Chasing the Stars (9 page)

Anjuli sat next to him whilst Mike and Erica sat on the floor in front of us. I was suddenly inexplicably aware of my heart thumping in my chest. Now what? I had no clue what I was supposed to say or do next. I was out of practice when it came to being with people. Beads of nervous sweat were beginning to prickle my skin. I inhaled, trying to get it together. Hhmm! I caught Nathan’s scent, faint yet distinct as it was. He smelt of fresh perspiration and newly turned soil, a lovely earthy smell. Outdoorsy. I surreptitiously inhaled slightly deeper.

‘Smells good.’

Busted!

Stricken, I stared at him. Had I made it that obvious that I liked the way he smelled?

‘The chilli.’ Nathan pointed to the bowl in my hand. ‘That smells really good.’

‘Oh! OK.’ Phew! ‘Would you like some?’ I asked, my voice full of a reticence I barely recognized.

‘Yes please. I’m starving,’ said Nathan.

‘There’s a utility dispenser in the wall over there,’ I pointed. ‘Just press the food button and order chilli, hot or mild, or anything else you might like.’

‘What kind are you having?’ asked Nathan.

‘It’s in a category of its own. My own recipe. The dispenser knows it as “Vee’s chilli”.’ I smiled. ‘No one appreciates this one except me.’

‘Why?’ said Mike.

‘It’s not for beginners,’ I replied.

‘Fair enough,’ said Mike. He appeared not to require any further explanation.

‘Not for beginners, eh? Is that right?’ said Nathan.

What was that gleam in his green eyes? Had he taken my words as a challenge? I suspected Nathan was a guy who liked a challenge. The others stood up and headed over to the dispenser, all except for Nathan. He waited until they were all out of earshot.

‘Vee, I’m sorry about what happened earlier.’ Nathan spoke softly. ‘What my mum did was wrong.’

‘You don’t have to apologize . . .’ I began.

‘Yes I do,’ said Nathan. ‘I know it’s not worth much, but it’s all I’ve got.’

I studied him, trying my hardest to figure him out. Why would he feel the need to apologize for his mum? He met my gaze without flinching or looking away.

‘Apology accepted,’ I said at last.

He smiled, his eyes never leaving mine. God, he really was stunning when he smiled. Actually he was kinda striking, even when he didn’t smile. And those eyes . . . Just looking at him was doing peculiar things to my insides. Or was that the chilli?

‘Don’t you want some food? I can show you how to use the dispenser to get anything you want.’ I went to stand up but Nathan’s hand on my arm made me sit back down again hastily. The touch of his hand had sent an electric shock racing over my skin. He withdrew his hand and I suppressed a shiver. It almost hurt to be touched after all this time. My skin was still ultra-sensitive.

‘Can I try some of yours, just to see what it’s like?’ said Nathan.

What? Really? Why would he want some of mine when he could get a bowl of his own? My eyes narrowed. If he thought that by being super-friendly, I’d be so dazzled and dazed, I’d hand over my ship to his mother, then he had another thought or five coming.

Come on, Vee, don’t be so paranoid!

Why was I this jittery? I glanced down for a moment so he wouldn’t see the confusion on my face. Schooling my features, I looked at him and said, ‘Are you sure you want to share? I warn you, my chilli is a bit on the spicy side.’

‘The spicier the better,’ said Nathan.

We’d see about that.

‘OK,’ I replied.

On his own head be it!

The others made their way back to us and vied for free space on the bench. Anjuli won. Mike and Erica ended up on the floor again. I’d need to put more chairs in here. Mike and Erica had chilli. Anjuli had chosen what looked like pea soup. Nathan took my bowl from me and, with a smile, shovelled my spoon into the chilli until it contained a serious heap.

‘Nathan, don’t you think you should get your own bowl of food?’ said Erica after a quick glance at me. ‘I mean, this ship did contain a mystery virus—’

It took a moment to catch Erica’s drift. But only a moment.

Dahell! ‘I’m not Mary Mallon, you know,’ I fumed.

‘Who?’ frowned Erica.

