The Space in Between Us

By Katie Floyd

Kat and Jack were best friends that had crushes on each other in their past year at school. But when all of a sudden they forcibly have to part ways, it gets really hard and they think they'll never see each other again.

Their fate is different though, and that summer they both attend a camp. Without even planning it they end up on the same team and their paths reunited.

When they meet, it starts out perfectly. But soon they realize it is not going to be as easy  as they thought. A lot of problems are thrown their way that tests their trust, bravery, and love.

In the Space in Between Us, not everybody is who they seem.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Katie Floyd
• Release date: Jun 27, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393478492

Katie Floyd

Katie loves reading and writing.  She also enjoys painting and drawing.  Art of any kind is her passion. 

Book preview

Chapter 1:

IT HAD BEEN SUMMER break for a while now. The next day Kat would go to Metagalactic Space Camp, which she’d been looking forward to the whole summer. She got up from her bed and walked past a memory of the amazing but awful school year that was finally the past. Some parts, for so long, she had wanted to come back, and deep down, she still did.

She missed the memories and friends she’d never have or see again. She missed her crush, who she first saw in second grade but never got to really know him until the past year.

Then the thought of him popped in her mind as she was stopped in her steps, staring at what would seem worthless to others but meant riches for her. She had a silver Halloween heart bracelet.  A smile pulled on her lips as she remembered the Halloween dance party the school hosted.

He was there, she was there, and everything was happy and fun. She even overheard someone pushing her crush (Jack) to her from behind and whispering, Ask her! When she heard it, butterflies filled her stomach but quickly deflated when he was too scared to ask.

She had worn the bracelet to the dance.  Jack had gently touched the heart with his finger at one point. Nice. was all he had said but for just a moment they had gazed into each other’s eyes.  Her world stood still for that moment. Whenever she saw it now, she remembered not just Jack, but all her school friends that she’d have to move away from.

Long before Kat realized she had a crush on Jack, they were really good friends. They had laughed, talked and even sung silly songs, (she hardly sang in front of anyone) but not until recently did they realize it wasn’t just friendship, it was love.

The smile faded. That was all the past now. Even though she knew she would have to move to Florida after that year, she wasn’t prepared to get a text one Friday from Jack saying he wouldn’t be able to come back to the school. She kept texting him, Why? Where? Hello? His only response was that he wasn’t allowed to say. It was basically like he just disappeared.

She glanced down at the floor and walked out of her bedroom to just forget about the whole thing. Who cares, he’s gone anyway and probably has moved on by now, she tried to convince herself, but deep down she had hope one day he’d come back. That night she packed up a few last necessities for camp, then went to sleep.

When morning came, she put her blankets and pillows in her bag, got dressed, and headed down to the car where her mom was waiting.

You excited for Metagalactic Space Camp? Wow- that’s a tongue twister. Her mom said and laughed, Let’s call it MGS Camp for short. This year you’ll know someone, your friend, Sam.

Yeah. Plus, she’s really nice and actually cares about me unlike my friends from last year. Kat answered. Her mom kept talking, but Kat’s thoughts drowned out what she was saying.

Last year at MGS Camp, her group was fun to hang around but most of them- well, ALL of them except one cared only about themselves. That one who did listen to what Kat had to say was ALSO good at using what you say against you or starting rumors. So no, none of her friends then were very true.

Except Sam. Kat met her along with the rest of them last year and they became really good friends. They signed up to be in the same group this year, which is good.

Did you hear me? Her mom’s voice broke through her thoughts.

Uhhh— no.... Sorry.... Kat answered. Her mom sighed and parked then said, Well it wasn’t really anything I guess, but we’re here now so... Let’s go find your room. Kat nodded and they headed inside.

Once they had unpacked and were ready, Kat said her last goodbyes with tears in her eyes. She’d see them... Friday. It was Sunday. Something about being separated from her family made her shed a few tears every time. But she just wiped away the tears and walked inside trying to hold back a flood behind her eyes. She LOVED Metagalactic Space Camp, but the first day was always the hardest.

Chapter 2

SHE SAT BESIDE A GROUP of strangers since that was the only open seat close to her, and looked around to find Sam. In a crowd that big it would be almost impossible to find her. Not having any luck with her search, she sat back and listened to the instructors give rules and tell a couple jokes to lighten the mood. Then they called the group names and when they called hers, she walked to the front to see the rest of her team.

Sam! Kat called excitedly as she saw the short brown-haired girl walk up to her.

Kat! How’ve you been? she said.

I’ve been- She was about to answer when the group leader called everyone to follow her. As she turned around, though, she saw the face of a brown haired boy with a confused look on his face to match the same one she had.

Alright please keep on following me, my name’s Ms. Jones by the way. This is my first time being a crew trainer, so I might not know everything, but I will know most stuff. And.... she kept on talking but Kat couldn’t hear what she was saying.

Once they were in front of a huge rocket and stopped walking, she went up to the boy and said, Jack?

His confused look turned into a huge smile as he answered, Kat!

Excitedly, Sam leaned in and whispered in Kats’ ear, Oh my gosh who is that? Do you know him? Who is he? Why’s he here?  Why are you so shocked to see him?

Kat held up a hand as if to say, I’ll tell you in a second. and continued staring at Jack.  To fill the gap in between them, he walked closer to her.

It’s great to see you again, Kat. He said in his deep and calm voice.  There was no mistaking the excitement that was in his voice also.

Nice to see you too. she answered and paused for a second, then continued, Where did you go? If- if you don’t mind me asking... She pushed a strand of soft brown hair behind her ear.

Oh, it’s um, complicated family stuff. I never wanted to leave. I’m so sorry I did. I had to.

They both sounded like mature adults, even though they were both only fourteen years old. Maybe they were trying to impress each other? Who knows? All they knew now is that looking into each other’s eyes was all they wanted to do for now and forever. Just her looking into his strong, deep blue eyes, and him looking into her peaceful, green eyes forever.

Guys come on!!! The groups gonna leave without us! Sam called and broke whatever was happening. They both blushed and started to run to catch up, and Jack was about to reach for her hand, but stopped because of the PDA rule. Would we really get in trouble for that? he thought to himself as they made it and sat under a rocket replica. Everyone in the group told their name and one thing about them out loud.

By now Kats’ stomach was filled with butterflies. Sure, she’d imagined seeing him again, but this was real life and she didn’t think it would ever go this perfectly.

Since they hadn’t seen each other, they both wondered what the other would think was too much. Hand-holding? Officially speaking they were still just friends waiting on the other to make it official. A kiss? No. No no no. Way too far. They wouldn’t do anything even as much as they wanted to though because