The Red Planet

The Arrival and The Departure

"Uh oh!" I mumble as my suitcase goes tumbling down the winding steps. Leaving a trail of cotton, denim, and silk clothing dispersed everywhere. "Honey!" mom yells; "you forgot some bags up- What did you do?" My first instinct, run. But I know better I'm not that 8 year old self again. Besides this is the last time I'll see my mom so I held my breath for the worst- a lecture, curse words thrown at me, chores for a week, not being able to play on my IPhone.

"Sorry, I must have forgotten to zip up one side of my bag," I whisper, my eyes downcast toward the hardwood floor.

"Sky we just packed these last night, it took us till 11:00pm. You realize I'm still tired." mom says surveying the mess.

"Yeah, I know. I'll re-pack these up quickly." I say not wanting to do any more work.

"Alright, but you better be quick there coming soon," mom exclaims striding past me and all the clothing.

"Okay," I say hurrying to pack everything up all over again. While my mom walks swiftly pass me down the stairs. My mom lost likeness in me a long time ago when I kept making messes around the house. Some catastrophic messes- painting all the walls, destroying chandeliers, tearing apart couches, hiding all the food and not telling anyone for a month. My moms exact words to me, "'you have to become a woman, until you learn to look after yourself I won't be helping you."' Well didn't she keep her word ( I was only 11). The white pane windows were open down below giving the house a nice, warm, summer breeze.  Once I finished, I proceeded down the swirling steps and dropped my bag down on the leather sofa in the far corner.

I scurried over to the kitchen passing over my aquarium filled with fish ( one of the clown fish is named Nemo). My stomach gurgled as I stiffly walked over to the fruit basket grabbed an apple and strolled to mom. My mom was waiting there, with a grim expression, but as I came through the arch built above me the smile faded and out came a smug expression. " This can not be good," I thought to myself. "I'm going to miss you Sky!" my mom said abruptly, the words escaping her lips. Well this is a change of events. Beep! Beep! "Sorry, I can't stay to chit-chat," I say coming over giving a brief hug and exiting out the arch. I peek outside one of the many windows and see a slim, shiny, black Lincoln perched at the end of our curve. Quickly glancing back I grab my bags and throw my mom a kiss as I scurry to the door.

"Hello! And good morning Sky!" Mr. Bush my flight instructor says, as I fasten on my seatbelt.

"Good morning to you too, Mr. Bush."

"How do you feel my dear, nervous, excited, happy, pathetic, dizzy, sick? It is your first mission and all." Mr. Bush says driving on through the neighborhood.

"I'm a bit nervous, yes but I'm prepared."

"Glad to hear it." He says as we drive out to the freeway.

Two hours later....

I fiddled with my bag strap, a book in hand, as the trees slowly disappear. Big buildings, ships, and ramps located at every corner. The car stops as I stumble out, my cheeks growing hot when millions and million of people are barricaded on each side of me. As I survey my view I see two of my friends walking toward me, smiles plastered on their faces.

"Have a safe trip up there!" Cassie says.

" Yup, and make sure to bring me back some collectables!" Aron says glancing between me and the crowd.

"Still, your the first woman and human to do this are you ready?" Cassie questions me, turng her glance from Aron to me.

"I was born ready!" I holler, the three of us breaking out into laughter.

 30 minutes later...

10... Breath. 9... The suit and belt clinging to my life. 8... "All systems go!" my head set crackles. 7... Hope I don't end up like the guy from "The Martian." 6... Time is running out! 5... My family waves below, looking like ants. 3... Have everything? Check. Check. Check. 2... Hold on tight! 1... Goodbye friends and family! 0... Bye Earth. Blast Off!

The rocket hurls off into space. The fire igniting below. "Wow!" I yell as I'm capsized, hanging off the lip of my seat like a rag doll. Soon, the adrenaline of energy runs out and I'm calmly in space. "Next stop, Mars!" my commander says through the screens placed around me. Stars take over my view, million to trillions of stars. Asteroids playing tag around the perimeter. A view no other human could ever imagine. As we zoom to the deep red planet.