Page 42 of Between Earth and Eternity
“Good morning, Miss Andrews.”
I gulp down my anxiety. I thought there would be a small chance I’d avoid facing consequences for what happened, but there goes my wishful thinking. More like naivety.
“Do you mind if we chat with you for a moment?” As if I have a choice.
“Of course not. Please come in,” I say brightly. It’s forced, but they don’t seem to notice. Runa and the officer, who eyes me suspiciously, step inside.
“I assume you know why we are here,” she says.
I do, and it’s complete bullshit.
“I believe so.” Immediately, the journey is over before it began. The badge folds his arms, waiting for Runa to go on.
“Miss Andrews, did you not take Mr. Mannox’s instructions seriously?” My eyebrows pinch in confusion. “Why did you cause a scene at Lunar Landing yesterday?”
I was tattled on. Really? What hand do I play this time?
“It wasn’t my intention to cause a scene, Steward Runa. I was defending myself, and if I took it too far, I apologize.”
Runa sighs, writing something down on her datapad. “According to Mr. Slade Mannox, you were unpredictable. He said, quote, ‘She was a step away from going too far, and she made us feel uneasy about what she would do next.’”
You’ve got to be kidding me. I scoff out a laugh. “Are you serious? They came up to us first and then insulted me and my friends.” I keep my voice down, even if I want to shout.
“And what exactly did Mr. Mannox or Mr. Stafford say that was so insulting?” the officer asks.
“It’s true.” Ori’s quiet voice comes from behind. She walks over to stand beside me, clearly just rolling out of bed, her hair a mess and wearing a robe. “I was there, as well as Laz Soren and Payson Reed. They can tell you the same thing. We were eating dinner when Slade and Kol came up to us and started antagonizing Skyler. She only responded when they wouldn’t leave us alone.”
I smile at her gratefully.
“Sounds like a misunderstanding. Do you agree, Officer Lancer?” Runa says. She genuinely looks bored, like this is a waste of her time.
He gives her a stern look before he says, “Allegedly. But I want statements from these other two witnesses mentioned, and then let’s be done with it.” He turns to leave without another word.
Runa turns to both of us with an apologetic expression, and I know she knows that this is all ridiculous, but she can’t say that, especially in front of a badge. At least she’s on our side.
“Very well, I will get a statement from Mr. Soren and Mr. Reed.” She turns to leave, and I breathe out a sigh of relief. “But Miss Andrews, please stay out of trouble,” she adds before the door slides closed behind her. I want to tell her I’m trying, but unfortunately, trouble has a tendency to find me.
A run is what I desperately need to sweat out my frustrations. It takes me a minute to get my bearings on the fancy treadmill. The machine is surrounded by large, curved screens to give the illusion that I am actually running through a landscape of my choosing. I never run indoors if I don’t have to. The simulation does nothing to distract my surroundings, it only makes me miss my hill back on Earth even more. I run until I feel like my legs might give out, then move on to a recovery jog. The gym is fairly busy, but it’s so large, it doesn’t feel overcrowded. Unfortunately, I feel just as out of place here, not that I was expecting to fit in.
I walk toward a water station, overhearing two women deep in a conversation, and they hardly move out of the way as I grab a water cup. “I told him I don’t care how good the view is, I’m not going there,” the redhead says to her friend, who has dark skin and hair.
“Out of all the places, why did he suggest the library? Honestly.” She tosses her hair over her shoulder.
“Excuse me. Did you say the ship has a library?” I ask.
They both snap their gazes to me, looking me up and down. The uncouthness of these people.
“Yes. It does,” the redhead answers, tilting her nose up at me, as if she’s disgusted that I’m sweaty.
What else did she expect to find in a gym? Or maybe rich people think they don’t sweat. I bite back my annoyance.
“You’re one of the Lottery winners, aren’t you?” she asks.
“I am.”
“I recognized you. You have gorgeous eyes,” says the friend. I can’t tell if she’s complimenting me or teasing me.
“Thank you.” They both continue to stare at me. “So, the library. Do you know where it is?” I ask awkwardly.
