by K. A Knight
The door buzzes, and I head down. Auden and Eldon stand on the other side and when I open it, they both look shocked. They are in matching jeans and tight t-shirts, both in different colours. It shows off their muscles. They run their eyes over me and can’t seem to look away from my legs.
“Guys,” I laugh. They both look up. Auden blushes, but smiles. Eldon just winks at me.
“Let’s go get Effie and head to the party.” They both nod, but I see them flicking their eyes in appreciation over me again.
TRANSMISSION LOG 00306
DATE: 2033
MISSION: 43, COLONY
SHIP: DAWNBREAKER
DESTINATION: AYAMA
>…………… Accepted
>The attacks are getting more regular; engineers and guards are pulling double shifts. We have given the order to start raids, starting on the lower levels and then working up. The ship took some damage in the latest attack. Please advise on how to proceed?
DAY 917
The music is blaring, pulsing in time to my heartbeat. My smile is real, my worries and issues floating away with the beat. We grabbed Effie then made our way down to the party. It’s being held in one of the end units, the kid's parents are some sort of higher up and never here. To the left, people are playing space pong. To the right, all the sofas have been moved and a dance floor has appeared. Sweaty bodies push against each other, grinding and dancing to the music. There’s another room, I think it was once a game room, attached to the living room and I can see the crowd in there from here. I turn back to Auden, Eldon, and Effie where we are standing at the door surveying. The brothers look shocked, I guess they don’t have these sorts of parties on the lowers.
“Come on guys, let’s have some fun.” I push through the crowd towards the game area. We stand against the wall, watching as the two people play; trying to get their balls in each other’s cups. It’s basically beer pong from Earth, but the cups move. So, space pong. Cain slides up next to me and offers me an unopened bottle. I grab it with a grateful smile.
“Thought you might come.” He leans in and whispers in my ear, causing a shiver to go down my body. I ignore him, crack the lid and take a swig. Effie grabs it off me and takes a big drink and then coughs when the alcohol burns on its way down. She gives me the bottle back.
“I’m going to dance, I’ll catch you guys in a bit.”
I nod and watch her. She’s wearing a floaty dress; it’s cute, but it means she looks hotter than normal. I shake my head and worry on my bottom lip.
“She will be fine,” Cain says casually. I roll my eyes, but honestly, his words settle me a bit.
“Want to play?” Cain nods at the table where the game is winding up. I turn to him with a smirk in place.
“Why? So I can kick your ass?” He laughs, the sound smooth and genuine.
“We’ll play,” Eldon adds, his voice hard.
“Doubles then.” Cain winks at me. “I’ll be on your team, speed demon.”
“What, scared I'll beat you otherwise?”
His eyes lock on mine. “I’m not stupid, speed demon. Plus, it means I get to get all up close and personal. Did I mention how amazing you look in that skirt?” His eyes drop to my legs, and I roll mine. He might act like a perv sometimes, but as annoying as it is, he’s actually a good guy. I turn to the brothers.
“So, us against you.” I smile, and they flash their dimples.
“What’s the winner get?” Auden asks and winks at me. I feel Cain step up behind me, the heat from his body warming my back. I only just stop myself from leaning back into him. I tilt my head in thought.
“How about this. You win, you pick. I win…“ Cain coughs. “We win and you’re on carrying home duty.” Cain leans forward.
“I’ll carry you home, darling.”
I ignore him again. The brothers nod and then they step forward. I’m sandwiched between them and Cain. My heart speeds up.
“We win, and you have to dance with us.” Eldon’s eyes are warm and watch my reaction.
“Done.” I slide out from between them, a little overwhelmed. I head to the now free table and start setting up the cups. Cain sits on the table facing me and watches. Eldon and Auden have grabbed a bottle from somewhere and are setting up their side. Some girl tries to get Cain’s attention. but he ignores her.
“So, they your new toys?” Cain leans back and swings his legs. Honestly, it's annoying how good looking he is. He sits there looking like some sort of rock star and I’m supposed to remember how to speak.
