10
GIANNA
"See, I told you," Gianna said as she and Vinka marched into the IDA offices."She does love him."
Tina started to stammer."What?Wait.No.Now you don't know--"
"I heard it; did you hear it?"Gianna asked.
"I think I heard it," Vinka said.
Re-lee glanced at Vinka."It is about time you got here.I can only stall so much."
Tina leaped up."You were stalling?"
Re-lee turned back to Tina."It was not that hard," Re-lee said."I knew you would come to your senses when you had to leave.Stepping through the circle was enough for many to realize the truth of their heart."
“Did anyone tell you that you sound like a greeting card, sometimes, Re-lee?”Gianna said.
“What is a greeting card?”Re-lee asked.
Gianna waved her hand.“Never mind.”
Tina groaned."I never said I didn't care about him.I just have--"
"Yeah.We know.You've been going on about your responsibilities since you got here.We get it," Gianna said."Look.I'm one of your best friends."
"True," Tina replied, blotting away the tears."Why are you here?Shouldn't you be on your way to the Rhimodian homeworld?"
"Not without you," Gianna said.
"Listen, I'm not going.I have responsibilities.My grandparents--"
"Your grandfather is fine.And so is your grandmother.You have a humongous family that will take care of them.I guarantee it."Gianna put her hands on her hips."You have to do things for yourself occasionally.This is for you.Not for them.Stop worrying about them!For once, think about yourself."
"I have been, for the last eleven days!All I have thought about is what I want.My pleasure, my knowledge, and my enjoyment!I knew this was going to come to an end.Even Kolvin knew it.We talked about it, and that we would enjoy it while we had the time and walk when we were ready."
"You're not ready," Gianna said.
"Yes, I am," Tina said.Her gaze darted to the pile of handkerchiefs she'd been crying into, and she nudged them away.
Gianna didn't miss the gesture and raised her eyebrow.
"I can't have them think I drowned or something!They have to at least know that I'm okay, and that I won't be back."Just saying the words made Tina sick."I mean, I have stuff to see to.A home.My job.All that stuff."
"You going to tell everyone you just went through an inter-dimensional portal and will never be back?Because that's going to go over well with all your scientist coworkers," Gianna said.
She loved Tina.She did.
Sometimes, though, the girl needed to be smacked upside the head.
"I hadn't really figured out what I was going to do yet."
"Well, you'd better figure it out, because you need to either enter the portal and go back, or you need to stay here.Those are your options."Vinka said.
Tina got a glint in her eye and turned to Re-lee."So, uh, can we have some time to settle our affairs and come back?"
"The most I can give you is eight hours, and after that, I need to shut down the portal."
