Interstellar

Chapter 9

[Ashtynn's POV]

After the incident, the school put me on leave for a couple months. The perverts got reported by Polaris and Keegan. They were charged for sexual assault and attempted rape, but since they were still minors, they were only given a sentence of 14 years in juvy.

While I was at home, Polaris never left my side. He would get too anxious to leave me to do things by myself. I assured him that I'd be fine, considering that it was my own house, but he always insisted. 

Today was going to be Polaris' first day attending my school. We had the same classes; all except for History. Polaris looked really cute in his hoodie and ripped jeans. He noticed me staring and smiled.

"I can see you, Ashtynn~"

I turn away, blushing. "Yeah, yeah, I know."

I've started becoming myself again—I've stopped straightening my hair, I've stopped wearing dark makeup, and I've stopped acting like a delinquent (I haven't stopped being assertive, though haha). Polaris has become a lot happier since then, and it's made me happier too. 

I grab my backpack and throw it over my shoulders. Polaris watches and does the same right after. I smile. "You ready for school?"

He smiles back, tiny stars materialize around him. "Yes!"

We leave the house and close the door, locking it before we leave. Polaris is really overzealous, bouncing up and down and not paying any attention to where he was going. He almost bumped into 3 people on our way to school. 

"I know you're excited but I need you to calm your ass and pay attention, or else you're gonna get yourself killed."

"Ohhh, but I can't!"

Rolling my eyes, I grab Polaris' wrist. He looks down at me and re-positions his hand, now holding mine.

Polaris chuckles. "Holding hands isn't weird."

"Yeah, but kids like to speculate."

Once we got to the front gate, Polaris' grip on my hand tightened. I smiled at him, reassuring him that I'd be okay.

"It's okay. We've got most of our classes together anyway."

He nods. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

"I am right, dumbass."

"If I got a dollar for every time you called me a dumbass, I'd be rich."

I laughed. Polaris loosened his grip and grinned one of his toothy smiles. 

We entered the gate, closing it behind us. The closer we got to the school, the more people began to stare at Polaris. I can't blame them—he is pretty attractive, and his face is just so genuine.

Polaris tugs at the back of my cardigan. "Why are all these girls staring at me?"

"Oh, don't mind them. They're just attracted to your face. They're all just freshmen and sophomores who wear slutty clothes, are addicted to nicotine, get crushes on all the seniors, and fake hardcore depression."

"...Why would anyone be attracted to that? It seems pretty disgusting to me."

"Oh, tell me about it." 

As we walked through the hallways to get to first period, I noticed a lot of girls glaring at me. Now that I wasn't exactly pretending to be something I'm not, they're all kind of scary. Making eye contact with one of them, I brushed my hair over my face.

"Yeah, that's right. You better hide," the girl said.

Suddenly, a shadow cast over me. It was Polaris. He was standing at my other side, using his body as a shield. I looked up at him; he was glaring back at the girl, who put on the fakest smile I had ever seen. Polaris puts his hand on the small of my back and moves me along.

"I don't like the people here."

"And you thought school wasn't that bad."

Polaris huffs and puts his hands on his hips. "Ashtynn, it's only been about 25 minutes. The day has barely begun. Besides, I don't think it'll be that bad—I get to spend the entire day with you!"

I blush. "You're so clingy."

"Haha, you don't mind, right?"

"Of course not."

"Thought so."

First period was astronomy, which was my favourite class. I wasn't too worried about Polaris—he's a star, so he should know some things about the universe. When I tell him that the class was on the fourth floor, he took no time thinking about it and dashed up three flights of stairs. 

I met him at the top about a minute later. He was casually leaning on a window sill, embracing the beauty of the school's soccer field. I walk up to him and tap his shoulder. He tenses a bit and turns around. When he realizes it's only me, he smiles and pats my head.

"You ready for astronomy?" I ask.

"I'm excited!"

The warning bell rings, signaling for students to hurry to their classes. Polaris and I walk into the classroom and we're greeted by a group of girls. They all glance at me for a couple seconds, then turn towards Polaris. Unfortunately, Kemi was among the group.

She steps out and approaches Polaris. "Now who do we have here?"

Polaris scowls. "Oh, Ashtynn. I met this petty girl when I was looking for you."

Kemi glares at me, and then faces Polaris once more. Aww~, don't be like that."

The star boy clicks his tongue. Kemi smiles and strolls to an empty table. She pats on the seat next to her, signaling for Polaris to sit with her. He shakes his head.

"No, thanks. I'm sitting next to someone else."

"Who? Ashtynn? Why would you wanna sit next her?"

Polaris clenches his fists. "The real question is why anyone would sit with you. You're just so...so—"

I place hand on his shoulder. The last time he got mad he almost killed someone, and we don't want that happening. Polaris grabs my hand and drags me to an empty table. I glanced at him from my peripheral vision, afraid that he'd glare at me if we made eye contact. Somehow, he noticed that I was staring and his stern expression softened. He pat my head a couple times and then began to rummage through his bag.

He pulled out a notebook that read 'Astronomy'. Scribbled around it were little stars drawn with Sharpie. I smiled. 

Just like a child, I thought.

Mrs. Gruen, one of my favourite science teachers, walks into the classroom. She was a short, 63-year-old lady who acted like she hasn't lived a day over 30. Her light grey hair stopped right at her shoulders. In front of her piercing chocolate eyes laid her optical quality eyeglasses. You could say that Mrs. Gruen is like everyone's non-biological grandmother.

"Good morning, darlings. Anyone want some chocolate?" the sweet, old lady says, putting her shoulder bag on her desk. She unzipped her bag, pulled out a couple pieces of wrapped chocolate, and passed them around the class.

Polaris obviously took one, considering that he's never had chocolate before. Once he had finished his treat, he squeezed his eyes shut as tiny stars materialized around him. I shook his arm, causing him to pay attention to his surroundings and the stars to disappear.

"Be careful, you dumbass," I whispered.

Polaris giggles, eyes closed and dimples crinkled. "Sorry."

hey guys ! next chapter will be kinda be like the climax/halfway point of this story ! i'm honestly really proud of what i've done with this so far and i can't wait to finish and leave you all with a great story !

i need sleep .-.

Until next time !

~♡ vvnova