The Mars Experience

Chapter 36: Hugo's POV

The thing that happened with me and Athena was weird. I mean, I don't regret it at all. But we used to be able to talk by ourselves without the others ganging up on us and I don't see that happening anymore. She's been taking her time to say her goodbyes to everyone, but as we reach the car, I don't think we will get a chance to have a private conversation together.

Ever since I met her, it was weird. I liked her, and I wanted to get close to her, but it wasn't just that. She had really pretty eyes and made me smile really often. I kept finding myself over-analyzing everything I said when I talked to her, and the feeling that she may not like me, or that we just weren't close enough yet, was an itch at the back of my head I couldn't scratch. Whenever I was happy, I looked at her. Whenever I was angry or sad, she was the first person I tried to avoid. Unusual, sure, and it's not like I have much closure, but I wouldn't change a thing.

When we reach the SUV, she still hasn't talked to me, Jedrek, or Apollo. I make it a point to sit shotgun by practically running up to the passenger's seat. Athena looks tired as she turns the car on.

"Hey, are you ok?" I whisper. "You look a little winded."

"I'm fine," she says, with tears slowly overcoming her eyes. "I... I just can't really believe it's over. I mean... it took us so long to get here and it was such a wild ride. I could never do it over again, but don't you kinda want to?" she breathes, reminiscing.

"Trust me, I'd do it all over in a second. I'm really gonna miss you."

"I'm really gonna miss you too, Hugo," she says with a goofy, sad smile.

"I'll come visit you whenever I can. It's just..."

"I know. It's just complicated because of the mountain and stuff."

"No, I mean that we should try to build some sort of ramp or road or stairway. We'll be right down as soon as air is good for us. Trust me." I graze my hand over hers. "This isn't a goodbye."

Athena opens her mouth to say something but is interrupted by collective coos from the back. Kissing noises and awws overfill the car.

"Um... you were saying something?" I ask.

"Nope. Can't think of anything," she declares, and I'm sure she's lying. But, I guess I'm fine with the way we left things off. She hugs me, and, this time, I hug her back.

I'm saved by the gong as I see we reach the shelter. We all help Athena carry Zac and some extra cans of food.

"I'll see you all at Christmas?" she asks, making eye contact with the entire group. We all agree, but, as enthusiastic as we tried to sound, it's hard between mourning Zac and saying goodbye to her.

"I should probably let you guys go, now. Don't want all of you passing out," she kids, even though we all know she means it.

I turn around and glance at her one last time, watching her sadly sit by Zac's corpse, looking down, hands behind her carrying her weight and legs spread in front of her, taking a deep, peaceful breath in. Right before looking away, I notice she looks up at me. I subtly wave, heading into the shotgun. She nods in response, which is when I wonder the most what she was going to say earlier.

The next few hours are brutally boring and annoying. We needed to find a place to set up camp as close to the peak of the mountain as possible. We test the windows for oxygen every few hours, before finally stumbling across some woods perfect for building multiple small tree logs. But, now, none of us have time for that. We set the car in park and kick back in our seats to sleep.

Before my eyes lock shut, I whisper, "We'll be okay, right?"

"Yeah, Hugo," Donna reassures. "We'll be okay."