The Golden Circuit (The Smith Chronicles) Read Online Free Page A

you’re right. No chance of that.”
    There was a short pause, as the 16 year-old looked across the table at her cousin. “You look nice, Miki.”
    “Um, right … Thanks, cuz’,” she replied, sarcastically.
    “No, really. And I like your hair like that, too.”
    “My hair’s always been like this, idiot.”
    “Yeah, I know, but I’m just saying ‘I like it’, that’s all.”
    “Oh, OK. Likewise,” said Mikita, but was really thinking how random Polo was today. “So, what about the Codes, eh?” she asked, changing the topic.
    “Fizz thinks that they’ re really spies from Quadrant 2,” replied Polo. “That they’ve been put onto Baal-500 to spy on TAPCON.”
    “Yeah, and Aunt Fizz get’s all her news from The Zip. Not exactly the best source is it?” said Mikita.
    “Yeah, not like the Yu-Web?”
    “I take your point, geeky. But there is definitely something funny going on up there. Like it’s all part of some big plan. Like it’s a set-up, or something. Don’t you think?”
    “I think you’ve been hanging out with Janeee too long.”
    Mikita’s brow furrowed. “I don’t ‘hang out’ with Janeee, Polo. She likes to think I’m her friend. But, to me, she’s more like a -” Mother? No. “More like a teacher. Like Tamashito, you know?”
    “And me, Mikita? What am I too you?” said Polo, somewhat over-dramatically.
    “A crazy mutant with a systems malfunction, that’s what you are!” Mikita jibed, taking her straw out of her drink and blowing Contral at Polo.
    H er boiler suit was splattered with coffee-flavoured goo.
    “Mikita!” squealed Polo, and blew a stream of the brown liquid back at her.
    “Argh, Polo! You Earth-based cow!” shouted Mikita.
    A few of the trendies sitting at the Gretchi’s bar gave them a look. Mikita made a face and thumbed her nose like a boxer wanting a fight.
    “Nosey gimps,” grumped Mikita.
    Polo started up again. “Mikita, if I was a boy, would you like me? I mean, ‘like me’ like me?”
    “You need to get your head examined, you know that?”
    Her cousin looked crestfallen.
    “Yeah, yeah, sure. You’d make a lovely little boy, definitely,” Mikita said, just to shut her up. She is acting strange today, no doubt about it.
    “Thanks, Mikita,” beamed Polo. “That’s probably the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.” Polo continued. “Well, I think it’s good that you dumped him - Hanoi. You’re not meant to be with a guy, neither of us is.”
    “Yeah, I know. I really don’t think we have the ability to be in any kind of healthy, stable relationship. Not with our crazy genes.”
    “Yeah, just look at your draining brother.”
    “Ka né … is out of my life,” she said, dismissively. He’s dead, as far as I’m concerned.
    “But Miki, you do miss your mother and father, don’t you?”
    Mikita rounded on her. “It’s been six years since they died, Polo. I really don’t like to revisit all that negative stuff, OK?”
    “Yeah, yeah. I’m sorry. I won’t ask again,” said Polo, looking upset. “Sorry, Miki.”
    Mikita softened. “Of course, I do. Of course, I miss them, Po. Every day. Every single day of my rotten, little life. My mother was always there for me. Always. Well, until…” Polo’s eyes were welling up. “Polo, stop it. Please. It’s not that bad. Really.”
    Polo looked down into her glass and slurped the remnants of her Contral with her straw, making a noise that attracted more stares from the Gretchi’s contingent.
    “But we’ll always have each other, won’t we, Miki?” asked Polo.
    She’s family. She knows I’ll look after her, the stupid moo. “Yes, Polo. Always.”
    “Even if something bad happens between us, we’ll always be there for each other, right? ”
    “Polo, you know that I’ll -”
    “I’ll miss you, Miki. When I’m gone.”
    Mikita looked to the ceiling in exasperation. “Gone? Gone where? Oh Herra, you’re such a drama queen today. Stop acting nuts.” Mikita