Alessandro -
"Why don't you just come right out and say you like her?" For the nth time, Leo said.
Rolling my eyes, I responded.
"It's not like that; I'm just trying to resolve the conflict."
"It hardly qualifies as a conflict. Old laws that can't be readily overthrown govern our world. There often seems to be little freedom and only duty."
Leo's mouth tensed up. "But you have always made your own decisions."
I looked into his eyes. "That reminds me: Are you watching her brother?"
"Yeah, he's been keeping to himself," Leo answered.
As I followed the crowd, I came upon Keith—a friend of mine—bowing before Natalia and squeezing her close to him. I became furious at his obvious disrespect for me. Through the space, they drifted. She was smiling when Keith said something to her.
I sai
