“That’s rich coming from you,” Ally retorts, making me clasp my chest in pretend outrage.
“Move, bitch. Get out the way, bitch. Get out the way,” the robot interjects.
“That’s it. I’m out. I can’t listen to that thing for another second.”
I want to slap my forehead in frustration when I remember I left my latte forgotten in the galley. I need some caffeine.
“Bye! Have a good day, guys! I’ll see you later. I’m so glad you’re back!” I throw over my shoulder as I hustle away. A sudden thought pops into my head. “Ally, wait!”
She pops her head back out of her door. “What’s wrong?”
“Are you guys going to be heading to Osti with the rest of the Cerasteans?” I ask, crossing my fingers, hoping she says no. I mean, Ijustgot Ally back!
“Yeah, L’Zaen and I both need to be there. We’re working with the weapons team on some new projects,” Ally says.
“Ugh, that sucks,” I whine. “Oh! Did you have a Presenting Ceremony on the Hisk trip?”
“No, I kinda forgot about it. I mean, we’re already mated. The ceremony is a bit of an afterthought at this point.”
“I am planning on having a big ceremony for all the soon-to-be-mated couples before they leave. Do you want to be a part of it? I’m working on dresses and shoes and flowers already.”
“Will you help me pick something out? Shopping is not my thing.”
“Can I really?” I gasp excitedly. “I’m gonna make you look amazing! I can’t wait!” I say with a happy squeal.
Ally just shakes her head at me and goes back inside to her loverboy.
* * *
Tossing my cold latte out,I get a new one and a quick bite to eat. Humming in appreciation at the sugar hit from my coffee, I head to L’Corte’s office. If my little sister saw me drinking this, she’d call me a basic bitch. Well, if loving a vanilla latte makes me a basic bitch, then I embrace my inner stereotype. Bring on the pumpkin spice, I say.
On the walk, I notice everyone seems a little subdued and downcast. A party will liven things up – give them something to celebrate. Everyone likes a party. Well, except Sara I suppose.
Sara! I can’t believe I forgot that Sara never had a Presenting Ceremony either.
I twist on my heels and hustle to D’Annon and Sara’s quarters. When I press on their door buzzer, D’Annon’s giant form fills up the entrance.
“Morning, D’Annon. Is Sara around?”
D’Annon glances over his shoulder, and I see Sara enter their living room from the shadow of their bedroom.
“Trinh is here to see you,” D’Annon says, his voice a deep rumble. Sara squeezes past D’Annon, lightly caressing his arm. If there is a tiny ember of envy inside me, it is mostly drowned out by happiness for my friend. I tried for months to pull Sara out of her self-enforced shell without much success, but apparently, she just needed to get laid. I’m kidding! Man, I am such a bitch, even if it’s just inside my own head.
Sara told me enough details about what happened when she and D’Annon were kidnapped to raise the hair on the back of my neck. I’m lucky my friends survived that whole ordeal. Since they have returned to the ship, Sara seems more confident. My theory is that the experience forced Sara to uncover the lid on a hidden well of strength and bravery. Sara’s the same quiet person who will never be the life of the party, but she’ll reach into a fire to pull you out. I like seeing her inner strength shining so brightly. I feel like I don’t have to worry so much about her anymore.
“Hey, what’s up?” Sara asks, her brown hair pulled up in a messy bun.
“I wanted to check in with you guys. I know how much you hate being the center of attention, so I figured yesterday sucked for you.”
“It was okay. I didn’t like having all those people staring at me like I’m some weird science experiment. But if it helps everyone understand why we have to fight the Ostiums, then I can put up with it,” Sara says with a shrug. I can tell by the way she hunches a little that it might have bothered her more than she wants to let on.
“Well, I thought you were awesome. If the looks were bothering you, no one could tell,” I say. “I was proud to tell everyone you are my friend.”
“That’s what I said too,” D’Annon pipes up from their tiny kitchen.
“Sooo, I had something else I wanted to bring up with you guys. I was talking to Ally and L’Zaen. Before they leave, they want to do a Presenting Ceremony. I’m planning a big one for all the newly mated couples before everyone heads out. Do you guys want to be included?”
“Um, with so much going on, I hadn’t thought about it. What do you think?” Sara asks, turning toward D’Annon, who is standing frozen in their kitchen.
