we came from the moon

Chapter 2

Aoife paced at my feet, trying to find a way past me to greet Dante. It hurt me, but Dante seemed immune to emotion as he pulled a roll up from behind his ear and lit it up. He looked directly into my eyes as he did so, daring me to say something. I clamped my lips shut. If he wanted to wreck his lungs, it was no longer my business.

"Is that everything?" He asked, with a casual French inhale.

He was definitely taunting me now. It was a pointless, petty exercise, and I despised it.

"Yes," I said stiffly. "There's nothing else here."

"There better not be. I don't want to come back." Dante didn't look at me as he spoke. In one swift motion, he hauled up his remaining bags and left unceremoniously.

I stared after him, in shock and anger.

"Bye, then!" I shouted at his retreating back.

I slammed the front door and leaned against the wall, trying to keep my breathing slow and avoid a full blown panic attack. How had this person I adored turned so cold so quickly? It felt like something impossible was happening right before my eyes. Aoife scratched at the door, whining pitifully at the departure of her friend. She always liked Dante. She was a man's dog.

"Come on Teef." I said, inching from the door slowly, as though my injury was physical. "Teefuh?"

Aoife didn't move. She sat by the door, staring at its handle expectantly, waiting for Dante's return.

"He's not coming." I said bitterly. "Aoife, come!"

She remained deaf to my protests and whimpered at the door handle, distraught that her friend hadn't come in to say hello. Unable to listen any longer, I gave up, and entered my bedroom alone. As I plonked myself down on the bed, the floodgates burst open, unable to take the weight of my tears for another moment. I didn't have to be strong anymore; the day was over. I'd kept my cool in company, and now my neglected feelings poured out of my body uncontrollably. I wept until I passed out from emotional exhaustion, sleep being my only sanctuary.

*

Laying on my back, I watched the blue sky above me contentedly. My mind was completely free of thought until a plopping sound bought me back to my senses. I sat up with a jolt and felt myself rock slightly. The motion was disorientating and it took me a moment to register that I was sitting in a boat. It wasn't like any boat I'd seen before, though. It was entirely transparent with no seats nor oars. The surrounding sea was unnaturally calm, like a sheet of glass, and colourful fishes of every kind darted around below in the clear blue waters . In absence of any waves you could hear the fish swim. There was such an overwhelming sense of tranquility that I began to lower myself back down into my restful position unquestioningly. That was when my quietude was broken by a voice calling out to someone.

"Rosie!"

I shot upward again, annoyed by the sound, and searched the sea line with squinted eyes. All that could be seen for miles was sea and sky.

"Rosie!"

The voice resounded eerily around me, in close proximity, but still appearing to come from nowhere.

"Hey." The voice spoke beside me, making me jump.

It's owner was stood on what I can only describe as a jet ski from the future. It was black and sleek and made from an iridescent material I was unable to identify. He was a tall man, with with sandy blonde hair, and beautiful blue eyes that rivalled the waters below. He gave me a charmingly imperfect smile, his slightly crooked teeth glowing white against his tanned skin.

"Where did you come from?" I asked.

He gave me an odd look. "What do you mean?"

"When did you get here? I didn't even hear your jet ski." I said dumbly.