“Why, you jealous?” I offer while filling the cups.
“Yep.” I look up in shock. Me and Cain have always flirted, we play against each other and it's fun. I must look as shocked as I feel, because he laughs quietly.
“I’ve never hidden my interest, Indy. Any girl who can keep up with me-“ He licks his lips and carries on, “Plus, I was trying to be a gentleman and give you space after your breakup.” Anger spikes through me and I push it away at the reminder of my ex.
“You, a gentleman?” He frowns and I realise I’ve offended him. I stop and watch his face, maybe he’s being serious? I consider it, it’s true he never pushes me. He flirts hard but lets me have my space. Even that night when I drunkenly kissed him, he was the one to pull away. He told me if I wanted to do that while I was sober he would love it, but he wouldn’t do anything while we were drunk.
“I am a gentleman, Indy. Just because I laugh and don’t hide checking you out doesn’t mean I’m not.” He jumps up and stands at my side. He’s rigid and I sigh - I have offended him.
“I know you can be, Cain. I guess I’m just not used to you being open,” I say, looking at the brothers setting up.
“I’m always open, Indy, you’re the one who’s not. You run away from me, but it’s okay. I know you will eventually come to me.” He smiles at me and I smile back.
“Plus, it means I get to check you out in these amazing skirts as you bend over.” I groan, at least the normal Cain is back.
“Ladies first,” Auden says. I laugh, but take the ball. Stepping back, I throw it gently. It bounces off the side of the front cup and sinks into it. They look shocked, but pleased. I wink. Auden grabs the cup and downs it. Eldon throws the ball back to me and I pass it to Cain as a peace offering.
He throws but misses. It goes on like this for a while. I manage to sink three more and the brothers only two. I’m just lining up for my next shot when Effie stumbles to the table next to me. I stop and look at her, her eyes are glassy, and her face is flushed.
“There you are, Indy,” her voice is high and slurring a little. I think this is a new record for how quickly she got drunk.
“You already drunk, Effs?” I lean my hip against the table and cross my arms.
“Just happy, babe. Mind if I watch?” She smiles brightly at me. Cain comes back with a chair and sits it next to the table, I didn’t even notice him moving. She falls into it with a salute. I turn back to the table and sink my next shot. Effie claps and the brothers groan, they only have one left. Cain steps up behind me, grabbing the ball where it just bounced to our side. His arms bracket me, and he’s pushed up against me.
“Er, Cain...?” I ask. He shushes me.
“I’m trying to concentrate here.” An evil thought comes into my head. I lean back a little against him and he goes still. My lips twitch, but I just watch the brothers.
“Throw it then,” I say with a laugh. He leans down to my ear.
“You are playing with fire, Indy.” He leans back and throws. He misses completely, and I laugh and step away. I look at him and he grins at me. I like this side of Cain, I guess he’s right; I never even gave him a chance. Effie starts chanting my name and a group is forming behind her watching us, mostly women, I note with annoyance.
Eldon takes the next throw and sinks it. He high fives Auden and I grab the cup. I down it and throw the ball back to them. Auden throws and sinks it again, Cain moans but takes the cup I offer him and drinks. El
don throws again but misses when some girl plasters herself on his side. I grab the ball and my eyes narrow on her. Jealousy rises, and I don’t even know why; it’s not like we are dating. We’re just friends. I concentrate on throwing, but I miss when she leans up and whispers in his ear. I grind my teeth, but look away. Auden grabs the ball and throws, he misses too. Cain grabs it and leans into me.
“If he goes with that skank over you, Indy, he’s a fool.” I look at him in surprise. He offers me a gentle smile.
