What was I thinking yesterday? Going over there last night was a horrible idea. I couldn't stop myself, I saw him sitting there watching a bird with a curious smile. He was cute, and I just had to see him. No way someone like that could be associated with Josh. But now. After talking to him; my head was filled with more questions than answers.
Before I had gotten home from dinner, my master was talking about the next steps for the town. His five-year plan, he called it. He told me what he got from selling the old house next to mine and I was shocked. Who in their right mind would buy that house that is barely standing for four hundred thousand dollars? My master was so excited and had already started revising his plans. He was right to be excited. This has completely jump-started our plans for the town.
"I will be calling around for builders tomorrow, we will start with the houses that are struggling to stand and work our way to the others with any remaining funds." He had said with un-matched joy.
I was so in shock that I didn't say anything. I only ate my spaghetti as I listened to every detail of his plan. The townspeople will be thrilled when they hear of this. They may even welcome Cliff with open arms. I can only hope they don't go around blindly trusting all outsiders that travel out this way. Cliff may have helped the whole town, but that doesn't mean he knows or cares about that.
I had got an early start today. After twisting and turning all night due to the questions flooding my head, I thought I might as well get started on work. Usually, I would be having breakfast with my master around seven and then at work by eight. But with the system launch today and my master's new grand plans, I figured missing breakfast would be okay.
I practically ran to the library this morning after taking a cold shower. I didn't even try to wait for the water to warm up; I was far too excited for the launch. Everything with the computers were already set up. I only have a few checks to complete before starting up the program. The only noticeable differences between these computers and the cities computers is the wifi and internet. I had been trying for months to connect them to the internet servers without costing the town money we don't have. But the task turned out to be impossible. The books around the library would be the only source of information I can give the townspeople at this time.
My brain flicked back to Cliff as I prepared the servers and checked the codes that run the algorithms. He looked surprised when I showed up on his door. He had put on act of stone, but I had seen emotion glimmer behind his eyes when I asked him about Josh. I thought I had seen excitement in that glimmer before it changed to nerves before blinking away. He must have realized he let a sliver of emotion slip. Shaking my head, I checked the code again just to be extra sure. I plugged the computers into the servers before strolling upstairs and turning each computer on one by one. I spent the next few hours checking and double checking the algorithms on each individual computer server.
"Cyber!" Carrie's voice rang throughout the empty building with the slight click of the door closing behind her.
"Over here," I said while writing down the password to the last computer.
"What are you doing?" Her voice got closer as I turned around.
"I was doing some last-minute checks and writing down the passwords to every computer." I said while placing the tiny sheet of paper under the keyboard.
She shrugged her shoulders and walked off to the counter at the front. I groaned a complaint as she flicked the lights on and put her stuff down. Standing up, I made a big show of squinting my eyes while walking over to her. She rolled her eyes in a playful motion as she sat on the stiff wooden chair behind the desk.
"What are you doing here so early?" I asked her.
"Early? You know, it's almost nine am, right?" She said, and my eyes went wide.
I glanced at the time, then, to the open sign on the door. I stepped behind the counter and gathered my lab top, sliding it into my backpack. When I looked up again, I admired the glow of the screens. Months of hard work finally came to an end.
"I am so excited I've already signed up myself and my parents for your class." She said, looking fascinated by the faint blue glow in the room, and I couldn't help but smile.
"I can't wait." I said, not taking my eyes off my finished work.
"Hey, can I ask you something?" her voice trailed off as her eyes lowered to the floor.
Curiosity got the better of me, and I looked down at her "Sure, you can ask me anything," I said while putting on my best smile, which wasn't hard to find today.
She took in a long breath before asking "Why did you leave town?"
My smile dropped, and I debated whether or not to tell her the truth. She is huge in the gossip chain around town, but she never spread any rumors about me if I asked her not to. When she wants to, she can keep a secret. I trust her in that small way, but I can't be certain that she wouldn't tell the others if she thought they needed to know. Information is power, she had once said to me.
"I will answer that question if you swear you will not tell a single soul." I made my response as clear as I could.
"Yes... Of course, I swear on my very soul." She said.
"Only my master and I know this... we have a plan to bring this town to its former glory, but when he got too old to travel to the city, we started to run out of money to accomplish our goal... So I went instead." I said.
It was silent between us for far too long. I threw my backpack over my shoulder and prepared myself to leave. To run out the door and deal with her judgment another day. She grabbed my arm as I turned to leave. Pulling me back as she stood from her seat. To my surprise, she threw her arms around me in a tight embrace. I didn't know what to do, so I stood frozen in my spot.
"I don't know what to say other than thank you for every sacrifice you've made for us, and I won't tell a soul… I swear." Tears welled up in her eyes as she pulled back from me
You would assume a bell went off or something based on the townspeople walking through the door all at once. Gasps and claps sounded as they entered one after the other. I swear the whole town came together to enter the library all at the same time. I watched in awe as they started looking around at what the building had to offer. A sense of unease set over my skin with the amount of people in the room. Some of them pulled books off the shelves but looked confused as they stared down at the pages. Some were staring at the computer screens with completely shocked expressions. Then, I spotted a familiar face amongst the crowd, and he was making his way to me.
