Ryan and Essie

I'm Essie. I live a few decades in the future, and lots of people can go into space now. One day I will become important, like an astronaut or astronomer or royalty. Something like that—you know, kids are supposed to dream big. But then one day I meet this boy whose father gives my family tickets for a private tour of a shuttle launch. I was thrilled when one of the people going into space ended up being me. Talk about dreams coming true! Except we were never supposed to be on the shuttle when it took off, the boy and I. And now we're stuck 1.85 million light-years from Earth, and he hates me. But I can help the people of this new planet that I landed on, Caricanus, and I can do it without stupid Ryan by my side. I mean, I don't need him.

Right? Or have I gotten myself in way over my head?

Includes the additional short story The Old Man and His Grandsons