Beyond our Stars

It was 7:30 in the morning on a Monday. February 9th, 2004. Which meant, school would be starting in less than an hour. Debating on what she should wear, Monie hastily tossed the light ripped blue jeans back into her closet. "I haven't worn rose since middle school." she thought as she finally settled on what to wear. Monie was a 16 year old Sophomore who attended Harfang high school on a scholarship. Harfang was a pretty decent any ordinary rich high school. People who go to Harfang expect Monie's life to be perfect. What they didn't know, was that it wasn't. Perhaps this was the reason she was never bullies by any of the kids. After her dad left her, Monie's mom seems too think it's all her daughters fault. Monie's mom, Mindy, hardly ever works nor pays attention too her daughter. Monie has grown quite used to her mom coming home and not acknowledging her. "Five days." Monie thought, "Five days of freedom." Going to school gave her an excuse to get out of the house away from her mom. Most times, she'd hangout with her best friend, Tyler. "Mom, I'm leaving!!" shouted Monie before she walked out the door. She always hoped she would get a different reply, but it was always the same thing, "Buy me a box of cigarettes!!" Monie has known Tyler since second grade. He always called himself her "superman" from their story of how they met. They were on the playground when fifth graders came and started picking on Monie, when Tyler came and stood up for her. They've been best friends ever since. What Monie liked most about hanging out with Tyler was that he was also like her. Meaning, his parents were, and are, the exact same way and he's got ng through the same thing. Tyler also couldn't stand being home with his dad. It was very sunny outside with a few clouds slowly drifting throughout the sky. Monie loved the feeling of the wind soaring through her jet-black hair. As she finally reached the courtyard at Harfang high, she noticed Tyler motioning for her to come to him. Tyler was a tall, light-skinned boy who also had jet-black hair that he was constantly brushing out of his face. What Monie liked most about Tyler, were his hazel eyes. His eyes reminded her of her dad's, who she so loved. "How are you Minnie?" Tyler asked. He's been calling Monie Minnie ever since third grade. "I've been good. Same old same old." replied Monie. '"Get me a box of cigarettes!!!!!"' both Tyler and Monie said as they laughed so hard they're stomachs hurt. "Well-" said Tyler, finally, while rubbing his stomach to soothe the pain. "We should get going. I'll walk you to class." Harfang was a one story school. The school colors were silver and gold to represent their mascot: a chicken. Yes, a chicken. "It makes us look weak." Is what Tyler always says every time he passes the mascot in the hallway. "Plus, It's just ridiculous!" Monie liked the mascot a lot. She has never heard of a chicken being a mascot. She thought it was creative. Surrounding the school were a whole bunch of trees. Although the school has tried to chop them down, they keep growing. "So, Minnie-" began Tyler as they finally entered the building. "You know how the spring dance is coming up in a few months on April 30th?" Monie looked up at him. "Yeah, what about it? Are you helping with prep?" asked Monie. "Actually, I was wondering if-" Tyler was cut off by Monie's friend, Cassidy, running towards them shouting, "MONIE, HEY!" Cassidy was 5'6 with long silvery blondish hair, with brown eyes. Cassidy had a perfect life both in and out of school. She was captain of the cheer team, and her parents owned many companies. Monie has been over Cassidy's mansion many time before, however, Cassidy has never been over to Monie's house. "I thought you were going to meet me in the courtyard?" Cassidy asked with a disgusted look towards Tyler. Even though both Tyler and Cassidy were Monie's friends, they hated each other. Monie never knew why. "Well, I thought you had already came in. Besides, didn't you say your coach wanted you to substitute for the cheer meet up?" asked Monie. "OH SHOOT, YOUR RIGHT! THANKS MONIE SEE YOU AT LUNCH!!!" shouted Cassidy as she sprinted down the hall towards the Big gym. As Tyler and Monie continued to her class, Monie suddenly asked, "Oh wait, Ty, did you want to ask me something?" It seemed as if Tyler were spacing off as he jerked his head facing her then added, "No, it wasn't really important. I'll let you know another time." Monie hated it when he did this. It was her biggest Pet peeve. "Ok, that's fine." she said adding a smile. When they finally reached Monie's English class, Tyler said, "I'll see you at lunch." before rushing off towards the science lab. When Monie finally sat down, she took out her phone and checked her messages. She saw that there were seven missed messages from her mom and one from Cassidy. Ignoring the one's from her mom probably asking for tobacco, she opened the message from Cassidy. It said, "I don't see why you talk to Tyler. He's weird." Monie was used to this. It seemed as if people always had something offensive to say about him just because of his life style. What they didn't know, was that Monie was going through the same thing. Hastily, she replied, "He's a