gs burning. She didn't stop walking until she was half

hollow, gnawing ache in her stomach. She hadn't eaten since

mpus café. The line snaked out the door. Autumn grabbed a pre-packaged t

lled the student ID card from the pocket of h

h, negative beep. A red li

h a nose ring, didn't even look up. "Ins

r, but her background file clearly stated she was on a partial scholarship. Every

ing her empty pockets. "Can

y, shifting his weight. The sound ampli

look wh

g voice cut through the

her eyes for a

her friends flanking her like bodyguards. She looked at the flashi

ront half of the café to hear. "The great Autumn Cohen, elite scholar and gi

People leaned around each other, ey

dwich container. The urge to hurl it directly at

tes elite parameters, ACE chimed in, a c

back on the counter, preparing to turn around a

behind Autumn quieted abruptly. The ambient noise died down, replaced by a heavy, su

next to the register. Autumn noticed the scarlet color showing th

a voice

the café seemed t

e wore a dark wool overcoat, his presence massive and suffocating.

he cashier scrambled to grab the bl

e trembling in her hand. "Harrison," she stammered, her voice l

voice. He spoke with the absolute, crushing

he quiet room. "Any public disparagement of her financial or social standi

onor. He was defending hi

ctically tripped over her own feet as she turned and hu

lack card back, along wi

of Harrison's chest. A chaotic mix of humiliatio

His brow furrowed slightly, a

You are wasting

d strode out

th him. They walked in silence until they reached

protective aura from the café was entirely

id bluntly. "It forces you to engage in inefficient behaviors, such

. "I just forgot to reload my card," she

and pulled out a sleek tablet. He tapped t

a new s

rivate culinary staff. Three meals will be delivered to your location at precisely designated inter

taking her on dates. He was optimizin

face, then down at her empty pocket

d, the word tastin