ANCHORED

CHAPTER 7

The mess room was alive with chatter as the crew gathered for their meal. Plates clattered, and the hum of conversation filled the air, creating a comforting background noise that made the space feel like the heart of the ship. Jariel sat at one of the tables, picking at her food while listening to the various conversations around her.

Amrey plopped down beside her, a mischievous grin on her face. "Hey, Jariel! What happened at the bridge earlier? I saw you cleaning the bulkhead. Did something spill, or was it just one of those days?"

Jariel chuckled, shaking her head. "Just one of those days, I guess. Captain Cobham put me on bulkhead cleaning for daydreaming. Not exactly thrilling, but necessary."

Amrey nodded sympathetically. "Well, at least it's done now. Speaking of thrilling, guess what? I have a new crush!"

Jariel raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? Do tell."

Amrey leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "It's the ETO. He's so dreamy, and I can't believe my luck! The Chief Officer asked me to assist him while he works on the monitors in the Cargo Control Room. We've been talking a lot, and he's just... amazing."

Jariel's eyes widened in surprise. "The ETO? Really? That's exciting! What's he like?"

Amrey's face lit up as she launched into a detailed description. "He's super smart, obviously, but also really down-to-earth. We talked about everything from the latest tech updates to our favorite movies. He even has a great sense of humor. I didn't expect to get along with him so well, but it's been fantastic."

Jariel smiled, happy for her friend. "That's great, Amrey. It sounds like you two really hit it off. Have you told him how you feel?"

Amrey blushed slightly, shaking her head. "Not yet. I'm still trying to figure out the right moment. I don't want to rush things and make it awkward, you know?"

Jariel nodded in understanding. "Yeah, that makes sense. Just take your time and see where things go. It sounds like you have a good connection, so I'm sure things will work out."

Nearby, other crew members were engaged in their own conversations. Kris was animatedly discussing the latest sports scores with a group of engineers, while Captain Cobham and the Chief Officer were deep in discussion about the upcoming voyage. The mess room buzzed with a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose.

Amrey glanced around the room, her eyes landing on the ETO, who was sitting a few tables away, engrossed in a conversation with another crew member. "There he is," she whispered to Jariel. "Isn't he just the cutest?"

Jariel followed her gaze and smiled. "He does seem pretty great. I'm glad you have someone to talk to and share things with. It's important to have those connections, especially out here."

Amrey nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Yeah, it really is. Thanks for listening, Jariel. I feel a lot better now."

"Anytime," Jariel replied warmly. "That's what friends are for."

As the meal continued, the mess room remained a hub of activity and conversation. Jariel felt a sense of contentment, knowing that despite the challenges and long days, they were all in this together. The bonds they formed and the support they gave each other made all the difference in their journey through the vast expanse of space.

With a final, encouraging smile to Amrey, Jariel turned her attention back to her meal, feeling grateful for the moments of connection and friendship that made life aboard the ship a little brighter.