The Void Between Stars: Book 4 Of The Orion Series

The Slow Bloom Of Forgiveness

I'm over at Scott's house. It's winter, a little before Christmas. There's a light dusting of snow already on the ground, and it's currently snowing. It's actually really freaking pretty, and I'm enjoying just staring at the countryside.

We're sitting on the balcony, and my ass is cold from the stone. I don't mind it though, not really. We came out to smoke, so I'm sure we won't be outside long.

"I like how you look against the snow."

Confused, I look at Scott and cock my head to the side. "What?"

Scott waves the hand that holds his cigarette in a circle. "You--everything is so white out here, it compliments your skin well, and then your whole dark aesthetic is a stark contrast to the winter. It's neat."

I laugh, head still cocked to the side. "Are you hitting on me, Scott?"

He laughs. "Sod off, you bloody wanker."

I blink, and then burst out laughing. "Oh my God, that's the most British thing you've ever said."

Scott grins and takes a drag. I'm a bit surprised when his cheeks slowly color into a blush. Still grinning, he looks at me. "Well, guilty as charged, so."

We lapse into a comfortable silence. It's brief, though. "I'm sad Amy couldn't make it this time."

"Yeah," I respond, flicking my lighter on and off. "My mom said something about keeping her humble or some shit."

Scott laughs again. Then, "We haven't talked at all about the interview. Did you still want to do that, or...?"

"Yeah, I do, I just can't figure out what exactly I want to do. I was thinking of doing a TED Talk, but those are so expensive. I don't want this to be exclusionary. I want to reach as many people as possible."

Scott crosses his arms and nods, but doesn't say anything.

I run a frustrated hand through my hair. "Plus, we're talking about touring again in the spring and summer. So, I d'no."

Scott sits up straighter. "Hey! That'd be perfect!"

I look at him, confused.

"You could work the interview into part of the tour. Have it be an exclusive peek."

I scowl. "I don't want it to be a publicity stunt. I want it to be genuine."

"I get that," he replies, "but what's wrong with having it coincide? Don't market it as such. Just make it part of your usual interview rounds."

"That makes sense." Then the smile slips away from my mouth.

"What's wrong, Bauwens?"

"What I wanna talk about is deeply personal," I tell Scott quietly. "That's why a TED Talk seemed so appealing to me. I could just, well, talk. If someone is there, I'm afraid I might clam up."

Scott nods but doesn't say anything. Then, my brain fires, and I come up with what I swear is one of the best ideas I've had in a long time. "Scott! You could interview me!"

He looks nonplussed. "Huh?"

"Yeah!" I say excitedly. "We could hire a team to film it, and we could discuss previously what the questions are going to be, and it'd be great!"

"Me?" he asks, raising an eyebrow. "You want me, Scott Davis, to interview you, Orion Bauwens?"

I laugh. "Yes!"

After looking at me for a few moments, clearly gauging if I'm serious or not, Scott grins. "Alright, sure. I'm game!"

~