Secrets Of The Depths

Prolouge

She stared at the computer with a blank expression on her face. She brushed back her brown hair from her eyes, glued on her inbox.

For what felt like the hundreth time, Robin hit the refresh button on her email. Nothing. She minimized the browser and stared at the picture of her and her best friend, Jemma. They were hugging on the beach of her hometown, without a care in the world. She missed being so carefree.

She took off her reading glasses and let her head fall to the table. Anxiety now eating away at her, along with dread.

Her worries were interrupted by a door opening, followed by footsteps on the wooden floors of the old college dorm.

"Robin?" A familiar voice whispered, and she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Ugh," Robin whined, reaching for her computer keyboard.  Before she could do anything, a hand closed her laptop in one swift motion.

"Don't tear yourself down, it hasn't come yet," Jemma whispered,  earning a sigh from Robin.

"Where were you all night, Jemma?" Robin checked the oven clock, "It's 3am!"

"Out with Byron. Were you really here all night, waiting for that stupid email?" She asked, walking over to the kitchen and grabbing a tea bag.

"It's not stupid! That's my whole future right there, and at least I'm not spending every second of my day with a boy!" Robin shot back, her fatigue replaced by anger.

"Harsh, Robin. I'm gonna let that one slide because I know you've had a rough night." She calmly brought over a cup of mint tea to Robin, and one for herself.

Robin sipped the tea, deep in thought for a few moments, "I'm sorry, I just need this opportunity." Robin played with her tea bag, her darkly circled eyes seemed to stare right through it.

"You are the smartest person I know, Robin. If they don't hire you, I don't know who else they could take." Jemma patted her back reassuringly.

The two had been roommates for almost four years.  It was usual to see Robin in her stressed state. "I'm just going to miss you, when you go," Jemma pulled Robin in for a hug, her eyes starting to water.

"I'll miss you more. Thanks for being my rock," Robin whispered back, silently cursing herself for doing this to her best friend.

"You better get some sleep," Jemma stood up, guiding Robin gently to her room. Robin collapsed on the covers without another word, and soon Jemma heard her ever so constant snoring.

Jemma walked back out of Robin's room and into the kitchen. After putting away her glasses and tea, she sat down at the small table and sighed.

Curiosity compelled Jemma. It wouldn't hurt Robin if she looked at her laptop for a bit. It wasn't like the email would come anytime soon. Especially if this concerned her best friend leaving the country for a continent across the world.

She entered in Robin's password, (doworkgetcoffee), then clicked the refresh button on the browser. Something was there. She clicked on the newest email, her heart in her throat.

Jemma's jaw dropped.