The Other Earth Read Free Page B

watching me as I walked. "I don't know" I said, slightly embarrassed.
    "Don't be sorry. I haven't seen that look on your face since our junior year in high school when you were so determined to finally beat me in the science fair that you turned to cheati ng. It looks good on you" he said.
    I felt my cheeks burn, "I still didn't beat your sorry ass though did I? No, you still managed to beat me with your stupid laser project. I only created a new freaking breed of plant" I said. "And I haven't cheated a day in my life!"
    "Oh, you still seem a little sore about that don't you" he said with a laugh.
    "Hey, I'm over it, you beat me, I can admit that." I told him with a smile. I really didn't hold it against him that he was smarter than me; I had come to finally accept it.
    "Whatever. Anyway back to the topic at hand. Why are you so passionate about this space bot?" he asked me.
    I looked over at him, "I hate to even admit this to you. But, I have always had a dream that I would somehow be able to do something big that can change the world, to make it a better place. That's why I even became a scientist in the first place. I only want to save us." I said.
    He stopped walking and put his hand onto my shoulder, making me stop with him. "Do you really still feel that way?" he asked me, a more serious look in his eyes than I was used to. "I thought those were just a kid's fantasies."
    I nodded, "Yes. It has always been my dream, and I have had to work so hard to be a scientist. It was hard to be friends with you all these yea rs when you have seemed to have it all come so easily."
    He stepped back, "Wow. I had no idea you still felt that way. I always just figured you were just being competitive like always." He said.
    I shook my head, "Don't flatter yourself so much. I have my own goals and dreams in life. It isn't always about beating you." I said.
    Brandon looked at me for a few minutes and then started to walk again. I took another hot sip of my coffee, enjoying the warmth of it in my stomach.
    "You are right about something you know" Brandon said next to me.
    "What is that?" I asked him, looking down at my watch, hoping we didn't have to wait long to know what was on the Space Bot.
    "It always came easy to me; the science part at least. I didn't originally want to be a scientist, but I was good at it, and with my parents both being scientist, they pushed me toward it and it was easier to just go with it" he said as we turned the corner into the conference room where we were going to watch the space bot land.
    I looked over at him, "What would you have done if you could do anything?" I asked him, curious of his answer.
    He laughed, "If I told you that I would have to kill you" he said as he took his seat.
    I sat down next to him and punched him lightly on the arm, "You are such an ass" I told him, trying not to remember that I was checking that same ass out pretty hard the night before. He smiled and looked forward as the head of the SSE came in.
    "Good morning everyone!" my boss yelled out to us. It was always exciting when she decided to make a speech to all of us. She was one of the most charismatic people I had ever met before, not that you would ever be able to tell when she wasn't speaking. She looked like someone that you would have to strain to hear because she would be so quiet. It was funny watching people get surprised when her big booming voice came out of her slight body.
    "Good Morning Jessica!" they all yelled back to her.
    "This is no ordinary employee forum. The space bot should be landing at our location in Houston in T minus six minutes and we are all going to watch it on the big screen!" she yelled as she pointed to the projection screen behind her that took up nearly the entire ten foot wall.
    Everyone cheered and Jessica put her hands out to quiet them, "Today is not goin g to be a normal working day. We are all going to watch the landing and a select few will be up front at the computers downloading the