I woke up in bed the next morning. My mind was rushing. It wasn't even a date, I don't know why I was so worried. My phone rang. Good, something to distract me.
Hayes, "Wait, didn't he almost die the previous night?"
"Yeah he did, but high school romance is way more damaging to a young man's psyche."
A domineering yet feminine voice plays, "Hey, Luke."
"Good morning, Lieutenant Ackerman."
She chuckled, "I've told you a million times not to call me that. And it's Lieutenant Commander now."
"Right, I always forget. So, how's it feel, you're in the big leagues now."
"I miss being in the field with my men, I'm locked up in this stupid base camp all day now."
"It's safer than being on the frontlines."
"Frontlines? Luke, I'm in the Pacific Fleet."
"I still get worried."
"Worry about your Uncle Dennis, he's the one fighting those separatists in the Yukon territory."
"Yeah, but I always hated Uncle Dennis.", I left out a deep sigh, "I hope the Canadians get him, honestly."
"Luke don't be cruel."
"Umm… Hey mom."
"Yes?"
"What can you tell me about talking to girl?", I asked bashfully.
She giggled, "Why are you asking me that all of a sudden?"
I sighed, "Never mind, I'll talk to you later."
I hung up the call and went downstairs. I was still so nervous. My dad was sitting next to me, reading the news on his phone, I think he noticed something was wrong but didn't bother asking. I finished my breakfast and looked at him for a moment.
"Hey Dad, how did a boring loser like you get a woman like Mom?"
"Jesus Christ, you really know where to hit a man where it hurts, Luke."
"No, seriously."
"I just… talked to her.", he chuckled
"But I can't do that, I'm a spineless coward."
"And where did you think you got it from? Not from your mother, that's for sure."
"I can't just suddenly be all bold."
"You looked pretty confident in this video.", he shows me his button, it was in phone mode, "I'm assuming the girl you're after is this little Moroccan Siren."
"Dad, I love you but if you call her that again, I might have to fistfight you."
He ignores me, "By the way, what do you want us to do with this kid. Should we like sue him?"
"You know his family's too influential. We'd have better chances suing God."
"So, we just kill him? Does my rifle still work, I haven't used it in a while?"
"Dad, we can't commit murder."
"Hey, help me think of something, I'm worried about you."
"What!? You don't sound worried at all!"
He sighed, "Are you sure we can't commit murder."
"Yes!"
My father was never a man to let his emotions flow. And I don't think he just puts on a brave face either, he's made himself numb.
I remember once he said to me, "Son, one day you're gonna walk up a feel a heavy feeling in your mind. A nagging ache that makes you want to just give up, just lay in bed a let the hunger take you, if the dehydration doesn't get you first. That feeling is called adulthood, and it never goes away, good night."
He then turned off my lamp and quickly left. I just kinda laid in bed for a while. I'm pretty sure what he said, actually gave me clinical depression to a small degree, it was that traumatic. The next day i couldn't even enjoy my eight birthday, which was the worst part.
"Kid this isn't a therapy session, just tell us what happened."
"Henderson will you just be patient."
I had to cancel my plans with my friends. I told them that we would game all day, but obviously I can't do that if I have to meet with her. They didn't mind. They said they would do the same if they had a date with Savannah, my friends were a pack of jackals.
At least that's what I thought, until I opened my door and Ed was there. He had a grin on his face, what an idiot. Obviously, wouldn't appreciate his interrupting me on my momentous day. I didn't even gat an entire word out before he interrupted me.
"Before you complain, I had Mitch access your calendar.", which he didn't have to do, my calendar was public, "I know you have two hours until your date with Savannah."
"And I'll waste time helping you instead of making preparations?"
"Come on, I'm finally old enough to have fireworks. But the sellers shading so I need you ass muscle."
I shake my head, "Only the small people do fireworks. We have ceilings, even though they're 10 stories up."
"That's why I'll do it out here, in your neighborhood."
"And the city board agreed to this?!"
"Nope."
We walked down to the spiral. Every city calls it something different, but it's basically the main civilian road network. Ours was made from glass bridges, and pierce Hearth's very core. We could see all the way up to the pale blue sky.
It was mostly foot traffic, the fancy vehicles the upper classes often owned were rarely seen. I guess our city's elite don't travel. Maybe they're too rich, if they want dinner they hop in their inflatable yachts and flew to Italy for authentic pasta.
Once we got the spiral it was trivial slowly walk our way. Lucky for him the eight floor was my destination anyway. Unlucky for the eight floor was a crime infested hellhole, somehow even worse than ground 0, the poorest floor.
He was born to look like an easy target, so he need me. Even though I think even Mitch would be better for this job. My height was the only thing going for me, i was thinner than a twig and delicate as a flower. A fact I hated to admit. Were the fireworks really worth it?