good person Cass, I gotta go. Ttyl." Not wanting to start an argument, she put her phone on silent just as the bell rang which startled her. "Alright class-" started Ms.Puddle-gum. Ms.Puddle-gum was a rather witch-like looking woman with toad-like eyes that seemed could pop out of it's socket's any day now. "We will be starting Romeo and Juliet Act Two, Scene One." Monie was irritated. They were reading this story for the third time now this semester. Tyler always said she liked reading it because she was a single "old hag". Which, Monie found pretty funny. "Today, we will each read from scenes." said Ms.Puddle-gum with an evil look towards Monie. "So, either you guys can volunteer, or, I can choose. It's up too you." Monie hated public speaking. She knew Ms.Puddle-gum was going to choose her, she was certain. After a moments silence Ms.Puddle-gum finally said, "Alright then, I guess i'll be choosing. So, Josh, you can be Mercutio, Brian, you can be Benvolio, Amelia, you can be the Nurse, Monie, you'll be Juliet, and Terrance, you can be Romeo." Monie stood up with her hand raised. There was no way she was reading with him. "Ms.Puddle-gum, i'm sorry, but there is no way I'm reading with that SWINE." Terrance has been both Tyler and Monie's enemy since elementary. Monie will never understand why Cassidy has a huge crush on him. "Monie Earthsmen, you will participate, or i'll send you straight down too student services!" shouted Ms.Puddle-gum. "Jeez Monie, thats a bit harsh." said Terrance with a grin. Monie has never felt so angry before. But, she didn't want to get sent home. So, hesitantly, she said, "I'm sorry, Ms.Puddle-gum." as she sat back down. "Alrighty then-" Ms.Puddle-gum said as she too, sat back down, "Start us off then, Monie." With her hands shaking in her lap, she began reading, "Romeo, if you so truly love me, tell me, would you marry me?" Monie felt her blood pressure rising. "Juliet-" began Terrance, "We shall get married at the crack of dawn." Just as Monie was about to read her next line, Terrance cut her off. "Maybe we should make it official, with a kiss, Juliet." Terrance started doing kissing noises as the class started to laugh. Monie felt her blood rising, she slammed her textbook down and threw it across the room towards Terrance. It hit him right in the nose as he hunched over, holding on to his nose. Before she knew it, Monie was sitting in student services waiting to hear her punishment. "They might call my mom." she thought. Just then Principal Roy called her to his office. Sometime later, he spoke, "I've heard that you threw a book at Terrance Haxley's nose?" Almost in tears, Monie nodded. Principal Roy continued, "But, he made you angry, correct?" Surprised, Monie looked up into the principals eyes and said rather stupidly, "How do you-" But he cut her off. "You see, Monie, Terrance is a good kid. But I know the difference between actually being what you seem to be, and faking it. Don't you?" When Monie didn't answer he smiled. "Well, two day detention for both you and Terrance seems fair." After a while of silence as Principal Roy looked at Monie waiting for a reply, she finally said, "Thank you, Principal Roy." He said nothing but smiled. Monie got up and headed off to lunch. Still shocked about what Principal Roy said, she looked at the menu. Sloppy Joe's, her favorite. She grabbed one along with some fries, milk, and ketchup. As she walked around the cafeteria looking for her friends, she glanced at the jock table. There, she saw Terrance. With one look towards her direction, he hastily turned back to the table and started whispering. Just then, she heard Tyler yell, "MINNIE, OVER HERE!" She turned towards his voice and saw him standing on the back table with his friend, Buzz, sitting down looking rather embarrassed. She walked as fast as she could and sat down. With a small hello to Buzz, she asked, "Did you really have to scream Ty?" Finally sitting down, Tyler responded, "Duh. Anyways, anything new happened? You weren't in Art class." Monie didn't want to tell Tyler what had happened with Terrance. She knew he'd over react. Instead, she said, "No, just a headache." "Oh-" Tyler said with a mouthful of mashed potatoes, which were Monies least favorite food. After taking a bite of her sandwich, she heard someone call her name. "MONIE, HEY, I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR YOU" Monie turned around to see Cassidy running towards her. "Hey Cass." said Monie after swallowing her sandwich which she had just bitten. "I thought you said you were going to sit with me?" asked Cassidy with a quick glance at Buzz, and a disgusted look at Tyler. Before Monie could answer, Tyler said, "She would've, but she noticed that you'd rather sit with your cheerleader friends." Tyler sounded angry as he said it. Cassidy, taken back, said, "I was just saying hi to them, besides it's none of your business." Cassidy's face was turning a shade of red Monie had never seen before. "Guys-'' But she was yet again interrupted by Tyler. "Yeah, sure. Make that excuse. You probably don't even want to be friends with her. So, just drop the act." "Excuse me?" Cassidy began, "Your just saying that cause you think your the only one who can hangout