Ultraviolet Catastrophe

by Jamie Grey

  He nodded. “I’m sure. But I’m glad we’re in the same group. I’ll help you out as much as I can.”

  “Thanks. I appreciate it.”

  He leaned in, bumping his shoulder into mine. “Anything for the new girl.”

  Amy pulled her chair around to our side of the table and winked at Max. “You move fast, my friend.”

  Red stained his cheeks, and he deliberately stared down at his tablet. “It’s her first day. I’m just trying to be nice.”

  “And I’m so glad,” I said impulsively. I knew Amy was just joking with him, but I didn’t want him to feel bad.

  Zella sniffed and looked past me like I wasn’t even there. “Um, we have a project to work on — can we get started already? Or did you want to flirt with the new girl some more, Max?”

  He glared at her, and the tension between them hummed so loudly I thought Zella was going to leap out of her chair at him. Asher waved a hand between them and plopped down in the last empty seat.

  “Calm down, children. Let’s not fight.” He leaned back and crossed his arms. “Where do we start with this project?”

  Zella ignored everyone but Asher. “I think we should first start with the historical explanation of the ultraviolet catastrophe and then move into the scientific formulas for disproving it after we create a frame for the discussion.”

  “Divide and conquer then?” he asked, arching his eyebrow. “And how do you propose splitting up the group?”

  I might not have been up on my physics terms yet, but I had some mad research skills. “I can get started on the research if you want.”

  Zella still refused to look at me and instead tapped some notes into her tablets. “That would probably be best. Dr. Kepler’s daughter shouldn’t tax her public-school brain too much.”

  Max’s head snapped up, and he glared at her again. “Zella, stop acting like a bitch. It’s not Lexie’s fault she just started at QT this year. I’m sure Dr. Kepler had a good reason for not enrolling her.”

  I could practically see the flames coming from Zella’s ears. “And it’s not my fault I got stuck in a group with someone who won’t be able to pull her own weight. I refuse to let her affect my grade.”

  My jaw dropped, and it took me exactly three seconds to decide I was not going to put up with her shit.

  I clenched my hands and tried to keep the tremble out of my voice. “I’m not the freaking invisible man. I’m sitting right here. And you know what? I’m about as happy as you are that we’re in the same group, so knock it off. I’ll do my best, but it’s going to take me a while to get used to how you do things here.”

  She shrugged, nose still in the air. “If I don’t get top grades, I’m blaming it on you, and I have no problem making sure everyone knows it. From what I hear, you’re only here on probation anyway. Dr. Danvers will kick you out if you can’t handle it — Kepler or not.”

  “Enough.” Max got to his feet, his eyes narrowed and angry. “Come on, Lexie. Let’s go get started on the research. The three of you can figure out what else needs to be done.”

  Zella shook her head, her face hardening into a mask. Beside her, Asher still lounged in his chair, feet outstretched, but his shoulders were tense as he glanced between Max, Zella, and me. Something like guilt flashed in his eyes before he looked away.

  So much for him going out of his way to make me feel welcome here.

  Amy was the only one who smiled at me as Max grabbed my bag and swung it over his shoulder with his own.

  “Nice to meet you, Lexie,” she said. “I’m glad we’re on the same team.”

  Max and I made our way to the third-floor library. He pressed a thumb to the print scanner, and the door swung open. Thick scientific tomes lined the walls, but they were only there as decoration. My eyes widened as I recognized the ultra high-tech computers that made up the real core of the room. I’d read about them online. They were super-fast, super-quiet, and linked to every scientific journal, library, newspaper, and article hub in the world.

  My muscles still quivered at Zella’s unexpected bitchiness, and I shoved the heavy door out of my way harder than I intended. It slammed against the wall, and the librarian glared at me, putting a finger to her lips.

  I froze. Her finger was made of metal.

  “A robot librarian?”

  Max nodded. “Joan. One of the first-generation prototypes. She’s fantastic if you have a general idea of what you need to research but don’t know where to start. Her brain contains the entire Library of Congress.”

