"And one and two and three and four, and one and two and three and four and-- Harlan? Are you even paying one bit of attention to me?"
"No, Miss Davenport."
"Change that," she said. "You don't want Catalina thinking you're not man enough, do you?"
Harlan looked over at the Saturnian girl, who was waiting rather patiently for him. "No, ma'am."
"So what are you going to do about that?"
"Dance," he said. Harlan knew Davenport had, once again, beaten him.
I can't believe my luck, Harlan thought. Just when Catalina really starts liking me, Davenport has me dancing! I must look like such a fool!
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Catalina laughing. Then she whispered to Suzee and laughed again. Harlan wished he knew what Suzee was saying. Ever since she had brought Catalina back, he always wondered.
"Harlan! Wake up!" Davenport yelled, practically shaking the ship. "We're not done yet."
Catalina could not stop laughing at him.
"Why? All I want to know is why?"Harlan yelled at Radu.
"You don't need to shout!" Radu said. "I'm right here, you know."
"I can't believe it. She was laughing at me, Radu. Me! And I thought she was starting to like me better."
"Like she didn't like you before?"
Harlan paused. No, she wouldn't laugh at me if she liked me! It just doesn't make any sense at all!
"Harlan, she likes you," Radu said. "I can promise you that."
"Don't make promises you can't keep," Harlan said, and ran off in a huff.
When you wish apon a star,
Makes no difference who you are,
Anything your heart desires,
Will come to you....
********
“He’s so nice,” Catalina said to Suzee. “And the best part is, he doesn’t suspect a thing!...No, I’m not going to tell him!”
“Arguing with Suzee again?” Rosie asked, coming into the bunkroom.
“Yes,” Catalina replied honestly.
“Did you tell her?”
“About what?”
“About what, Catalina?”
“Yes, I told her. She was the first to know. I mean, besides me, of course.”
“Did you tell Harlan?”
Catalina paused. “Nope.”
“He should know!“ Rosie told her. “He should have known when you found out!”
“Rosie, get out! Can’t you see I’m trying to have a conversation here? Shoo!”
“Okay, okay!”
Rosie ran quickly out of there.
“Suzee, what should I do?...Yeah, you’re right. I’ll tell Harlan the news tonight....I’m glad I can talk to you.”
“Harlan, I have something important to tell you....I can’t do this!”
“Yes, you can!” Rosie cried. “You can. Just be honest. You’ll be fine. Trust me.”
“How do I...uh, hello Harlan, I’m dy-”
“Catalina!”
“Miss Davenport!”
“Report to class!”
“Coming!”
Catalina ran out of the room. Rosie sighed. She'd never tell Harlan-- until it was too late.
"Sit still," Davenport said."
"I don't want the shot!" Catalina yelled.
"You have to!" Goddard told her. "You don't want to-"
"Quiet!" Davenport yelled.
"You can't keep it a secret forever," Goddard told them. "We have to say something."
Davenport looked over at Catalina. Catalina looked at her feet.
"Well?" Goddard asked.
"He's right," Davenport said.
"Okay, okay," Catalina said. "I'll tell Harlan."
"See that you do," Goddard said. "Or we'll get Radu to sit on you every time you have to get this shot."
Catalina pretended to laugh. That's when Davenport stuck the needle in her arm. Catalina didn't feel a thing.
"Harlan, I have something to tell you."
"What?" Harlan said, not even looking at her.
"Well, see, us Saturnians, well, we don't have very good immune systems against earthly viruses, and um, well, last week I found out I had a cold."
"So?"
"So what if it turns into something more serious? I could die.
" "So stay away from all the earthers."
"Harlan?"
"Oh my gosh!" Harlan sat up straight. "You mean me! Why- I- no..."
"I'm sorry!" Catalina got up and ran out of the team room.
"I'm sorry," Harlan said to himself.
"Stay away, stay away, stay away...."
Harlan walked down the corridors.
"Stay away, stay away, stay away-"
"Harlan, what are you doing?"
"Stay away, stay away, stay away-"
Davenport grabbed him by the arm. "Harlan? Do you want to talk about it?"
"No. I just have to...stay away."
"Not now!" Davenport said. "Just if you ever get sick. Do you understand?"
"No. And I don't care. If I get close to her I'll kill her. Do you know what that means?"
"What does it mean, Harlan?"
"She could die and it would be all my fault!"
"Not true, Harlan. You weren't the one who gave her the cold. Commander Goddard was. And Catalina knows that this was all a freak accident. No one is to blame."
"Do you mean that?"
"Have I ever lied to you?"
"No."
"Do you think I am lying to you now?"
"No."
"So what are you going to do about it?"
"Stay away from Cat," he said, and walked off.
To be continued....