Chapter 2:
Josh was up earlier than normal. He was half dressed in his gear when Brett appeared from under the mountain of covers.
"Josh?" He called. "Why are you up so early?" Josh didn't answer. He'd spent the first few days of school with everyone saying his dad would play favourites with him, they'd quickly worked out that PK was even harsher on his son. Josh still didn't like to mention family time. He knew they'd mock him.
"Tell you later Brett, gotta jet." He said cheekily before darting out of the room. He went straight to the hanger. He was a bit jittery. He sat and waited. His dad wouldn't be up just yet so it was fine. An hour passed and Josh figured his dad probably hadn't meant this early and he had to have breakfast. One hour turned into two and Josh assumed that his dad couldn't just abandon the school, he had work. Three hours passed and Josh thought the work might be taking him a long time. Hadn't there been a budget issue? When lunch time passed, Josh thought his dad may have had a business morning and was having lunch. He considered getting lunch himself but rejected the idea on the grounds that he may miss his dad. Of course, sitting curled up in the hanger bay was not normal behaviour. Sure enough, Bobby saw him a few times and made some mean jokes about Josh being a suck up. Josh ignored him. It didn't help that the caretaker started looking at him worriedly when night started falling. Josh sat there, too numb to move. He didn't think his dad had forgotten. Maybe he didn't care. Or maybe he didn't really want Josh on his hornet. Josh huddled into a tighter ball. He honestly felt a bit like crying. His dad had stood him up before, but never for this long or without a good reason.
It was nearing midnight when Josh heard the thud of footsteps behind him. Someone was running towards him. Josh hopped to his feet and smiled slightly when he saw his dad running to him, slightly out of breath.
"Sorry... the stupid... commissioners... and that annoying... I was in a meeting." He wheezed out.
"It's fine." Josh said. "Can we go?" His dad gave him a look but ushered him on board. Josh sat at the flight controls and was surprised when his dad let him, sliding into the navigation seat.
"You're in charge." He said with a slight smile. Josh knew then that this was a genuine apology. No one was allowed to fly the black hornet except dad. Josh pushed the thruster and they were off. They did a little guided tour around the local solar system, Josh didn't mind the random facts his dad spouted. He made it funny and interesting. When Josh turned to ask his dad about the weird goo thing he'd just seen, his father screamed.
"Look out!" Josh looked out of the window and immediately jerked the steering control. He wasn't considered the best pilot for nothing. They managed to avoid the comet that had come hurtling towards them out nowhere.
"Relax Dad, we're fine." Josh said trying to keep the slight tremor out of his voice. A hand rested on his shoulder.
"Excellent flying." He said gently. "Quick thinking too." He patted Josh's shoulder. Josh beamed at him. They spent the rest of the flight making bad jokes and laughing. It was nearing three in the morning, Earth time, when Josh started drifting off. "Josh?"
"Mmm?" Josh made an incoherent noise. Principal Kirkpatrick frowned. Josh was exhausted. Normally Josh didn't get up until well past eleven on days off.
"Josh, how long have you been awake?" He asked.
"Eight am." Josh said slowly. He seemed to be struggling to keep his eyes open. Principal Kirkpatrick unbuckled his seat belt and moved to take the controls. In Josh's semi-conscious mind, he felt himself sitting in front of something warm and solid. He leant back and relaxed. Principal Kirkpatrick smiled as his son nestled against his chest. He may not always show it but he loved Josh. It was nice to have a little bonding time and see his son relax. Josh made a noise that sounded a lot like a purr and buried himself in his dad's chest. Principal Kirkpatrick flew back to base and carried Josh back to the dormitories. No point in waking him up to tell him to go back to sleep. He made sure no one saw them and crept into Josh's room. Brett was, unfortunately, still awake and doing some weird technical thing.
"Principal Kirkpatrick! I went to find you but you weren't in your room or office." Brett said, jumping to his feet. He didn't register Josh. "Have you seen Josh?" Principal Kirkpatrick wordlessly deposited Josh on his bed, pulled off his shoes and tucked him in. Brett stared at him.
"Josh was with me." Principal Kirkpatrick said. "Shouldn't you be sleeping?"
"I was worried about Josh." Brett said timidly. Principal Kirkpatrick nodded.
"Well he's fine so sleep." He said before leaving the room.
