Bubble

Chapter 26

A cool breeze blew around me as she I underneath a tree in the park reading, trying to take my mind off the events that loomed in the uncertain future. Even though I had been given a couple of days off as they prepared the lab for Dr. Truman and I to head up our research, the free time was giving my mind too much time to wander, and scenarios of failing were on constant replay in my head. I was always scribbling out random equations on any surface that was present, and bags had begun to form under my eyes due to lack of sleep. I was attempting to take my thoughts off the impending task ahead of me by reading one of my favorite books on my plexipad.

"Hey beautiful, what are you reading?" a voice said as footsteps approached my spot.

I smiled to myself. "It's actually a book on the concepts of—" I stopped in my tracks when I looked up to find a complete stranger taking a seat next to me. He was probably around nineteen, with blonde hair and stark features, and his attire indicated he was a soldier.

"Umm..." I trailed off, uncomfortable in his presence and that someone other than Will had called me beautiful. I shifted away from the man, and hugged my tablet to my chest.

"I'm Zane. You're Emma right? I've seen you around lately," he told me with a smirk.

I grabbed my plexipad and began to stand up. "Yeah, but I need to get going."

Zane stood up with me and grabbed my arm. "What's the rush?" he asked with a fake pout on his face. "I was thinking that maybe you and I could grab some lunch."

I turned my head down to my feet and tried to avoid the gaze of his beady gray eyes.

"No thanks, I'm actually seeing someone else right now..." I tried, wanting to get away.

"Oh come on, I'm sure whoever it is, he won't mind," he cooed, beginning to rub circles with his thumb on the arm he still held a firm grip on.

"Please, I have to go," I choked out.

I was filled with relief as I saw Will walk up behind us, the anger apparent on his face. "Step away, Zane," he stated firmly, his mouth pressed into a thin line. The other man laughed to himself, an evil look in his eyes.

"Aww, Reynolds to the rescue! What are you gonna do? Report me? I'm sure you would love to waste Captain Deller's time crying over her!" he practically spit in his face. Will lost all self control, and within a matter of seconds, his fist had connected with Zane's jaw, knocking the man to the ground.

"Don't ever come near my girlfriend ever again," he growled, pulling me to his chest to protect me. Zane scrambled away, wiping the blood trailing from his lip and running out of the park.

Will let out a heavy breath as he turned to me, his eyes an angry shade of gray. "Did he hurt you?" he asked. I shook my head, still speechless at the scene that had unfolded before me. Will pulled me to his chest tightly, and we embraced each other for a minute. I felt the instantaneous comfort he always brought me wash away all the fear surrounding what had just happened.

As we pulled apart, Will brushed a tendril of hair out of my face, his hand sliding down to my arm. "Are you sure you're okay?" he asked, the anger beginning to fade from his face.

I chuckled. "Yeah, I'm sure. Thanks." Will gave me a small smile, but I could still see the frustration in his face. "You couldn't have known that was going to happen," I told him, trying to rid him of the guilt he was most likely burdening himself with. Will looked at me, a mix a surprise, confusion, and relief crossing his features, but he shook his head and laughed anyway.

"What?" I asked confused.

"I can't believe how well you know me," he told me.

As I met his gaze, I smiled at the affection I saw in his eyes. "Well, you can read my mind too, so I guess we're even," I joked, and we both chuckled together. Will slipped his hand into mine, leading me over to the tree I had been sitting at and we settled on the grass. I leaned my head on his shoulder.

"So," I began after a moment. "Did you mean the girlfriend thing?"

Will's eyes widened at my question, obviously slightly embarrassed that I had caught his word choice earlier. "Only if you're okay with it, Miss Scott," he told me, giving me a goofy smile.

I beamed back at him. "The honor would be all mine, Mister Reynolds."