Abe sat down next to Albert, giving him a smile. The wounds on Albert’s face were only noticeable if someone looked for them, and considering he still had his cast and a crutch, his face wasn’t often the first thing people saw.

Billy and Poe were watching the press conference somewhere else. Albert and Abe got specific passes to attend.

“Did you help her write her speech?” Albert asked.

Abe shook his head. “No. I gave her an idea and she ran with it. This is all her. It’s better this way.”

They settled in their chairs as the members of the press finished setting up their equipment. Some were talking amongst themselves. Abe watched Marie, and had been since she appeared next to Mr. Reagan, staring ahead with a million thoughts swirling through her mind.

“She looks like she’s going to vomit,” Albert said.

Abe smiled. “Remember that time in theater class when she gave a monologue in front of everyone.”

“Oh, right. Back in the fall,” Albert said with a smile. “She looks worse. Makes sense. This is more than theater class.”

Abe glanced at the other press members as they situated themselves. “Quite sure all of Musical Land will either watch or read what she says, either now or tomorrow.”

Albert smiled. “It is quite the green color she’s cultivating on her face.”

Marie happened to glance over at Albert and Abe. The two of them smiled and gave her encouraging thumbs up. She gave a grim nod and went back to staring across the way.

“She’ll do great,” Abe said.

“She will. But unless she’s not, I elect you to run up with a bucket in case she vomits. Your legs aren’t broken.”

Abe snorted as Mr. Reagan stood up, a huge smile on his face. He looked the exact opposite of Marie’s feelings. He did some introductions and answered a few questions. Vlad was sitting in the front row, leaning forward, keeping an eye on Marie. Concern for Marie was on Abe’s mind far more than whatever Mr. Reagan had to say.

“And now we’d like to turn the time over to Marie Curie. Marie is quite the young woman. She has gone through a lot this past year, being an advocate of peace after seeing first hand the evils the S.E.A. had done to her and her family. She’s prepared a speech she’d like to share with all of you.”

Marie stood on trembling legs, empty handed, and walked over to the podium. Mr. Reagan gave her the smallest look of concern before adjusting the microphone to her level. Someone else brought out a stool so that the press didn’t just see her forehead. She stood up, clearing her throat as she adjusted the microphone.

“Hello.” She gave a nervous laugh, and Abe could sense many of the journalists were worried about Marie’s state. It would work to her favor. Marie was a scientist, they would know she was a terrible actor. Everything she said they’d have a hard time refuting. This would come from Marie’s soul. “Sorry, I’m just really nervous. Which… which is what I wanted because… yep, there it is.”

Music started to fill the press room and Marie gave a pained smile. Abe sensed the surprise from the press. Albert braced himself for Marie’s abysmal singing voice. Abe’s own chip interpreted the song as a solo for Marie.

“I hope you forgive me, members of the press,

“My singing voice is awful, and my friend suggested

“Instead of singing like a cow under duress,

“I should talk with a rhythm to what my chip requested.”

Marie was simply talking, trying to give a rhythm to it, but she wasn’t too good with it. It didn’t matter. Abe sensed the entire room eating out of her hand with her first verse, and her obvious lack of awareness of how completely she held a room made her that much more endearing to every person sitting there.

“Despite what you may have heard,

“We do not want to get rid of the arts,

“To get rid of music would be absurd,

“I might as well ask you to give up your hearts.”

“But as desperately you fear the loss of your passion,

“Maybe it will help you understand where I come from,

“For what I ask from you is an ounce of compassion,

“And you will see we scientists shouldn’t make you squirm.”

Marie tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, and Abe had to look down at his feet. He came to support Marie, but he knew his heart was in it too much. It was so incredibly difficult to not feel attracted to her right now.

“If we work together, I can already foresee this city

“Becoming a better place, with your passions and mine

“We can help everyone. You will have your arts so witty

“And mine will help the world refine.

“There are millions of questions about how the world works,

“And we scientists intend to discover them, to see how it can better humankind.

“Our world already has so many things that the past would call perks,

“Cars, metros, taxis, chips,

“Medicines, surgeries, replacement hips.

“Elevators, computers, calculators too,

“And if you give us funding, we could even cure the flu.

“I’ve even heard, I won’t think it absurd,

“That if you’re brave, I’ll help you blow up a microwave.”

Marie cleared her throat. “Forgive me,” she said quietly. “Inside joke.” Her face turned more somber as she continued saying what the chip said.

“Our journey for peace will be long and hard,

“And with it we’ll make some mistakes. I’ve made a few.”

Marie choked up. She kept clearing her throat as the music continued. She steadied herself.

“I know now the arts I would never discard,

“And the pain of your absence is felt, that I will never construe.

“We shouldn’t be separated, that only breeds hurt.

“Let’s come together and work through the pain,

“I’d rather, together, dig deep through the dirt,

“Then put myself in the position to hate again.”

The green tint in Marie’s face had gone. Abe studied the faces of the press. They, all of them, were listening to Marie, leaning forward. Marie had won over an entire group of people in the course of one song. Billy had to be listening. This had to help him with his trust.

“So please understand, for just one second,

“I would never demand that we give up imagination.

“We can help each other, I will already reckon,

“We will work together to create a good nation.”

The song came to an end, and the press erupted into applause. Marie looked like a ton of bricks were lifted off her shoulder as she smiled and bowed.

“I can’t believe you convinced her to do that,” Albert said.

“Oh, you underestimate how willing Marie is to regain Billy’s friendship,” Abe said.

“And to build a better future for the city?” Albert asked.

“They’re both the same in her mind right now,” Abe said.

Mr. Reagan stood up, still clapping. “Amazing, isn’t she?”

The applause seemed to swell, and Marie gave another bow before she approached the microphone. “Are there any questions you have for me?”

