The Core

Anticipation

Chapter 1

My name is Kayla Hyde; I graduated from The University of California with a degree in Science 2 years ago. I now work for NASA. I have been for 5 years; I was an intern for half of that time. Now I’m training to be an Astronaught, my dream is to see the earth from a different point of view. My parents got divorced when I was just 7 and my Dad got full custody. I lived with him in San Francisco whilst my mother lived in Chicago. I haven’t seen her For 8 years. She and I don’t have the best Mother-Daughter relationship. She’s always wanted me to get into Volleyball like her and was quite, no not quite, very upset when I said I wanted to become an Astronaught when I was 14, she eventually got over it after braking a vase but ever since then her and I have had a bit of a gap in between us. My dad always said she could be a bit controlling and that that was partly the reason they had to break up. Another part is because apparently they had some “Differences” that are too complicated to explain to me, even though I’m a 23 year old woman.

But that’s in the past now. If my mother can’t accept my dreams and life goals, then she has not fulfilled her duty as a mother.

I live on my own in an apartment in California. It’s a small 1 bedroom 1 bathroom apartment on the 6th floor. It has warm, fuzzy red carpets in the living room and wood in the kitchen and bedroom. There are white tiles in the bathroom. All the walls are plain white.

There are 3 things I love about my apartment. One, it’s very cosy. Two, it’s very affordable. And three, right above me is my best friend in the whole wide world, David.

I’ve known him since I was 15. He’s there for me no matter what. When I was 18, my dad was going to a baseball game. He didn’t want to go alone and bought me a ticket so I could go too. The only problem is that I hate baseball. I hate every kind of sport. I’m athletic, yes, I have good stamina and I’m very fit.But I hate sports like Football, Tennis, and Netball. I especially hate volleyball and baseball. I was complaining to David how I really didn’t want to go and that I hated baseball. The worst part was, it was the same day as my interview for NASA.

The next thing I know, he’s gone to my dad and convinced him not to make me go and he went in my place. He hates baseball too, even though he’s more athletic than I, he’s more of a basketball type.

My dad’s always loved him. He’s the son he never had. They talk sports together, talk actors together, music together. David likes my dad too. He’s told me that’s exactly how he wanted to be when he gets older. On the other hand, my dad’s always said that David reminds him of his youth. Tall, dark umber hair, Green eyes, ivory skin. I guess some would say he’s drop dead gorgeous. Like a movie star. I can see the resemblance between him and my dad’s teenage photo’s. Well my dad wasn’t a movie star but he did a few plays on Broadway.

Once, my dad kept nagging me to go out with him. That’s he’s the perfect husband for me. He’s kind, considerate and passionate no doubt about that,but he’s like a brother to me. It’s weird to think of him romantically. He’s the best friend I could ever ask for, and I love him. Just not in that way.

Another great thing about him is that he also works for NASA. He’s always wanted to be an Astronaught too. That’s how we met. As geeky as it sounds, it was at a local space convention. The only difference with him, is he’s actually there now. He’s a pilot for spacecrafts. He’s actually been up in the unknown. I’m kind of jealous. But I’m extremely happy for him.

This morning, I was told to go to work early as there’s a staff meeting. I wake up at the sound of a beeping alarm. I look to my left. My clock flashes 5am. Great, even the birds aren’t out yet. Neither is the sun. I close my eyes for a few seconds, telling myself that once I wash my face all this tiredness will disappear. Then, with a big groan, I throw off my duvet and throw my legs out of bed and sit up. As I walk to the bathroom, I freeze as I notice a loud bang on the ceiling. And another one. And another one. “David.” I think out loud. I’m not sure whether it’s the reason I had to get up an hour early or not, but I feel really grouchy. I re route myself to the broom

closet and pull out an old broom. And walk to my bathroom. My bathroom is directly under his and that’s where he is likely to be, spending an hour on his hair. Continuously, I hit the ceiling with the broom. I stop. “I’m up!” I yell then wait a few seconds “Whatever you say.” I hear a muffled voice reply. I smile to myself as I put the broom against the wall. Why does he make it so hard to be grouchy in the morning?

I do my normal morning bathroom routine, except I spend a little more time covering up my under eyes with concealer. I may just be paranoid. I always have been about my looks. I had very bad acne as a teenager and even though that’s cleaned up, I found it hard to restore my self esteem. I look in the mirror. Great. My honey skin looks completely flawless. I need to thank David again for getting me this amazing make up for my birthday. I go into my bedroom, open the closet and get changed into my usual work uniform; White shirt, black skirt, black jacket, tanned tights and black heels. I brush my hair one more time before tying it back in a plait. My dad always called me his ‘honey girl’ because I have honey skin, honey brown hair and honey brown eyes. I walk into the kitchen and pour myself a bowl of cereal that I quickly eat whilst I drink up my coffee. I check the clock on the wall above my front door as I pick up my purse. 6.17am. Well at least I’m not running late. I open the door and lock it behind me. I press the elevator button and wait patiently. The doors eventually open to reveal the one and only, David. I sigh as I step in.“It took you long enough.” He jokes, leaning over me to press the button. “How long have you been in here?” I question, trying to sound annoyed. “About 10 minutes. I got in, and then on my way down remembered that you’re my ride. So I waited.” “That’s right, so be nice.” I joke. “Is that mandatory?” he laughs in his charming chuckle. “You’re the one who got their license revoked.” “Hey, that was not my fault!” He says as he’s said about a thousand times before. “It clearly said 30mph and you were going 60.” the doors slide open with a loud ‘ding’ and David and I step out into the lobby.We walk silently to my grey Prius outside. I notice the cool breeze mess up the neatness of the hair flowing out my pony tail that I spent a lot of hard work on. Other than that the air feels quite warm. Probably about 15 degrees Celsius. I open the driver’s door quickly, throwing my purse in before. David walks around the front of the car and gets inside the passenger seat.

As soon as I start the engine, he turns on the radio and I start to drive. There’s no talking for the 30 minutes drive, it’s probably because we are pondering on what the staff meeting might be on. Usually someone gets fired at this type of thing.

When we arrive, we are one of the last ones there. I am greeted by my co worker, Michelle. “What do you think this meeting about?” I ask curiously. “Most likely a launch of a new space operation.” Michelle answers, whilst her, David and I walk into the conference room. I feel a rush of relief run through my veins, like my lungs have opened up and I can breathe properly. I didn’t even think of that possibility. Maybe I won’t get fired after all. Maybe I’ve been over reacting on the whole thing.

We walk through a maze of corridors and hallways that we’ve all memorised like the back of our hands, and open a tall white door. “And we are all here!” Exclaims Mr Dawerton as we walk in. He’s a big and stocky with grey hairs and a bald spot at the top of his head. He wears his usual outfit, a grey suite and white shirt; which today he’s matched with a red tie. He sits at the end of a long table surrounded by people. I take a seat at one of the spare chairs and Michelle and David follow me.

-------------------A/N-------------------------------------------------------------

This is my first chapter and I have worked hard on it. Please let me know what you think I should improve and I appreciate all comments :) Thank you for reading xxxx