Amy C. Shaw
“Blast. I hate snow,” Brett says beside me. I agree with him as we study the same sign posted outside the hotel:
MOST STARSHIP QUEST GUEST STARS DELAYED.
REVISED CONVENTION SCHEDULE TO BE ANNOUNCED.
I sigh as Brett and I slip away from the sign and the small gathering around it.
He and I met a few times in Jacksonville, where a local coffee shop hosts Starship Quest trivia nights, but we’ve never been anywhere together outside of The Mean Bean before. Then he shows up on the same flight to Green Bay for the first-ever crowdfunded Starship Quest convention. He’s currently cosplayed as Charles Kingwood, and he’s just as handsome, with dark hair, bright eyes, and the beginnings of a beard. He makes me wish I had gotten my Juliana costume put together in time.
“Well, no use moping out here in the cold about it.” I pull my hood tighter, hoping it will protect me from the fluffy white stuff.
“I agree.” He shivers.
As we walk into the hotel, a rush of warm air envelopes us like a blanket fresh from the dryer.
I look around for any clues to the schedule changes. Are Kirk Myers and Cassie Edmond, the stars who play leads Charles and Juliana, both delayed? This snowfall feels like another curse of the Starship Quest fandom. With only one season of the show and an indie novel to account for its entire lore, the fanbase is used to having little to work with.
But if Juliana could face the warrior Kreyton alien race, then I can face the snow and a change in plans. Right?
The telltale tightening in my chest isn’t so sure.
“Let’s check in and then see what’s going on around here,” Brett suggests. His calm tone somehow eases my anxiety.
Though a different swarm of butterflies now takes residence in my stomach. I’m not sure if it’s the costume or the close proximity I’ve had with Brett for the past few hours, but I wish I could get these swoony feelings in check.
Once we’ve checked in, we find a group of other Starship Quest fans, evident by their apparel, in a half-circle formation surrounding—
“Is that Zach Janson?” Brett cranes his neck as another cosplayed Charles approaches him, asking for a picture. I offer to take the photo before we redirect our focus to Zach, who is telling the fans how he asked his agent to mingle and share stories due to low guest star turnout.
Dread pools in my stomach. Does that mean Cassie won’t be here?
Zach’s distinct laugh seems to coordinate with the buzz on my phone. A glance at it reveals an email alert… about conference changes.
My chest squeezes again as I open my email app, and my heart sinks.
“ALL KIRK MYERS AND CASSIE EDMOND APPEARANCES CANCELLED.“
I close my eyes, willing the tears to stay at bay.
I feel a squeeze on my shoulders, and Brett whispers, “It’s gonna be okay, Abby. Why don’t you keep listening to Zach? I’ll be right back.”
I open my eyes and meet his gaze, my heart tumbling. I nod before he walks away.
When Brett returns, two coffee cups in hand, I am chuckling about a makeup mishap. “Better?” he asks as he passes me a drink.
“Yes, thanks. I’m sorry. I know I’m totally overreacting.”
Brett’s brows dip into a V. “I don’t think that at all. You came all this way to see her. I get it.”
“It’s just the way Juliana overcame her biggest fears and faced Moldar and the other Kreyton.” I nod in Zach’s direction. “I’ve always been prone to anxiety and fear. But the way she was portrayed. I don’t know…”
“I understand,” Brett says softly. “When I discovered Starship Quest, I had just lost my mom. I related to Charles and his loss so much. He helped me, too.” He smiles at me. “I think a lot of the fans here have stories like that. It’s what unites us.”
Sometime after Zach leaves to do photo ops, Brett and I check out the trivia in the ballroom (where he dominates like back home), the vendor room, and whatever else we can find of the scrappy convention. Any time I catch a glimpse out a window, I watch the fat snowflakes continue to fall. I want to be angry at them, but then I glance at Brett and feel peace instead.
That evening, once all convention activities for the day are done, we settle into the hotel lobby to talk more. Brett’s eyes gleam as he hands me a manilla envelope.
“What’s this?” I ask as I take it and slowly open it. We have only been separated for about an hour. My lips part as I withdraw the glossy promo photo of Zach, inscribed:
“For Abby — ‘I may be afraid, but it does not define me.’”
It’s signed by Zach, though the line is Juliana’s, said to his character. I look to Brett, blinking through tears.
“I know it’s not exactly what you wanted, but—”
I hug him. “Thank you. It’s wonderful.” I inhale his woodsy and citrus scent. What’s wrong with me? My heart races. I pull back, and a shy look crosses his features.
“Abby, the last time we were at The Mean Bean, I meant to get your number. But I totally chickened out. I can’t believe we’ve had this whole day together. And it’s reinforced, well, just how great you are. Will you go out with me when we’re back home?”
“Yes, of course!” I fear I sound too enthusiastic, but Brett’s smile is so wide and bright, I decide that perhaps you can’t be too excited when it comes to finding your person.
Whether it’s snow or the Kreyton, I’m hopeful that from now on, Brett and I will be facing our challenges together.
She is the author of Love, Sax, and All That Jazz, a YA Christian contemporary novel releasing in 2026 from Elk Lake Publishing.
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