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"It’s not that they’re not pretty, Peris But they’re really" Tally looked at hi on every word It felt so perfect to be sitting next to hi, as if they’d never been apart She smiled "They’re just not as pretty as you"
He laughed "You’ll have to tell me all about it But don’t you dare tell anyone else Not yet Everyone’s going to be so intrigued We can throw a big party when you get yourself prettied up"
She tried to smile "Peris"
"I know, you’re probably not supposed to talk about it But once you’re across the river, just drop a few hints about Special-you-knohat and you’ll get invited to all the parties! Just make sure you take me with you" He leaned closer "There’s even a ruo to people who had tricky records as kids But that’s years froet you pretty already"
"But, Peris," she said, her sto to hurt "I don’t think I’ll"
"You’ll love it, Tally Being pretty’s the best thing ever And I’ll enjoy it about a million times more once you’re there with me"
"I can’t"
He frowned "Can’t what?"
Tally looked up at Peris, clutching his hand "You see, they want ot to know really well After you left"
"Tattle? Don’t tell ly-trick"
"Sort of"
"So, tattle away How big a deal can it be?"
Tally turned away "It’s important, Peris It’s more than a trick I made my friend a promise that I’d keep a secret for her"
His eyes narrowed, and for a htful, even a little bit unhappy "Tally, you made me a promise too"
She sed and stared back at him His eyes shone with tears
"You pro stupid, Tally That you’d be with ether"
She touched the scar on her palh Peris’s had been rubbed away He reached over and held her hand "Best friends forever, Tally"
She knew that if she looked into his eyes again, it would be all over One glance, and her resistance would evaporate "Best friends forever?" she said
"Forever"
She took a deep breath and let herself stare into his eyes He looked so sad, so vulnerable and wounded So perfect Tally i every day doing nothing but talking and laughing and having fun
"You’ll keep your promise, Tally?"
A shudder of exhaustion and relief went through her She had it now, an excuse to break her vow She’d made that promise to Peris, just as real, before she’d ever met Shay She had known him for years, and Shay for only a few ht here, not out in so at her with those eyes
"Of course"
"Really?" He sht as the daybreak outside
"Yeah" The words came out so easily "I’ll be there as soon as I can I pro her softly Tears rose up in her again
Peris finally released her, and looked out at the sunny day
"I should go" He waved at the door "You know, before thethingiesall wake up"
"Of course"
"It’s al day ahead of you"
Tally nodded She’d never felt so exhausted Her ain But she was overwhelo, when Peris went across the river And soon it would end
"Okay, Peris I’ll see you soon As soon as possible"
He hugged her again, kissed her salty, scratched cheeks, and whispered, "Maybe in just a couple of days I’ood-bye and left, checking both ways down the corridor before departing Tally looked out thefor another glance at Peris, and realized that a hovercar aiting for hiet whatever they wanted
Tally wanted nothingon her decision couldn’t wait She knew that with Peris gone, the doubts would coain and haunt her She couldn’t stand another day like this, not knowing if her ugly purgatory would ever end And she’d promised Peris she’d be with him as soon as possible
"I’m sorry, Shay," Tally said quietly
Then she picked up her interface ring froht, and slipped it on "Message to Dr Cable, or whomever," she said to it "I’ll do what you want Just let hed, and let herself fall back onto the bed She knew she should spray her scratches again before passing out, but the thought ofmade her whole body ache A few dozen scratches wouldn’t keep her fro would
Seconds later, the room spoke "Reply fro in twenty minutes"
"No," she ue Special Circumstances would come, they would wake her up, they would take her
Tally decided to try for a few
But for the next twenty minutes, she never once shut her eyes