Page 42 of Paradigm

“Good. I don’t like lying to people, and Stella doesn’t deserve it, either.”

“I know. Let’s get back out there before she thinks I’m up to something in the bathroom or trying to flee dinner.”

Then, Arlowe followed Violet back out to their table for six, where Sarai and Gabi were talking to Stella and Enya. She sat down next to Enya, and Violet took her seat next to Stella.

“We were just talking about the hardware,” Sarai shared to get them caught up.

“Yeah, the prototypes are looking good,” Arlowe said.

“Actually…” Gabi smiled before adding, “I’m a little further along than what I led you all to believe.”

“What? You are?” Violet asked.

“Yes. I printed a new frame design that I based a little on aerodynamics, which might sound strange, but it’s not, and it works. I was able to add in all the electrical and computing components and– Well, here.” Gabi pulled a pair of black frames out from under the table. “The lenses aren’t in these right now, but I’ve also made progress on those, and with this design, they can be a little thinner, which will make the whole thing lighter.”

“You have an almost-working prototype?” Arlowe asked, taking the glasses from Gabi and looking at them.

“Pretty much. I was going to tell you all tomorrow after I put the lenses in and tested them, but since Violet invited us all out to dinner tonight, I thought I’d bring these with me. I’ve tested the lenses independently, and they work, so I just need to connect everything together and make sure it all still works.”

“Wow,” Enya said, taking the glasses from Arlowe. “We could have a wearable soon?”

“Potentially, yes,” Sarai replied before she wrapped her arm around Gabi’s shoulders. “My girl is a super genius. She even made it so that the production would be cheaper.”

“Not really. Just fewer materials would mean that they could be made for cheaper, so we wouldn’t have to sell them for as much. Everything can be 3D-printed for the frames, which is cheaper than other ways to manufacture, so we’ll save some costs there.”

“That’s amazing,” Violet replied, taking the glasses next when Enya handed them to her. “I thought we were years away from this, and I’ve been more and more worried that we might miss the boat completely, and by the time we’d have something ready, someone else would’ve come along with a better version.”

“It’s easier for us because we’re only focused on our app and getting it to work in the glasses. We’re not making massive goggles that basically operate as someone’s phone on their face,” Gabi said. “I should be able to get some of these built out soon, and if the employees test them and everything goes well, we might be able to get production up in a few months for the ones we would ship to the school districts and universities.”

“That’s amazing news, Gabi. Really,” Violet said, showing Stella the glasses.

Stella checked them out and handed them back to Gabi before putting her arm around Violet’s shoulders, and that was when Arlowe realized it. Sarai and Gabi were all coupled up, looking at each other adoringly. Violet was leaning into Stella’s side, likely trying to tell her girlfriend silently that everything was all right. Then, there was Enya, who was eating her dinner, and Arlowe felt like a third wheel to the couples, or maybe a fifth or sixth wheel, depending on how she counted it.

That thought had her thinking about Eline, whom she hadn’t heard from in two days and had been missing. She’d gone twelve years without her, but two days now seemed like too long, so she’d thought about texting her but hadn’t yet, hoping to hear from her first. They’d had such a great night coding and talking, and then Eline had done that hair thing and had stayed for breakfast with her friends. Arlowe thought she’d hear from her that night after the nap that Eline had mentioned taking, and then, she’d thought she’d hear from her the next day, but she hadn’t.

“You okay?” Enya asked.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Still haven’t heard from her?”

Arlowe shook her head and asked, “Think she’s changed her mind about us hanging out again?”

“I doubt it. She might be waiting for you,” Enya said.

“I’m pretty sure she told me that she’d text me.”

“You two aren’t going to do this again, are you?” Sarai asked. “Just text her, Arlowe. Don’t wait for her to tell you that it’s okay again or wait for her to message first just because she said she would.”

“I don’t know. I want to, but–”

“She’s right,” Gabi said. “The worst she can do is not respond.”

“Yeah, and tear my heart out again.”

“For what it’s worth, I don’t think she’s going to do that,” Violet said. “I saw you two together. She’s not going to ghost you, Arlowe. Just text her.”

“And tell her what? That I’m playing fifth wheel to you four while Enya eats her dinner?”