The cost of Infinity

Chap 1: The A-Social Butterfly

Infinity takes a deep breath and slowly exhales as she impatiently waits for her date to show up. Okay, you've got this; this is only date 265,998,768, right? Maybe I'm exaggerating just a little, but that's how it feels. Like I've been on thousands of unsuccessful rendezvouses, but... this one will be different. I won't mess it up this time if I just act like the charming, caring, thoughtful, her heart starts racing, clumsy, insecure... Infinity shakes her head as she attempts to rid herself of the negative thoughts sweeping through her mind. She sighs as she stares at the picture on her phone. The woman she had been messaging was due to show up any minute now. As she glances out of the window, she sees her walking towards the café and begins to panic. Okay, I was wrong. I can't do this, nope, not okay; I AM NOT OKAY!

In her meltdown of the moment, Infinity hadn't noticed she left her table and had begun pacing the length of the café. The waiter takes notice and walks over to her to see if she needs assistance. "Ma'am, are you alright? You seem to be in some sort of distress. Is there someone I can call for you? 911 perhaps?" Infinity turns to the waiter, finally noticing his concerned look. Sir, is there another exit to this building? other than the front door, I mean, "Yes ma'am," He replies, "we have a backdoor, but it's only for..." "THANKS" Infinity yells as she takes off in a full sprint towards the kitchen. She doesn't stop running until she reaches the parking garage a few blocks away from her apartment. Well, on the Brightside, at least I got some exercise, she thinks to herself.

After taking a long shower, she puts on her fluffiest pajama pants and her favorite hoodie. She smashes her face into her pillow as she plops down on her bed and screams as loud as she can. "Ran away again, huh," her sister says. Nigiri leans against the doorframe devouring her Baskin Robbins pralines n cream ice cream while taking in her sisters' sad state.

Nigiri, what's wrong with me? At this rate, I'm going to be single forever; she questions as she peeks over her pillow. "Infinity Sage for someone named unlimited wisdom; sometimes you are completely clueless." Nigiri holds out the ice cream as a comfort offering. Okay, wise sushi, thanks for the words of encouragement, Infinity replies as she rolls her eyes and accepts the ice cream.

Nigiri sighs, "I'm just saying nothing is wrong with you, Inny. You're an a-social butterfly. One day you will find someone who understands and appreciates you for exactly who you are.... kinks and all." Kinks? Infinity raises an eyebrow at her sister. "quirks, I meant quirks." her sister says through a hearty laugh. Sure you did, she says with a chuckle.

The two of them stay up all night talking, just like when they were kids. They discussed fashion, food, the universe, and what possessed their parents to name them what they did. As Nigiri lay asleep next to her sister, still clutching the almost empty container of ice cream. Infinity stares out of her window into the vast universe. She replays her sisters' words in her head. "One day, you will find someone who understands and appreciates you for exactly who you are."

Sure, Infinity thinks to herself, one day someone will appreciate me... I might assume they would be aliens, except I'm sure people like me are the reason aliens don't visit us. They're probably looking at me through their telescopes right now, commenting about how strange earthlings are, and planning to change their vacation reservations to Saturn instead.

Infinity falls asleep as her body finally chooses exhaustion over anxiety. But somewhere on another planet, scientist 9335 nods in silent agreement with his partner as they stare into the vision sphere. They are confident this human will be the one to complete their experiment. Once it does, they can begin the mating season.