The Shooting Star

5. Their reflection

Averine paced back and forth in her room, occasionally glancing over at the unconscious body next to her. They were still breathing, but it sounded strained. She was hoping it was due to a dream of some sort.

A small moment passed, and they took a deep inhale as their eyes slowly opened. They had eyebags, and it looked bad. As if they haven't had proper sleep in weeks.

𓆩...where am I at now...? 𓆪

Their voice changed significantly. It was more clear, and slightly on the deeper side. They sounded drowsy and annoyed, like this is a regular occurrence. They sat up and looked around the room, and their eyes widened as soon as she saw the glowing pink figure.

❝ Oh hey! Sorry about the sudden awaking in a different spot, you passed out after last night and I had to patch your arm up. ❞

They were speechless as they heard her talk. They were staring at the Shooting Star herself....the first person to save themselves from danger. It was a lot of take in, especially in the moment.

𓆩 Y-youre...youre the star...youre the...! 𓆪

They tried their best to contain the excitement they felt, but it was increasingly difficult to do so. They jumped out of bed and quickly wrapped their arms around Averine. She stood in confusion...and gave them a hug in return. Did last night....not happen? Maybe they didn't register what happened or how, but the injury on their arm would make that hard to be the case.

❝ I am....may I know your name? And how you...do you not remember last night? ❞

They slowly let their hold on her go, taking a step back. A bright smile was across their face, and their eyes looked up and down at Averine in excitement.

𓆩 My name is Marisse! As for last night...all I remember is being threatened in an alleyway. I remember my arm hurting, and then feeling a lot of wind. Did Teri do something again? 𓆪

Averys' eyes drifted to the side in thought. The person that she helped escape was the one causing problems...and her name was Marisse. It was a confusing scenario, but she was starting to piece it together.

❝ I'm guessing Teri is some sort of alter ego of yours...? If that's the case then no they didn't do anything wrong. ❞

𓆩 Oh good! She usually gets into trouble trying to keep us safe. Teri is...kinda like a second soul for me. Like how cars usually have one engine, but I have two that can alternate. I want to know if we could somehow be put together to make it less stressful...but as far as I know that's not possible...𓆪

Marisse began to ramble about their situation. Most of it was lost on Averine, as she was trying to intake what was being thrown at her. It sounded similar to her own situation...but slightly different. She glanced over at Marisse, and noticed that they were still...rambling.

𓆩 ....and she's like super protective to the point of it being dangerous. I barely remember how it went down, but I do remember it hurting a lot. Every now and then I have some pretty scary dreams from inside of a lab, so I'm guessing it involves that somehow. I wanna find my dad to ask him about it since he's super smart, but mom said I shouldn't. I also have to keep up with working and getting the money to keep myself afloat, which doesn't leave me with a lot of spare time. 𓆪

Averine stared at them with a shocked expression, taking in everything she was being told. They sounded like a...lab experiment. It was a morbid thought, but Averine wondered for a moment if they were even human. She quickly shook the thought from her head, as it seemed to be somewhat unrealistic considering they bled as a human does.

❝ As much as I find the excitement to be adorable, you're throwing a lot at me right now and it's a little hard to keep up dear. ❞

Marisse placed her hand over her mouth, quickly pausing her ramble. They didn't mind behind told to lower their energy, especially in such a delicate manner.

𓆩 Oh! Sorry sorry, I'm just a little more excited then usual. Speaking of that, you wouldn't happen to have a spare hoodie or change of clothes would you? Mine aren't in the best of condition at the moment...𓆪

❝ Oh for sure, check the closest over there and pick out whatever you'd like. Hopefully something in there fits. ❞

Marisse joyfully hopped over to the mentioned closet, opening the door and peaking in. There were several different sizes of clothes, from small to extra large. Some of these couldn't possibly fit Averine, so maybe they were for someone else? Or in her case they could be for anyone else. Having a spare for people to change into in case they find themselves in the same situation they did.

Marisse changed in the closet as Averine paced in the room. She was racking her brain to try and remember where she first met this person, and the thought never catching on was getting to her. As she sunk into her thoughts, Averine felt her eyes become heavie. With a light sigh, she began to glow a faint blue. In the span of a few seconds, she was surrounded by a blue flare, and it dissipated as soon as it arrived. She shook her head, and the drowsiness was gone in the same instant.

A memory of a laboratory came to her. It was years ago, and it felt like nothing more then a blurry movie. There was a hole in the ground....and several scurrying white lab coats. A blacked out body, with solid purple pupils....and nothing else. It was hurting her head to remember what happened, but she didn't know why it was causing such distress.

𓆩 All good as new! I didn't know you had such cool stuff in your wardrobe! Goes to show that you can't judge a book by its cover. 𓆪

Averine glanced over and quickly widened her eyes. A spiked black and pink vest, a long sleeve one piece top that flowed out into a frilly skirt, and thigh high leggings complete with neon pink lights in the corners of black platformers. Originally it was the outfit she planned to wear to her first concert when she had a chance, but stayed silent about that part. At least she knew it would've looked great...

❝ Yeeaa...I try to have something for everyone just in case. Never know when it could help, you know..?❞

𓆩 You're such a thoughtful little thing! It's exactly why you've been my idol since the first day I saw you! 𓆪

A smile crept across Averines smile, and a soft sigh followed. As strange as it was to think, sometimes she forgot that people actually remembered her after a situation was handled. It was definitely new...in a weird way.

❝ Thank you. I don't want to sound rude when I ask you this but...do you have something you're supposed to do today? ❞

Marisses' face went blank, and they stared at Averine. On the inside they were thinking, but on the outside it just looked like a hollow stare. They snapped their fingers like a lightbulb went off, and pointed over at Averine.

𓆩 I'm supposed to be at work today! Do you know what time it is by chance? Based on the sun I shouldn't be too...too late. 𓆪

Averine blankly stared at Marisse, seemingly without the same thought process. A hollow stare, before quickly remembering about the phone she had. Averine took it from her back pocket, and read out loud.

❝ It's...Tuesday...December 8th....uhhh 12:43. I completely forgot how to read time what the fuck...❞

Averine mumbled for a moment and squinted at her phone, being slightly annoyed that she forgot something so basic. She heard a small gasp and looked up, and saw nothing in front her. She looked around the room...and only the moving door was proof of their departure.

Averine did nothing but sigh in her empty room, placing her phone down on the bed. She glanced out at the window, and thought about heading out...but couldn't think of anywhere to go.

❝....maybe they'd wanna if she isn't too busy...❞

Averine threw together a change of clothes and heading out towards the home she awoke at earlier. Maybe it would be a good time to make a friend or two.

While she was walking, she saw a trail of static in the corner of her eye. Averine quickly turned to get a better look, but nothing was there besides the road and buildings. She brushed it off as it being from having such little sleep, and continued onward.

❝ I think the flare method...isnt a good one to go on for so long...❞