Page 19 of Swipe Right for Stardust

Instinctively I leaned towards her. Vanessa tilted her head up, her eyes fluttering closed. I bent down, drawn to her like a magnet.

Just before our lips met, a glint of light caught my peripheral vision. I froze, suddenly remembering where we were. A camera lens peered at us from a nearby alcove, its unblinking eye a stark reminder of our situation.

We both stepped back, the moment shattered. Heat rushed to my face, embarrassment and frustration warring within me. Vanessa’s cheeks were flushed, her eyes wide as she looked anywhere but at me.

“I... I’m sorry,” I stammered, cursing my lack of composure. “I didn’t mean to...”

“No, it’s okay,” Vanessa said quickly. “I... I wanted to... but...”

She trailed off, gesturing vaguely at our surroundings. I nodded, understanding her unspoken words.

“The cameras,” I said quietly, leaning in close to keep our conversation private. “I forgot about them.”

Vanessa nodded, biting her lower lip. “Yeah, me too. It’s easy to forget we’re being filmed all the time.”

I frowned, a wave of discomfort washing over me. “I don’t like it,” I admitted. “This lack of privacy... it feels wrong.”

“I know what you mean,” Vanessa said, her voice soft and understanding. “It’s weird, having every moment on display like this.”

We stood in silence, both processing the reality of our situation. I felt torn between my growing feelings for Vanessa and my inherently private nature.

“Listen,” Vanessa said, breaking the silence. “I really enjoyed tonight. And I... I like you, Zarnak. But maybe we should take things slowly? At least until we figure out how to navigate all... this.” She waved her hand, encompassing the cameras, the show, the whole bizarre situation we found ourselves in.

I nodded, feeling both relief at her understanding and disappointment at the interrupted moment. “You’re right,” I said. “We should focus on the race for now.”

“Right,” Vanessa agreed. “The race.”

We stood there awkwardly for another moment, neither quite ready to say goodnight.

“Well,” I finally said, “I suppose this is goodnight then.”

“Yeah,” Vanessa said. “Goodnight, Zarnak. And... good luck tomorrow.”

“You too,” I replied, hesitating. There was so much more I needed to say, but the words stuck in my throat.

Vanessa smiled softly, then turned and entered her room. As the door closed behind her, I felt a sense of loss, as if something precious had slipped through my fingers.

I stood there, staring at the closed door, trying to process the whirlwind of emotions coursing through me. Finally, I turned and began the walk back to my own quarters.

The corridors were quiet now, most of the other contestants having retired for the night. My footsteps echoed in the empty space, matching the rhythm of my racing thoughts.

I replayed the evening in my thoughts, lingering on every smile, every laugh, every almost-touch. I’d never felt this way before, this strange mix of elation and uncertainty.

As I walked, I found my thoughts drifting to the race ahead. The challenges we would face, the unknown terrain of Nexus Prime. But even as I considered the difficulties, I felt a renewed sense of determination. I wanted to succeed, not just for myself, but for Vanessa.

I reached my quarters, the door sliding open with a soft hiss. As I stepped inside, the stark difference from Vanessa’s presence struck me. The room felt colder, emptier somehow.

I began my nightly routine, preparing for bed even as my mind continued to race. As I settled into bed, my last thoughts were of Vanessa’s smile and the adventures that awaited us tomorrow.

VANESSA

Itossed and turned in the floating bed, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts. The holographic stars above me blurred as I stared, unseeing. Zarnak’s face floated before my eyes, our almost-kiss playing on repeat.

“Ugh,” I groaned, sitting up and swinging my legs over the side of the bed. Sleep wasn’t happening.

I padded over to the Nebula Nursery where Taffy rested. The shimmering, translucent walls pulsed with soft light. Inside, Taffy’s tentacles swayed gently.

“Hey there, little guy,” I whispered.

---