The Loneliest Girl in the Universe(30)
It really hurts.
DAYS UNTIL THE ETERNITY ARRIVES:
146
From: The Eternity Sent: 11/05/2067
To: The Infinity Received: 02/10/2067
I decided when I woke up that this is not gonna be one of those days where I sit around watching TV. I am going to do something productive. So I’ve been practicing the flight protocols all day.
The simulation for landing on the new planet is basically a video game, isn’t it? In my version, there are little graphics of you and me who jump up and down when the ships touch the ground. Every time I see it, I find it increasingly hard to believe that one day it will really be us. It already feels like I’ve been traveling for ever.
J xx
On my run today, I came up with an idea for using the UPR’s new software to make my route more interesting. I can project other runners on the walls of the corridor and race them around the ship.
I look through the archives on the hard drive, and track down some old Wii Fit video games with running scenes. I add two new avatars to the game so that it looks like I’m racing Jayden and Lyra.
To my delight, it actually works.
I let Jayden win, just so I can stand, sweaty and panting for breath, and watch the avatar lift up his arms. He celebrates his victory with a silly dance, fireworks filling the screen behind him.
I’m overwhelmed with sudden gratitude to the UPR for giving me something so lovely. With their new software, it’s like they’ve actually sent me Jayden Ness. A life-size model of him!
I press my hand against the wall, standing so close that his grinning face is just a blur of pixels, and wish with every atom of my body that this wasn’t just a simulation, that Jayden was really here with me.
I keep thinking about what it will be like when the ships finally meet. J and I will hug, wrapping ourselves up in each other for endless seconds. In my head, he smells of lime and wood. He’ll brush the hair away from my face, and his thumb will move in slow sweeps across the back of my hand.
I want that to come true. Soon.
I can’t believe that I get to talk to J every day. I can’t believe he’s as excited to meet me as I am to meet him; that he pictures us together on Earth II.
Today he put two kisses at the end of his email. We’ve come such a long way from when we called each other Commander Silvers and Commander Shoreditch.
DAYS UNTIL THE ETERNITY ARRIVES:
144
From: UPR Sent: 07/01/2066
To: The Infinity Received: 04/10/2067
Subject: For Attention of The Infinity
Commander Silvers,
Hoping all is well on The Infinity and no problem is occurring with any system. We write today to ask that, as a follow-up to water conservation, you reduce shower time by half to increase efficiency and also reduce toilet flushing unless necessary.
This will save on chemical processing of sewage water as well as electrical heat production.
Thank you for your cooperation.
All hail the UPR! May the King live long and vigorously!
I know the UPR mean well with their efficiency suggestions, but it’s already hard enough to reduce my showers by just one minute. I have to turn off the water while I shampoo my hair and lather up the soap, then turn it back on again to rinse off. I can’t imagine being able to get properly clean in half that time.
The UPR are right, though. I shouldn’t take my privileges for granted.
This all seems logical. Despite that, there’s a blossoming concern in my mind, as always. There’s no reason for me to panic over these helpful suggestions, but my brain doesn’t seem to want to listen.
It’s probably just because my tooth still hurts. It’s becoming more and more painful. There’s now a continuous sharp pain along my jaw. Whenever I roll over in my sleep, I wake up from the pressure of the pillow.
I’ve checked the ship’s inventory and there isn’t a spare orthodontics kit in the stores. The sick bay is my only option. But just the thought of going inside the room makes tears spring to my eyes.
I take some antibiotics from the first-aid kit in the living area instead, hoping that will be enough to kill whatever infection is causing the pain.
DAYS UNTIL THE ETERNITY ARRIVES:
141
The antibiotics haven’t made any difference to my toothache. If anything, it’s worse. It hurts so much that I can’t think about anything else.
I know it’s my own fault for letting my teeth get so bad. I’ve been ignoring the computer’s six-monthly dental check-up reminders for years, trying to avoid going into the sick bay. These days I barely even remember to floss. I deserve this pain.
I shine a torch into my mouth, staring at the painful tooth using a handheld mirror. The molar is a brownish-black colour. It’s completely rotten through.
Feeling slightly nauseated, I compare my tooth to pictures of cavities in the medical subprogram. Judging by the photographs, it’s too late to fix it with a filling. It needs to be extracted.
I’m going to have to remove one of my teeth.
I just wish that I could do it somewhere apart from the sick bay. The manual tells me that the orthodontic equipment there can remove the tooth without me having to do anything but open my mouth – and there’s a topical anaesthetic, so I wouldn’t feel a thing. It sounds easy. It sounds quick. But I know I’m not going to do this the easy way.