the crush in space

chapter one meeting roommate

The crew member was getting his room ready on his first day. He was about to lie down and take a break when someone walked into his dorm.

"Hey, this is my dorm room," he said.

The other person replied, "Your room? Your roommate, dumbass. Great, I guess I’m stuck with you. Anyway, what's your name? I don’t have all day. I’ve got shit to do. And don’t get me started on the layout. That’s your side, this is mine. I know it’s your first day, but I’m not your tour guide. I don’t like making friends, but if you somehow impress me, maybe we’ll get along... though I highly doubt that’ll ever happen."

He paused before adding, "And one more thing—don’t touch my tablet. That’s my work tablet. I use it for everything—my data, my work, and yeah, mostly for playing Roblox. Don’t call me childish for it. You’d get bored too if you were stuck on a spaceship. Anyway, that’s it. Make yourself at home... just keep to your side of the dorm. And remember, we’re not friends, just crewmates. Got that? Love."

Everything was going well. He had settled into the dorm room, put on his space outfit, and was ready for the day. That’s when the captain spoke up.

"You’re partners with Gum," the captain said.

Gum rolled his eyes. "Are you serious, Chief?"

The captain nodded. "Yes."

Gum sighed. "Look, I know you’ve been through a lot on the ship, but I just want you to find... well, a friend. I’ve been there. Maybe this is a new beginning for you—making a friend."

Gum paused for a moment, then shrugged. "Fine. I guess I’ll do my duties with my roommate. I’m usually a person who likes being alone. After this work, I’m fixing my hair locks."

Meanwhile, Y/U was at the cafeteria. Gum was sitting by himself, eating alone, when Y/U approached.

Y/U hesitated, then said, "Can I sit here?"

Gum barely glanced up. "Yeah, go ahead. Not like I'm going anywhere. I'm just eating my food. Why are you so obsessed with me?"

Y/U paused for a moment, unsure of what to say. "I—m...m—come on, speak up."

Gum raised an eyebrow. "You said... I'm not obsessed with you. I just want to be your friend."

Gum gave Y/U a cold look, as if his gaze was as frigid as the ice of Antarctica. "Friends? Friends, huh?" He scoffed. "I tried to make friends once. Got betrayed by the one person I trusted. Almost got killed by that friend. That’s why I don’t do friends. The person I trusted, the one I shared my feelings with—my true feelings, even confessing my love for them—turned into a joke. And when your so-called friend turns out to be part of the Spy Alien Red Rangers committee?" Gum's voice grew sharper, his eyes hardening. "I won’t fall for that again. I won’t be gullible this time."

The next day, during their duty shift, Y/U wanted to hear Gum's full story. He approached him and said, "Can we talk? We might get along if you just talk to me."

Gum paused, then sighed. "Mmmmm, fine. You want the story? You’ll have to retwist my locks after we’re done with work, okay?" He gave a small smile before quickly returning to his usual serious expression.

Later, in the dorm room, Gum began telling his story.

"How did it happen?" Gum began, his voice distant. "There was a guy I met named Zeno. He was... like a thing to me. We talked, we liked each other. We had the same interests, the same holidays, the same everything... Everything. Something like that." He sighed heavily, his eyes darkening with the memory.

"It was a beautiful day. We held hands, talked, laughed, and just... were happy. He opened me up for the first time and made me feel things I’d never felt. His hugs were... amazing. The way he held me, cuddled me, told me he’d never let me go. But that was an illusion." Gum’s voice grew quiet, almost like he was reliving the pain. "One night, the ship was targeted. I was trying to get him to safety... but he was gone. Everything was gone."

He paused, his expression hardening. "There was a note. He said... 'I'm sorry. One day, I might find you again, but I just hope you forgive me. Please, if you’re out there, I’m sorry.' And that was it. I froze. I was shocked, confused... My body was numb."

Gum's gaze shifted away, his voice heavy with emotion. "That’s why I have trust issues now. Zeno was the reason I don't trust people. I don’t want friends."