Granted

The Shuttle

     We walked in single file to the craft. Luckily no seats were assigned so we got to choose who we sat beside. Jess asked if I would sit beside him. Obviously he didn’t make any friends other than me, although I couldn’t complain seeing as I was in the same situation. We got into the seating area which was essentially a big room with thirty seats that had straps. Eron sat on his own, near the back. I felt bad but I guessed that maybe he likes his own company. Jess ran ahead of everyone else and chose two seats near the front and then gestured for me to come over.  I got in my seat and tried to strap the five large grey belts over me which all had interlocking buttons that confused me a little.

“Need help, Rose?” Jess said when he saw me struggling. He had already secured the last belt before most people even got in the room.

“Yeah, please.” I replied. Jess reached over to my seat and grabbed the belts from my hands, moved it around a lot, clicked some things and was done.

“There you go,” He said with a smile.

“You’re really smart,” I mentioned, “Why didn’t you apply for a Level 2 or 3 job?”

“My Dad has forced me into the hard-labour work since I was a child. I used to read a lot and I liked learning but I never got any qualifications. I was going to go back to college but then I got this shipment job and I couldn’t say no."

 “I’m sorry,”

“It’s okay, I’ve got used to it. I buy second-hand college textbooks and read them when I get the time.”

“Maybe we should get off the subject of failed life choices. Uh, would you like to play a game?”

“Yes! Here-“Jess put out his hand in front of me. “One Potato,”

“What?”

“Put your hand on top.” I did put my hand on top of his. ”Two Potatoes,” he said. Then he put his other hand on mine, “Three Potatoes,”

“I still don’t get it,” I made a confused face just to make sure he knew how stupid this was,

“Never mind. Do you want to just talk?” He suggested,

“That sounds good,” I replied. So we talked for a while and he told me about himself. About his parents, Pam and Michael, and his brother Dale. I told him about my family. Mia and Paula, my Mothers and Juan.

     After twenty minutes we were told the craft was going to leave and I got nervous. Jess had made me forget about any worry I had. The whole ship started moving. We went from horizontal to vertical in under thirty seconds. A screen at the front of the room was counting down from five and everyone else shouted down with it.

“5-4-3-2...”

     The whole craft shook and I felt my entire body get warmer and my heart race. I gripped the seat’s arm rest and closed my eyes. I could tell Jess was looking over at me but I didn’t want to confirm it because if I opened my eyes I would probably scream. I felt the same terror I felt when I was nine. I pictured lights flickering and I swear I could hear an asteroid crash into the side of the wall. I started shaking. Jess grabbed my hand and I stopped. 

"It's okay," He whispered, "We're almost out of the atmosphere."

     I tried to thank him but I only managed to make a faint noise that somehow sounded like I was grateful. Being reminded that Jess was there stopped the painful flashbacks.

"I used to be scared of spiders," Jess said,

"Huh?" I managed to blurt out,

"I know its cliche but I was. Nothing needs that many eyes." He explained, "My brother brought me to our garden and found a spider hiding in my old bicycle. He took it in his hand and let it run all over his arms. He showed me that they won't hurt me and I wasn't afraid anymore."

"This helps me because?"

"We all have fears. Sometimes we just need a friend to help us conquer them."

     I opened my eyes and smiled at him, "Thank you, Jess. I think I'll be fine now." I didn't tell him but I probably wouldn't be okay if he let go of my hand.

"You're really gentle," I said, "You come off as strong and all but I think you're just a child,"

"Oh, do you?" He raised an eyebrow at me and smirked, "Then what's that?" He pointed at the wall across from us and I turned my head.

"What?" I turned back and he flicked my nose then started laughing, "Are you serious? You are a literally five year old,"

"Common, Rose, we need to go," he said while still smirking. We had arrived at the Satellite Station. I was too interested in talking to Jess to realize. 

There was a long walk from the docking station to where we were going to meet the Commander in charge of the new employees. I took this opportunity to ask Jess something personal.

"Have you ever had a partner? Girlfriend, Boyfriend?"

"I've had one girlfriend. Since we were both 13, actually. We had to break up when I found out I was coming here. I didn't believe we would do well in a long-distance relationship and neither did she, so that was it." He sighed and I kind of regretted asking because this was probably something he was trying not to think about, "How about yourself, Rose?"

"I've never been with anyone." I admitted, "I was close to asking this one guy out when I was 15 but he got a girlfriend an hour before I got the chance to ask. I've never really had much confidence anyway. I've got used to being alone."

"At least we can be friends. Then neither of us will be alone." Jess said, then smiled at me.

He said it. He said friends. It's official.

**please visit this books interactive blog to find out more about the characters. its www.granted-book.tumblr.com**