...and thats why I want to be an astronaut. The bell rings, buzz!

I soon
feel the fresh, crisp air, and see the blooming apple trees down the road, pink as
my cheeks in winter. Yummmm. Hey, Emma! I hear a voice coming from
behind me, coming closer, as if someone was chasing me. I turn around, only to
see Neal, a third-grade bully, right there. Your story was deep. Thanks, I reply,
walking closer to the lunch table. You know youre never going to be an
astronaut, right? Neal said.

22 Years Later

I wake up to my alarm clock blasting through my room. I get up

deliberately, with no intentions of going anywhere, when I suddenly remember I
have a new job. I get up, ready for the day.

When I get to the building, my heart drops so fast, I forget everything.

Except the fact that I, Emma Golder, will be working at NASA. I woke myself up
from the what seemed like a dream, and slowly walked toward the gilded blue
doors.

I find my desk on the north side of the building, all nice and clean, ready to
be moved into. I find my squeaky chair in a pile of boxes to the left and retrieve
it. Then, I hear a voice, a familiar voice. I look over my cubicle to see Neal. Then, I
find myself saying hello. Although regretting it a moment later, I stand up,
preparing for the words that are yet to come.

Hey! He yelled, in a happy tone. So you made it to NASA. What are you
honey, coffee girl? Huh? No, I reply in an insensitive way. I am just going to
get into it and be honest, honey, he says. Dont call me honey, I reply. Okay,
okay. You, Emma whatever-your-last-name-is, you are not going to be an
astronaut. I already told you. That sentence hit me like a 90-pound hammer, yet
I knew it wasnt true. Just then, I find myself eye to eye with my boss, Dr. Vick
Henry.

Emma, he says, you better pack up your bags.

WHAT? I say, in a surprised way. Dont worry." I see Neal look over his
cubicle secretly. He hands me a card.

Dr. Vick Henry

CEO NASA Headquarters, Washington D.C.
(202)-477-8902

"I am recruiting you to go to space. Meet with Dr. Martin Manners at 2 for
more info." Then, the tall, middle-aged man walks away with no other words to
say.

You know, Ive never really liked you, Neal says. I really despise you, He
adds. Love you, too, I say with a smirk and a smile, not knowing what is yet to
come.

8 Months Later

All pilots boarding the Hawk V2, please report to the aircraft hangar, says
the lady over the loudspeaker. Thats my cue, I say to my new best friend Jake.
Please be safe, he says worryingly. You know me. I will always be safe. I reply.
I head to the hangar, where the spacecraft I will be flying is being pulled out, into
the warm, summer day.

Emma! Get in line with the boys for a group photo! I stand in line, next to
the four men I will be venturing far away with. Snap! I am then directed to a
walkway towards the towering spacecraft before me.

Ten. I am so excited. Nine. Eight. Seven. This is what Ive always wanted to
do. Six. Five. Four. I see the guys smiling at me. Three Two One I hear the
engine spark to life, and I feel butterflies in my stomach for the time being in
takeoff.

One hour into the flight, we undo our seatbelts. I soon feel the weightless
sentiment of no gravity. It is time to complete our mission. I was assigned to
check the new satellite, the Gerini. It is a new satellite, judging that we sent it into
space about 5 months ago. Tom, a crewmate of mine, put us in orbit. I will only be
in space for a day and a half, so I had to get moving.

We all had distinct missions, so I was on my own. I first got my gear on and
then plugged in my umbilical cord into the oxygen tank. I opened the door and
hopped out. I had the part trailing behind me on a rope. I got to the satellite and
took off the panel that blocks the place I need to get to. Then I did a thorough
inspection, and headed back to the spacecraft Ill call home tonight.
 Im almost there, Im here, Im finally here. I unplug all unnecessary tubes
and cords connected to my suit, and then sit down. I spent thirty minutes, which
felt like a day when weightless, checking the Gernini. I was making sure
everything was working.

Its morning, and Im all charged up. The guys and I have breakfast, and
then get ready to go. Haden, a guy that came with me, volunteered to start the
engine. He turned the key and flipped a couple switches, but no sound. Maybe
its stalling. Ill try again, he says unsurely. He tries again, no sound. Hey, guys!
There is a flashing light on the dash! We must have lost a part!

Everyone slowly goes into panic. As astronauts, we are forbidden to go into

panic. Hey! I have a few extra parts in the back that I brought to check up the
Gernini! I yell, hoping it would work. Yeah! Get your suit on, we need you to fix
whatever has happened! Haden yells.

I finished putting my suit on, so I go out to the engine control room under
our spacecraft. Once I am in, I note that I only have fifteen minutes of oxygen left.
I quickly spot the problem, debris in the engine turbine. I pull on the debris,
which seems to be metal, probably from another broken satellite. I pull, and pull,
and pull, but it doesnt move. It seems to be caught between two blades. Then I
get a call from Haden.

Girl, you got 5 minutes, you better hurry up. I tug and tug. Then I
remember I have an adjustable wrench. I then get it out, and put it on the metal
and tighten it. Then I pull, and twist, and pull, and twist. Two minutes. Then it
slips, and it comes out. I got it! I yell. Then I remember, Im going to die if I dont
go now. I close the door and get to the spacecraft in the nick of time.

I get unsuited, then we start the engine and head home.

Back Home, Washington D.C.

NASA Headquarters

Hey, I guess, well, um, I think I underestimated you being a female

astronaut. I always thought you were nothing but a girl with a dream.

Thanks, Neal, I think.

 1 Year Later...

For those of you that dont know, Neal and I became friends. We meet up at
the same coffee shop, every day at noon. Oh, and I was awarded Hero of the
Hawk. It's kind of like an MVP award for a sport. But instead, completing my
mission and saving the crew. I cant believe how far Ive come, with just the spirit
of a girl.*