“She’s a nobody; you-” he breathes in, “you’re amazing.” He turns back to the table and lines up his next shot. I watch half-heartedly, my heart warming at his words. He manages to sink it; Eldon turns back with a groan and grabs the cup. Cain turns to me and picks me up at the waist. He spins me around and a laugh bubbles out of me. He puts me down and I high five him. I look back over the table and see another girl has joined the first, and they are both looking at the brothers. I watch as the other one puts her hand on Auden’s chest. I let my narrowed eyes run over them; they’re pretty. The one next to Eldon has long straight black hair and a cute face; her shorts are basically hot pants and her shirt leaves nothing to the imagination. The one with Auden has a stunning face and long blonde curly hair. Her skirt is plastered to her tanned skin and she’s wearing a crop top. I grab a cup and take a swig.
I don’t know why it’s bothering me so much. They are good looking, of course girls will notice. I turn away and meet Effie’s eyes. She was glaring at the girls. I grab her hand and pull her up.
“Let’s dance, babe.” She throws the girls one more glare but follows me. I drain the cup and put it on a table as we pass.
I drag her to the dance floor and we start gyrating to the beat. My eyes run back over the crowd and my heart drops when I don’t see the brothers or the girls anywhere. Cain is leaning against the table we were just playing at, a cup in his hand. His gaze is locked on me. Some girl is talking at his side, but he doesn’t seem to be listening. I turn back, avoiding the intensity in his gaze. Me and Effie dance for a couple of songs, but I’m done with drinking. The idea of the brothers off with the two girls has made my stomach churn. Effie stops and wipes her sweaty forehead. She grabs my hand and pulls me from the crowd towards Cain.
“God, that whiskey has made me feel weird,” she moans. I look her over.
“You okay?” she nods and pulls me along. Cain smirks when we reach him.
“Where are Auden and Eldon?” Effie asks, confused. He shrugs but looks at me. I look away, trying to show it doesn’t bother me. Effie groans and stumbles into me. I look at her with a frown. She grabs her head and leans against me.
“Babe, I don’t feel well. Can we go?” Her voice is quiet, and her face is pale. I grab her hand.
“Sure, let's get out of here. I’ll walk you back.” She offers me a strained smile. Cain puts his drink down.
“I’ll come.” I raise my eyebrow in shock. He just smiles and leads us from the party. I look around one last time but don’t spot the brothers. I try to not let it bother me. We walk in silence back to Effie’s. Halfway there, she stops and bends over dry heaving. I rub her back. Eventually, she stops and looks at me with tears in her eyes.
“Sorry, Indy.” Her voice is slurred, and the last word ends on a burp.
“It’s okay, babe. Let’s get you home, okay?” She nods, and I try and pull her along, but she stumbles. Cain stops and turns to her.
“Can I carry you, Effie?” She looks at me, but I don’t protest. She nods. She must be really feeling bad. He scoops her up gently and follows me back to her unit. When we get there, I direct him to her bedroom and stand aside as he gently puts her on her bed. I grab her shoes and pull them off and cover her up. She groans and burrows into her bed. I turn back to Cain.
“Thank you,” I whisper. He smiles gently and then strokes my cheek.
“Any time, speed demon,” he whispers, just as soft. Effie makes another noise and I flick my head to the door. He nods and leaves. I lean over her.
“Night, Effie.” I kiss her sweaty forehead.
“Love you,” she mumbles.
“Love you, too.” I head out after Cain and find him leaning on the wall outside her unit.
“You going home?” he asks, shoving his hands in his jean pockets. I hesitate, I really don’t want to go home. The brothers were supposed to be staying tonight and I know I’ll just sit there thinking about what they are doing. Cain watches my internal dilemma and then straightens.
“Do you trust me?” his voice is soft and hesitant. I take a breath and let it out. Do I? I look him over.
“Yes,” I offer truthfully. The smile he flashes me is so opposite his usual smirk, it throws me. It makes him look handsome and so dangerous to my heart. He grabs my hand and tugs me along.
“Where are we going?” I ask when he doesn’t say anything. He looks at me and winks.
“You’ll see.” I let him lead me along, my heart beating faster at the feel of his hand in mine and the fact that it’s now just us two. He leads me through some upper levels doors I’ve never been in before. He stops before a door and scans his hand. When it flashes green, he smiles at me and pulls me through.
