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Her
grandmother would be here before long. Veeva never missed the dinners. She
loved the excitement and hearing about the latest gossip.
    There weren’t many older Jhetans around the colony since
among the older generations of Jhetans it was considered an honorable death to
die along with their planet when the asteroid hit. Not Veeva. She called those
people idiots and told Avalon to prepare to travel to Earth.
    Before long, the room began to fill up with other residents.
Avalon checked the braided bun atop her head to make sure it wasn’t sagging
after a long day of work. Her dress had a few stains on the skirt, but nothing
too noticeable. She tried not to draw unnecessary attention to herself.
    People greeted each other, piled their plates with the
delicious food Bear prepared. Dex and Lily walked in together, looking both
regal and jovial as they socialized with those around them. Avalon was a little
surprised they came tonight. Lily spent most of the day in bed on account of
not feeling well and Dex had been concerned.
    “Avalon, dear.”
    She turned at the sound of Veeva’s voice and would have
choked had there been any food in her mouth. Her grandmother never behaved like
the stereotypical older person, but Avalon did not think Veeva was crazy until
she saw what was before her right now.
    Dressed in a leather jacket and chains with a skull and
cross bones shirt underneath to match the leather-pleated skirt, Veeva twirled
to allow Avalon to see the entire ensemble. Including the studded combat boots
on her feet and the streak of purple in her gray hair.
    “Gram,” she hissed. Avalon knew without a doubt that before
she left this morning her grandmother hadn’t been dressed like a biker groupie.
She was going to have to get the woman a baby-sitter. “What the heck are you
wearing?”
    “It’s called biker chic. You like?”
    “No. I don’t like. Sit down before someone sees you.” Avalon
grabbed her grandmother’s arm and tried to pull her down in the chair beside
her. Veeva resisted and swatted her hand away. For an old person she was pretty
strong.
    “I want everyone to see me,” she said, beaming with pride.
     “Where did you get these clothes?”
    “The store. Where else? I went into town the other day, saw
this man on a motorcycle, and got inspired. He invited me to come to one of his
bike club meetings one day.”
    “I’m so embarrassed.” If her cheeks could burst into flames,
she’d be on fire right now. “You are not going to the meeting.”
    “Why not? It should be fun. He told me it’s more of a party
than a meeting anyway.”
    Avalon slapped her forehead. “I can’t deal with you right
now.”
    The chains on the leather jacket moved as Veeva shifted her
stance. “Fine. I won’t go to the party. But that’s not going to stop me from
having a good time tonight. You can stay here and be a wallflower. I’m out.
Peace.”
    Veeva walked off to do whatever it was she considered a good
time while Avalon tried to ignore the headache brewing behind her eyes.
Sometimes she wondered whether Veeva’s antics were planned to see which would
exasperate Avalon the most. Biker chic was definitely in the top five.
    While she was taking deep breaths to calm herself, a sense
of awareness came over Avalon. A prickle at the back of her neck. Like a magnet
pulling her gaze, she turned toward the entrance of the recreation center.
Greyson strolled through the door. He stopped and searched the crowd. His eyes
locked onto hers. Avalon’s heart pounded in her chest at the sudden rush of
heat flowing through her body. His brown eyes narrowed and he stalked toward
her.
    Greyson pulled out a chair at the table and sat down in
front of her. “Why are you over here by yourself?”
    She managed to find her voice despite the intensity in his
gaze. “I’m more comfortable sitting here, sir.”
    He stroked the golden stubble on his chin. “Hmm. Then I
guess I have to stay over here too.”
    “That’s not