When OJ was young she would dream of flying, high in the clouds where no one could catch her but sooner or later, she always had to wake up.
Groaning OJ untwisted herself from her blankets her back craving from another night on the incredibly uncomfortable bunk. Begrudgingly, she sat up and combed her hand through her unruly copper curls, she was convinced one day her hair would throttle her in her sleep.
She yawned, her attention wandering over to the dry laughter that made itself known from the other end of the room, a sleepy smile made its way onto OJs face.
Trudy - “Morning sleepy head.”
Trudy chuckled, walking over and throwing herself backwards on the rock hard bunk landing on top of OJs legs.
The curly hair woman laughed as she halfheartedly tried to shove her friend off her legs. Trudy ignored her, getting comfortable (somehow).
Trudy - “I head we’re getting a new shipment of Science Sorties, wonder what Augustine will think of em?”
OJ wondered, Grace was definitely a character. She knew that will Grace had a hard, no nonsense exterior she was warm on the inside. She had take OJ under her wing and OJ isn’t even technically apart of the “science sorties” she’s one of the active medics on Graces team, joining when she was fifteen. She just happened to pick up on some Pandorian fauna and ran with it. Grace supported her the entire time, encouraging her to explore Pandoras intriguing creatures.
OJs mind wondered a little of track but she soon came back to reality when Trudy elbowed her in the stomach. OJ winced slightly, slapping her friends shoulder but then it hit her. Oh shit. Her eyes widened and she jumped up, scrambling to change into her grey tank top and camo army pants (which coincidently belonged to Trudy).
Trudy, alarmed by her friend sudden change in demeanour sat up on the bunk.
Trudy - “What? What going on, are you okey?”
OJ took a few minutes to answer as she looked around for her crocs and lab coat. They were both extra … unique, a pair of lavender crocs with little plant stickers on them and her lab coat was a faint pink colour. She tied the ends of the lab at into a bow before craving her lap top.
OJ “I said I would help Max unload the new avatars.”
Oh looked at her military grade watch that she’s drawn a happy face onto with yellow highlighter.
Trudy stood up, shaking her head while she laughed.
Trudy - “You’ve really gotta be more organised J”
She sighs in defeat, trying her best to wrestle her hair into a short pony tail. Finally she was ready! She rushed off down the corridor after hugging Trudy goodbye, hoping that there was still time to help Max unload the avatars.
She met Max just outside the lab, the avatars had been brought to them (for a change) so after she helped Max check them over she headed to her desk, her desk was covered with papers and note books as well as little bits and bobs. OJ had left out some of her research so she could finish off her most recent report on the study of Thanators aka “Palulukan” breeding patterns and mating rituals. She got busy with her work, sticking in her wire earphones and selecting a motivational playlist.
A little while later as more people started to filter into the lab OJ decided to take a break. Unplugging her earphones and putting them to the side she stretched and walked over towards Max. He was standing next to the avatars watching their electronic charts, OJ studied the avatars for a few moments until one of them caught her eye. A make, maybe early twenties with a mischievous look on his face - she picked up his electronic chart and read the name. She faintly recognised it but couldn’t quite put her finger on who it was.
Max visibly paused, his face changed and OJ immediately noticed. She wanted to ask why the sudden change in demeanour but instead Max hastily passed her his pad. Reading the information her eyes widened.
OJ heart broke for this poor guy, he looses his brother and then gets shipped off to another planet. Handing the pad back to Max she stares sympathetically at the avatar. And other hour of so past, OJ buddies herself around the lab checking that her fist aid pack was fully packed and not missing anything.
Another paramedic, Mara sat beside her checking over her own pack. She wasn’t apart of OJs group but they had grown close over the years.
Mara - “Your mom said anything to you?”
OJ froze, she hadn’t spoken to her mother in years - not since their big argument. Since then, if they ever crossed each other path Kate pretended that her daughter didn’t exist and would walk right by her without as much as a glance.
It was short and OJ felt bad about her brashness but her mother was a topic she didn’t like discussing. Thankfully Maras attention was drawn to two men who had entered the lab. Maxes waved her over, OJ said goodbye to Mara and made her way over to her friend.
Max - “And this is OJ she’ll be the paramedic on your team.”
