Planet Urbulus

A Promotion

I could feel my hands tremble as I reached for the doorknob to the office.I paused.I'm getting fired. I thought. Then with some confidence,I opened the black door.

As soon as I opened the door I could see my boss sitting at his dark,wooden desk working on his laptop.A cactus stood on his left and a lamp on the right.One chair sat in front of him.The curtains were closed.The room was dark.

Finally,he looked up."Ah,Willy,just the man I wanted to see."He said in a cheerful voice."Take a seat."

I pulled the chair which was in front of the desk and sat in it.After that it grew silent.No one talked for a good 30 seconds.

"Willy,you are a hard working man.That's what I like about you."I sighed.I was ready to accept the fact that I was getting fired."So,He continued.that is why I want you to go with Griffin to Mars."My jaw dropped."M..m..mars!?"I exclaimed."Yes..Mars."Said my boss as he continued writing on his laptop.

"I noticed how hard you were working lately. And I decided to give you a promotion.You are now an astronaut.You do not need any training since you already know everything.The only thing you need to know is how to control the spaceship just in case the technicians lose contact with you.So,do you accept?"

Of course I wanted to accept!I was about to say yes until questions flooded into my head.Would this affect my relationship?What if something happens to me?What if my partner hates me?Finally I spoke."I don't know...can I notify you tomorrow?"

"Of course."He replied.

"Thank you."I said.

"No problem."He said with a nod.

Slowly I left the room. I should tell Abigail about this and see what she thinks at lunch. I thought.I worked as an astronaut corp. An astronaut corp is someone who selects,trains,and provides astronauts as crew members.Abigail was one too.

six hours passed until I was finally able to talk to Abigail.We both sat together in the lunch room on a red-benched table.My best friend was there too.His name was Dan.

Dan and I first met in grade ten. I remember craving my large ham and cheese sub on a log near the playground that had only one set of monkey bars and swing.As I sat on that old log,two kids named Manny and Andrew (who were the school bullies)came up to me and snatched my sub right out of my hands."Well,what do we have hear?"Asked Manny."Hey!" I hollard."That's my sub!"

"I know , that's why i'm takin' it."He said.

I shot straight up trying to look big and tuff."Give it back." I warned.

"Make me." Gruffed Manny.

Manny passed the sub to Andrew who stood back not wanting to take any part in this .

I knew this was war. I was determined not to lose.

 I was the first to attack.I jumped up at him and grabbed his shirt . I easily dragged him to the ground.But then he pushed me off of him and gave me a good punch to the jaw.That made me mad with rage.My mouth started to bleed.When Manny was about to get up, I jumped back on him and gave him a blow on the face repeatedly. He screamed"Andrew help!"Andrew wide eyed dropped the sub , picked me up, and pinned me upward to the ground."That's it,he's gonna get it now."Manny said with a murder look in his eyes.I got it all right.In the face,In the gut , and in the place were nobody wants to be kicked.I screamed in pain.

All the kids in the school just watched helplessly.They would have told someone if Andrew hadn't threatened them.All the teachers were inside.No supervision.How foolish.

Only one kid came and helped me.Dan."Isn't anyone gonna help him!?"He shouted.No one said anything.They just stared at him.So, he ran up to Manny and pulled him off of me, and hit him in the stomach which made him fly backwards.Andrew let me go and charged after Dan. Dan tripped him and held him to the ground.

"Someone get help!"He screamed.

Finally a girl with black hair, ran inside the brick school , and got our Math teacher. By the time the teacher came, Dan was full of blood.

"What is going on!"Shouted the teacher.Everyone looked at him.

His hair was neatly combed and his suit matched perfectly.

We all paused.

Finally,he started to walk towards us. Manny and Andrew exchanged looks. They both knew what would happen if they got caught.So, they ran away into the woods.

The Math teacher examined me.I was unconscious.

Ever since then,Dan and I have been the best of friends.

                                               ~ BACK AT THE LUNCH TABLE~

"Finally lunch!"Exclaimed Dan.

"I know right?"Said Abigail.

I didn't say anything.I just ate my burger as I stared of into the blue.

"Sooooooo...Willy, how's life?"Asked Dan.

"Willy,Dan is talking to you."Abigail said.

"Huh,what?"I asked.

"How's life?"Repeated Dan.

"Oh, good."I replied.

After that we just talked about the future,work,and plans for the winter.

It was now 12:54 p.m.

When we were finished eating, we got up and cleaned off our table. When that was finished, Abigail and Dan started to leave.

Just then, I remembered that I was suppose to tell her about going to Mars.

"Abigail,wait."

Abigail turned.But Dan kept going with a wave.

"Hmm?"

"Um...what if I said that the boss wanted me to go to Mars?" I asked.

"Oh yeah , I forgot to ask about...wait, what!?"She exclaimed."Mars!?"

"Yes, I said.Mars.I got a promotion,and i'm an astronaut now!"

"Wow! That's great!Are you going on your own?"

"No, i'm going with Griffin."

Abigail stared at me with sad eyes."And... you want to go?"

"Of course I..."I paused.I didn't want to lie. I really did want to go.Then I continued."don't want to go unless you're coming."

"Aw.That's sweet.But Griffin is going,not me."She bit her lip."Willy, this is up to you."