CHAPTER 82: In The Stars

 

Some people, like Travis Scott, when they wake up prefer to prioritise breakfast over a wash and getting dressed.

Others, like Summer Holiday, prefer to wash, get dressed and put on makeup before eating breakfast.

And this is how both Travis and Summer found each other when they both sat down to eat one Tuesday morning.  That was part and parcel of sharing a house...the neat one, the messy one and the one who keeps odd hours; like their housemate, Liberty Lee.  However, Travis and Summer had developed romantic feelings for one another and that added a whole new layer to their house share.

For example, hitherto Travis had eaten his breakfast in his P.J.s and not cared about his appearance until after he had something to eat and drink...but now, with Summer sitting next to him looking stunningly beautiful and immaculate, he felt self conscious about his state of dress.

As soon as he finished eating he hurried off to the bathroom to get washed and then get dressed....and hoping he had something clean and smart to wear to impress Summer.  He was rummaging around for some after shave he kept in his desk drawer when Liberty walked in.

"Oh no....you're not going to put on that awful after shave you have...what's it called again?  Heave-Ho?" said Liberty, looking disconcerted.

"What's wrong with Heave-Ho?  It has that fresh, nautical smell!" said Travis

"No, it has a maritime smell....it makes you smell like a trawler.  Please, if you really like Summer, you'll put that bottle away...preferably in a trash can"

Meanwhile Summer had problems of her own.  As she was putting some breakfast dishes in the sink, the faucet sprung a leak.  

"Oh no....I can't fix this in my nice dress!" she said to herself.  "Erm...I should get someone in to fix it!  No, Daddy taught me how to replace a washer and I'm going to do him proud and fix it myself!  But should I change out of these clothes first?  Oh no, it's getting worse...OK, where's that wrench and packet of washers?"

Travis was trying to wash any trace of Heave-Ho off of him whilst Summer grappled with the leaky faucet.  When Travis emerged into the lounge, he found a seemingly nonchalant Summer sat on the sofa...unaware that she'd only just finished changing the washer and mopping the floor just seconds ago.  Easy listening music was playing on the record player.

"Hey there" she said.

"Hey" he replied, sitting down next to her.  He thought about making a move but decided to play it cool.  Summer, meanwhile, thought he'd gone off her as he showed no interest.

"Erm...got much on today?" said Summer, breaking the awkward silence.

"Work in an hour" replied Travis.  "You?"

"Nothing....a day off."

"Oh....well, I wish I had a day off as well"

"What would you do if you had?" said Summer, looking at him directly.

"Maybe something like..........this" and he stretched out his right arm and put it around her.

"Hmmmm, that's more like it!" said Summer.

"You know I'm serious about us" said Travis.  "I know I've got to get to work soon and I wanted more uninterrupted time to show you how much I dig you, Summer..."

"Why wait for then?" she replied.  "Make the most of every moment, Travis"

Travis stood up, took her by the hand and...seizing on her words...took the opportunity to show his affection.

"Wow...Travis....I had no idea!" said Summer.

"About what?" he replied.

"That you're a fabulous kisser...come here, let's do that again!"

They kissed, caressed and smooched losing all track of time before an alarm buzzer on Travis' wristwatch sounded.

"Dang...time for work.  I will definitely see you later"

Summer waved him off to work but couldn't help doing a little victory jig after he left.  

"I didn't want to interrupt" said Liberty as she entered the room and caught Summer posing flirtatiously.

"Oh!" said an embarrassed Summer.  "I...well....you know"

"I know...say, there's an astronomy exhibition in town and there's going to be an observatory and everything.  I was just going to head down there; do you want to join me?" said Liberty.

Summer thought it over for a few seconds.  "Sure.  Why not?  It looks like a nice day out.

"There it is" said Liberty after they'd arrived in downtown San Myshuno. "A genuine reflecting telescope...right, I'm going in.  Will you join me?" said Liberty, gazing in wonder at the device.

"Actually I'm going to look at these other exhibits for a bit.  Shall we meet in the bar in an hour?"

"OK, sure" said Liberty before going into the small room where the telescope viewer was.

Summer walked around, looking at the displays and astronomy exhibits including a pair of life size rockets that were used to put satellites into orbit.

The subject matter wasn't really Summer's thing and she soon got bored.  She knew she couldn't bother Liberty either right now and thus went to the bar a little earlier than planned.  Sitting at the bar she ordered a sweet n spicy and chatted with the bartender for a bit about how business was slow here because the science nerds didn't like drinking in this bar as it was too trendy for them.

However, Summer was soon joined by a very welcome and familiar face:  Suzy Kent.

"Suzy!  What a wonderful surprise to see you here!"  she said, enthusiastically.

"Summer!  Good to see you too.  Have you seen Malcolm Landgraab pass through here?"

"No I haven't, and are you still on that story?"

"I never stopped being on it.  Dang, I must have missed him by minutes!"

"Anyway, this gives us a chance to catch up....what's happening?" continued Suzy.

"Well.....the big news is that Travis kissed me this morning" said a nonchalant Summer.  Suzy gave her a playful punch on the arm.

"Way to go!  That deserves a drink or two!" said Suzy, walking over to the bar to place an order.

The two friends drank, gossiped and were a little worse for wear when Liberty caught up with them.

"I got to see the rings of Saturn clearly and...well look at you two!" she said.

"Well we had things to celebrate, didn't we Suzy?" said a tipsy Summer.

"How about I help you girls on to the subway before I head off to work?" said Liberty.

"That would be great...." said Suzy, struggling to stay upright.

The friends made their way back to Foundry Cove, where Summer crashed out.  Travis had finished his shift and went to look in on her but found her fast asleep.  He slipped her shoes off and pulled a blanket over her before getting a bite to eat and being to tired to stay awake and turning in himself.

When Summer woke up, she found Liberty had just come home.

"I hope you don't think I'm an awful lush, Liberty" said Summer.

"Well...you did say it was a celebration.  You know, next time you might have to help me get on that train home!"