Moving Isn't That Bad After All

Word Count: 952

Moving Isn’t That Bad After All

     “I already know I’m not going to like it here.” Julietta flopped down in a chair in front of a huge Video Monitor. “Why did we have to move? I liked the last planet we were on.”

     Cantin was seated in a chair next to Julietta. He put his hand in hers. “You know why we moved. It’s because I got transferred here.”

     Taprice continued putting things away in Food Preparation. “I think you are going to like it here. Once you give it a chance.”

     Just then Goriv entered into the living area. “I love it here. Have you seen the sleeping quarters? They are about half the size of this room.”

     “I don’t.” Julietta snapped her father’s hand away from hers. It almost hit him in his face. “I want to go back to Pavus where I had friends. What about Vanta’s? Is there a Vanta’s here?”

     “I’m sure there are a lot of other twelve-year-olds here. And I don’t think you will have any trouble making friends. You are very good at that.”

     “As for shopping, I doubt there’s a Vanta’s here. But I’m sure there are other clothing stores like it.” Taprice joined the rest of the family.

     “What about sports and females. That’s what I’m most interested in.” Sixteen-year-old Goriv sat down next to his sister.

     Cantin smiled. “Let’s find out. Once we finished settling in we can explore our new home away from home.”

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     Julietta grabbed a dress from a squared swiveled rack that spun a little when she picked it. She held it up to her as though she was wearing it. “What do you think?”

     “I think you would look beautiful wearing that dress. Any of the other thirty you have tried on so far too.” Taprice smiled. “See, I told you there would be plenty of clothing stores here.”

     “You were right. It’s not Vanta’s. But it’s just as good. Maybe even better.”

     Julietta put that dress back on the rack. “I’ll try that one on another day. I want to go see if there are any stores that don’t have clothing.”

     Grabbing her mother’s hand Julietta took off for the entrance. Taprice barely had a chance to grab what Julietta had already picked out.

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     Goriv sat at a table in what appeared to be some kind of a drinking establishment. Most of the observers were males. They were ranting and raving about something playing on the gigantic Video Monitor in front of them. Cantin glanced over his shoulder at the monitor as he weaved his way back to his table.

     “I love this place. And the game that’s being played. What is it called again?”

     “It’s called Battle Ball. Battle Ball is a game played by four pairs of team competing against each other to see who can get the most hits against the other teams.”

     Goriv didn’t say anything for about a minute. They just continued watching that game. “I wish we were there in person.”

     “We will be. I found out there are several sports teams here. It’s just that this particular game isn’t being played here. After we get completely settled in the first games that is we will go to. I promise.”

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     “What are we doing here?” Goriv and Taprice were looking through are large window at a group of Learners being taught by a male at the in front of them.

     “We thought you might want to see your Learning Center that we are going to be sending you to in a few days. Your sister has already been to a similar learning session.”

     “I thought that I was over that. At least it should be for me. If we were back on Pavus I would be.”

     Taprice smiled. “On Pavus it is fifteen. But here it’s twenty.”

     “They can’t see us. Can they?” Goriv looked at his mother. Then back at the learners.

     “No they can’t. this is just an observation room for Learners like yourself - or for those who want to learn without being part of the others.”

     “I didn’t think so. None of the females in there have looked back at me.”

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     Julietta and Cantin were checking out some of the other shops there. “You were right. They do have a little bit of everything here.”

     Suddenly Julietta stopped. “There are even Entertainment Centers here? Standing around, or in line, at that Entertainment Center were a small group of kids.

     “We told you there would be a lot of kids here. Some of them look to be about your age.”

     “I noticed that too. Several of them are males.”

     “I’m not ready for you to get involved with males yet. But you are about to become a Young Adult. So I guess I am going to have to get used to it.”

     “Please don’t embarrass me like you usually do. Let me talk to them alone.”

     “Okay, go and make some friends. Even the male ones.” Cantin coughed. “Just be at the Eating Place by six.”

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     The family was seated at a table in a very busy Eating Place. They had already gotten their food and started eating it. Cantin had what looked a lot like a steak. Taprice was eating what appeared to be chicken of some kind. Goriv had a cheese burger. At least that’s what it looked like. And Julietta had a fish sandwich.

     “So, what do you kids think about this move now?” Cantin asked between bites.

     “I love it here.” Goriv spoke first.

     “It’s not as bad as I thought it was going to be. I’m still not sure if I want to live for the next five years on a spaceship though.”