Bubble

Chapter 10

The next morning, I slipped into a pale red dress made of a cotton-like material that I had purchased at the market the previous day. I loved that all of the clothing in Eos was natural and casual, and mostly earth tones. I had gotten used to the feeling of the air against my skin, and had actually began to like it, especially since I didn't have to wear clothing that made people look like eskimos in hazmat suits. I let down my hair from the messy bun I had slept in, the tendrils sending shivers down my back as they brushed the back of my neck. Luckily, my hair wasn't very high maintenence, and it usually managed to look good without doing anything to it. I brushed my fingers through it, then braided it halfway back and skipped out into the main area to grab a quick breakfast.

Chloe came out into the kitchen wearing a backpack that was much too big for her, and I chuckled a little. She had always loved school, like myself, and was eager to attend the colony's primary school; she was planning to make lots of friends. Luckily for the six-year-old, social skills seemed to come easier to her than they had to me.

"Do I have to go on the tour?" Austin whined as he slinked into the kitchen, slumping down on one of the bar stools.

"Yes, it's essential to know your way around, and know the rules. Besides, you have to help me keep an eye on Chloe," I told him while helping Chlo re-hydrate a packaged meal. Austin mumbled something under his breath, but reluctantly agreed to go. I slid a bowl of the hydrated oatmeal slop somehow called food across the counter to him, and he arched a questioning eyebrow back at me.

"Sorry, I don't make it," I defended, smirking and trying to bite back a giggle. I hatd the stuff just as much as he did, but we were forced to eat it until our immune systems could adjust to the local food. Mum and dad walked in, and began discussing work as they sat down with the rest of us.

"Apparently there's some new sickness that they're trying to contain before it spreads through the camp," mum was saying. "I have to work with the science department today to help find a cure. It should be rather interesting."

I listened intently to her words. I was fascinated by science, and I wanted to work in the labs to find new medicinal cures using plants. The specimens in Eos could open up a whole new world of discoveries, seeing as though there were species of plants that had never been seen before on earth. I wondered if the science department would let me assist on the project.

After breakfast, we all walked out onto the busy street and went our separate ways. Austin, Chloe and I made our way towards the market place again, and found a rather large group of people waiting around the military center for the orientation. I spotted the girl I had seen the previous day with her sister, the little one on her shoulders looking around the top of the crowd. The girl pointed to the balcony of the bamboo building, and I looked up too see the man who had directed us to camp the day before. He was middle aged, and had light brown hair that was beginning to turn gray. The man wore the standard issue military uniform that all of the other soldiers doned, the exception being that the usual olive tee shirt was replaced with a solid black one. His features were sharp, but at the same time he seemed like a kind, good man.

"Good morning! I'm Captain James Deller, the first in command for Eos," he addressed the crowd, gesturing around him. "To help you all get your bearings for this place, we have set up an orientation tour. Groups are organized by housing number, and you will find your leader over to the left. Have a great day, and welcome to Eos!" he announced before disappearing back into the command center. I led Chloe over to find our guide, and we patiently waited for the rest of the group to arrive.

The entire tour turned out to be mostly waiting, though. It took about an hour, and covered the basic public areas throughout the camp, most of which I had already wandered through the day before. Of course I had scoured maps of the colony, and could easily get around, but it was nice to see it in person. The guide explained things in more detail than the manual had, such as the market system or how job applications were submitted. Chloe seemed to enjoy the sightseeing, while Austin was trying his hardest to act like he didn't want to be there, although I could tell he was interested.

After we arrived back at the marketplace, I took Chloe's hand and led her in the direction of the school, a large grouping of buildings just off the main center area. The primary school was adjacent to the upper school, and I watched as kids my age made their way into the building together. Luckily, I didn't have to attend the high school there, as the Eos administration had declared me graduated and there wasn't a university; the higher education in the colony was getting an internship or job in your career field of choice. Things moved rather fast in the newly born civilization, and kids had to grow up fast because every individual played an important role in the well being of the small society. There were many jobs to be done, and only a limited number of people; if you wanted a job, you would always have one.

I made sure Chloe was safe and comfortable with her new class, before turning and walking towards the science buildings. Hopefully, I could get an internship in the science department, and maybe even work on the medical research project my mum had been talking about earlier. I had compiled a resume the night before detailing all of the work I had done in the scientific research field, and I prayed it would be enough to get a job.

"Shouldn't you be headed to school?" a voice called out behind me. I turned around to find a grinning Will walking towards her. "I didn't pick you for the ditching type."

I returned his smile, glad that they we had run into each other again. "I'm already finished with school," I told him, blushing slightly as he caught up to me. I was always reluctant to tell anyone about my schooling situation. Most people would lose whatever interest they had in talking to me once they found out that I was some sort of super-nerd. Will furrowed his eyebrows and opened his mouth to say something, but I cut him off.

"I skipped three grades back home, err, on Earth. And since they don't have college here, I don't have to go to school. I was thinking about getting an internship though." Well, there goes keeping the nerd-thing low profile, I thought, internally cringing and waiting for him to make some excuse to stop talking to me.

Will was silent for a moment, obviously surprised. "Wow. What kind of internship do you want? Any department would be lucky to have someone like you working for them," he said.

I was caught off guard by the compliment; I had been expecting him to turn and run. No one had ever even bothered to ask me a question about what I wanted to do before. I stopped and looked up at him.

"You don't think I'm weird?" I asked, so confused by his actions I didn't care if I sounded idiotic.

Will's blue eyes widened. "Weird? Gosh no, I just wish I was that smart!" he exclaimed.

My cheeks turned an even darker shade of pink. I could tell he really meant it, and I didn't quite know what to do; no one had ever been so genuinely nice to me before. We continued to walk towards the main square, neither of us saying anything for a moment.

"Science," I blurted out randomly. Will looked down at me with a quizzical expression on his face, so I elaborated.

"I want to intern in the science department."

Understanding washed over Will's face, and he grinned at her. "I can tell you would do well in science," he said.

I smiled. I wasn't quite sure what he meant by that, but I chose to take it as a compliment.

"You should go ask if they need any help. I'll walk you to the labs if you want," he suggested, and I could have sworn I heard a hopeful tone in his voice. I still didn't need any help finding my way, but I gratefully accepted once again. Will offered me the crook of his arm, and I took it as we started walking again. There was a constant blush that never left my face as we strolled down the busy streets together; Will was so formal, and my heart was fluttering from our proximity.

A million questions zoomed through my mind. Was he doing this just to be nice? Is it his job to help out new colonists? How much of an idiot do I look like right now? I'm so stupid, why would someone like him ever be interested in a dork like me?

The walked seemed to go by too quickly, and soon we had reached the labs. Will waved goodbye, giving me another goofy smile.

"I look forward to seeing you again, Miss Scott," he said, his formality ironically casual, and just plain adorable. If I didn't know better, I'd have said he was flirting, but I didn't trust myself when it came to my social skills, especially around guys.

Excited that he wanted to see me again, I beamed. "Goodbye, Mister Reynolds," I said out loud this time. "And thank you." I watched him walk away, before turning and pushing through the doors to the science lab.