Solarballs- Breathless

Flares

A month has passed since the senior year started. Jupiter decided to take the Galilean Moons to a nearby park. Though things take a turn for the worse after the winter air picks up.

Jupiter kept his hands on the wheel as he slowly pulled into the national park's parking space. It had been over a month since school had started and Jupiter wanted to take his Moons out for a stroll.

"Alright. We know the drill. I don't want to see any addition or subtraction to the population and I don't want to hear about anyone's love life!" Jupiter said partly joking.

Ganymede scoffed. "So if we do a murder we shouldn't tell you?" Europa snickered at Ganymede's question.

"Ganymede!" IO said shocked. "IO beat me to my response. If you do anything bad. Just.." Jupiter did a sigh. "Don't let me know?" He set the car into park before grabbing his bag from the front seat.

Callisto was wearing her headphones as she got out. Her high boots clacked against the concrete as she got out of the car. IO quickly got out and enjoyed the warmth for once it was a warm day.

Ganymede opened the car door for Europa. Callisto rolled her eyes. "IO? Do you want to go climb trees with me?" She asked. IO quickly nodded as they both ran off. "Stay near the park!" Jupiter yelled as he went over the bench grabbing his book from the backpack.

IO ran after Callisto after she sprinted off to the trail. He found himself running and running but he didn't seem to catch up. He felt himself heave and shook his head. He took a soft break gently pressing his arm against a nearby tree.

IO looked up and smiled after he saw a butterfly. "Ooh! You look pretty." He said softly walking after it, catching his breath. Europa and Ganymede were walking around the park. Ganymede sat on a swing and scrolled on his iPod. "I wish this shitty thing had more songs." He rolled his eyes.

Ganymede started to swing back and forth. Europa watched him from the sideline. "I'm not getting on that nasty thing." She said with a huff. "I don't understand why we have to go to a park. Why can't we go to a mall or something!" Europa said with a gentle tone.

"Because Jupiter thinks it would be better if we didn't go out and get lost within the crowd." Ganymede pushed his legs forwards and then backward keeping his hands on the swing bars.

Europa quickly grabbed the bar of the swing, spinning Ganymede so he fell. "Hey-!" Ganymede yelled. "Oops.." Europa said smiling.

"Such a prick you know that," Ganymede said, rushing his feet under her legs to make her trip. She quickly fell too, crossing her arms. Callisto ran towards the pond that was quite far from the park. She turned around expecting IO to be there.. but she was met by nothing but soft bird chirps and trees.

"IO?" Callisto said under her breath running back to where she was in the middle of the forest. "Crap." She said,

"Ganymede!" Callisto yelled as she came to the entrance of the path. "What is it Callisto?" Europa turned around and huffed. "I can't find IO, is he with you two?" She asked.

"Does it look like he is with us? Did you seriously lose him already?" Europa walked over to her. "We can't let him wander on his own, what if he gets hurt," Callisto said in a worried tone.

"He will be fine." Europa rolled her eyes. "Quit worrying. You worry about him all the time. 'IO this' 'IO that!' You sound like a broken record!" Europa laughed at her.

Callisto grunted under her breath and ran back into the forest. "IO!" She called out loudly. Though there was no response.

Callisto sighed, maybe she was overthinking things. She went back down to the pond and gently stepped onto the dock that was worn down. She loved to stick her feet in the water and listen to the sounds.

IO smiled as he gently watched the butterfly. "You look very pretty, I wish you could see yourself." IO softly held his finger out to the butterfly. Though it quickly flew away leaving a disappointed smile on his face.

IO heard his name being called and turned to the sound. "I'm here!" IO said running back to the trail.

A sharp pain crossed his chest. "What's going on?" IO thought as he fell to the floor. "Why did I fall? Why can't I get up? I feel fine.." IO softly grabbed at his chest. He tried to suck in.. though felt that no air reached his airway.

"I don't have my inhaler. it's with Jupiter. I thought we were over this. That's what the doctor's visits were for." IO started to sob. He tried to call out for anyone though no sound was heard.

"No.. no.. my eyes," IO said as he felt them inevitably closing. He tried to fight it and pounded on his chest.

"Do you ever think, that were special?" IO heard his young self. "What?" IO slowly realized it was a memory.

"I think you can be as special as you want to be," Jupiter said with a soft tone. "Do you want to go run the world with Ganymede?"

"No! I wanna stay here and see Saturn!" IO chuckled.

"He won't be here for a while, how about when he gets here? I'll call you inside?" Jupiter said as his voice slowly faded

That would be. nice.

"IO! IO!" Ganymede said as quickly picked him up. He had his inhaler with him. "God damnit don't you fucking do this today!" Ganymede took his inhaler and shook it, placing it in his mouth he pressed the button.

IO was going in and out of consciousness. He jolted awake and started coughing. IO looked at Ganymede.

"Ganymede?" He asked softly.

Ganymede only hugged him.

"Don't you ever fucking do that? Ever fucking again." Ganymede held him tightly. Callisto ran over to them. "Oh my god are you okay!?" Callisto asked, grabbing IO's hand.

"I'm sorry." That's all IO could think about. Just wanting to apologize.

"I. I remember the car ride home that day, usually, it would consist of everyone talking and having fun debating over anything." IO thought as he squeezed Jupiter's arm heaving gently.

"Though everyone was silent. I could hear the sound of my heaves.. and the crunch within my lungs. Jupiter looked scared.. especially since he has a meeting tomorrow." IO closed his eyes.

"Why does my stupid asthma always have to flare?" IO teared up gently.

"Do I have to cancel my meeting tomorrow? Will you guys be fine alone?" Jupiter said in a concerned tone.

"We will be fine, it's just the weather," Callisto said. "I'm sorry." IO hiccuped gently as tears ran down his face. Ganymede sat up and gently reached his hand out. IO quickly grabbed it.

"Remember the exercise we did? About popping the balloons when we were young. Think about that. No one is mad at you, okay, you can't control it." Ganymede spoke out.

"Oh, but I wish I could." IO thought.