A Spark of Hope

Chapter 16- Forgotten

Orion was out now... Gemini... Taurus... Vela... even Hydrus is. Why was she still thinking about them? Why couldn't she just look past the stars?

Cameron had studied every moment he could, spending every ounce of effort he had. And finally... his hard work paid off! He received the highest honors!

The family was at his ceremony, celebrating all his accomplishments, when the principal made her way over to them. 

"Congratulations Mr. Markus. I expect to see you as valedictorian next year." she held out her hand to shake, which Cameron gladly accepted.

"Thank you." Cameron beamed.

"I can't wait to see how far you'll go." she smiled warmly.

Oliver jumped up, hugging him from behind. "You did it! My brother is the smartest person in the whole school!"

"That's a bit over exaggerated." Cameron chuckled softly.

"I don't think it is." Kylo ruffled Cameron's hair. "Good work little brother."

Janice ran up to him, hugging him tightly. "You did it! I'm so proud of you."

"Your hard work paid off. Looks like you'll be going to that school after all." David said, placing his hand on his son's shoulder.

"Really?"

"You earned it."

Layla treaded in the background, knowing it wasn't her time to shine. It never was. She had lost her chance the moment Hope left.

Finally after months and months of building up his endurance... they won! Kylo brought his team to victory! He had never experienced that before... the pride in success, his success. He was closer now than ever!

The team raced into the field. "We did it! We won!" They began to chant his name. "Kylo! Kylo!"

Kylo grinned from ear to ear, racing towards his family excitedly. A trophy was in his hands, gleaming in the spotlight.

"Well? Did you get it?" David raised an eyebrow.

"I got it! I got the scholarship!" Kylo exclaimed.

"That's my boy!" 

Oliver stared longingly at the trophy. "Can I see it?"

Cameron shook his head, glancing at Kylo. "You'll break it."

Kylo chuckled, "Of course you can." He carefully handed the possession to the younger, making sure he had a good grip before letting go. Oliver stared at it, his eyes wide. It was like he couldn't believe what he was holding. Kylo and Cameron laughed, amused by his wide eyes.

"You played a good game tonight." Cameron commented, offering a smile.

"Yeah, thanks."

"Guess all that running paid off, huh?" he smirked.

"Of course it did!" Kylo rolled his eyes, earning another laugh from the other.

Janice raced towards them, Layla trailing far behind. 

"Here he is! My little champion!"

A reporter ran towards them, a camera in his hand. "We would like to get a picture of you for the local newspaper."

The family was quick to agree, posing. Layla stayed out of the picture, continuing to look on from the shadows. Did they even notice she was gone?

Oliver got happier and happier, if that was even possible. Suddenly the world was filled with opportunity. If his brothers could succeed, so could he! Maybe he could even change their dad's mind.

The two were laying in Layla's room, lazying around like they often did now.

Oliver suddenly spoke up, the thing that he had been wanting to say. "I think I can change Dad's mind."

Layla sat up, raising an eyebrow. "About what?"

"Dreams."

Layla sighed. "I doubt it. Dad doesn't really change his mind on things, especially when it comes to dreams."

"Something has to change his mind! How can I dream without his approval?" Oliver whined, distraught by the idea.

Layla shrugged, seemingly unbothered by the idea. "You'll get used to it. You can't let his stubbornness stop you from dreaming."

Oliver thought for a moment. "Is that why you accepted it?"

Layla sighed sadly, "Sadly."

Silence filled the room for a moment, leaving only their breaths to be heard.

Oliver smiled when an idea popped into his head. "When are you going to teach me how to navigate the stars?" he piped up.

"Who said I was going to do that?"

"You aren't going to?" she could practically hear his heart breaking through his words.

Layla looked away from his eyes. The eyes that she could never say no to. "I don't look into the stars anymore Olives."

"Why not? What's stopping you?" he asked, not understanding.

Layla bit her lip. "There's no point... without Hope."

"But... she's not really gone."

Layla was silent, still not meeting his eyes. He didn't know what he was talking about, he was too young. Too innocent.

"Hope is always here... you just have to find her."

Layla closed her eyes, wanting nothing more than to curl up and cry.

"But she's not."

She watched her siblings bask in success, the success that she could never have. Forgotten... it felt like she didn't exist. Surprisingly, she wasn't upset by that feeling... she embraced it. She just wanted to feel it...

Feel something...

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Hope you liked it!

Hope you have an amazing day!

-Snowy