Setting Fire to the Stars (a MM Sci-Fi Romance)

Chapter 2: Whispers

(Note: this chapter contains graphic portrayals of death and panic attacks)

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Lauren
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The unexpected blast threw me off my feet, catapulting across the floor. A painful cry tore from my throat as my side collided with sandstone, my back slumping against the hard surface. Fire laced down my ribs and breathing became an impossible task.

Blinking the tears from my eyes, I coughed. Jesus fucking Christ. What the hell was that? Pushing myself onto my elbows, a whoosh of air left me when something heavy collapsed on top of me, forcibly pinning me to cold limestone. A pained groan was knocked from my lungs under the weight.

As though underwater, I registered the frightened shrieks and scrambling bodies as people clamored for the door, the heavy smell of smoke choking my lungs. Over the screams and groans, those haunting echoes of inhuman voices rang in my ears, high-pitched like nails scraping on a chalkboard. The candles on the sconces flickered once, twice, as the pillars shook. The building groaned like an ancient beast rising from its slumber, an audible crashing sound signaling the fall of the grand chandelier. Glistening crystals fracturing across the tiles like glitter.

After what felt like forever, the quaking gradually ebbed with aftershocks. At the same time, the chorus of shrill soprano screeches in my head quieted just as suddenly as it began. The remaining candles fluttered, casting shadows that danced over the rafters. The panicked howls of terrified boys and teachers was unceasing. Blinking to stave off the pulsing soreness in my head, side, and back, I realized the weight hanging over me was another person.

"Fuck."

A shudder racked my body, the throaty groan having been spoken directly in my ear. Hot breath caressed the side of my neck. I knew that voice. Almost against my will my head turned to see who had pinned me down.

Grey collided with midnight blue and my whole world shook for a second time. Only one person on Earth had ocean eyes like those. He was flush up against my body, chest to chest, hip to hip, forearms braced on either side of my head. I could feel his rapid heartbeat through my clothes, our bodies pressed tightly together, noses just barely brushing.

I had come to to find that Peter Ducane, my tormentor, the star of my worst fucking nightmares, was on top of me.

Surprise was frozen on his face before his eyes abruptly darkened, a void of black quickly consuming cerulean. My muscles locked and I dared not even breathe. It took several breaths for me to realize he never made a move to get up.

Okay, pause. Confession time; Peter was my first crush. Yeah, I know it's cheesy as hell. But he wasn't always like this. An asshole, I mean. He used to be kind. I wasn't sure when it happened exactly. Even though we were so different, we got along like two peas in a pod. He was the kid who drank his juice with rocks in it, constantly getting us into trouble while I bailed us out. Growing up, we were practically inseparable and one day, I just couldn't imagine my life without him. Wherever he went, whatever he did, I wanted to be by his side.

His betrayal left a sour taste on my tongue and bitterness in my heart.

I opened my mouth, unsure exactly what was going to come out before one of Peter's football buddies clasped him on the shoulder.

"Bro, you good?"

Peter blinked. As though a spell breaking at midnight, the moment fractured. Time sped up, reality crashing through like an uninvited guest. Within seconds, Peter struggled to untangle himself from my limbs. With shaky hands, I shoved him sideways off me.