Chapter 19: Proper Fluff Now, I Promise (Part 2)

Super speed and paperwork, as Amy discovered, did not mix well. I don't understand why the ship needs so much paper, she thought to herself as she picked up the rolled-up papers Jumba had asked her to bring to the front desk, when they have computers all over the entire ship. It seems wasteful. Regardless, Jumba insisted these papers were too important to simply send over the computer system – they had to be delivered in person.

As she reorganized the papers, a faint sound flowed into the hallway – music. Amy looked around, but saw nobody in the hallway. It was coming from another hall… Amy looked up. Whatever that sound was, it was in the floor above her.

Amy stood up slowly, listening to it. It wasn't that loud or distinct, and what she could hear was faint. Amy hesitated for a moment, weighing her options. I could run upstairs very quickly… but at the same time, they might get annoyed if I get distracted… her attention turned to the very small security camera staring at her from the ceiling. Front deck it is.

The music was still going when she stepped out of the front deck around 10 minutes later, but it had changed in tone. It seemed more calm and soothing, whereas it had been more lively and confused when she'd first heard the… what instrument was that, anyway? She walked over to the elevator. I'll just peek, she said to herself. Just to see what instrument it is.

Astounding. Elevator music was exactly the same as it was on Earth – annoying and far too faint for her liking. The least they could do, she thought to herself, is play some actual music, like "Wait For You", or "Listen to Your Heart"… but that would be too emotional to be elevator music, wouldn't it? Her thoughts were interrupted by the doors sliding open, and the monotonous instrumental being drowned out by the much louder, much more pleasant sounds resonating through the hall. Amy stepped out of the elevator, and began walking down the hall. I feel like such a creeper. What can I do? Peek into somebody's room to see if that's where the music is coming fr-

Her eyes settled on the only door that was still slightly open – looked like the mechanism to slide the door was stuck, because the door was still shaking, trying to close. Even though it was hard to tell with the sound echoing all over the large hallways, it was loudest and clearest near the door. As she approached, she saw the words etched into a plate next to the door: GALLEY OFFICER'S QUARTERS.

"…Reuben?" It was little more than a murmur. "Your radio is a bit lou-" She fell silent as she glanced through the crack in the door, and saw Reuben, eyes closed, playing on a golden instrument.

Amy quickly pulled away from the doorway, leaning against the wall. I had no idea… that was him playing… wow, he's really good. She felt her cheeks heating up. What? What's happening? She put a hand to her face. I'm burning up… She returned her attention to the music. It's really smooth… what's the word? There's a word for it… opposite of cacophonic… I can't think of it. But he's really good.

Amy kept trying to remember the word she was looking for as she listened to the sound, unable to walk away. Part of her wanted to knock on the door and tell him it was jammed, but another part couldn't bear the thought of the music stopping. She glanced in again, barely looking around the corner of the doorway.

He looked… content, but that wasn't quite the right word. It wasn't happy or excited – it was a calm pleasantness, like he was completely at peace with himself. Euphoric? Maybe…

The music was slowing down, and Amy realized he about to stop playing. She quickly turned towards the elevator, and started to dash towards it. In her panic to get away before he saw her in the hall, she took one step too soon, and her other foot caught behind it, sending her to the floor.

"Oof!" Crud. Amy didn't even have time to get up before Reuben had run into the hall, sax gone. He saw her.

"Amy! You okay?" Reuben ran over as she stood up. "Need a hand?"

"No, I'm fine… ow." She looked down at the bruise forming on her knee. "That hurt."

"No kidding." Reuben glanced down, and flinched. "What were ya doing in this hallway?" Amy froze.

"Um…"

"Ya overheard me playing? It's not a big deal if ya did. I just keep the door shut because the captain complains that I'm too loud."

"Oh…" Amy felt herself at a loss for words, still staring at her knee. Her cheeks were still burning. What is going on?

Reuben was glad that he seemed able to talk at that moment, because Amy was being very quiet. "Hey, are ya okay?"

"Yeah… you're really good." Her cheeks grew hotter when she realized she'd said it out loud. Reuben smiled, but she didn't see it. She was suddenly terrified to look him in the eye, worried she'd make a fool of herself. "I… gotta head downstairs. Sonja's waiting." It was a white lie, but she needed to get to the elevator.

"Alright…" Reuben watched her walk over to the elevator. "Sure you're okay?"

"Yeah," Amy said, and entered the elevator, sighing with relief as the doors shut behind her. What in the world? Do I… have a crush on Reuben?