Chapter 7

Los Angeles, California

The limousine was hovering, or rather flying over 3 kilometers from the ground whizzing through the hundreds of other cars in the sky. The traffic could only be understood from those who were accustomed to living here. To outsiders, it was just madness.

Cress looked out the window; the air was thick with smog. She peered down, squinting her eyes trying to see what was down below.

Thorne sat beside her- legs crossed, his right arm at around her shoulders. He noticed her curiosity, "It's only trash down there; the city is buried in it."

"It seems much more glamorous on the netfeeds…" She spotted a group of tents built on top of a junkyard. Outside, people in tattered clothes were searching for anything of value.

"Oh, well sure downtown is covered in filth- but we are just passing through. You'd love Palm Springs, Santa Monica, Laguna- palm trees, beautiful beaches, big fancy mansions," He waved his hand as if to present it before him, "beautiful people everywhere…"

She frowned, still thinking about the people in the trash heaps below.

Los Angeles thus far had been a huge juxtaposition. Expensive cars whizzed by with beautiful escort-android looking Eartherns in them while directly below them sick, homeless people in tattered clothes rummaged through the heaps to fortify their makeshift homes. Billboards above advertised the latest silicon implants to enhance physical appearance, but there was a high prejudice against cyborgs- people who likely needed the modifications for daily living.

She wished they remained in Colorado. If Thorne hadn't convinced Cress she'd be seeing all the landmarks that survived the war and visiting the best beaches America had to offer, then Cress wouldn't have agreed to come.

Thorne loved all the attention he was getting as a worldwide celebrity. Almost every week, they attended interviews and late night shows, recounting his or- their adventures. The most popular entertainment show in America asked them to come as guests in their Los Angeles' studio. "It's the entertainment capitol of the world baby!" Thorne shook Cress in excitement after getting the invitation.

He didn't protest when the popular magazine 'People' decided to name him this year's sexiest man. They'd be doing the shooting on this trip.

Although Cress played the part of being a celebrity well-it was exhausting; the constant makeup crew blending colors into her face every 3 minutes, the harsh hot lights fixed on her while she was on set, the floating, stalking cameras was all too much.

The first interviews since they arrived from Lunar were fun to do. It delighted Cress that Thorne always had her hand in his in each and every interview. Both were laughing with the hosts and audiences, recounting found memories and revealing some secrets. Scarlet and Ze've would strangle him if they only cared to watch. Kai and Cinder, on the other hand, did.

"Did you really have to go so far as to recount what the circuitry in my brain look like?!" yelled Cinder through the portscreen. "Thorne, exactly when and where did you give me mouth to mouth resuscitation - did you forget I am the face of the Commonwealth?" Kai scolded, speaking through clenched teeth.

But that was only in the beginning. Now, the fame had really gotten into Thorne's head. Now, Thorne did most of the talking and Cress would go on shaking her head agreeing or feigning interest with the hosts and other celebrities present. Most of which, were only beautiful on the outside. She was disgusted with how her favorite actress treated her crew, throwing a fit when her bubbly water was too bubbly for her taste.

Sick of the superficiality, Cress was anxious to be alone with the captain and get to know Thorne in a deeper, meaningful way.

Thorne could see she was becoming uncomfortable. "Hey, cheer up! You're my girl- you're my partner in crime aaaand you're dating the sexiest man alive according to People's magazine."

She sighed, not knowing how to respond. She sat up straight and smiled, though her eyes gave a different message. He hardly noticed.

"We have arrived!" Carswell rushed to the window, turning his attention to a big, tall, gleaming white building. On the ground level were organized palm trees that lined the long driveway that led up to a nearly 2 meter high marble water fountain where a beautiful mermaid blowing a kiss was carved.

Unimpressed, Cress looked out the other direction, seeing a long stretch of beautiful coast before the vast ocean. "I wonder if he'll even remember that he promised we'd visit the beach…"

In their suite (which was more like a whole apartment) Carswell was busy grooming in the bathroom getting ready to meet the photographers downstairs.

Cress, on the bed with her back against the headboard, was in a live video date with Cinder who was crouched in a dark closet. She pushed, what looked like coats out of her face.

"You looked so beautiful in the Commonwealth Ball Cinder. Did you and Kai intentionally match?"

