Past Our Blue Sky

I could stare at the blank blue sky for as long as I wanted, I knew answers didn't fall out of the heavens like that. Even if I'd wished with all of my heart, I would never know with the little knowledge I had. What's out there? What's past our planets and stars, and in the other galaxies? What if other children are wondering if others are living very different lives in the other solar systems? Is there another life somewhere, asking the same thing: what's out there?

Everyone has a dream or something they desire. The name Amina means devoted, and there wasn't anything more true about me. I happened to have a desire I knew I wouldn't ever let go of. Aspiring as an astronomer, I wanted with all of my heart to get into the best school in the area. It was the Academy. Their focus was on what was past our blue sky. Questions that I've always had would be instantly answered by what the Academy could teach me.

To earn a place in the best space school, the Academy, you had great potential and high family status. Uncovering a secret or discovery past our planet was a sure way to receive a slot, for I did not have noble parents. I was turning thirteen several days from now, and then I could start my dream career if only I could muddle my way into the Academy. Yet I didn't even have the money to afford one of the uniforms.

There wasn't a cloud to be found in the sky that I was gazing at with such fascination. If this weather lasted, the stars tonight would be breathtaking. Nothing can make you feel so small then simply pondering whether or not other lives are trying to take the same steps of finding each other.

I'd paused but now resumed strolling up the long, long driveway leading to my house. Fumbling to unzip my coat, I accidentally tripped on something small when I hadn't been looking. Forgetting my coat, I rush over to the object and found it a hand mirror. The gold case is covered in intricate engraved details and was as small as the palm of my hand.

I had expected, like any other person, that it would display my reflection - but it didn't. Instead, when I clicked open the cover, it was like looking down on a clear pond, you could see to the bottom. Except this mirror didn't catch my reflection. I tapped the glass twice and frowned, and the mirror's face began to ripple at my touch.

That seemed to work and I smiled at myself in the mirror. Somehow the reflection didn't smile back, instead, it frowned suspiciously and said, "Put the portal down. Your kind can't have a discovery like this on their hands."

Startled, my eyes widened and I lost my grip on the mirror. It dropped to the ground with a quiet thud. "W-who is this?" I couldn't help to ask nervously.

The girl in the mirror had my short brown hair in wide braids and side-swept bangs, but this was a different person. Her green eyes that matched mine were fiery glow as she growled, "That's right, human. Just move on."

The girl in the mirror's opposition was slightly annoying, but I reached for the mini mirror anyway, and asked, again, "Who are you?" This time with more curiosity than confusion.

"I'm yourself, but not at all. I am from the Duplicate Galaxy, but you won't need that information - I'm telling you to move on." Woah. Another world is past our blue sky? Just what status would I get if I turned this in to the Academy?

I shut the mirror's case and slipped it into my soft gray jacket pocket. Uncovering this, if it were true, would only make my dreams a reality much quicker. If Earth could get in touch with other life in the universe.... Just imagine!

I immediately handed in the mirror to the Academy that weekend without any trouble. Later that day, I got a message, saying: Welcome to Universe Academy, you have been received as a student here, and are free to come at once. Enjoy your spot in the most intelligent school out there for space studies.