Logic stepped back and examined the thought web Structure had helped him build on his wall. The two had met at his apartment this time, and had been working on this project all morning.
"How reliable is the confessions of a drunk man, really?" Structure asked.
"Alcohol does lower one's defenses." Logic shrugged, "And it's the most we've gotten so far."
Structure stared at the spot on the web they marked as 'The Dancefloor'. They pointed to it and asked, "Recount again, what happened here?"
"Roman and I partook in a dance together. At the end, he had dipped me, and for a brief moment, I believed I was experiencing the beginning tells of fusion." Logic said, slowly. He started pacing back and forth. He brushed his fingers together, feeling his skin. "It was a pleasant burn, not like a rash. And it was suddenly difficult to breathe."
"Difficult?" Structure interjected.
Logic reconsidered the word, then shook his head, "No, not 'difficult' per se. More like breathing was no longer a necessity. It, along with everything else, faded in the background."
Structure had a pen and a pad of sticky notes, ready to add to the wall at any point. They frowned, clearly trying to understand, "So, like a form of disassociation?"
"Yes, similar." Logic said, turning to fully face his friend, "But it was the most desirable sensation." Getting distracted, Logic glanced down at his fingers again, "His hands were so warm."
Structure wrote a small note that said 'Fusion?' and put it under The Dancefloor. After a moment, they added a second note with his symptoms.
"Did he ever respond to your text?" Structure asked.
Logic pulled out his phone and sighed in disappointment. "No."
It's almost noon; he had plenty of time to text back. Perhaps Logic should send a new message, one unrelated to last night. But every time Logic tried to think of something to say, his mind always circled back to 'We should fuse.'
He was sure he knew how Roman would respond to that.
"Maybe he's just busy." Structure shrugged.
Before Logic could respond, the door to his apartment opened. He heard his roommate move throughout their space. Suddenly, he felt very foolish.
"Sandra!" He said in a gasp.
Structure sent him a look like he had grown a second head. They asked, "Who's Sandra?"
Logic didn't respond, reaching forward and plucking the sticky note that said 'Pop Culture' off the wall. He grabbed Structure's hand and pulled them into the front room, where Sandra was still settling.
She was looking through her backpack when they entered the room. She looked up at them and Logic heard Structure whisper "Holy shit."
"Greetings." Sandra said, glancing from Logic to Structure. "Who's this?"
"My friend, Structure and Planning Side." Logic said, stepping away from Structure and up to Sandra. "They're helping me find my Sides. And, I apologize for forgetting this, but I think we found two of yours."
"Oh?" Sandra raised an eyebrow, adjusting her glasses.
Logic turned to tell Structure, "This is Sandra Logic Side. She's my roommate."
"She looks just like-"
"Harry and Theo. Yes, I know."
Sandra stood up straighter, she asked, "Those are their names?"
Logic gave her the sticky note, as he explained, "Yes, and they're a semi-permifusion. Her name is Monica. She's your Pop Culture fusion."
Sandra glanced between them and the sticky note, "You're positive?"
"We are 90% sure." Structure said, still staring at Sandra. They shook their head and muttered, "The expressions are uncanny."
"They are a performer in the University's show this weekend. Would you like to come?" Logic asked. He placed a hand on his chest and ducked his head slightly as he admitted, "I already bought a ticket for each showing."
Sandra thoughtfully played with one of her pigtails. She said with a small nod, "Agreed. I shall see the show to investigate this fusion."
"Sounds fun." Structure said, with a hint of mockery. "You two enjoy stalking strangers."
"We will." Logic said, watching Sandra nod, "That's the intent."
Structure rolled their eyes, but smiled nonetheless. Logic turned to Sandra to ensure he had her attention before he said to Structure, "I believe you have salt that we are finding our Sides before you."
Sandra grinned and suppressed a small snort at that. Structure shook their head and groaned, effectively devastated by his ill burn.
"Shut the hell up." Structure sighed, then gestured for them to return to Logic's room. They said over their shoulder to Sandra, "It was pleasant meeting you. I hope Pop is your counterpart."
Later that night, Logic sat alone in his bed. After Structure left, Sandra helped him craft some new texts to send to Roman.
What time and location would you like our lunch date?
Do you feel better?
Are you excited for the show this weekend?
I'll be there.
Will Remy and Missy come?
He hadn't responded to any of them. Logic sighed at the screen, watching as more and more of his messages appear, with none from Roman.
A sharp pain spread through Logic's temple as his trait demanded to fuse. He gripped his head and tried to ignore the throbbing waves. He had migraines in the past, but none were as intense as this one. He struggled to breathe through clenched teeth as his body was wracked with muscle spasms.
Moments later, the pain ebbed away. Logic laid on his side, and focused on breathing for a minute. He needed to hurry this up. He didn't have the time to play games with Roman, his headaches were getting worse.
The moisture rolling down his cheeks concludes he had cried during his pain. Logic struggled to sit back up and find a bottle of water on his bedside table. He took a sip. Then another. With a shaky hand, he picked up his phone and wrote a message that he didn't need Sandra's help to make.
Letter by letter he typed it out before immediately sending it. He couldn't go back to being alone. Every time he closed his eyes he saw Roman's smile. It was infuriating. The man was intoxicating; he left Logic feeling itchy, like he needed something out of his reach. In the darkness, he curled close to himself and tried to imagine what it would be like to not be so alone in his bed.
I miss you.
Tell me what you think!