"Cliff," I said in greeting as he approached the counter.
"Good morning, Cyber... Isn't this something?" He said as his eyes scanned the shelves and tables.
I peered over his shoulder to spot my master with Carrie's mom. I should have known he wouldn't have missed this day. I waved him over, and my smile faded slightly as I saw the limp in his step. That limp wasn't there yesterday night.
"Master, how are you this morning?" I said, forcing my smile back to my lips.
"I am so proud of you. Just look at what you've accomplished here." He said, a genuine smile lit up his features.
"You mean what we have accomplished. This was a team effort." I said, crossing my arms over my chest.
He shook his hand in dismissal before turning to Carrie's mother. She shared the same long blond hair and high check bones with her daughter. Carrie was given her father's brown eyes and positive attitude at birth. Over all they were too stunning looking women. Somedays I get jealous of Carrie. Of her looks and maybe her positive spin on the world.
"Shall we?" He asked her while holding out his arm for her.
I saw the cringe forming on Carries face as they walked away, and couldn't help but giggle. Her head shot toward me with a look of pure betrayal and my giggle turn to full out laughter. Cliff raised a single eyebrow at me and I forced myself to regain at least some composure.
"They lover's?" He asked and I almost lost myself again.
"Ew, nooo." Carrie replied instantly while riding out the last word.
He looked to me and I shook my head before saying. "They have been close friends for over twenty years."
He nodded his head in understanding while an evil grin pointed toward Carrie formed on his lips. She actually ignored him, keeping her head down, and her eyes glued to a paper in front of her. I looked over her shoulder to see her writing out the class schedule for next week. Annoyed she dropped the sharpy she was using and jumped out of her seat. Walking around the counter holding the piece of paper in one hand, she cleared her throat.
"Excuse me... Welcome, everyone, as most of you know, there are going to be classes on how to use the computers! Starting next week. All are welcome to join said classes, and there will be a sign posted on the front door for more information about the classes, such as times and dates. If anyone has any questions, I will be happy to answer them!" Carrie spoke loudly.
"Is there somewhere more quiet we can talk?" Cliff asked.
Mumbles and louder conversations surrounded us from every angle. Before my brain could think, I gestured to the front door and leaned over the counter toward Cliff. He raised a curious brow at me but leaned, turning his head slightly so his ear was closer to my mouth.
"Let's go for a walk." I said, trying not to speak too loudly in his ear.
He held out a hand for me with a cocky grin on his face. I rolled my eyes, but took his hand all the same. My hand felt small and dainty in his. He lead me around the counter in a swift movement, and to the doors, not once letting my hand slip from his. The second the fresh morning air touched my skin a feeling of relief washed over me.
"You alright?" He asked, his grin never leaving his face.
"I'm just not used to that many people in one place... I like to be able to hear my thoughts." I said, as I started walking away from the building.
"I wanted to ask if you would join me for dinner tonight?" Cliff asked, getting right to the point.
I stopped in my tracks and he stepped back as I gazed up into his eyes. His grin was gone and I swear upon my soul, this guy was nervous for my answer. I examined the dark blue coloring of his eyes. They reminded me of a ragging ocean. My gaze moved slowly across his strong jaw and down to his muscular arms and chest. I am only 5 feet 6 inches tall, and this dude, standing here; towers over me. My gaze stopped on the tattoo covering his right arm. Half of it was covered by his shirt, but I stepped closer, gently sliding my fingers over the ink to examine it. I couldn't help but gently grab the very well-defined muscles of his biceps as my eyes grazed over the ink. It looked like a snakes tail wrapping around his forearm, with spider webs all around the spots where the snake wasn't. It ended with a huge black spider on the top of his hand. Its two front legs traveling down his index finger and middle finger. I could tell that there was more. That it covered his arm fully and maybe parts of his chest.
I looked up at his eyes once more to find him looking down at me. Our faces only inches from eachother. He held my gaze desire building deep within the dark blue. A fire was slowly building in my core. I bit my lip, If I wanted to, I could close the distance between us. Bring my mouth to his. Shaking the thought from my head, I took an unsteady step back, letting go of his arm in the process. "You can't fuck a guy you just met." I reminded my brain without letting the words slip from my mouth.
"Dinner would nice... What time should I be expecting you?" I asked while attemping to keep my clear desire out of my voice.
"Would seven or eight work for you?" He asked almost breathlessly.
I pretended not to notice as I replied "Eight would be great."
His gaze moved from mine to something behind me. Instead of matching his gaze, I took quick glance of our surroundings. My gut twisted in my stomach as I locked eyes with a face I never wanted to see standing on the other end of the street behind me. I was frozen where I stood, unable to move or even think straight. He found me... He came all the way out here. My fear is just taking over my mind as thought repeated itself in my brain. He found me... Josh found me.
"I'll deal with him, you go home." Cliff whispered into my ear.
I hadn't even noticed him moving closer to me in my haze. I forced myself to turn away from Josh to find Cliff's arms wrapped around me. I placed my forehead agaisnt his chest and took a long breathe.
"Okay," I whispered into his chest and he loosed his hold on me.
Without looking back I walked causally down the straight. I lifted my head and squared my shoulders. I would not let him or anyone know I was shaken just now. I am not afraid.