Luminosity by Stephanie Thomas Page A

continuing, why he would put me in this position. Gabe is supposed to be my friend, he’s supposed to care for me, not put me out there in front of everyone. And I do mean everyone, because by the end of the day, the whole arena will have heard of this conversation.
    He does listen, though, at least as far as quieting down goes. His violet eyes find mine, and I detect a hint of sadness in the way that he stares at me. “You can’t deny it.”
    “I don’t know what is going to happen. I don’t know what my Vision meant, and I don’t know what will happen…and if the Keeper wants to act on everything that I say to her, that is her choice. But please stop making this my problem. I can’t control what I See, and I can’t control what the Keeper wants to do with it.” When I look back at the table, Connie has already picked up about ten pastries, with one shoved into her mouth. I want to smile, but the weight of everyone staring in my direction prevents me from doing so.
    “Fair enough.” Gabe follows my gaze to the tables. “Come on, let’s eat.”
    We push our way through the crowd, and eventually people begin to break off and go their separate ways. I look to the stage where Brandon clutches the sides of his chair and grits his teeth while the artist tattoos the raven’s wings on his face. The Keeper is still standing there and watching me. A chill runs up my spine and sends shivers through my body.
    “Do you think he’ll pass out?” Mae’s voice breaks into my thoughts. She’s holding a small plate with a half-eaten chocolate glazed donut on it. Because Mae is so tiny, it looks like her dress is swallowing her up. She’s practically swimming in it.
    “Nah.” Connie grins and points at Brandon. “He’s doing great. Look at him.”
    We all look at the same time. Brandon is still where he was before, eyes squinting shut, then releasing. The tattoo artist is probably telling him to stop squinting, but just as soon as Brandon does, he goes right back to it.
    We laugh, or at least the others do. I make a noise that is akin to laughter, but it’s forced and obvious.
    “What’s wrong?” Mae puts her little hand on my arm. Her touch is warm, her skin so soft. You’d never think that she is one of the best fighters we have on Team A. But she’s small and crafty. I’m glad she’s on my team.
    “Nothing. Just some business that happened out on the floor. No one is going to let it go.” I don’t mean to be accusatory, but I do shoot a glance to Gabe, who hasn’t bothered to touch any of the food yet. Then again, neither have I.
    “Maybe if you tried to let it go, it wouldn’t bother you so much, Bea.” Mae’s advice, though offered nicely, seems like something Gabe would say. I frown at her. She frowns back, though it’s more confused than angry.
    “She’s right.” Gabe nudges me, elbow to elbow. “Just let it go. We’re supposed to be celebrating.”
    I lift my chin, gesturing to the others who have chosen to remain behind on the floor, talking in their groups and shooting sidelong glances in my direction. “They aren’t celebrating. They’re talking about us.”
    “So let them talk, Bea.” Connie forces a plate with a piece of chocolate cake on it toward my middle. I have no choice but to take it, or risk getting the icing on my gown. “Eat up.”
    I carefully pick up the piece of cake and take a bite. It’s not often the Institution gives us anything so rich and delicious, and I sincerely try to enjoy it. As I chew, though, I notice the Keeper approaching the microphone. On the projectors, the cameras have zoomed in on her face, which is stern and sharp.
    “Something is wrong,” I note, and after one more bite of savory cake, I ditch the plate on the table.
    “What?” Gabe looks up at the screen, hair falling in front of his eyes. “Oh.”
    The Keeper taps on the microphone, and the muffled noise loudly echoes through the room, catching everyone’s attention. We quiet as we are