Astral

Chapter 4

Stella awoke once more to the smell of oatmeal. A nurse must have put it there earlier. She reached for the tray just as someone else grabbed for it. Stella looked up, it was her father. Gray-haired and clean-shaven with a sheepish expression. He handed her the tray.

"Hey, Hun..." He greeted weakly.

Stella examined his outfit.

"What's with the suit?" She asked, bluntly.

He stood dazed before answering.

"What? Oh! Oh— I'm late!" He rambled.

"For?" Stella inquired.

He ignored her questions and flew out the door, only leaving enough time to say:

"Bye, Sweetie!"

She groaned and shook her head. There was a faint buzzing noise by the bed. Stella's phone. She grabbed her leather jacket and pulled out her phone. The screen was now cracked, but she could still see the 17 texts Rocky had sent her. 18. Stella quickly typed.

Text me after school, I'll explain.

The buzzing stopped.

Hours later, Stella was sent off with crutches and her belongings. She cautiously stepped into her dad's beat-up Impala. Stella focused on twiddling her thumbs.

"So... Where did you go today?" Stella asked.

"Huh?" He glanced over, "Oh, um, just a... date."

Stella stopped herself from saying something insensitive.

"Oh," Stella replied.

The news was underwhelming, considering what had already happened in the last 24 hours.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

She winced. How am I supposed to know? Stella thought. She managed to let out a weak

"Yeah..."

As soon as Stella got into her bedroom, she whipped out her phone to tell Rocky to come over "ASAP".

Within a matter of minutes, Rocky burst into her room and sat on Stella's bedside.

"What is it?" Rocky tossed her hair to the side.

"I... I think I—"

"You... What?" Rocky questioned impatiently.

"I died."

Rocky stifled a laugh.

"You what?" Rocky asked, this time not seriously.

"It doesn't look like you're dead. Well, sort of," Rocky joked.

Stella grimaced, rethinking if she should go through with telling Rocky.

"I mean, I came back to life," Stella corrected, noticing how crazy she sounded, "but, at one point, I was dead- or close to dead."

"Uh... Huh," Rocky processed this, "is that all?"

Stella blushed.

"Well, no. I'm not entirely sure, but, I think I saw an angel."

"Stella..." Rocky started.

"No, it's fine if you don't believe me—"

"One second," Rocky pulled out her phone, "Hey, Mom, I'll be right down"

She backed out of the room while mouthing the words I have to go. The door closed with a click as Stella sighed.

She doesn't believe me, Stella concluded. Before she could give it anymore thought, Stella's dad silently entered the room and placed a bowl of chicken noodle soup on the nightstand.

"Why was Rocky in such a hurry?" He asked.

"I think her mom called," Stella mumbled.

"Ah," her dad nodded, "do you think you'll be able to go to school tomorrow?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine," Stella answered.

"Okay, kiddo," he chuckled.

He closed the door behind him as he left.