  “Of course it does.” She looked almost human. Her face was covered with some sort of synthetic skin, and her short brown bob was neatly styled. If it hadn’t been for the metal arms, I would never have guessed she was a computer on legs.

  Unfortunately, I was still too angry at Zella to be excited about it.

  Max led me to an alcove near the window and opened his laptop, but I couldn’t let it go.

  “What’s Zella’s problem anyway?” I asked. “What did I do to piss her off?”

  Max sighed and rubbed his scruffy chin. “Zella’s the worst kind of overachiever. Her parents expect perfect grades and top honors for each module. I know they do it because they love her and want her to be the best, but it’s kind of turned her into a monster. Her only focus is grades. She’s been top of our class for three years now. Well, almost top. Asher’s been first since forever. No one tries to compete with him anymore.”

  “Sounds like fun.” I was going to have to work my ass off to even manage a passing grade. “What about Asher then? What’s his deal?”

  Max rolled his eyes. “Asher’s Asher. He’s a genius, and he never lets us forget it. Though it’s not like he needs to try. Everyone already knows how smart he is.” Max typed a password into his laptop. “Just a warning? He’s hooked up with most of the girls at QT in our age range. Not sure how he finds the time to date and stay at the top of the class, but whatever. He likes them cute and smart, so you’re bound to be on his wish list.”

  Heat flooded my cheeks at his backhanded compliment, but Max didn’t seem to even realize what he’d said. “Thanks for the compliment, but I have no intention of becoming Asher Rosen’s next conquest.” No matter how much his smile made my stomach flip. “But wait, are you saying you don’t date?” Max was cute in the boy-next-door kind of way, with his friendly brown eyes and his scruffy beard. There had to be plenty of girls who liked him.

  He shifted in his chair and looked away. “I don’t think you fully understand the joy that is QT. I’ve gone to school with most of these kids since I was five. I’ve had classes with the same thirty kids year after year. We all had a phase where everyone was hooking up with everyone else, but once we realized there was no escaping if it ended badly, it all pretty much stopped.” Max used the bottom of his shirt to polish his laptop screen and didn’t meet my gaze. “So, yeah, you could say the guys were pretty excited to hear Dr. Kepler had a daughter and she was coming to QT.”

  Really? Could have fooled me. And then his words sank in. “Wait. Nobody knew about me before this? Didn’t my dad ever talk about his family?”

  Max tugged at the neck of his shirt. “It’s not like he talks about much besides work. Don’t take it personally. He’s a busy guy.”

  I slouched in front of one of the computers and crossed my arms as if it would stop the ache filling my chest. Not only had Dad abandoned me and lied to me, but he’d also pretended I didn’t exist.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.” Max looked genuinely concerned.

  “It’s not you. It’s my dad.” I blinked back the moisture in my eyes. I was not going to spend my first day at QT crying in the library.

  He nodded. “It’s tough when they’re so focused on work. My dad’s actually stationed in Oregon at another QT facility for a few months. We were supposed to go visit this summer, but Mom got called to Switzerland so I went with her.”

  “I just don’t get it. I mean, they’re our parents. The
y’re supposed to care about us.”

  “I think they do, but they get so focused on other things. I know the work my dad is doing is to make our lives better. I just wish he’d talk to me about it more often.”

  I sighed. “Yeah, me, too.”

  Max and I spent the rest of the day in the library working on our project research. It felt like there was a band around my lungs as I searched desperately for the information we needed on the ultraviolet catastrophe. If I could get this right, maybe it would be a step toward earning my place here. Toward showing everyone I belonged and showing myself I wasn’t broken.

  I had to keep forcing myself to take breaks. There weren’t bells or class periods or even any sort of timetable for the day. It all felt a little weird, like I was playing hooky or a teacher was going to yell at me for not doing my work.