‘Typhoid Mary. She’s supposed to have infected over fifty people with a disease called typhoid in twentieth-century America, back on Earth, but she didn’t suffer from the disease herself,’ I said. ‘Don’t think I missed the way you tried to imply that Nathan might catch something if he uses my spoon.’

Erica’s cheeks flamed red, though I’ll say one thing for her, she didn’t try to deny it. Nathan glared at Erica before lifting the full to overflowing spoon to his lips and shoving it into his mouth – and he kept it in his mouth for longer than necessary. It was all very well his making a point to Erica, but that was my spoon which I’d want back at some point. Erica lowered her gaze, suddenly fascinated by her own food. A slightly uncomfortable silence reigned.

‘Vee, I don’t know if anyone has said this yet, but thank you for rescuing us,’ said Mike. His smile was warm and genuine. The second person today to smile at me.

‘You’re welcome.’

‘I bet that’s not what you were thinking up on the bridge a short while ago,’ he said drily.

I grinned. ‘I wasn’t wearing my poker face then?’

‘D’you even have one?’ asked Mike.

I shook my head. ‘One of the things I forgot to bring on board with me.’

‘Couldn’t use a utility dispenser to manufacture one?’ said Mike.

‘Never had the need to before now. Should I revise that?’

‘Not on my account.’

We exchanged a smile. I liked him. I sensed Mike was a man of few words but nothing much would get past him. He had an easy manner but shrewd, watchful eyes. I turned back to Nathan, ready to reclaim my food. For some reason Nathan was contemplating Mike, his emerald-green eyes stone cold, but the moment he realized I was watching him, his expression cleared and he began to chew the food in his mouth.

Surprised, I regarded him.

Why was he glaring at Mike? What was that about?

Damn it! Vee had caught me glaring at Mike and Mike was smirking at me because he knew precisely why. I looked away from both of them and took another mouthful of Vee’s chilli.

‘Hey, this is good stuff!’

And I wasn’t just saying that. It actually was really good. I don’t know why I was surprised but after experiencing the so-called food on the mining colony, the dried-out pack rations on the transport ship and the limited home-grown vegetables back on Barros 5, I suppose I’d been expecting more of the bland same.

‘Like I said, it’s my own recipe,’ Vee said, watching me avidly for some reason. ‘It doesn’t really make its presence felt until after the second or third mouthful.’ Huh? Hang on.

What the . . .?

My smile slowly faded. Ow! My eyes began to mist up. My entire mouth was suddenly on fire. I chewed quickly and swallowed what was left with a gulp. Mistake. If I hadn’t been trying to make a good impression, I would’ve spat it straight out. Vee’s chilli had crept up on me and was now kicking my butt.

Son-of-a—

Panting like an overheated dog, I let my tongue hang out of my mouth, desperately trying to cool it.

‘Ow! Dafuq?’ I gasped.

‘I did warn you that it was spicy.’ Vee stood up and headed for the utility dispenser. She ordered a glass of ice-cold cow’s milk and brought it back to me, by which time my eyes were no longer merely misted over, but tearing up.

‘Vee did say it wasn’t for beginners,’ Mike helpfully reminded me whilst I waited in agony for my tongue to spontaneously combust.

Erica and Anjuli just rocked with laughter as tears streamed down my face.

‘Drink.’ Vee handed me the milk.

I downed it so fast I don’t think the liquid made contact with any part of my mouth, just the back of my throat.

‘I’ll get you another,’ said Vee, ‘but this time, let it flow over your tongue where it’ll do some good.’

I couldn’t speak. All I could do was nod vigorously, my tongue still hanging out of my mouth. Vee brought me another glass of milk which I glugged down in one gulp as well but this time I let it stream over my poor tongue as she had suggested. Instant relief. Thank God!

‘Better?’ Vee asked.

I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand. At least the tears had stopped streaming now. So much for making a good impression. Nothing excites a girl more than watching a guy make a damned fool of himself! If I could’ve found a way to slink out of the hydroponics bay never to return, I would’ve taken it.

‘That wasn’t chilli, that was lava,’ I coughed, handing the bowl back to Vee as she sat down. ‘You seriously eat that stuff?’