The room is dark, and I hesitate.
“I swear if you think-“ I start. He laughs, and just pulls me along. I grumble but follow. I gasp when I see where we are. Stumbling to a stop, I stare in awe. It’s stupid, I know we are in space, but it’s easy to forget. There’s not a lot of windows anywhere and it doesn’t feel like you are on a ship, but the window in front of me reminds me. It’s spread halfway up the ceiling and down to the floor; offering an undisturbed view of the stars and the sky. I turn back to him in wonder.
“How?” He offers me that smile again.
“I’ve got to have some secrets, Indy.” He pulls me after him and then drops to the floor. He lays there, looking up at the stars, hands behind his head. I lay next to him and stare at the stars in silence. I can hear his breathing, but the silence doesn’t feel uncomfortable. I loosen up a bit and really look at the sky. It’s amazing.
“I love coming here. There’s no one watching you, expecting anything. You can just be you.” His voice is soft, and I turn my head to see he’s still looking at the stars, so I do the same.
“I know what you mean.”
“I know.” His voice is still soft.
“How did you know this was here?” I’m really curious. He doesn’t answer for a while and I look at him. He is nibbling on his lip, looking hesitant.
“You know I’m an upper, right?” He eventually asks. I frown. I didn’t. I guess I should have, but I never really thought about it.
“No.” He looks at me and smiles a little shyly. It’s so opposite from the usual Cain.
“Well, I am. I’m not close to any of my family. They don’t have time for me. I spend loads of time exploring, and one day I found this. It’s like my own personal retreat.” I look back at the stars, thinking his words through. If he’s an upper, I can imagine the looks he was talking about.
“So, an upper slumming it and racing. How scandalous,” I joke. He cups my cheek and turns me to face him.
“I’m not slumming it, Indy. My parents might be uppers, but I’m not. They earned that; I haven’t. I don’t care about titles and labels, I just want to be happy. I never got a choice to come into space, but I plan on making the most of it.” The honesty in his words draws mine. He strokes my cheekbone and watches me.
“I know what you mean. My parents are- were- brilliant. I’m not. They got this opportunity and didn’t think to ask me. I had to leave everything; and I love them, I do. I always will, but I just wish they had asked.”
He nods, “Me too.”
I smile at him and he returns it.
“You’re not so bad for an upper,” I joke.
“You’re not so bad yourself.” His voice is serious, but I ignore the undertone. I turn back to the stars and so does he.
“I guess I forget
sometimes where we are.” He grabs my hand and twines his with it. I don’t protest, it feels good. I accept the comfort in his offering and, for the first time in a long time, I’m just in the moment, laying myself bare.
“It’s easy to. So, the great Indy, what are you going to do when we get there?” His voice is teasing. I hesitate, but I know Cain. He won’t judge me, it’s just not in him.
“Nothing. I plan on going back as part of the flight crew.” His hand stills for a moment before playing with my fingers again.
“Too bad, we could have caused some havoc.” I laugh, just like he knew I would.
“I get why though, Indy.” His voice is quiet, and the room is filled with sadness. I push it away.
“So, what will Cain, the great upper, do?” I ask cutting through the somber mood that my parent's memory causes.
“Honestly, I don’t know. I might be in my element here. I’m a good racer, girls flock to me, everyone loves me. But on the ground, I don’t know.” He’s not bragging, he’s just telling the truth.
“Whatever it is, you will be amazing at it.” I see him turn to me, but don’t look.
“You think so?” His voice is shy and filled with uncertainty.
“Yep, it’s not in you to not give something your all. You don’t value your skills enough. You didn’t get on this ship just because of your parents.” My words ring true. “They might be the reason why we are considered but we all have to pass tests and be useful.” I hear his breath shakily leaving him.
“Thank you, Indy.”
“Thank you for bringing me here.” I see him smile out of the corner of my eye.
“Whenever you need to escape, you let me know.” His voice is back to his usual confident self, but now I know what’s underneath. I will never be able to look at him the same and that makes my heart speed up.
