Star Crossed Read Free Page B

listening to me then it will write the rest of the thesis for me.”
                “Isn’t that a violation of some kind of plagiarism law? They could kick you out of the program for that.”
                “Ideally it would write the report in the same style that it has thus far been written, and if the software is intelligent enough to write out the report then it should be smart enough to write original work. Of course, that would be terrifying if it actually happened.”
                “Artificial intelligence bothers you?”
                “Almost as much as thinking about aliens’ existence,” he admitted almost sheepishly.
                “Aww. You’re so cute when you’re worried.”
                He gave her a flat look before smiling quizzically. “How do you mean?”
                “You just get this faraway look to you that makes you seem like you’re younger. And it’s an odd thing to worry about, since most people are nervous of things that are proven to happen. Like falling or getting attacked by something in dark alleys.”
                “True, but we haven’t proven that aliens or supercomputers could not exist. All the developments that we make with technology really worry me sometimes. I can’t prove that it’s not going to lead to some kind of horrible future and so I’m not sure if my worries are warranted or not. I’m not afraid that War of the Worlds is going to happen in my backyard or that crop circles are going to show up. I’m just worried about the potential for a world that we can’t explain.”
                “I guess that makes sense since all you ever do is play with theories.”
                “I don’t play with them. I use them in order to solve mathematical equations or to examine the social sciences in order to better understand why our world is working the way that it does. That’s not really a game.”
                “But you enjoy doing it, so some would consider it being a game of sorts.”
                “I guess so. Are you getting another coffee and hanging around or are you done for the day?”
                “I’m definitely done working but have not really decided what I am up to. Tara and I were talking about grabbing some dinner, but she hasn’t texted me back about it yet. Andrew might have decided that he hasn’t had a night in with her in a while.” Skylar gave a melancholy smile. It must be nice to have someone to spend a romantic evening with.
                He studied her for a moment and then closed the books on the table to stack them neatly. “Well, if Tara isn’t taking you out to dinner then I shall, if that’s all right. I needed to grab something to eat anyway.”
                “Have you eaten at all since I saw you this morning?”
                “No, not really. I had a power bar in my bag but have mostly just been having coffee. I’m developing that slight caffeine addiction again, I think.”
                “I know what you mean. Three or four days of having coffee habitually and I’m hooked. Then I start getting those back of the eye headaches...”
                “Those are the worst when you have a deadline. I’ve been keeping emergency instant coffee at my place to combat that since I can’t always go out and get some.”
                “Wow, sounds like you’re in it much deeper than I am. I just like to come here when I’m reading my book.”
                Chris gave her a sly smile. “That’s only because you want a guy to notice that you’re sitting alone with your book. How else will he know that you’re interesting and available?”
                Skylar put a hand on her heart in a dramatic gesture. “A gentleman doesn’t call a lady on her actions in such a manner. Besides, is it bad to want