  But no one bothered us. The few scientists I saw were more interested in their own research than what I was looking up on the internet. If this was what college or a real job was like, it was going to take me a bit to get used to it.

  Beside me, Max yawned and stretched his arms over his head. “It’s been nice not having Zella here riding me the whole day. You’re laid back, Lexie. I like you.”

  My eyes widened. All that frantic research had been laid back? I was in so much trouble. “I like you, too, Max. Thanks for being so nice.”

  Max smiled. “You’re welcome. And don’t let them get you down too much. We need new ideas and people here.”

  I blushed and looked away.

  He shoved the computer in his backpack and got to his feet. “It’s five, so my mom’ll be waiting for me. I’ll see you tomorrow, right? We didn’t scare you off?”

  “Even if you had, I’m stuck here, so yeah, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Good answer.” He raised a hand in farewell.

  I smiled and waved back. Maybe today hadn’t been as bad as I’d thought.

  With Max gone, the silence in the library stretched until the faint humming of the computers and the whir of the air conditioning took on epic proportions. Dad had said he’d meet me here, but we hadn’t talked about a specific time. And knowing him, he’d forgotten all about me again.

  With a sigh, I swung my feet off the extra chair I’d been using as a footstool and shoved my tablet into my messenger bag.

  “Lexie.” Director Danvers strode toward my table and sank into the now-vacant chair. “I didn’t expect to find you in the library so soon. I didn’t think anyone actually started their projects for at least a week after getting them.” She winked and stretched out her long legs, kicking off her heels. “Oh my god. I swear I’d give up this job tomorrow if I never had to put on another suit again.”

  I nodded, but really I was trying to figure out what exactly she was doing here. With me.

  “How did your first day go?” Her blue eyes studied me, and I realized she probably already knew the answer.

  “About as well as I expected,” I said with a shrug.

  Her lips pursed into a thin line. “Oh, Lexie. I’m sorry. I think all of us have gotten so comfortable here with our routines that new things throw us out of whack. Don’t get me wrong — we’re on the cutting-edge of discovery every day here, but that’s why the rest of the routine is so important. And the students have it worst of all. Competition is fierce, and you’re an unknown. It’s going to take a while for them to get used to you.”

  “That’s what I’m afraid of. And in the meantime, I’m struggling to even figure out what they’re talking about. My classes back home did not prepare me for this.” I didn’t think college could have prepared me for this.

  Danvers pursed her lips, watched me for a moment. “You know, I’d like help, Lexie. This has got to be a tough adjustment. Please feel free to stop by my office any time. We can talk through what you’re finding in your research, and I’ll be a safe place to ask any questions you’re afraid to bring up to your classmates or teachers. And, of course, I can give you some tips on how to fit in a bit better if you want them.”

  My eyes widened, and I nodded. “That would be amazing. Thank you.” It didn’t seem possible that the head of QT wanted to help me, but I wasn’t about to turn her down.

  She gave me a conspiratorial smile. “Good. I’ll tell my secretary to expect you.” She checked her watch, then slid back into her shoes and stood up. “Off to my next meeting. But I’ll see you soon, Lexie.”

  I nodded and watched her stride from the library. Weird or not, I was lucky she’d taken an interest in me. I had a feeling I was going to need all the help I could get.

  The reminder I’d programmed into my tablet beeped. Five-thirty and still no Dad. I slung my bag over my shoulder. Time to remind him he actually had a daughter.

  The hallways were starting to empty as most of the staff at QT left for the day. My tennis shoes squeaked softly on the granite floors as I made for the elevator. A security guard passed me with a nod, and I wondered if he was just being nice or if they’d already started recognizing me as Dr. Kepler’s daughter.

  I pressed my finger to the scanner below the elevator button, and it dinged as the doors slid open.

  “What floor, Lexie?” the elevator asked.

  “Six, please.” Would it really have been so hard for me to press a button? I shook my head. I was never going to get used to this place.

