To The Sun And Beyond

11. CONFESSION

"OKAY, YOU CAN DO THIS," I TOLD
Myself in the mirror. "You can stand up in front of everyone, and tell them they are all celestial space fighters who each have their own planet and have powers. Piece of cake."

I laughed sarcastically.

"Nope, I can't do this. I'm screwed."

"Celeste! Come on, we need to get to school!" Fin yelled from downstairs.

"Coming!" I screamed, running out of the bathroom and down the stairs.

I can do this.

No, I can't.

I SHOOK NERVOISLY IN THE DESK,
Drumming my fingers and humming to myself. What if Mason doesn't show up? What if I have to do it by myself? What if they don't believe me? What if they think I'm crazy and kick me out of the school?

I began planning a trip to Siberia.

Kayla rested her hand on my drumming fingers, and squeezed my hand gently.

"Why are you so nervous?" She asked.

"No reason," I answered, and darted my eyes around the room, trying to avoid Kayla's gaze.

Fin noticed I was shaky, too.

Great. Just wonderful.

"Is Celeste okay?" He whispered to Kayla, who nodded reasurringly.

"Yes, she's just nervous that her booooyyyfffrrriiieeennnddd hasn't shown up yet."

I shot my head up at Kayla, glaring.

"Boyfriend?" Fin looked up, meeting my gaze and raising an eyebrow.

"Celeste has a boyfriend?" Emma and Gennivive said in sync, walking up to my desk.

"Who is it?" Tessa asked, standing beside the others.

"Mason!" Kayla yelled, and the entire class ran up to ask me fifty million questions.

"When did you start dating?"

"Did you kiss yet?"

"Did he send you flowers?"

"No no no no no no!" I screamed, defensive. "Kayla was just joking. She doesn't know why I'm nervous."

"So you are nervous!" Kayla screamed, pointing at me like a detective who found the culprit of a crime.

"No! I'm not!" I screamed.

"What are you guys talking about?" Mason asked, suddenly appearing in the desk beside me.

"Aaaaah!" I screamed, flinching away from him.

"We're talking about you!" Kayla shouted.

"What?" Mason laughed.

I groaned and slammed my head against my desk in defeat.

These were the magical beings that protected the galaxy from ruin.

"Did you and Celeste kiss yet?" Tessa asked, overexited.

"Um, no. What are you talking about?" Mason asked. He sounded annoyed, and I could explain everything to him, but my head was on my desk.

"Aren't you guys dating?" Emma asked.

"No," Mason answered, puzzled. "Is Kayla making stuff up again?"

Kayla let out a giant laugh that filled the entire classroom.

Everyone moaned in sync, and scolded Kayla.

"Dangit, Kayla!" Emma yelled. "They would've been so cute together!"

My head snapped up, and I raised an eyebrow at Emma.

"What?" Mason asked.

"Nothing!" Emma screamed, and sprinted back to her desk.

When the crowd cleared, I sunk farther into my chair and sulked.

"What was that about?" Mason asked.

"I don't know anymore." I replied, not making eye contact.

Mr. Thomas walked into the classroom silently, making his way to his desk.

He set his bag down, and stood in front of the chalkboard.

"Okay, class. I have some news for you all. For some, it may come as a shock, and for some, not so much. I just ask that you keep the news inside the astronomy room. And to not tell anyone, for the safety of the galaxy. Please welcome our speakers today, Celeste and Mason." Mr. Thomas said as he moved over and motioned to the front of the room.

I slowly got up, my hands shaking by my sides, and my heart racing. Mason walked by my side, and we stood in the front of the room, in front of everyone.

Everyone stared, wide eyes at us, with Kayla making funny faces at me.

"Alright, so we have some big news for you all. And we don't know how most of you will take it, so, please, don't freak out," Mason began, and leaned in towards me. "Go, Celeste," he whispered.

The silence was so loud. Kanani glared at me from the corner of the room, blowing another bubble in her gum.

Gosh, does she do anything else?

Mason cleared his throat, and I snapped out of my thought. I quickly regained my posture.

"1000 years ago, there were 13 regular people who were part of an elite force called the 'Supernova'. They were all connected to eachother, and each represented a planet, moon, or, in my case, a star," I began, my voice shaky.
"Um, each of them had magical stone amulets that contained magical powers. But the powers only worked once all of them had met, and were in the same region. The Sun was the strongest, and had the strongest powers. But it was never enough for him." I finished, and glanced up at Mason, who nodded.

"After the sun consumed so much power, he died along with the other warriors. When the ancient rocks were discovered, they were passed down to a new generation of Supernova, and another, and another. Those stones are dangling around your necks right now," Mason said. "Now, the moons are less needed then the other planets, so, we have two moons missing. But we only need the core planets to activate our powers. And, since the other moons aren't here, I cannot possess powers until they arrive. If they arrive."

My nervousness disappeared, and my smile fell. Mason didn't tell me that part.

The room was silent, and everyone was staring at their amulets, studying them.

I took a deep breath, and Mason and I made our way back to our desks.

Mr. Thomas gestured toward the planetarium, and all of us followed, not speaking.

Mr. Thomas pressed the center button, and the same metal plates covered the ceiling, and the planets filled the room, with the lines attaching them.

Kayla came up from behind me, and placed her hand on my sholder. Fin appeared on the other side of me, holding my hand. Mason stood next to Kayla, and she rested her head on his shoulder. Then Tessa. Then Luke. James. Emma. Gennivive. Donovan. Kanani.

Until we were all standing in a circle, around the planets, our necklaces glowing, and our hearts open.

I never really liked the idea of a new family.

But for this one, I can make an exception.