Oasis (The Last Humans Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

because I’m certain he’d catch it and probably thank me for giving it back to him. I also consider allowing Liam to do what he wants, but that’s a bad idea, because if Liam really does do anything violent to Owen, he’d be in Quietude for days, if not weeks. Liam getting into trouble is probably part of Owen’s plan, or else he wouldn’t be goading him. He wants to provoke a response since he knows that out of all the Youths in Oasis, Liam is the only one who seems to get occasional violent urges.
    Between my curiosity, Mason’s moodiness, and Liam’s said urges, we’re probably the oddest group of Youths in Oasis—apart from our nemesis in front of me, who is also atypical in his assholeness.
    “Peace is a good choice,” Phoe whispers. “You’re the only one here who’s acting his age.”
    “Shush,” I subvocalize. “I have an idea.”
    “And there goes your maturity.” Phoe chuckles mirthlessly. “You do realize that at twenty-three, the ancients were already considered adults? Just because the Adults here treat you like you’re still five doesn’t mean you should behave like it.”
    Ignoring her, I feign throwing the ball at Owen’s midsection.
    His hands go up in a practiced goalie maneuver, but I don’t let go of the ball.
    Instead, in a rehearsed motion, I gesture with my empty left hand in a way that Liam can see. I’m sticking out my pinky and index fingers—our secret signal from basketball.
    Liam grunts approvingly, and I step to my right.
    From my new location, I pretend to throw the ball at Owen’s head.
    Instinctively, his hands go up.
    I change direction and throw the ball at Liam so quickly that for a moment I doubt he’ll catch it.
    But catch it he does.
    With lightning speed, Liam throws the ball at Owen’s crotch and says, “No hard feelings, dude. Here’s your ball back.”
    With a grunt, Owen clutches his family jewels and falls to the ground.
    “Oh no,” Liam says in his best parody of Owen’s voice. “Do you need us to get the nurse?”
    Owen says something in a falsetto. I’m fairly sure they’re forbidden words, but he doesn’t say them legibly enough to get into trouble. Not that Liam or I would’ve reported Owen for such a thing, but the others might have.
    “It was all a series of accidents, right?” I make eye contact with the other Youths on the field.
    Everyone nods, though a few Youths look at us as if we’re a bunch of rabid gorillas. I don’t blame them. Meditation, yoga, physical exercise, our studies, and other examples of being ‘all proper’ define most Youths. I envy them their uncomplicated worldview.
    With his chin high but his walk a little awkward, Liam leaves the soccer field, and I follow in brooding silence.
    As if we didn’t already have enough problems with this Mason thing.
    After this incident, I’m especially glad that Liam, Mason, and I share a room. Some Youths choose to live in one of the smaller single-person accommodations at the Dorms as they get older, but they don’t have my awesome friends. They also don’t have to worry about idiots trying to prank them at night.
    We discuss Mason’s situation some more as we walk. By the time we enter our room, Liam seems completely recovered from Owen’s strike, so I guess there wasn’t any permanent damage.
    Mason is still sleeping, so Liam comes up to Mason’s bed and shakes him.
    When Mason doesn’t respond, Liam turns to me and says, “The dumb dissident is sleeping like a baby.”
    “Don’t rub it in tomorrow,” I warn Liam. “He’s in enough trouble already.”
    “But I told him to stay away from her,” Liam objects. “ I told him, and you told him.”
    I sigh, regretting giving Liam the whole story. “I’m sure he’ll pay for his stupidity.”
    “What do you think they’ll do?” Liam says, looking worried for a change.
    “I have a bad feeling about it,” Phoe replies, as though Liam can hear her.
    “I have no idea,” I say, ignoring her. “I guess