Max introduced to the two men. Oh recognised them, they where the riders to the avatars she had helped unload earlier. OJ waved, she shook one of the man’s hand who introduced himself as norm and then turned to the man in the wheelchair. He held his hand out for her and quirked his brow slightly.
The woman laughed, rubbing the back of her neck with her free hand.
OJ - “Yeah, long story. Mostly involving Orange juice.”
The both laughed a small blush tinted OJ face. Shit, he’s really hot. Max noticed the slight rosy tint of OJ face, he smile. He had grown close to OJ over the years - she was only a teenager when she fist started working in the lab. He thought for a moment and then a mischievous smile crossed his face.
Max - “OJ why don’t you help Jake set up his video logs?”
The woman smiled completely oblivious to Maxes intentions, she was just happy to help.
OJ - “Yeah sure, follow me and I’ll get you set up.”
OJ waged him over to the station next to hers and started filling in the computer log in details. After that she got his log ready and started explaining how it works.
OJ - “You can say anything thoughts, feelings all sorts it’s mostly so you won’t lose your mind for the next six years.”
Jake nodded, in a honestly he wasn’t really paying attention. He couldn’t pull his focus from her eyes, big warm grey eyes that seemed so gentle and caring. His attention snapped back when he noticed OJ putting something on his desk, it was a little blue dinosaur with pink speckles.
OJ - “There! Now it’s officially OJ approved.”
Jake smiled, OJ seemed odd but in the best kind of way. He picked up the little dinosaur inspecting it, it was carved from wood and it looked kinda rough up close but you could see the care and effort that went into it. OJ must have noticed him starting at the little wooden thing because she covered her eyes and sighed.
OJ - “Oh Eywa, I’m so sorry! Your gunna think I’m a compleat space case, I promise I’m not. I give one to every newbie in the lab so they have something to personalise they’re desk with.”
Jake looked at her with confusion, how could he not like this little dinosaur? It was hella cute and anyone would be lucky to revive something that thoughtful on their first day.
Jake - “No I like it, it’s gunna be my second in command”
OJ - “Honestly, it won’t offend me if you don’t like it I kinda jumped the ball with it.”
Jake put on a mock offended look.
Jake - “You better show some respect to my second in command.”
He laughed while he said it, making OJ smile more. She mock saluted the little dinosaur.
OJ - “My apologies lance corporal sir.”
Once they where finished laughing at OJ silly antics, Jake got lost in her eyes again but then he got curious - how did she know marine ranks?
Before he could ask the moment was interrupted by Grace coming out of her link pod.
Grace - “Where’s my god damn cigarette? Guys, what is wrong with this picture?”
OJ watched as another scientist rushed to grab Graces lab coat, lighter and a cigarette.
OJ - “Morning sleeping beauty.”
Grace playfully rolled her eyes at OJ antics.
All four of them moved closer to the link pods, Max and Norm introduced Jake to Graces reputation and when they finally meet grace by the link pods Max introduced Grace to both Norm and Jake.
Grace talked to Norm about his Na’vi and she was quite impressed but gave him a few pointers. Her expression changed when she looked at Jake.
Max introduced Jake and Grace stood annoyance resisting from her body language.
Grace - “Yeah, yeah. I know who you are, and I don’t need you. I need your brother”
OJ winced at the look on Jakes face.
She tried but was ignored as the older woman continued.
Grace - “I know the PhD who trained for three years for this mission.”
Jake - “He’s dead. I know it’s a big inconvenience for everyone.”
Graces eyes widen slightly before she regains her original composure.
Grace - “How much lab training have you had?”
Jake - “I dissected a frog once.”
OJ totally caught of guard burst out laughing but after she sees the pointed look Grace give her she is quick to shut up.
Grace annoyed by the hole situation, declares that she is going to see Selfrig as she is sick of having the shit taken out of her.
Grace - “You see? There pissing in use without even the Curtiss of calling it rain.”
Max tried to stop her but it was to no avail and after giving a few words of wisdom to Jake he left. At some point Norm had also left, probably introducing himself to the other scientists.
OJ and Jake spent the rest of the day talking. Ok asked him about his time on earth and Jake asked her about her time on Pandora, by the time they were finished it was late and they both headed their separate ways. When OJ finally got back to her room a goofy smiled stayed in her face all night.
@just-another-queer-writer
