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“It’s fine,” I say immediately Better than fine

“Luthehe’s not” Bartie shifts again, glancing out the dark“He’s said thingsI just”

“Victria should pay more attention to her love life and less to mine,” I snap

“Listen,” Bartie says, leaning closer “If Luthe has friends, then I’irls”

“ Girls? More than one?” I ask,

“That’s not what I’ to say ”

I can’t help but let a sigh of relief escape my lips

“ Just be careful, okay?” Bartie finally mumbles

I nod, but I’m still not sure what he means

Bartie’s hands drift back to his guitar “Want to jam a bit?”

“ Jah

“I read about it It’s what they used to callmusic, back on Sol-Earth ”

“Jaain Such a ridiculous word

“I ’ve been working a bit on this,” Bartie adds, and he lifts the guitar up into its proper position, his calloused fingers pressing into the strings on the neck He fuht harmony

The song is fast, and gets louder as he goes, but it still sounds melancholy to me I think it’s the way that the notes weave in and out, always going back to the sa chords, as if, no s, he can’t help but fall into the same sad melody