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He nudged me in the side. “And this whole time I pegged you as straight. Well looks like you might be getting pegged in a different way now.”
“I really hate you sometimes.”
Grabbing our bags, we both got out of the truck. He brought me my duffel from Henry's house and I had the satchel Nova gave me. He said he had fifty different ones at home when I promised to return it. I made note of things he didn't have too. A tablet, a camera and a way to listen to music quietly. Theseare things I wanted to bring him on my own and not because of a trade, although I kept the whole client/customer thing going to make all the new things we were doing seem less scary. If I'm being honest, he made them feel less scary too.
On our way back to Edgar's truck, I checked my phone for the surprise Nova said he left me and nearly tripped on my own feet. Some things were meant to be saved for later when I was at home alone.
Edgar shot me a look, getting in the driver's side. I briefly glanced at one of the images one more time before sliding it into my pocket and hopping in the truck. Edgar was talking about the new bowling alley opening up on base, along with some skating rink and I mostly blocked him out, unable to stop picturing Nova lying naked on his stomach with his legs spread, facing away from the camera.
I was already thinking about all the places I wanted to kiss him the next time I saw him.
Fifteen
Nova
The next week feels like a lifetime. I talked to Franky everyday on the phone because he kept insisting on paying for my hotel room. He sent me a few images of his room and some new books he got. I described everything I saw to him and right when I wished I had a way to show him more, Henry dropped an instant digital camera with a note.
Nova,
Now you'll have images to share with me this weekend. Show me your world and I'll show you mine.
Xoxo Franky
“Is there something you want to tell me?” Henry asked, wearing a smirk.
“No,” I responded in a joking tone, hugging the camera to my chest. It was perfect. I was already looking forward to using it on my journey home today. As much as I wanted to spend the night chatting with Franky, I needed to grab some more clothes and the rest of the things I wanted to pick for him.
“Mhm. Doesn't look that way to me. Just be careful. The humans who come here usually don't stick around for long.”
Was he referring to Edgar? I thought they were hitting it off pretty well. Before I could ask him to clarify what he meant, he was already walking out the library entrance. I hugged the camera again and showed it off to Portia before leaving base.
I took pictures of Girl as she was walking my way. I got images of the creatures running around us halfway to the cabin and some of the trees welcoming me home. Ollie loved posing and was so photogenic. I couldn't stop using my new gift and eventually ran out of film. As the sky grew darker, I changed my lamps out for candles and packed all my stuff for the morning—my new pictures included. I would pick what I need for our trade before heading to the base.
How would Franky greet me tomorrow? Would he reach for my hand again like the first time. I never got pictures of him showing me how to use the sex toys he was supposed to be bringing. Did he have them? Had he used them yet? I'd find out all the answers soon enough. It was going to be a long night and morning. It'd be worth the wait once I saw my master. The only one I should have ever had and known. Franky didn't only take care of me and make me smile, he helped keep me from falling apart.
I remembered how sturdy and careful his hands were as he secured my arm. Nothing like Leland. They were opposites in every way. My maker was everything bad in the world while Franky was sunshine and blue skies. I saw myself more clearly in his eyes. Instead of noticing what was wrong, I saw all that wasright. He constantly touched my hair and looked into my eyes. His favorite parts about me were becoming my favorite too. They sounded so wonderful when he said them out loud to me while holding me in front of the mirror.
Those little moments in the hotel between exploring Franky's body and trying new experiences were bigger than he probably realized. The compliments he whispered in my ear and how his arms squeezed around me like I was always meant to be where I was. I was ready to go back too. Soon. It didn't matter how many times I kept saying that word. Time never went by faster and only dragged as I ate a later dinner. Washing up in the tub and reading didn't help much either. Going to sleep would be better because then I could stop staring out the window, waiting for the sky to change. Then I'd wake up and it would be the next day.
With too much excitement running through me, I struggled to lie still in bed. I went from my thin mattress on the floor to the bean bag, and then back to my mattress. I tossed and turned, humming to myself under the blanket until sleep finally took me.
Ollie licked me awake right before all my alarms went off. I shoved him away as he continued wetting my arm with slime and slobber.
“Yuck. I do not have time for a morning bath, boy. I have too much to do before going to meet Franky.” I rubbed my eyes, releasing a yawn.
Franky.
I shot up out of bed, got dressed, ate a piece of toast with homemade jam made from strawberries I grew in my garden before heading out back with two bags in tow. Girl wasmunching on a stack of leaves as I approached her. It took ten minutes to get moving since she can be as slow going as me in the early mornings. I didn't want to risk not making it to base today so I have plenty of time for delays.
It wasn't needed today since I didn't run into much trouble collecting what Franky asked for, or on my journey to base. However, I was able to freshen myself up in the bathroom at the hotel and change into clothes not drenched in sweat before meeting Franky at the library.
He showed up in a dark blue car and rolled down the window to tell me to get in. I struggled with the door at first and he hopped out to assist me. “Sorry, I should have gotten out to show you how to open it.”
“It's okay.” I leaned forward to kiss him, and he wrapped a hand around my neck, pulling me closer.
“Hi,” he said.
“Hi.” I licked my lips. “Where are you taking me?”