A journalist stood up. “I think it would be best, if everyone agrees,

“That we continue the press conference through song.

“If Marie truly has nothing to hide,

“Singing the answers will be a breeze.”

There was a slight sense of cautious hostility in the reporter.

“I will continue to talk what the chip says,

“My singing is the only thing I want to hide,

“But ask your questions, I won’t lie,” Marie said.

The reporter continued to stand. “You’re in the finest houses in the city,

“You must know how this looks to our poor,

Marie nodded. “The houses, indeed, are quite pretty,

“And there are hundreds of us crammed to the door,

“Though, should the most destitute of those in the arts,

“Find themselves in a tight spot or in need of a fresh start

“We will make room for them in these houses,

“For loving science or art, doesn’t matter,

“No one should sleep with the mouses.”

Abe sat back and listened as Marie and Mr. Reagan handled the questions from the press. He could almost feel the stress leaving the press room. There might still be people who make up their mind to hate the scientists, but if there were any in that room, they were in the minority. Marie proved they didn’t want to get rid of the chip, they simply wanted to have the opportunity for scientists and mathematicians to add some value in the city beyond creating cool props.

The press conference came to a close. Marie drained an entire water bottle that Mr. Reagan had handed her. Mr. Reagan led the press outside as Marie talked with her dad and Albert. Abe was working with his parents to get the chairs put away. He heard the press laughing as Mr. Reagan most likely cracked a joke outside.

Abe’s eyes wandered back to Marie, as always. He was so certain he had gotten over her, but it was only because he’d been away. His feelings were still deep. He watched as Albert talked to Marie. As difficult as it was to imagine, Abe had to believe that he would find someone for himself one day. He was still young. He had to believe there was a girl who would make him happy like Marie had. Years from now the pain wouldn’t feel so sharp. He’d probably laugh about it in another decade. He’d still be good friends with Albert and Marie, and they’d exchange funny stories about their silly teenage crushes that felt so incredibly intense. Maybe.

Marie tenderly took Albert’s shoulders and gave him a quick kiss before Albert left with his parents. Abe forced himself to look away and keep putting the chairs away, blinking over and over as his eyes felt coated in sandpaper.

Abe’s stepmother came to him, giving him another hug. “Hey, mom.” He had to get used to his stepmom hugging him more often. The guilt about the trauma he put them through was a constant reminder in every hug and shoulder rub he received from them.

“Ready to go home?” she asked.

“Yeah.” Abe glanced up at Marie, who was headed in his direction. “Yeah, just a sec.”

Mrs. Lincoln hurried over to Mr. Lincoln as Abe took a few steps toward Marie. “Hey, you did great.”

Marie gave a smile, one that filled her face with light. “Really?”

“Absolutely. You are the perfect example of the younger generation of scientists who simply want to study science,” Abe said.

Marie shook her head. “I hate public speaking. It’s not my thing.”

“Are you kidding? The entire room fell in love with you today,” Abe said.

Abe realized what he said after he said it. He hoped Marie didn’t catch it, but the slight coloration in her cheeks proved otherwise. There was a pause as Abe tried to scramble to say something. Marie beat him to it. “Well, I couldn’t have possibly done it without your help.”

“I want this peace in our city too.”

The door opened and some security guards came in. Abe’s chest started to tighten. His breathing came in unnaturally, though the cause of it he couldn’t understand. He recognized the signs almost immediately. A panic attack was poised to hit him. Abe folded his arms, trying to quietly fight the fear threatening to take over logical thought. He was not going to have an attack in front of Marie.

“Do you think Billy saw?” Marie asked.

“I’m certain he did. If not, I’ll personally give him a recording of what you said.” Marie nodded, looking troubled. The need to comfort her was a good distraction from the panic threatening to rock him. “Hey, don’t worry Marie. I’ll work on him. He can’t stay stubborn forever.”

Marie nodded again. Abe glanced at the security men, one of them talking with Marie’s dad and handing him a note.

Marie frowned as she looked at Abe. “Are you okay?”

He wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. His sweat was cold. Why was he having a panic attack right now? “Fine.” He took a steadying breath in as he focused on grounding himself. He took in the vibrant colors of the room, the yellows of the banners and the deep, contrasting blue color of the body guard’s uniform. The panic didn’t subside, and he knew he’d have to find a quiet room. He ran a hand through his hair.

“You… you sure?” Marie asked.

“Yeah. I just need to step into another room. But I’ll call Billy tonight. Don’t you worry. We’ll go out to the theater or something to celebrate soon, okay?”

Marie nodded. “Yeah. That sounds like fun.”

Abe’s mouth went completely dry as he nodded.

“Marie?” the bodyguard said. “Mr. Reagan wanted to talk to you. I’m supposed to escort you there.”

Another wave of panic threatened to take over. Abe gave Marie a quiet smile before turning around and taking a few faltering steps. Abe closed his eyes as he tried to think about what caused this. Maybe he could logic himself out of it before it hit. Charles and Alice both warned him that panic attacks sometimes came randomly. However, Abe was certain there was some sort of subconscious stimuli. He raked his brain, trying to think of what caused it. It was usually some conversation about Josef that triggered these reactions, but they didn’t talk about Josef at all. He scratched his head, trying to remember. It was just when the security team came that it started. He shouldn’t be worried about the security team, though. Did they remind him of Josef somehow? Some of them had Josef’s build. The one who talked to Marie did. But he had blonde hair instead of brown. And a full beard.

The kind that would grow after weeks of wandering in the woods.

Abe’s eyes snapped open. He spun around to see Marie disappear down the hall with the security guard. Abe started walking toward her direction, the panic then fueling his feet to go faster.

“Abe?” Mr. Lincoln asked.

He didn’t answer as he sprinted toward Marie.