Halley's Comet

01 ♈️ aries

"Oh, I can't believe it," My father said from above me. I folded the corner of the page from my book before glancing up at him. "My little girl is going to be gone all summer."

"She's eighteen, Harold," My mom rolled her eyes, entering the room with an overflowing laundry basket in her arms. Placing it on the ground, she added, "But we will miss you, honey."

"I don't trust your sister," Dad muttered to Mom for what felt like the fortieth time. "She's flakey and irresponsible, plus she smoked all that marijuana when she was in college."

"She's changed," Mom protested. "Staying with her is going to be good for Skylar. Apple Pine is a small town in the middle of nowhere. It's the perfect place for Sky to get a change of scenery and not be overwhelmed by hustle and bustle."

At the sound of my mother referring to me like I wasn't in the room, I turned back to my book. Not to mention, their conversation was giving me serious déjà vu.

My parents were like the epitome of middle class, suburban parents, only we lived in the city. Our apartment was the perfect distance from both Mom and Dad's work, so they had long ago abandoned their dreams of white picket fences and golden retrievers prancing through a vast, freshly cut lawn.

"Are you sure you're all packed?" Mom asked, and I realized I was once again included in the conversation.

"Yup," I nodded.

"You're positive?"

To this I rolled my eyes.

Mom exhaled sharply, taking Dad's hand in her own as they stood waiting for me by the front door. "Okay," She said, her voice raising a noticable octive. "Let's get going. We have a long drive ahead of us."

• • •

Apple Pine was unlike anything I had ever seen. The cottages were small, most of them in need of a paint job, but it gave them a vintage feel. The backyards were huge, but the houses themselves were very close to one another. As we pulled into the driveway of a two story white house, I sighed. I was feeling disoriented due to sleeping for most of the ride.

"You must be so excited," Mom squealed, jumping out of the passenger seat and heading towards the trunk to get my bags. I just smiled.

Truthfully, I wasn't that excited. I would most likely spend the summer doing exactly what I do at home: curling up on the couch and reading with occasional breaks to watch Parks and Recreation reruns. Mom was feeling optimistic about this summer, though, as if I would finally become the socialite she always wanted me to be, so I held back from telling her my plans.

Instead, I hopped out of the car and helped my parents unload my bags, knowing that the sooner we got the unpacking and goodbyes out of the way, the sooner I could settle in. A screen door slammed shut, and I looked up to see Aunt Penny dressed in a yellow T shirt and a mismatching, oversized flannel.

"Skylar Keaton," She greeted, a smile on her face as she pranced down the porch steps. "Good to see you, honey."

"You too," I responded, letting her pull me into a bear hug and trying to ignore her coffee breath.

Penny moved past me to talk to Mom and Dad, so I brought the last of my bags inside. I wasn't sure where I would be staying, so I set them at the bottom of the stairs before looking around the house. The kitchen had one wall that was entirely made of glass, looking out on a body of water. I pressed my face against it, taking in the view.

"So," I recognized Penny's distinct voice and turned to see her leading my parents through the screen door. "I'm going out tonight. My boyfriend's band has a concert. Sky, you're more than welcome to come if you're up for it. Or you could borrow my bike and explore the town."

I shrugged.

"Do you, um," My father cleared his voice, and I recognized his tone. It was the tone he used when he was feeling judgmental but didn't want to sound judgmental. "Do you go to all of your boyfriend's... concerts?"

Penny just laughed. "You know the saying - Girls chase boys." Giving me a knowing look, she added, "Except for Skylar, of course. She's as gay as they come."

I flushed as Mom laughed and Dad shifted uncomfortably.

"Well," I finally said, heading over to my parents. "You guys have a long drive ahead of you."

"Alright," Dad raised his hands in defense. "We're going, we're going."

I laughed, leaning in to hug him. Mom joined our hug, making it difficult for me to eventually break free, but I managed.

"Behave yourself," Mom reminded me. I rolled my eyes, nodding.

"We love you," Dad called out as they turned and headed for the door.

"Love you," I muttered as the screen door slammed shut.

A moment of silence followed my parents departure, and then Penny clapped once and said, "Let's show you to your room."

• • •

I had been sitting in my new room for hours - ever since Penny showed it to me. She had invited me down for dinner, but I declined, needing some time away from people. My parents never understood how being around others exhausted me to the point where I would need to go long periods of time without seeing anyone just to recharge, but Penny didn't ask any questions. She did remind me that I was welcome to join her at the concert, to which I responded, "Have fun."

Now I sat on my new bed in a pale yellow room that somehow already felt like home. It was finally dark out, so I decided to take the opportunity to explore my favorite part of my new room: the balcony. Pushing the slider open, I was taken aback by the sight of a blonde girl seated on the roof of the house next door. She sat at the very edge, which was merely feet away from my balcony, and seemed equally surprised by my entrance.

I watched uncertainly as her eyes, which had widened to about ten times their original size, returned to normal. "You must be Penny's niece."

I nodded, not feeling as though I was able to form coherent sentences. As I stepped onto the balcony, it had hit me how beautiful this girl was. She was barefoot, dressed in only a large navy blue t shirt, and had tan skin. I shifted insecurely under her gaze.

It wasn't that I was unattractive, but with my dark hair and pale skin I was painfully ordinary, and this girl was anything but. "I'm Skylar," I finally said.

"Halley," She responded with a small smile.

I raised my eyebrows. "Like the comet!"

She shrugged, seeming unexpectedly insecure for a girl with her beauty. I wondered if she was always like this, or if I had taken her off guard, disturbing the peace she probably sat on her roof to get.

"Sorry if I'm, um, intruding," I said meekly.

"Hey," She laughed, "You're the one with the balcony. I'm just the crazy girl on the roof. I like it up here, though, you know? I can just think."

I nodded, knowing exactly what she meant. Ever since I was little, I had always loved looking at the stars. My dad had taught me all about the constellations, and I used to be able to name them. I didn't remember much now, but I still found solitude in looking at them. They were like a constant in an ever changing world. Your entire life could come crashing down around you, but the stars would still be there, even the ones that had been dead for years. You could still see them.

I would have explained this to Halley, but the words couldn't seem to find their way past the tip of my tongue. I didn't mind, though. Something about the silence felt right, and so I stood there on the balcony, gazing at the beautiful girl across from me as she picked up a beer bottle from beside her and took a sip. She reached over to me, holding the bottle out, and I noticed how she didn't even seem to consider the possibility of falling from the edge of her roof. "Want a sip?"

I nodded, my hand brushing against hers as I accepted the bottle. As the cool drink met my lips, I knew I was wrong. Summer in Apple Pine would be nothing like it would have been back home.