Under The Stars (Stephew)

1

Another day, another night. It had been exactly the same for a while, work on art on the weekend go to work and get milk on Monday, nothing but work Tuesday to Thursday. But Friday was always new. He had never stopped leaving the house to go watch the stars, though by now it was less secretive than the first few years. As well as that, they almost always had chicken on Friday. It was still just him and his father, his father had never married again and Matthew was yet to find anyone particularly interesting.

Little did he know, was that this Friday would change everything.

It was sundown by the time Matthew had closed the small shop for the weekend it was sundown. Sunlight filtered through branches of trees, causing mesmerizing patterns of sun and shade to appear. It probably happened during the day too, but Matthew was never in the frontier-like town during mid-day, only near-dawn, and near-sunset. Despite that, Matthew was quite pleased about life, especially since he always had the stars. His father could be harsh, if needed, but never pressured Matthew into anything he didn't want to do.

A soft smile was plastered on Matthew's face as he walked home, admiring the sights he'd seen for years, but always found beauty in. He attempted to push back the fringe that had fallen onto his forehead, but like it usually did at the end of the day, it flopped back down. Matthew exhaled a short sigh at that, before looking back up to watch two butterflies flutter in a vaguely circular shape around two white and purple flowers. the birds and the wind were his only company on the way back, aside from the occasional squirrel, rabbit, or insect, and even then you'd have to spot the creature before it can away.

Life was weird. You couldn't speak your mind to any old person, especially not the cashier at the store, who did the work of a janitor as well. Everyone would be quick to point out every one of your idiosyncrasies until you wanted nothing more than to be left alone. So Matthew kept his mouth shut, about the way light and shade trickled down the pathways of Earth, the way the birds created their own melody, about how moonlight lit Earth so closely to the Sun's method, how stars never ceased their twinkling positions in the sky, even as they moved across the sky. It was all a metaphor for something, but Matthew didn't have the answers, he was the artist, not the philosopher.

"Hey," Matthew said, once he entered the house. "Hi," his father said back, " How was work?" Matthew shrugged, before continuing his response verbally, "The same as usual." His dad nodded, "I couldn't get a chicken tonight." He said, a sad look fell onto the younger male's face, but he spoke reassuringly nonetheless " It's okay." His dad sighed, "I know, it just makes me feel bad..." He trailed off, looking at his son. " I'm sorry that I can't sustain the two of us." Matthew looked at his dad, a sympathetic tone to his face. "It's okay. We have shelter, food and water." "I get it!" The older man suddenly yelled "But, what good is food when it's bread that's stale every day of the week! What good is water when you can see the dirt in it! What's good about the cheapest house on the market! And the milk is disgusting!" Matthew wrapped his father in a hug, who quickly hugged back, clearly holding back tears. "I'm sorry." He said, the sound devoid of most emotions. " I can head out early tonight, and you can do whatever. " His father nodded "I have to wonder how you're stronger than me."

In truth, half of the time Matthew would have salty tears fall down his cheeks, but only when the sky, moon, and stars were his company. If there was one thing he thought about a lot, it was how problems.

In spite of his internal conflict, the stars were his friend, and going early couldn't be a bad idea.

Matthew had been sitting there for a few hours, watching the stars as usual. Sadly, clouds covered the stars, but Matthew still stared at the view, it being one he hadn't seen much. He then heard a quiet voice from next to him. "Uh... Mind if I sit here?" She said. "Go ahead!" Matthew said in response, scooting over on the log to make space for the new person.

Her dark brown hair was tied back in a ponytail, it seemed as if her skin had been trying to decide on a non-excessive tan, and insanely pale, and ended up mixing the two together. It seemed like she had no makeup on, making her warm brown eyes prettier as they would be with, especially with the moonlight coating the Earth.

"I'm Matthew," he said amiably, "Stephanie." The female responded, "I didn't realize anyone would be here tonight. "I come here most Fridays." Matthew shrugged, "I just came early 'cause of personal reasons." Stephanie nodded, clearly interested in what Matthew had to say, "I just need an escape from reality." She replied, deciding to share her intent, Matthew simply watched as the female kept talking "I love my job and all, but it's so stressful." "I wish my job was good." Matthew complained. "Me and my friend, Nathan, do most of the work at the store, and are there all work days, but we don't even get half as much as our boss! He's there maybe once a month." Stephanie groaned in annoyance , clearly understanding Matthew's rage. "I hate those people. They don't deserve anything." Her arms were now folded across her chest. She leaned back, expertly not falling off the log. She looked at Matthew before leaning back forward and looking at the sky once again. The two fell into a comfortable silence for a while before Stephanie interrupted it, her words barely breaking into the air. "D-did you ever lose someone important to you?" Matthew looked at her, shocked. Luckily Stephanie didn't want a response, as she just kept talking " 'Cause it almost feels like I've got no one left." She stared at the sky for a few minutes before getting up and stretching. "It was nice meeting you Matthew." " Yeah, same." Matthew responded, as Stephanie walked off.