Without saying a word, Vee put a full spoonful in her mouth and began to calmly chew like a boss. And I didn’t miss the gleam of satisfaction in her eyes. My wide-eyed disbelief morphed into grudging respect.

With a grin, Vee took another mouthful, before licking the back of the spoon.

‘How are you doing that?’ I asked with genuine amazement.

‘A soupçon of charm, a modicum of wit and more than a splash of badassery. Superior skills!’ Vee told me. ‘Want some more?’

‘God, no! I mean, no thanks. It was . . . nice though.’

Oh God!

Vee raised an eyebrow. ‘Great acting skills there. Worthy of Robert De Niro, that was.’

‘Robert who?’ asked Erica.

‘Robert De Niro. He was a twentieth- and twenty-first century actor. He was in
The Godfather Part II
and
Taxi Driver
and
Meet the Parents
amongst others and won all kinds of acting awards,’ Vee replied.

‘How d’you know so much about him?’ said Erica.

Vee smiled. ‘Films of the twentieth- and twenty-first centuries are my predilection. We have a huge library of films on board and I’ve watched all of them at least twice. Most of them more often than that.’

‘Why would you want to watch films from over a century ago?’ asked Erica.

I admit, I was wondering the same thing too.

‘For the same reason I read books or listen to music written throughout the centuries,’ Vee replied. ‘Good is good, regardless of when or where it originated.’

‘You use a lot of fancy words, don’t you?’ said Erica, almost as an accusation.

Vee blinked at Erica in surprise. I winced slightly. Erica made it sound like having book learning was a crime. I frowned at her, not appreciating how she was implying that we were all as ignorant as a box of rocks and happy to be so.

‘I don’t have film and book learning like you do,’ said Erica. ‘The Authority didn’t allow it. They didn’t want us getting any ideas.’

‘Erica . . .’ Mike’s voice held a warning.

Vee was puzzled. ‘Why would the Authority care what you read or watch?’

Erica’s lips clamped together. Quick accusatory glances passed between Mike and Erica which Vee caught. She looked to me for an explanation. I said nothing. Vee sighed.

‘Well, the ship’s computer has a huge library of books, music and films which can be accessed from your quarters at any time, so help yourself,’ she said.

‘What would you recommend?’ I asked quickly.

Too quickly. Like, in a hurry to change the subject quickly.

‘Another bowl of chilli for you that even a toddler could eat?’ Vee replied.

Damn it! I was blushing. ‘That sounds perfect,’ I agreed. ‘But I was talking about films.’

‘I know,’ Vee smiled. ‘I was teasing.’

‘Maybe you and I could watch some of your favourites together some time?’ I suggested.

Vee’s eyes widened as she beamed at me, obviously liking the idea. ‘Yeah, OK. If you’d like.’

Wow! Her smile lit up the whole room. It’d be too easy to get lost in a smile like that, a smile that might even reach some of the darker places inside me.

Be careful, Nathan.

But I couldn’t tell a lie. The idea of watching films or sharing music with Vee, well, it appealed.

‘I’d like very much,’ I said sincerely.

Ignoring the speculative looks of the others, I walked over to the dispenser and ordered a hamburger and another glass of cold milk. No more chilli.

‘Did Aidan explain to all of you that there are utility dispensers in your sleeping quarters and you can use any dispenser on board to get whatever you want – food, clothes, whatever you need,’ I said.

‘Tell me more about your brother,’ said Erica, a gleam in her eyes.

‘He doesn’t come out of a utility dispenser,’ Vee replied.

That caused laughter.

‘I wish he did,’ Erica winked.

‘We’d never get you out of your room!’ said Anjuli.

‘So go on, Vee. Aidan. Tell me more,’ Erica urged.

‘More like what?’ Vee asked cautiously.

‘What’s he into? What does he do in his spare time? What kind of girls does he like? I’m hoping he’s into girls rather than guys? Am I his type? What’s his idea of an ideal date? Is he into films too? Music? Would he date a girl like me?’

‘A girl like you?’ Vee blinked at the verbal waterfall.

I wasn’t surprised. When Erica started it was hard to get her to stop.

‘Erica means a girl who can’t shut up,’ said Anjuli quickly before anyone else could reply.