Deep End

by Ali Hazelwood

Maybe I’m hypersensitive when it comes to situations like this one—okay, I’m a stack of hypersensitivities in a trench coat—but

Computational biology is a piece of cake (even if Dr. Carlsen’s perennial glower is a little unsettling).

“Maybe the elephant’s just…blindfolded?” He nods slowly. “And tied up.” “And doing as it’s told.” He looks like he might find that more appealing. “What a good elephant.”

I’m starving, but my walk to the athlete dining hall is slow, because I’m busy writing an email to one Dr. Olive Smith.

Scarlett: Do you really want to be reminded of my computational superiority that often? Unknown: I do. I have a thing for women who are smarter than me.

“Lukas?” He nods his head into my throat, like he doesn’t trust his vocal cords. “Sometimes I’m afraid that this is the best thing I’ll ever have. For the rest of my life.”