with her, you obsessive FREAK!" Monie was alarmed, with the situation that just happened with Terrance, her mom, and now, her two best friends were fighting. "What did you just say? Well, I'm sorry Cassidy, that your life is so perfect! I'm sorry that you already have everything else you want in the world! Oh wait, I forgot, You can just ask Mommy or Daddy, can't you?" Cassidy turned a bright shade of pink, clearly she felt embarrassed, but still, she continued. "Oh please, don't act like you're the victim TYLER. It's like I can't even hang out with my best friend anymore because of you! That's all I ask for!" Tyler gave a sarcastic laugh then shouted, "I WENT MY WHOLE LIFE GETTING TREATED LIKE SHIT, MEANWHILE YOU HAVE EVERYTHING HANDED TO YOU. MONIE HAS BEEN THERE FOR ME SINCE SECOND GRADE, DO YOU NEED TO HAVE EVERYTHING?" Monie turned around, half of the cafeteria were looking in their direction. Between what Tyler had just said and feeling embarrassed, she did not care. Is this why Tyler hated Cassidy so much? After what felt like months of silence, Cassidy finally spoke, "I have to go, I'll text you Monie." Cassidy reached down for her bag, but before she went any further than the table, she turned around and looked at Tyler. It was the first time Monie has looked at her since Tylers outburst. Cassidy's eyes were red and puffy, she had a tear-stained face with her mascara still wet. Then she said, "I'm sorry Tyler." turned around, and walked out of the cafeteria, people's eyes upon her as she walked by. Monie turned to look at Tyler, who had continued eating as if nothing happened, seemed to also have been shocked. Either from Cassidy apologizing, or Buzz crying from getting a papercut. But, Monie had a feeling it was from Cassidy. As Monie continued to eat her food, she couldn't help but think, why didn't Tyler tell Cassidy how he felt? "I guess I wouldn't either." Monie thought as she got up to throw away her tray. Just as she was heading back to her table, she felt something wet hit the back of her leg. It was cold, and seemed to be liquid. She turned around furiously. "Who threw-" Suddenly, she saw Terrance, laughing smugly from his table. "Hey Juliet, you looked thirsty!" shouted Terrance from his table. Monie was only half-listening, she hasn't seen Terrance since she threw the book at him. His nose was bruised badly, it was the same shade as a plum. She didn't know if she should laugh, fight back, or just walk away. Before she could decide, Terrance asked, "So, when's the wedding?" She didn't know why, but this made her furious. She understood why he was mad, but did he really have to taunt her? "It can begin as soon as you get rid of that nasty bruise, don't you agree Romeo?" asked Monie, smiling broadly. Terrance turned a shade of red as his friends started pointing and laughing at him. Feeling pleased with herself, she walked back to her table. Buzz and Tyler were talking when they looked up to see Monie, sitting back down. It was Tyler who suddenly spoke, "Hey Minnie, I was thinking-" Buzz cleared his throat. "WE, were thinking." Tyler continued, "Wanna come over to our spot tonight?" Monie was taken back when Tyler asked this. Had he forgotten the events that had just happened with him and Cassidy? Not wanting to start a fight again, she said, "Sure, just text me who will be there and what time." The spot was an abandoned building right outside of Vanderveer park. Both Tyler and Monie found it last year and decided to make it a spot to hang out at. Tyler and Monie often used it to get away from their parents, but nobody else knew that. After struggling to get through the crowd of yelling teenagers, Tyler, Monie, and Buzz finally got through the cafeteria doors and out onto the courtyard for study hall. As soon as they got outside, Monie couldn't help but close her eyes. It was much warmer than it was that morning. The clouds went away and the sun shone brighter. There was a nice breeze that swayed through Monie's jet-black hair, which she loved the feeling of. After saying a farewell to Buzz, Monie and Tyler found a spot in the green grass under a large oak tree. Both were enjoying the breeze and relaxing, not wanting to talk about Cassidy nor Terrance, Monie asked, "Did I miss anything in Art class?" Ignoring the question, Tyler said, "I'm sorry Minnie." Confused, Monie asked, "About what?" Tyler didn't speak for awhile, when he did, he said, "For making it seem like i'm being obsessive. Maybe Cassidy was right. Maybe I am a freak." Sitting up, Monie looked into Tyler's hazel eyes and said, "You're not a freak, Ty. And anybody, who would actually want to get the chance to know you would see that." Tyler looked at Monie for a few seconds then looked up into the blue sky. "Thanks, Minnie. You're the only one who understands me." Smiling to herself, she responded, "I feel the same way, Ty." Tyler looked at her one last time and smiled. Just then, Monie's phone buzzed. It was a text from Cassidy. Taking a deep breath, she opened it. It read: "Hey, sorry about earlier. Are you with tyler? I need help with my math homework, ASAP." Even though Cassidy had super rich parents and was made captain of the cheer squad, she wasn't the smartest. Monie texted back: