Page 32 of Derivation

“You said you only wanted her rent money.”

“Oh, that’s what this is about. I told you, I don’t want to sleep with our new roommate, Sarai. I’m just trying to be helpful.”

“You’re never this helpful. You’re usually glued to your computer.”

“If you must know, I never went to sleep, all right?” Arlowe crossed her arms over her chest. “I stayed at the bar until closing before I came home, but I didn’t fall asleep.”

“You brought a woman home? I didn’t hear–”

“No, I was alone. I had the chance to do that, though. We were making out, and it was great. She asked to go back to my place because she has roommates, too, and I said yes, but when we got into my car – and don’t worry, I’d stopped drinking long before that, so I was sober – something came over me, and I decided against bringing her here.”

“You decided against sex?”

“I don’t have that much sex. I swear, you all assume I’m getting some every night, but I’m not. I go months without it, and I just… I couldn’t last night. When I got home, I watched TV, thinking it would help me fall asleep, but it didn’t. I just kept thinking about my fucking life right now.”

“Your life?”

“Yeah. Don’t get me wrong, I like most of it, but there are parts I’d like to work on changing, okay? I needed caffeine because I didn’t sleep, but I saw the bed frame when I was on my way out, and I put it together because it gave me something to do. Then, I left to get said caffeine. That’s the whole story.”

“Are you okay?” she asked, suddenly more concerned than frustrated.

“I’m fine. Just tired. But Gabi needs help, so I’m helping. I’m going to take a nap later.”

“I meant in general, Arlowe.”

“I’ve been better, but I’ll be okay. Let’s just go back out there and get this done so I can go to sleep.”

“Okay,” she agreed, still concerned for her friend.

◆◆◆

It was a couple of hours later that Sarai found herself in the kitchen with Enya and Arlowe. Gabi was in her room, unpacking, but the three of them were eating lunch. Arlowe looked like she could pass out at any minute, and Enya was staring at the plate of cookies in the middle of the table as she bit into a pickle.

“They have enough salt this time, Enya.”

“Huh?” Enya asked, looking up at her.

“Hey, can I talk to you two about something?” Sarai began.

“Is it urgent? I’m one potato chip away from finishing lunch and passing out at this table,” Arlowe told her.

“It’s not exactly urgent, but it could be important. I want to ask you two before I bring it up to Violet, and I’ve been putting it off.”

“What is it?” Enya asked.

“About a week ago, Gabi offered to help us with something work-related. I told her I’d have to check with everyone, but then I didn’t. She hasn’t brought it up since, so maybe she forgot, but I should at least ask you all about it.”

“Something work-related?” Arlowe asked.

“She went to school for hardware.”

“I know,” Arlowe replied.

Sarai bit her lower lip because, of course, Arlowe knew, and said, “Anyway, she’s interested in helping us design the wearable.”

“She is?” Enya asked.

“Yes.”