Page 29 of Echoes of Us
"Make yourself at home," Dale said, gesturing to a worn but comfortable-looking couch."I'll get you some water and aspirin."
She sank into the cushions, grateful when he dimmed the lights without her having to ask.Everything about his movements was deliberate, careful - like he'd learned early to take up less space, to move through the world more gently than his twin.
He returned with water, pills, and a steaming mug that smelled like heaven."It's my own blend," he said, offering her the coffee."Less acidic than regular brew.Better for hangovers."
Their fingers brushed as she took the mug.The contact sent a jolt through her - not the electric current Cole inspired, but something softer.Warmer.More dangerous in its own way.
"Thank you," she managed.The coffee was perfect, of course.She shouldn't have expected anything less.
Dale settled into an armchair across from her, giving her space while staying close enough to talk.His gray eyes - so like Cole's but somehow kinder - studied her with gentle concern.
"Do you want to talk about it?"he asked softly.
Ashley stared into her coffee."About what?"
"Whatever sent you running across campus looking like you've seen a ghost."He paused, then added carefully, "Or whoever."
Her hands tightened around the mug."I don't want to talk about Cole."
"I didn't mention Cole."His voice held no judgment, just quiet understanding.When she glanced up, his slight smile was knowing but kind."Though I can't say I'm surprised.He tends to have that effect on people."
"You're nothing like him," she said before she could stop herself.
“On that, we can agree.”
Ashley studied the equations on his whiteboard, grateful for something to focus on besides her pounding head."You're a year ahead of Cole," she said, more a statement than a question."But you're twins, aren't you?"
Dale glanced up from where he was rinsing mugs at his small kitchen sink."Ah.You noticed that."He dried his hands, leaning against the counter."Both of us were offered the opportunity to skip a grade.I did, he didn’t."
"He didn’t?"This was new - something Cole had never mentioned.
"Mhm."Dale's response was noncommittal as he poured their coffee."But you'll have to ask him about that yourself."
Heat crept up her neck.She hadn't meant to pry information about Cole from his brother."Enough about your brother," she said quickly."Tell me about yourself.Physics?"
A genuine smile lit his face as he handed her a steaming mug."Theoretical physics, specifically.I'm working on quantum field theory."He gestured to the whiteboard."It's basically trying to understand how particles interact at the most fundamental level."
"That sounds..."Ashley searched for the right word."Lonely."
Dale's eyebrows rose slightly.Most people said 'complicated' or 'boring' - she could see it in his expression."What makes you say lonely?"
The words caught in her throat.She couldn't tell him that years from now, his brother would say the same thing about theoretical physics - that it was the loneliest kind of beauty, trying to understand something no one else could see.That he'd chosen experimental physics instead, needing something he could touch, something real and tangible he could prove to the world.Something that couldn't exist purely in his mind, where doubts lived.
She shrugged instead, warming her hands on the mug."Spending all day thinking about things you can't see.Trying to understand forces most people don't even know exist."She nodded toward his desk, covered in journals and papers."Seems like you spend a lot of time in your own head."
"Says the behavioral science major," he countered, but his eyes held genuine interest.
“Well, I spend most of the time in other people’s heads.”She replied before correcting herself, “will spend, I mean.”
He settled into the armchair across from her, one leg tucked under him.The casual pose should have clashed with his pressed slacks and soft gray sweater, but somehow didn't."You're right, and it can be lonely.But there's something beautiful about it, too.The idea is that underneath all this chaos, there are patterns.Rules.A fundamental truth, if we can just figure out how to see it."
The passion in his voice caught her off guard.This wasn't just small talk - this was something he truly loved."Is that what drew you to it?The search for truth?"
"Partly."He took a sip of coffee, considering."I like puzzles.Always have.The bigger, the better.And what bigger puzzle is there than trying to understand the basic fabric of reality?"
Ashley found herself leaning forward despite her headache."And have you?Understood it?"
Dale laughed, the sound warm and unreserved."Not even close.That's what makes it exciting.Every answer just leads to more questions."His eyes lit up with genuine enthusiasm."Like right now, I'm working on this problem with quantum entanglement-"
