Everything Is Blue

Chapter 13

Summer slowly faded into fall. Three months until the C.O.R.E deadline. They were on track so far, despite the minor setbacks. The boys down in the lab put the elevators out of order last week with their experiment (which was not approved by administration). The other day, someone had set off the sprinkler system when they caught the microwave on fire. You'd think a scientist would know not to microwave something that has tinfoil on it.

Apparently, Kimbra gave the EcoTech staff too much credit.

Bud continued to be a sharp pain in the side. Yet Kimbra had grown fond of him. Not that she'd ever admit it, heavens no.

And then there was Dr. Ross Spector. She hadn't told anyone they were seeing each other. How could she? He was their rival. Owner of SpecCorp. Public enemy number one.

Was she betraying her boss? The company she poured her heart into the last several years?

No. No, she wasn't.

Maybe she was reading too much into it.

She wanted to be with him. Ross was intelligent. Someone she could easily discuss work with. They had so much in common. He always knew what to say and when to say it.

But it's a mistake.

What would she do if Dr. Ainsley found out? She hadn't thought that far ahead. He might fire her. Yell profanities at her. Maybe cry? No, she's never seen the man cry before. More than likely, he'll feel betrayed and heartbroken. Disappointed even. Probably ask her to leave and never come back.

Her mind kept throwing small darts of worry her way. The fog in her brain choked her thoughts.

You're making a mistake by going out with Ross Spector. You're betraying your boss's trust. It's a bad idea. Don't do it.

What a horrible thought.

For now, she brushed the worry out of her mind and focused on work.

After an eternity, the judgmental voices stopped.

***

Kimbra took a deep breath before stepping through the doors of the conference hall. Dozens of speakers and guests roamed the shiny tile floors. Chatter and laughter filled the air. The dread that had been accumulating since morning collected in her throat.

She did not want to be here.

Bud had invited Kimbra to a conference he was participating in. A businessman like him couldn't afford to miss one. It offered a chance to network and sell his products to potential sponsors. Dr. Ainsley also pressured her to go, so she could represent EcoTech in his place. The man rarely ever went to a conference, much to the mayor's dismay. She could always opt out. Have someone else take her place.

Per usual, Kimbra caved in and agreed to go.

The Ross Spector situation from a few days ago had been temporarily forgotten, as Bud hadn't made any more snide remarks or tried to pry into her personal life. And for that, Kimbra was grateful. Things were normal (well, as normal as they could be) again. That was over and done with for now.

So, there in the hall, Kimbra stood, her blue eyes scanning the crowd for a recognizable face. She hated social events. She hated feeling out of place. The thought of socializing made her want to sink into herself.

She'd have to work on that.

"Kimbra!" A male voice called out to her right.

The scientist glanced over in the direction of the voice, only to see Bud Flud approaching her with that television worthy smile of his.