Free The Solar Wind by Laura E. Collins Page B

electronic in nature on Orionis due to limited resources. Paper products were recycled and rarely used. The envelope did not contain any information as to who the sender was. Ava opened it and inside found metal box with a small sealed envelope underneath. Ava decided to open the box first. She gasped as she recognized her grandmother’s earrings immediately. Her mouth dropped open, she could hardly believe it. They were exactly as they were a little over a week ago, except they had been thoroughly cleaned, most likely by the dealer, and in perfect condition. Ava quickly set the earrings down, grabbed and opened the unmarked envelope. The small note inside in large elaborate cursive writing simply read “Happy Birthday Ava” and was signed “W.” She couldn’t believe it. She hadn’t said anything to Wesley about what had happened to her with the computer incident during his long absence. She didn’t even know how he knew it was her birthday. He had spent a lot of money to buy her earrings back for her and now he was gone for the week, she wouldn’t even be able to thank him until Saturday. As confused and flattered as she felt, a wide smile spread across her face. She put her earrings back in her ears where they belonged and started her day feeling much happier.
    The week passed by quickly. Ava could not wait until Saturday to see Wesley again and thank him. She also wanted to quiz him about how he knew she had sold her earrings, where they were, and how he knew it was her birthday. On Thursday Ava went to the gym as usual. Sometimes Ava found that her workouts seemed to drag on forever, and other times they seemed to pass quickly. Thankfully, tonight was one of those nights. Afterwards as the class disbanded Ava chatted a few minutes with some of the women. Apparently some of the single people in the class were getting together on Friday to go to “Labyrinth”, a club on Level 8. Ava had heard of it. It had a popular reputation and people went there for its mystical ambiance, mood lighting, interesting drink menu, and synthetic musical sounds. Ava actually wanted to go. She was invited but decided to think more about it. As she turned to go to her locker, Sam approached her.
    “Hi Ava.”
    “Hi Sam.” Sam appeared to be around twenty four or twenty five. He was tall, perhaps around six feet with a lean muscular build. He had dark brown eyes and short medium brown hair. He seemed to have been blessed with charming manners and a pleasant smile. Overall Ava found him to be a calm, laid back sort of person. In the few conversations that they have had she knew that he did some type of mechanical/industrial work on Level 6.
    “Several of us are going to Labyrinth tomorrow night, would you like to come?”
    “I’m thinking about it.”
    “You should come. I’ve heard the drinks there are amazing. They are also going to have a live band. Besides, wouldn’t it be nice to hang out with some friends instead of being alone on a Friday night?”
    “Who exactly is going?”
    “I’m going, as well as Keith, Amber, Kelly, Alicia, and Travis, Caitlin, and Bret. It should be a good group. We’re meeting around ten.”
    Ava hesitated. What would be the harm as long as there was a nice sized group? She didn’t want to find herself in a date situation with Sam. She was not interested in him in that way. She sensed something about him that seemed a little too “nice.” With that many people “dating” wouldn’t be an issue and she did want to try and make more local friends since her only close friends were in town on the weekends, and not even every weekend.
    “Okay I’ll go. I’ll meet you guys there tomorrow night.”
    “Great, we’ll look forward to seeing you. Have a nice evening.” He smiled at her and went on his way.
    Ava collected her belongings and made her way home. She was happy about tomorrow night.  Since her friends from the Andromeda weren’t due back until Saturday she enjoyed an opportunity