SS(S)S - Say nothing

Awkward moments pass. Sal looks down at the laptop on her knees and sighs.

“Yeah,” she says finally. “I guess so. Sometimes you have to do stuff that you don’t love.”

She’s rationalizing.

“Why, though?” you ask.

“Because this shit is harder than it looks,” she admits with a little laugh. She sounds genuine, and the look on her face isn’t so different from what you see on Athena’s. Maybe CGH isn’t having such an easy time either. But even if Sal is struggling, that doesn’t make it OK for her to bully Athena. You will allow yourself to find Sal attractive, but you can’t let yourself feel sorry for her. Sympathy is the mission killer.

Someone laughs upstairs. Muffled music becomes momentarily louder as a door opens and closes. A dryer is running somewhere; the laundry bumps around merrily inside it.

“It was really sweet of you to bring this back,” Sal says, tapping her finger on the laptop, which is balanced on her knees. “It’s not gonna get you in trouble with whoever took it? God, I was just using it. Like two hours ago. Jesus.” She looks shaken. “How did they get in here?”

You shake your head. “I don’t know. I’m not, you know. I haven’t…”

“Initiated in yet. Right.” Sal sighs. “So you’d be in trouble if they found out that you did this.”

“It’s whatever,” you say glumly.

“Well, do they know you’re here?”

You shake your head. More awkward silence. For once, awkwardness is on your side. Sal doesn’t know what to do. You’ve done what you ostensibly came here to do: returned the computer and explained why. Now you’re just sitting here, leaving Sal to wonder why.

“What’s your name?” Sal asks you finally.

“Meri,” you say.

“I remember you,” Sal says, brightening a little. “We heard about it when you came in. Coach Waits told us you’d probably join us. You’re already on the team.”

It’s interesting to you that Sal knows that and Colby doesn’t, but that’s a problem for another time. You don’t really want to swim for a Division One school, but you have to for your scholarship.

“I remember now. Man, I was mad when I found out you were going CCL,” Sal says, leaning back and crossing her legs. “Sorry. I guess that’s insensitive. I figured you’d be a better fit over here.” She falls silent. “I guess I shouldn’t ask you who actually snuck in here and took this. Huh. I’ll be damned.”

“What?” you say.

“Well, it couldn’t have been Athena,” Sal says, pursing her lips. “She’s in Tampa. She sent somebody. Guess I probably should’ve seen that coming.” She grimaces, then comes to her senses. “Sorry. I’m sorry. You don’t care about any of that. You’re just being sweet. Hey,” she says, scooting closer. “Are you OK?”

Say nothing.

Or

Hug Sal.