"Oh, it took the android a total of ten minutes to help me fit into that dress! And yes- we came as a couple." Cinder smiled a little bit and sighed, "Last night was the first night we finally had spent the whole night together alone not talking about anything political."

"Well at least your time together is spent on bringing good to the world. I don't get the point of all these talk shows and interviews."

"Well why don't you tell him you want a break from the bright lights and paparazzi?" Cinder schuffled, getting into a more comfortable position.

"I don't know. He seems happy and I just don't want to seem needy."

"But you have needs too Cress." Cinder gave a serious look. "He loves you and if you just told him that, he would listen."

Cress nodded her head. The thought seemed easy, but actually doing it would be a different story. Sometimes she wished she could be as mature as Cinder or as bold as Scarlet.

The lights on top of the camera began blinking red to indicate someone was joining the video call.

"Scarlet! Great you could connect!"

Behind her, the two noticed, was a medical recovery pod. "Hello Cress. Hello Cinder. It is lovely to see your faces again."

"Oh my stars! What happened?" Cress noticed the bandages wrapped around Scarlet's ribs under her tight-fitting tanktop.

"Long story," Scarlet gave a weak smile, "Let's just say we had an intruder we had to fend off. I am doing just fine. It's my last cell regeneration scan on the pod so I should be fully recovered soon."

"And Ze've?" asked Cinder, equally concerned.

"He's fine. He hardly got a scratch thankfully…Please don't worry about me! It's just the perks of living on a farm." Scarlet joked, hoping to diffuse their concern. Scarlet finally noticed Cinder's background, "Uhh Cinder- you wouldn't happen to be in a closet – would you…?" Scarlet's face moved closer to the camera as if to get a closer look.

Cinder gazed down, embarrassed "I had to get away from everyone and this was the only place I could think of where nobody would look."

"I see…"

"Scarlet, isn't your hometown is throwing a hero's party for you tomorrow?"

Scarlet rolled her eyes, "Please don't remind me!"

The two continued to catch up, but Cress was only half listening. She was still thinking about Cinder's words. You have needs too.
When the call ended, Cress was able to catch Carswell almost out the door.

"Thorne, may I speak with you?"

"How important is it? I don't want to keep the photographers waiting for too long." He checked his watch.

She inhaled deeply, closing her eyes she thought of Cinder and Scarlet encouraging her. "I am not happy."

He looked shocked. She took it as a good sign, but she wasn't sure.

"Although we've spent nearly every second together, I've never felt more distant. You are so absorbed with yourself. Where do I fit? Is there even a we?' At this point, she was clenching her fists at her side, trying to calm her nerves.

She didn't break eye contact. Carswell could see she was dead serious. "Look Cress," walking to her, takings her hands in his. "I know I can be very big-headed,"

She gave him a raised her eyebrow at him and pursed her lips. Go on.

"Hey- you were supposed to say my head is perfectly propor- I mean..." He shook his head, "I'm doing it again, aren't I?"

She nodded, looking skeptical. Is this going anywhere?

"I've always been like this, since I was young. I have a big, big ego. My parents were never satisfied with me and I don't know…" he combed his hair with his fingers, "I guess this is how I deal with it. I am sorry if I've ever made you feel like you don't matter."

"I accept your apology." She sighed, the burden of her unsaid words finally lifted. "If it makes you happy, I'll keep playing my part- but I want to know the real Thorne, not the just pretty face on a screen. I'm not watching you from a satellite."

Her last sentence struck him. "I want that too." He gulped, preparing himself for what was going to say next, "Crescent Moon- you humble me simply by being you and I thank the stars that you've dealt with me this far. I want show you I am serious about you." He paused, "I'd like to invite you to meet my parents."

"Carswell…" She looked at him in awe.

"I told you once I may have told girls in the past I loved them, but I never brought any of them home. I know my parents would approve of you. I can't say you would like them, but-"

"Of course I will." She interrupted, grinning from ear to ear. "I really should make a good impression. I need to get started my research!"

"Just please try not to mention you spent most of your life locked up orbiting earth in complete isolation." He scratched behind his ear, "I want them to think I have the capability keeping a sane girlfriend."

"Or keeping a girlfriend sane," She teased.

"That too."