary all day like Moesha over there?” She hooks a thumb at Roman.

Simone squeals with laughter.

Roman is sitting at the table, writing in his journal. At Angie’s words, his head snaps up and he looks at us like he’s wondering how he ended up catching stray insults when he’s not bothering anyone.

I cover my mouth to hide my smile. Angie is wrong for that. Funny, but wrong. When Roman looks at me and narrows his eyes like he can hear my thoughts, I let my laugh loose.

I do wonder what he’s writing in there. I’ve done the bare minimum when it comes to my own journal, only answering the daily questions about food and activities. From what I can see, Roman’s page is fleshed out. Maybe he’sconfessing his deep, dark secrets for sabotage. Okay, maybe he wouldn’t be so maniacal as to write everything down, but he’s writing a lot ofsomething, and my curiosity is piqued.

I look from Roman’s journal up to his eyes. He uses one hand to cover the page like I’m trying to steal answers from his test. I roll my eyes.As if.I was a straight A student. He’d be the one stealing from me. However, he’s the one with the Roman Manual I’d love to read through.

Roman watches me and slowly lifts his hand up, like he’s inviting me to take that peek I desperately want. It’s almost too tempting to ignore.

“Music time!” Simone announces, interrupting our silent conversation, before a beat drops over the speakers.

She hops up from the chair and immediately starts dancing, as has been the ritual this past week. Angie joins her, invisible phone completely forgotten.

“Come on, Brianna!” Simone says. “You’ve got to come dance with us this time.”

Like before, I shake my head no. But unlike before, I feel the pull of the music even more. Simone and Angie are having the time of their lives (as much as one can when stuck in a small enclosure with four other people). And here I am, afraid that by dancing, I’ll somehow ruin my career path. What is the harm in letting loose a little?

When Simone beckons again, I stand up before I can talk myself out of it. She smiles and grabs my hands, pulling me even farther so we all make a triangle.

“I knew you had some moves,” she says as I begin swinging my shoulders and hips to the beat.

I feel a little stiff at first, but eventually close my eyes and let loose. I dance to the song, feeling the beat from myfeet to my chest, eventually spinning around and losing all sense of orientation. When I open my eyes, it’s to find Roman looking at me. He’s set down his pen and sits there.

I could stop and sit back down, allow my already racing heartbeat to return to normal and my blood, even more heated by his gaze, to cool. Instead, I close my eyes and keep dancing.

Chapter Fourteen

I’ve decided to approach this whole simulation from a new angle. I’m not planning on crossing any boundaries, but I am going to try and open myself up more to the team.

Now that I’ve decided to stop focusing on Roman being a plant, my mind feels free not only to focus on winning the money for the library remodel but also to make this a good experience for everyone. I’m really getting the hang of this whole bond-with-your-crewmates thing. We’ve got our daily routine established, where we spend the days working then bond in the evening.

“Do y’all want to play a game?” I ask, half expecting to be met with nos.

When they follow me to the couches without any grumbling, I’m so happy I’m tempted to praise them with something like “That’s the spirit!” but I’m aware that may not go over too well.

“Why are you cheesin’ like that?” Angie asks me.

I immediately drop my smile to spare them from the sight of my gums.

“Aww, don’t listen to her,” Simone says. “Your smile is cute. Isn’t it, Jordan?”

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