HATHE

2: Change

George never liked the idea of doing something secret outside of work, but he made an exception for this. He had agreed to help Hatley with her plan, and they were using the lab after hours to complete the prototype.
"Dr. Caine? Dr. Felix?"
Both George and Hatley turned their heads. The voice was coming from the doorway.
"What in the world is going on here?" It was Dr. Wren.
"I asked you if I could please use the lab after hours, and you gave me your permission." Hatley said in their defence.
"Did I now? I don't recall."
"Yes, after lunch yesterday."
"Hm. Funny."
Hatley tucked a wisp of her chestnut coloured hair behind her ear.
"GET OUT!" YOU ARE NOT PERMITTED TO BE IN THE LAB AFTER HOURS!" Marcus bellowed. "NOW LEAVE BEFORE YOU BOTH GET FIRED!"
Hatley immediately gathered her things and the tools for the prototype. George however, did not move quite as fast. He stood in front of Marcus Wren, with his hands at his side, and replied,
"We're saving the world."
With that, he grabbed his bag and some papers and left alongside Hatley.

"George, you're done." Hatley looked at him, green eyes wide.
"I know." George let a tear roll down his cheek. "I just couldn't take him anymore. He shuts down our ideas too often, and he won't listen."
Hatley took George's hand.
"We can still build it you know. We can work on it in my garage. I still have all the tools, and anything we need I can get from the lab. Maybe once Marcus sees what we've created, he'll let you back."
George just nodded. The two walked in silence for what seemed like an eternity, until they reached Hatley's home.
"Would you like to set up?" She gestured to the garage.
"Sure." George followed Hatley as she opened the garage. "Wow."
The place was filled with inventions, George even recognized a couple he had helped her with. He put his bag down on a chair, and set out the papers. Hatley set what they had done so far on the centre table, and then she closed the garage door.
"Okay, where did we leave off?"
The two got to work fairly quickly and by the time the day was over, they had gotten a good chunk done.
"Do you want a sandwich or something?" Hatley asked.
"Yeah, I could go for one."
They sat on the back porch watching the sun disappear behind the horizon. Hatley looked over at George with a smile.
"Thank you. For everything."
"Pff. It was your idea."
"Yeah, but I could've never done it without you. You're my best friend."
"You're my best friend too." George stared back at the sunset. Hatley followed. She'd never had many friends as a child, so being an adult and finally having someone to be there for her, having a best friend, it felt good. The two sat in silence, eating sandwiches, and for once, not having a care about what the future might hold.