Book One - Starless Sky

Chapter 2

I trailed home and went to bed early, my family guessing it was still the aftermath of my sitting. Unable to fully sleep, I wake up at around 2am to find that Xavier had text me -

Im sorry Thea xx.

I throw my phone of my bed in annoyance and realize that Summer was just staring at me.

"Are you okay sis?" she asks yawning and comes to sit on my bed.

I just look into her concerned eyes and begin to cry, "Hes leaving me"- I muffle out.

"Who is leaving sis" she asks me.

"He has... left me" I can feel the tears swelling in my eyes.

"Why, what's happened - so I need to go and sort him out?" Summer stands up abruptly and reaches for her car keys.

"No Sum it's not like that", I say and grab her hand and pull her back down to sit next to me.

"His mom is moving to join the 'big' science outpost , you know the one in Australia and Xavier has to go too. They leave tomorrow", I reply and continue to cry. Summer starts to stroke my back and comfort me. In this moment im glad that im not alone.

"Do you ever wish Summer that you were born in a different time, when the world was happy?" I ask her.
She paused for a while lost in thought I guess.
"No, well yeah actually no, because the world has never been happy and pain has not just occurred in the last 50 years Athena. Remember last year in history Mr. Pearson taught us about the wars of the 21st century and Mrs. Miles taught us about all the diseases. The world was definitely not happy then, its not about when you are born its how you choose to live your life." she says, still holding me in a comforting hug.

"I know but how can we live if they monitor us, and they say that human existence is on red alert and armageddon is eminent, we could all die tomorrow". I reply, the truth of my words causing a shiver to run down my spine.

"Athens the would will end one day with or without us, two Maylen girls aren't going to stop that" she saying giving me a kiss on my cheek. I flop back on my bed as does Summer. Annoyingly and as always my sister is correct.

***

BANG...
BANG...
BANG...

I wake to my alarm clock sending loud noises throughout my entire bedroom. I slam it off its side table, wincing slightly as I hear the thud as it hits the wooden floor. Why I chose such A marching band alarm tone is beyond me. I check my phone whilst rubbing my eyes, my vision still blurred with sleep. I had ten new messages off Xavier, all of which I delete instantly. Even though I feel awful for it, my mind isnt in the place to talk to him right now. Scanning my screen I come across the time, my heart stops when I see its 7:50am already. I have thirty minutes and counting to get to school. Deciding to be a good student I jump up out off bed, a little too quickly as my head begins to rush from the sudden movement. Steadying myself, I go to my wardrobe and grab my grey U5A leggings and thick sweater, along with some running shoes, as that's what I'll be doing to get to school on time.
I head to the bathroom, but remember something - Summer.
She was fast asleep snoring, her tall body curled in a tiny ball and a small smile etched upon her face. I shake her covers in an attempt to wake her. Nothing, no movement whatsoever. My heart begins pounding as I see that its 8am and I rush to continue getting ready. I put a small amount of berry colored lipstick on to even out my ghostly appearance and rush to get my school bag.

"Defense, Physics, Unitideism book" I double check out loud, reassuring myself that I have everything I need.

I spin round to check on Summer, but no movement has occurred since in the last five minutes.

"Summer get out of bed, now!" I shout whilst grabbing my winter coat frustrated at my sisters sudden deafness. A slight moan escapes her mouth, but nothing substantial. I can feel my palms become sweaty as I think of my impending lateness first day back after my sitting.