  My stomach dropped as we descended through the facility, and a few moments later, the doors swished open. The hallway was empty in both directions, and I chewed my lip. Dad had brought me to his lab over the weekend, but I hadn’t been paying much attention.

  Then, suddenly, a series of images flashed through my mind until it landed on the facility map, and I knew exactly where to find his suite. I steadied myself against the wall until the world stopped spinning. I wasn’t sure I would ever get used to that feeling.

  As I walked, I peered through the glass walls into various labs. Some were completely clean and shiny, with slick countertops and crisp, white computers, like no one was using them. But more often than not, the rooms were full of cages and boxes, of strange machines I’d never seen and tables full of vials and bottles. Some of the glass walls were frosted, and I couldn’t see anything.

  The silence grew heavy, and the skin at the back of my neck crawled like it always did when someone was watching me. But the hallways were empty, a long expanse of cold, stark marble and harsh, fluorescent lights. I shivered and stared straight ahead as I walked, imagining some of the experiments that could be hiding behind the closed doors. Somehow, I didn’t want to know.

  Dad’s office suite was at the far end of the hall, and I pressed my finger to another scanner. There was the familiar beep as the door unlocked, and I let myself into a small waiting area full of sculpted plastic chairs and glass tables. It was all very modern. Dad’s personal office was through the lobby and to the right. I’d pushed open the door and started down the narrow hall when I heard voices.

  A woman’s giggle, to be exact.

  I paused. When the giggle came again, I crept closer to Dad’s office and peered through the cracked-open door.

  A woman had her arms around Dad’s neck and was staring lovingly up at him.

  Really, “woman” probably wasn’t the right term. She looked like she could still be in college. Who the hell was she? And what was she doing trying to make out with my father? Just the thought of it made me want to puke. Less than two days ago, he’d been kissing Mom.

  Dad shook his head and ducked from beneath her arms. “Stop it, Jordan. I have work to finish before I can get out of here.”

  She pouted. “But, Will, I’ve been flirting with you for so long. I finally had to do something.”

  That was enough of that. I shoved open the door. “Nice to see I’m still your top priority, Dad.” I would have laughed at their shocked expressions as the two exploded apart if I hadn’t been so disgusted.

  “Lexie! I, uh…” Dad tugged at his collar and flicked a glance to the girl. “L
ex, this is Jordan Sellers. She works here at QT.”

  Jordan stepped away from Dad and extended a hand.

  I ignored her.

  “I thought you were going to come get me in the library. Class finished a while ago. But, no, I find you here with this…person. Let me guess. You forgot about me. Again.”

  “Of course not, Lexie. I swear…”

  “Stop lying. I know the signs. They’re the same as they were ten years ago when you forgot me at school. Or got too busy to remember my class recital. I’ve had enough. I don’t want to be here in the first place, and if you don’t want me here either, that makes it really easy. Doesn’t it?”

  Dad’s mouth gaped, and Jordan blinked rapidly.

  “Since you’re obviously busy — ” I made sure to emphasize the last word. “ —I’ll just call the shuttle. Don’t worry about me. I guess I’ll just get used to taking care of myself.” I spun on my heel and marched from his office. And just to make myself feel better, I slammed the door so hard it echoed down the hall.

  I rushed to the elevators and hammered on the button. It seemed to take forever, but there was still no sign of Dad as I stepped into the metal box and barked, “Main floor,” before Ellie could even ask me what division.

  Why was I surprised at his behavior? He’d never told me the truth about anything in my life. Why should it be any different now?

  And what about Mom? Last time I’d seen them, they’d been kissing. Was he cheating on her with that…girl?

  The elevator stopped at my floor, and I exited at a sprint.

  And ran smack into a wall of muscle.

  Asher’s hands gripped my arms so I didn’t fall, his voice throaty as he laughed at me. “Whoa there, speedy. What’s the rush?”

  I glared at him, and he dropped his hands. He was the last person I wanted to see right now.

  “Sorry, sorry.” He studied me. “Hey, is everything all right? You look upset.”