Initiating Connection - Chapter One (SciFi Romance)

One never knows where the wind will blow at any given moment; the best option is to simply go with the flow. Some people run until they catch up with the right group while others force the crowd to go right around them. Sometimes it’s not about staying with the flow but catching another before they run off the falls.

Kassandra was running, but where was she going?

Sitting down on a red barstool at the end of the counter, the pixie-haired brunette picked up a slender menu that was wedged between the napkins and condiments. A small bell chimed, and she watched as a young woman slid over to the kitchen window to retrieve a basket of fries. On cue, Kassandra’s stomach gave a large rumble.

Pulling off her glasses, she rubbed at her eyes, tired and drained, and gave a yawn before slipping black rims back on so she could focus on the menu before her. A salad would have been the healthier option, but hours on the road had left her vulnerable to bad choices.

“Haven’t seen you around before,” the young waitress said, her voice lower than expected, as she approached the older woman.

Kassandra looked up and was surprised to see a familiar glint in the blonde’s left eye. What was she doing with one of those in a town like this?

“I’m passing through,” Kassandra told her with a soft smile, trying to not focus on her eye, “Anything good here?”

“Well, welcome to our little boring town of Halofex. Everything is made fresh, but if you’re looking for basics, I’d suggest the burger.”

“Alright,” the brunette nodded, “I’ll take a burger then with fries. Do you have hot tea?”

“Sure thing.”

“Earl Grey if you have it with creme.”

“I got you,” the waitress replied before making her way across the room towards someone who was calling her name, waving a wad of cash between their fingers.

Kassandra watched on in curiosity, realizing this woman didn’t quite fit into the mundane atmosphere of the town. Dirty blonde hair was pulled back into a ponytail revealing a fresh undercut. Her arms were bare and toned but that wasn’t muscled gained from waitressing. If her brown cargo pants weren’t anything to go by then the dog tags that flashed under the florescent lights gave it all away as she sat a steaming cup of tea onto the counter.

“Biobot Division?”

The waitress tensed and looked around the room anxiously, brow furrowing before turning back to the woman who asked the question, “I…I’m sorry?”

“Sorry,” Kassandra laughed awkwardly with a wave of her hand, “that was intrusive.”

“I…I’m not comfortable discussing that here.”

With that, the blonde hurried away leaving a load of guilt on top of the other woman. The waitress’s words sounded not only surprised, but sad, and while it was a subject the brunette should have left alone, she couldn’t be more interested.

When her food was finally brought over, Kass took the opportunity to fix her error before the waitress could scurry away.

“Hey, I do want to apologize. I can be a bit unsubtle.”

The waitress leaned in, resting her wait onto the counter, “It’s okay, though that’s not something many know about.”

“I’m a researcher. I tend to pick up on the small things,” she lowered her voice to a hush, “Like your eye.”

This time the blonde grinned as if she were impressed, now knowing a bit more about this mysterious outsider and wondering what more the woman was taking in.

Halofex was a very small, unfamiliar town. The nearest city was over two hours away leaving nothing but trees and hills between, so when a new visitor came it was noticeable. Everyone knew everyone which meant any secrets not wanting to be shared needed to be kept that way. The telephone game does tremendous harm in creating rumors.

“My name is Amelia. Everyone calls me Amy,” a long pale arm reached out.

“Kassandra,” she gasped lightly, surprised by the blonde’s grip when they shook, “I go by Kass.”

The Technology Sprawl hadn’t quite stretched into this part of the region, but it wouldn’t be long. Amelia was just an example of the beginning. Back where Kassandra was from, artificial intelligence was just beginning to become intertwined with everyday life. Basic jobs in the city were slowly being replaced by bots who could handle simple tasks. It wasn’t a terrible thing considering it opened new avenues for people to explore but it also did impact those jobs for humans.

That was only one of the reasons Kass left her home; she didn’t want to be involved in the politics of the city anymore. When too many heated opinions are smashed together, you’re bound to get some unwelcome chemistry. Kassandra liked chaos, but she didn’t want to end up in jail. Her days of activism were behind her; her parents were able to rip out every last thread of that passion.

She was looking for a new start. A new life.

“Do you know of a place I can stay for the night?” Kassandra asked as she squeezed a hill of red onto her plate before dipping a golden fry into it.

“Granny’s Inn is right up Main Street. I think maybe three blocks from here.”

“Great. I appreciate it.”

The blonde bit her lip and looked away sheepishly, trying not to watch the woman in front of her.

“Of course. Let me know if you need anything else.”

The diner was growing busier as the evening approached, leaving no more room for small talk. Kassandra worked on her food, glad to have a fresh and not frozen hamburger. It seemed wherever you went these days, you could never find local, well-made food. Everyone was always on the run and so distracted by the influx of the world’s worries that no one even cared if it were bland. This was a nice change.

Finally sated and ready to relax completely, she drew out a twenty-dollar bill from her wallet.

“Keep the change,” she told the waitress who came over to swipe her empty dishes.

“Much gratitude,” Amy beamed and stood there for a moment, plate and money in her hands. The brunette noticed as she took a deep breath and raised an eyebrow inquisitively, “I get off soon. If you wanted some company tonight as there’s not much to do when the sun goes down, we can continue our earlier conversation. That is if you’re interested.”

Pale cheeks blossomed a red hue and when their eyes locked, Kass felt a strange tug. It was a feeling she hadn’t felt in a long time. There was something deep in those green eyes, even the artificial one, something that begged to be expressed. A longing for connection. A void of loneliness.

“I’d like that,” Kassandra found herself saying before she could even think.

“If you wanted to wait around, my shift is about up, and I can show you where the Inn is. Maybe I can get Granny to give you a discount.”

“I suppose I can do that,” the brunette replied, grinning more than she felt comfortable and brought a hand to her lips self-consciously. Why was she smiling like a mad fool?