"So you're really going after all?" Jacko sat on a stool in her kitchen, watching as Dotty prepared sandwiches.
"Come on, Jacko, don't be a dick. We've already talked about this."
The young man jumped up from the stool, raised his arms, and stretched like a cat. He was tall and very thin, with brown skin and sunburn on his cheeks and forehead. His curly black hair fell about his face like so many organic springs. He had thick eyebrows that almost met in the middle and an earring in the shape of a dagger hung from his left earlobe.
"Yeah, yeah… you don't want to talk about it anymore. I get it. It's just kinda tricky to process. How long have we known each other? Eight years? That's like half our lives!"
"I wish I could stay. But Uncle Henry says there's not a single school that'll have me here. Actually, most of their directors told me that too."
"So what? Studying is for boring rich folk. You can find work. Come work with me in my dad's workshop."
Dotty put the sandwiches onto two separate plates and put the leftover ingredients back into the fridge.
"Sure, things maybe got out of hand but you were just giving them what they deserved if you ask me… Is that really a reason to leave the planet? Besides, Eidolon is so far away." He exhaled hard enough to make a noise. "I didn't know your Aunt and Uncle were so loaded either. Getting there takes a whole fortune. All of it."
Jacko stuck his head into the adjoining dining room. One of the walls was entirely made of glass and offered a view over the city below. Beyond the city's high walls, there was a dark thundercloud.
"Hey Dott, why'd you never invite me over here before?"
"Well, this is just one of our five houses. And I never invited you because the Gales don't let me. Doesn't really matter now, though."
The lounge was bright and airy, larger on its own than any flat available on a middle class budget. There were two islands of white sofas with fuzzy cushions and a long glass table that could seat a dozen people. On the wall opposite the window there was a hologram of a waterfall so real that you could taste the spray on your lips.
"I have no idea how much the tickets cost them," Dotty replied as she handed Jacko one of the plates.
"I'll ease your mind: M-U-C-H-O." Jacko lifted the top of the sandwich and inspected it, then he stuck it in his mouth. He continued talking while chewing. "For sure everything they had in the bank, plus all their properties— including the ones that will keep turning a profit after you're gone." He took another mouthful. "Peanut butter? Girl, is that really all you have to offer?"
"Yes, Jacko. I'll miss you too. It won't be the same without you."
"If you really love me…" he pointed a finger at his chest. "You can always put me in your suitcase. Although you might regret your decision in the end."
"I definitely would." Dotty smiled. Jacko's humour was one of the few things that made her laugh. Then they walked over to the spiral staircase, which started to move in response to their weight and lifted them up to the third floor. Dotty showed him the way to her room.
"Actually," Jacko put his empty plate on her desk. "Did you think about me? How I'd feel alone here back on Earth?"
Dotty sat on the bed and set the plate down over her skirt. She started eating her sandwich without saying anything. With her free hand she played with her shoulder length hair.
"Don't wanna think about it, eh?" Jacko pressed. "Who's gonna sneak into the dead zones with me to kill rats or throw rocks at mutants now? We were even thinking about building a secret base out there. Maybe when you'll get back you'll see—"
"It's a one-way ticket, Jacko"
Jacko nodded and sat close to her. He studied the room with detachment, avoiding looking her in the eyes. He couldn't stop thinking about the fact that this would be the first and last time they were here together like this. Although his room was much smaller, darker, and damper, they did share some similarities. There were video game posters. She had the VR setup (although her World Twister IV was a much newer model than his own). A few schoolbooks were scattered amongst the space adventure novels and comics. She even had a couple of self-defense manuals.
What really drew his attention was the photo that hung on the wall by the window. It showed Dotty's father in the uniform of the Crimson Wing Legion, his chest studded with medals. His gaze was locked onto the camera, a few wrinkles appearing around his eyes and mouth.
"I know you're not coming back. I was only joking," Jacko scoffed, looking away from the portrait. "While Earth goes to shit you'll be by the pool, drinking caipirinhas in paradise with some hunky blonde daddy's boy."
"Don't be stupid!" Dotty smacked him with a pillow.
"You're disgustingly rich!" Jacko grabbed her wrists and threw her back on the bed. Dotty's plate and sandwich tumbled onto the floor.
Jacko's mischievous smile faded and he looked Dotty straight in the eyes. As she struggled to get loose, he lowered his head until their lips touched. It was only a fleeting kiss. It lasted barely a moment.
"But… what are you doing?" Dotty twisted her wrist, breaking his grip. With her free hand she bent Jacko's arm behind his back, forcing him to lie face down. His head hung over the edge of the mattress.
"No- It was- I'm sorry." The boy mumbled between hurt pride and shame. "I thought you wanted…"
"Jacko, we're friends." Despite still being mad she let go of his arm. "Why do you want to wreck that all now? Didn't you think for a second?"
Jacko sat up and rubbed his wrist.
"You're leaving. Nothing matters anymore." He gave her a challenging look. "I like you, that's it. I'm going to miss you, but I guess you won't be missing me?"
"Of course I will. You're my only friend." She got up off the bed and tried to take his hand but he snatched it away. "I'm sorry, Jacko, but I won't miss you in any other ways."
"Bah, this is bullshit." Jacko rushed towards the door.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm going. Why drag it out? I hope you have a great time in that damn paradise. I'm sure you'll make a lot of friends who you'll like a lot more."
"Jacko, wait!"
Jacko slammed the door and Dotty heard his frantic footsteps down the spiral staircase. It didn't even have time to turn on the motor.
Dotty sighed and lay down on the bed. Her empty suitcase leered at her from the corner, like a giant mouth that wanted to swallow her. In truth, it would make her disappear.
Her gaze caught her father's. He was scrutinising her as always, judging her for not living up to his legacy. She was so weak, unable to make decisions for herself.
"You never gave me any support, did you?" she said out loud. "Well, that's one less thing to fit in the suitcase."
She hugged herself and buried her face in the pillow. She lay there for a long while, unable to move, but then her aunt and uncle came to take her to another planet.
Maybe it was for the best.