Earth Girl

Chapter 1

Emma walked down the High Street with a spring in her step. She wasn't exactly sure where she was going, but she had a feeling that wherever she ended up, she would like it. In her hand she held a large branch which she had found had fallen from a tree a few streets back. She trailed it along the paved walkway behind her, enjoying the clattering sound it made as it bounced on the stones. All around, inside and outside the dozens of small shops and cafes that lined the High Street, the constant chatter of people having fun filled the air.

Emma stopped, closing her eyes and basking in the atmosphere of the place. This was one of the less industrial sides of Haveno, and to be honest, Emma probably spent more time here than in her own home. It was one of the few places where Earthers could go and escape from the pointless bustle that was the Spacer community.

Spacers seldom ventured far from the Ports; they were always preparing for whatever strange planet they were going to next. Emma was clueless to the world of the Spacers, and she didn't really want to know. She was content to be in her little bubble, where none of that existed. Or at least that was what she wanted. But the truth was that no matter how hard she tried, there was always something to remind her of their existence. Take the name of the city, for example. Haveno had been built around a collection of Spacer ports and so, understandably, the city's name reflected that. Having learned the language in school, Emma knew that "Haveno" was Esperanto for "port".

As much as Earthers denied it, their world depended heavily on the Spacers and their business. If it wasn't for them, resources on Earth would've run out centuries ago. With time comes change, but not everyone is ready to accept it. While Spacers were driven to experiment and move on to other worlds, Earthers seemed content to simply embrace the past. That was just the way it was, and Emma knew that as well as anyone.

Emma exhaled slowly, opening her eyes to the High Street once more. To her right the large glass doors of one of the cafes swung open as someone exited, allowing the sweet aroma of tea and cakes to float her way. Dropping her branch on the ground, Emma made her way to the door, taking a second to laugh at her distorted reflection in the metal handle before opening it. She stood in the doorway for a moment, taking in the sight before her. People sat at round tables, mostly couples, drinking hot beverages and talking happily. It made Emma smile for some reason. But as her eyes scanned the room, she noticed one person who clearly didn't share everyone's delight.

Sat alone at a table, separated by a potted plant from the others, was a strange looking man. Tall and lanky, he had quite pale skin and dark hair. His clothes seemed rather smart for the comfortable ambience of the cafe, but Emma just assumed he was some kind of business man. He was slightly hunched and introverted looking. But as Emma looked closer she could see that his eyes, like hers, were surveying the room. He looked curious, and that emotion seemed to rub off on Emma. She soon found herself edging closer to him.

On a closer inspection, Emma could see that he was younger than she had initially thought, perhaps 17 or 18? As she watched, he suddenly glanced her way. Upon noticing her, he straightened himself and combed his fringe from his eyes. He was clearly well-mannered, which further drew Emma's curiosity.

"Do you mind if I sit?"

He looked surprised for a moment, but then he gave her a brief smile and motioned to the chair opposite him.

"Sure."

Emma smiled back and sat herself down. She didn't really know what she was doing, but it was too late to turn back now.

"Do you come here often?" she asked casually, hoping to prompt some kind of conversation.

"It's my first time, actually. I can't believe I've never seen this place before. It's nice."

His eyes drifted up to the ceiling for a moment, and Emma couldn't help but think that he was avoiding looking at her. There was a while where the two of them sat in awkward silence.

"I'm Emma."

She held out her hand to him. The sudden movement made him flinch, and for a second he hesitated. Then another small smile crept across his face, and he shook her hand.

"Jes," he replied.