Beyond the Last Star

Chapter 4 (Part 2)- Ria

I sprinted out of my class and down the hall, mind scrambling to figure out the sight I had just seen. Solar flares... like none I've ever seen before. Is that even possible?

I have to find my girlfriend, I have to keep her safe, I have to get my things from my locker, I have to call my mom, I have to tell my friends.... My mind going everywhere, I ran past the office, looking through its deserted windows as I approached my locker. I opened my backpack, shoving everything into it as fast as I could. Dammit, what's Kati's first class.... I feel like I should know this by now... I ran from class to class, peering in windows and opening cracked doors. As tears started to gently roll down my face I wiped them away, not allowing negative emotions to overtake me. Carmen, Science, History, MATH. ITS MATH.

I run down to Kati's first period class and shove open the door. Panting and red in the face I ask, "Is Kati here?"

The only person inhabiting the room is Kati's math teacher. Resting his head on his desk as he cries. He looks up at me with bleary eyes and mumbles, "She went to find you. I gave up on stopping her."

I sprint back out the hallway to the cafeteria. I slump against the wall as I allow the tears to roll down my face. I look up as I hear Kati's voice calling my name and I see her run towards me. I run in her direction, grabbing her in a hug as I whisper, "I love you Kati..." as I look around at the deserted building I get scared for a moment, "and we need to go"

I pull her hand motioning for her to follow as we jog out of the building into immense heat. I hear her begin to cry and turn around to see her sitting on the ground with her head in her hands. I walk over and sit next to her.

As I sit, I move her hands from her face and look into her eyes, wiping away her tears. "Hey look at me..."

She lowers her chin a little, but looking back still, "What..?"

I gently caress her cheek and tilt her chin back up. "Don't think. Don't speak. Just know that I'm right here, and I'll always be right here for you. I'm not leaving, and I'm not letting you get hurt."

As I gently pull her towards me I see one single tear roll from her eye and our lips meet. We softly kiss, sitting on the ground beneath an exploding star. Sharing love in the most devastating time, reminding each other that we have each other and it will never change. Not even death will be able to separate us.

I pull away smiling kindly and looking at her, "Can we keep going? We need to reach home... " I look up worriedly "...before it happens again."

She looks into my eyes and kisses my cheek as she stands up, pulling me with her and hugging me.

"I love you so much Ria... Never forget that."