Page 54 of The Love Simulation

Maybe I can consider our time here a test. If I can keep my hands to myself while we get tasks done and not let on that we are anything other than partners, but use our private time to do more fun things like make out, then maybe things between us don’t have to end when the new school year starts.

I take a small step back and make a show of lookingaround the Hab, trying to convey to Roman that Big Brother is watching and we need to be careful of what we do. It looks like Roman wants to laugh at me, his eyes lighting up, but clearly he reads me loud and clear and backs up as well. When he does, I fight the urge to step back into his personal space. I’m a mess.

Later, his eyes declare, and I feel a pulse of heat.

“Sounds like we got another message from Mission Control,” Roman says. “Let’s check it out.”

We move over to the comms station, where a message is waiting for us.

We see that the antenna has come back online, and we are able to send you messages once again. We are sorry for the casualties you have sustained along the way. Rest assured, we knew this mission would be a tough one, but you two are living proof that mankind can prevail in the toughest of circumstances. Following this message, you will receive two messages from your families, who miss you on Earth.

I feel my spirit lighten as I read the message from Mission Control. Finally, some contact from my family.

I don’t have to wait long. The first video to show 100 percent loaded is addressed to me, and I immediately press play.

My family comes on the screen, huddled on Camille’s cream couch. They all give warm greetings. They tell me how great a job I’m doing, with Vincent giving me some special advice on how to best move in the space suit to see with the helmet on.

“And someone else wants to say hi,” Camille says. She gives Zara to Lance and pats her lap. “Say ‘Hi, Mommy!’ ”

My eyes get misty as Sheba stretches on Camille’s lap. She’s so long, her chest is on Camille, while her paws extend across Lance. Once they say their goodbyes and the video cuts out, I swallow the lump in my throat.

“I miss them so much,” I say wistfully.

“It seems like you and your family are close,” Roman comments from beside me. For a moment, I forgot I had an audience and immediately begin dabbing at my eyes. Roman stops my hand, brushing my cheek with his thumb. “It’s beautiful.”

I smile, leaning into his touch. “Yeah, they are. We’ve had our share of ups and downs, and we’re not perfect. No family is. But anytime I’m away from them for too long, I get the most intense homesickness that doesn’t go away until we’re all back together. Sometimes I’ll go through these phases where I start avoiding them, but once I come back around, it makes me realize how foolish I can be.”

“Why would you avoid them?”

I turn my head to the monitors to dodge Roman’s inquisitive stare and shrug. I don’t want to tell him I’ve been indecisive about my career, and being around my successful brother and sister makes me feel like I don’t measure up. Instead I give a half-truth. “It can be hard when you’re always comparing yourself to the Black excellence that is my astronaut brother and his entrepreneur fiancée and my doctor sister and her ex-Navy husband. Then, there’s little ol’ me. And what do I have? Sheba.” Okay, so I got a little more truthful than I meant to. What is it about Roman that always has me saying too much?

“ ‘Little ol’ you’? Nah, Bri. You’re amazing.”

I didn’t know I’d fall in love with hearing that wordfrom his lips, but there it is again—amazing.My heart trips over itself, and my breath hitches. The honesty and conviction. “Th-thank you, Roman,” I stammer. Then, because I just can’t take it anymore, I blurt out, “Do you want to see something in the room?” And bysee something, I meankiss. I want to kiss him. So bad.

Roman’s eyebrows shoot straight up to his hairline at my question. Before he can answer, two chimes sound in succession and we both turn to the monitors.

“It looks like your video came through. Do you want to watch it?” I ask.

“I’ll check it out later,” he dismisses. “There’s another one addressed to the both of us. I wonder what this is.”

Roman clicks play, and I immediately recognize our school cafeteria. The librarian, Mrs. Yates, is there, as well as Principal Major, looking like he’s putting up with everything, along with Superintendent Watts and various students.

“Vice Principal Rogers. Mr. Major. We are so proud of how well you two are representing your school, our district, and this community!” Superintendent Watts says. “We know it’s hard there, working alone, by yourselves, but your dedication to your goals is inspiring to us all. Keep focused on the grand prize. We’re counting on you!”

I know it’s all lip service, that the optics look great for the school. That’s all I should care about, but I didn’t miss the hidden meaning behind every word Superintendent Watts said. She’s warning me about Roman, again.

I glance at Roman. He turns his head to me and smiles reassuringly, though it doesn’t fully reach his eyes. He must be feeling the pressure too. It’s just the two of us and we’ve got to see the rest of this simulation through. We’re committed, and I’m also committed to seeing this thingbetween Roman and me through. I’ll just have to be careful and not get caught.

Roman and I don’t goto the room and make out. Instead we suit up and head outside.

I look around. Nothing but red and rocks and red mountains against a fake red sky. How long has it been since I’ve seen the actual sun? Felt its rays kiss my skin or had to shade my eyes from the brightness? I miss the feel of the wind stirring through my braids. Hell, I even miss Houston’s humidity that’s always sure to swell my hair to twice its normal volume when I don’t have braids in.

I shake my head. This place is starting to get to me. If I can just push through a little longer, I’ll make it to the other side.

“I guess we better get to it,” Roman’s voice says in my ear.

I nod and we start moving toward the field. Like our first task, our goal now is to clean the mess the dust storm left. We pick up debris sticking out of the sand. Some of it I don’t even recognize, and I wonder if the organizers just threw additional stuff out here for shits and giggles.

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