The next day, I find myself in the same conference room I was in yesterday, now with Grub by my side. Everybody is here except for Cudgeon, who's getting the people that will help us launch this project.
"Ready?" president Fowl asks.
"Yeah" we answer in unison.
"Good. Cudgeon, come in."
He comes in followed by two people. A young, nerdy-looking guy and suddenly I spot her. A beautiful young girl with auburn hair.
They sit around the big table, and –as luck would have it – she sits in front of me.
There's a moment of silence and I realize they're waiting for me to say something. I clear my throat and finally manage to talk.
"Um… Well. Cudgeon, tell us. Who are our new friends?"
"Yes, sir. This Foaly" he says presenting the guy. "He will be the technical consultant"
"Foaly? That's his name?" I ask incredulously.
"Yes… no… well, professional name." The guy says.
"Alright… And this young lady?" I ask.
"Captain Holly Short. She will be the one piloting the shuttle" answers Cudgeon.
"OK. Welcome to the mission guys." president Fowl finally intervenes. "But I warn you: We need the best of the best. Can you assure me that you are the best?"
"We are the best" says the Captain.
"That's just arrogant." says the president.
"Thank you" smirks Holly.
"I like you" answers Artemis seriously.
"Well, well, well. We should get moving. The sooner we start, the better" intervenes Dr Argon.
"Good idea" I say. "How much time do you need to prepare?"
"We already know the system and we are aware of the mission, so we can be ready in about a week" answers Foaly."
"Very well. We'll let you work" I say as I get out of the room followed by Grub.
As we're getting back to my apartment, I find myself only being able to think about Captain Short.
"Kid" I tell Grub. "Do you believe in love at first sight?"
He seems to be taken aback by the question, so he thinks for a moment before answering:
"Um… Yeah. Why?"
"Forget about it"
"Alright…" he answers still confused.
I get into my room and start working. I am so happy that the UE-1 will be sent to space! But it doesn't last long, because it suddenly hits me: If the shuttle leaves, that means that Captain Short will be leaving too.
For the week that followed, I couldn't stop thinking about her, despite my better judgment. We would bump into each other in the hall and said hello, but that was it for our relationship.
At some point, I thought to myself, 'Why don't I just tell her something? Get it out there?' 'Why not just take her hands, look into those deep hazel eyes and tell her how I feel?' But I couldn't do it, because of what it could mean to the mission or to my military career.
Today is the day. Today, the UE-1 shuttle is sent to space. Everybody's happy and excited… Except for me. All I can think about is that auburn-haired beautiful Captain.
10…9…8…7…6…5…4…3…2…1!
She's gone.
She faded away as fast as she came into my life.
And I stayed here, I this boring earth. But now I know my mind will be lost in space until she returns. And there's no doing anything about it.
I'm so mad at myself! I can't believe I let her go just like that! I let go the first girl ever who has made me feel something!
Could we have been a wonderful thing or just a waste of time?
Now, I'll never know.
Coming by to my apartment after the launching party I told Grub:
"When you want something, take it. Immediately. Nothing else matters. Follow your dreams boy. Don't wait until your opportunity is lost in space."
"Sure, Commander…" Grub answered not quite sure about what I was talking about.
Thank you for reading. Hope you enjoyed this little drabble. Good critisism is welcome