Charles felt disoriented as he leaned on Doctor Randall. His body had never been through so much torture. But he had done it, and without puking. He had Bev to thank for that. He slid into his chair in the hall, many of his teammates looking similar to how he felt. Only three people were left: Brady, Cecelia, and Katie. With each person who came out, Katie made another phone call to her daughter. The last time she’d returned, she’d complained that her sister-in-law had stopped picking up the phone.“Guess I better show you how it’s done, eh?” Cecelia said, teasing Brady. She smiled as she said it, but her eyes held fire. Whatever anxiety she’d had before had been replaced by the feud between her and the young actor. Who knew someone could gain a nemesis on a space tourism flight?

“Welcome to the simulation lab,” Julie said, stopping and opening a door that their badges didn’t allow them access to.Bev was the first one to step through the door, but it was so dark, she couldn’t see her own hand in front of her face. “Is there a light around here somewhere?”“Take about three more steps and it will kick on,” Julie said.It was a little unnerving stepping into the dark, but she did as she was told. As promised, the lights clicked on, but the sudden brightness momentarily sent spots through her vision. When they cleared, Bev’s breath caught in her throat.She was standing in a room that was even larger than the roo

Charles felt queasy, but he didn’t think it was because of the motion of the spaceship. His nerves were clawing at him and his heart beat so fast, he thought it too was trying to escape. He touched the button on the side of his helmet. “You guys okay if I start talking through the techniques a little early? Or at least a little deep breathing?”“Yes, please,” Brady said, practically begging.“Breathe in…and hold it. One…two…three…four. Now slowly let it out,” Charles said. He was sure he needed it more than anyone else, but saying it out loud, and knowing the others were doing it with him, helped calm him down.The pilot’s voice cut in just as

Charles arrived early at the celebratory lunch. They were meeting in a large conference room that had been decorated with glittering stars that hung from the ceiling. The black tablecloth also glittered, as though millions of stars were sprinkled all over it, but he couldn’t enjoy it when all he felt was regret. Charles had watched Bev walk away, and he had done nothing to stop her. But how could he have? Everything he had said, she’d turned it on its head and made him into the bad guy.When he had said her homelessness didn’t matter to him, he hadn’t meant that her experiences weren’t important. He had only meant that he didn’t care if she was a billionaire, or a kindergarten teacher. Or even homeless. It was the money that didn’t matter to him. But he was never able to explain himself. Bev had been so angry, he

Zoe walked down the sidewalk, arm in arm with her best friend, Ruby. The sun had set an hour earlier and all they were left with was the light from the street lamps, splashing across the road. Summer was her favorite time of year, despite the monsoon rains that would leave as quickly as they arrived, and despite the mosquitoes the rain invariably brought with it. And right then, she loved the scents of the desert mingled with campfire smoke that surrounded them as they walked down Main Street toward the town park.“Too bad Parker couldn’t be here for the star party,” Zoe said, turning the corner by the bike shop. A small path led to the large park that was tucked away behind the buildings, w