Dear Galaxy by Paige Lavoie

Author:Paige Lavoie
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: 4 Horsemen Publications, Inc.
Published: 2023-06-29T00:52:41+00:00

16.

Glacies is a few hours away, not far enough that we’ll need another hotel until the evening. Budget-wise, I’m glad we’re catching a break. I shudder to think of what kind of dives we’ll be sleeping in for the final two nights of our trip.

We’ve only been on this trip for a matter of days, but the four of us are different now. Sure, Olivia and Wallace still aren’t on the best of terms, but things feel better now.

I guess my mom was right: a lot can happen on a road trip.

I settle into the backseat, and once we get into a major starway, Olivia sets her cruiser on autopilot for the first time. It’s odd. We swivel the chairs around and play a short game of cards while the cruiser takes care of itself.

An hour ticks by. Olivia is the first to fall asleep, and Wallace goes next. Sugar courses through my veins. I don’t think I’ll sleep for days. My wrist vibrates. I look down, expecting a message from my mom—I’ve been good about checking in every so often—but it’s not her. Eugene’s name blinks across the display screen.

[Eugene: Is it weirding you out that no one is driving this thing?]

[Susie: YES!]

I type my answer without hesitation, looking at the steering wheel abandoned behind Olivia’s turned chair. She’s slumped over, snoring softly.

We snicker, the sounds of our muted laughs causing our sleeping companions to stir. I turn my attention back to our silent conversation.

[Eugene: Have you ever been to Glacies?]

[Susie: No, to be honest, I’ve never really been anywhere.]

[Eugene: Not even on family vacations?]

[Susie: My mom is on call seven days a week working on the dome. We’re lucky if we can catch a movie together at the drive-in, much less a vacation.]

[Eugene: Oh… I’m sorry.]

I hadn’t been trying to complain. But there’s something about writing that feels more fluid. I should be able to edit my thoughts better on screen, but I’m not. Everything just spills out.

[Susie: I wasn’t trying to complain. Sorry if it seemed that way.]

I correct myself before the conversation can go any further. But I’m left with a strange, awkward feeling.

[Eugene: It’s okay. I mean… I don’t really know all that much about you.]

I pause. The same can be said for how much I know about him. And after the recent revelation, I feel like I know even less.

[Susie: What did you want to know?]

[Eugene: What’s your favorite breakfast food?]

I muffle a laugh. What a strange question!

[Susie: My dad’s pancakes. He makes them as a surprise on weekdays.]

[Eugene: Me too! Except on weekends.]

[Susie: Ah, so that’s where Dad disappears to on the weekends…]

He cracks a smile and shakes his head. I think he mouths the word “dork,” but I can’t be sure. And with the way he’s smiling, I’m not sure I mind.

[Susie: Do you play any instruments?]

[Eugene: I could maybe manage the xylophone, but no. I don’t play the guitar or anything cool like that.]

The guitar? A pit forms in my stomach. Is he referring to Skip? Another message pings on my wrist.

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