Dark Stars, Light Stars

Chapter 9 - Once a Contender

Every champion was once a contender that refused to give up. – Rocky Balboa

Gonna Fly Now blasted through the speakers as Justice finished her blog on BookBlogs.com. All of her free time meant that she could update her page each day, and she could focus on her reading. Her playlist 'Rocky Balboa', helped her get pumped up and ready when writing – as well as completing/finalizing homework.

She loved the Rocky movies so much.

Speaking of which, as she closed her laptop shut, she turned her bedroom TV on using the remote to her right, and flicked through her saved movies. Most people were impressed by the amount of expensive things in her house, and how spoiled she was. Yes, she had a TV in her room and built in speakers; yes she had rows upon rows of shelves for her books and a professional camera to take photos for her blog.

But that was because her parents had worked hard for it all. People don't just become rich overnight.

As she scrolled through each movie, debating on what Rocky film to watch, her phone started to ring. The music stopped playing as Justice swiped right and pressed the phone to her ear.

'Hey Riley! How are you buddy? I haven't spoken to you at all these past few days.'

Justice picked up the remote and continued browsing as her friend replied.

'Hey 'Nova. I was wondering if you wanted to go to the movies tonight. I know it's a school night and you want to get some rest but there's the new Rocky movie and all.'

Justice burst out laughing as soon as Riley finished talking.

'Riley, I was just about to watch Rocky number three! Do you want to come over and watch that instead?'

There was silence on Riley's end. She could hear the muffled noises of him shifting position in the back ground, just before he spoke up.

'Uh yeah . . . sure. I'll be right over.'

Then he hung up.

Justice pulled her phone away from her ear and stared at it as it lay in her palm.

That was not the Riley she knew. He was always so cheerful and excited.

He was happy all the time.

But that, that was not the Riley she was used to. Something was wrong, and she was going to figure out what.

She picked up her book from her dresser to place on the shelf and thought about her friend for a moment. Riley had told her everything since they had met, and it seemed so unnatural for him to act that way over the phone.

As she stood up from her bed to freshen up, the doorbell rang downstairs. It surprised her, as for she didn't expect it, and she dropped her book onto the rug that sat in the middle of the room. Her Father had left for work, so she had to rush down the stairs to answer it, leaving the book behind.

'Well he was quick,' Justice murmured as she bounded down the staircase. The doorbell rang again and she opened the door as soon as it finished.

'You were quick Ril – Oh, Alistair.'

The boy stood before her, his hands shoved in the pockets of his faded denim jeans. His hair had been swept to the side to avoid the curls falling in his eyes (much to Justice's disappointment) and a red button down sleeved shirt covered most of the bandage that was on his left wrist.

Wait, a bandage?

'Alistair, what are you doing here? What happened to your wrist?' Justice gasped. The boy averted his eyes to the ground before answering.